Winds of Change
Chapter 05: And So It Begins
AN: Hello all, it's been a while. Firstly as always thanks to everyone who left a review. At this point I am mostly through with what I consider the prologue chapters. I'm debating with how much of the Rebellion I'll cover as I've never written big army battles before. Also I'm still debating on lemons but I'm leaning towards putting the heavier versions on the other site which will also have pics of characters, weapons etc. Anyway with that here is the new chapter.
Start Now:
Year 281
The lands North of the Wall were a harsh and bitter place, wild and untamed since the chaotic times of the Long Night. While it was home to the Wildlings or Free Folk as the Northmen had learned to call them the place was not settled in any true way as though there were a few small villages that some clans had settled in, others chose to dwell in caves and other places. Of course men were not the only beings to call this area home is it played host to many other creatures including deer, reindeer, eagles, elk, hares, rams, shadowcats, sabretooth cats, mammoths, bears, lions, and wolves to name just a few.
Years ago during the negotiations with the Free Folk chieftains Lord Stark had gotten aid of the Free Folk to search the area for tradeable goods where they had discovered an abundance of resources. In exchange the Free Folk had gotten better quality weapons, clothing and even armor. He had offered to let some settle in the Gift, which the crown had returned to Stark control, but that had been declined. Instead their young were allowed to learn in Winterfell under his protection amongst a host of other issues being covered.
At the moment however Jiraiya cared for none of this. Instead the man was scowling as he made his way by foot through the Haunted Forest towards a particular destination. He could be getting his cock sucked right now or be buried inside the warmth of Tsunade's insides but instead he was trudging through the snow as according to Tsunade he'd put the issue off for far too long. Unfortunately despite being a god his power had limits especially in a world as magically weakened as this one. Granted these lands had a bit more magic running through them as did the Wall but still not enough for his ability and control to not break it.
This left him with the abilities he'd had as a human and while they were more than enough for the most part the one ability he sorely wished he'd had was flight. Naruto had wanted to teach him but at the time he'd put it off in favor of a bit of research which was now coming back to bite him. There was also teleportation but that only worked in places he'd been to and marked which meant in this instance it was useless.
This left him on foot as he travelled as the animals were all avoiding this area and he didn't have the patience to overcome their minds and not break them at the moment. Unlike the Lands of Always Winter they avoided this place not out of fear but instead as a subconscious effect they simply steered away from it, with a few exceptions. Thankfully the cold didn't much bother him like it would have as a human as he'd learned a few tricks to help with that thousands of years ago, despite this he still dressed in the thick clothing and furs that the Northmen were known for wearing. On his back was a huge great sword a little over six feet in length and bulky with a slightly curved blade called Gallant forged prior to his arrival on this world and made entirely of Valyrian Steel.
Eventually he came upon his destination a cleft in a wooded hillside, halfway up, between some weirwood trees. Slipping through the cleft he followed the path further inside where it opened into a larger space, though it was dark even to his eyes. A snap of his fingers produced an orb of light that floated in the air ahead of him lighting his path as it hovered allowing him to continue on along the path which was soon sloping down for quite a length. Following it down to the bottom he soon found himself traveling through a rather vast cave system that was cramped with branching tunnels full of weirwood roots with the ground covered with the bones of many creatures and every once in a while he'd find skulls placed in niches along the walls. He ignored all other routes and followed his senses even as he was led even further down yet more slopes before the route steeply descended once more before he came upon a great cavern opening on a black abyss with the sound of moving water hitting his enhanced ears from what had to be several hundred feet down.
He soon spotted a natural bridge and after crossing finally came upon his quarry sitting on a throne of woven weirwood roots. His quarry was a pale, skeletal man in rotted, black clothing with white hair long enough to reach the earthen floor. He is missing one eye, while the other is red. Weirwood roots surround the man and grow through his body, including his leg and his empty eye socket.
"Welcome Lord Freyr or would you prefer Lord Jiraiya." Spoke the man with a voice slow and dry clearly from disuse.
"Jiraiya will do for now young Brynden." Said the man absently conjuring himself a seat which grew from the earth forming a stone throne with green cushions and taking a seat.
"You know why I am here of course." Said Jiraiya his light tone doing nothing to hide the danger brought by his mere presence.
"Yes, it was a calculated risk but one that was necessary." Stated the man.
