Game of Thrones 1. Chapter 1

"Lya!" my father calls. "See to it that the guests rooms are taken care of properly."

"Yes, Father," I say. Anyone who had been their the previous night had either left for their journeys, or had stumbled away somewhere. I take fresh sheets from the storage room, and going through the rooms, I strip the beds putting on new sheets. I hang the blankets to air out, and then carry the dirty clothes outside.

I fill a small tub with warm water and soak all the sheets together. I spend the next hour washing them, and then hanging them on the clothesline. When they are all hanging up to dry, I fill a smaller tub with water and carry it up the stairs. I take a rag, and wash all the floors and tables bringing any dirty dishes I find down to the kitchen as I go.

"Lya, lunch time!" I bring the water down and empty it out. I sit at the table with Father and eat the cheese and bread he had cut for me. When I'm done, my belly grumbles with hunger but I dare not say a word about it.

"I will start my afternoon chores, Father," I say standing as he comes in.

"I need you to deliver a message for me instead," he hands me a small sack. "One to the baker, one to the whorehouse, one to the windmill. Got it?"

"Yes, Father," I take it slinging it over my back. I run over to my horse and pull myself up onto her back. I gallop away fighting the whoop that wishes to escape at my moments of freedom.

I rush back feeling the coins in my pocket jingling as I go. I can't help but smile knowing I get to keep them. As I approach our inn, I see several horses in the yard. I slow to a walk and go around the house. "Lya!" my father calls. "Bring in the laundry."

"Ok!" I call over to him. I got down and lead her into her stable. I walk over and take the laundry down folding it as I go. I bring it into the pantry and put them on the shelves with the other sheets. I head out to the room. "Father, would you like help?"

Everyone turns to look at me and I blush despite myself. "No, you have other stuff you have to finish."

"But there are five of them. Are you sure?"

"What is your name girl?"

"Lya," I say stepping forward. "Can I be of service?" the men laugh except one.

His eyes find mine and something dark passes through them. "You could come sit on me lap," one of them says.

"Come here, girl," the man says. I sense my father hovering nearby, and as I stand next to him I can feel the small dagger hidden by my leg aware of it's exact placement. He examines me. "Who is your mother?"

"She passed My Lord."

"I am terribly sorry. And this here? This is your father?"

"Yes."

"Carry on."

"Go milk the cows," my father speaks up. I listen feeling troubled. On my way to the barn I move my bow and arrow so that I can grab it easily if I run outside. It doesn't take long to milk the two cows we have, bringing the milk in, in a bucket.

"Lya," the man says standing. "Come here girl," I put the cream down in a corner out of the way and approach him again. He continues to look me in the eye and I feel myself blushing. "Tell her," he suddenly says.

I look to my father who looks like he's ready to cry. One of the men stand drawing his sword. I gasp staring at it. He turns towards my father. I bend yanking my dagger out standing in front of my father. "What are you doing?" I demand.

"You're father has something to tell you. Something important. Come here old man," he walks to them trembling. I try to stop him but he won't. "Go on, tell her."

"I- I am not your father. I don't know who is. A group of men said that they had kidnapped you and were going to sell you. I took you and hid you in the middle of the night."

I look at him utterly confused. "What? You're lying. This can't be true."

"We believe it is. I believe-," I move my father shoving him behind me startling the man with his sword out. I kick him hard in the shin, and then knock his sword to the ground. I am struggling against them and so is my father when I watch a sword plunge through his stomach.

"No!" I scream wrenching from their grasp. I duck past them and run out the door scooping up my bow and arrows as I go by. I bring my mare out and pull myself up galloping away. I tangle a fist in her mane to hold on.

It is getting dark, and still they have not caught up to me. I'm cold but I don't dare stop for too long. Silver, my horse is plodding along at her own pace. I allow her to stop and get drinks or eat as she feels fit, but I don't dare stop to feed my growling stomach. It's getting hard to keep my eyes open, so I lean forward resting my head.

I start awake hearing hoof beats, and sit up. I draw my bow and arrow, and then I'm surrounded by all five of them. I turn circles watching them. "Lya," the man says. "I am Eddard of House Stark. My daughter was taken from me sixteen years ago, just as you were taken in by the innkeeper."

"You killed him!" I say.

"He would have killed us. I am sorry for your loss, really. I didn't mean for it to go that way. It's time you come home."

"I don't want to come home. I belong at the inn running it."

"No, you don't. You belong at Winterfell."

"What if I don't come with you?"

"Where will you go? At least come north with me, meet your family, and then make your decision."

"Fine. But I won't be staying. I'll find something to do. But first, we must bury his body."

"Fine. Take her reigns."

"I am not some high lady, or whatever. I need none. Besides do you know where we are?" the lone cry of a panther fills the woods. "I thought not," I turn and they part following me. I trot and we arrive back at the inn by morning.


	2. Chapter 2

I take a wet wash cloth, and wash the blood and other bodily fluids away. I brush his hair back feeling the tears start. "Dad," I whisper sobbing into his chest. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry, this is all my fault."

"No, it's not Lass," one of the men says startling me. "My Lady," he says seeming slightly confused. "He died bravely trying to protect you. You were both very brave."

"I told him… I told him he needed to protect himself with some sort of weapon but he wouldn't listen to me."

"I am so sorry," I feel his hand on my shoulder. "I know he raised you, but he wasn't you're rightful Father. Think of your possibilities now. He would be proud to see you living with your true family." I nod wiping my eyes.

"I'm ready," he scoops my father up and carries him out to the yard. They lay his body in the grave, and bury him. I lay some flowers over it, deciding I'm done crying. "I need to sell his horse, and our cows, and go through some things."

We leave for Winterfell after midday, all six of us, with me in the middle so as not to lose me. I also know it's so I can't run again. I hadn't grabbed much, a necklace, my money, my bow and arrows, and a cloak the men had insisted on. We were travelling swiftly, and within moments we had passed the farthest I had ever been from my home. I don't comment, knowing one of them would bring up being born in Winterfell, but I wasn't counting that.

The day was long, and we stopped riding well after dark had fallen. I don't eat, just lay down and pass out where they let me. My dreams are filled with my father telling me he hated me, that he never actually wanted me, and then him dying.

I start awake and see that the sun is beginning to rise. The others are up and moving. One of them wordlessly pushes a bowl of meat towards me. I sit up and eat surprised at how hungry I am and how good it tastes. When I'm done, I go over behind a tree and pee. I stand and adjust my clothes. I go back and see they were all watching me.

"I'm not going to run," I mumble. "I wish to see this family of yours Lord Stark."

"We are your family two. I am your father. If you do not wish to call me so, Ned will do."

"Alright Ned," I pull myself up onto my horse, and we ride away.

The next day I find myself faltering as the towers of Winterfell loom overhead, the sounds of wolves howling fill the air. "I sent a raven," Ned says. "They will be expecting us." I take a deep breath in and hold it, letting it out as we pass through the gate. People are milling about, and predominantly standing in a line are a woman with four boys and two girls. Ned gets down handing the reigns off to a man and approaches them hugging them all. They whisper briefly but finally he stands. "You may get down Lya," he says kindly.

I look and see that everyone else had already dismounted and was meeting with their families. I grip my bag tightly to my body, and swinging a leg over the side I slide down to the ground. For the first time in a while I feel conscious of my towering height, at more than 6 feet tall I still looked down on everyone. "Nice to meet you," I say curtsying. Five wolves bound from nowhere and despite the cries of the family they stop in front of me, sniffing. I look at them shocked, and then they rub against me. At a cry from one of the boys they stand and lick my hand in turn before running off.

The woman puts a hand over her mouth, but doesn't say anything. "Lya, this is my wife, and your mother Catelyn. Your brother Robb, half-brother Jon Snow, sisters Sansa and Arya, and brothers Bran and Rickon."

"Pleased to meet you all," I say uncertainly curtsying. Catelyn starts forward then standing in front of me looking up at me.

She clears her throat, "you have grown into a beautiful young woman. I'm sure you wish to bathe and have a nice meal after your troubles," a maid rushes over.

"This way My Lady," she waits for me. It takes me a moment to realize that she was talking to me.

I stand my hair pinned up, wearing a dress that just barely fits me, and look in the mirror. My cheekbones are high, my hair red and golden, my eyes blue like Catelyn's. Maybe it was the truth. Maybe I did belong here. The door opens and Sansa comes in. "Hi," she says looking as uncertain as I felt.

"My Lady," I curtsy.

"I am not your Lady. We- we are sisters I guess."

"Yes, I guess we are," I turn back to the mirror.

"You are extremely tall…"

"I know."

"What do you like to do?"

"What do you mean what do I like to do?"

"What do you do in your spare time?"

"I don't have- well I didn't have spare time."

"Are you good at embroidery?"

"No, but I can make what I need to get by."

She nods, "I love it. I'm really good at it."

"How old are you?"

"Fourteen. And you're seventeen?"

"Yes," I say simply.

"Oh, it's time for dinner. I was sent to escort you," she holds out her arm. I look at it. "You're supposed to hold it, I am your escort." I take it wordlessly and she leads me out and down some stairs and to a small dining room.

"Lya," Catelyn says rising to her feet. I start to curtsy but then remember myself and blush. "Come sit." I take the seat next to her, sitting only slightly taller than her. "What do you think of Winterfell?"

"It's large," I say. I don't know what else to say to her, I had never seen anything as large in my life.

"Ned says, you were raised by an innkeeper?" she asks after there long moments of silence.

"Yes."

"I am very sorry to hear about what happened to your… guardian."

"He was my father…" I breathe out. "I didn't mean to offend I just meant, he raised me like a daughter."

"Some Father he was," Robb says from his spot across from me. "He kidnapped you. Is your maidenhood still intact? Did he sell you to his customers or did they take your for free? Was he gentle in your bed?"

"Robert!" I heard Ned say stopping him. I feel the heat and tears I had kept at bay rising to my cheeks.

I stand and clamber clumsily out of the bench, "may I be excused?" I ask holding back tears. I don't wait for a response, just walk out of the room. I continue to walk the tears falling silently as I approach the stables. A man spots me but doesn't say anything. I walk to Silver's stall, and hold her. I sob into her. "We don't belong here," I say shaking.

"Don't say that," a deep voice says startling me. I turn around, and see Jon.

"What do you want?" I wipe my face trying to hide my tears.

"I came to check on you. It's cold," he holds out a cloak.

"What makes you my half-brother?"  
"I'm not a Stark. I'm a bastard."

"So, we share one parent not both?"

"Yea."

"That's not so bad. At least you were raised by them."

He shakes his head, "I've lived with Catelyn my whole life, and she always looks on me with such hate. But you, she looked on you with love as if you never left." I shift uncomfortably. "You were the daughter that was taken from them just as Robb and I were born. Now you're back," he sighs. "I'm leaving."

"Because of me?"

"No. I've been thinking about it for a while, but now they have you. What was it like living with an innkeeper?"

"He didn't sell me if that's what you are implying. He was my father."

"There you are!" Ned says coming in. "You're going to catch a cold, and Catelyn will have my head," he takes the cloak long forgotten from Jon's hands. He drapes it over my shoulders. "C'mon, let's all go back inside," he tries to steer me, but I shift uncomfortably away from him so I walk alone.

**A/N: I found a story that is extremely similar to what I am writing with this one, as in my ideas were nearly perfect copies of what they had written, so I am unsure if I will continue. Let me know what you think on that. Thank you for all the favorites and followers!**


	3. Chapter 3

**A/N: Sorry about the wait on this story, I had a little bit of writers block. I rewrote this chapter a couple times not liking where it had gone. Anyway's here it is. Enjoy!**

I sit out on the windowsill, my legs dangling out into the cold air, looking out over Winterfell. Everyone is sleeping except for the few flickering flames in various windows. I scan over the rooftops taking in the beauty of it all. _This is my home now_, I think. I nearly snort at the idea. _This is like every low born girl's dream, to find out that they are of a higher status, and they get to go live; like a Princess compared to what it used to be. Yet, here I am wishing my real father had never shown up. _I lean my head against the side and sigh closing my eyes.

_I miss the simplicity of it all then. I got up and did what was expected of me, and I enjoyed doing it. Here it seems I am to be expected to be a Lady, and I have no idea what I'm doing. _I open my eyes and squint seeing a light in the distance. I lean forward as if that's going to help, and see it is coming from the forest. I look around to see if anybody else who was up at this time of night had noticed it. Seeing no one, I slip back into my room, and grab a cloak. I wrap it around my shoulders and secure it tightly. I make my way back to the window and deftly climb down to the ground.

Looking around again to see if anyone had seen me, I make my way across the yard making it to the gate out of breath. It's closed, so I climb up the wall finding foot holes and crevices easily formed to my hands, making quick work of it. I pause at the top and look back down swaying slightly at the sight of the ground so far below me. I take a deep breath and walk to the other side.

I stare down at the grass and close my eyes. _How the fuck am I supposed to get down now? Going up is the easy part, and going down: well that's another story._ I turn around and kneel pebbles digging into my knees. I slowly inch backwards, and then even slower I find the footholds and crevices to lower myself down. My feet slip at one point, and I hold on tighter. I stare at the wall willing myself not to look down at where my feet are dangling uselessly. I scramble at the wall with my feet praying for a foothold. Finding none I dangle my arms aching. I look down and try to focus on the wall. There's a crevice down by my knee but it looks like it's miles and miles away. I bring my foot up and push it into the crack feeling as if I was going to drop to my death.

I take the weight off my arms and my body starts to shake. I look down trying to find a foothold but the ground seems so far away and I start to feel dizzy. I close my eyes leaning my head against the wall. I feel blindly as far down as I'll let myself proceeding even slower than before to find the next place to put my feet. My fingers begin to ache, and shake making it harder to hold on until finally they slip from the wall. I shriek, my stomach dropping as the wall falls away. It doesn't take long for me to hit the ground hard. The shriek stops and I can't breathe. My vision is fuzzy but suddenly the air rushes in. I roll to my side, bringing my knees up blinking away the tears that had formed.

My chest and abdomen hurt as I push myself to my feet. In the woods I can see that there is a light. I make my way towards it holding my arm across my body waiting for the pain to go away. I enter the woods, and look around uncertainly. Even though it's the middle of the night there's a certain glow about it and I can see, nearly perfectly fine as if it was daytime. I reach a Heart tree, and look on in wonder.

I had only heard of these in stories from travellers, not having any near my home. I shiver slightly feeling as if I was being watched. I look around not seeing anyone. I look back at the face on the tree, and gently trace it's features. I definitely understood why people would believe these were vestiges of the Old Gods. I let my hand fall searching for the source of light. I find it in a small pond. I approach and peer in. There's a light at the bottom, and it seems to be calling out to me. I reach down and touch the water, drawing my hand back away from the freezing water. I stare down at it, and it seems to be getting closer. My face is the first in the water, and it shocks me. I take a breath in and panic as the rest of my body follows me. I'm completely submerged and as I look down at the light, I forget to panic. I forget about how cold the water is. I want to see the light, and the light wants to see me two.

I'm being pulled away and I don't want to be. Before I can struggle I'm completely out of the water, and dragged away. Someone's slapping my face, calling my name. I cough water dribbling out of my mouth. I'm sat up, and the person slaps me on the back. I cough up more water, and then vomit on myself. I blink at the watery mixture covering my lap. I blink the water out of my eyes looking at the pond a few feet away and there's no light.

"What were you doing?" Robb asks his face in mine.

"Th-there was-was a l-l-l-light," I say shivering. He takes his cloak off and wraps it around my shoulders. He picks me up, and carries me like a babe. I lean my head back against his body as we start walking.

"You're OK, Lya," he says cradling me. "You're going to be OK," I continue to shiver closing my eyes feeling exhausted. "Bran run ahead and tell Maester Luwin. It's OK Lya," he repeats as he walks along.


	4. Chapter 4

**A/N: I changed the color of Lya's hair to being black originally. I went and changed it in the chapter but I'm not entirely sure if it worked. Anyway her hair is black, for now.**

Thwack! I close my eyes tighter against the noise. Thwack! I groan and shift. Thwack! I open my eyes, and see Arya standing with my bow at the end of my bed, shooting sticks at the wall. "What are you doing?" I ask struggling to get my hand out from under the blankets so I can itch my eyes.

Arya jumps and looks at me, lowering the bow, "you're awake?"

"Of course I'm awake. You're making all that noise. What are you doing?"

"I get the bow if you die. Well, you're not going to die now," she says blushing.

"What do you mean if I die?" I finally get my hand out and rub my eye roughly.

"You've been sleeping with a fever for two weeks now."

I glance around the room and see Catelyn in a chair her head thrown back snoring slightly. "How the hell is she sleeping through your noise?"

"Maester Luwin gave her some sleepy tea. She refuses to sleep or leave your side. We all thought you were going to die."

"Well I didn't."

"Arya! Mum is trying to sleep!" Robb declares barging in.

"But Robb she's awake," his eyes find mine.

"Go get Maester Luwin," he orders. She puts the bow down and runs out. He comes around to the side of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, like I need a bath."

"You've had some fever."

"So I've heard. How'd you find me?"

"Bran saw you climbing the wall. That's impressive you know?"

"I was scared to death the whole time."

"What were you doing out there? That water was freezing, and you were half dead."

"There was a light, and I wanted it. I'm not really sure I remember," I say shaking my head.

