Winterfell
Lysara Stark
"They will pay for this," Lysara vowed as she sipped at her wine. "They will know of the meaning fire and blood when I am done with them."
"You are a Targaryen, Lysara." Theon drawled, causing her to look over her shoulder at him with narrowed eyes.
"No. A Targaryen, I am not. I am however a sister, a sister who worshipper's R'hllor." Lysara stated firmly, her voice turning cold and she placed her wine on the table before turning to face Theon. "Brandon, they shattered his hopes and his dreams. He wanted to go to King's Landing, he wanted to be a knight...his fate has been changed all because they wanted a simple, discreet fuck. My little brother cried throughout the night, he hit and he hit at his legs, never to feel them. He was clawing at his skin in an attempt to gain feeling once more within them. They deserve everything that I will do to them."
"He will survive. You Stark's aren't only hard to kill but you Stark's are a stubborn lot too," Theon tells her.
"Thank you, Theon," Lysara responds.
"I don't mean to pry-" Theon leers. Lysara stiffens at his voice, sensing an oncoming jest as he hands the letter to her. "But who's your secret admirer?"
"Robert Baratheon," She sarcastically informs him but by the look of horror on his face, he thought of it as the truth, causing her to sigh deeply. "I was jesting, Theon. It is in fact, Arya who writes to me. Though it should not concern the likes of you who writes to me."
"Right..."He trailed off before she dismissed him.
Theon bowed before leaving her chambers. Her eyes averted back to the letter he had delivered to her, she folded it and placed it in between a crack in the wall of her chambers. The same gap between the stones next to her bedside where she keeps all her valued secrets. Lysara hummed slightly before lifting up her red skirts in her hands and made her way out of her chambers and down to her younger brothers. She entered the icy chambers only to see that Robb was already present. Robb turned to face her and stood rigid. Lysara raised a brow, giving him a sidelong glance before she tucked in her skirts and sat on the edge of the bed near their brother.
"I'm sorry I kept you up last night," Brandon says and looks up at her with solemn eyes.
"Do not dwell on the past, Bran," Lysara assured him, brushing back the curls on his forehead to take in his features. "I do not tire easily. A fire burns within me."
"You're so warm," Bran mumbled, his voice wavering as he leant into her touch.
"Do you recall anything?" Lysara inquired, raising an eyebrow and ignored the look that Robb was giving her.
"No," Bran denied with a shake of his head. "All I know is that I fell. Robb believes me."
"Does he now?" She questioned, looking up to face Robb. "I have watched you climb for years and years, in all conditions and you have climbed every building in Winterfell, even the trees. I remembered seeing you fall that day. Do you know what my thoughts consisted of?" Lysara stilled, looking to see Bran listening intently to every sly word she spoke. "I thought, he never falls. And you have not, not even a mere slip of your foot. I have watched you climb many a time...shadows tend to play tricks on the mind, don't they?"
"Lysara, I did fall," Bran said bitterly as she places a hand in his own. "I'm a cripple. Can't you see? I'm useless!"
"You may be crippled-" Lysara began as Robb tried to speak. "You may not be able to walk but you are not useless. You will never be useless."
"I can't do anything now," Bran muttered and sniffed loudly, trying to hold back tears.
"No, don't say those things. You can do things," Robb encouraged weakly, though she could see the conflict present in her older brother's pained blue eyes. He too knew that Bran had wanted to become a knight. "You are a Stark. The lone wolf dies but the pack survives. Together, we can do anything. If you want to try something...then we sure as hell will try."
"I'd rather be dead," Brandon snarled causing Robb to stiffen.
"Don't ever say that," Robb threatened, taking a seat on the edge of the other side of the bed.
"I'd rather be dead," He repeats. Her face grew impassive and she took to standing then, staring down at him coldly.
"If I were you, Brandon Stark-" Lysara began icily, "I'd stop feeling sorry for yourself. "And if you ever dare say those words in my presence ever again, I will not hesitate to lay a hand upon you. How dare you-" She stilled, at the panicked and pleading look Robb shot her causing her tone to soften. "R'hllor has chosen this fate for you, has chosen this life for you because you are strong enough to live it. If you survived the fall, that means he has greater plans for you. I will allow for you to scream, I will allow for you to cry and weep about how unfair it is...but you do not give up."
"...Leave me alone," Bran wept, avoiding her gaze.
"So be it," Lysara said her face hardening. "Come, Robb."
Robb sucked in a shaky breath, confliction heavy on his mind, heart and features as he looked at her and their upset brother. He sighed, standing up from the bed and followed her out of Brandon's chambers, closing the door quietly behind them. Lysara clasped her hands behind her back as they made their way down the hall but he stilled and turned to face her, his blue eyes cold and narrowed as he stared at her.
"How could you say that to Bran?" Robb demanded, anger evident in his tone.
