Author's Note: As I write my other stories I realize how attached I am to this one. Lyrina is the first OC I have ever had in the Game of Thrones universe and I adore her development. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or anything you recognize from it. I own Lyrina.
Chapter 30: Fight for what you want.
Lyrina.
"Enough Lyrina, I will not hear another word on this matter."
"Robb, hear me out on this."
"No, Lyrina, no."
Weeks ago Robb Stark had told Lyrina that she would give birth to her child in Riverrun, and she willingly agreed to his terms. She hoped her willingness would make him more receptive to agreeing to hers. Her hopes were crushed when he in turn began to argue with her.
"We are going to discuss this because it is a matter of our child." Lyrina would not back down.
"Lyrina, you are my wife and I love you very much but we are not continuing this."
She hated fighting with him, she wished for the fighting to end. She had spent too much of their time together fighting. She was so tired of arguing but it was a matter of her child, and she would fight for her child.
"Robb, I do not wish to fight, we have fought too much but I won't back off on this one."
She watched her husband run his hand through his auburn curls, his jaw clenched shut. She knew the signs of his anger, the signs of his temper but he could not do this to her. It was their child and if she wanted her child to go to Dragonstone, it shall.
"Lyrina, we have enough on our plate right now. Our child will go to Winterfell."
"No, Dragonstone is safer, we don't even know if Winterfell will be safe."
"You are mad, Dragonstone is on your family's doorstep. You are a mad woman."
Lyrina would not admit his words hurt her, but they did. She did not think she was being irrational in the least. She was being a mother, she was doing what was best for her child. She had spoken to Ser Davos,he had told her of how safe it could be, and he had assured her that he would speak to her Uncle Stannis.
"I am not mad, Robb, and you know that. I will not have you disregard my wishes, not on the matter of our child."
"Winterfell is my home, our home, and it is our child's home as well."
Lyrina approached her husband, she wanted to hug him but she did not. She closed the distance between them and placed her hand upon his face. The beard upon his face felt gruff against her hand but she remained focused.
"Winterfell was your home, was my home, but it will never be our child's home. Our children will know a different home, a different life, than we have ever had. Our family's home will be the walls of the Red Keep, and the streets of Kings Landing." She saw the sadness in his eyes. "This is what we are fighting for, but if this isn't what you want, if you want to just go home then do so. We can leave the war up to my Uncles but you must tell me, and we will turn around and go north."
She felt him move from her hand and she watched as he walked around the tent. She knew he wanted nothing more to go home, to live in the walls of Winterfell but that life had passed. He allowed them to name him a King, and even the King in the North would have a throne. He fought with her against her family for the throne, he had agreed with her Uncle to fight for her. Lyrina knew fighting for her meant giving up his home forever.
"You know I can not just march home, you know that, if I could I would have done so already. I married the damned Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and she married the King in the North. Neither of us planned this, Lyri, none of us but this is what it is now. I know that Winterfell will never be my home again, but that was the point of this war. I wanted the North to be free, and now I will have to rule the Seven Kingdoms at your side." Robb looked distraught. "Neither of us wanted to be a King or Queen. I think of giving it up everyday, and every night but I don't. I made a vow to my people, and to you."
Lyrina knew the discussion of their child was over, and the true issue came to light. The war was taking it's toll on her husband, and she could not blame him. He won battles, he won what he needed to, but he was losing his sanity. His father was presumed dead, but instead was hidden in the far north, and he was lied to about it. His sister was captured again by Lyrina's bastard king brother. His home was attacked and he could do nothing to help, even if the castle did not fall. Lyrina knew he was torn in a million directions and all the man wanted to do was be home.
"We can do this, by the Gods, I know we can do this." She once more closed the distance between them. "We have to do this because think of all the people who are going to die if we don't fight. We can unite three Kings under one Queen. It will be one war, one fight, and we can win it. I want a better life for our child, for all the children in the Seven Kingdoms."
She took him into her arms and she held him. He had held her a hundred times in their time together but she wanted to hold him. She wanted him to know he didn't have to always be the certain one, the strong one. She would help him.
"You are going to be an excellent mother, and an excellent Queen, you are everything your mother isn't." Robb knew of her fears.