He nods sitting on the bed, "about what I said before at dinner, about your father. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"It's OK. Really. I- I understand where you're coming from. How long will she sleep for?" I look over at Catelyn trying to change the subject.

"I'm not entirely sure. She's barely slept at all worrying over you. I'm not sure she would have made it if you hadn't."

"What about Bran and Rickon, they need her more?"

"You're her baby now. We missed out on years of your life, important years, and it would destroy her to lose you again," a confused look passes across his face.

"What?" he reaches out and puts a hand on my cheek. I look at it but he tilts my face up so I'm looking at him.

"Nothing, I thought, never mind."

"Lord Robert, I wish to speak with Lady Lya alone."  
"Yes Maester. I'll go tell Father."

"Good, I wish to speak with him," I say.

"How are you feeling?"

"Perfectly fine. Can I take a bath?"

"As soon as I'm done. Nothing hurts?"

"No, I want to get up and do something."

"And you can move everything?"

I wiggle my fingers for him, doing the same with my toes under the blankets, "yes, everything is working fine." He peers into my eyes, the same confused look Robb wore passing through it. "What?" I ask.

"A moment," he picks up a candle and holds it closer to my face. I flinch slightly but his hand is steady and I relax watching him. "You're eyes, they're changing color," he grabs my hand gentle in his firm grip and examines the skin. He lets it fall, and then fingers my dark locks, eyeing them. I do the same and he moves up looking at the top of my head. "You're roots, they look lighter," he sits down next to me. "What do you remember about the other night?"

I shrug, "some light, climbing, wanting the light from the water. I don't really know Maester Luwin is it?"

"Yes. Well, no following any lights. No over exerting yourself. I shall call up the maids to run you a bath."

"What about Catelyn?"

"She'll be awake for a good surprise by supper. I promise."

I reach up fixing my hair into a simple braid down my back. I tilt my head down and see golden blonde roots beginning to show on my head. "Robb was telling the truth!" Bran cries running in startling me and jumping on me. Rickon follows him and wraps his little body around my legs.

"Hi guys."

"You're awake!" Rickon says.

"Of course I'm awake," I smile at them.

"I saw you," Bran whispers into my ear. I gently put him down and move back to sit on the bed. They sit on the floor at my feet.

"Mama was sad."

"Well, she'll be happy now. Right Bran?"

"Yes Rickon she will be so happy."

"I'm going to go tell Arya!" he gets up and runs out. I can't help but smile after him.

"I saw you," Bran says a little louder. "Climbing the walls I mean. It scared me at first, I didn't think you were human, but then I saw you stand at the top and I knew it was you."

"Yes, well it was extremely high, and I hope I never do it again." He lets out a sigh and collapses back onto the floor. "What?"

"Well I was hoping you could be my…"

"You're what?"

"Climbing buddy. It's so much fun, and I could help you get down and everything."

"I don't know Bran, it was terrifying."

"That's because it was night time. Come here I'll show you," he takes my hand dragging me after him. I follow him down the stairs and out to the courtyard. "Stay here," he says. He begins to pull himself up and watching him sends chills through me, my heart starting to race.

It takes me a moment to realize it is a thrill not fear that is effecting me. He seems extremely confident, and knows what he's doing. And I want to follow him. "What are you doing?" I turn to see Jon. The sight of him makes me remember my fear and I firmly decide that I will not be leaving the ground for such heights for a long time.

"Watching Bran."

"Lady Catelyn is going to have a hemorrhage."

"She's sleeping. Maester Luwin gave her some sleepy tea or something. He said she won't wake 'til dinner time."

"You scared us you know?"

"Oh even you Jon Snow?"

"Oh, I'm not afraid of anything."

"I think you're lying," I look back up at Bran who is nearing the top. "I think you're afraid of Lady Catelyn. Whooo!" I cheer up at him. "You made it."

"Of course I did." he says standing up to face us, looking down.

"Hey Lord Bran get down from there right now!" a stable hand orders rushing over.

"You'll have to catch me first!" he calls down.

"I swear, that boy is going to fall and break his neck."

"Bran, come down here right now!" Ned says startling me by yelling from right behind me.

"Yes, Father," he says getting down.

"Thanks for the help you two."

"He's an excellent climber."

"I hear you are two."

I blush, "yes, well I didn't really enjoy that all too much. I don't think I like the openness of it. Trees, are so much easier."

"I think Bran would agree. He's always had a knack for climbing. Maybe it runs in the family," I look down.

"Maybe," I nod.

"Something seems different about you Lya."

"Her eyes, they are turning a purplish color," Jon Snow says.

"And my hair, it's turning blonde."

"What was in the water?" he asks.

"A light."

"We'll have to go out and see it together. C'mon, get Silver."

"NIce talking with you Jon," I say walking towards the stables, as Bran lands next to Ned.

"Not again today Bran, please. I don't think your mother can take much more stress. What with Lya and the-," I don't hear anymore as I enter the stables and find Silver.

I pat her nose and feed her some hay out of my hand talking to her. I tell her about the odd occurrence at the pond, and how my features seemed to be changing. "Lord Ned, is looking for you Lya," a stable boy says.

"Thank you," I gently rub down Silver's nose as I put her reigns on and then lead her out to the courtyard.

"Do you know how to ride with a saddle?" Ned asks from a top his own horse.

"Yes."

"Then how about you do that? I'm sure it'll be more comfortable."

"Not really. I feel better this way."

"It's up to you," he says. I climb up and follow him out past the gate. "Now, show me where you remember going." I leave the path and find where I had came down from the wall.

"I landed here," I say. "And then I went straight," I direct Silver the way I had gone, and Ned follows wordlessly. "The light was in that pond there," I motion to it. I slip down off of Silver, and go and kneel by it, but there is nothing. I'm tempted to dive in and look for something, anything that may remain of what I had seen. I'm about to when I'm brought back to being here with Ned.

"I come here to pray," he says. "It's comforting. I come here after executions. I came here when we got back." I look over at Ned who is sitting in front of the Heart tree, the same eyes watching me as the night I had came.

"I've met the family now," I say.

"That you have. I have come here many times but I have never seen the pond glowing."

"I haven't ever seen a pond glow until then either," I wait.

"Do you wish to stay with us?"

"I wish to see the inn. I wish to go back."

"I understand. I made a deal with you."

"I didn't say I wasn't coming back. Ned, I feel like I belong here. I guess in some way. I only wish to search the house again. Look for any clues." I trace the face on the Heart tree feeling the hardened sap bumpy under my fingers.

"We'll try to find a time. After the King leaves."

"The King leaves? What do you mean after the King leaves?"

"The King is coming here. I think to ask me to be his Hand. I am not entirely sure. Anyway, he has to have a reason for coming. Once he's gone, I will take you to explore the inn."

"So you're going to say no? To King Robert?"

"I have to deal with everything here."

"But it is a great honor."

"And one I don't really want. Come we should go back before Catelyn wakes up. I'm glad that you wish to stay with us," Ned says. I give him a small smile and nod and start to turn.

I am no longer in the woods, but instead standing on the ground watching Bran fall. Then I am in his room looking down on him, and he is lying there a deathly look about him. I blink and I am staring at the face of the Heart tree.

"Are you coming?" Ned asks. I blink furiously and reach up massaging my temples before shrugging it off and climbing back up onto my horse and following Ned along the path to get home.


	5. Chapter 5

I sit up startled, gasping looking around the room. "Today's the day!" Sansa says from her spot by the door. I blink back the tears and simply nod. "I'm so excited!" she babbles on and I don't really listen just wipe my face off pushing the dream of Bran falling, identical to what I had seen in the Godswood.

"I really should get ready," I say interrupting Sansa.

"Yes you must. Let me pick a dress for you."

"I'm sure I can handle it, thank you though. I appreciate it. Some other time?" I add hastily seeing her fallen face.

"Of course!" she says her face brightening. "I'll just go now," she says turning and leaving. I get up and get my own bath water and then bathe myself. I dress ignoring the golden hair that is creeping it's way into my black hair, and my blue eyes that are many shades darker taking on a truly purplish hint.

I make my way down to breakfast and sit at a nearly empty table. As soon as I take my place and start to eat Bran scoots closer. "Do you think we could go climbing today?" I swallow hard struggling with what I should do. When Bran falls in my dream I'm watching from a distance, but I'm below him. So maybe I should agree? But what if I'm supposed to keep him from climbing all together. "We could watch for the king," he whispers again. The thought of something keeping him from climbing is laughable, but then I realize his fall, watching him in a near death state would keep him from climbing.

"As long as you help me," I whisper back.

He settles back into breakfast eating excitedly. I can't help but smile. "I'll meet you out there!" he says turning and running for the courtyard. I eat some more and then stand turning to go outside.

"Good morning," Jon says as I go to walk by. He stops me gently, reaching up to finger my hair.

"I don't know," I sigh. "This is all just fucking weird. I'm just hoping it doesn't fall out."

"You look tired."

"I've been having these dreams… They're just dreams though, it's fine. Really, I best go find Bran."

"Don't be late for the arrival. Lady Catelyn would have a heart attack."

"We'll both be on time," I continue past him and out to the courtyard. I look around for Bran and don't see him anywhere. "Bran!" I call uncertainly.

"I'm up here! Come on!" he says from on top of the stables. I walk over and slowly begin to pull myself up. He giggles and hurries off slowly leading me up the walls. I put my hands and feet where he tells me at the tricky parts, and when we reach the top I stand there panting. "I'm so happy you decided to come up here with me."

"I am two," I say not truly meaning it, taking a seat. He joins me holding his knees up to his chest.

"Everything looks so small from up here, it makes me feel as if I am bigger than it all."

"Way up here, we can see everything. They will come from this way," I say crawling to the peak of the wall and look over it towards the Kingsroad, Bran following me. We watch in silence for a while.

"What made you change your mind?"

Not wanting to tell him about my dreams I search for a lie, "it was sort of fun the other night. I wanted to try again."

"Will we do this again?"

"We'll see."

"They're coming!" he cries pointing. It takes a few more moments for my eyes to pick them up but they are nearly here. "They're coming!" Bran says running down the slope and stopping looking down at the courtyard.

"Brandon Stark come down here at once!" I hear Catelyn demand. I sheepishly follow him to the edge, and turn to make my descent. "Lya what were you doing up there?"

"Climbing Catelyn. I was-."

"That is not lady like at all. Would your father have approved?" I wait until I am on the ground to respond.

"Not in a dress Catelyn. He would have told me to change first."

"Well you are a Stark now. Have you seen the Maester?" she asks touching my hair.

"Yes, he doesn't know what is causing it. It's fine, really. I feel fine."

"We had better go join the others then," she leads us to line up with the other Starks, with Jon and Theon whom I had barely spoken to stand behind us. It makes me feel slightly uncomfortable. We were all lined up by age but as the sounds of the party arriving Catelyn asks, "Arya? Where's Arya? Sansa where's your sister?" I watch her shrug and then look around to see her running by. Ned stops her, takes a helmet off her head and she is pushed back into line.

A kingsguard is the first through the door, even I know what he is by his golden armor and white cape, followed by a boy dressed in red with golden hair lighter than the color my hair seemed to be taken over by. "That is the Prince," Ned whispers into my ear. "And Sandor Clegane," he adds as a man wearing a dog helmet follows close behind. They are followed by a red wheelhouse, another kingsguard and a fat man whom everyone bows to. I follow suit as quickly as I can.

He is helped down from his horse and I realize that this must be the King. A moment of fear passes through me at the sight of him followed by awe, and a little disgust at the sight of him. I was expecting a man who would be strong and looked like he could lead the country into battle if need be against any attackers. But he could barely get off his horse even with the aid from those around him. He approaches Ned and then has him stand up. The King dares to tell Ned that he had gotten fat. I bite my tongue on my retort that the KIng was much larger than Ned ever looked like he would be. Ned motions to the King's belly and suddenly everyone is laughing. I feel only confusion, no mirth at their exchange but smile slightly at their hug.

"Cat," he says hugging Catelyn. He moves back to Ned, "where have you been?"

"Guarding the North for you Your Grace."

"And who have we here?" he looks at me uncertainly.

"I'm Lya," I say with even more uncertainty in my voice.

"Your Grace this is my eldest daughter Lya. We found her a few weeks ago, and she has returned home."

"What is wrong with her?" he asks. I blush.

"I um- had an accident, and things are changing," I blush even more.

He accepts it as an answer and moves along to Robb and the rest of them. Ned nods slightly at me, reassuring me. I feel terribly out of place, and my hands itch to do something. I turn my attention to the others and spy a beautiful woman, long curly hair down to her waist, standing in front of the wheelhouse. She makes her way towards us, and watching her I don't see a single thing about her that looks happy. As I continue to look on her, I start to feel pity. Behind her a kingsguard taking his helmet off catches my eye.

My breath catches as he swings his head back back and forth shaking out his hair, identical to the unhappy woman's. He's gorgeous and seems so relaxed, the opposite of how I feel. "That's Jaime Lannister, the Queen's twin brother," I hear Arya whisper.

"Would you please shut up," Sansa whispers back as Ned takes her hand and kisses it.

"My Queen," he says. She smiles slightly but I notice it never touches her eyes. She turns to me.

"I am happy to see that you have been returned home safely."

"Thank you Your Grace," I say curtsying.

"I hope you are still a suitable wife."  
I blush at her meaning. "I- yes, I am, Your Grace."

"Have you had your moon's blood yet?"

I falter, but King Robert's voice booms out saving me, "take me to your crypt I want to pay my respects."

"We've been riding for a month my love, surely the dead can wait," the queen says turning towards him, and I see hate in her eyes.

He ignores her and nods, "Ned."

"Come with us Lya," he says holding out his arm. I take it and I am led after the king.

"Where's the imp?" Arya asks as we walk away.

Ned allows his arm to drop from my hand to hang at his side, and he moves next to Robert. I ignore their conversation to look around at the statues with wolves at their feet. I approach them keeping close to the King and Ned, but stopping to admire the craftsmanship of each, as well as the sword resting at the bottom of each.

My attention is drawn from a statue to the pair of them as Ned kneels down in front of Robert. I watch slightly confused at first, but then Ned's words come back to me, about Roibert making him the Hand. "I am not trying to Honor you, I am trying to get you to run my kingdom," the King says in response to something I hadn't heard, "while I eat, drink, and whore my way to an early grave. Damn it Ned stand up."

They're conversation continues and I turn back to the statue trying to ignore their words, trying not to eavesdrop. Words of marriage and blood float over to me until Robert suddenly walks away. I follow as Ned does the same and we stop in front of a beautiful statue. "Did you have to bury her in a place like this?" King Robert asks and I can hear the tears in his voice. "This was your Aunt Lyanna, my beautiful Lyanna," he says his hand going up to her face. "She should be on a hill with the sun and the clouds above her."

"She was my sister, a Stark, this is where she belongs," Ned says standing behind him.

"She belonged with me in my dreams I kill him every night."

"It's done Your Grace, the Targaeryans are gone."

"Not all of them," he says. Suddenly I am seeing not the face of the statue of my Aunt Lyanna, but the face of a beautiful girl, looking to be my age. She has long silver wavy hair, and purple eyes, the ones my own seem to want to mimic of their own accord. She seems to be in a marketplace of sorts talking to a man. He hands her a drink, and she takes it smiling. She sniffs at it, and then takes a sip. I scream as she drops to the ground twitching, her face turning blue. Her body is quickly replaced by another, crumpled up knees underneath them. The same silver hair, only shorter, visible underneath molten gold covering his head.

"Are you OK?" I blink and the King is gripping my face.

"Yes, I just…" I shake my head out of his grip. "Daydreaming," I muttered to myself.

"You are quite beautiful."

"Thank you, Your Grace," the images of the bodies weighing on my mind.

"You will make a good little wife someday, with or without Cersei's help," I look to Ned who mouths the Queen. "Though I'm sure Ned here, will find a suitable match for you. Come, we must discuss these things in more detail. I hear there is a feast to attend to."

**A/N: Finally, Jaime is here. There will be more of a meeting in the next chapter I promise ;)**


	6. Chapter 6

Being the eldest of the Stark children, despite not having any social grace whatsoever, I am granted a seat at the high table with the rest of the adults including the King and his family. Not that King Robert remains there long, standing to go sit in some poor whore's lap. I feel sorry for her bearing his weight, until I realize she doesn't care. My gaze goes to Queen Cersei and I see that she is looking with distaste upon his acts.

Ned looks uncomfortable, as does Catelyn but no one else seems to have noticed. "I don't think I have had the pleasure to meet you?" I look up and blush seeing Ser Jaime Lannister.

"And to what do we owe your company dear brother?" Queen Cersei asks.

"I only wished to greet my hosts formally, I did not get the chance upon our arrival."

"I see you're off duty."

"I am never off duty. Someone else gets to listen to the King fuck his whores tonight."

I gasp, and cover my mouth. I had grown up in an inn, I was used to hearing all kinds of things but never would I expect to hear them about the King. I mean he was the King. Ned clears his throat, "thank you for being so gracious, Ser Jaime." he nods at Ned but then looks at me.

"Do you care to dance Lady…?"  
"Lya," I say and look to Ned who shrugs.

"Lady Lya," he holds out his arm. I take it and move around the table.

"I'm going to be honest here, Ser Jaime. I have never danced before."

"Well, in that case just hold on," he guides one hand to his shoulder, takes my hip gentle but firm in his hand, and he moves me around the few people who did decide to dance tonight. People seem to want to get out of the Kings way as he is roaringly drunk surrounded by whores.

