CHAPTER 29

When they arrived at Winterfell, they all dismounted and were ushered inside to guest rooms already warmed up. The soldiers were bringing in supplies and belongings to the Guest House and the Great Keep. Lyra had Shireen with her and they were getting settled in their room.

Ned knocked at the door and Lyra let him in the room. He said to Lyra, "Lyra, are alright? I see you got her. Jorah will be relieved you were successful. I will send him a raven telling him you are fine. He sent me one concerned about how you are and if the girl is safe."

Lyra laughed and said, "My sweet lord husband is such a worrier. Tell him for me, that I love him, miss him and the children. We are both fine, Ned." She kissed Ned on the cheek.

Ned said chuckling, "I will. You probably aged him a year being out of pocket like you are." She chuckled because he remembered her saying before she was 'out of pocket' with Jorah. Shireen watched how friendly they were like dear friends or family.

Ned turned to Shireen and took her little hand in his. He said, "I am pleased to meet you Lady Shireen Baratheon. Welcome to my home. My family and I are dear friends with Lyra and Jorah Mormont. I want you to be comfortable here." He saw the terrible scarring on half her face like Lyra told him. He did hope Lyra could reduce the scarring.

Shireen said meekly, "Thank you for everything, Lord Stark. I'm sorry for the mess my father has given you."

Ned patted the little girl's head and said kindly, "It's your fault at all, child. You are innocent in all of this." Shireen timidly smiled at him.

Ned said to Lyra, "Come eat the evening meal with us, finish getting settled in afterwards and then I have some work to do." Lyra nodded, took Shireen's hand and they followed Ned to the Great Hall.

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After dinner, Lyra and Shireen went back to their room after spending a little time with Davos. It seemed everything was catching up to Shireen and Lyra had her lay down for a nap on the bed. Lyra laid next to her and patted her head humming a soft song to her and softly began to sing…..

"Moon Cradle" by Loreena McKennitt

When the moon-cradle's rocking and rocking

Where a cloud and a cloud go by

Silently rocking and rocking

The moon-cradle out in the sky

-

Then comes the lad with the hazel

And the folding star's in the rack

'Night's a good herd' to the cattle

He sings, 'She brings all things back.'

-

But the old woman down by the boorie

Sings with a heart grown wild

How a hundred rivers are flowing

Between herself and her child

-

'The geese, even they trudge homeward

That have their wings and the waste

Let your thoughts be on Night the Herder

And be quiet for a space.'

-

The moon-cradle's rocking and rocking

Where a cloud and a cloud go by

Silent rocking and rocking

The moon-cradle out in the sky

-

The snipe they are crying and crying

Liadine, liadine, liadine

Where no tracks on the bog they are flying:

A lonely dream will be mine!

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Shireen softly said drifting and relaxed, "That was pretty Lyra. Can I call you mother?" Lyra was laying down next to her holding her and caressing her arm the whole time.

Lyra said softly to her, "Of course you can, my love. I sang this song to my three babies and now you, my sweet girl. You're safe in my arms and I love you, little one." Shireen turned over and cuddled into her chest and neck as Lyra pulled the fur blanket around her.

Lyra couldn't imagine what kind of life this child had to not be loved by her mother and her father keeping her at a distance. The child was love starved and how she came out so sweet she will never know but was so glad she didn't die this time. She was glad Davos showed her affection and love at least. The familiar bond with him will help. Now is the time to wait for the skirmish to be over and Brienne to come to the castle once it's over. She had told Ned that Brienne of Tarth was coming soon and would ask for her at the gates.

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Two days later the skirmish was over and Brienne of Tarth had arrived at the gate. She was surprised that she was welcomed so graciously, put in a guest room and her horse taken care of in the stable. Lyra went to her room before the evening meal and knocked.

Brienne answered the door and smiled at her saying, "Come in. Thank you, Lady Mormont. Everyone was most welcoming when I arrived." Lyra walked in the room with Shireen holding her hand. The girl hadn't wanted to be very far from her since she saved her.

Lyra said smiling, "Not a problem at all. How did it go? Is your task completed?"

Brienne glanced at the child and then Lyra and said, "Yes, my lady." Lyra nodded.

Lyra said smiling, "That is good. Come with us to the evening meal. We were headed that way but I wanted to make sure to collect you." Brienne smiled thinking that was thoughtful of her.

The three of them walked to the Great Hall and took a seat at the table on Ned's side of the table.

Sansa asked Lyra, "Lyra, who is your friend with you?"

Lyra said, smiling at her and said, "This is Lady Brienne of Tarth, she is trained as a knight. I met her on my way here with Shireen." Brienne looked at Lyra in surprise that she knows so much about her.

Arya asked curiously, "Why isn't she a Ser?"

Brienne said stoically, "I have never been knighted and you need a king to be knighted."

