Hello folks, welcome back for another chapter for Stag's Fury, Lion's Roar. I hope you are enjoying the story so far and I am excited to keep producing on it.
Review by ChaMy0: This was amazing, I can't wait for the next chapters. Will you give them magic? Because if you follow the canon and Daenerys manages to hatch the dragons, it will be difficult to stop her without magic.
My Response: Thanks for the review! I am really happy you are liking it so far. As for magic if they get magic it will never be on par with what they had at their disposal in their previous life. Percy is not about to be able to drown an enemy with water magic and Annabeth lacks any way to become invisible like she could with her cap etc etc. That being said they will have more than a little up their sleeves to deal with the likes of Targaryens and their dragons. As for Daenerys herself, let's just say a lot of things are going to be changing as the story progresses so we may not be seeing the same goes as in canon.
A guest review said: Interesting idea and a good start but think the beginning needs a bit of work, you glossed over all the other children being born just having them appear but you haven't made any mention of who their father is, did she make up with Jamie after he seemed to be pissed off at him for having Robert's kids, are they more of Robert's kids or even another Lannister that she decided to bed? How is Joffrey acting now that he isn't the crown Prince and has been sent with his grandfather?
My response: Stating the specific birth of the younger siblings isn't important enough to devote an entire section to. I specifically stated they were Cersei and Jaime's children as well and that Cersei felt guilty for putting more attention and care into Percy and Annabeth than her 'pure' Lannister children, especially Joffrey who she sees more as an issue than anything else due to his attitude. As for Joffrey's personality and actions we will be seeing more of him soon though Annabeth has already noticed and made the comment that she doesn't believe he has become less cruel or petty just smarter and more cunning which only makes him more dangerous for those he targets.
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Now let's get on with the chapter.
Chapter Two
A Bond of Two Houses
Percy was awake earlier than most of Winterfell the second day of his family's stay in the ancient fortress. The cool air of his room felt relatively warm the moment he left the corridors of the building to cross over to the main hall to find something for his breakfast.
Along the way though he found someone that had likely had a much chillier night than he had.
"Uncle?" He called out causing the dwarf to turn his head and look at his nephew through dirty bangs of hair.
Percy grimaced slightly at the appearance of his tiny uncle. Covered in dirt and mud and maybe a little bit of vomit he had hay in his hair and clinging to the once fine clothing the man had ruined doing whatever it was he had done the night before.
"Ah, Percy! Good morning, Nephew." He said cheerfully before exaggerating the motions to finish relieving himself and making Percy roll his eyes in humor.
"You look like shit." Percy bluntly stated, causing Tyrion to grin at him.
"I am pretty sure I slept in shit. I seem to have gotten a bit too much to drink last night and found myself bedding down in the kennels."
"You must have emptied half of the Stark's stores. I've seen how much you can drink." Percy joked.
"Right, well they do have some strong stuff up here you know." Tyrion chided him playfully.
"Well, I'm off for some breakfast you had better find somewhere to clean up and change before my mother or sister find you." Percy warned.
Annabeth wasn't hateful toward her uncle as their mother was but…she wasn't one people considered especially forgiving and having their uncle Tyrion embarrass the family by getting drunk and rolling about in hopefully just mud would piss her off more than Percy was willing to imagine.
"Heh, right. Well I look forward to seeing you put these northern boys in their place later this morning then. Have a plate of eggs and bacon sent up to my room, please." Tyrion said as he began walking away.
"I'm not a serving boy you know!" Percy called after him with some humor mixed with very real annoyance at playing errand boy for his uncle.
"Oh I know, that's why I said please, my sweet nephew." Tyrion replied before disappearing inside and sending maids scurrying off to heat up some water and fetch fresh clothing for him.
Percy snorted in humor before finishing his short journey to the dining hall. Even at this early hour there were quite a few people inside already. Among them Percy's other uncle and many men at arms for all the major houses currently within Winterfell. Easily picked out since they all made a point of remaining within their own little cliques.
Making his way toward the group of red and gold centered around the gold and white dressed Jaime, Percy took a seat beside his Uncle with a small smile.
Jaime had not initially been fond of his sister's eldest two children. They made it nearly impossible to outright avoid and thereby dislike them though. Percy especially. The boy was nothing like his father. Unless of course he was truly enraged then he lived up to his house motto completely.
Beyond that though Jaime had slowly come to enjoy time spent with his nephew. Especially when the young prince had begun his journey as a warrior. Jaime had never expected to find an equal let alone someone who he was anxiously waiting to surpass him. It was a strange feeling. Made ever more strange for Jaime that out of all of his sister's children he was arguably closer to the ones that were not his own than those that were.