"So, you're sister is the Queen?"

"Very perceptive one we have here."

I giggle, "I feel bad for her," I turn sober.

"Why? She's the Queen."

"She doesn't look happy," I say watching her still face glaring down at her husband. He turns us so my back is to the table. "Who cares if you're a God, if you're unhappy?"

"Well as a God, I'm sure those of us down here would feel her unhappiness."

"So who is feeling the Queen's unhappiness?"

"Right now it should be her husband," he says and I see her face again the same look she's worn all night. All afternoon it seems since we went down to the crypts.

"But he isn't so who is?"

He shrugs, "you're thinking too much about this."

"Uncle Jaime I will dance with her now," Prince Joffrey says coming up behind us.

"Of course," he leans in and kisses my cheek and I feel my eyes widen. "I'll save you," he says and steps out of the way. Joffrey's hands take the place of Ser Jaime's and I feel the difference immediately. Joffrey is a little shorter than myself for one, so things are immediately awkward. Not to mention the grip he has on my hip hurts.

"So, I hear I am to marry your sister."

"I heard the same, Your Prince?" I say hoping to be right with his title.

He smirks, "she's gorgeous. I hope she'll be good in bed." I bite my lip.

"She will make a good wife for you," I respond safely.

"You know you're really pretty as well," his grip tightens and I let out a little gasp as his fingers dig into my skin.

"Joffrey," Ser Jaime is back. "Your mother wishes to speak with you."

"I'm busy."

"She didn't ask, she told me to send you to her," Joffrey's grip manages to tighten more and I'm fighting the urge to squirm.

"Thank you for the dance Prince Joffrey," I say and he lets go so I curtsy.

"It was my pleasure," he says turning away and going back to the high table.

"Thank you," I say my hand massaging my hip. Jaime's hands reposition mine and he runs his fingers gently over my hip as we move. It feels good, really good, too good, and I'm blushing like mad before I realize it. I focus my gaze on his other hand, his right hand on my left one.

It changes suddenly, I'm looking at both of his hands, chained with about a foot of room, between the two of them. They are being held down on what looks like a stump, and suddenly there's a flash of silver and his mouth opens in a scream I don't hear.

"Hey," he says shaking me and I blink looking into his green eyes. He looks concerned.

"Excuse me," I pull away curtsying and turning leaving the hall quickly. I stand out in the cool night air taking deep breaths. First Bran, then the silver haired people, and now Ser Jaime. What was going on with me? I turn as the door opens behind me.

"Hey, you OK?" it's Jaime.

"Yea, I just- needed some air," he stands in front of me studying me. "I like this look," he fingers my hair. "It looks like someone dumped gold over your head and it dried." My mind flashes to the image of the silver haired boy with the gold over his head. I shiver. "How'd you do it?"

"It's um new. I'm not really sure, it just kind of started happening," I tell him not wanting to say anything about the light out of embarrassment. "Same with my eyes."

"It reminds me of the Targaryans," he says. "They had purple eyes and silver hair. Yours seem like they are darker though," he peers into them. "That could be the lighting, but your hair seems to be more of a Lannisters. I'd ask if you were some unfortunate bastard of my family and theirs, except your hair is still black at the bottom," his hand strays to my cheek. "You're freezing," he says and I shiver. He takes off his cloak and drapes it over my shoulders. "Do you wish to go back in?"

"No, I think I'm just going to go to bed."

"Let me escort you," he holds out his arm. I take it and we walk up to my room. I reach to take the cloak off. "No, it'll keep you warm. Give it back some other time."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine. I'm a Kingsguard afterall," he kisses my cheek completely startling me and any protests about his cloak were forgotten. It takes me a moment to realize that I was standing in the hallway with my door open, Jaime long gone. I turn feeling a flutter of some unknown feeling in my belly.

"C'mon, Dad wishes to talk to you!" Sansa says practically dragging me, the only unladylike thing I had seen her do since I'd been here.

"I'm not running, it's too early."

"Tell me all about him!"

"Who?"

"Prince Joffrey, and Ser Jaime of course."

"Ser Jaime was nice," I say blushing.

"Yes, I hear he walked you to your room. It's pointless you know?"

"What's pointless?"

"He's part of the Kingsguard, he can't marry."

"I just met him, I don't want to marry him."

"It would be so nice, you would be the Lady of Casterly Rock," she says a dreamy expression on her face. "I get to be the Queen someday though!" she says excitedly.

"I've heard."

"How was he?"

"Who?"

"Prince Joffrey?"

"Like a Prince?" I say not really knowing what to say. He had bruised my hip, even left crescent indents from his fingernails that had disappeared by this morning. "He's shorter than me. He thinks your pretty, that's all I can really say. We didn't do much talking we danced for like five seconds."

"I wish he'd asked me to dance."

No you don't, I think as we enter the Hall, already cleaned of any sign of the feast from the night before. I'm curious seeing Jaime sitting by Ned. "Thank you Sansa, run along."

She looks upset, but turns to leave. "Good morning Ned, Ser Jaime."

"Just Jaime," he says looking at me.

I nod my acknowledgement, and sit down, "So, Jaime. You never told me about your plans for marriage?"

"Well, I thought that it was clear, I'm part of the Kingsguard."

"You're father doesn't seem to think it matters. Seems he received news of Lya's return," he produces a letter, and places it on the table. "He wishes to unite our families."

I sit up straighter, "you mean I would marry him?"

"At least that's what Lord Tywin's plan is."

"Well, if you were hoping to marry your daughter off to me, which I know you wouldn't want to truly, I'm not up for grabs. I'm a member of the Kingsguard, sworn to protect the King."

"I suggest you take it up with your father, Ser Jaime. Besides I wouldn't do anything until after I got Lya's consent. I don't like you Ser Jaime," he spits the words at him, shocking me. "As of now, I am rejecting King Robert's request. My place is here in the North, and yours is guarding King Robert. Remember that," Ned says standing.

I wait until Ned is gone, "why doesn't he like you?"

"It's a long story. So.. my father wishes me to marry you."

I blush, liking the idea. "I just got here," I say. "I don't know you at all. I'm going to have to say no."

"Oh, goodie. When I tell my father, he won't be able to be mad for I am not the only one not liking the idea. How's your hip?" I look up. "The Prince's grip…"

"Oh, it's fine. Just a little bruise. Nothing I can't handle."

"Lya!" Arya shrieks running in the room. "Will you teach me how to fight?"

"Ahh!" Bran yells running into the room, his wooden sword held above his head. Jaime stands drawing his sword. Bran falters, and Rickon runs in after him yelling with his sword in his hand. He runs into Bran and they both fall to the ground.

I cover my mouth stopping a giggle, "before you run into a room, you look first, Lord Brandon. And you don't announce your arrival with a warrior cry, though that was enough to scare even me," he says grinning. He sheaths his sword. "You also, shouldn't be scaring little ladies."

"Yes Ser Jaime," Brandon's eyes shift to me. He winks before turning and running out of the room.

"Go get him," he says to Rickon who listens. I laugh then, and turn to Arya.

"We'll meet this afternoon." She looks pleased as she leaves.

"Teach her what exactly?" Jaime asks looking interested.

"How to fight. She's good with a bow but no one will teach her how to work with a sword."

"And you know how?"

"I've picked up a lot. People thought I was a cute child and taught me things. I bet I could beat a few people."

"And what about me?"

"You're the Kingslayer," I shrug. "I don't know. You'd probably kick my ass, but I wouldn't go down without a fight. I should get going," I say moving towards the door. "I'm glad we hold the same beliefs on marriage."

A week before the King is to leave, Ned changes his mind, deciding to go to Kings Landing as the King's Hand. When asking about going to see my Father's inn he dismisses me apologetically but it still upsets me. I had been having the dreams about Jaime losing his hand and the deaths of what I presumed to be the Targaryens more frequently.

I end up following Bran around up and down the walls. "So you seem sad today," he says taking a break.

"I wanted to go see where I grew up."

"Sansa said you lived at an inn."

"I did, and Ned said we could go back there, but now he is going to Kings Landing."

"I'm going two!" he said excited.

"I know."

"Are you?"

"I don't know. What's up there?" I point to a tower.

"Oh, it's great, I'll show you!" he gets up and I follow him around to the base of the tower and we climb until we stand on top. "I love it up here," he says.

I notice there are noises, like two people making love. I put a finger to my lips and then creep to the edge. I lower myself down head first not allowing myself to look at anything except the window. I stop in shock seeing Jaime with the Queen. They are fucking I struggle to pull myself up and as I do so, I hear Cersei say, "Stop."

"What?" Jaime asks.

"Someone- someone was there!" I am still hanging almost over when I see the top of Jaime's head. He turns to look up. "Go look!" I hear Cersei.

"Hide," I whisper to Bran. He listens going over the other side.

"No one's up here!" Jaime calls down kneeling on the roof. I look at him and I see he looks conflicted.

"Well look harder."

"Cersei! You are imagining things," he approaches me and I back up. "We will talk later," he hisses quietly. "I'm telling you Cers, nothing is up here," he goes back to the edge, and makes his way back down to her.


	7. Chapter 7

_I watch as the melted gold pours out of the pot and down the face of the silver haired man. He screams in pain, falling to the ground in agony, and is dead in moments._

_The silver haired girl is standing in a market, and drinks from a small cup when she collapses. _

_Bran is lying on a bed, a look of death about him._

_Ned, is kneeling on a stage, Sansa screaming behind him, and a sword comes down taking Ned's head off._

"Ned?" I say coming into breakfast. He looks exhausted, mirroring how I feel, sitting at the table.

"I've decided to accept the King's request," he says.

"Oh, um. The King should be happy."

"Catelyn is staying with Rickon, Robb and you assuming you don't want to marry Jaime. The others will accompany me South."

"Even Jon?" I ask surprised.

"Yes, even Jon. He is going to the Wall."

"What about going to the inn?"

"I'll have to figure something out."

"But you promised me."

"I know what I promised you."

"Can't I go with you?"

"You just got here shouldn't-."

"Just to the inn, then I can turn around. Please?"

He sighs, running a hand down his face, "I guess. Catelyn's not going to like it."

"I'll talk to her. I should get going, I promised Bran we would go riding," I stand and go to leave. "Wait, what can you tell me about the Targaryens?"

"What do you want to know about the Targaryens?"

"Who are they?"

"They were the dynasty before Robert's. We overthrew them, King Robert and I."

"I know that, but what about the children who survived?"

"They are in exile across the Narrow Sea. Why do you want to know?"

I shrug, "I just do," I turn and leave the hall.

I rub Silver's nose cooing to her. I hear footsteps at the entrance to the stable and I look. I see Queen Cersei, the sun glinting off her perfect, golden curls over her exquisite red dress. Not wanting a confrontation with her, I duck down in the stall. I hear her footsteps approaching, and then someone else's, heavier, follow behind.

"Cersei," I hear Jaime hiss and my stomach drops.

_Why the two of them? I hope to the Gods they aren't about to do it in here. _

"What are you doing?'

"I came to tell you that nothing was up there, and you need to stop being so paranoid."

"It's not my fault you couldn't wait," she hisses back.

"Oh because you didn't enjoy yourself. I'm telling you Cersei, everything is fine OK?"

"Promise?"

"I promise," I grit my teeth as I hear a kiss being shared.

"No more," Cersei says before turning and leaving. I wait a few minutes to hear Jaime's follow hers out, before I stand up.

"Lya!" I jump as Bran comes running in. "You promised you would take me riding today."

"Yes I did," I say a hand on my heart waiting for it to come down. "The stable boy has your horse waiting outside."

"Yes!" he runs out of the stable. I lead Silver out as the stable boy helps Bran up onto his horse. He leads the way out of Winterfell and I follow. "Will you come with us Lya?"

"Come with you where?"

"To Kings Landing?"

"Part of the way."

"Why not the whole way?"

"Well, I should spend some time with Catelyn. Maybe I'll come for a visit."

"I'd like that. I've heard there are walls higher than Winterfell's there!"

I laugh, "yes, and you would climb all of them. I expect that when I do come for a visit, that you will know exactly how to get up and down them."

"Well of course!" he says. He spurs his horse on into a gallop and I follow him. We stop in a small meadow in the woods.

"I think we should head back," I say turning my horse around.

"Awww," he says.

"We'll go again," I say.

"I think not," a man says his horse stepping onto the path. He has a bow drawn and I spot a sword at his waist.

"What do you want?"

"You dead," he lets fly his arrow, and I duck down. One follows quickly striking Bran's horse which collapses under him. He struggles with a third so I charge at him yanking my dagger out. He gets another arrow knocked and sends it shooting past me. I hear a scream but refuse to look back. The man's horse turns skittish and he's forced to grab the reins. I slash at him wildly in anger, getting him across the face. I scream when a sword sprouts out of his face, blood spraying me.

"Get Bran!" Jaime says yanking his sword out. I slip off Silver and run to Bran who's lying face down in the grass. An arrow stands, a flower wilting, from his back.

"Bran!' I yell reaching for it.

"Don't touch it!" Jaime says coming over with Silver. He slides down, and breaks the shaft off. Bran doesn't move.

"Bran!" I say desperately. Jaime rolls him over onto his lap.

"He's still breathing," Jaime scoops him up and pulls himself up onto his horse. "We have to get him back," I stand blinking at him. "Get on your horse!" he yells at me. I listen pulling myself up and he gallops away. I follow watching Bran as best as I can.

I pace in front of the door listening desperately for Bran's voice. Maester Luwin had tended to him and left, came back a couple more times and left again. He had extracted the arrowhead from Bran's back and taken care of it. Now the only worry was permanent damage the arrow may have caused, and waiting for his fever to break. I could picture his small body shivering with the chills while he sweated. My mind flashed to the scene I kept seeing at night and at random times while awake, of Bran lying in a bed a deathly pallor about him.

Night had already fallen though I couldn't tell, all's I knew was that Bran hadn't moved on his own accord in the last few hours, and it was all my fault. I continued to pace clenching and unclenching my fists. Ned opened the door, and paused putting a hand on my shoulder. "Go to bed Lya. Pacing out here isn't helping him any."

"I will soon, I promise. How is he?"

"Sleeping," Ned says.

"Catelyn?"

"Watching over him. Lya, go to bed," he says again. I turn as if to listen if only to get him to leave me be. I relieve myself in the privy along the way to my room, before going back to Bran's room, and pacing.

"We need to talk," I turn to see Jaime. I open my mouth to protest but he easily grabs my hand and pulls me outside. I close my mouth and follow, but he doesn't drop my hand. He leads me over to a quiet corner, far away from the few people who were outside. "What you think you saw-," he starts.

"What I know I saw," I correct him venom in my voice, yanking my hand to my body, "was disgusting."

I see my statement hurt him, and despite knowing it should hurt him, I can't help but feel slightly sorry for him. Damn it why does he have that effect on me? He fucks his sister. "You aren't to tell anyone."

"You sent that man?" I breathe out.

"What?"

"You sent that man to kill Bran and I?"

"What?" he repeats again stupidly. "That doesn't even-," I grab his sword from his sheath and hold it up pointing at him. He backs up a few steps until I have to extend my arm fully. "Make sense. Do you even know how to use that?"

"Do you need to find out?"

"I saved you from the bastard. I don't want you dead, if anything my father's fixation on you keeps you in the Kingsguard longer. Besides, if I'm forced into marriage, I'd prefer it be you," his words shock me, so when he leaps forward hand on mine on the sword and then pins me against the wall. I gasp shocked again. "I'm not going to hurt you, as long as you keep my secret. Nod and I'll let you go," I nod despite myself, and he backs off, taking his sword with him. "What were you going to do stab me?"

"If I needed to."

"I'm wearing armor."

"There's nothing on your head."

He snorted, "alright then. Maybe we should spar sometime."

"So you can finish me off?"

"I didn't send that man, I don't know who did," he caresses my cheek and sends unreasonable shivers down my spine. "You did good today, you know," he says softly. I close my eyes liking the sound of his voice. "You would both have been dead by the time I showed up if you hadn't of thought to defend yourself."

"But Bran-," I say.

"Will be fine. I'm sure everyone is telling you that but it's true, and it wasn't your fault," he says pulling me in for a surprise hug. I stand there shocked breathing in his scent and feeling dizzy. I reciprocate the gesture fighting back tears. "You saved his life," he says rubbing cirlces on my back.

"Thank you," I say pulling back.

He reaches his hand back to my cheek and I fight myself to not lean into it this time. His thumb wipes away the tears from the corner of my eyes. "Are you sure you're a Stark?" he asks fingering my hair reminding me of the night when he'd given me his cloak. "You're hair makes you look like one."

"I'm not sure of anything. I need to get back," I say stepping back to walk away, trying to escape my feelings, but he catches my hand. I look down at his hand and I briefly see a stump in it's place. I blink it away. "What?" I say realizing he'd said something.

"You need to get some sleep, take a bath. You haven't properly cleaned yourself yet, there's still blood on you. You can see Bran again in the morning."

"Will you be fucking your sister again?" I ask pulling away sharply feeling sick and confused trying to get his stump out of my head.

He looks hurt again, "you can't help who you love," he says softly. I reach up feeling bad and push his hair out of his face, wanting to feel his skin again.

"Maybe we will spar," I say liking the feel of his skin under mine even more. I pull my hand away like he'd shocked me as I realize how much I was enjoying it. I abruptly turn and walk away clutching my hand.