"You are going to be the best father our children could ask for, because you are already the greatest man I know. You are strong, brave and honorable. I couldn't have a better King, or a better husband."
Lyrina enjoyed the moment of their embrace, she enjoyed the warmth they shared between them. She loved Robb Stark with every thing she had and she knew his love was the same for her.
"Pardons, your Grace." Lyrina cringed at the voice.
Roose Bolton entered their tent, and Lyrina moved from her husband. The man was the bane of her existence and she wished he would go attack Casterly Rock. She wanted him as far from her as he could get. But her husband had put off the attack for another fortnight.
"What can I do for you, Lord Bolton." Her husband had more patience for the man.
Lyrina took a seat at the desk, beginning a raven that would be sent to Winterfell. She had not spoken to Gendry since his departure with Robb and with him being Winterfell she needed to ensure his safety. She would of course ask of the children, she missed Bran and Rickon something awful. She was sure Arya putting Gendry through hell.
"Your mother has returned with word from Renly Baratheon, my Lord, and she wishes to speak with." Lyrina felt the man's eyes land on her but she did not look up. "Alone."
"My mother can come speak to me here, if she so wishes to see me, Lord Bolton. She knows that I hide nothing from my Queen."
Lyrina smiled to herself for a moment before picking her head up.
"My love, you may go speak with her..."
"No, she will come here, we have matters to discuss with her." His voice was assertive. "I trust no one has told her of the child."
"Of course not, your Grace, we are aware of your wishes. I will go speak with Lady Stark."
Once her was gone Lyrina once more found peace. She had never met someone who had unnerved her as much as he had. Lord Bolton was a man who had no honor, even if he liked to hide behind his facade. Lyrina saw right through him, and it did not help he had locked her in a cage the first time they had met.
"Writing a letter to your mother?" Robb questioned.
"Gendry, my love, I must inform that he will be an Uncle. I will tell him to address the news with your siblings as well, I am sure they too will want to know."
"Thank you, my fawn, I would have forgotten to send them the news myself."
She knew he was waiting for her to send the news to her mother, waiting for her to tell the woman she was going to stay by his side. She had sent her a raven when she was in the Iron Islands, and raven telling Lyrina to come home or she could not guarantee her safety. But it was far too late for her mother to pick up the pieces, far too late for that bridge to be mended. Lyrina had tried that once, and she knew it was not something that could happen.
"My son, I meant no offense to Lyrina." Lady Stark entered the tent in a hurried motion, a worn look upon her face. " I just meant we had matters best discussed in private first."
Lyrina noticed first that Lady Stark was not alone, beside her was a woman taller than most men Lyrina had seen. Her hair was short, blonde and her face had a subtle beauty. She was not the kind of woman men would stop and stare at but she was someone that they could find comfort in for years to come. She knew she was not the only one to notice the strange woman in battle armor, her husband had as well.
"Mother, who is this guest you have with you?"
"I am Brienne of Tarth, my Lord, I serve as King Renly's Kingsguard. I was sent to check on the well being of his niece."
Lyrina heard the slight scoff in her husband's voice,and she watched the way his shoulder's tensed. She stood from the desk, she would intervene before her husband offended the woman. He knew of the man sent to kill her, and even if they had doubts of it being a man sent by Renly, Robb would not hold his tongue on the matter.
"Brienne of Tarth, it is a pleasure to meet you, as you can see I am great health."
Lyrina stood beside Robb. She knew she had not gained much weight, but a bump was evident. She looked at her mother by law, the woman's eyes trained on her stomach. Lyrina had felt as if she had gained a hundred pounds, and she made sure to make Robb see it as such. She was barley into her third month of pregnant, but Robb told her almost everyday he could see the way her stomach grew, even if it was a centimeter.
"You look very healthy, Lyrina." Lady Stark eyed her, and Lyrina looked to Robb to speak.
"Mother you are not the only one with news, Lyrina is with child."
The whole tent fell silent and Lyrina looked at the woman knight. She smiled and approached her.
"Would you care to walk with me, Brienne, we can allow these two a moment."