Most of that could be blamed on circumstances and the fact that Myrcella and Tommen were both still quite young. Joffrey had spent almost as much time away from King's Landing as in it and was not exactly the easiest to interact with when he was younger.
"Uncle, gentlemen." Percy greeted Jaime and the guards as he took a seat and waved over a timid little serving girl.
"Nephew." Jaime responded as the soldiers gave their own respectful greetings to the prince.
"My prince?" The servant asked while being as respectful as possible. She looked to be a year or two older than Sansa though far more shy to be around so many soldiers and actual royalty.
The younger guardsmen chuckled lightly and whispered to one another just loud enough for the girl to catch a few words and blush brightly as she awaited Percy's command.
"Bring me whatever my Uncle Jaime is eating but also make sure a plate of some eggs and blackened bacon are taken up to my Uncle Tyrion's quarters. Take him some extra water as well. He had a long night."
"At once!" She practically squealed. Before nearly running to the kitchens causing the men to chuckle and not just at the table of Lannister guards either. His father's men and Stark soldiers also chuckled at the display.
"It's even worse than back at the capitol." Percy sighed.
Jaime laughed at the 'troubles' of his nephew. The boy was even more of a heartthrob than his father had been at his age but had none of the whoremonger king's womanizing nature to him. Jaime doubted he would even look the way of the likes of Sansa if Annabeth hadn't practically drilled it into his head that he had to marry a pretty and naïve girl from one of the major houses.
"Imagine how much worse it will be after you show off how little the stories about you are exaggerated." Jaime said with a cocky smirk causing Percy to groan though the broad smile on his face was clear.
"I am looking forward to seeing what Bed Stark's sons can do. The Greyjoy too." He replied.
"And your own little brother?" Jaime asked carefully.
Percy pursed his lips at that. Part of him did want to try and extend some sort of olive branch toward his younger brother. They were family after all, however the resentment and distaste wasn't coming from Percy in that relationship. Both he and Jaime knew that as well.
"I would like to see how much he has grown." Percy replied diplomatically.
"You spend a lot of time with Annabeth and your mother. They are starting to run off on you a little." Jaime commented with a smile.
"I think that's a good thing don't you?" Percy asked.
"Oh most definitely. We might have the looks but the two of them and your uncle Tyrion all have the brains." Jaime joked, causing several of the nearby guardsmen to snort and Percy to laugh as the serving girl returned with his meal.
"So, has your father brought up yourself and young Lady Sansa yet?" Jaime asked as they are.
Percy's smile dipped slightly but he shook his head as he swallowed down his mouthful of food.
"What do you think of her?" Jaime pressed on.
Percy tensed slightly as he noticed the obvious signs of men eavesdropping from every table and of several passing servants traveling far slower than before. He also realized that his mother and likely his sister had put Jaime up to bringing this topic up in the growing crowd of breakfast goers.
He knew his part.
"It's only been one evening of conversation sadly but I don't know that there is a better match in the Seven Kingdoms." Percy said while mentally scoffing. Sansa was a cute one. She would no doubt be beautiful and if his sister had any say she would be rather smart as well…she was not exactly who Percy considered the best match for himself though.
Jaime knew as much and clapped a hand on his nephew's shoulder in a show of understanding none of the others in the room quite understood.
"I'm sure it will all work out then. I think your mother and sister approve of her at any length. A difficult feat truthfully." Jaime said sending a more subtle message to Percy while still making it clear that at least part of their house was supportive of the possible betrothal that rumors had begun circulating.
Percy snorted once more at the wording his uncle used. Difficult feat indeed, unless of course you were a piece to be moved about by the likes of Annabeth and Cersei.
"Have you seen any of them this morning?" Percy asked.
"I was relieved not so long ago. Your mother intends to escort the little ones about on their first day sightseeing here in Winterfell, but Annabeth is collecting Sansa and her sister as well as the other little ladies to begin any lessons they might have early. If you ask me she intends to show you off to Sansa when you are in the yard today." Jaime explained.
"Ha. You make it sound more like Annabeth is organizing my betrothal to Lady Sansa than my father is." Percy joked, getting some chuckles around them and a knowing look and grin from his uncle.
The rest of breakfast went smoothly. Some mild conversation and a bit of awkward mingling before the various houses took place largely due to Percy's generally friendly and earnest nature. Before long, it was time to meet with the other young lordlings for some sparring.
Percy was a bit embarrassed by the fact most of the men in the dining hall trailed after himself and his uncle eager to see how the various scions of the Great Houses stacked up to one another.
