Author's note: Here is the next chapter! I hope you all like it. Thank you all for the favorites and follows, also reviews. It means a lot to me! Like I said last time for the Dayne stuff most of it comes from what I can find from the books or online and even then there is not much solid facts on the Daynes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or the characters from it. I own Alara and her mother.

Chapter 4: Ghosts.

Alara's p.o.v

Traveling was harder than Alara had planned for. She was not used to sleeping in inns, and traveling for hours by horse everywhere. She kept to herself mostly, she did not talk for the first week or two of the trip. She found herself missing home, missing her mother and missing Gendry. She missed Lord Baelish as well but she knew that she had more of a chance of seeing him before anyone else. With each league they traveled north it was just another league away from everything she had known.

"You have been awfully silent, Alara." Lady Stark had pulled her aside when they stopped for a break.

"I am sorry, M'lady, I am just thinking of home. I have never known anything beyond the walls of Kings Landing." She knew the Lady was educated, where as Alara knew nothing.

"It is alright, Alara. I am sorry Littlefinger never taught you anything about the other realms." She had heard Lord Baelish called Littlefinger before but she herself never dared.

"He did his best. I am lucky he took the time to teach me to read and write."

Alara was alarmed when Lady Stark took her hand in hers.

"Alara, just because he taught you basic things does not make what he did right. Littlefinger is one of my oldest, most trusted friends but what he did to you and your mother is wrong."

"He gave us a home, he looked after me as if I was his own." Alara saw nothing wrong in her treatment.

"I am sorry."

She knew there was something hidden in the woman's eyes, she knew there was more of a reason she protested the girl's treatment. Alara did not care to ask, she was sure it was something to do with her father. It seemed everything in her life went back to a man she had never known, a man who would have never seen her grow. She wondered on the trip if he really would have been proud of who she was, if he would have actually wanted to be part of her broken life.

"Tell me about what it was like growing up in Kings Landing for you."

The Lady had not asked of her life, she was sure Lord Baelish had filled her in.

"Well I was born in a brothel. I used to think my mother didn't know who my father was, but as I grew older she told me after she made love to my father she did not sleep with a man again until I was born. When Lord Baelish came and bought the brothel she feared he would send us away but he did not. He taught me to read and write, in turn I was to obey his rules. I was not to speak to anyone from the Red Keep, I was not to make friends, I was to keep my head down but I never was good at listening."

Lady Stark let out a small laugh when Alara mentioned not following rules.

"My children were never much for rules, at least not two of them."

"I have one friend who is the closest thing I have to a brother, his name is Gendry. He is a bastard as well, his mother died when he was young and his father never acknowledged his existence."

"Alara, you know that you are only a bastard because your father died before he married your mother. If he had married her you would be a legitimate child, you have different circumstances than most bastards."

"It does not matter Lady Stark, I am a bastard all the same. I just wonder if my father's family is out there if they will even want to meet me." Alara worried so much over that fact, all she wanted was to be accepted.

"I am sure they will. My husband is contacting them, I did not get the chance to tell you. We did not want Littlefinger to know, since he was so hesitant on you knowing."

Alara looked to Lady Stark in shock. She was unsure if the Lady knew who her father was but now she had no doubt. Her father even had family somewhere in the world, some one out there was her blood family. She had people beyond just her mother who one day she may be able to call a family.

"Truly?"

"Truly, my husband felt a duty to you. He is very honor driven and as he fought on the opposite side of the rebellion he felt the need to find your family."

Alara felt an overwhelming feeling wash over her. She had spent her whole life imaging who the people in her family were and now she would soon know.

"Can you tell me who they are?"

"I would love to Alara, but not yet. I feel it will be better for you to wait until he sends word to them, that way you can go directly to see them."

Alara felt a little defeated but she could understand the reasoning. At least Lady Stark had a reason her mother only kept it from her because Lord Baelish bid her too and Lord Baelish did not tell her for reason even she did not know. All Alara knew was there was a family out there that shared her blood, that she could meet her father's family one day if they wished to.

"Thank you."

They began to ride again and Alara just let her mind wander. She thought of who her family could be, and what they would be like. She hoped they were kind, and did not look down upon her because of her mother. Alara did not see being a whore as something to be ashamed of but she knew many people in the city did even though half the city had visited a brothel. She knew her mother was no saint, but she also knew her mother only did it to support them and keep a bed for them.