"You went rogue and claim necessity? Very well I'll humor you, explain." Said Jiraiya eyes cold despite his light tone.
"I will not go into the state of the realm as you well know it, instead I will speak on how things would have progressed without my interference. To start with young Bran was marked by the Night King and hid it from me, I did not learn of it until this place was under assault. This meant should the Night King be vanquished he'd have been able to jump into Bran's body." Started the ancient man getting no reaction from Jiraiya.
"Arya Stark vanquished the Night King. While commendable you and I both know this was wrong as her element is Ice. As such the fiend would have been able to reconstitute himself inside of 200 years, I could have worked with that, a new child of Ice and Fire would have needed to be born but it was doable. Unfortunately Daenerys, Jon Snow and their child would have been dead within the next year poisoned by one of the scheming lordlings. Bran was incapable of siring children and Sansa Stark had lost her magic.
When they returned the Walkers would have won and overrun the land easily. Inside of 5 years they'd have covered the world in snow and ice. In their endless quest for further conquest and death they'd have discovered the links the weirwoods have to the Great Tree and within a year would have figured out how to access them and travel the roads revealed." Explained the ancient man.
Throughout his talking Jiraiya had not changed in his expression. As both one of the Old Gods and a Valyrian God the man was incapable of lying before him, especially connected to the tree as he was. Unfortunately that future had already been burned with Naruto's reset of this world and as such it was no longer possible for him to look himself. Still this was a massive fuck up and as it was they were lucky that things were caught when they were. While he wasn't worried about the Walkers crossing one of them, the possibility of them accessing another world was quite high and not something that could be taken lightly.
"What of your personal motivations? We know you were sentenced to the Wall as a punishment." Said Jiraiya.
"My actions have always been in protection of the realm. I felt Aegon was weak for caving so quickly to maesters and the Faith and in the beginning even despised being sentenced to the Wall. I had hoped my actions would have at least ended the last Blackfire threat. That said if it were revenge I was after I'd have taken it on Aegon, or more likely the Seven Faith and the Citadel long ago."
At that answer Jiraiya sighed and his eyes lost their coldness. In truthfulness it had been a long time since he'd had to maintain such an air in this much of an official capacity. With his particular brand of divinity he was more comfortable in revelry and debauchery, places were good times were had. Even as a human that had been part of who he was which was why he'd turned down the position of Hokage so many times. As such he was glad that particular part of the conversation was over. Luckily he already knew what to do as he and Tsunade had spoken at length about this subject alone with Minato, Naruto and Kushina and had covered all the bases they could. Even still he remained silent for a while watching the man without a blink and was surprised the man didn't so much as shift.
"While your reasons have merit your actions still have consequences. Brandon Stark will not want to learn from you again, in fact I doubt his family would ever allow it." Said Jiraiya.
"So what is to become of me?" questioned the man.
"You will train someone else, and that person will in time finish training young Brandon. I will bring him here in a few months time." Said Jiraiya getting an acknowledging grunt from the man.
"As for you Children, you can step forward now." Said Jiraiya.
The room was still for several long seconds before many figures emerged from the shadows around them in something of a horseshoe pattern. The creatures were smaller than humans, but they are not childlike. They have nut-brown skin, dappled like a deer with paler spots. Their hands have only three fingers and a thumb, with sharp black claws instead of nails. They have large ears along with large gold, green or even red eyes slitted like those of a cat with leaves, vines and flowers woven into their hair, and wore cloaks of leaves. These creatures Jiraiya knew were the Children of the Forest and as one they all prostrated themselves before him with heads touching the ground. Jiraiya did a quick count and found that there were a little over 60 of them in all. Smiling softly he switched languages leaving the so-called Common Tongue and switching to the True Tongue
"Rise." Spoke Jiraiya getting the creatures to slowly straighten before standing to their feet.
"Bloodraven will not be in this world for much longer. While I know this is your home I would like you all to prepare other places for yourselves between Winterfell and the Isle of Faces. I will teach you all to use the weirwoods to travel between them so you are not stuck in one place and can travel wherever you like."
He stayed only a few minutes longer to finish up his business before he vanished in a flicker of golden light.