Sansa had been quite excited when Princess Annabeth had begun collecting up all the girls from around Winterfell. When the serving girl had come to fetch Sansa herself she nearly forgot herself and squealed in the older girl's face. Thankfully she restrained herself at the last moment and sent the maid away with word that Sansa would be joining them shortly.
Her good mood soured a bit as she realized that Arya would be joining them. The small collection of ladies accompanied by Septa Mordane already knew Arya's penchant for ruining their lessons and trying to absorb as much attention as she could, but the Princesses and their handmaidens that were joining them today weren't aware just what bringing her along could be doing.
Thankfully Septa Mordane seemed insistent on remaining close to Arya and managing her as they settled into one of the sitting rooms and worked diligently on some stitching.
"Gods be good child. These are crooked again." The Septa sighed as she took the work from Arya.
Jeyne stifled a giggle as did some other girls. Sansa was better than that. As much as she didn't think Arya was really fitting into this environment at all she wasn't about to be rude even to her hellion sister. Neither of the princesses or their handmaidens seemed to laugh either. Most of them just looked toward Annabeth.
Annabeth herself stood and made her way toward the Septa with a blank face before holding out her hand expectantly.
"May I see that?" She asked politely though her tone conveyed that it wasn't a request but a demand.
"Of course, Princess." The aged Septa said before handing over Arya's work.
"Hmm, maybe they are a bit crooked, not much of a problem though. Here Arya, try holding it like this." Annabeth said, all but forcing the Septa from her chair.
Annabeth helped Arya who looked ready to bolt a moment earlier but had calmed down with the friendly calming presence of the elder princess. It didn't take long for the younger princess joining the two in their corner of the room and shortly after that Sansa felt herself stand and move to a spot closer to them.
As she crossed the room, Sansa noticed Annabeth's own work and was shocked that she had already finished it perfectly. The small cloth bore the Baratheon Stag intertwined with the Stark Direwolf. Not a single stitch was out of place. It looked more like the work Sansa had seen the likes of her mother make after decades of practice.
Her mind seemed to approve. Her thoughts accepting such skill as just what was expected of a princess such as her.
Sitting beside her sister she was surprised to find Arya's work improved almost immediately with Annabeth's help. It was almost as good as Sansa's own and Sansa had much more time put into perfecting her stitches.
"I don't understand why we have to do this anyway. It's boring." Arya complained causing Sansa to frown. She nearly reprimanded Arya for acting poorly but Annabeth simply laughed.
"We have to do a lot of boring things in our lives. Some day you might find doing something boring is kind of nice since it gives you a break." Annabeth told her.
"Why would you want a break with stitches? Wouldn't you rather be fighting or exploring or well anything?" Arya asked.
"Well, honestly sometimes it can be nice to just sit and do things like this. Dealing with all the people at court can be draining. I imagine you would hate it, even if you have to learn all the ins and outs of that sort of thing." Annabeth calmly explained.
"Arya is more interested in swords than needles." Sansa finally chimed in.
Arya shot Sansa a look, though the auburn haired girl was a bit surprised it wasn't a glare. Annabeth meanwhile hummed in thought at that. She looked Sansa's way with a smile after a moment.
"Honestly swords are a bit more interesting. We are ladies though so we have to learn at least the basics of using needles." She said, getting a groan from Arya.
"Aren't you a warrior though?" She whined.
This time Myrcella giggled before blushing as they looked her way and turning her attention back to the stitches in her hand. Annabeth softly rand a hand over her little sister's golden hair with clear love causing the younger girl to smile up at her.
"I suppose you could call me that, however I am also a lady. You want to be a warrior, Arya?" She asked.
"It's better than being a lady." Arya shrugged.
"Unfortunately you can never stop being a lady. The moment you were born it was going to happen." Annabeth said, causing Arya to deflate sadly and Sansa to stare at the older girl. That seemed like good advice but also a bit hypocritical all things considered.
"But you trained with a blade." Sansa blurted out fighting back a small blush when she caught herself after her words.
"I did. I'm still a lady, or rather a Princess. What I am trying to say. You, all of you, will always be ladies but that doesn't mean that is all you are going to be. Arya, if you want to fight then learn to fight but don't neglect your other lessons. You are first and foremost a lady of House Stark." Annabeth said, causing Septa Mordane to stand up at the back of the room.
"Princess, I don't think it's truly proper to save speaking as you have been." She began.
"Forgive me Septa," Annabeth cut her off with a look that silenced the older woman. "I am not a follower of the Seven but I fear that even if I was I would find it difficult to much care what you have to say."
Sansa nearly felt her jaw drop at that. The rest of the girls did the same though Arya and Myrcella giggled at the action. The Septa became very red in the face but another look from Annabeth, one that was far more harsh than the first kept her silent and sent her back to her seat.