Alara kept glancing over at Lady Stark as they rode, she was a truly a beautiful woman. Alara's mother was a beauty as well, but Alara was not used to seeing such sophisticated strong women. A tiny part of her was jealous of the Lady, she was so strong, smart and wise, Alara longed to be like her. She longed to be someone who had people's respect and admiration, she did not want to be just a whore's daughter forever.

It was not long before they came upon an inn to rest in for the night, another inn. Alara was not impressed any longer with all the inns, they were all the same but the people in them always seemed interesting. The people of Kings Landing were normal to her but the people they came across in the inns were odd creatures. They were mostly always messy, they were loud and most of them men with swords.

"Seven blessing to you good folks."

Alara looked over from where she sat beside Lady Stark to see a very interesting man sit down. He held an instrument in his lap and her intrigue grew larger but she did not speak.

"Boy, bread and beer." Ser Cassel spoke up ordering a young lad to bring them food. Alara wished for sweets.

"A song while you three wait?"

"I would rather throw myself down a well." Alara could not contain her laughter at Ser Cassel's jest.

"Oh come now, the northern know no real music outside the howling of wolves."

"Wolves? There are wolves in the north?" Alara became alarmed. She did not know if she could handle wolves.

"Giants wolves, wolves that could eat you whole little girl."

"There are no wolves in the north that big, do not fret." But the music man's words worried Alara. She was used to stray rats or other small things one would find in the capitol but never wolves. She worried for her safety.

She wanted to reach out and clutch Lady Stark's hand in fright but the woman was not her mother. She just took a deep breath and kept her head down. She began to imagine the horrid beasts that could eat her whole, that would have no issues swallowing her body. The horrors made bumps rise on her skin but the silence that filled the room only stood to make it worse. Alara could not turn to see who Ser Cassel was stating at but she knew by the gaze it was no one good.

As someone new began to speak to the innkeeper's wife Alara saw Lady Catelyn pull her scarf down over her head, and in the same quick moment she did the same for Alara. The scarf that had been sitting back on her head was now just covering the top of her face, as if they were hiding from someone. Alara did not know who the man was that spoke but something in Lady Stark's body language warned Alara it was no one kind.

The man continued to speak his voice getting closer to the table in which they sat. He was offering money for someone's room, and Alara wondered why he could not just move on. It was not long before a man sitting in a table across the way offered the man his room. Alara looked beyond Lady Stark and saw the smallest man she had ever seen before. She almost laughed but she caught a sideways glance from Lady Stark. Alara turned her head back down to the wooden table in front of her, no longer looking at the tiny man.

"My Lord of Lannister shall I sing for you while you eat?"

Alara knew the name Lannister it was one of many on the list of people she should avoid. The only Lannisters she had ever been warned of were Cersei and Jaime, Cersei being the queen and Jaime being a Kingsguard. She kept her head down turned toward the window, she may no longer be in Kings Landing but she was sure that every Lannister was someone to be avoided.

"Lady Stark, I missed you at Winterfell."

Alara looked over for a moment at the small man who spoke to Lady Stark, she was unaware of their acquaintance. For a moment she caught the tiny man's eyes before she looked away, he was a very intense man. Alara became alarmed as Lady Stark and Ser Cassel stood up.

Lady Stark began speaking names that Alara had never heard of. Riverrun, the Tully's and so many others. All people who she had never learned about but with each mention of a place and name men began to rise standing before Lady Stark. She commanded their respect, her tone was strong and the men in the room looked to her as if she was their queen. The half man just looked and spoke at her with confusion, and Alara herself felt his confusion. Why was Lady Stark causing such a scene?

"This man came into my home as a guest and their conspired to kill my son of only ten. I ask you now in the name of King Robert and the Lords you serve, seize this man so we can return him to Winterfell for the Kings justice."

Alara could hear the strength in Lady Stark's voice but she did not doubt there was pain hidden in it. Some man had tried to kill her child. Alara was not aware of how many children the Lady had but she could tell she was protective of them and it seemed every man in the inn would not let him get away with what he had done.

"Alara come." Lady Stark held out her hand for her and she took it. Alara kept her head down as she followed Lady Stark from the inn.

She rode in the front with Lady Stark never looking back at the men who were with them. She saw the way some of them eyed her, and though she was used to it she did not wish for the men to offend Lady Stark. She did not wish Lady Stark to think of her as a common whore, so she just ignored the glances she received from the men.

The first stop they made with the caravan of people Lady Stark pulled Alara to the side away from everyone. Alara felt worry rise in her, she began to wonder if the Lady had come to not like her company. The look on Lady Stark's face was serious, and there was no real warmth there.