"Go to bed!" he calls after me. Robb is waiting just inside the hall.

"What were you doing with the Kingslayer?"

"Talking about what happened," I let my hand fall. He holds out his arm and I take it. He leads me wordlessly up to my room.

"I'll have Maester Luwin check on you. You've had a rough day and should get some sleep. And take a bath," he adds.

"I should be-."

"Bran is going to be fine, thanks to you and the Kingslayer. I promise. Please." I sigh, but listen going into my room. I climb into a tub a serving girl had prepared for me and scrub the blood and filth that remained trying to pull my thoughts away from how it felt to touch and be touched by Jaime.

_You could marry him, all you have to do is say yes,_ a voice whispers in my ear and images of Jaime and I marrying flood my brain. "Gods," I breathe out, "I'm turning into fucking Sansa." I freeze as an image of her standing in front of a crowd of people fills my head. They are all staring down at her as if she has done something wrong and she looks absolutely terrified. She says something, and Arya starts screaming at her.

"Lya?" a hand touches my shoulder and I jump. I blink at Maester Luwin. "I came to check on you," my hands cover my breasts on instinct but he has already turned away giving me privacy. I get out and quickly wrap myself up. "Were you day dreaming?"

"Uhh, yes," I say not sure what to say.

"You must be exhausted. I know you're worried about Bran, but he should be fine."

"That's what everyone keeps saying," I say. "But I'm unscathed and he's been shot."

"You were lucky, he was a man, you were alone in the woods. He could have done far worse you know?" when I don't respond, he continues. "He could have killed Bran and then raped you, and left you for dead. I don't mean to scare you," he adds. "You're a woman you know of the dangers, yet here you are alive and well. Unharmed at his hand. Drink this," he says pushing a goblet into my hand. I take it and breathe in the smell before taking a drink. "It'll help you sleep. Someone will come right away if anything changes, I promise you," he says before I lie down still wet from the tub and he covers me.


	8. Chapter 8

**A/N: Here's the next chapter. I'm not really sure what happened but I updated this story like two days ago, and I got notified but it wasn't actually on the site, and now this chapter isn't showing up either! Grrr. If you're reading this it obviously eventually worked, so ignore my ramblings! I'm also, so sorry to those of you who read my other story To Stay or Not to Stay, I'm struggling with how I want to end it, and i keep rewriting the next chapter. I'll have it up soon though I promise.**

_I watch the molten gold cover the silver-haired male again as he screams silently in pain._

_I watch as the silver-haired girl drinks from the cup and then collapses choking to death._

_I see Bran wrapped in blankets, his eyes fly open._

_I watch as Ned kneels in front of a crowd, Sansa screaming in the background, and a sword comes down taking his head off._

I sit up breathing hard, a hand to my chest. Three deaths and Bran waking up. I shove those three away and focus on the glorious sight of Bran's eyes. I shove my covers off me, not caring as they fall to the floor, and get up dressing quickly. I hurry to Bran's room, and then wait outside pacing, eager for him to awaken.

"Good morning Lya," Ned says gravely. "Have you gone in yet?" I shake my head no. He puts a hand on my shoulder, and steers me in in front of him. He kisses Bran's forehead over my shoulder, and then moves to his wife who is shivering. I lean in and kiss his forehead, smoothing his hair back.

"You're going to wake up, I know you are. Now, c'mon wake up," I say softly. I kneel resting my hands on his bed, watching him expecting him to wake up. After a few moments, when Ned has left, I can't take it anymore. "C'mon, I know you can," I kiss his forehead again, and go back to my pacing the hall.

Robb comes up, and then walks wordlessly by me. I shiver at his anger but continue my pacing. I count to thirty going back and forth before Robb comes out. He closes the door behind him before facing me. "What are you doing?"

"Walking."

"Why?"

"Because I can't-."

"Are you standing vigil for his death or are you here to finish the job?" he hisses in my face completely catching me off guard. I blink slightly confused feeling tears rise.

"N-neither, what are you talking about?"

"Father told me that you're going back to that inn of yours. What have you decided we aren't a good enough family for you? You're going to kill Bran and then leave."

"What? No! Bran is just a child, I would never!"

"Get out of here!" he pushes me. "You are no sister of mine!" I turn and run, brushing past Theon as I go. I make it halfway through the courtyard when blinded by tears Jaime stops me.

"Let me go," I say desperately. He opens his mouth to say something and I haul back and punch him in the face. I stare at him as blood spurts out of his nose. I grab him suddenly and pull him into a hug. I feel his arms wrap around me, his hands at the small of my back, as I tighten my arms around his neck sobbing into his neck. I can feel his blood leaking onto me but I don't care I just cry.

Suddenly we're walking, he's pushing me backwards and I let him. Through my sobs i feel a growing awareness of our close proximity and my body sings with pleasure. The backs of my knees hit a stump. He sits me down kneeling in front of me. He reaches up and wipes my tears with his sleeve. "Tell me what's wrong," he says simply.

I look at him, and then nod gulping. "I'm sorry," I say tearing off a part of my dress and holding it up to his nose. He lets me.

"Some punch you have. Now, what's wrong," he says his serious voice turned comical by the muffling of my cloth.

"Robb is being a dick and I've been having these dreams."

"Nightmares about what happened?"

"No, they're different. I've had them since all this started," I motion to my hair which is now pure gold, matching his. I shake my head, "I've been seeing people die, people I don't even know."

"What do they look like?" I describe them. "They sound like Targaryens," he whispers. "There's two left, they are growing up but have been exiled since they were small. The boy is Viserys, and the girl Daenerys. Have you seen any others?"

"I um I saw Bran falling from a tower, that's why I was up there that day," I say blushing slightly. He brushes my hair behind my ear, causing me to blush even more. "I saw him looking like he does now, and now I've seen him wake up."

"Well that's a good one," he whispers his warm breath on my hand driving me crazy, making my heart beat erratically through my dress, I'm sure he would be able to at least hear it.

"Yes," I breathe. "Then there's Ned's death, by beheading."

"Ned is noble, I'm sure these are just fears you're having."

"I've had one about you."

"Oh really? You dream about me?"

I pull my hand away trying to hide how he's effecting me, and see that his nose has stopped bleeding. "Only a couple times. You're- someone cuts your hand off." he looks down at them, and I take his right hand, his sword hand into mine.

"I assure you, no one can beat me, I'm the best. No one will get close enough to cut my hand off, let alone through my defenses to cut me. We should spar," he pulls me up, and leads me through the courtyard where there is a circle set up for fencing, and two tourney swords. He puts simple leather armor over my dress, tightening, and the gasp has nothing to do with the tightness.

I push down my body's pleasure of his hands at my hip. "You aren't wearing armor," I say noticing he isn't even wearing his Kingsguard armor, nor leather.

"You won't land a hit, and I have the morning off," he says simply confidence laced in his voice. I roll my eyes. He picks up his tourney sword and I mine. I settle into a stance. "Good," he praises me, settling into his own. We trade blows neither of us hitting each other until I realize Jaime's not even trying, he's playing with me.

It angers me, so I try harder, my blows becoming harder, and more frequent. "Try harder."

"Don't let your anger show," he says knocking my feet out from under me. I scramble to my feet holding my sword up, my arm getting tired. "Use it to give you strength," I strike, and he parries all of my hits as if he's swatting at flies.

Rickon comes out of nowhere and jumps on his back. "I got you!" he yells holding a butter knife to Jaime's throat. He puts his hands up dropping the sword.

"This is trickery!" he says, dropping to his knees.

"Starks win!" Rickon proclaims, dropping his hold, and sliding to the ground.

"I never yielded little man!" Jaime says turning and pouncing on him tickling him. I laugh along with the two of them as Jaime plays with him, something I never expected to see. I bring my sword up, and hold it against the back of his neck. He freezes Rickon under him gasping for air.

"Yield," I say.

"I never thought I'd see the day, Jaime bested by a little girl."

"Your Grace," I say dropping the sword and curtsying.

"You let your guard down," Jaime says knocking my feet from under me again. He has the butter knife to my throat, and his body is above mine. One hand placed close to my head, his leg between mine, and he's grinning.

"And you yours," I say slightly heady, and panicky, as I bring my knee up to between his legs. He collapses down onto me, and I gasp at his weight. I push myself up and stand. Remembering myself, I brush the dirt off of me, and turn to the Queen.

"Don't you know what proper Ladylike qualities are?" she asks me as Jaime continues to roll on the ground.

"I-," I start.

"I suppose growing up in an inn, you wouldn't. Your behavior is therefore excused," Ned comes up next to me.

"Your Grace," he says bowing. "I would like a word with my daughter if I may?"

"Oh absolutely. You must teach her more womanly qualities, my father would not be pleased to hear that his son's betrothed behaves like a common urchin boy."

"She, nor I, have accepted his offer Your Grace," he says bowing slightly. I curtsy, and he takes my hand leading me away from the area. We walk around until we have gotten a safe distance away. "So," he says.

"So," I repeat.

"Fighting with Jaime Lannister?"

"He um- we got into an argument, and then today we-."  
"It's alright. I'm proud of you. Obviously, you just beat the Kingslayer."

"It was a low move, and I had help."

"Ahh little Rickon. He's doing well. It'll be good for him to have you here in our absence."

I nod looking down, "we will all miss you."

He reaches up and touches my cheek, the same spot that would have made me blush if Jaime were in his place, "I'm just sad that I have to leave you so soon after finding you." I nod not knowing what to say. "Despite, all this," his finger brushes close to my eye, "you can still tell you're a Stark."

"Jaime says it looks like a Targaryen and a Lannister had a child together."

"You will always be a Stark," he says softly. "You came here with my hair, and your mother's eyes, I don't know what's happening to you, but whatever it is, I hope it's a good thing."

"When do we leave for the inn?"

"About a week. I hope Bran wakes up before then."

"I know he will wake up," I say seeing the grief in his eyes. "I just know he will."

"Me two, he's a Stark," he lets his hand drop. "You can go on. Stay out of the Queen's way," he adds.

I snort, "you're telling me."

"Oh, and Robb is looking for you," my face falls. "He looks upset." I nod and turn away. "I'd check by your room."

I listen going back the way we'd came passing Queen Cersei giving Jaime shit. He glances my way and makes a face. I stifle my laughter as she raises her voice to him. I turn my attention back to finding Robb, and see he's standing outside my door talking to it. "Hey," I say. He turns around.

"Oh, you weren't in there ignoring me," he says blushing.

"No, I wasn't."

"What happened? You're covered in dirt."

"I was playing with Rickon, I'm sure he feels left out and confused with all the attention Bran is getting," I move by him opening my door. "It was unlocked, why didn't you just come in?"

"I didn't want to upset you more. I came to apologize again. I've been such a shitty brother to you."

"Yes you have, accusing a man you've never met of unspeakable things, and now accusing me of attempting to murder a child, my brother at that."

"I'm sorry, I get angry, and I just-."

"I might have been raised a commoner Robb but I know what it's like to feel grief. I know you feel guilty about Bran, and none of us should," I say half believing it. "It was none of our faults. We should only focus on Bran waking up now."

Someone clears their throat, I turn to look. "Your Grace," Robb says bowing. I curtsy and murmur the words.

"I would like to speak with your sister alone," she says.

"Of course," he bows before leaving.

"Robb," I say when he's at the door. "You're my brother I suppose, doesn't that mean I have to forgive you?"

He grins, "yes, I suppose it does."

"Close the door, Lord Robert."

He nods at her, and closes the door. "Would you like to sit Your Grace?" I ask motioning to a chair.

"No, I'm quite fine. I see you've become quite acquainted with my brother."

"Um, we aren't really friends if that's what you're asking. It was just a way to get my anger out."

"You need to find other ways to get your anger out. You are a woman of higher status now, and shouldn't be mucking around with a sword in the mud with a man twice your age."

"What do you suggest Your Grace?" I ask politely.

"Sewing is a good habit to pick up."

"I do some already Your Grace."

"You're missing the point. Your mother isn't here to say it so I will. Start acting like a Lady, the Lady that you were born to be, or you will get yourself into trouble."

"My Mother," I say trying out the word for the first time, "is dealing with something a little more important; like the life of one of her children. I'm sure you would understand if Prince Joffrey's life to be in danger, you wouldn't care how Princess Myrcella behaved."

"That's a lie," she says coldly. "Myrcella knows her place, and how to act like the proper princess that she is," we lapse into silence. "I hear you're travelling to Kings Landing with us."

"Only a part of the way."

"Stay away from Jaime," she says abruptly turning and leaving the room.


	9. Chapter 9

"How have you been?" Robb asks sitting next to me. The last few days he has been trying to be as nice as possible.

"Fine," I say. I nudge my plate over and he pulls some bread off of it.

"I don't like him," Robb says looking up as Jaime comes walking in.

"He's alright," I say.

"That's because you're a girl," he grumbles. "The famous Knight, the Kingslayer, Jaime Lannister, the golden haired perfect-," he ends with a little grunt.

I laugh, "are you impressed Robb?"

"Good morning My Lady," Jaime says nodding his head to me. "Lord Robb," he reaches over my shoulder and picks up a piece of bread. "I noticed you did not meet me to spar yesterday, or the day before."

"I-."  
"Would you like to go for a ride with me?" I look and see the Queen's gaze on me. "Ahh, my sweet sister. Ignore her. Are you done eating?" I look at Robb who looks stony.

"Yes, Ser Jaime."

"Just Jaime. Good, come," he holds out his arm. I lean in and kiss Robb's cheek.

"I'll be back later," I get up and take Jaime's arm.

"I think you've been avoiding me."

"Perceptive one here."

"What's wrong?" we walk out into the sunlight.

"I am a Lady now, I am to act as a proper Lady."

"According to my sister I presume?" he helps me up onto my horse, his hands on my hips, and I don't have it in me to tell him that I don't actually need his aid. I like the feel of his touch too much to care.

"I think she's jealous," I say once we are beyond the gate. "You're sister."

"Aye, she is the type. But what does she have to be jealous of?" I blush deeply. "Well, I suppose it's those unlady-like qualities she wishes you to drop. She'd still run around in boy's clothes if she could."

"But she's the Queen."

"Which is why she does not."

"You're sister, the cross dresser?"

"She's always wanted to have power. She has it now."

"What do you see in her?"  
"She's-."  
"It's OK. I don't think I actually want to know."

"Do you pray to these?" he asks as we stop in front of a Godswood tree.

"No, Ned does." I slide down and he does two.

"Yes, the Old Gods. They sure are creepy looking," he says examining the face of the tree.

"This is where it happened."

"What happened?" he turns to look at me. I motion to my hair and eyes. He steps away from the tree slightly.

"In that little pool over there," I motion to it. He goes over to it and I follow him. He dips a hand in, and then starts unlacing his boots. "What are you doing?"

"Join me."

"Join you?"

"The water is warm. We'll only put our feet in," he yanks his boots off. "Come on," he says pulling me down. I hesitantly touch the water with my fingertips and see it is a comfortable temperature.

"It wasn't warm, when I went in, I mean."

"I bet it's me," he says reaching for my feet and pulling my shoes off. "Come on," he repeats he pulls me to the edge and pushes my feet in putting his in next to mine.

"Oh I'm sure it is," I say. He reaches down suddenly and splashes me. I let out a little shriek and then splash him back. We splash each other scooting farther into the water until suddenly he pushes me in. I come up spluttering for air. "Asshole!" I exclaim. I reach up and grab the front of his shirt and drag him in with me. He dunks me under with him. We continue our water fight, and he easily overpowers me to dunk me back under. I swim under him and yank on his ankles dragging him under. I swim back up and manage a breath before he pulls me under with him. I push myself away from him, but he holds on tighter.

He swims back up, and holds me in the water. It feels nice sucking in air laughing as he supports the both of us. I blink the water out of my eyes, and he suddenly lets me go. I catch a glimpse of a blush before he's dunking me again. I come up choking, doing an awful job at keeping my head above water. He grabs me again and pulls me to the side. He drags himself out and then me out onto a rock, where we sit in silence, him pounding on my back, until I stop choking. "Sorry about that."

"It's OK," I say. "This was fun," I blink the water out of my eyes. He reaches up and brushes the water away, pointlessly with his wet hand. He keeps his hand on my cheek and he's leaning in. I feel my breath catch in shock and disbelief when I realize he's going to kiss me. His lips land on mine, and I just sit there staring at his closed eyes. His hand tightens slightly on my cheek, his other hand snaking around to my back pulling me closer to him. I still haven't responded, and he turns his head slightly to the side. His hand remains on my back, and I feel his fingers tense. Finally my brain manages to make me move my lips against his. Tasting a slight hint of bread. I suck in air as he pulls back. He pulls his hands off of me, and pulls farther away from me falling backwards into the water.

I don't move just blush and blink at the spot in the air that he had just occupied. I hear him surface, and then he gets out of the water his clothes clinging to his body, and I turn my face away seeing his arousal. "I'm sorry," he says spitting water out. He shifts so I can't see it anymore. "That was- not right of me," he walks by me stiffly, and I turn to watch him. I can't process but I blush watching the way his clothes cling to his butt as he walks away from me. "Are you just going to sit there?" he asks turning to me. I duck my head embarrassed that he had caught me staring. I slide down off the rock and approach him. "I got a letter for you from my father," he holds out paper. I still can't make my brain work to respond so I take the paper, and climb up on my horse. He leads the way back and though he tries to joke with me I can't.