The travel from Winterfell to the Riverlands had been peaceful, Lyanna was thankful for that if for nothing else. The wolves travelled as a pack with people from each castle joining the group along the way and while not all the wolves were permitted to go the group was still much larger than it had been in her first life. All of the Main Line Starks were present as her aunt Branda was currently acting as the Stark of Winterfell while her two boys travelled with them. The heirs of all of the houses were present as well and had brought retinues of their own, all told the count had been a little over two hundred heads acting strictly as 'guards' for the various heirs. Despite these numbers however their lands were still quite heavily protected as there were still many, many more wolves on duty.
As each person rode a horse of their own it had definitely cut down on travel time and before she'd realized it they had come to Moat Cailin. The Moat as they called it had been completely restored and fortified, a project that had taken nearly ten years. It had been rewarded to House Peak as a bonus when the heir of the family had played a pivotal role in a campaign on one of the other continents. The stayed at the Moat for only a single night before moving on towards the Riverlands at first light.
To cross into the Riverlands they used the bridge at the Twins where they were met by a contingent of men from Riverrun. They men were led by Ser Bryden Tully otherwise known as the Blackfish, joining him and following like a shadow was 12-year-old Edmure Tully who was not only his nephew and his new squire but the Heir of House Tully. They sight of young Edmure explained why there were so many men with the Blackfish which was just as well because Lyanna was sure if they were made to interact with the Frey's they'd all be dead and the Twins burning by the time they left. Still she greeted Edmure warmly at his approach and would admit she took a small bit of pride in that she could still make him blush so easily. Edmure had come to Winterfell at age 7 at the behest of his father for a broader education and had endeared himself to many of them by the time he left a few moons previous.
It also helped that none of her family had wanted him to grow up to become the useless idiot they'd witnessed in the waters prior to embarking on this second chance life and him learning under their system had definitely helped the future Lord of the Trident. As it was the only one of Hoster Tully's children to not come North had been Lysa who had refused. It was no great loss for Lyanna, in fact it was better the girl hadn't come or the bitch may have met an unfortunate accident. Regardless they left the Twins behind swiftly with no bloodshed and continued travelling down the Kingsroad towards their destination. They reached Harrenhal in only a matter of days after leaving the Twins and that was only due to the fact that they were taking their time allowing the horses to walk rather than rushing through the Riverlands.
Upon their arrival at Harrenhal they were directed to the section of the grounds that their people would make their camp for the duration of their stay. Of course the immediate Stark family had rooms in the castle made ready for them due to their stations with her father being not only a Great Lord but a titled Prince. Climbing down from her horse her first action was to take to a knee at the same time she began loosening the ties to the sling pouch nestled to her side. Once the ties were undone she dug her hands inside before withdrawing her hands within which she held a small pup covered in brown and white fur.
Upon being placed on the ground the pup made a show of stretching before purple eyes focused on Lyanna. A bark cut through the air causing the pups head to perk up before three more converged on it and the four pups began to wrestle yipping excitedly. Knowing what the sight of the three pups meant Lyanna was not surprised when she looked up to see her brothers approaching her. The pups were Direwolves, something she never thought she herself would be linked to. Jiraiya had returned from his trip beyond the Wall nearly 2 moons ago with a pair of direwolves one of which had clearly been pregnant, and the pups were part of the litter she had birthed. The other two had been given to her aunt Branda's children though they were not permitted to bring theirs.
Grabbing her bag from the back of her horse she secured it to her back by placing the strap over her shoulder and soon they were on their way to the castle proper. As they walked the grounds they were informed that there were still some people that were coming and should arrive over the next two days or so. That really didn't surprise Lyanna as they'd come earlier than they had last time and as such had two days until the festivities were to begin in earnest. Lyanna was surprised that the Royal Family had already arrived and had requested that her family join them once their affairs were settled. Further prodding of their escort revealed that all but King Aerys had come, though she knew that he would be making his surprise appearance on the day of, much like he had last time.
Their guests they soon discovered were being put up in the Wailing Tower which aside from its name wasn't actually a bad place. They were situated on the right wing of the fourth floor of the tower and each of them were given their own rooms, with Lyanna's nestled between Brandon's and Eddard's. The Stark men who had followed after them had quickly moved into the rooms putting down their trunks and checking the rooms over before they entered. Her own room already had a bath waiting for her and her Ladies had quickly pulled her inside with the doors closing shut swiftly behind them. Before she even knew it she was naked and in the bath as they set about getting her ready for her meeting with the royals.
