A/N: Alright guys. Here's that long-awaited chapter you were all waiting for :D!

I just wanted to thank itsAcorn and GoldenKeeper2567 for their reviews and hope that this lived up to your expectations as well as 681 readers who have read this story so far :D!

Now before any of you read this, I just wanted to say that, like with Daenerys, I have mixed feelings about Robb too. He's a good guy, yes. However, the way he commanded his army during the Battle of the Five Kings (I think that's what it is called) did not make me like him any more than I did before. In fact, it made it a little worse. He was a little too arrogant and overconfident with his standing as King, even if his skills as a military commander were a teensy bit better.

Lyra is too blunt for her own good even at only 10 years old. In this chapter, she is very vocal about her disinterest towards Robb and in turn makes him see that he needs an attitude adjustment if he wants to take his role as heir seriously. They even have a mini-sparring match in this chapter too. Hehe, I also didn't want to make Lyra too much like a Mary-Sue if she hasn't been already, so I added her first of her many additional quirks/flaws in this chapter too. It happens before, during, and after the spar she has with Robb.

Now that's out of the way, I hope you all enjoy this new chapter of Here We Stand :D!

Chapter II

This place was so strange compared to Bear Island. Winterfell was made from stone placed over a hot spring near the Godswood. There was much more land to explore and it wasn't as harsh and rocky as it was on Bear Island. To be honest, Lyra was already homesick and she hadn't been here for a week yet. The only thing that kept her from demanding – asking – to go home was that Ursa is here and she is too curious about the Starks to say anything else.

It annoyed Lady Stark to no end that Lyra is teaching Arya how to hold and shoot a bow and also the fact that quipped Sansa's own curiosity. To say that was a surprise was an understatement. The red-haired girl had shyly come up to her asking what it was like on Bear Island. The rest of the Stark siblings were quite curious and interested yes. And there was Theon Greyjoy too. He took her by surprise by spooking her while target practicing. However, they became friends shortly afterward much to the astonishment of everyone around them.

So, as they had all gathered around her, she told him her tale while noticing that Jon sat the closest to her and kept sneaking glares at Theon. Why? She didn't know but ignored it for now.

"Bear Island is a very rugged place. Most wouldn't survive it if they didn't know how to fish and navigate the rough waters around it. It's a little bit like Pyke and the Iron Islands, but it has tall gnarled pine trees as big as Winterfell itself and there are small mountains that many can climb and hike on. There is fertile enough land to plant greens and vegetables, and enough woods to hunt for our meat, but we still have to have some food imported. Mormont Keep is made entirely from wood, but it's strong and can withstand the harshest of tides along our rocky coastline. It's not much, not like Winterfell, but it's home."

To see the awed expressions that they had in various degrees was enough to instill pride in her. Even if it was a remote island, it was still the place she was born and raised. Ursa laid her head on her lap getting a smile out of her as she gently ran her finger through her thick and warm fur.

"I heard the Mormonts had warrior ladies. Is that true?"

Lyra's brown eyes looked towards Arya's grey ones and nodded as she sat up puffing out her chest.

"Yep. The tradition of having the ladies on Bear Island to learn the warrior arts started when the Ironborn and Free Folk from the Frozen Shore attempted at a sea raid. The men had gone fishing leaving everything to the women to keep the Island secure from invaders. Ever since then, everyone was taught how to fight. I'm skilled with a bow, but I also tend to use weapons for unconventional purposes too."

Lyra gave a giggle at the thought of her using a shield one time to push and ram into her sparring opponent like you would a hammer. She had also used a spear to block and strike like one would a sword against another sword. It was fun to do so and brought a new way of fighting to her skill set.

"It sounds like a nice place to visit."

Brown eyes met those of dark grey as she smiled at Jon.

"I'll be sure to give a complete tour of the island. You guys too if you ever get the urge to visit."

She got looks of both gratitude and thoughtfulness from each of them. However, it was Jon's look of awe and the attentive gaze he had that made her feel so unlike her usual boyish self. She wasn't a traditional Northern beauty if she was being honest. She has had only three offers for her hand for the past two years but declined them all with her mother being the one to have the final say. Despite all of that, she wasn't sure why Jon would have such a look other than the fact he might be enthralled with a foreign girl. Though, she supposed that it would be that way with most Northern and Southern lords and ladies. It still confused her though.