"Robb. He was serious," Lysara reasoned, her voice growing into a harsh whisper. "He cannot give up. It is vital he doesn't. He is not yet used to his new life but he will eventually have to deal with it like we all will. He was acting as if he was the only one to suffer, while he slept peacefully, Winterfell was in turmoil and now he just...he just wants to give up. No, that is not happening. I won't allow nor let that happen. Lady Catelyn, our mother, risked her life to save his. He does not get to die. Ever."
"Lysara, he wasn't being serious!" Robb snarled quietly. "He said it because he was just-"
"Robb, Brandon was serious. The words he spoke were true," She bit sharply. "You did not see the look in his eyes. You-"
"Enough, Lysara. Either tend to Rickon or I will confine you to your chambers," Robb warned insincerely, before stalking off down the hall.
Lysara scoffed, looking on at his retreating figure with a blank expression before her eyebrow slowly arched as a smirk appeared on her face. She often felt sorry for her elder brother Robb, he couldn't even stand by his threats. All bark and no bite, Lysara remarked to herself as she made her way down the hall towards Rickon's chambers.
Lysara took a seat next to Robb, mindful of Grey Wind who was lying underneath the table, beneath their feet. Maester Luwin had requested that she come to the great hall on Robb's behalf, upon asking Maester Luwin 'why'. He responded with a man's name. Tyrion Lannister. Lysara kept an ever present smirk on her face as she looked on to the doors of the great hall over the rim of her goblet, that was filled half way to the top with wine. She knew that Tyrion had no hand in neither Bran's fall nor attempted assassination. He was a man of many things but a child killer, he was not. He will dwell deeper into danger each passing day, Lysara remarked to herself.
The doors to the hall opened wide and Tyrion entered the hall, followed by men of the Night's Watch. Lysara could feel Robb stiffen beside her and could feel his temper steadily rise, she knew his temperament would someday be the death of him. Lysara placed her goblet back down on the table after she had downed her wine in two mouthfuls. She kept silent, waiting and watching to see how everything would unravel.
"I must say, I received a slightly warmed welcome on my last visit," Tyrion began, glancing at her.
"Any man of the Night's Watch is welcomed at Winterfell," Robb stated coldly. Lysara glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Careful, Robb.
"Any man from the Night's Watch but not me, eh boy?" Tyrion questioned, peering up at him.
"I am not your boy, Lannister," Robb seethed, gritting his teeth. "I am the Lord of Winterfell while my father is away."
"Now, now, Robb-" Lysara advised softly, though her voice held a hint of warning. "Is it not best to show our guest some graciousness?"
"Your sister is right," Lord Tyrion piped up, tilting his head towards her. "You should learn a Lord's courtesy."
Lysara gave the lion man a curt nod, causing his lips to uplift into a smirk only angering Robb greater than he already was. She knew that everything that he was doing from his movement to his words would irk Robb to no end and by the looks of it, Lord Tyrion knew of it too. It seemed he only had to breathe to irritate her brother. Robb's eyes grew colder as he glared at bother herself and the lion man. A silence fell across the hall as they could hear the thundering footsteps of Hodor. The door opened and her gaze fell on Bran, carried by the simple giant with Theon trailing slightly behind them.
"It is true them," Tyrion remarked, though it seemed it was mostly to himself. His eyes widened slightly as Hodor approached him with Bran. "Hello, Bran. Do you remember anything of what happened?"
"He has no memory of that day," Maester Luwin answered causing her to nod.
"Brandon claims he cannot remember," Lysara adds casting a glance to Bran before her grey eyes fall back on Tyrion.
"Curious," Tyrion remarked.
"Indeed," She responds lightly, causing his eyes to land on her. He stared at her intently before his gaze turns to Robb.
"Why are you here?" Robb asked stiffly, clenching his hands on the table.
"Would your companion be so kind as to kneel?" Tyrion requested, ignoring Robb's hostile question as he focuses on Bran. "My neck is starting to hurt."
"Kneel Hodor," Bran commanded. Hodor did so without hesitation, fumbling to his knees with a thud so that Bran and Tyrion were facing each other.
"Do you like to ride, Bran?" The blond haired man questioned.
"Yes, I do," Bran said eagerly before his features slipped into one of disappointment and sadness. "I mean...I did like riding."
"The boy has lost the use of his legs," Maester Luwin stated.
"What of it?" Tyrion scoffed, causing her brow to raise. "All he needs is the right horse and saddle. Even a cripple can ride."
"I'm not a cripple," Bran protested as Robb bristled at her side.
"You are Brandon," Lysara said firmly. "You cannot defy it anymore."
"If you're not a cripple, then I am not a dwarf. My father would rejoice to hear it!" Tyrion exclaimed. He reached into his pocket and handed Brandon a rolled up piece of parchment. "I have a gift for you. You give this to your saddler, he will surely be able to provide the rest for you."
"I thank you," Lysara said sincerely before correcting herself. "We thank you, Tyrion Lannister."
"You do not need to thank me," Tyrion said and waved her 'thanks' off dismissively.
"Will I truly be able to ride?" Bran asked, his face falling into one of awe.