The rest of their time spent stitching was far less interesting. For the first time Sansa found herself…bored with her lessons. She had always wanted to be the perfect little lady and hopefully perfect queen for as long as she could recall. In one conversation that she was hardly even a part of she was beginning to doubt that though.
After all they were all ladies so even is she was the most perfect lady…what did that matter if it just meant she was the same as all the other girls.
Her thoughts regarding that were thankfully interrupted before she began having an actual identity crisis as a serving boy came to retrieve them to go watch the boys in the training yard.
Internal debate was put aside for the thought of seeing the two princes and perhaps some of the other men showing off in the yard. She could hardly wait to see Prince Percy especially.
Noticing the blue eyes of the Princess glancing her way though she straightened herself up so as not to act so immature. It seemed the proper thing to do as Annabeth not only smiled she chose to walk beside Sansa on their way to the balcony to watch.
Down below them the colors of Stark, Baratheon, and Lannister blended as the young lordlings circles around the current fight going between the two youngest of the group. Sansa covered a smile behind her hand as she watches little Bran and the little prince Tommen covered head to toe in thick padding, no doubt at the command of their mothers.
Both clumsily swung at one another with wooden swords that also had cloth tightly wrapped around them to soften the blows.
Arya wasn't quite so disciplined as Sansa as she broke into laughter shortly followed by Myrcella and even Annabeth who giggled lightly behind a hand at least attempting to cover her humor. Slowly the group of girls fell into giggles as the bout between the little boys continued on. It only intensified when Tommen seemed to become fed up and began trying to remove some of the padding that made it impossible for him to move. Instead the poor boy wound up falling over himself leading to Bran trippin over him as his own padding obscured his vision.
A deeper laugh joined the girls causing both Sansa and her sister to look toward the corner of the balcony where their bastard brother Jon Snow stood looming away from the rest of them.
Annabeth also seemed to notice him though she turned her attention back down toward the yard after a short glance. Little Myrcella seemed to linger her eyes on the older boy before blushing and looking away quickly as well.
"Jon? What are you doing up here instead of down there?" Arya asked.
"Ah, Rodrik thought it best that I not join the likes of Princes in the yard." Jon said eyeing the Princesses cautiously and choosing his words a bit better than what he perhaps would have normally said. Sansa appreciated that but Annabeth seemed not to.
"Really? Well let me fix that." She said before pressing Myrcella over to her side and leaning over the balcony to yell directly down to her brother.
"Percy!" She called, causing the dark head of hair below to immediately snap around to look up at them and send a wave.
"Brother, you did want to face both of Ned Stark's eldest sons didn't you?" She asked, causing Jon to shift uncomfortably nearby. Though his eyes remained locked upon Princess Annabeth.
"Yes! I had been wondering where he had gone. Kidnap him to stitch with the rest of you, did you?" Percy replied and by now everyone in the yard had stopped to watch the loud interaction.
"Not quite though he does have better hair than half the ladies of King's Landing, wouldn't you say?" She asked with a laugh causing Jon to brightly blush at her words as some of the men below laughed.
"You could make that argument. Well, what is he doing up there then?" Percy asked.
"It seems in all the excitement he got lost. I'll send him down to you though." She replied before turning toward Jon and simply waving him off.
Even Sansa smiled at the sight of pure happiness on her half-brother's face. He was almost always pouting or brooding. Seeing him light up like that was rather nice.
"Won't Ser Rodrik be bothered by you countermanding him like that?" Sansa asked the Princess.
"Hmm, maybe but it looks as though my brother has Ser Rodrik in hand, doesn't it?" She replied, causing Sansa to turn her attention to look at the brief confrontation between Prince Percy and Ser Rodrik.
The Prince tapped his pointer finger somewhat harshly into the old man's chest while glaring down into his eyes. The knight bowed his head and acquiesced with little more trouble than that.
"I hope your brothers can give Percy a challenge. He is always itching for a good spar. He even convinced me to help make the old Dragon pits into arena so he could find new people to fight with. He claims it's to help the city or something but don't let him fool you. He's a boy and boys love playing with their swords." Annabeth said while eyeing Sansa.
At the faint blush as she caught the double meaning most of those present missed Annabeth placed a hand on Sansa's arm and smiled.
"Make sure to get a good look. After all if all goes well you will be seeing him fighting in the arena back in King's Landing while sitting in our family's area." Annabeth said, causing Sansa to catch her breath and turn to stare at the princess for a moment before turning her eyes back down to the training yard below.
It seemed she had gained Princess Annabeth's approval for the time being. Now she just needed to make use of that…somehow.