She didn't get much rest last night. Sleep came easily with Ursa at her side and she can use her as a cuddle buddy, but she couldn't relax well enough for any deep sleep. Lyra was sure that it was visible on her face with the dark circles being there under her eyes. Her mood wasn't the greatest either. An arrow was notched back and released for well over a half hour before she placed them all into her quiver and started on her spear techniques. She didn't miss the curious looks from Robb and Theon as they watched from the sidelines. Lyra also didn't miss how Sansa watched with a look of awe and interest as well. Maybe she can give secret archery lessons if she was still interested.

It was then she noticed Robb picking up a sword himself and walked into the courtyard. Lyra stopped momentarily out of curiosity.

"Mind if I spar with you, my lady?"

"Sure. It's your home, not mine. Do what you want."

"Someone's grouchy this morning."

"Shut up Theon. I didn't get any rest last night. So, you'll have to excuse me for being grouchy."

He raised up his hands in surrender looking very amused at the glare she sent his way. Robb merely chuckled and got into his stance which she found was a bit sloppy, but who was she to judge? She got into her own stance and with Ser Rodrik there to oversee them it was okay for the most part.

Robb was the one to strike first. She blocked his thrust with the blade of her spear then landed a hit with the blunt end into his stomach sidestepping the blow. He was not amused and glared at her and kept trying to land blows on her, which she blocked to the best of her ability and parried. She was sweating and panting just as much as he was when she noticed Jon standing with Theon and Sansa on the sidelines. This only served to make her even more nervous than before.

Lyra looked at Robb and gave a friendly smirk. "If you want to beat me. Use every part of your blade. The tip, the butt of the pommel, the back of the blade itself. Don't just swing it around like an ape beating its chest." What she was trying to get across was that he was far too careless and risky in his fighting style. He needed to extend his skills in order for him to get better. However, he took it as an insult and charged her again. A sigh escaped her mouth before she simply sidestepped the blow and tripped him with the blunt end of her spear. He fell into the dirt without much effort before she fell onto her bum trying to catch her breath.

She hated this part. Where her lungs burned from the effort of the strenuous exercise and how she had to difficult to grasp for breath. A few coughs were enough to help her regulate her breathing. Sansa was at her side rubbing her back gently as she took deep breaths slowly. She heard a couple of sets of footsteps but didn't look up to see who it was.

"Are you alright Lyra? Do you need some rest?"

"No, but thank you, Sansa. I just need to calm down and I'll be fine. I should not have picked up that spear. I knew better."

"Maybe it's best that you stay doing archery?"

"Yea, maybe. Thanks for your concern Sansa."

"Oh! W-well you're welcome Lady Mormont."

"I'm not a lady. Just Lyra is fine."

"Alright then … Lyra."

She gave the red-haired girl a smile at the sight of a blush on her cheeks. Jon and Theon, she now knew who they were by their scents (Theon being like the sea and pine, and Jon being of clean air and spice), helped her to her feet as Robb was too busy cleaning the muck off his face and clothes. She gave the older boys a nod of thanks as she steadied herself onto her feet. It was then Ursa came barreling towards them with Arya chasing after her covered in dirt herself. It got a laugh out of Lyra and everyone there. Even ladylike Sansa had a hard time keeping a smile off her face.

Ursa licked her face and sniffed her as the boys let her go. She smiled as she hugged her Snow Bear cub around her neck making the bear chuff in affection and laid her large head on her shoulder. Lyra was grateful for having such a companion with her.

Jon watched on as Lyra beaten his brother to the dirt. It brought a sense of satisfaction at the sight, but he knew better then give it much thought. However, seeing how hard it was for Lyra to catch her breath after the match was over worried him. He shared a rare mutual glance with Theon before they both went over to her as Sansa comforted her. Jon couldn't explain what he felt just now. He didn't know if it was simple worry or if it was something else, but he did know that he cared for her. Jon noticed that she was taking deep breaths slowly and gave an occasional cough as both Theon and himself helped her to her feet.