Lyra said seriously, "Actually, you can be knighted by another knight. There is no law written that states only a king in Westeros can do it. Any knight can make a knight who is trained and commits an honorable act. They just have not knighted a trained woman before in Westeros."

Arya said flatly, "That seems unfair, but I am sure not many women are trained warriors. I want to be just like you, Lyra. A strong trained independent woman."

Brienne said, fascinated, "Is that true? Are you trained?"

Lyra said looking at her, "On Bear Island, women are treated differently than here. There are less people so women are trained as warriors if they choose to. I, for example, am trained in many types of weaponry, but I came that way from Essos because my father wanted me to be strong and able to defend myself. I favor the sword and knife. I am proficient in spear and staff, but have mastered the bow. Arya, the best weapons you will ever possess is your wisdom, your fast agility, precision and being underestimated because you're a woman. Those are your advantages and remember those things above all others in your training. I'm proud of you, my strong little one." Arya grinned at Lyra.

Arya said emotionally looking at Lyra, "That's what I love so much about you Lyra. You always tell me the strait of it."

Ned chuckled and said, "Never wiser words, Lyra." Brienne was liking this woman more and more.

Brienne asked Lyra, smiling, "Perhaps, you and I can spat?"

Lyra smiled slyly and said, "I am up for it. I promise I won't do any permanent damage to you. I am trained, but you see, I must give you fair warning. I am a mother of three little wild bears under the age of five name days old. They are a tricky wiley bunch of little bears and my reflexes have greatly improved in the advantages." Everyone laughed at the table.

Brienne smiled and said, "I am looking forward to it."

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Later on out in the practice yard, everyone was out in the yard up high on the walkway to get the best view. They were watching as Lyra and Brienne were going to spar with each other. Arya was excited to see Lyra in action. Everyone else was curious to see what she could do also. The guards were standing around with Lyra's guards.

The Winterfell guards were taking bets. The one Winterfell guard walked up to Lyra's guards and asked, "You want in on the bets?"

The guards stood confidently and said, "Nah, we don't feel comfortable taking advantage of you fine fellows. Our Lady is superior in everything she does."

The Winterfell guard said, "You sure? She is at a disadvantage with the bigger lady in size and armor."

Lyra's Head Guard came up leaned against the wall and said to him, "Our Lady, can take out five to six full grown men with her lioness. She is no wallflower and you will soon find that out." The Winterfell guards turned muttering and whispering among themselves.

Lyra walked out of the keep with Shireen and sent her up to the walkway with Ned to watch. Lyra was wearing her all black heavy wool tunic with long sleeves, leather pants, vest, boots, gloves, weapons belt and baldric with her valyrian emerald short sword. She stretched, flexed her arms and legs. She unsheathed her sword and twirled it around her black leather bracer on wrist.

She took her stance and so did Brienne. Lyra used her hand as they stared at each other for a moment, then Lyra opened and closed her left hand giving her the 'Come on' sign.

Lyra was lithe and agile, her acrobatic skills were honed from years of practice. Brienne's blade was a fine forged longsword. Lyra's short sword, by contrast, was light weight valyrian steel and finely crafted, a tool of precision that danced in her nimble hands. The air was thick with tension as they began to circle, each looking for an opening in the other's defense.

The first clang of steel rang out as Brienne made a lunge and swing. Lyra darted to the side, her short sword darting out like a snake's tongue to tap Brienne's flank. She grunted, feeling the sting even through her thick leather armor. The packed snow crunched and scuffled with their movements, echoing their grunts and the clang of metal on metal. The match had onlookers amazed and watching the women's sword dance. The metal clashing rang out. Arya's sword dancing coach was watching from a doorway with a grin on his face, Syrio Forel.

Lyra's eyes glinted with mischief as she stepped back, her blade flickering in the light. Brienne knew that she was baiting her, waiting for her to tire and make a mistake. Brienne gritted her teeth and tightened her grip on the longsword's hilt, pushing down her frustration. She couldn't let Lyra get under his skin. She charged forward with the longsword slicing the air. Lyra met her with a graceful pirouette, her short sword started weaving a complex pattern of movements that Brienne was struggling to follow causing her to back up.

Lyra's movements were fluid, almost mesmerizing. Each strike was calculated, aimed at tiring her opponents joints and weak spots, testing her reflexes. Brienne's heavier blade was a contrast to her agile blocks she was performing, but Brienne had his own strengths. She used her size to her advantage, pushing Lyra back once again against a wooden gate that was closed with a powerful swing that Lyra barely dodged. The wall chipped where the blade had grazed it, leaving a jagged scar and a spark.

The Winterfell guards murmured in awe. Brienne felt the weight of her own expectations to defeat the smaller woman easily was a miscalculation on her part. Her heart was pounding inside his chest. She knew she had to adapt, because she couldn't outmatch Lyra's speed, but she could control the space they fought in. She began to use the gate's narrow confines to her advantage, forcing Lyra to maneuver around barrels and crates.