Percy tested the weight of the practice blade in his hand. Blunt as could be and made of a weighty wood it was a far cry from the live steel he had begun to grow used to while training opposite his uncle Jaime or Ser Barristan.
"Everything to your liking, my prince?" The Greyjoy shit asked with a mockery of respect. The older boy was a fool. Both the Baratheon and Lannister guardsmen wanted to feed him his own teeth for that alone. The way he was leering up at the Princess a moment ago while she spoke with Percy had made sure that Percy himself was chomping at the bit to do it personally.
"Volunteering for my first victim, Squid?" Percy asked.
Nearby Joffrey laughed obnoxiously taking any enjoyment Percy had at the insult away. His massive guardian stood beside him ugly and imposing as ever.
"If you're interested in a challenge I could go against you I suppose. You probably ought to warm up a little first." The Ironborn said.
Percy stared at him long enough for it to become awkward before both stepped into the 'ring' and took up places facing one another.
"You will both stop once I command you to or your opponent yields." Ser Rodrik said sternly.
"Of course." Percy nodded, the Greyjoy did as well but was clearly getting anxious now that he was actually facing the younger boy.
Percy was actually taller than Theon by several inches and ever so slightly more muscular. He was an imposing looking opponent in his sleek black and gold and the thought of fighting him seemed to distract the Greyjoy just a little as the bout began.
The Prince advanced immediately. The aggression so early in their fight caught Theon by surprise hand as Percy began the well practiced strikes that came more as instinct than anything else.
To Percy, the fight was as simple as could be. Overhead strike, followed by a reversed slash followed by a lunge, so on and so forth. To the audience it was an incredibly rapid and brutal assault that nearly deposited Theon on his back in the first seconds of the fight.
To Theon however, it was terror. The blank faced Prince bore down on him with a storm of swords that came from every direction. Faster and more fluid than Theon thought was even possible. He tried to protect himself but the encroaching Baratheon simply overwhelmed him without breaking a sweat.
"Enough!" Rodrik hollered, stepping forward to intervene if Percy didn't stop. The Prince was fully in control though and with a spin, turned away from Theon and retook his original place leaving the gasping and stunned Theon standing just outside the rough ring they had designated earlier.
"That was amazing!" Arya's voice carried down from the balcony causing Percy to chuckle and send a mocking bow up toward his sister and the other ladies.
"You alright, squid?" Joffrey asked, almost sounding sincere.
"I will be fine in just a moment." The still shocked Greyjoy said as he steadied himself.
"Joffrey, we haven't sparred since before you left for Casterly Rock. Want the next bout?" Percy asked.
"Dear brother, I have no such illusion that I have improved enough to give you a challenge." Joffrey replied, surprising Percy but the sickly sweet words.
"I wouldn't mind sparring your leftovers once he has caught his breath though." Joffrey said with a smile.
"If he is up for it. In the meantime though, Robb and Jon, are either of you interested in a chance?" Percy asked while swinging the practice weapon about in the air.
"Jon?" Robb asked his brother.
"Who goes first?" Jon asked back.
"Either or, or both Stark and Snow at once. Show me what you puppies can do." Percy smirked.
The boys didn't seem to find as much humor in that concept as Percy and his people did. Even little Arya up on the balcony was shouting at them to put the arrogant prince in his place. And here he thought they were all getting along so well.
"If you insist, Prince Percy." Robb said darkly as he and Jon both stepped forward after retrieving their weapons.
The boys all took their places soon after. At the onset it looked very unfair for the Crown Prince as both Stark boys were clearly more prepared as well as skilled than Theon had been. The trio slowly began circling one another as the cheers and jeers of their audience fell away to the focus of fighters.
Unlike with Theon, Percy allowed the brothers to attack first. Robb hurling himself forward with a heavy strike down toward Percy's shoulder, yet when Percy easily sidestepped the attack he had to quickly lunge backward to avoid Jon's follow up strike that would have been a painful jab to the sternum.
"You two work together better than I thought you would." Percy admitted as he lowered himself a bit more and clearly took his new opponents more seriously.
"We haven't even gotten started yet. That was just to get you to take us seriously." Robb said.
"Mission accomplished." Percy said before launching his own attack.
Rather than make the mistake of taking one head on or trying to split himself between the two opponents he had put himself against he completely avoided Jon to target Robb's left side, forcing Robb between himself and Jon as he repeated a similar flurry of attacks to what had been used to destroy the Greyjoy earlier.
Unlike the first opponent he had face, Robb endured the graceful rapid onslaught far better and properly blocked or avoided Percy's strikes while trying to draw him back to overextend himself and open him up for a counter attack. Percy instead pulled back with a spin that put him out of Robb's reach and in a position to lunge after Jon.