"Alara we are not going to Winterfell." The woman's voice was hushed so no one would hear. "I am taking the man to my sister in the Vale of Arryn."

"Okay."

Alara did not know what the Vale of Arryn was, she did not know where it was and she did not understand the significance of mentioning it.

"When we get there you will take one of my sister's knights and you will go to Winterfell alone."

"But I am to be your handmaiden."

In truth Alara did not wish to go to the land of giant wolves alone. She had grown used to the company of Lady Stark and she did not want to have to adjust to a new place alone.

"I know but I never needed one. you can tell that. I took you from Kings Landing because it was not the best place for you and to help a friend, to help you." Alara felt lied to but she knew that Lady Stark did not need her. "I have two young sons, Alara, I am sure my eldest is doing his best but he is running Winterfell. My son Bran is crippled and my youngest is only six, they need help and they need someone more to look after them. Someone that isn't old nan or the Maester, so I am sending you there to look after my younger children."

"I have never dealt with children, I wouldn't know what to do."

Alara became panicked, not only would she be facing wolves, a new place and new people but she would have to care for children. She never had to care for a child, never had to look after anyone but herself.

"You will do fine. It is more of just company for them and I do not know how safe the Vale will be for you."

"I don't have a say do I?"

"I am sorry, Alara, I am doing this because it is best for you."

She was used to everyone doing what was best for her. She was never to speak to people because it was best for her, she was never to know her father because it was best for her. For once she wanted people to let her decide what was best for her, the only one who ever told her to chase after something she wanted was Gendry and she wished he was there. They could have run away together, she could have married him and still been home but he didn't want her.

When they rejoined their group Alara kept her head down, she did not speak to any of the men who stared at her. She was feeling uneasy, she was never easily frightened but the thought of wolves and strangers set her on edge. She knew nothing of the Seven Kingdoms but she was being thrust into a realm alone filled with strangers. She was just the bastard daughter of a whore and she was going to be forced to entertain the children of a Lord and Lady.

The second night they stopped Alara found herself outside alone looking at the stars. She wondered if Gendry was in bed or at the bay looking at the sky thinking of her. She missed her best friend, he would know what to do, he would know how to handle her situation. She was thankful that soon she would learn of who her father was but the thought of taking care of someone's children was making her nervous.

"You don't speak much." A man who was accompanying them found her outside. He was was handsome for an older man, and she could tell her had seen his fair share of fights.

"That obvious, mister?" Alara knew he was no Lord or knight so she had no need to be formal.

"And yet you have a fantastic wit."

Alara laughed at the man, he did not seem as bad as she thought. He joined her standing in the middle of the open area next to the inn.

"Well you need a quick wit where I come from." It felt good for her to not have to be so formal.

"And where may I ask do you hail from, M'lady."

"I am no lady. I come from Kings landing, the street of silk to specific."

Alara knew he would assume she was a whore and she did not care. She would not correct his thoughts unless he spoke of it to her. He did not say a word he just looked her up and down no doubt imaging things about her. She did not care as long as he kept his hands to himself she did not care what the man thought.

"Have you ever learned to fight?" She locked eyes with the man in confusion.

"Never had a reason to."

"A beautiful girl like you on the streets of Kings Landing and you never had a reason to fight, interesting."

"I guess I am just careful, it could help that I was never much on the streets.."

The man laughed at her and she watched his dark eyes twinkle. She for a moment felt like she was back in Kings landing, back where she did not have to act like a proper lady that she was not. The man seemed to understand what it was like to not have to be formal.

"Would you like to learn?" She laughed at the thought, she had never imagined learning to fight.

"Maybe one day. I guess knowing how to defend myself will come in handy some time."

"I can teach you at night while everyone else sleeps, it will be good for you to learn something in case we encounter anyone on the road. Not every man is as nice as I am."

The man winked at her and Alara laughed. She enjoyed his company, it was easy and more relaxed than the time she spent with lady Stark. It was not that she did not enjoy her time with lady Stark, it was just hard going from a girl on the streets of Kings landing to a proper woman. She liked the feeling of being free, of being able to be who she was without judgment.

"Thank you for the offer, um, I am sorry I do not know your name."

"Bronn."

"I am Alara, nice to meet you." She smiled at the kind man, maybe traveling would not be so boring after all.

Bronn and Alara both stood there in a comfortable silence. She wondered about learning to fight, she wondered if she would be any good at it. She could not imagine being any good at holding a sword, she had seen the ones Gendry had made. They were always big, heavy things that she could never imagine holding in her own hands. Her hands were soft, delicate things that were meant to pleasure a man, not to kill one.