The Targaryen Royals occupied the entire fifth floor of the Wailing Tower such a thing had undoubtedly been a move to make protecting them easier. As a bonus they had several families and their men on the floors below them as well as the Kingsguard on their floor. The Starks were led up to the fifth floor by one of the servants of House Whent were they were greeted by the Kingsguard Knights present in this case Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Lewyn Martel.
After the servant was dismissed and well on their way Ser Lewyn led them to the proper room knocked several times in a patterned code before the door opened a few moments after he finished. At the door was Ser Arthur Dayne who let them inside where they found not only the Targaryens but the Martell's and Sasuke Uchiha already inside. Once the formal greetings were over with Lyanna was allowed to break free and was soon engulfed in a hug from Elia which started the more personal greetings.
From Elia she moved on to Queen Rhaella who also had a hug for her while complementing her on her growth. It was good to be held by the woman again, the short time she'd known her before they had instantly bonded and it had picked right back up in this life. The Twins also had hugs for her and while she wanted to know about their sudden wedding they cared more about the direwolves and if they'd get to see them which she promised they would.
From there she was passed on to the Dornish contingent. Before Elia's recent wedding she had never met her brothers, but she found that at least this time through the two of them were easy to get along with, though Doran was clearly the more serious of the two. Oberyn had also brought along his eldest daughter Obara who was now 10, though he'd left the younger two in Sunspear with their grandmother.
"Is Prince Rhaegar not joining us." Said Rickard once they had all taken seats.
"He is currently meeting with Lord Whent and a few other lords. He'll join us later on." Said the Queen getting a nod from the man.
"We can start without him, Rhaegar knows his role going forward." Said Sakura her tone shocking only the twins.
"Very well, Lord Stark how is your progress?" questioned Rhaella
"We've updated our sea charts to show many of the lands that have been discovered. I have a crew out now following directions from Prince Rhaegar for a new location, but I won't know anything for several moons at least." Said Rickard
"The North as a whole has improved massively from where we started. Most of our projects have been completed and exceeded our expectations. As of now our only personal projects are the restoration of the castles along The Wall." Said Lyarra.
"I think every kingdom knows the North is doing wonderfully. Between your fleet, the Academy and the high quality of the various wares that our being sold the North has become a topic of a lot of discussion." Said Princess Kierra Martel though her tone was full of amusement.
"I agree, I'd have been happy with the beds alone but between those, the clothing, glass sculptures, instruments, weapons and tradesmen you guys have done more production than several other countries." Said Doran
"The best stuff is the drinks. I thought wine was strong but between the Rum, Vodka and those other spirits you've got floating around! I thought I knew what drunk was until I tried that stuff." Said Oberyn getting a grin from his brother.
"Those are exports, but we can't take credit for much of those. Some of those Lord Jiraiya helped brought along from his travels and other were things our own people stumbled upon out in the wider world. Of course some things our people came up with and we are proud of them for that." Said Rickard
"Who came up with the Greyscale cure?" questioned Sakura curiously.
"One of Lady Tsunade's students named Breana. The medical language is beyond me thought." Said Rickard
"Still that's another win for the North. Those rats in the Citadel gave up on greyscale long ago and considered in incurable and a woman they'd have never allowed in the doors came up with a cure." Said Prince Oberyn grinning widely.
"And what of Dorne, I doubt very much you have been idle." Said Rickard moving the meeting on to others to speak
At the same time another meeting was taking place only this one was being helmed by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen in another section of the castle. While not all the Lords were currently present in the castle most of the truly important ones were. Unlike last time where he'd intended to hold one big meeting only for his father to appear and ruin it, this time he'd chosen to instead have a series of smaller meetings with the lords present. He had spoken to nearly every lord or lady in attendance by this point though not everyone had gotten the same information.
His truly important information he'd saved for the lords and ladies of the Crownlands as these men and women were of Valyrian descent they were the most loyal of his family's supporters. At the moment he was meeting with Lords Adrian Celtigar, the Head of House Celtigar and Monford Velaryon, the Heir of House Velaryon. As a precaution they were all speaking Valyrian and sitting inside the Celtigar tent sharing Dornish red wine.
"You're serious." Said Lord Celtigar frowning as he began to massage the bridge of his nose.
"Unfortunately that's the current situation." Said Rhaegar
He had just finished explaining to the two men about the threat that his house was currently facing the paths left available.