When did he get so attentive towards a girl? It was like she was the only one worth being attentive to despite many of the other pretty girls here. Why? It both scared and awed him at the same time. Maybe, just maybe, he'll have a talk with father about this when he wasn't so busy.

Seeing how much of a connection Lyra had with Ursa made him wonder if they would someday have companions like that as well.

Jon shook his head as he tried to erase such thoughts. He knew that as a bastard that he wasn't entitled to such notions and desires. There was no way that there could be any hope for him to something such as that. Not if Lady Stark could do something about it. He had no doubts that she will regardless. The few months after his 12th name-day have been hearing whispers of Lady Stark wanting to send him to the Wall. Jon didn't want to go there. Even if Uncle Benjen is there, he didn't want to go regardless.

Lady Stark has hated his very existence for as long as he could remember, that was for certain. So, for her to say such things is no surprise to him whatsoever. Once upon a time, Jon had wanted to go to the Night's Watch and join them. Now, he has no reason to go. Not when Lyra was here. Admittedly, he knew that she was ultimately going to be Robb's if it is her choice. Though, it would not stop him from having these … uncomfortably, but not unwanted, intense emotions he has when he is around her. She was a perfect combination between Sansa and Arya in her kindness and her willfulness. She was a strong girl, very strong, but even she was not above showing her softer side to those who need it.

Lady Stark was not happy with Lyra. It mere jealousy because of how easily Lyra could express herself without needing the training to do it from a Septa. Sansa was even afraid of doing it for fear of rejection. Arya could honestly care less, but even she has moments of uncertainty. If Jon hadn't of made his promise to himself of not ever fathering bastard children, then he would have promised to not marry a lady of the South.

"Jon! There you are! I was looking for you."

This was another thing that has happened in the few months she has been here. Lyra seeking him out to spend time with him. Why? He had no clue. Jon had thought that she was merely using him as a way to get to Robb or because of something else entirely. However, he soon learned when he asked her about it. She had gotten so angry at him for insinuating that she was using him to get to Robb instead. As beautiful as she was, Lyra Mormont was ferocious when angered much like provoking a hibernating grizzly.

"You know nothing of girls Jon! I have been seeking out your company this whole time! Not Robb's! As kind and as tolerant as he is, he's too much of a dunce!"

Jon didn't know if he should have laughed or have gawked like a fish out of water. So, he ended up doing both. Finally! He had never felt so relieved in his life. So damn happy and free of shame and worry. Lyra was truly an amazing person. Inside and out.

He probably wasn't allowed to, but he ended up spending most of those days with Lyra and occasionally Arya if she escaped the clutches of Septa Mordane. Other times, he would do his lessons and daily training with Robb, Theon, Bran, and little Rickon. Neither Robb or Theon fully comprehended why Lyra would want to spend time with him, but respected it.

"Jon, why does she avoid me? Have I done something to offend her?"

"No, you haven't Robb. Lyra's is not comfortable around you yet. She finds you nice enough, but she's quite … indifferent towards you."

"Indifferent?!"

The shock on Robb's face was enough to almost get a laugh out of Jon. Wide Tully blue eyes and a look of confusion was on Robb's face. Jon honestly had troubles fighting off a smirk much to the chagrin of his younger brother.

"Yes, indifferent. She says that you're too boring for her, you wear your heart on your sleeve too much, and you don't have an air of mystery around you either."

Much like the Tully trout, Robb had a hard time deciding on whether or not he should keep his mouth opened or closed he was so shocked. Jon found it all amusing. To see that his brother had finally found a girl who didn't swoon over him was just worth it. Jon was very … satisfied with it, but knew that too much pride would make him mess up later down the road. He gave Robb a playful, light-hearted pat on the shoulder getting a mild glare in return for it. Finally he started chuckling much to the other's immense chagrin.

Maybe, just maybe, Jon would finally be able to fit in in this world. With a girl who was like Lyra would definitely help him in that regard. Even at 12 and 10 years old, it was only a matter of time before reality caught up with them.