Wolves, Lions and Dragons

by Aquain's Princess

Lyanna Stark was not the only daughter of Lord and Lady Stark. The gods old and new, weeping at the destruction wrought on their lands, appealed to the children of the forest for guidance and a life never been was renewed and a life taken was restored. And changes were wrought to the advantage of Westeros.

25. Chapter 24 – Stags, Fish, Wolves, and De

Chapter 24 – Stags, Fish, Wolves, and Death.

Storms End, 2nd Month of 280, week 2, day 4.

Robert stared at his castellan. "What do you mean, our banner men have turned their coats?!"!

"Several have refused to send more men due to increased banditry." The man was shaking.

His mother, who had sat quietly throughout the entire events so far, in mourning for her dead husband, watched her eldest son in silence. He had brought into the bargain the King, mad king, had given him. She knew that the King would never give Robert what he wanted, not truly.

"And the progress of my bride?" Robert snarled.

"Our scouts have received word that Lady Lyssa Tully is on her way to us, but due to the war and her family's obvious reluctance now, it is slow going."

Robert growled. Bad enough he, had to settle for a second daughter, but with his brother's defection to the Prince's side, he was left with his baby brother Renly as his heir until he could get Lyssa Tully with child. He turned to his mother, who was sitting at a table in the great hall. "Mother, your thoughts?"

Cassana Baratheon raised her eyes to his. "You are in the wrong." She said. "Aerys will not abide by the pact he signed with you. He will get what he wants, and you will be beheaded as a traitor when you go to demand your due. Or burned, he will pick I guess." She stood, her black dress plain and unadorned. The woman, born to house Estermont, had been lady of Storms End for decades now, and was very strong willed. But her words displeased her eldest son.

"You believe that Mother, but I do not agree." Robert snapped.

"Then you will learn to your folly." She replied as the nursemaid entered with Renly, now 2 years old in her arms. Cassana moved and took her youngest son in her own arms.

Robert seethed. He was bound by the Widow's law. His mother, while not overtly interfering, could and would make things uncomfortable for his new wife and his plans. He did love his mother but she was definitely NOT on his side in this matter. Too close to Joanna Lannister for his liking. He watched his mother leave the great hall, Renly in her arms. Once she was out of sight he gave orders.

Lady Cassana Baratheon was placed under house arrest, kept confined to her new chambers, no longer the Lady of Storms End, in a tower overlooking the sea. She would get to see her son Renly once a week, under supervision by the Maester. Thus, it happened.

When Lyssa Tully arrived with her small retinue, to Storms End, by weeks end, she was not greeted by her Good Mother to be and was wed mere hours after her arrival as Robert had yet another battle to fight.

Two days after he had wedded and bedded his new wife, Robert was again ahorse and riding down to the Kings Road to Kings Landing to meet with yet another host to try and take strongholds in the Riverlands. And then a raven flew towards Riverrun, from the new lady of Storms End.

Stoney Step, 2nd Month of 280, week 2, day 3

Rhaegar looked around the camp of his forces outside of Stoney Step. Tents as far as the eye could see and flags and pennons of the different houses sworn to the Prince Regent flapped in the breezes. Beside him, sitting on a log, Jamie Lannister read a raven scroll from Casterly Rock. The man's face spoke of wanting to be home with wife and child. Rhaegar felt a pang of guilt at his good brother's face. The loss of his wife had been the catalyst for this war. Jamie had lost his twin and nephew, Rhaegar his wife and child. It had caused a deep bond, one that seemed to even remain after a new betrothal was made between Rhaegar and the youngest Stark girl Lyanna. Rhaegar knew that, had the eldest been free, it would have been Karlyn not Lyanna. But fate was moving in mysterious ways.

Tywin walked up to the pair. "Word from the North, Lord Rickard's eldest son advises us that people have been in the gift trying to stir up trouble against the Northern Lords for supporting you, Prince Rhaegar, trying to pin the crimes of your father on you. And there are rumors that Robert has approached the Iron Islands for support." His words were said flatly as it was not a surprise that Robert would do such things.

Jamie put the letter from his wife away and stood. "He is trying to gain ground with the lesser houses, he might, if things go his way, topple the Great Houses and the King would let it happen if it got him the throne."

Tywin nodded. "Indeed." He tugged at his shirt. "I have sent my own people to the Iron Islands. We cannot allow them to be released."

Rhaegar nodded. "Our scouts have a group forming just outside Kings Landing. Robert will join them for sure."

"If we could take him prisoner…" Tywin mused.

"If is good" Muttered Jamie. "But leaving it to chance…" he looked around. "It needs to be a plan, we can sneak a group behind his lines maybe? A group who could pass as his loyalists?"