Back at Winterfell I slide off of Silver handing her over to the stable hands, and walk up to my room in anger. Sansa is waiting for me to help me pack. "Why are you so wet?"

I look down at my dress that is sticking to my body. "I went for a swim." I lead her in and change into something dry. I let her chatter fill my head with her nonsense of Joffrey and how excited she is to marry him while we pack. "I wonder if he's a good kisser," her words break through to me.

"I- I'm sure he is. Um can I have some alone time?"

"Oh, of course. I'm going to go check on Bran," she gets up and leaves. I lock the door and lean my head against it.

_Why did you let him kiss you? How could you be so stupid as to kiss him back? You saw him with his sister! _

"He started it," I mutter to myself. "He was the one who was touching me," I kick the bed angrily. I immediately regret it lifting my foot to massage my toe, as tears start down my face.

_But you liked it. You wanted him to kiss you._ The voice says in my ear.

"Shut up," I hiss putting my foot down and stubbornly ignoring the pain, wiping at the tears. "I'm going to go and confront him about his actions," I announce to the empty room. I look around as if waiting for an answer and then march out. I get a few steps before returning to my room and pulling on my boots, wincing slightly at the pain in my toe. I walk back out of my room trying to hide my limp, as the weight on my toe kills.

"Lya, have you finished packing?" Ned asks coming around the corner. "Are you OK?" he uses his thumb to wipe away my tears. The action reminds me so much of Jaime's, and I pull away.

"I'm fine, I just stubbed my toe."

"Ser Jaime told me that you received a letter from Lord Tywin. What did he want?"

"I don't know," I turn back and lead him into my room. "I've been busy packing I forgot about it," I start for the table I had tossed it on.

"So you're done packing?"  
"Yes, Sansa helped me greatly."

"Good. Now the letter?" I hold it up, and read it over. I wipe a stray tear from my face.

"Dear Lady Lya Stark," I begin to read out loud. "I have heard of your, as well as your father's, answers to my proposal of a betrothal to my son Jaime Lannister. The offer still stands, and I will be considering it a half-betrothal. When you change your mind and say yes, you will be married. Sincerely Lord Tywin," I crumple the letter in anger and throw it as hard as I can. "I'm not fucking marrying him," I move past Ned.

"I won't make you if you don't want to."

"Good." I leave my room, ignoring my throbbing toe.

"Where are you going?"

"To tell Jaime he can shove it up his ass."

"Lady Lya!" my eyes widen as Queen Cersei rounds the corner much to my dismay.

"Your Grace," I curtsy.

"You are to address my brother with his proper title, he has earned it, and you will speak with a proper tongue. You are a Lady after all," she smiles slightly.

"Oh let the girl be," King Robert says coming around the corner. "What makes you speak in such a way, child?"

Ned puts a hand on my shoulder, "Lord Tywin is going ahead with the betrothal anyway. Despite every party except his own's disapproval."

"Yes, well my father always has been willful," Cersei says. "However, my brother is a Kingsguard men, and those vows are for life. His efforts are in vain," her eyes fall on me, and I force myself not to shrink from the hate in her gaze.

"Silence woman," King Robert says as I wonder if she knows. "Without your consent Lord Tywin can't do anything. It will be fine. I came to talk to you anyway Ned, come."

He nods, "I'll see you tonight Lya." I nod at him as he turns to go.

"Your Grace," I curtsy to Queen Cersei and skirt by her. I hear her footsteps following me, and I force myself to walk normally, when in reality I am freaking out. I walk out into the cool afternoon air, and blink at the sudden brightness of the sun. I spy Arya working on her archery, and Jaime is sitting on a nearby stump with a tourney sword. I take a deep breath and start towards him.

"I thought I told you to stay away from him," the Queen's voice stops me.

"I'm going to see Arya, she's my sister, and I have that right," I say silently begging the Gods to let her leave me alone. I turn away and start back walking towards both of them. I pass by Jaime without a word, and lean against a post watching Arya practice.  
"Does your mother permit this?" Queen Cersei says.

Arya lets an arrow loose, and then turns towards her. "She's not here is she?"

"You are a Lady. The both of you, yet all I've seen out of the lot of you is a bunch of boy-child behavior. The only one out of any of you who seems to even have a copper's sense of Lady-like behavior is my dear Joffrey. I suppose it's a good thing that he's marrying her and not one of you. I don't want either one of you near my children, you will have a bad influence on them."

"Yes Your Grace," I say.

"Good. Stay away from my entire family," her green eyes flash with an unknown emotion before she turns and leaves, her long curly hair, the exact same shade as Jaime's as well as her children. I realize that they all have the same green eyes. Jaime and Cersei are twins, but all three of her children, had not a trace of King Robert in them.

**A/N: So I'm sorry once again that I have not yet updated my other story, I am working on it and the next chapter is almost ready. I hope, so far I'm happy with how it's going. Anyway the next chapter will be going back into more of what actually happens in the events of Game of Thrones. I hope you're enjoying the story so far, let me know!**


	10. Chapter 10

"Are you ready to go Lya?"

"Yes, I just need to go say goodbye to Catelyn and Bran."

"Do it quick and then come back, I need to have a word with you."

"Yes, Ned," I say. I make my way up to Bran's room, Jon shoves past me on his way out. I shrug it off and enter the room. Catelyn is making another dream catcher for Bran. "Hey there," I say softly. "I know you're going to wake up soon, I should be back soon as well, but I want you to be awake for me," I kiss his forehead.

"You're going?" Catelyn asks.

"Yes. Just to the inn, and then I'll be back."

"I can't believe it."  
"What?"

"You just got here, and you're leaving again, to go back to that place."

"Just to look. I need to find some things out."

"I knew you wouldn't like it here."

"Catelyn, of course I like it here."

"You were gone for too long."

"Mom," I say I make my way around to her. Using her proper title for what she is to me, feels odd at first but I shrug it off. She looks up at me from her spot on her chair, I gently caress her cheek as a tear starts down it. "You need to be here for Bran now. I will be back, I promise you that," I lean in and kiss her before turning to leave.

I return to my room where Ned is sitting waiting, something long is wrapped in a cloth next to him. "Catelyn seems off," I say. "She was angry that I was leaving."

"She's just worried that she's going to lose you forever. She will be fine, don't worry about it right now. I will go and see her shortly. I have something for you."

"What is it?"

"You did such an excellent job protecting yourself and Bran from the assassin, and I've seen you sparring with Jaime. I realize that people won't always be around to protect you, and you should be able to protect yourself should the need arise. I hope that won't happen, but it's best if you would be able to," he picks up the parcel. "I had it forged for you," he holds it out. I unwrap it, and gasp seeing a sword.

"It's real?"

"Of course it is. Tourney swords won't last long against live steel. Go on, take it out," I unsheathe it and examine it. "It's not Valyrian steel, but it is sharp," I touch the end and gasp, sucking on my finger, tasting the iron of my blood. It has a wolf on the hilt, and an intricate pattern on the blade. Looking closer it says a word, that I struggle to make out.

"Winter is Coming?" I finally say angling it in just the right way.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, thank you so much," I put it back in it's sheath and put it down before hugging him.

"Feel free to carry it around with you," he says pulling away. He wraps a belt around my waist and puts the sheath on it. "Go on, pull it out again," he says. I unsheath it and eye it again. "I should go see Catelyn, and no showing off."

"Thank you!" I call after him. I make my way out to the hall and practically run into Jon again.

"Hey there, Big Sister."

"Hi. I seem to be running into you all over the place."

"Yes, you do."

"Sorry about earlier."

"it's fine, really. I understand this is all exciting and sad saying good bye to everyone. I hear your going to take the Black?"

"Yes, I am."

"I'm sure you'll do well there."

"Thank you," we lapse into awkward silence. "I see you have a sword."

"Yes," my hand goes to the hilt. I smile at him giddily. "It was a present from Ned."

"Excellent."

Arya's door opens and she comes running out, right into me, "sorry!" she says hurrying past me carrying one of her trunks. She turns around taking in my sword. "How come you've got a sword?"

"Ned gave it to me, so that I could protect myself if needed."

"I can help!"

"Aye, yes you can," Jon says looking amused.

She nods, and runs off, "we should probably join her," I say, to fill the silence she left behind.

Once outside I find myself looking for Jaime, before remembering that I still hadn't spoken to him since the day before in the Godswood. His sister had put a stop to it, and not seeing him anywhere in the courtyard, I find myself next to Sansa who is again speaking of her betrothal to Joffrey. I listen to her for as long as I can bear, avoiding her dirty looks at my sword, and finally walk away to mount Silver.

We leave not long after, the wheelhouse with the Queen and her children plus Sansa stays closer to the front behind the Kingsguard and the King who is riding. Ned takes a place next to him, leaving Arya who managed to convince someone she was allowed to ride and me to wander amongst everyone else.

As the day goes on I have to reprimand myself everytime my eyes go searching the crowd for Jaime's hair. I spot him amongst his Kingsguard and I allow myself to fall farther behind. I mostly listen to stories told by the sellswords, and songs from the singers.

I reach up my back and start to unlace my dress with difficulty. I still wasn't comfortable allowing servants to help me. "Hey," I start hearing Jaime's voice. "Here let me help you."

"You can't just come in here," I say I sit up straighter as his cool hands touch my bare back. "I don't need your help. Jaime this is improper."

"I want to talk to you."

"Well, I don't. I'm tired and I'm trying to get ready for bed," I gasp as his fingers brush my skin as he continues to undo my laces. "Jaime stop."

"Then talk to me."  
"Not now, I'm not dressed!"

"Then meet me outside," he turns and ducks out of my tent. I sigh and lace my dress up again, getting up and going out to the outside.

"Don't you have someone important to be guarding?"

"He's out fucking some whore," he says as we walk a ways from the encampment.

"Then why aren't you fucking Her?"

He grabs my arm tightly. "Don't," he warns. "You can't help who you fall in love with," he lets me go, and I rub my arm. "Why have you been avoiding me?"

"I haven't."

"Oh really? What's bothering you?" I look up and I can tell he knows what it is.

"You're really going to make me say it?"

"Was it your first?" he asks.

"Oh, no it wasn't. I've kissed lots of people," I fold my arms across my chest. "I go around kissing everybody. I even give them a flash of my tits."  
He sighs looking down. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I- I don't know what I was thinking. I know I shouldn't have. I mean it was nice, not that I thought it would be bad. I wasn't expecting that, I don't know what I was expecting but-."

"Stop talking about it."

"Sorry," he says and I see a hint of a blush on his cheeks. "Can we forget it ever happened? And go back to being friends?"

"Do you want to see my sword?"

"That better not be an innuendo for something completely different," he says eyeing my crotch.

An innu- what? I don't even know what that is."

"Where's your sword."  
"You'll just have to be good, and not come in my tent again, promise to spar with me everyday for the rest of my stay with the group, and then I'll show it to you."

He rolls his eyes, "alright, I'll spar with you." I look at him. "And won't go into your tent without your permission and I'll be good. I'm not a child you know?"

"Yes, but we need rules. What if I had been even more undressed? Or someone walked in?"

"We are half-betrothed," he says. I slap him and turn walking away. "I'll fetch you tomorrow when we can spar!" he calls after me.


	11. Chapter 11

_Prince Joffrey and Arya are arguing. Arya hits him, and he tries to hit her with his sword. She trips over her feet and he holds his sword to her chest, plunging it in, just as Nymeria jumps out to attack him. _

I sit up breathing hard. "Are you OK?" Ned asks standing by the flap. I nod drawing my knees up to my chest.

"Just a- just a bad dream."

"We're getting ready to move out. You want to talk about it?" I shake my head no. "Alright, you can talk to me though you know that?" I nod. "Get dressed, and then come out and eat something," he says moving out of the tent. I relax slightly leaning my head back. Why would the Prince kill Arya? They're just children the both of them.

"M'Lady," a girl comes in curtsying. "I'm here to help you dress."

"I don't need any help," I say throwing the blankets off. I scoot out of bed and stand. She helps anyway pulling my dress over my head and she laces up the back of it.

Someone clears their throat. It's Jaime. "May I come in?" I roll my eyes.

"Yes."

"Leave us," he says to the girl.

"Yes Ser Jaime," she says blushing and curtsying. She hurries out.

"What do you want?" I ask reaching up behind my back to finish lacing my dress. He swats my hands away. "You can't keep doing this," I say as he starts to lace my dress.

"You don't look like you slept well."

"I had the dreams again."

"Any new ones?"

"Yes."

"And?" I straighten as his finger grazes my back.

I pull away slightly. "Joffrey kills Arya."

"Well, I really don't see that happening. Really," he tugs the laces a little pulling me back against him. I look up at him, "he can be mean, but he wouldn't kill someone. Especially his future sister-in-law."

I pull away yet again, and stand up. "What do you want?" I ask facing him. I reach up and start braiding my hair to the side.

"I thought we could spar at the inn later. Of course after you explore and stuff, but I'm sure we can find a nice spot."

"OK," I say smiling slightly.

"That's better. How about you go in the wheelhouse? You could catch a nap."

"And be locked in with your sister? No thank you," he laughs.

"Suit yourself. I'll come get you this afternoon?"

"Sure," I say. He leaves and I let my breath out sitting down. My skin tingles where he had touched it. I get up and walk out right into Jaime's back. "Ughh, sorry," I say.

"Not a problem, see you around," he smiles slightly and walks away.

"It's fine Ned," I say seeing him next to me. "We were just talking."

"I just don't want him to hurt you."

"He wouldn't do that."

"Are you rethinking the marriage proposal?"

"No, Ned of course not. I'm going to go home tomorrow, and then I'll hopefully never see him again."

"I don't think you like that idea," I roll my eyes. "Go on and get some breakfast. We'll be at the inn by noon."

"Thank you," I say walking over towards the cooks fire.

We arrived at the inn shortly after noon, to find it had been taken over by a man and his wife. There was nothing left from my childhood there, and they couldn't tell me anything. I sit on my bed that I would be sharing with Arya and Sansa both that night, closing my eyes. Sansa comes in briefly and grabs Lady's leash. She smiles at me briefly.

"Where you going?"

"For a walk," she says.

"Hoping to see Prince Joffrey?"

She blushes, "maybe."

"Well, just leave Arya alone. She's sick of hearing it, OK?"

She nods, and then leaves. "Excuse me, Ser," she says, as Jaime sticks his head in the room.

"Hi," he says. "Did you find anything?"

"No," I mutter. "You ready to spar?"

"Yes."

"Does your sister know?"

"I don't care. She can't actually hurt you for hanging out with your half-betrothed."

"You like that too much." I get up and follow him out the door. We walk through our encampment outside the inn and come to a river.

"So, who gave you your new sword?"

"Ned," we stop where he had already brought tourney swords.

"Let me see," I pull it out and hand it to him. "Nice," he says examining it. "It's kind of light," I roll my eyes. "Of course you are a girl."

"Asshole. I like it."

"Me two," he says handing it back. I unbuckle my sword belt and put it to the side. He puts the leathers on me, and then we pick up our blunted swords that will hurt like hell, but won't actually cut us. We trade hits, more like he lazily blocks all of mine, and whacks me occasionally until I'm bruised and sweaty.

We pause for a break when noises come our way. "Someone else is sparring," I say.

"Let's go see," he says holding out his arm. I look away as I take it so he can't see me blush. As we get nearer voices shouting start to float over.

"Stop it!" I hear Arya.

"Arya, stay out of this," comes Sansa's voice. I pull away from Jaime and run towards them. There's more shouting and then a cry of pain. Just as I come over a hill to see them Joffrey knocks Arya over.

"Joffrey!" I yell getting his attention. Nymeria jumps out of nowhere and latches onto his arm. I run down to them, tripping slightly, but by then Nymeria has let go. Arya has thrown his sword into the river, and ran off.

"Sansa, go get someone," I hear Jaime, as I run after Arya.

I catch up to her as she hides behind a tree. She lets out a yell swinging a branch. I duck and then pull it out of her hands. "It's OK," I say pulling her in for a hug. She holds on tightly. "It's OK, we'll figure this out." I hear footsteps behind us. I push her back and turn drawing my sword to see Jaime.

Nymeria growls at him, as he draws his sword two. "You can't beat me," he says.

"As long as they get away."

"I'm not here to hurt you. Either of you," he adds. "Joffrey's a prick, and he deserved it. But you can't just run away."

"He was going to kill her. You know that."

"Yes, but they won't. They're going to want to kill Nymeria, and punish Arya. She did hit him."

"Because he was hurting my friend!" she says indignantly.

"You can't let them kill Nymeria," I say.

"There's nothing I can do about it, but if they can't find her…"

"No!" Arya says. "I can't just let her go."

"Put your sword away," he sheaths it and I do the same. I turn to Arya kneeling. "Do you want her to live?" she nods, tears in her eyes. I wipe them away. "You did a great job defending your friend, you know that?" she nods again. "Nymeria will be punished for it and that isn't fair to either of you. You have to let her go. Just think about how she'll live. She'll always remember you though, you know that?" she nods and pulls Nymeria in for a hug. She pushes her away.

"Go! Go now!" Nymeria bounds away but stops looking at us. "Get out of here!" Arya yells at her. She throws a rock at her and Nymeria disappears into the trees. "She's gone," Arya says sobbing. I pull her into a hug rubbing her back.

"I know, I know," I say softly.

"We should get back," Jaime says.

I stand in the middle of the room, holding Arya's hand glaring at the royal family. Jaime was standing outside on guard, having been ordered there by Robert. "Where is Ned?" I demand again.

