Hey I am back - I was quite busy with my other stories so far after I sort of came to a stop with this one.
Anyway, I hope you like this new chapter!

Disclaimer: I neither own Marvel nor GOT.
Also, I certainly do not endorse teen pregnancies - but this is GOT and I want to stick to the timeline, so there we go (unfortunately).
And I also don't own the easter egg in the text :).

Natalia

Brookbridge, 280 A.C.

When Brookbridge came into sight, Natalia could have cried with relief. She was simply so tired, her shoulders ached, her back ached, and her thighs were sore from days on horseback. She hadn't slept well in weeks since she had left the Eyrie, too scared of being robbed and far too used to Ned's warm body next to her to feel comfortable alone. She hated the thought that this would be her new reality at Winterfell, with Lyanna at least but without the man she loved. She wondered whether Bucky might be willing to stay for a bit, shielding her from the negativity that would surely await her. It wasn't that she was scared or couldn't deal with it on her own, it was more a tactical consideration: Having an ally was always a good call, and not having to rely on one's own strength all of the time would make a person last longer.

As soon as her party crossed the threshold to the courtyard of Starshield, they were greeted by the familiar sounds and shouts of a busy keep, but less chaos than she had expected. Everyone seemed to know what to do, Natalia was certain that this was due to their lady's management. Someone must have seen them approach, since a group of people had already gathered in front of the main building. Her smile broadened as she could see both of the Starshields, Bobbi and Carol Hill and her brother. The latter stepped forward, helping her off her horse. Only someone who knew them well, would have recognized the slight edge of ridicule in the gesture - she certainly didn't need any help since she was wearing breaches under a gown with slits up to her thigh and she ahd been able to handle a horse since she was about seven. Bucky held her close to him for a long moment and she realized this was probably more for himself than for her, an older brother who had been worried about his little sister for far too long.

After they had pulled apart, she turned towards her hosts to politely greet them, however, she was welcomed with much more openess than expected. Only the young girl seemed to be rather timid as she curtsied in front of her, which seemed to amuse Bucky. She would have to ask him about this later, apparently there was a story to be heard here. Suddenly, a shift seemed to go through her friends, subtle but certainly there. Out of the corner of her eye Natalia could see that four people had entered the yard, obviously led by a striking woman in a green and golden gown. Margaery Tyrell, certainly, an alleged alley, and yet there seemed to be something about her that set the others on edge. While the Northern woman greeted the strange party, she could see the watchfulness in all of these peoples' eyes. They weren't hostile, but the expressions ranged from curious (the Southern, rather swanky looking warrior), over appraising (Margaery Tyrell), to absolutely blank (the other three companions). This would be fun, she thought to herself. She had heard a lot about Margaery beforehand, made as many inquiries as possible, and received answers that had told her to be watchful around the woman. Not that she was ever not watchful.

Now though she happily passed her horse to one of her companions from the Eyrie and followed Maryah's invitation to a room that had been prepared for her, only carrying the bags that had been tied to her saddle. A bath and a meal seemed delightful right now, just as well as an hour of rest. Quite soon she realized that Starshield wasn't overly luxurious but still subtly showed the wealth of the Westerlands through ornaments and tapestries, quite like what she had chosen as the new interior design for the Eyrie. Whoever did the decorating here apparently had a taste similar to hers.

"Starshield looks delightful," she started to make conversation. "But anyway, how are you doing?" She asked her companion casually in walking.
Maryah bit her lip. "We are all quite well. But rest now and let us talk about these things later," she told her firmly.

Natalia nodded in understanding, not pressing the point. She had the impression that the reluctance had something to do with the Tyrells and a fear to be overheard, whatever Maryah's motives, she would not question them yet. She sort of trusted her more than Lady Margaery, even though she was very well aware that she was just as dangerous as the Tyrell lady.
Therefore, after giving her a short smile, Natalia closed the door of the room behind herself, resolutely shutting out her host. She looked around once more. The chamber was more spacious than she had expected, with a broad canopy bed and rather big windows. There was also a little table with chairs and a shelf with writing utensils on the boards. Suddenly, there was a knock. Did Maryah want to talk to her again? After a moment, she opened the door to see one of her companions who had brought the rest of her bags up to her room. She thanked him with a genuine smile and shut the door once again, straight into his face.

Then the redhead used the provided water to refresh herself before getting out of her travelling clothes and into a simple chemise. With a satisfied sigh, she flopped down on the broad bed. It was indeed very comfy, especially after a trip like hers, and she slowly felt the muscles on her shoulders and back relax as she slowly breathed in and out. Unfortunately, there was no time for her to sleep right now, there was far too much to talk about with the others. So, after a couple of minutes, she reluctantly got up again and made her way over to her bags. She decided to wear a slightly more luxurious dress for the first meeting, though since she didn't carry a lot of luggage with her, the options were very limited anyway. Thankfully Natalia didn't need a maid to get dressed - doing things herself was something she had learned as a household member with a rather precarious station. That said, she thought with a small smile, Ned usually gladly helped her out of her clothes. The thought made her heart ache. She missed him, dearly.