The Prince and Lord Twyin nodded. "But who? He would not trust anyone from our side"

"There are lords he would not know on sight. Riverlands ones, Northern ones." Jamie mused. "Northern ones." He looked around. "Where is Lord Rickard?"

They looked around. "Probably with his men" Tywin replied.

"Karlyn told me that there is always mistrust between House Stark and House Bolton." Jamie stated. "A mistrust that while lessened due to the current lords of the houses, that lingers. Lord Ronard Bolton, is the current Lord, His heir Roose is here, but the younger son, Bryan Bolton is the Lord of Queenscrown now."

His father and the Prince exchanged looks. "And?"

"Brandon and Eddard both told me that due to the elevation of Bryan and the Queenscrown growth the Boltons have become more loyal but to the outside observer…" Jamie stated. "The tensions still are there."

"House Bolton, to be seen as traitors yet not traitors at all" Rhaegar mused.

Tywin nodded as well. "A solid idea." He waved to a servant and sent the man running for the Northern Host.

Several hours later, in the northern host, a fight occurred as Roose Bolton and several of his men struck their tents, mounted their horses and left the host. Roose and his father's heated words, and the threat of a traitors death for Roose, ran like wildfire through the camp, and set Varys's little birds twittering all the way back to the Baratheon Host and Kings Landing.

And Ronard Bolton spent hours raging in his tent, raging about his son, to the Lord Paramount of the North.

Riverrun, 2nd Month of 280, week 2, day 6

Catelyn Tully stood at her younger brother's side. Their uncle was off with the Prince's army and thus the 12 year old Edmure was 'in charge. Though, at 15, Catelyn was in charge. With Lyssa, aged 14 at Storms end, either married or about to be, Catelyn knew that everything was on her shoulders now. She would not marry her betrothed for a few more years. Eddard wanted to make sure he had a secure home for her, and with the war happening, Eddard didn't want her to be tied to him if he died.

Her uncle had consoled her, telling her that, it was for the best, and he assured her that the Prince had promised that should the worse happen, then he would personally find her another match. They had been unable to say no to the Baratheon offer for Lyssa, and Lyssa had agreed, after a brief raven exchange with Karlyn Lannister of house Stark and Lannister. Not even Catelyn knew that was said. Maybe Karlyn had promised a better match if possible or the promise of being Lady of Storms End had been too much for her little sister. Lyssa was always… independent. And it worried Catelyn.

She watched silently now as another heir bowed to Edmure and swore to work alongside the Tullys in support of the Prince. It was, as Edmure would comment later, monotonous. But their duty needed to be done.

When it was over, Edmure escaped to the training yard, and Catelyn retreated to what had been her father's solar, but was now her uncle's and.. in his absence, her's. She sat behind the large desk and looked at the piles of paper and raven scrolls. Several came from Kings Landing, proclaiming the King's orders. One demanded Edmure come and bend the knee, another demanded that Catelyn be sent as a bride to the now 4-year-old Prince Viserys. She had shuddered at that. No thank you. She didn't burn them as was her want. But she placed them in a special ledger she had set up, so her uncle would be able to see what correspondence had come to Riverrun while he was away.

She didn't want to hide anything. After she finished sorting the raven scrolls and responding to the ones from bannermen and about supplies, she pulled a large book towards her. It was titled "The North and its customs" by Maester Jayalath. Sighing Catelyn opened it to the page about 'Current houses of the North' and began to read. She had a lot to learn.

Winterfell, 4thMonth of 280, week 3, day 6

Brandon looked at the raven scroll sent from his father at the Prince's camp, battles had continued to run, in hit and runs from Baratheon forces for the past few months.

The 'defection' of Roose Bolton had led to a number of victories for the Prince, and even now, Roose was moving up the ranks within Robert's army. Even Robert was not stupid enough to trust the Bolton straight away.

The request was for more bannermen was not surprising, he had already gathered a secondary force and it was marching to Moat Cailin under the command of Jon Umber, heir to House Umber. He was about to call for Poole when the door to his father's solar opened and Barbrey enter. His wife was 5 months pregnant with their heir. Brandon smiled at her. "Barb" He said softly. "What brings you by?"

"My father he sent me a raven scroll. He is worried about the Rills." She said softly. "Says there are bandits there, raiding, wearing the sigil of house Baratheon."

Brandon scowled. "They must have come by boat, south of Moat Cailin. Because we have it garrisoned."

Barbrey nodded "Yes. He guesses that as well" She handed him the scroll.

Brandon read it carefully and then nodded. "I will take a force there myself." He said standing up.