"Looking for you two."

"He needs to know where we are. He is our Father," I say feeling the odd words in my mouth. Someone pushes through the crowd and I turn to see him. Arya hugs him tightly.

"Why weren't they brought to me? I am their father!"

"I never meant to scare the girls, either of them. But we need to get this done quickly," King Robert says.

"Your girl and that butcher's boy attacked my son. That animal of hers nearly tore his arm off," Cersei says.

"That's not true!" Arya yells. "She just bit him.. a little. He was hurting Micah."

"Joff told us what happened. You and that boy beat him with clubs while you set your wolf on him."

"That's not what happened!" Arya yells again.

"Yes it is!" Joffrey says. "They attacked me and she threw my sword in the river."

"Aye, she did that," I say. "But there were no clubs, no one attacked the Prince," I say. "He-."

"She wasn't there!" Joffrey yells.

"Enough!" King Robert says. "What did you see?"

"I saw Joffrey knock Arya over and hold his sword to her chest. I got his attention, and Nymeria protected Arya from him. She threw his sword into the river and ran off."

"She's lying!" Joffrey yells again.

"Shut up!" King Robert says to him. "They all tell me different stories, seven hells what am I to make of this? Where's your other daughter Ned?" I look to him, not having thought about Sansa at all.

"In bed asleep."

"She's not," Cersei says. "Sansa, come here darling," she looks to the crowd. Sansa comes forward looking scared.

"Now child," the king says pointing in front of him. She approaches him even more. "Tell me what happened?" she looks down seeming to think for a moment.

"I don't know, I don't remember, everything happened so fast. I didn't see."

"Liar!" Arya yells, launching herself at Sansa. She yanks on her hair. "Liar! Liar! Liar!" she yells as Ned pulls her off and pushes her into my arms.

"She's as wild as that animal," Cersei says. "I want her punished."

"What would you have me do? Whip her through the streets? Damn it children fight. It's over." King Robert says.

"Joffrey will bear these scars for the rest of his life."

"You let that little girl disarm you?" Robert says getting up. "Ned see that your daughter is disciplined and I'll do the same."

"What of the direwolf? What of the beast that savaged your son?"

"She's not here," I say tightening my hold on Arya. "We tried to get her but she ran off."

"There's another," Cersei says.

"Ser Ilyn," he nods. "Get your daughter a dog, she'll be happier for it."

"He can't mean Lady? No. She didn't do anything! I hate you!" Sansa says grabbing for Arya. I push them apart.

"Stop it!"

"Lady wasn't there!" Arya yells. "She didn't do anything!"

"Where's your wolf! Give them your wolf!" Sansa yells clawing at Arya. I let go of Arya and grab Sansa pushing her away. I walk her backwards out of the room as Ned asks Jory to escort us to our room, and says he'll do it himself. "No!" Sansa screams. "No!" We're outside now and I pull her into a hug. Jory stands by us, holding onto Arya.

"C'mon," I say.

"Lya," Jaime says from behind me. "Come with me," I look at Jory who nods.

"I'll take care of them."

"It'll be OK," I say looking at both of them. "There's nothing we can do now. Go on to bed, I'll be there soon," they walk away Jory hugging both of them.

"Hurry," Jaime says taking my hand and pulling me away. He leads me past a few tents, and then stops. The Hound walks past.

"That's Micah. You killed him!" I say.

"He ran, I got him," he says continuing on by.

"C'mon," Jaime says pressing a rope into my hands. I look down and see Lady. He drags me to the woods quickly as we pass no one. "If they ask, I was comforting you. It's been a long day," he says.

"Go Lady," I hiss pushing her away. "Go!" she listens better than Nymeria did, but she looks back. I hold back tears as I throw a rock at her, mimicking Arya. "They'll blame someone," I say standing looking at him. He pulls me into a hug and I melt hugging him back tightly. He rubs my back gently and I relax burying my face in his uncomfortable armor.

"I left a rope with tooth marks, it'll look like she ran off herself. I was on guard and I didn't see anyone."

"Thank you," I say standing and looking at him. He wipes the tears from my eyes. "And, I'm sorry for earlier."

"I wouldn't hurt you, ever," he whispers. "I wanted to make sure you were all OK."

"What if we hadn't been there? What if he had killed her?"

"Let's not dwell on that," he says hugging me again. He kisses the top of my head. "Are you still going home tomorrow?"

"I don't know, probably."

"I'll escort you back to your room," he says a hand around my waist holding me to his side as we walk back towards the inn.


	12. Chapter 12

**A/N: Instead of doing my homework I wrote this. I'm still going on the next chapter, so I'll probably have that up before the day is over. Enjoy!**

"Have you heard anything about Lady?" Sansa looks up as Ned sits next to me.

"No, why?"

"She got away somehow."

"You mean she's not dead?" Sansa asks hopefully.

"Clearly not," Arya says.

"I wasn't talking to you," Sansa says.

"It's not my fault your boyfriend is a-."

"Arya be quiet!" I say. I get up and move her so she is sitting next to Ned and I. "Sansa, how about you go sit closer to Princess Myrcella," she continues to glare as she relocates.

"I think you should keep going South with us," Ned says as we start eating breakfast.

"What about Catelyn?"

"She will be OK. Bran will wake up and everything will be fine. You don't have to stay down there with us, as soon as I find you a proper escort I could send you back to Winterfell."

"OK," I say. "I will continue to accompany you." We leave not long after and several days later we are finally riding into Kings Landing.

Ned, Jory, and I are all close together on our horses while Sansa and Arya are sitting peacefully next to each other on a cart with their Septa. It is the first time since the incident with Prince Joffrey that they are not arguing or glaring at each other. They take in the people in awed silence. It is the first time they've really seen what poverty looks like, and they seem horrified by the state of the people. It doesn't phase me anymore.

Their gazes quickly turn to the buildings taking in the architecture and beauty of the Red Keep. "Welcome Lord Stark," a man says as we come to a stop. Ned gets down, and then turns offering me his hand. I take it and he helps me down. "Grand Maester Pycelle has called a meeting of the Small Council. The honor of your presence is requested."

"We just got here," I say.

"It's fine," he says to me. He looks back at Septa Mordane. "Get the girls settled in, I'll be back in time for supper. And Jory go with them."

"Yes, My Lord," I turn away to go to the cart the girls are on.

"Would you like to see the Throne Room?" Jaime asks coming up in front of me. He's dressed in his Kingsguard stuff again and I blush. He pretends not to notice.

"I would like that." I look towards Ned, but he is still talking. I shrug, "let's go," I hold out my arm and he takes it. He leads me past Ned and the messenger, and through gates that are opened by men wearing gold cloaks. They close behind us.

"They are part of the City Watch," he says. "They are supposed to keep the city safe."

"Like the Nights Watch?"

"Yes, but with less criminals."

"Jon's not a criminal," I say.

"Yes, but most of them are," we walk through the last gate into a high ceilinged room with painted glass windows and steps that lead up to the most uncomfortable looking chair.

"Have you ever sat on it?" I ask as we mount the steps. I take in the pillars with fake vines twining around them.

"Once. I didn't like it," I eye him as he becomes curt with me. "It's not comfortable, not to my liking. I prefer my spot where it is. Here, sit," he sits on the steps and I do the same smoothing my dress out. He cleans his helmet while we wait. Ned walks in after a few moments and Jaime gets up. "Thank the Gods you're here Stark. It's time we had some strong Northern leadership." I stand surprised at the tension in the room.

"Glad to see you're protecting the throne."

"Sturdy old thing."

"I thought I told you to get settled in," Ned says looking past him to me.

"I was just-. I-."

"I was showing her this room," Jaime says. "So much has happened here. How many Kings asses have polished it I wonder. And what's the line? The King shits and the Hand wipes."

I clear my throat in an effort to remind them I was here, and starting to feel very uncomfortable. "Very handsome armor. Not a scratch on it," Ned says to him.

"I know," Jaime says cockily. "People have been swinging at me for years, but they always seem to miss."

"You've chosen your opponents wisely then."

"I have a knack for it," they look each other over and I can sense the dislike between the two. "Must be strange for you. Coming into this room. I was standing right here when Brandon… He was very brave your brother. And your father two. They didn't deserve to die like that," I can hear that Jaime's actually being sincere with him. "Nobody deserves to die like that," he says shaking his head slightly.

"But you just stood there and watched," Ned says and I can see the anger that he's trying to hide.

"Five hundred men just stood there and watched," Jaime replies. I try to imagine that many people in this room watching these two unknown people to me die. "All the great knights of the seven kingdoms. You think anyone so much as said a word? Lifted a finger? No Lord Stark. Five hundred men and this room was silent as a crypt, except for the screams of course," he adds and I close my eyes wincing at the images. "And the Mad King laughing. And later when I watched the Mad King die I remembered him laughing as your father burned. It felt like Justice."

Ned eyes him still angry, and disgusted. "Is that what you tell yourself at night? You're a servant of justice? That you were avenging my father when you shoved your sword into Aerys Targaryen's back?"

"Tell me if I stabbed the Mad King in the belly instead of the back would you admire me more?"

Ned blinks, "you served him well, when serving was safe."

Jaime looks like he's going to retort so I step in clearing my throat yet again. "Ned, don't you have a meeting?" I ask putting a hand on his shoulder. He looks at me nods, and then walks by us. Jaime turns and watches him go.

"Do you see why he doesn't want you marrying me?" Jaime says as the door shuts behind Ned.

"Because you killed the Mad King. I don't care how you did it," I say. "The belly, the back, the throat. He's dead no matter what, and Robert is king now. I don't know if he's any better, but he hasn't burned anyone to death yet has he?"

Jaime sighs, "no he hasn't. You should get going now. I have guarding to do."

"See you later?" I ask.

"Yes," he nods. I turn to go.

"I don't know my-." He calls someone over and asks him to escort me to my room. "Thank you for letting me come with you."


	13. Chapter 13

**A/N: And the next chapter! Review please!**

I walk down the hall, and into the dining room. Sansa looks angry, and Arya is stabbing a knife into the table. "Where have you been?" Sansa asks.

"Exploring. I talked with Jaime a little."

"You aren't marrying him," Arya says.

"Doesn't mean we can't be friends."

"You shouldn't be spending so much time alone with him," Septa Mordane says. "People are going to start talking."

"Let them, I'm going back to Winterfell soon."

"Stop that young lady," Septa Mordane says. "Eat your food."

"I'm practicing."

"Practicing for what?" Sansa asks.

"The Prince," Arya says looking at her.

"Arya Stark," Mordane says.

"He's a liar and a coward and he killed my friend."

"The Hound killed your friend," Sansa says.

"The Hound does whatever the Prince tells him to do."

"You're an idiot."

"You're a liar," I sigh rolling my eyes. "And if you told the truth Micah would be alive," Arya stabs the table extra hard making the knife stick.

"Enough," Septa Mordane says standing up, she pulls Arya away from the table as Ned comes in.

"What's going on here?"

"Arya would rather act like a beast than a lady."

"Go to your room we'll speak later," he says to her. She turns and goes. He looks at Sansa. "That's for you Love." He puts a package next to her. He sits as she opens it. I look at a beautiful doll. "The same doll maker makes all of Princess Myrcella's toys." She just looks at it. "Don't you like it?" he asks her.

"I haven't played with dolls since I was eight."

"I never had a proper doll," I say pulling it closer to me. "It looks nice. Like it won't fall apart," she looks at me.

"May I be excused?"

"You've barely eaten a thing," Mordane says.

"It's alright," Ned says. "Go on," she gets up leaving the doll behind. I pull it to me gently.

"What I would have given to have had a proper doll."

"War is easier than daughters," he mutters. I touch it's straw hair. "And you, what are you doing today?"

"I don't know, I thought I would talk to Jaime for a little while," he looks down.

"Whatever you choose with him is-."

"I don't want to marry him," I interrupt. "I just want to spar with him while I have the chance. I'm getting better, though I haven't actually hit him yet," he nods. "I'm going to go talk to Sansa. Maybe you should go see Arya? Make sure she doesn't actually kill the Prince," I get up hugging the doll to my chest as I make my way towards Sansa's room. I knock.

"Go away."

"Sansa, it's me, Lya. Can I come in?"

"I guess," I push the door open, and sit next to her on her bed.

"I know that you're upset over Lady, and she truly didn't deserve punishment, but the Queen has been sated. And Lady escaped. She'll be OK, she's in the wild now."

"But I miss her," she says hugging me.

"And I miss my father," I say. "I know Ned is my father, but the man who raised me, Ned's men killed him. But I know he'll always be here," I put a hand on my chest. "I'll always have my memory of him, and I'll see him someday, just like someday you will meet Lady again."

"How do you know?"

"Because I just do," I push the doll over towards her. "It's nice, even if you aren't going to play with it," she sniffles. "Ned is just doing his best. He didn't kill Lady."

"Yes, but he was going to."

"And he didn't. If he had he was only trying to do what was right. You have to forgive him, he's your father. You have to forgive Arya two, you are sisters."

She sighs, and leans on me. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why won't you marry Jaime?"

"I don't love him. And I don't want to. Besides Ned doesn't like him."

"Ned doesn't like Joffrey."

"Joffrey is his best friends son, and is still a child. He will grow up, and be a good king like his father. And you will be his Queen," she sighs.

"I know. You can love Jaime."

"I don't want to marry him, OK?" there's a knock on the door.

"Lady Lya, Ser Jaime is looking for you," Sansa grins at me and I roll my eyes.

"I'm coming," I open the door.

"I'll escort you down to him," he holds out his arm.

"Thank you. I'll see you at supper," I say to Sansa.

Jory leaves me at the sparring ground where Jaime sits and waits. "You're still willing to spar with me," I say.

"Well of course."

"But what will the people say?"

"That I'm spending time with my betrothed," I roll my eyes, "teaching her how to defend herself. And who better to teach her than the best knight in the realm?"

"I seem to remember you got beat by a little boy."

"I let him win in good fun of course. Besides your shot was low."

I shrugged, "it got you off of me. You should use your left hand," I say holding out his tourney sword.

"No, I shouldn't."

"Yes, please Jaime?"

"Why? Because you had some dream?"

"Yes, because I had some dream? I had one about Arya and that was right wasn't it?"

"So, it's just a coincidence."

"Jaime, I saw someone cut your hand off. C'mon pleae?"

"It's not going to happen, I promise you. Tell me how it's going to happen?"

"With a curved blade, I don't know what it's called."

"Yes, but how, by whom?"

"I don't know," I mutter. "I just see you with your hand on a stump and then it gets cut off. I don't really know."

"Fine, if it'll get you to shut up."

When we're done sparring we go for a walk through the streets and he points out the shops to me. "This is a brothel," I say.

"Owned by Littlefinger."

"Lya what are you doing here?" Ned asks.

"Going for a walk."

"I'll leave you two," Jaime says kissing my cheek. I blink as he walks away.

"Let's go," Littlefinger says. "I thought she would be safest in here. One of such establishments I own," we walk towards the door and I'm curious to see what we're doing here. Ned grabs Littlefinger suddenly and pins him against the wall by his neck.

"You're a funny man, a very funny man."

"Ned!" Catelyn says sticking her head out the window looking down at us. Ned looks up startled and then goes in. I smile apologetically at Littlefinger and follow Ned. We go up some stairs and Ned grabs Catelyn pulling her into a tight hug.

"Bran's awake?" he says into her.

"Yes, yes I got the news."

"What are you doing here Catelyn?" she pulls me into a hug.

"I'm sorry dear, I truly am sorry for what I said."

"To me the notion that the Queen's brother had tried to kill your son is treason," Littlefinger says from behind us. We turn to look.

"We have proof. We have the blade."

"What are you talking about? Jaime wouldn't-."

"Which Lord Tyrion will say was stolen. The only man who can say otherwise has no throat," Littlefinger says interrupting.

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"There was another attempt on Bran's life."

"But Tyrion wouldn't-."

"His blade was used," Catelyn says to me. She turns to Ned, "Peter has promised to help us find the truth. He's like a little brother to me Ned, he would never betray my trust."

"I'll try to keep you alive for her sake, the both of you," he adds looking at me. It's a fool's task admittedly but I've never been able to refuse your wife anything."

"I won't forget this," Catelyn says. "You're a true friend."

"Don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain. Now, Cat you should get going," we are lead into an alley.

"I will send you home with her," Ned says. "Do you need anything?"

"Yes, I um-."

"Meet us here in an hour," Ned says. "Don't tell anyone. Not even Jaime," he adds. "He can't be trusted," I turn to go. Ned grabs my arm. "I'm serious Lya. I know you've come to like him, but you mustn't tell him."

"I won't," I say. I pull my arm away and hurry off towards the Red Keep. I grab my sword and a change of clothes, and then go to leave.

"Where are you going?" Jaime asks.

"Home," I say.

"With who?"

"Can't say," I respond. "Keep practicing with your left hand. For me, and tell your father when you see him that I said he can marry you if you need a wife so bad. You're well suited for the Kingsguard, you have what you want in reach."

"Except you," he kisses me hard on the lips. His hand holds my head in place, and his other one goes to my lower back. I don't respond at first, and then I start kissing him back. My hands go up to his hair, and I wrap my fingers in it tugging. His hand moves down to my butt and he pulls me closer to him. A door closes somewhere, and I pull away.