Lyrina left the tent, followed swiftly by the knight. She knew her husband would need time alone with his mother to discuss the child inside of her.
"I am honored to meet you, Princess Lyrina, your Uncle speaks very highly of you. He regrets he could not make the wedding, or have you at his own."
She stopped in her tracks as the woman spoke, she had not been told of her Uncle's wedding. She did not even know her Uncle had a betrothed.
"Who did my Uncle marry? I was not even told of the union."
"Lady Magaery of House Tyrell, Princess."
Tyrell. The house name had been etched into her memory. It was the house the Hound had spoken of, the House he had told her would have no doubt been the cause of her Uncle's attack on her. She knew they could not be trusted, but then again neither could the Hound. Lyrina had found no trust outside the Stark family, even the men of the North were not hers to trust.
"I am sure it was joyous occasion, I hope when this silly war comes to an end I will be able to meet the woman."
Lyrina had no interest in the Tyrells, but she had wished to see her Uncle again. Her memories had been coming back to her bits, and he was in many more than she had thought. He was a link to her father, a man she missed more with each passing day. She would be a mother and he would never get the chance to hold his grandchild.
"I am sure he looks forward to that day as well, I am sure the news of your child will only bring him more happiness."
Lyrina touched her belly, a smile upon her face. She was glad that the prospect of her child brought someone of her blood happiness. Lyrina knew her mother would find no solace in her child, she knew her brother would no doubt send someone to murder the child inside of her. Her child would not be safe until her mother's family was gone. The only Lannisters of worth were Myrcella and Tommen but Lyrina had to let them go as well.
"What does my Uncle Renly say of the war? His brother has agreed to back my claim to the Iron Throne, as the only heir of the Late King Robert." Lyrina was unsure of what her Uncle Renly would say.
She had heard the rumors of the Tyrell's lust for power. The hound told her they lusted for power more than her own mother, and Lyrina had witnessed her mother's wish for power. Lyrina wondered if they married their daughter to her Uncle for the prospect of having a Queen among them. She would not put it past them, families were always looking for the next way to get ahead.
"I wish I could say he agreed willingly at first, but he did not. His Lady wife did not like the idea of him giving up his crown, or his claim but he sought council else where. He will back you, Princess, if you give him a spot upon your small council. The Tyrell's also ask that you remember their part in helping you win the throne."
Lyrina found peace in the prospect of her Uncle joining her side and she had no doubt the Tyrells would seek something from her. She would no doubt place her Uncles upon the council if that was what they sought, she knew her husband would agree with her. Lyrina of course would not give the Tyrells a place, they may aide her but they are not her blood or anything to her truly.
"I will gladly give my Uncle his spot back upon the council, he is my blood and he is my family. As long as he understands I am the Queen and my husband is the King. He must denounce his title as King Renly."
"He is aware of such. He has asked your husband and his brother to come together for a war council in the Stormlands,at which time they will all give up their titles as kings. They will become the leaders of the armies fighting the rebellion as your father once had been."
Lyrina thought of the similarities for a moment. A Stark fighting to save his sister once more, and the Baratheon men fighting once more against the crown. She had never intended to cause a rebellion, but it happened without her consent. She had never asked to be Robb's Queen, and she had never asked to be the sole heir of her father's. She wished Gendry would allow her to make him a true Baratheon, a true heir but he did not wish for the throne himself.
"I will ask that it wait until I can travel with my husband, I am very much a part of this war. I am not like my mother, I do not sit behind my King and tell him what to do. I make the plans as well. I am sure my Uncles can understand I only have six more months until my child's birth."
Lyrina knew if she traveled with Robb to the Stormlands to meet with her Uncles, he would have no other choice but then to let her child go to Dragonstone. She knew it was manipulative, and conniving but she would not allow her child in Winterfell. The threat of her family attacking was much too high.
"I am sure your Uncle will understand, he will meet with your Uncle Stannis then of course and await your arrival. He just asks to be kept in the knowing of your plans."
"Of course, you may sit in on the next meeting and send word to him. My Uncle Stannis has already been sent word of our next move, it is only fair that Uncle Renly learns of it as well."