Lyra's eyes narrowed, her smile fading into a determined line. She knew Brienne had found her footing so she leapfrogged over a barrel, landing in a graceful crouch, her short sword still at the ready. Their shadows danced on the walls as they clashed again, their swords singing. Brienne's swings grew more precise, each one a deliberate counter to Lyra's swift strikes.

Suddenly, a stray cat darted across the alley screeching, breaking their rhythm. Lyra took the opportunity to leap onto a large wooden crate lining the wall, using her height to gain a vantage point. Brienne followed, her boots thudding against the wood. They fought on the makeshift battlefield, their blades a blur of silver and steel. The cat, unperturbed, watched them from a safe distance with wide, curious eyes.

From her new perch, Lyra had the advantage of speed and surprise, her short sword flashing like a bolt of lightning. Brienne barely had time to react, but her instincts kicked in. She raised her longsword to block, and the two swords met with a deafening clang. The crate beneath Lyra's feet wobbly and precarious.

Lyra's eyes widened, and for a moment, it seemed as if she would lose her balance. She proved what a nimble cat she was herself with a graceful flip and twist, she landed back on the ground, her blade never leaving Brienne's guard. The crowd above and below gasped in amazement, their eyes glued to the spectacle unfolding. Arya was grinning from ear to ear watching Lyra and wanting to learn to fight like that with such dexterity, agility and control.

Brienne jumped down and shoulders swung faster but was starting to twinge because of the sporadic constant movement changes. A bead of sweat trickled down her neck. She knew Lyra was waiting for a mistake, and she couldn't give her the satisfaction. She needed to prove herself. She feinted right, then swung left, her blade carving through the air in a wide arc. Lyra's short sword shot up like a silver streak, and parried her attack with a deft flick of her wrist.

Their swords locked, the two combatants stared into each other's eyes. Brienne's breath was hot and ragged, while Lyra's was cool and measured. A silent understanding passed between them but a battle of wills that neither wanted to lose. With a sudden jerk, Lyra disengaged and retreated, needing to get out of the corner practice yard.

The crowd below had gone silent, their breaths held in anticipation of the next move. Brienne's eyes never left Lyra's, reading every twitch of her muscles, every subtle shift in her stance. She was planning something.

Then Lyra moved, fast as a viper strike. She dashed up along the wall actually running up on top of the crates, barrels and tables, her short sword like a silver blurring. Brienne charged with her longsword after her. Lyra jumped up off the debris up into the air land on her feet. Their swords met in a shower of sparks, a dazzling display that made the onlookers flinch. Lyra spun away, her feet a blur as she danced around the practice yard, forcing Brienne to pivot and turn to keep up. Syrio Forel watched completely engrossed at Lyra's flexibility in getting out of that corner of the yard. He almost swore she climbed the wall itself.

Brienne felt the beginnings of fatigue in her muscles, but she couldn't let it show. Brienne took a deep breath and steadied herself, her eyes never leaving Lyra. The practice yard was their stage, and the air was their music, filled with the clang of steel and the thud of their boots.

They had tested each other's strengths and weaknesses, yet the air grew thick with the scent of their determination, a palpable force that seemed to charge the very air around them.

Their swords clashed again, a sound that resonated through the practice yard. Brienne felt a jolt of pain as Lyra's short sword found its mark, a shallow cut on Brienne's forearm. She grunted but didn't stop, her eyes never leaving Lyra's. Brienne knew he had to end this.

With a mighty heave, Brienne swung her longsword in a high arc, heading for Lyra's head. Lyra swiftly ducked low, rolled under the blade and came up with a flourish tripping Brienne. For a moment, the world slowed as Brienne fell backwards on the practice yard.

Lyra took the advantage with a swift, precise move, she darted forward, her short sword finding its way to Brienne's chest. But instead of burying it into her flesh like a real fight, she tapped her chest plate with the flat of her blade. The crowd erupted into cheers, and Brienne let out a bellow of laughter, her longsword dropping to her side.

They were both panting, chests heaving with exertion. Brienne looked down at the smudge on her black armor, a grin spreading across her face. She knew Lady Lyra was damn good at sword fighting.

Brienne said smiling, "You are very good, Lady Lyra. You got me." Lyra extended a hand to help her up. She took it, her grip firm, and they shared a moment of respectful silence before the chatter of everyone washed over them once more.

Their sparring match had ended, but it was clear to everyone who had watched that they were both winners in their own right. They left the practice yard with admiration for each other's abilities with mutual respect.

As they sheathed their weapons and made their way out of the practice yard, the guards parted for them, clapping and shouting words of encouragement. Shireen was grinning and wrapped her arms around Lyra's waist. She hugged and kissed the little girl.

Lyra said to Brienne, "That was fun. What do we do next?" Brienne laughed, shaking her head.