Barbrey frowned. "With your father and brother south of the neck and Benjen still with the Umbers… are you sure? What about 'there must always be a Stark in Winterfell."

"Lyanna is here." Brandon replied. His sister was not due to head south for another few weeks, once they had secured the passage to Riverrun and then Lyanna would head to Casterly Rock. Karlyn and Rhaegar had discussed it. Karlyn acting for their father in the negotiations, had insisted that the marriage, which would take place in the next year would happen in Casterly Rock, at the Sept there, unless Rhaegar won before then, which if he did, the wedding would be held in Kings Landing.

"Lyanna? The Stark in Winterfell?" Barbrey had to bite her tongue to stop the burst of incredible laughter. What a joke. Brandon nodded ignoring the look on his wife's face.

"She will be fine. She has grown up a lot Barbrey. Meeting Lady Joanna and Karlyn's marriage has made her see that she needed to. And" he added with a small smirk. "I think she likes the prince."

"They barely know each other." Barbrey protested. "They have met what? Twice?"

"Thrice" Brandon said. "Before Cersei died. And I think they have met 2 times since then, the funeral and once more. Karlyn sent her back shortly after the funeral, she was meant to be a lady in waiting to the Princess. But she arrived just after the attack."

Barbrey nodded. "I remember," It had been a difficult time in Westeros. But The Starks had followed the communications from Karlyn and stayed calm and watchful, reinforcing their boarders and sending to Queenscrown for more men when required as well as other bannermen.

"Lyanna will be fine. She will be temporarily Stark in Winterfell until my return."

"Well Lord Mormont will be impressed." She quipped and sat down. "I want to come with you."

Brandon shook his head. "No, you are 5 months gone with child Barbrey, it would not be safe for you to come with me. You will stay here."

"Then leave me in charge instead of your sister" She replied, her tone firm. "I will be Lady Stark, Lady of Winterfell. Leave me as the Stark in Winterfell."

Brandon frowned slightly. Her words were true but she was not a true Stark. His father would have a fit. "If only I could My Love but unfortunately the lords would not accept it. It must be Lyanna." If Karlyn had been north of the Neck, he would have called for her. But she was safe in Casterly Rock with her 6-month-old son Tristan.

Barbrey sniffed disdainfully but she stood up again. "Fine. I will be in my chambers" so saying she stalked out.

Brandon shook his head as she left. He knew, she knew that the lords would flip. It had to be a Stark. As the door slammed shut behind her, Brandon moved to start writing a few scrolls to get more people to guard Winterfell while he went to the Rills. As much as he trusted his Sister to hold the fort and his Good-father's urgency, he knew that there was always a chance that the attacks at the Rills was a feint to draw the garrison out.

The Rills, 5thMonth of 280, week 1, day 3

Brandon sat upon his charger looking out over the Rills where he had ridden when he had fostered with Rodrick Ryswell. Small villages burned, men's heads were on spikes, women and children were gutted. He gripped his reigns, rage boiling inside. Robert Baratheon would pay for this outrage. Innocent people put to the sword because he is throwing a tantrum.

That was what, really he was doing. He didn't get his way, the woman he wanted and he was throwing a tantrum, of massive proportions. And Brandon, for one was over the tantrum. Time for him to learn. He looked at his men and gave orders. Bodies would be buried and the animals who did this would be hunted down.

Over the coming days and weeks, the process was repeated from Saltspear to the Stoney Shore. The raiders, moved swiftly. And the Northmen followed their trail of destruction. 5 weeks after they arrived in the Rills, Brandon and his group found themselves face to face with the Raiders.

The fight was brutal and hard, and devastating for the Stark forces. Brandon, wounded mortally was dragged from the field by his guards and they road hell for leather for Winterfell.

Winterfell, 6thMonth of 280, week 3, day 4

Lyanna, in her role as the Stark of Winterfell hitched up her skirts and ran down the stairs to the courtyard as three horses rode in with Brandon slumped in his saddle. "MAESTER LUWIN!" She yelled as she did so.

From the top of the stairs, Barbrey stood, heavy with child, tears falling as she watched the scene below. Men ran helping the heir to Winterfell from the horse but he was pale and weak as he was carried to a room on the ground floor to be tended by the Maester.

Lyanna, was torn between her brother and his wife, who was now all but screaming and wailing in another room. She finally took a breath and turned to Old Nan. "Can you please see to Barbrey, while I send ravens to father and Eddard."

Old Nan nodded and went to the room where Barbrey had been helped too. She entered and sighed with dismay as she watched Barbrey, laying on the bed, her maids around her, and it was obvious that the shock of Brandon's status had sent her into labor, nearly 2 months early.