"Is there nothing more we can do?" questioned the Velaryon heir.
"My father is too well isolated and those around him are gaining too much from taking advantage of his current state. Originally I wanted to gather a council of lords to have him placed aside but that wouldn't work. If this is done either my wives or I would be killed at the minimum. If I'd done nothing and a full rebellion had happened as I saw the vast majority of my family would have died horrifically. We could perhaps win the war but I'd rather not needlessly put the lives of our people at risk." Explained Rhaegar.
"What do you need from us?" questioned Monford.
"I'd like both of you to supply people to form the guard for Daeron and Shaena. Aside from the Lord Celtigar I'd like you to keep a ship on standby to get my mother and Viserys out of Dragonstone should things go as I fear." Said Rhaegar.
"Done on both counts." Said Lord Celtigar
"I'd like to send some of my people with you." Said the Velaryon heir
"I would as well. I'll not see you head out without some of our own people." Said Lord Celtigar his tone light despite the heavy subject.
"That is acceptable. You'll receive word on when and where we can meet." Said Rhaegar.
Standing Rhaegar shook the hands of the two other men and departed the tent with a jovial laugh.
The next few days seemed to fly by in a blur with more and more people appearing for the tourney. For the Northerner's they'd found themselves with the attention of many others thrust upon them none more so that the Starks as not only had they shown up for a tourney when they famously considered them wastes of time and resources, but many were curious about their lands growth and how they had managed to accomplish so much so quickly.
To escape from the scrutiny the younger Starks had escaped to the grounds with their countrymen, to which they were surprised by the amount of activities. The last time she'd lived through this the only things of interest to do outside of the events had been the training grounds to watch people spar each other. This time it was much bigger with many more activities that even small children could partake in.
There were foot races, horse races, pony rides and a booth were faces were painted which was incredibly popular for the kids. She'd even spotted Prince Viserys darting around the grounds with his face painted as a dragon and Ser Oswell struggling to keep up with the boy's energy. There were food eating contests and a host of games to be played and most of it was priced low enough that even the small folk in attendance could and were participating. Lyanna herself had tried out several things but had gotten a lot of attention and challenges at the horse race. They were allowed to bet on the races and she hadn't lost a single time, though the money she'd won on bets she'd donated to the event staff which amounted to nearly 800 silver stags all together.
Aside from that she had tried the horseshoe toss with her siblings though that one Benjen had one earning him praise from them. She noticed that many of the boys began trying to use the games to impress the girls around and her brothers were no exception to this. Eddard had surprisingly been the first as he'd left them to enjoy the games with Catelyn and whereas before this would not have pleased her this current version of the girl she felt was much better for her brother than the other version. Benjen for all people said was her shadow had been the next to go off with his betrothed Fringilla Umber getting much teasing from herself and Brandon in the process.
Brandon however had stuck with her, and they'd had a lot of fun, he'd even won one of the games were he had to hit a bell by striking a lever with a hammer and had gifted her with a stuffed wolf. The stuffed animals were a relatively new innovation that had been brought about by Queen Rhaella and had become quite popular over the last ten years, and she would admit that she loved the things. They were spread all over the Seven Kingdoms and she'd even seen some in Essos.
It was on the before the tourney was to begin in earnest that the King made his appearance much as he had last time. While he didn't look as bad as the last time they'd gotten to this point she knew that this was The Mad King even if his hair and beard were somewhat clean and he lacked the long claws she remembered his nails had once been. True to the last time this had happened Jaime Lannister had also been appointed to the vacant position of the Kingsguard during the opening ceremony though Jaime hadn't been sent back to Kings Landing as the entire royal family was in attendance. They were currently in the Hall of a Hundred Hearths were the opening feast was being held. Looking around she could see representatives and Lords from all seven kingdoms in attendance, in fact the only one of note missing was Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King, which was also true to the last time this had happened.
A nudge to her side brought her out of her thoughts and looking up at to the sight of Brandon.
"Think they'll like the gift." Said her brother.
"They'd better as much trouble as bringing it with us caused." Said Lyanna only for her brother to laugh.
"Well guess there only one way to find out."
As if his words were a summon the doors of the hall were opened admitting a team of men, clearly Northmen, who were all helping to bring in a large object. Seeing the interest in just about everyone at the sight she couldn't help but smile as her father stood to his feet and captured the attention of more than a few people.