"Yes, You will," Tyrion vowed his promise firm. "You will be as tall as any man upon horseback."
Lysara knew from the moment she saw the little lion man there was more to the Lord than tits and wine and as of now, he had proven it to her without even realising it himself. She let a small, soft smile appear on her face she looked on at Bran's ecstatic face. It was the youthful, innocence he held on his face that made her grow fond of Tyrion. Lysara turned to face Robb but saw that he was still unconvinced by Tyrion, merely because the man's last name was 'Lannister'. Her eyes went ablaze as angered filled her that he did not share the same happiness that she held for their younger brother.
"Is this some sort of trick?" Robb demanded, "Why do you want to help him?"
"I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples, bastards and broken things," Tyrion replied honestly. Jon and Brandon.
"Lord Tyrion," Lysara began. "May I ask of you about Jon? How is he?"
"Your bastard brother? He's fairing well if I do say so myself," Tyrion answers with a slanted smile. "A little homesick I think but I assume that it's normal."
"I thank you, Lord Tyrion. You have shown us nothing but kindness, the hospitality of Winterfell is yours. You may drink, eat and sleep your fill," Lysara said formally.
"Thank you, Lady Lysara. Though I doubt I will be fully welcomed. I am afraid your brother would not be pleased with my stay," Tyrion informed her with a shake of his head.
Lysara could feel Robb relaxing into his chair. Her eyes narrowed instantly as Tyrion excused himself saying that he would rather go to a brothel outside of Wintertown instead of staying in her home. She wanted to feel insulted but she could not blame him. After Tyrion Lannister's departure, everyone eventually emptied the hall leaving both her and her elder brother alone. The air was tense around them and she was certain that there would be a crack if someone was to cut into the air near them with a sword.
"I cannot believe you," Lysara hissed after a long period of silence between them. "Do you know how that makes you look? How it makes us look? He'd rather go to a whore house than stay here."
"You offered him our hospitality when it wasn't yours to give!" Robb spat, his voice rising.
"Did you not see what unfolded right in front of our eyes? He showed Bran kindness!" She argued, digging her nails into the wood of the table. "We would be fools not to offer a Lord hospitality, despite how you perceive them. This is how enemies are made. You should be glad that he did not take offence. You should be glad that he is not that sort of man. If it were any other man, take Lord Frey for example, he would have had you run through!"
"It was Lord Tyrion that pushed Bran from the tower!" Robb snarled. His voice like thunder and her voice like lightning in the hall as they both rose from their seat at the same time. "I know it was. Why else would he give him a gift? He must have pushed him from the tower. It was his blade that was used to try and kill our mother and Bran! The guilt must have got to him!"
"Robb-" Lysara started, her voice growing weak. "It wasn't him...I know it wasn't."
"You act as if you were the one to push Bran from the tower," Robb tells her, turning his back to her.
"...If you will pardon me, my Lord. I need to go and tend to our brothers," She said, ignoring the whispers that she could hear.
Lysara tried to ignore the words he spoke, not wanting him to know how much they hurt her. She picked up her skirts in her trembling hands and trailed down the steps, making her way towards the door with a small sigh. A cough echoed throughout the hall causing her to stop in her tracks and she slowly turned back to face Robb, who was facing her once more and was staring at her with a softness only her auburn haired siblings could possess. She, Arya and Jon did not possess such a softness. Not like Robb, Sansa, Bran and Rickon.
"I'm glad you aren't in King's Landing," Robb admitted softly though his voice was barely heard but she managed to catch on. "Rickon needs you. Bran needs you...I need you."
"You need me?" Lysara scoffed, looking on at him in disbelief.
"Aye, I do-" He retorted before his face turned cold once more. "Winter is Coming."
"Winter isn't coming-" She spoke, her cold voice carried with the icy wind that had found its way into the hall when she opened the door. "Winter is already here."
Author's Note: Hey guys, hopefully you like chapter's eight and nine. I'd like to thank everyone for reading my story, for putting it as one of your favourites and for following it. I would also like to thank everyone who has left a review, your reviews mean a lot to me. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Reviews-
TheShadowRayven: Thank you so much, it means a lot to me that you think so!
Cxf: Thank you, hopefully these chapters don't disappoint!
Guest D: Thank you, I am so glad that you are enjoying this story and haven't been able to figure out the plot fully yet. I wanted to have a sort of hint of mystery to this story because of who she is as a character because even though it might be her point of view, she does tend to lie to herself and the reader's as well. I'm glad you like my portrayal of Lysara and I'm relieved to hear that the character's aren't ooc, I try to keep each character along with my own in character. You have kind of caught me out with linking the story to beyond the Wall, without giving too much away. I felt that the magic and mystery (plus danger) beyond the Wall is so important and not many stories include it.
celticank: Hopefully you like Chapter Eight and Nine! Lysara won't stop the Red Wedding, it will remain canon. Though she will and has hinted a few times that she knows about it but she will be with Bran.