"I have to get going," I say pushing past him. I force myself not to look back as I make my way hurriedly to where I'm supposed to meet Ned.

"I'll see you soon," he says hugging me. I get up on my horse as him and Catelyn say goodbye, and then we leave quickly.


	14. Chapter 14

I lean against a tree, pulling my cloak around me. "Here," Rodrick says handing me a bowl of rabbit stew.

"Thank you," I sip at it liking the taste.

"How are you holding up?"

I look over at Catelyn who takes a seat next to me. "Fine, this is good," I eat some more.

She shifts getting comfortable. "I would like to apologize for how I treated you before you left," she says. "I thought- well I was upset about Bran, and you were leaving me again-." she sighs. "I just mean to tell you that I shouldn't have treated you in such a way. You are already grown up, I missed your childhood."

"It's alright, I understand."

"You miss him don't you?" she asks after a brief pause.

"Who Ned?"

"No, Jaime. I saw him kiss your cheek."

"Oh, that was nothing," I say blushing.

"You like him," she observes. "I guess you can't help who you like. He is attractive, but he is not a good man."

"I'm not going to marry him."

"You told him you were going didn't you?" she asks but it comes out as more of a statement than a question. I look down into my bowl. "I suppose they would all find out sooner or later. Tywin will have someone watching you," I snort.

"Jaime doesn't want to marry either," I say blushing. "He'd rather stay in the kingsguard, guarding the King and all of his other duties."

"You'll find someone else. You know Ned and I didn't love each other until after we were married. Many marriages are like that."

"Let's stop talking about marriage now."

"How's Sansa? I heard about Lady and your troubles along the Kingsroad."

"Prince Joffrey is a little prick, and I wouldn't want to marry him if I were her. Arya and Sansa hated each other but I think they are fine now. I'm not really sure."

"They're exact opposites, they'll fight, but they'll always be sisters, just like you will always be my daughter, and their big sister, even if you don't call me mother. I think it's time we get some sleep," she says. I nod, and pull out my blanket making myself a bed on the ground. I curl up next to her and lay for a while listening to the sounds of the night dreading what I would dream.

_Daenerys Targaryen was once again poisoned._

_Her brother was encased in molten gold while he screamed._

_Arya was sword fighting with a stranger._

_Ned lost his head._

I woke up breathing hard. It was morning, and Catelyn was shaking me. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, yes I'm fine," I lay my head down trying to breathe normal. "I'm fine," I try to get the image of Ned out of my head, and am nearly successful.

"Here, some breakfast. We should be at an inn tonight." I push myself up shivering slightly in the cold. I pick up the cold bowl of stew and eat it gratefully. At least Arya will be happy, I think.

"Thank you," I say. I get up and shake my legs out. I go a few feet away to go to the bathroom. When I'm done I say a silent prayer to keep my family safe, and then returned to Catelyn and Rodrick. We move along at a swift pace in silence for a great part of the day. "Can I ask about Littlefinger?"

"Petyr? He's been my friend since I was a little girl. He liked me but I wasn't for him."

"I think he still likes you," I say. "I don't think I liked him."

"He wouldn't hurt anyone. He really couldn't except by knowing their secrets. And I have none, and neither should you."

"What about Ned, could he hurt him."

"Don't worry about Ned, he is a good man, best friends with the King. He will be OK. What is all of this about?"

"I just- I've been having these dreams about people dying."

"They're just dreams."

"I know," I sigh and we lapse into silence as the day keeps on going. As evening draws near we finally find the inn Catelyn had promised.

"Don't tell anyone who you are," she says as we get down. We go in and Rodrick pays for our meals and a room, and we take our seats. We sit in silence looking at the people around us when a young singer sits down next to us.

"Seven blessings to you, good folk," he says.

"And to you," Catelyn says looking away.

"Roy, bread meat and beer quickly," Rodrick says trying to hurry our meal along and get the singer away.

"Oh come on there grandfather, I'm starving. A song while we wait? I'm sure the pretty young lass would enjoy one."

"I'd rather throw myself down a well," Rodrick tells him as I look away.

"Now, now Grandfather, this could be your last chance if you're heading North. The only music Northerners know is the howling of wolves," the door creaks open, and I look seeing Tyrion Lannister. All three of us duck down.

"I'm sorry My Lord, we're full up," the barkeep says to him. "Every room."

"My men can sleep in the stables, as for myself I don't require a large room."

"Surely My Lord we have nothing."

"Is there nothing I can do to remedy this?" he walks further towards us a gold coin held in his hand.

"You can have my room," a random sellsword sitting alone tells him.

"Now there's a clever man," Tyrion throws him the coin and he catches it. "You can manage food I trust?" he turns to the barkeep. "Jorgen dine with me."

"Aye My Lord," Jorgen the Nights Watch man says.

"My Lord of Lannister!" the singer says standing up and I silently groan to myself. "Can I entertain you while you eat? I can sing your father's victory at Kings Landing."

"Nothing would more likely ruin my supper. Lady Stark?" he says turning to Catelyn. "And Lya, beautiful as ever. What an unexpected pleasure. I was sorry to miss you at Winterfell."

She stands up, "I was still Catelyn Tully the last time I stayed here," she begins to question people's allegiance and I watch for reactions not taking in her words. I realize too late what she is doing.

"I envy your father all of his friends, Lady Stark. But I don't quite see the purpose."

"Catelyn," I say grabbing her sleeve. She turns away. "Mother!" I say trying to get her attention, but she keeps going talking to another man loyal to her father. "He didn't do it," I say into her ear and she shrugs me off annoyed.

"This man," she says turning to Tyrion, "came into my house as a guest and there conspired to murder my son, a boy of ten."

"Cat," I say tugging at her again trying to get her to stop.

"In the name of King Robert and the good lords you serve. I call upon you to seize him, and help me return him to Winterfell to await the King's Justice," people stand and draw their swords. I put a hand on my own and move slightly away. They chain him and put a bag over his head, and then Rodrick is dragging him out. Catelyn finally acknowledges me, and grabs onto my arm. She pulls me out after them. "Get on your horse," she instructs. I listen and I follow them feeling wary of what is going on.

We ride well into the night, when I am starting to fall asleep from exhaustion and my stomach is complaining that it's hungry. We finally stop and Tyrion is dumped on the ground like trash. He rolls to his side, and I struggle to get down. I stand on unsteady feet and put a hand on Silver's back to keep my balance.

"Come here," Catelyn says grabbing my arm. She pulls me away from the rest. "We are leaving before first light. You are staying here, we'll try not to wake you, but if we do, don't say a word. You are to go back to Winterfell."

"But where are you going?"

"It's not your concern. If you ride hard and fast you should be at Winterfell in two days time."

"What are you going to do?"

"He has to answer for his crimes."

"Catelyn, I think he's innocent. Why would he try and kill Bran. Bran was already wounded enough wasn't he?"

"I don't know, but he did. Go get some sleep. We'll leave you some food and a little money just in case but that's it."

"What if something happens?"

"You are a Stark of Winterfell, these men up ahead are sworn to your father and anything becomes of you it is their heads. They will be begging to help you," she caresses my cheek. "You'll be fine. Go get some sleep," she kisses my cheek, and makes her bed close to mine.

I open my eyes and sit up. It's foggy and as I look around I see that everyone's left already. I sigh bowing my head. I scoot myself backwards until I can lean against the tree. Ned's going to die, the Targaryens are going to die, Arya was going to die, Jaime's going to lose his hand, who was I going to see next? I shake the thoughts from my head and push myself to my feet stretching. I move just out of view of the road and go to the bathroom. I walk back to where Silver is tied to a branch, and go through a bag that hadn't been there. I pull out some food and some water eating and drinking. I untie Silver and pull myself up onto her, I start down the road.

I was paranoid, every little noise sent us into a full on gallop and I didn't dare stop to eat or use the bathroom until I absolutely had to when it was getting too dark to see the road. I didn't want to attract attention so I didn't light a fire. I hadn't actually seen anyone but Catelyn had announced she was going to Winterfell so people would be looking for Tyrion along this route. I pull my blanket tighter around myself eating my cold leftover stew.

I was starting to fall asleep leaned over my lap when I heard footsteps and laughter. I sit up straight looking around. I feel next to me trying to find my sword. "Hey look a horse," I stand up finding it. "Look, a girl," says a man appearing out of the darkness. Another man appears next to him.

"Who are you?" I ask.

"That depends on who you are?"

"She's got a sword," the other one says drawing his. "Can you use it?"

I pull my sword out, "I don't want to," I say.

"Hey," the first man says putting a hand on his friend. "Do you have food to share?"

I narrow my eyes at them, "what are you doing here?"

"Looking for someone. You wouldn't know where I could find a dwarf?"

"No," I say.

"Can we stay here with you?" the first man says.

"You are really pretty," the second man says. "Look, a wolf. She's a Stark," the man says grinning pulling his sword taking a step forward and the first man does the same.


	15. Chapter 15

I step back holding my sword up in front of me as the two men approach me. I bump into the tree and swallow my fear. "I am betrothed to Jaime Lannister, his father will have both of you killed if you so much as lay a hand on me."

"How will he know it was us if we kill you?"

"We can have some first of course," the second one says as they move so I'm completely pinned against the tree. I stand looking from one to the other. Just as I go to move for the first one the second one strikes. I duck and his sword hits the tree embedding there. I move around facing the first one sword held up. He swings at me, and I block wincing as he slips in and gets my shoulder. I hold my other hand up to it as I keep fighting, getting him on the hip once. The second one comes out of nowhere and I hiss dropping my sword as his digs into my arm.

I stumble back looking for something to defend myself with. I move avoiding them, but I trip over a root and fall painfully to the ground. They are on me, one of them holding his sword to my throat, as he hovers over me. "I have first dibs," he says. His hands go to my breasts and I squirm underneath him.

"No, get off! Help!" I scream. "Someone help!" he rips my dress open revealing my shift, and he rips that open as well. I flail around looking for something, when I find a rock. I hold it hard enough to cut my hand open. I bring it down hard on his head once, and blood gushes out. I hit him again, and then push him off grabbing his sword. I don't know if he's dead but he isn't moving anymore. I hold the sword in both hands facing the other one left on his feet.

"You little bitch!" he says running at me. I fight back harder than before, catching another cut to my leg before I stab him through the gut. I pick up my sword dropping the loaned one, and turn to Silver. She stayed calm as I tugged at her reins trying to get her untied but my hands were slippery with blood and shaking. I finally drew my sword and she snorted stamping her feet. I ignore her as I cut the reins in half, and then pulled myself up onto her as she stamped and moved.

"C'mon girl, c'mon," I move her in the direction of Winterfell and galloped away. As the sun rose I allowed her to stop and eat and drink. I sat down shakily surprised at how bad everything hurt. I tore strips of cloth from my dress and tied my wounds as best as I could. My shoulder was the worst killing me with every movement, and my arm was still bleeding pretty badly. I drink my last little bit of water, and then try to get to my feet but my leg won't support my weight. I drag myself over to Silver and use her to pull myself up and then pull myself up onto her back. I lay there holding onto her mane getting her to go as fast as I could towards Winterfell.

I'm barely conscious as I ride into Winterfell. I push myself up so I'm sitting and approach Theon. He's shooting archery and I can hear Bran.

"Sigil a Lion, Words a Lannister always pays his debts."

"No, it's not," I say closing my eyes fighting the darkness. "It's Hear Me Roar."

"Catch her!" is the last thing I hear Maester Luwin say as I feel myself sliding to the side.

The darkness is great. No dreams, no pain, no fear, no death. It doesn't last long. Everything comes back in a huge wave of pain starting in my leg and sweeping it's way up to my head. I can't move, and I can't breathe. I'm watching the young Targaryen girl as she is in the market, as if I'm standing there with her. "Don't drink it!" I say trying to start towards her, but I still can't move. A stranger comes up and intervenes.

I'm standing in an odd tent watching as half naked men seize the other Targaryen. They drag him towards a fire and hold him there. A man who seems to be their leader moves in front of him and throws something into a cauldron. He lifts it up after a moment, and I watch in silence this time looking for an intervention. This time there is none as the molten gold is poured over his head.

I'm watching as Arya is pinned against the wall. She looks extremely upset, fear and pain in her eyes. I struggle with myself trying to go to her to pull the man who is pinning her away. He cuts her hair short, and then picks her up carrying her away.

I'm standing in the woods as Jaime is forced to his knees. I close my eyes knowing what is going to come. This time I hear his scream and the thud as his hand is taken from him.

Robert is lying on a bed, bloody rags over his chest and abdomen, looking like he's about to die. He is talking to Ned and then Ned leaves. His family comes in and then he's dead.

Then I'm standing in front of a cage the only people I see is Ned and Ilyn Payne. Ned is kneeling and he looks up to the crowd and it's almost as if he can see me. I try to go to him, to beg for mercy but Payne's sword comes down. I scream and then I'm standing in front of Sansa as she faints. I keep screaming the physical and emotional pain getting to me.

"Lya! Lya wake up!" I feel someone shaking me. I blink away my tears and then close my mouth realizing my scream was actually coming out. I look at Bran, I let out a breath and close my eyes.

"I knew you would wake up," I grit my teeth as I try to sit up.

"No, don't move," Maester Luwin says. "You have sustained three sword wounds, that nearly killed you. You lost a great amount of blood. I don't think you have fear of infection then they're pretty clean. I will bathe your wounds later. I'll come back with some Milk of the Poppy."

"I don't need any," I stop biting my lip. "Is there any word from Catelyn?"

"No, not yet."

"You know where Mother is?" Bran asks hopefully.

"No, I don't. I'm sorry, but the last time I saw her she was fine. She sent me here."  
"Before or after you were wounded?"

"Before. She had business to attend to. She will be home soon, she misses you."

"No, she doesn't, she would have came home! Hodor!" the half giant comes into the room and lifts Bran up and leaves.

"What has she done?"

I look at Luwin and close my eyes. "She's taken Tyrion Lannister. She blames him for an attack on Bran."

"He wouldn't hurt Bran. He brought designs to help him so he can ride again."

"I tried to tell her that but she doesn't care."

"I'll be right back with some Milk-."  
"I don't-."

"You need to rest, and you're in pain. I won't fight you on this," he turns and leaves as Robb comes in.

"Who did this to you?"  
"I think it was Lannister men, they were looking for Tyrion Lannister and they were pretty surprised I was a Stark."

"How did you get away?"

"I killed one of them," Robb sits down. He takes my hand, "and I might have killed another one."

"Tell me," I shake my head no and squeeze his hand as another wave of pain comes over me.

"I hit him with a rock in the head. He wasn't moving," Luwin comes in and has me drink some Milk of the Poppy.

I am standing once again in Kings Landing outside of Petyr's brothel. I watch as Lannister men surround Ned and Jory, and Jaime comes riding up on his horse. There is a lot of talking, and then swords are drawn. Spears are thrown killing Ned's men and they start to fight. I keep my eyes on Ned watching to see how he does as he kills a couple of men. I think of Jaime just in time to see him plunge a sword through Jory's eye and out the back of his skull. I watch in shock as Jaime and Ned engage and just when Jaime looks to win a spear is thrust through the back of Ned's leg.

I sit up breathing hard and clutch at my shoulder. I throw my blankets off and try to get out of bed. I manage to stand but my legs won't hold me up. I collapse to my knees. I push myself up and hold onto the bed for support. The door opens and Robb is there. "Get back in bed."

"No," I say moving to go by him.

"Lya! Get back in bed!" he says grabbing at me.

"No!" I say pushing him away. My leg gives out and he catches me. "I need to get to Kings Landing! I need to see Ned, make sure he's OK."

"He'll be fine he'll live. Did Luwin tell you?"

"No, no I dreamt it," Robb looks at me in confusion. "I just know that Jaime attacked Ned, and now I need to just-."

"I'm working on it. I'm Lord of Winterfell not you."

"He's my father two!" I say.

"And you're injured, what are you going to do? I promise you can help once you're better."

"I don't care, he's going to die, I know he is. I've seen it. Please we have to go help him."

"And I'm going to," he says moving out of the way as Maester Luwin comes in and gives me another dose of milk of the poppy.

I open my eyes, and sit up. I wince at the pain in my left shoulder, and look at it. There's still a bandage over it, but there's no blood. I look at my arm and see there's still a bandage there and the same with my leg. I peel all of them back seeing they all seem fine. My shoulder still looks bad but everything else is completely scabbed over. I throw the blankets to the side, and get up testing my leg. It hurts but not too bad. I limp slightly over to my wardrobe and find a dress. I manage to put it on grateful I had found one without laces.

I hold my left arm across my body as I open the door and start down the stairs. I go into the dining hall to find Luwin talking to a woman who looks wild rearranging straw. "Why did you come here?" I overhear.

"I didn't mean to come here, I meant to get much further South than this. As far south as south goes. Before the Long Night comes."

"Why? What are you afraid of?"

"There's things that sleep in the day and hunt at night."

"Owls and Shadow Cats."

"I'm not talking about owls and shadow cats."

"The things you speak of they've been gone for thousands of years."

"They wasn't gone old man they was sleeping, and they ain't sleeping no more."

I clear my throat stepping further into the room. "Good morning Maester Luwin, could I get some breakfast?"

"It's nearly lunch time," he says. "How are you feeling?"  
"Hungry. Who's this?" I nod towards the lady.

"Lunch was about to be brought in. She's a Wildling, and now our guest. She will observe the guest rites and-."

"What did she do?"