"Lord Stark care to explain what this is?" questioned the king.
"Of course your grace. Lord Whent what these men are bringing in happens to be a nameday gift for your daughter, it is an instrument specifically speaking it's what is termed a stringed keyboard instrument called the piano. We have had them for a few years now and this is the first one to leave the North. This instrument is actually the only one that we have two types of, the upright and the grand. The upright is more compact and the grand such as this one here comes in three sizes, Baby which sized at just under 5 feet, Parlor which measures up to just under 7 and a half feet and the concert which is nearly 10 feet. This one is a concert, so it has longer strings which results in a larger and richer sound." Explained Lord Stark
The people around the room began to talk quietly amongst themselves about the new device as the team of men began to put it all together before their eyes. The men were obviously well practiced as they had the entire thing unloaded from what was moving it which they called the stack truck and was assembled within ten minutes. After it was assembled Lord Whent along with his daughter approached and at the Lord Stark's direction struck random places on the keyboard striking cords and as a result causing the sounds to echo across the room. What followed was him giving them a breakdown of the instrument and many were not surprised when Prince Rhaegar also approached with his well-known love of music. As he spoke he never lowered his tone so the entire hall could hear him and most everyone was paying him attention.
"Lyanna, come play something for us." Called the man.
"Sing us a song Lyanna!" called Brandon causing her to snap her head towards his voice only to find him standing several tables away and using his friends as a shield.
"Sing, sing, sing…"
The calls of Eddard and Benjen came next as a chant which was soon picked up by the rest of her countrymen causing her hand to twitch at her side only to then realize she didn't have her axe on hand. Glaring at Benjen she was pleased when he visibly flinched back at least until Fringilla took hold of his hand and he started back up.
"Princess Lyanna" came a new voice silencing them all and causing her to hold back a wince.
Turning to the voice she was unsurprised to see Queen Rhaella standing from her seat though was surprised to see that she had moved to Rhaegar's side at the piano.
"Come please. I've already heard tale of your singing voice and I believe we would all like a proper demonstration of this new instrument."
At her words Lyanna felt all her defiance actually flee her. Using Rhaella was cheating as far as she was concerned as she'd never been able to say no to the woman, even in the brief few weeks they spent together on Dragonstone in her first life. Sighing she slowly pushed her chair back from the table taking care not to get her dress caught under the legs she stood to her feet. Making her way to the piano she took the seat and taking a breath began to play a few notes just to warm herself up for nearly a full minute until she felt comfortable and stopped. As she played a hush had come over the room and as she looked up she found her father had directed everyone away from her to give her some space and she had the entire rooms attention when she spoke.
"I know a few southern songs but to be honest my people don't really like them. Our songs have evolved with our instruments, and we were encouraged to come up with our own, so I'll play you one of mine." Said Lyanna still playing softly.
If I Ain't Got You – Alicia Keys
Ignoring the muttering her words had started up she smiled and began to play in earnest her first few notes catching the rooms immediate attention before she closed her eyes and began to sing.
Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what's within
And I've been there before but that life's a bore
So full of the superficial
Her voice despite being soft cut through the room and its silence as people looked on her with surprise. Many were surprised just by the tone of her voice but then the words started truly registering and they began listening even more intently. As the last words hit several people looked upon her in surprise not just in what was being said but in that it was an actual princess saying it.
As the voice and words came Aerys Targaryen himself began to pay attention, his mind emerging from the depths of his own plotting at the beauty of her voice. The words however were striking, and he could only agree, ever since he had placed the blasted crown on his head he had come to realize these words to be truth. In truth he pitied people who lusted for power and status as none of them could see the pitfalls busy as they were lusting after the throne. He himself hadn't seen the true depths and web of lies and deceit that the Game of Thrones would place him in until it was to late and he was beset on all sides.
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you, baby
If I ain't got you, baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah
From her seat with the people of the Westerlands Cersei Lannister could only frown. The song from both the instrument and the voice was beautiful, a beauty that was seemingly matched by the Stark Princess herself. She had always believed that the Northerners were little better than Wildlings themselves, yet even with many of those same Wildlings being allowed to cross into the Northern Kingdom proper the North was prospering greater than ever before.