Lyanna sent ravens south, informing her father of the events, and of Brandon's mortal injuries.

She sent a raven to the rills, summoning Barbrey's father to Winterfell, then she doubled the guard on the castle walls. She had them double the patrols through Wintertown as well. The raiders who did this would not find Winterfell easy prey. Another raven flew to Last Hearth requesting men and her brother Benjen's return. She sent more ravens to other houses, informing them of what was happening, then she returned to wait outside the room where her brother was being tended.

Winterfell, 6thMonth of 280, week 3, day 5

The night had been long and dark. Filled with screams from Barbrey's temporary chamber and moans from Brandon's room. Lyanna paced back and forth, and any queries to the Maester who went between both chambers was met with sad looks and shakes of the head.

And two hours past dawn, Maester Luwin waved Lyanna into Brandon's chamber. As she stepped in, he bent and whispered. "Its not going to be much longer My Lady, I suggest you say your goodbyes."

Lyanna trembled and bit her lip. She moved to the bed and looked down at her brother's face. It was pasty and his breath was reedy. The wounds from arrows and swords were swathed in bandages. "Brandon" She whispered.

"Lya.. Barbrey?" he got out. She looked to Luwin. Who shook his head.

"She.. is having the babe Brandon" Lyanna said softly. "Your child is on their way" Lie Lyanna, Lie if you have to. Karlyn's voice echoed in her head as she told her brother the biggest lie ever.

He closed his eyes and with a sigh, his breathing stopped.

"BRANDON!" Lyanna cried out as she reached for her brother, but Luwin was there pulling her away and she found herself wrapped in someone's arms. She would later learn it was Vayon Poole who held her while Luwin confirmed Brandon's death.

She was sobbing so hard that she missed Luwin being summoned to the other chamber by Old Nan.

Four hours later, she was sitting on the steps leading up to the high table in the great hall. Her brother was dead. Her good sister was dead. And their child? A girl. Born too early, yet still living. Barbrey had named her daughter with her dying breath. Breonna Stark.

Luwin and Old Nan were not confident of the child's survival, but they would do everything they could to make sure of it.

Footsteps shook her out of her reverie. She looked up into the tired face of Luwin. "I have sent the Ravens My Lady. And Lord Ryswell will be here within the next two days."

Lyanna nodded. "And—their… burial?"

"Vayon Pool has already started the preparations of the crypt and Old Nan and her ladies are preparing the bodies. Lord Ryswell may request to take Barbrey's body home.."

"And.. should I allow that?" She asked softly. She felt numb.

"Up to you." Luwin replied. "And you need your rest as well." At 14 this was a lot for the youngest Stark Daughter to deal with.

Lyanna nodded. "Thank you Maester Luwin."

Winterfell, 6thMonth of 280, week 3, day 7

Lord Rodrick Ryswell rode in, his face a mask of pain. As he dismounted his gaze fixed on the young female Stark who stood with her household to welcome him.

Lyanna stepped forward and said "Lord Ryswell, be welcome to Winterfell." She waved a servant forward with bread and salt.

Rodrick took the guest rights and bowed to Lyanna. "Lady Lyanna… My daughter?"

"We have her resting in state with Brandon in the great hall." Lyanna said. The past few days had see members of the houses of the north arriving with more due in the coming days.

Rodrick moved to her. "My condolences on the loss of Lord Brandon, Lady Lyanna."

She gave a watery smile, it was faint. "Thank you Lord Rodrick. I will show you to Barbrey."

"And her child?"

Lyanna bit her lip. "Breonna died this morning." Tears fell as she spoke. "She is with her parents." Lyanna, pulling on reserves of strength she didn't know she had, led him into the Hall where other Lords and Ladies paid their respects.

Casterly Rock, 6thMonth of 280, week 4, day 4

"Dear Karlyn

Brandon left Winterfell to hunt down raiders wearing Baratheon Colors. He returned mortally wounded and passed away this morning. Barbrey, went into early labor and died after birthing her daughter. Breonna is not expected to live long due to being so early.

Winter is coming.

Your sister

Lyanna"

Stoney Step, 6thMonth of 280, week 4, day 4

"Dear Father, and Eddard

Brandon left Winterfell to hunt down raiders wearing Baratheon Colors. He returned mortally wounded and passed away this morning. Barbrey, went into early labor and died after birthing her daughter. Breonna is not expected to live long due to being so early. I have summoned Benjen back to Winterfell and doubled the guard. Poole is helping me.

Winter is coming.

Your daughter and Sister

Lyanna"