Welcome back to Westeros, this time to Brookbridge.
Soon we will see a mash-up of a lot of important characters. Even though I have mostly planned the plot already, I would still like to know who you would like to meet in this story and who you would like to see as a couple!
Even though Carol is not a usual POV, I put her in here just because I really wanted to show what she thinks about Bucky. I interpreted her eye colour from all of her pictures (Captain Marvel) but I am actually still not sure what eye colour that is.

Disclaimer: I neither own Marvel nor Westeros, only my storyline.

Brookbridge, 260 A.C.

Maryah

The little castle had been bustling like a beehive for days now, preparations were being made everywhere to assure that each party could be hosted appropriatedly. As always, Steve had kept his word and done his best to help - up to the point where she had politely but firmly stopped his meddling. It was just easier when one person (who actually knew how to run a household) coordinated everything. Additionally, Bobbi had been a formidable help, trying to learn everything that could be learned. From Maryah's point of view, the Hill-girl was nearly perfectly refined and very capable to perform well as a warrior and as wife and lady. That was however the point: Bobbi would have to get married at some point and better the Starshields found someone for her (who she then could either choose or refuse) than Kevan or Tywin simply commanding a marriage. Maybe something could be arranged with the Tyrell-party... if the rumours were true about Lady Margaery, she might just the woman to ask for assistance on this matter. Also, a connection to Highgarden might bring strategical advantages.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of her study. Before she could answer, a servant bursted in.

"My apologies Lady Maryah, but Lord James Barnes' party has been spotted. They will arrive soon," he announced breathlessly.

Deliberatedly, she nodded and stood up.

"Inform my husband and his sister," she ordered. When he had gone outside, she stepped in front of the floor length mirror to check her appearance. She was dressed in a nice dark blue dress but not overly richly, however Maryah doubted this made much of a difference since James Barnes had seen her in men's clothes and competing in a tourney before. Keep the pomp and show for Lady Tyrell, she decided. Nevertheless, the woman took the time to brush out her hair and pin it back with a comb again before going to look for Carol. As expected, she found girl with the maester dutifully but not overly enthusiastically practicing her writing.

"Carol, the Barnes' party will arrive soon, you might stop your lesson for today," she announced, smiling when Carol quickly jumped off her chair, "but as they are not here yet, you have enough time to go back to your chamber and tell your maid to help you put on the green dress in your drawer. And brush your hair!"

The girl made a face, clearly not excited about the prospect, but then nodded and ran off in the direction of her room while Maryah walked back to the courtyard, quickly but with far more dignity. She met her husband in the hallway, a happy smile on his face. Since Harrenhal, him and Barnes had stayed in contact and something akin to a friendship had formed.

"Steve, calm down, they won't be here that quickly," she said, a bit amused.

He shrugged.

"I am simply happy to see him."

'If you were just that happy to see me' Maryah thought with a bit of regret. Lately, she had been craving for more his attention, despite all the stress that she had had with the preparations. Sometimes she had even imagined - no, she could not go there, not right now.

"I know you are," she answered instead.

"Are they here yet?" Carol called out while running around a corner.

"No they are not. And lower your pace," Maryah advised her, earning an eye-roll.

"But when will they be here?"

"Soon, but it doesn't matter how often you ask!"