Repeating the same series of actions with the Snow, Percy drove him back into his brother before withdrawing when it was clear he would be stepping into a disadvantage. Retreating with another flourish Percy put some distance between himself and the brothers.
The three of them all were breathing a bit heavier by now but remained in top form. The fact that Percy had so recklessly attacked them had both brothers and all the viewers that didn't know better hoping for him to be out of breath or at least somewhat tired out afterward. Instead he looked just as put out as they themselves were.
"You're something else my prince." Jon admitted with a smile causing Percy to grin back at him.
"You two are something interesting too. I don't want to be rude and take all day on this fight though. Come on." Percy said, bringing his sword up into a guard.
Jon and Robb shared a brief look before steadily advancing toward the prince with full intentions to end the fight this time. Halfway across the 'ring' however Percy decided he would meet them. Hurling himself forward, Percy surprised both boys by the sudden increase in both speed and flexibility as he all but danced around their strikes in his charge. With a spin and slash Robb found himself dropping his sword and receiving a painful blow from the practice blade to the chest that sent him stumbling back.
Jon however proved to be a step above his brother. Percy tied an attack toward Jon onto the end of his defeat of Robb, but Jon mimicked Percy to spin out of the strike and bring his sword up for a block against the following attack.
"You learn fast." Percy chuckled before showing the other boy with his shoulder and pushing him off balance.
Jon wasn't one to be taken out so easily though. He bent forward causing Percy's sword to swing through the air and miss him before both blades once again clashed as Jon attempted to counter attack.
Percy felt his blood begin to rush as he and Jon sped up their attacks and clashed blade against blade again and again, twisting and bending away from any blow that would have gotten through each other's guard. Soon the difference became clear though. Percy avoided every strike that Jon tried to make, but Jon himself was forced to block more often than not and soon he couldn't keep up as Percy began landing stinging strikes across his body.
An especially painful smack against the inside of his thigh sent the Snow to his knees. Percy stopped himself just as he knocked the wavering sword out of Jon's hand and lightly tapped the tip of the blade against Jon's throat.
"Yield." Percy said with an elevated breath.
Jon was too out of breath to speak properly and simply nodded while lifting up his hands.
Several people cheered for the fighters as Percy helped Jon to his feet and clapped him on the shoulder. Robb soon joined them as the three cleared the ring for the next bout. Percy enjoyed talking with Jon and admittedly even with Robb when he finally gave him a chance. Having Annabeth's reassurance the day before had made it a bit easier for him to interact with the heir of Winterfell. He still preferred Jon over Robb though. If only because he was better with a sword and a bit more broody like he himself could be at times.
As he stood and made conversation with the two young men, Joffrey and Theon reentered the ring. Percy, like everyone else who had known the second born prince had seen the changes in Joffrey. Unlike most of them Percy wasn't exactly happy that his little brother had changed. Gone was the whiney, petulant, coward. In it's place was the new Joffrey, quieter, politer, more devious.
Annabeth had spoken to him at length about her worries regarding their younger brother. They couldn't bring such things up to their mother because the woman was prone to have a blind spot for all of her children. Both Percy and Annabeth had abused it in the past and Joffrey was happy to do the same.
He watched the blond boy take his place across from the Greyjoy and knew immediately that Joffrey had been taking his lessons, all of his lessons, from their grandfather very seriously. Joffrey didn't begin aggressively as Percy had, however he easily deflected any attack that Theon made at him, waiting and watching for any slip. Even the smallest mistake.
That paid off for him as Theon overextended on a strike and after blocking the attack, Joffrey slipped the sword out wide before beginning his back down in a slash across Theon's chest and 'accidentally' cracking the Greyjoy across the face with his elbow. Joffrey backed off while apologizing but Percy had known his brother longer than anyone else in the yard. He recognized the familiar glint of joy as he watched Theon attempt to stem his bloodied nose.
With a glance up toward Annabeth on the balcony Percy locked eyes with his twin and they both seemed to be the only ones that saw just how happy causing the other boy to bleed had made the spare prince. Which made it all the more worrisome as it was clear Joffrey was adapting to the necessities of court.
Thankfully Annabeth seemed to be on top of it as she shot him a playful wink before turning away to take charge of her little gaggle of noble girls. The Septa seemed cowed by Annabeth enough to simply let her do as she wished by now.
"Your brother did that on purpose." Jon said quietly, catching Percy's attention. He only now realized that Jon had not moved away with the other members of House Stark when Theon had been hurt.
Percy stared at the dark eyes of the northern boy for a while before looking over at the retreating form of his own little brother. His body language reminded him too much of his uncle Jaime. It made Percy uncomfortable with how much of both his mother and uncle's worst traits Joffrey had seemed to inherit.