Barristan Selmy's p.o.v

He had stood guard all night for the poor knight. Just months ago the lad was nothing more than a squire and then he met untimely end at the hands of the Mountain. He wondered if the poor boy had family but no one had come to claim him and so Barristan found himself standing watch over the man. It was not his duty, but he was never one to leave a knight alone as they passed on into the next.

As he stood watch over the man he was reminded of the ghost he had seen in the streets of Kings Landing, she could have been Ashara. For a moment he would have sworn it was her, the eyes, the long dark hair and the face of beauty even the young girl's voice matched that of the girl he once loved. The difference between them was the girl he had seen had tan skin, but even then it would not change that she was a ghost of Ashara Dayne. The young girl in the streets with the wide eyes, the worried glance and the wet skin could have been her twin and Barriston began to wonder if she was her family after all.

"Ser Barristan."

He looked from his vigil of the man to see Lord Eddard Stark enter the tent. Lord Stark was a good man, a most honorable man and at one time he was an enemy. It was funny sometimes to think that years ago they would have struck each other without question and now they stood together on the same side for the King Robert.

Lord Stark spoke to him of the young knight but he did not have much on say on the matter. His mind was still clouded by images of the girl and having Lord Stark around only added to them. When he loved Ashara, when he would have done anything for her, he knew he was not the only one to favor the girl. She was a beauty beyond most, and he knew it was rumored that Lord Stark had also grown fond of her. He had even heard rumors that his bastard son belonged to Ashara, but he did not believe those rumors. Ned was an honorable man and he would not deflower the poor girl.

"You look as if you have seen a ghost recently." The tone in Lord Stark's voice was not one of jest.

"I may have."

"I saw her too, the girl in Kings Landing. She is no ghost, she is real."

Barristan looked at Ned Stark in confusion. Had he really seen the same girl as he did? How many girls with violet eyes walked the streets of Kings Landing?

"I thought I was going mad to be honest, I think I know who she is."

"I know who she is, I already sent word to Allyria Dayne."

"So it is her. We thought she would have been killed in the sack of Kings Landing, she was just a babe then but her eyes." Barristan had known of Arthur's indiscretions .

"Her family knew of her? Who else knew?"

"Myself and Prince Rhaegar were the only ones in the capitol know of his plans to leave. Rhaegar was going to let him go, no issue, when he returned from the Tower of Joy." Barristan knew the subject was touchy. "Arthur told Ashara as soon as he got word the woman was with child, he was very elated. Ashara no doubt told Allyria who sent word to me after the coordination of Robert in hopes that I could find the child and bring her to Starfall."

The Dayne family wanted the girl, they wanted her to be in Starfall with them. They did not care that the mother was a whore, their brother had loved her and broken a sacred vow for the woman. The child was only a bastard by happenstance and in Dorne even bastards were seen in a better light then the rest of the Seven Kingdoms.

"Well I hope Allyria sends word back soon, I have sent the child north for her safety. She had been staying at Littlefinger's brothel for most of her life. I wanted her to be safe."

He did not know if he agreed about the north being the best place for the girl but he did not argue. He had spent a year after sack looking for the child but he never found her. He had given up on Arthur's daughter and now she appeared.

"What is her name?" Barristan had promise Arthur before he left that if anything had happened to him he would have brought the girl home. He failed his friend, and he wanted to learn about the woman he had seen/

"Alara." Ashara and Allyria.. Alara. Barristan had no doubts that the name had come from Arthur before his death.

"She will no doubt be returned home soon. I believe her cousin Edric is here if you wish to speak to him, after you get word from Allyria of course."

"I shall, the girl is without a family because of me. She is only a bastard because I killed her father, I know I did what I had to but I could not help but feel a responsibility to the girl."

"You are not the only one."

The men went their separate ways and Barristan felt his own guilt over the child. If he had found the mother and babe after the sack neither would have remained in a brothel. He would taken them both back to the safety of Starfall, the girl would have grown around people who would have loved her. He worried what Littlefinger had made her do in the brothel, he never did care for the rat. If any harm had befallen the child he would take that upon himself, he should have tried harder to find her. After all those years she ran into him on the street, and he didn't do anything but let her go. He should have said something for Arthur's sake, for Ashara's. He knew Ashara had lost her own child, and he wondered if Ashara was still alive if she would have loved Arthur's child as her own. But she was dead and just a ghost to him now, but Alara was real he would protect her if he could.