Lyrina found Brienne of Tarth to be a good woman, a sensible woman. She knew that she would no doubt make a good knight and a thought crossed her own mind. Her Uncle Renly had the woman in his Kingsguard, and Lyrina knew once she took Kings Landing none of the Kingsguard would be loyal to her. Lyrina would take the time to think her own thoughts over but she had a feeling the woman would be a valuable member to her.
"We shall return now, I do not doubt Lady Catelyn and my husband have had their talk."
Sansa.
She was a woman, a woman who could marry Joffrey any day the Queen saw fit. The thought that once made Sansa fill with joy made her blood run cold as ice. She did not wish to marry the King, not any longer. She wished to be home with her family, but it would be sometime before anyone came to save her, she knew that much. She had tried to play Lyrina's games, she had tried to play the pawn while being the Queen but it was killing her. Joffrey was cruel and his men even worse. The Hound was the only one who gave her comfort, but even then he was not a truly kind man.
She had faced many trials upon her return to Kings Landing too many trials. She was forced to sit through meals where the Lannisters and Joffrey would discuss her brother's death and how they planned they would do it. She knew Robb would not die easily, and she knew in her heart that he would never be killed by the Lannisters, least of all by Joffrey. He was not the valiant solider she had once dreamed of.
Each battle the her brother won just served to be another beating for her. Joffrey was cruel, and his men hit hard. He would never place his own hands upon her, he would never get his hands dirty in such a way. The worst beating was when she was forced in front of the whole court, her brother had once again won against the Lannisters and Joffrey was in a foul mood. Their were whispers of Lyrina becoming a true Queen and Sansa did not doubt that was what truly troubled the King. His sister was not loyal. She was stripped in the court, beaten, her only savior was the Imp and he even offered to end the betrothal to Joffrey. Sansa knew better than to take the offer, she would play as the loyal woman for her safety.
Sansa found some solace in her handmaiden, Shae, she was a beautiful woman who had tried to help her shield her first blood, but it had failed. Cersei had found out and made it apparent to Sansa that children would no doubt be in her near future. Sansa would never be able to love his children, he was a monster and she could not love a monster's children. She was not breaking, even after every beating, Sansa did not break. She was strong, and she would find her way back home.
"I heard some very terrible news today, sweetling."
Sansa had grown tired of her meals with Joffrey, he was not company she liked to keep. He would come to her with rumors of her brother, of his sister, and they were never things that made him happy. Sansa wished he would have found someone else to torture, some other woman who would please him in some way, Sansa did not want that duty any longer.
"What news, your Grace?" She had to ask.
"Your traitor brother has gotten my sister with one of his wolf pups, damned tainted seed inside of her."
Sansa was unsure of his words, she was sure if it was true the whole Seven Kingdoms would have spoken of it. Lyrina was whispered of in the Keep, some believed her to be the one true Queen. If she was with child, the castle would have been alive with gossip.
"I am sure your sister is happy at the prospect of having a child, your Grace, she greatly enjoyed being around children."
Sansa knew those were not the words her betrothed wished to hear, but she did not care. He was a man of little love, and she would speak her mind. She personally found the idea of a little niece or nephew as a good thing. Her brother would be a good father, and even with Lyrina's sense of adventure she too would be a good mother.
"She will never have the child, I will see to that."
His words were cold and Sansa did not doubt him. He was a monster but she knew if it had come to fruition, her brother would single handly march into the Red Keep and slaughter Joffrey. Robb was a protective man, he had always been, and she knew his children would be something he would never risk. He would fight a war for his family, he would no doubt be willingly to slaughter for his child. She also did not doubt Lyrina would go to the ends of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond to avenge her child.
"But worry not for your brother's child but of our future children. My mother tells me we will be wed soon, and I personally can not imagine it would come soon enough."
His hand was upon her cheek, and Sansa let his hand linger. She wanted to take his hand away, to slap his hand away, but she was a proper lady.
"I must be going, my love, I have war plans to oversee. I must find a man to kill a child."
When he left her, Sansa felt sick. Killing of innocents was something she was very unnerved by. War was one thing, but an unborn child was another. She knew Joffrey's days were limited, she just prayed her brother came soon or she may have to drive a knife into the King herself.