"Yes, he did." Percy said simply before nodding to Jon and leaving the yard. He doubted the mother hen, that was Ser Rodrik, would let them do much more for the rest of the afternoon. Not when Stark bannermen were keeping their heir away from the Lannister men in fear of him doing something to offend the royals.
At least he had gotten a decent fight out of Ned Stark's sons.
The third day that the royal party had stayed in Winterfell, King Robert decided that they would be hosting a hunt in the Wolf's Wood. Annabeth had practically scoffed at the way her younger brother had leapt at the chance to join the group. She didn't look too harshly on it though. Ned Stark's sons had all been chomping at the bit to tag along as well, even the second from smallest. The little boy had thrown a small fit when he was told he couldn't go.
Percy had done just as she wanted and refused to go. Their father had been none too pleased but all Percy had to say was that he had grown bored of hunting having fed his father all the way up the long road from King's Landing. It wasn't exactly true of course, but Percy had led over a dozen hunting parties as they traveled so their father had grunted his disapproval but otherwise left his heir to do as he pleased.
It pleased Annabeth much more.
For the last month she and Percy had spent practically no time together. She didn't only mean in ways that would see them disowned either. Simply put, Annabeth had scarcely a moment alone with her twin in weeks.
Excluding an incredibly short hour near the Ruby Ford. Thankfully her mother had been gracious enough to cover for them. Having Percy take her by the river had felt especially romantic which was a little funny to her since she didn't consider herself much of a romantic person. It was far better than when she and Percy had covered for her mother and uncle Jaime near Moat Cailin. The frigid swamps and dusty ruins didn't exactly put her in the mood, but then again she knew if she'd had the opportunity then she probably could have ignored her surroundings long enough to enjoy the company of her brother.
As if reading her thoughts, Annabeth felt her brother's strong arms slip around her waist from behind for just a moment. Just long enough to squeeze her closely against his form and share a feeling of pleasure at the proximity they had to one another. Unfortunately as soon as it had come it was gone and a much more appropriate peck on the cheek was given to her.
"The hunting party has gone now. Winterfell seems almost empty compared to just this morning." Percy said as he came to stand beside her on the balcony.
"It does. I can't imagine father ever gets to kill something himself with so many others with him." Annabeth commented.
"He wouldn't if he didn't have every one of them driving whatever poor beast they find straight to him. Hopefully they don't find anything for some time. Winterfell has so many fewer people than the Red Keep, but I still can't seem to walk down a hall without someone always being there to greet me."
"Yes, the Starks are very attentive hosts. Although not every part of the castle is so populated. Perhaps you would escort me around to take a look?" She asked while batting her eyes up at him.
Percy scoffed but still held out his arm for her to hook her own around. He enjoyed the little bit of word games they would play before they slipped off to some private little place and made love. Not like their mother and uncle who seemed far too aggressive. Annabeth considered the act between herself and Percy as simply more than carnal desire.
It was a need. From the depths of her soul.
They didn't make directly for the old broken tower. They took their time sight seeing the ancient stonework as well as some of the newer buildings. Newer being very subjective. Annabeth adored being able to take a day to actually enjoy simply marveling at the architecture and design of a place as legendary as Winterfell. The only others she'd had much free range of were the Red Keep, parts of King's Landing, and Storm's End.
They didn't invade the sanctity of the Stark crypts out of respect but anywhere else that they could take some time looking over they did. Until finally they came to the broken tower itself. No one resided inside. The bottom levels were filled with broken beams and stone and it was clear that the tower had burned badly at some point long ago. Long enough that the black marks were faded and the smell of smoke and ash was completely missing.
"Supposedly the tower was once the tallest in all of Winterfell. It was struck by lightning a century ago and burned up though. Why the Starks never bothered to try and repair it at least partially I never realized, however judging front eh damage now I can only imagine that it was because they would need to tear it down in it's entirety and rebuild it for it to be considered repaired." Annabeth explained to Percy though he hadn't asked her any questions.
The prince simply smiled and nodded while applying the appropriate oohs and ahs as was needed. He might not follow along perfectly but he did so love the way her eyes lit up and she became so excited with explaining things around them.
"You are starting to drive me a bit wild, sister. Speaking about all these old stones in such a way. Do you think we might cause it to collapse if we aren't careful?" Percy asked with a cheeky smirk.
"We won't know until we try, you'll have to work quite hard to build up the force needed to topple these stones." Annabeth giggled as they finally came into a poorly furnished room.
Ever the gentleman, Percy spread his cloak out onto the floor where they planned to enjoy their time together.