Carol

She was excited, so excited. Not that is was boring at Brookbridge, she was training and there was the town Brooklin to visit and even other children to play with (when she wasn't busy training), but having visitors was something else. Carol still remembered vaguely that when she had been little and still living in this tiny house with the garden and the appletree below Casterly Rock, she had often seen people ride through the village. Merchants, her mother had called them, or sometimes knights or ladies or sometimes she had called them "Carol, these are no good, come in girl!" Most of the time these people had been men, dirty, with swords, but without sigils and colours. Mother had been dead the better part of three years now, but the girl still missed her. She didn't miss her father though, Carol knew Tywin Lannister was a dangerous man. A scary man. She could see it in his eyes that were not like hers. His were green like emeralds, hard, while hers were a mixture of green with grey and brown and blue. People said they were muddy, Ser Steven said they were interesting. Him and Bobbi had pretty eyes though, blue as the water in the river near Brooklin. What tales would the riders bring from the North? Would they tell of long winters full of ice and snow? Of the Wall, of wildlings and giants? Or the castle called Winterfell, the seat of the Stark family? Carol was not the most diligent student, far from it, but lately, she had tried to be better, after what Lady Maryah had told her and started to gather more knowledge. Therefore she knew that James Barnes was sworn to the wardens of the North, so maybe he could tell a tale or two. Or maybe he would not talk to her at all. The girl did not quite know how her Lord and Lady had made the aquaintance of Lord Barnes, only that it had happened at the tourney at Harrenhal (where she had not been allowed to go to) and it made her only the more curious.

Finally, she could not even say how long it had taken, she heard people call to open the gates and Lady Maryah and Ser Steven rushed into the yard, followed by Bobbi. The strange party that trotted held banners that showed a red star on a silver backdrop and was led by a tall man astride on a black stallion. When he stopped in front of Brookbridge's nobility, an insoltent grin on his face, Carol decided two things: First, this man meant trouble. Second, he was by far the most attractive one she had ever seen in the nine years of her life. And she was the golden lion's little sister, so that meant something.

Lord Barnes slid off his horse to bow in front of Lady Maryah, even though there seemed to be a hint of mockery in the chivalrous gesture that Carol did not quite understand. Did he deem her not ladylike enough? Surely nobody could be more of a lady than Lady Starshield, not even Cersei. His respects to Bobbi looked absolutely sincere and Carol was astonished when he actually acknoledged her as well. For once she was happy that her mother had taught her to curtsy when she was still little, telling her that it was the basic she should be able to do. He gave her a gentle smile before moving on to Ser Steven. The two men clasped each other on the forearms before embracing, both visibly happy to see each other.

"Good to be here at last," Lord Barnes remarked, making the other man chuckle.

"Would you care for some refreshments?"

He nodded. "Indeed I would, and I think so would my men and the horses."

Lady Maryah made a sign, signifying the servants to get the horses fed and groomed and the men shown to their quaters. Carol was ushered inside with Bobbi into a private parlour. While Lady Maryah looked a bit sceptical, her husband took Carol by the hand and pulled her with him so so that she could still hear what the Lordship and Barnes were talking about.

"Any word of my sister?" the dark haired man asked.

"There was a letter," Lady Maryah replied, "Lady Stark will likely arrive in the next three of four days."

"Lady Stark...," the other lord shook his head, "it sounds strange hearing my sister being called that."

"Do you not approve?" Bobbi asked curiously.

"Oh, I absolutely approve of Ned, I simply never thought it would happen. And the two of them have ruffled quite some feathers in the North and apparently also at the Eyrie."

When the others looked at him questionly, he shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, she practically runs the household, they compare her to the Lady of Castamere. Which is stupid, because she is much smarter than Ellyn Reyne ever was. There is a lot of jealousy involved, I believe nothing all of you are not familiar with, no offense."

Maryah smiled dryly. "No offense taken. You are right, I think hating me is one of Cersei Lannister's favourite pasttimes. However, I have to admit that she probably hates everyone who is not Jaime."

"She loves my Lord Father, in a way," Carol suddenly remarked, making the others turn towards her in surprise, "or at least she wants his approval. She is the firstborn but it is always Jaime, Jaime, Jaime. One day, she will start to hate him." The girl considered for a moment. "He doesn't really care for me either, but that is not that bad. Bastards don't have to have expectations and he did more than some people do by keeping me alive. So I believe I can't complain. Even though I still don't think he is a good man."

Lord Barnes looked at her in surprise. "You are a smart girl Carol, maybe you have more lion's blood than anyone cares to acknowledge."

Thank you so much for reading, stay safe!