When she considered herself presentable, she set out to find her hosts, or alternatively Bucky. The keep was more of a labyrinth than she had expected, but with the help of a couple of servants she finally managed to reach Steven Starshield's study. Since the door was opened, she decided to enter, finding him bowed over a ledger with his wife pointing out numbers on one of the sides. Both looked up when she walked in.

"Please, I didn't want to disturb you," Natalia told them, "I was looking for my brother."
"I think last time I saw him he was outside in the yard, anxious to catch up with you. But he didn't want to disturb you," the other man told her, "so I am sure he will be happy to talk to you now. I'll quickly describe the way to you."

Natalia nodded, before turning around and following the description. Of course she was curious, would have liked to explore every corner of the strange keep, but that could wait for later. Bucky came first. She actually found him sitting under a tree in the garden, feet streched out in front of him. He looked up as he saw her approach, but didn't move to get up.

"What, no move to greet me?" she teased him, nudging his boots with her foot.
He gave her a grin. "Sister, you might be married now, but this ain't the North, and even if it were - I am sorry to tell you, but you only married the second son. You don't have power over me, you don't have power over anything."
Natalia pursed her lips. "You might be Lord Barnes, but we are both guests here, so I suppose that makes us equal. Besides... I didn't know you were that competitive."
She crossed her arms in front of her body, but he just laughed.
"Don't fret! I think you forget that I have known you all my life, and I am fully aware of what you can do. So, do the world a favour and stop scowling. Otherwise our hosts might even be afraid of you! And it really doesn't suit your complexion!"

She stuck out her tongue at him, but then sat down next to him in the grass, leaning her head agaisnt his shoulder.

"How are you doing, big brother?"
"Fairly well, little sister. Especially now, that you are here."
"They have been treating you well, I guess?"
"Oh, certainly. Though that Lady Margaery sets me on edge."

Natalia hummed. "I have yet to meet her. And her party."
"I am sure you will be delighted."

She wasn't quite sure whether he was serious. Bucky leaned back and looked at her for a long moment.

"Alright. Fill me in," she told him.
"Steven Starshield loves his wife and doesn't know how to love her. Margaery Tyrell likes him far too much to be proper. Maryah Hill is ice-cold and jealous. Tony is annoying. That Fury-man is scary, but Lady May even more so. You will like her. Everyone is scheming, Olenna Tyrell wants control, the Starshields won't accepts the bargain. Neither will I. Or rather, I will follow you in my decision." He looked pained. "So please don't agree to too much."

"I won't. Not that I have too much leverage to begin with - or at least official leverage. I will say, depite some complaints, I have managed Lord Arryn quite well."

Bucky raised an eyebrow.

"And what does your husband say about this?"
"He doesn't have the mind for politics that I do, and we both know it. This is my game, as honesty is his."
"Nat, you are too young for the game," Bucky told her seriously, "you are too young for all of this! You shouldn't be married, you shouldn't be in the middle of danger, you shouldn't have to look over your shoulder and you sure as hell shouldn't be on the best way of bearing the next generation of Starks!"
"I am 16, of age, and that is certainly not deliberatedly young for children," she huffed, "not that I want them, right now, anyway. Believe it or not, there are ways to take care of that, big brother. And I have looked over my shoulder for years, we both know that. Nothing has changed, and it certainly won't with that king on the throne."

She hissed the last part, too aware of prying ears. They could be everywhere.

"And you are wrong about something else - being married to Ned is the absolut only thing that keeps him from being forced to marry someone else. Of course, it comes with trouble, yet, if anything is worth it, it's that. I know you think I barely knew him because he was aware at the Eyrie, and that may be true, but he was at Winterfell enough for me to get to know him, and there were enough letters to solidify my opinion. Maybe not the soundest of foundations, but more than most connections can claim. What I know is that I have loved him for years, courtly, and maidly, and stupidly and desperately, and even if that were to run out, he will always be a good man. So James Barnes, don't blame me, love makes you crazy, and if it doesn't, then you - don't - do - it - right."

She punctuated each of her words with a stab of her finger into his chest. He just shook his head fondly, but some of the graveness had left his eyes. Then he pulled her into his chest again.

"Just take care, alright? I somehow think you will need it."
"I will."

Then she slowly started to entangle ehrself from his hug. Her limbs ached as she came to her feet and looked down at her brother.

"Well, then let's find these people and see what they are going on about, shall we? It can't be worse than an afternoon of cross stitching with ladies who continuously stare at you meanly, can it now?"