Benjen

He felt like a hundred horses were galloping inside his skull the next morning. When he tried to stand up, he grew dizzy and nearly fell over, but Ned caught his arm. "Did you have a fun night?"

He shot his brother a glare. "I only remember parts of it."

Ned smirked. "Well, consider this a lesson learned. Take your wine in moderation."

"Tell Lya not to pour any on my head, then."

"Ah, so that you remember."

"'Course I remember. I'm still sticky." He reached his hand up to his head and winced again.

"Come on, let's get you some breakfast," Ned said.

Ben shook his arm free of Ned's, determined to make it on his own, though the ground was still swimming slightly before him. When they reached the table where Lyanna, Brandon, and Howland Reed were sitting, he realized the humiliation had only just begun.

Lyanna was beaming. "Did you enjoy the dancing, Ben? You only tripped about... half a hundred times?"

Ned and Brandon chuckled, and even Howland Reed gave a small smile.

"It was something to behold," Brandon said. "I mean, some might have noticed the king, some the prince, but all the eyes really should have been on the little lordling of Winterfell and his first night of true fun."

"I hate you all," Benjen said, pouting.

"How many girls did you dance with, Brandon?" Ned asked.

"Oh, half a dozen or so," he replied. "All lovely, but I am a man betrothed."

"What's she like, your bride-to-be?"

"Proud," Brandon said. "Dutiful, always. Not without a bit of a wild side, though. And quite clever."

"I look forward to meeting her," Lyanna said. "And perhaps soon Ned will have a betrothed of his own. I mean, that dance with the Lady Ashara-"

"Stop it," Ned said, and Benjen was glad to no longer be the target of the teasing.

He looked at Howland Reed, brooding silently. "Have you thought about the joust?" he asked the crannogman. "About what I said?"

"I-I don't think I should fight," he said. "I'm not exactly a good rider in the best of times. My people ride boats, not horses."

Brandon nodded. "That's understandable. Though if you want to learn how to ride, you should ask Lyanna for help. Some say she's half horse."

"Not true, of course," Lya said. "I do love to ride, but I'm all wolf." She grinned.

"Won't you be a stag soon?" Benjen asked.

Her face darkened. "No. I will always be a Stark of Winterfell. Regardless of who I marry."

Ned looked uncomfortable. "Well, anyway, we can all watch Brandon in the joust. I'm sure you'll do well."

"I'm going to win," Brandon said with a smile.

"I hope you do," Benjen replied.

When they all cleared away from the breakfast table, Lyanna pulled him aside. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

He shrugged. "My head still hurts. But I'll be alright."

"You should probably wash the wine out of your hair."

He couldn't hide his annoyance. "Oh, should I?"

A smile danced across her lips. "You shouldn't have teased me."

"Yeah, whatever. I'll wash up in a bit."

"What you said to Lord Howland, about being able to find him armor that'll fit..."

"It doesn't really matter, does it? He's chosen not to fight." He understood the crannogman's choice, but were it him, he would have risked it, taken his revenge on those squires.

"Yes, he has. But what if... what if that armor could still be useful?"

Benjen frowned. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking, if Howland won't go after his revenge, maybe I will."

His eyes widened. "Lya, you're-"

"What?" Her tone was harsh.

"You know what. Girls aren't allowed to ride in tourneys."

"Let me handle that particular issue. Can you get me the armor?"

"I can try. I don't know how much time there is to enter the lists-"

"I don't need it so soon. Just get it to me before we go to sleep tonight."

He nodded, a bit confused, his head still aching. "Okay."

"I'll see you at the joust." She walked away, and he looked after her with a frown. His sister was planning something, one of her schemes. She had a lot of those. Could she ride in the tourney? Even if she figured out a way, she may be an excellent rider, but she had never wielded a lance before, nor a real sword. They only practiced in the godswood from time to time. He would do as she asked, though, strange as it all may seem. He trusted Lya, and he admired her. If she had a plan, he was sure it would be something to behold.