"Where dark woods hold secrets and mountains are fierce and bold. Deep waters hold reflections of times lost long ago. I will hear their every story, take hold of my own dream. Be as strong as the seas are stormy and proud as an eagle's scream."- Touch The Sky, Julie Fowlis
III. LUCIA
"Luce! Luce!" Bran called, scrambling up the stairs and almost tumbling into the dark haired girl. "The Lannisters are here!"
"Are they?" Lucia Snow asked, ruffling his hair. "I had best find Jon then and go down."
"Jon sent me to get you," Bran reported proudly. Lucia smiled fondly at the boy she now knew was her cousin. Ned Stark had told she and Jon, then Robb and Theon two nights ago. Luce and Jon's mother had been Lyanna Stark, Ned's sister. Their father had been Prince Rhaegar Targaryan. They had told no one else and were not to tell anyone until King Robert Baratheon's announcement at the meal coming that night. Luce followed Bran outside into the courtyard, clearing those thoughts from her head.
Luce knew one thing that her cousins and brother did not though. She was to be wed to Jaime Lannister to keep the Lannister from gaining more power against Robert through a marriage to Jaime with someone else. Lucia Stark had already shed her tears and was now cold to the idea. She would endure, just as she and her brother had endured a bitter Theon Greyjoy's taunts for the first year he had been in Winterfell. She and Shadow would survive the Lannisters just as she had survived everything else.
The courtyard was a mess of people and chaos. Luce recognized Ser Jaime Lannister's golden hair as he dismounted. Beside the knight and heir to Casterly Rock was Queen Cersei who dismounted as well. Greetings were exchanged and in one panicked moment Luce felt overwhelmed even as she knew she would not be introduced to anyone. Then Jon's eyes, a mirror of her own grey, met hers and she felt a wave of relief. "Go over to Robb," Luce told Bran gently, ruffling his hair once more and giving him a gentle push. Bran grinned up at her and darted off.
"Help with the horses?" a voice suddenly spoke up behind her. Luce resisted the urge to swear and glared up over her shoulder at Theon Greyjoy.
"Of course," she said simply, waiting until he slipped by her before hissing, "Bastard." He heard and snorted, causing a smirk to form on Luce's face. Jon joined them. The twins followed behind Theon, let the older boy clear a path for them. If it had just been the Stark household he would have led some sarcastic comment but with the present company he settled for tossing smirks over his shoulder for which the twins returned in kind. They took the horses from the lesser knights, knowing from experience that most richer families didn't want their horses taken without a chance to show them off. Once the lower horses were handed off they turned back to the others.
"I dare you to take Lady Lannister's," Theon told Luce and she rolled her eyes, exchanging an exasperated glance with Jon.
"Very well," she drawled, making her way over to Cersei Lannister. "If milady wishes I will take her mount to the stables," she said with a deep curtsey, keeping her head to the ground.
"I will not have a bastard touching my horse," Cersei said scathingly and Luce curtsied again before swooping off, stopping one of the stable boys on her way to join Jon and Theon. "The Lady Queen does not wish to have her horse attended to," she said and the man nodded.
Fifteen minutes later Cersei's expression had changed from disdain to deep irritation. "What does one have to do to have their mount taken care of here?" she snapped. Luce could see both Theon and Jon smirking, barely holding down laughter, as she pushed through the crowd, dropping into a curtsey. Cersei Lannister glared at her, shoving the reins at her. Luce took them and turned to hide her smirk. When they were able to take their leave of the others Jon and Theon spilled the whole story to Robb and they laughed so hard they feared their sides would split.
That night came far too quickly for Luce but she showed no sign of nervousness aside from clutching Jon's hand underneath the table as Robert Baratheon stood, their uncle taking his place next to the king. The hall quieted swiftly though out of respect for Robert or Ned Luce was not sure. "I have two announcements I am proud to make to you all this evening, dearest friends," Robert began. "I would ask that Jon and Lucia Snow please stand." Keeping her twin's hand in her own she stood and Jon stood with her. "Some years ago Lord Eddard and I made a promise to keep a secret from everyone until the proper time was come. That time is now. It is my honor to present to you all Lucia and Jon Stark, the trueborn children of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryan."
Gasps spread through the room but neither of the newly named Starks twitched. Instead Lucia and her twin kept hidden behind stony Stark masks, not showing the pounding hearts within. Luce felt the comforting pressure of her brother's hand and breathed out softly as Robert Baratheon cleared his throat and gained the attention of everyone in the hall again. "I would also ask Ser Jaime Lannister to step forth." It took all Lucia's strength not to hold her breath as the golden haired Kingslayer joined her uncle and the king on the raised dais. "I am also proud to announce the marriage two days hence of Ser Jaime Lannister of Casterly Rock to Lady Lucia Stark of Winterfell."
The murmur was immediate as Luce forced her eyes to meet Jaime Lannister's. Green clashed with grey for a long moment before Robert clapped Jaime heavily on the shoulder, claiming the knights attention. Luce breathed out in a sigh again and squeezed Jon's hand. "The seven help you," Jon whispered in her ear and she nodded, following him to take their places between Robb and Theon.