Even her father had begrudgingly admitted that the move the Queen had made to betroth Prince Rhaegar to both Elia Martell and Lyanna Stark had been masterful, while not even he knew the details all three parties were seemingly happy with it. That however had left her adrift as she'd always been told that she was to marry Rhaegar and become Queen one day herself. She had consoled herself for the last few years that at least she would be prettier than the Stark girl but even she would admit if only to herself that the girl was a beauty and she knew she couldn't sing anywhere close to this.
Some people search for a fountain
That promises forever young (Ya know)
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be?
With no one to share
With no one who truly cares for me
At this Eddard internally winced as he easily connected this to Robert. It had taken him a while even in this new life to come to terms with just how badly he had misjudged the situation as he had cared more about his friendship with Robert than he had Lyanna and her desires. Even Benjen back then had warned him and he hadn't listened instead pushing forward the idea that Lyanna marry Robert to their father. Lyanna however had seen what he refused to with Robert and fled into the arms of Rhaegar.
In the aftermath of the Rebellion he had blamed Lyanna, Rhaegar and even Benjen to some extent and when Benjen lashed back out at him regarding Lyanna he banished him to join the Night's Watch as if he were a criminal. Even later when he'd seen who Robert had become as King he'd been convinced Lyanna would have helped Robert. It was only after he'd died and been reinserted into the past that he began to see the part that he had played in all of it and accept the fact that he was also at fault.
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you, baby
If I ain't got you, baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, you, you
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you, baby
If I ain't got you, baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah
If I ain't got you with me, baby
Ooh, ooh
Said nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me, baby
As she hit the last note there was silence for only a few seconds before the room filled with applause. As she stood from the bench she was pulled into a hug by Rhaella and then by Elia, she locked eyes with Rhaegar for only a few moments and almost melted and the look she was receiving. She had no idea that the smile on her face only made her look more beautiful to those in the Hall and along with the vulnerability that everyone had been able to hear in her voice succeeded in planting the beginning seeds of adulation that people even outside of the North would hold for her.
"Lord Stark." Came a call that brought silence in the entire hall and brought the attention of everyone to the King who was now standing from his seat.
"Yes, your grace?" questioned the man
"I want two of these new instruments. One delivered to Kings Landing and one to Dragonstone I am willing to pay 500 gold dragons." Said the man causing more than a few eyes to widen in surprise.
"I'll send the raven first thing in the morning your grace." Said Rickard getting a nod before the king took his seat.
The rest of the night was quite celebratory and passed in something of a blur for many in attendance. Lyanna found herself praised by many for her talents both at playing the instrument and singing and shared dances throughout the night with many individuals many of them were or would be family whilst others where men of the North. Benjen, Eddard and Brandon had also spent their own time on the dance floor and all three would share a dance with the Dornish beauty that was Lady Ashara Dayne though it was Brandon that would be the one to catch her eye though neither Benjen or Eddard had been shy on helping to strong the flame of her feelings for their elder brother.
Robert Baratheon had tried dancing with Lyanna but the size of her dance card was incredibly full and he ended the night in his room with a pair of serving girls. Cersei Lannister ended up leaving the feast early that night and drunk herself to sleep in her room. As the night wound down Rhaegar couldn't help but feel the first night was a success as he made his way down the hall were the royals were staying.
He stopped only briefly on the fourth floor of the Wailing Tower were both the Martell's and the Starks were staying going to check up on his daughter who had spent the night with her Dornish grandmother. Princess Kierra hadn't been alive by this point last time, her survival along with that of the Twins and Princess Lyarra were amongst the things that helped to elevate his spirit whenever he found himself struggling with the knowledge of what was to come, it meant that change was indeed possible.
Both Sakura and Sasuke had often told him that time was like a river, whilst it flowed in one direction it can branch out or even be diverted on its course. It was one such diversion that had brought him to this point as he arrived outside of the door of his father's room. Ser Barristan had already ducked inside to inform him of his presence and as if the thought of him was a summons the knight stepped out of the room allowing him inside. Taking a breath to steel himself he stepped inside, the time for preparation was truly over and now it was time to begin the next phase.
AN: That's it the chapter's over. I hope the song wasn't too jarring but I've been imagining Lyanna singing this song since before I wrote the second chapter since it seems like a song she would sing about her life. Anyway thanks for reading and please leave a review. Till next time, LATER.