"It's not exactly a riverside flowerbed, but I hope it passes your inspection." Percy said as he once again closed in on Annabeth and wrapped her up in his arms tightly, letting his hands roam over her dress gently.
"An ancient tower is actually quite romantic to me." Annabeth all but purred.
Percy chuckled but no more words were said. Nearly a month without one another's embrace had made them both needy and Percy was more interested in kissing along his lover's neck than talking. Annabeth similarly had better things in mind than conversation.
Taking Percy's hand in her own she slipped it up inside her dress letting him loose to trail up her smooth thigh on to her sex.
"You've been wanting for me." Percy said with a smirk only for it to fall from his face as Annabeth leaned forward to kiss him.
The couple kissed heatedly as Percy began playfully rubbing and caressing Annabeth's pussy. Coaxing it further and further along as she became more and more aroused. She moaned into their kiss as one of his fingers finally slipped inside her and began his well practiced task.
Soon a second joined the first and Annabeth arched her back as Percy pulled pleasure from her body while never breaking the kiss.
"Shit." He suddenly said breaking away and removing his hand from his sister's dress.
"What?" She asked more than a little frustrated by him suddenly stopping just as she was sinking into the feeling of pleasure.
"Someone's coming up the stairs." He harshly whispered, causing her to frantically adjust her dress while Percy swept up his cloak and wrapped her with it. It would cover her disheveled dress a bit better while giving them the excuse that she had gotten cold while in the tower. He was rather happy with himself to have an excuse ready for why she was flushed slightly.
As the door opened they both froze in place still as their mother and uncle came into the room with clear intent to do just as they had planned.
When Cersei saw her children she frowned before pinching the bridge of her nose between her fingers. It seemed that there weren't enough places for couples to slip away to here in Winterfell despite the fortress' size.
"We weren't the only ones needing a little respite and warmth, eh?" Jaime asked with a chuckle.
"It would seem so." Cersei hissed, causing both her children to roll their eyes.
"Well…there is quite a bit of room in here, if you wanted to perhaps take that half-" Jaime began joking only to get a glare from both adolescents and a slap on the head from Cersei.
"My mood is ruined already." Annabeth growled, causing Cersei to nod in agreement.
"Well I tried." Jaime offered, causing the rest of the group to glare at him again.
Percy turned toward the window for the room and approached to at least get a good view before they headed back down only to be surprised by the sounds of soft grunts of exertion outside. Leaning around he saw the second youngest of the Stark children free climbing the side of the tower even as some stones came loose and fell back down to the ground below.
"Bran Stark? What in the hells are you doing out there?" He asked in shock, causing the others in the room to rush to his side and look out at the boy hanging from the stone work.
"Climbing?" He replied as if it was obvious.
"Right, come here." Percy said as he reached out and grabbed a hold of Bran's arm before dragging him up and into the window.
"Your mother would be terrified for you to be out there. Imagine if you fell." Annabeth scolded the boy.
"I know my mother would be furious, right?" Percy asked, turning toward Cersei who was nervously looking at the boy.
"Y-yes, I would never let you do something so foolish." Cersei said.
"Thankfully we were here taking in the sights or you might have slipped. We are going to see your mother." Annabeth practically took over snatching up Bran's hand and leading the way toward the stairs.
"Do we have to tell her? She…already told me not to be climbing." Bran muttered with a blush.
"And I thought you were brave for climbing so high. You're the bravest boy I know for not listening to your mother." Percy chuckled only to wince as Cersei tugged at his hair lightly with a very cross look on her face.
"Do not be filling his head with ideas like disobeying his mother. I will be talking with her as well, I think you could use some responsibility." Cersei scolded before turning to look at Bran.
"Your mother told me you hoped to be a knight." That wasn't true but what little boy didn't want to be a knight?
"Yes, ma'am…err Your Grace." Bran awkwardly replied as they made their way down the tower steps.
"Well perhaps you might learn something worthwhile from Percy…or him from you." The queen said while smirking as Percy grimaced at the thought.
Annabeth only made it worse for him as she agreed.
"We can ask both of your father's about it once they have returned from the hunt. Luckily you hadn't gone nephew. I shiver to think what could have happened to Bran here had you not been up there." Jaime chuckled while reaching forward to tousle Bran's hair.
"We are still telling your mother where we found you though. There is a fine line between brave and foolhardy." Annabeth chimed in, causing the little boy to pout as she tugged him along after her.
That is that. A distinct change here with Bran and an obvious alteration to major plotlines for the story. Next chapter we will be returning to King's Landing and it will likely be a bit longer. We'll be getting some new points of view and I want to show a bit more of the dynamic within the Royal family in their home.
Anyway
Till Next Time