"Her and her group of Wildlings attacked Bran in the woods," she bows her head. "She doesn't mean anyone harm she was just looking to get herself some food, and now she won't have need to worry about that."

"What's your name?" I ask her.

"Osha."

"I thought I told you titles are-," Theon starts coming back in.

"Theon!" I yell turning around. "She isn't some little peasant as I once was she is a Wildling, she doesn't know any better. Now shut up and go get me some food. Osha could you help me?" I hold out my arm and she stands taking it. "I think I need to sit," she leads me to the bench. "Thank you. What of my wounds?" I ask Maester Luwin.

"We can go back to your room and-."

"Here's fine, I wish to start sparring again soon," he lifts my dress to my knee and looks over my leg first.

"Does it hurt?" he asks.

"Only when I walk and stand."  
"Good, that shall pass," he moves to my arm and then finally my shoulder which still aches. "This was your worst wound," he says. "I fear it may plague you for the rest of your life. It was very deep, and you're lucky you didn't bleed to death."  
"Yes, but how is it healing?"

"As good as is to be expected."

Robb comes in then, "you're awake?"  
"Yes, I'm still waiting for my food."  
"It's right here," Theon mutters standing next to Robb.

"Thank you," he sets it in front of me. I start to eat. "What are you doing about Ned?"

"I wrote to Kings Landing and-."

"You wrote them? This is our father," I say. "Who knows what they're doing?"

"He's alive," Luwin says butting in. "He has been reinstated as the Hand of the King and is currently sitting on the Iron Throne."

"And what about Jaime?"

"He's your love, he will pay for it, but it'll have to wait."

"I don't love him," I mutter.


	16. Chapter 16

I'm standing in the Throne Room, and I have a bad feeling. Ned is standing with the Gold Cloaks around him talking with Queen Cersei. Prince Joffrey sits on the throne and I know that King Robert has died. I startle when people start drawing swords, and then the Gold Cloaks start killing Ned's men. Littlefinger comes up behind and holds a knife to his throat.

I sit up breathing hard. I get out of bed and dress quickly. I grab my sword and then run down the stairs. I hurry into the kitchen where the fire has died down to nothing but hot ashes and glowing coal. I grab bread and a water flask and then run out to the stable splashing through the mud and puddles, and freezing rain. I saddle Silver and pull myself up wincing at the pain in my shoulder. My wounds were nothing but marks on my body except my shoulder which hurt whenever I raised my arm.

"Hey! Where are you going?" I ignore Theon and ride past him. "Hey, she's leaving!" he shouts. People start yelling as I ride out of Winterfell and start along the Kingsroad going South. I'm soaked and shivering in the cold rain already, but I didn't care.

"Hey stop!" I hear Robb from behind me. "Hey!" Silver trips over something on the road sending me over her head. I land on my back painfully in the mud and inches of water sitting up quickly coughing as it rushes into my mouth and nose. I choke and spit the water up as Robb jumps down next to me. "What are you doing?" he yells dragging me to my feet.

"Ned," I wheeze out coughing up more water. He claps me on the back. "Ned is in trouble. They've taken him prisoner."

"Who has?"

"The Lannisters, King Joffrey."

"King Joffrey? He's only the Prince, King Robert is his father remember? He's very much alive."  
I shake my head no, "I had a dream."

"Oh you had a dream? We're going back. Is her horse OK?"

"Seems fine My Lord."

"Are you riding Silver or with me?"

"I'm going to Kings Landing," I say reaching for my sword. He grabs my hand.

"You are my sister, I can't just let you ride off to save our father alone, and we can't just go without a plan in the middle of the night."

"You don't believe me," he picks me up, and I grab my sword pulling it out.

"You're right, now get on your horse," he says putting me down. "We are going to Winterfell, if I have to drag you there."

"I can beat you in a fight," I say narrowing my eyes at him.

"You can beat me, alone. Not all of us, stop being a child you're older than me." I sheathe my sword and climb up onto Silver. He climbs up onto his horse not letting go of my reins and then we go back to Winterfell. "Keep an eye on her make sure she doesn't leave," Robb orders back outside my room. I storm into my room and strip off my wet clothes and pull on dry ones. I hang my sword up and then collapse onto my bed pouting until I fell asleep.

I walk into the dining hall and sit down next to Bran. Everyone looks tired and annoyed but I don't care. "So what are you going to do?"

"There's nothing to do," Robb says.

"This is our father we are talking about and-."

"You are having dreams. All they are is dreams."

"Excuse me My Lord," Maester Luwin says coming up next to Robb. He hands him a note and Robb opens it reading. "Treason?" he asks standing and looking at Luwin. "Sansa wrote this," I get up and go over trying to see what it says.

"It is your sisters hand but the Queen's words. Your summoned to Kings Landing to swear fealty to the new king."

"Joffrey puts my father in chains and now he wants his ass kissed?"

"This is a royal command My Lord. If you should refuse to obey-."

"I won't refuse," Robb says. I open my mouth but he keeps going, "His Grace summons me to Kings Landing I'll go to Kings Landing. And not alone. Call the banners."

"All of them My Lord?"

"They've all sworn to defend my father have they not?"

"They have."

"Now we'll see what their words are worth," Luwin nods and leaves. Robb sits back down.

"Now do you believe me?" I ask.

"Be quiet," he mutters to me.

"I told you and-."

"What were you going to do? You may be my big sister, but you don't know what you're doing you're still just a child!" he yells at me suddenly. "You don't think before you act. You would have just given them a reason to kill father, and yourself."

"We could have-."

"I'm not listening to your dreams, all they are are dreams."

I sit back down by Bran. "Are you afraid?" I hear Theon ask.

"If I could move on my own, I would have gone with you," Bran whispers to me. I smile at him but it doesn't make me feel any better.

"I'm going to go spar," I say standing up leaving everyone behind. I find our master at arms and he spars with me for the next couple of hours. Until I'm so exhausted and my shoulder aches so bad that I can't even move to block his strikes.

There's a knock on the door. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Robb," I sigh getting up and opening the door. "I'm sorry for-."

"You seem to have to apologize to me a lot don't you?" he bows his head. "I don't have much experience with siblings but I assume fighting is part of it. You should have seen our sisters before I left for here."

"They really can't get along to save each other."

"I'm afraid they're going to have to and you're going to have to start listening to me and my dreams. They've all come true so far."

"Are you forgiving me?"

"You're my brother of course I am."

"Are you coming down to dinner? The bannermen are here and they wish to see you."

"They're here already?"

"When we call they come."

I get up and fix my hair, and then he escorts me down to the dining hall.

I sit next to Robb greeting the men but mostly listen to their war stories trying to one up each other and drink the most. They argue over who will lead what and how long they've done it. Robb responds to them all getting the most resistance from an Umber who says he will go home. Robb puts him in his place after his direwolf bites off a couple of his fingers.

"And what am I going to be doing?" I ask him

"You're going to be here, with Bran and Rickon. They need you."

"They barely know me. They need their mother, and I am not their mother."

"We leave tonight. You will be fine."

"This isn't-."

"If something happens to me then Bran will take my place. He's not going to want to do it alone. I only ask that you wait to hear from me."

"But I can-."

"Stay here, work on your sword fighting skills. You are getting seriously good, get even better. Take care of Bran and Rickon. Mother should be home soon and by then you'll hear from me, and you can bring reinforcements to me. Don't make me order you as your Lord of Winterfell."

"You're just my brother," I mutter. I look back at him, "fine. I will do so."

"Thank you. I must go say goodbye to Bran," he gets up and leaves the hall. I avoid him when he comes back down, instead I go up to see Bran. Rickon is leaving his room.

"Hey little man," I say squatting down.

"You're just going to leave us two, and you won't come back either!" he says leaving the room. I look up at Bran.

"He's just upset."

"And how are you?"

"I have to be brave. I have to watch out for you and Rickon. I am the Lord of Winterfell while Robb is gone."

"That's a big job isn't?" I ask sitting down with him.

"I have Maester Luwin to help me," he yawns. "Can you lay with me for a while?"

"Of course," I move him over and lay down next to him.

"Tell me about Kings Landing?"

"Well it's big, and it's dirty, and it has a lot of people."

"What about knights, did you see a lot of knights?"

"They have the kingsguard, and a city watch made up of soldiers."

"I can't be a knight anymore."

"You're right, but you can still fight. You can learn to fight from horseback."

"What about Jaime?" he leans his head on my shoulder.

"What about him?"

"I wouldn't mind if you married him."

"Oh really, and why's that?"

"He's a knight. He's the Kingslayer he could tell me stories. And he could probably teach me how to fight on a horse."

"We'll see," I say snuggling further into the bed.

"Lya," someone's shaking me. "Lya," I sit up looking around. "You should go get dressed."

"You're right. Thank you for sharing your bed."

"Thank you," he says giving me a small smile. I get up and hurry off to my room. I change for the day and then go downstairs for breakfast. Rickon's the only one eating.

"Where is everyone?" he looks up at me glaring.

"Bran went to pray," Luwin says. "He is concerned about the welfare of Robb. Hodor went with him. No one will hurt him."

"Maybe I'll go join him," I say. I grab an apple and some bread eating both along the way. It doesn't take long to find the familiar spot where I had nearly drowned, that seems so long ago.

"All these swords should be going North boy. North not South!" I hear Osha, the prisoner-guest say.

"And why is that?" I ask coming to them.

"My Lady," she says bowing.

I snort, "I know you don't like titles. I don't care what you call me. You call yourself a part of the Free Folk no Kings and all that," she doesn't look at me. "If you don't like them so much why'd you come South?"

"There are Others out there. You people don't believe me but there are."

"And you think that Robbs army should go off to fight the Others instead of the Lannisters who will kill our father?"

"No, all I'm saying is there are more important matters. What are you going to do when they start coming over the Wall?"

"That's what the Nights Watch is there for. And by then we'll have beat the Lannisters and we'll be back to fight them off."

"You should meet them and-."

"If you're so keen on fighting them why aren't you doing it yourself?" she doesn't respond. "You want to survive don't you?"

"Yes, I should get going," she says moving away.

"I like her," Bran says. "I hope she's wrong about the Others though."

"We'll be OK," I say running my fingers through his hair.

"Hodor," I turn to see Hodor coming back.

"We should get back as well. You have to work on your sword fighting and I get to watch."

"Only after Maester Luwin says you can. You have big responsibilities my little Lord of Winterfell," he smiles at the title.

"I suppose you're right. But now that I can't climb I have loads of time. I'm sure I can take care of everything, and still watch you."

"Alright then, let's get going," Hodor picks him up and we walk back.

I lean against a post, wiping the sweat from my brow, and drink some water Osha had brought for me. "Thank you," I say. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell Bran about the Others."

"I'm only telling him the truth."

"Yes, but he has enough to worry about. He is now the Lord of Winterfell, his father has been captured and his brother has marched off to war. His mother hasn't come home yet, and there is no word from said brother."

"As you wish," she says. "I heard about your dreams."

"What dreams?"

"The ones that come true."

"They're just a coincidence."

"No they're not. If you try you can even control what you're dreaming."

"Don't you think I've tried to help? I watch my father get beheaded every night."  
"You can't do anything in the dream, but you can try and dream of what you want to."

"Let's go again!" Jon the master at arms while Ser Rodrick was away says picking up his sword. I hand my water to Osha and stride out to meet him. I block everyone of his blows pleased when he doesn't land a single one and I land almost everyone of mine. "You've gotten much better."

"Thank you," I say smiling. "I hope to beat Jaime Lannister, again?" I fare even better this time around.

"You better find a better swordsman if you are going to beat him. Tomorrow I'll have someone else here and you can fight the both of us."

By the end of the week I'm bruised and sore but I can fend off most of their attacks and still manage to land my own. Bran is miserable with his responsibilities and Rickon just doesn't seem to care. He announced when we got a letter from Robb that Catelyn was safe and with him, that he had told us all she was never coming back and we would never see her again, or Robb, or Ned. This upset Bran even more and he wouldn't listen to either Luwin or myself.

I am standing in an unfamiliar place. As I look around I see that there are men on horses surround someone. I focus on the circle of people and make out Jaime, bloody and tied up on the ground. Jaime is dragged to his feet and Robb and him glare at each other. They are talking but I can't hear and I can't read their lips. Jaime is dragged off by Greatjon Umber, the man who had lost fingers that night in the Hall, leaving behind Robbs men to celebrate.

**A/N: Wow, so I wasn't really planning on updating so much these past couple of days but I've been getting a lot of days off from work because other people needed more hours, giving me more time to do my homework and more time to write! I'm working on the next chapter and that'll probably be it for a while as my schedule is picking up again. Hope you're enjoying it!**


	17. Chapter 17

I sit up looking around my room. Robb captured Jaime. I should go to them, I can make him release Ned before it's too late. I get up and start to dress but then stop remembering the last time I decided to just leave. I sit back down. What if Osha was right? What if I could see who I wanted to see. I close my eyes and think of Ned, his hair and face and his eyes. How happy he was to see Catelyn.

I'm not on my bed anymore. I'm standing in Kings Landing in between a huge crowd and a stage. Sansa is standing on the stage next to the Queen and Joffrey. Ser Ilyn Payne is standing off to the side and the Kingsguard is standing behind the Royal Family. Ned is suddenly there being forced up the stairs, with a terrible limp. Sansa smiles slightly up at him but he keeps his head down. Ned walks by Littlefinger, and the sight of him fills me with rage. Ned starts talking and I wish I could understand him. He stops and looks over at Sansa who nods slightly. He continues and though I can't hear what he's saying I can tell it hurts him to say it. Someone throws a rock and it hits him in the side of the head. The Hound who is behind him catches him and stands him up again. He continues to talk and then Pycelle takes over. Joffrey starts talking and when he's done Ned looks terrified. Men of the Kingsguard grab him and force him to his knees. Payne puts a hood on and I can't breathe. He makes his way up the stairs and to where Ned is. Ned continues to look around, Sansa is visibly freaking out, being held back by a Gold Cloak. Verys, the bald fat man hurries over, but it's clear he can't do anything anymore. Ned looks out at the crowd and I start to cry as it feels like he's looking at me. He looks down and Payne takes aim bringing his sword down. I'm still there even as Neds head has hit the ground and been lifted into the air by Payne. I stare at his body slumped over. I feel myself scream but again there's no noise. Sansa faints as men drag his body away.

I blink and I'm laying on the floor of my room. There's a screaming noise and it takes me a moment to realize it's coming from my mouth. I close it as Maester Luwin comes running in, and let out a sob. "What's wrong? What's wrong?" he kneels next to me looking for an injury.

"It's Ned," I say. "It's my father, he's dead. They killed him!"

"Shhh," he puts a hand on my shoulder. "Take a breath," I listen letting out a shaky one. "Talk to me," so I tell him everything. I tell him about my dreams, and then the one I had just had.

"Both of my fathers are dead now," I say sniffling.

"You still have a mother, and your brothers. I didn't know the man who raised you but Ned was a great man. We'll tell the boys in the morning," he helps me up and I lay back down, falling asleep in moments.

I get up and dress myself. I wipe at my puffy eyes, and make my way downstairs and out to the courtyard. Luwin is standing there reading a note, and just pass him Osha is walking towards us carrying Bran. Luwin looks at me, "I just got word about it," he turns away from me and walks towards Bran. "Bran," he says sadness in his voice. He puts a hand on his shoulder and I turn away. I go into the dining hall and sit there picking at the food a servant laid in front of me.

I get up and go upstairs to my room and pack a bag. I go back down to the kitchens carrying it and pack myself some food. "What are you doing?"

I turn to see Luwin and Rickon. "I'm going to help Robb, it's the least I can do."

"I told you you would leave, and you won't come back ever."

"I'm leaving, but I will be back."

"You should go see Jon he may have something for you."

"Thank you," I move past them and out to the yard.

"Hey," Jon says seeing me. "You leaving?"

"I have things I have to do."

"I understand, here, I had something made for you," he goes into his forge and comes back out carrying leather. "I had it shaped so you can wear it under your dress," he holds up a corset that has metal plates running down it. "There are small sections between the plates that should allow you to bend and move normally, as well as these," he holds up pants that have the same type of set up.

"Thank you," I hug him.

"Go try them on, and then thank me," I take them and hurry up to my room. I undress and then pull the corset and pants on. I bend over and move around feeling how comfortable it is. I put my dress back on and then go down the stairs.

"Thank you, they fit nicely."

"You're welcome My Lady," he says handing me Silver's reins. "Good luck," I get on and ride away before anyone else can try to stop me.

When night falls I set up camp and then lean back against a tree warming myself by the fire. I reach into my dress and finger the new armor feeling the coldness of it from the outside but on the inside I'm rather warm. My eyes start to close and my thoughts turn to Robb, and wondering how he's doing. I realize I have no idea where he is. I concentrate on him and hope to find out where he is. I see him in my dreams and my dreams the next night as well, but I have no luck in actually seeing where he could be except in a tent.

I start asking people if they've seen his army as I keep going South, and they keep telling me to keep going the way I am going. I catch the looks of people mostly dirty and not very happy to see a young woman gallivanting around on a horse with a sword. I hear I am getting close so I push myself into the night, until I can barely see. I finally see spots of fire light in the distance and as I approach I can hear the sounds of men talking and laughing.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"It is me, Lya of House Stark, I am here to see my brother, Robb Stark."

"Get down and come closer," I slide down, and hold onto Silver's reins leading her more forward towards the guard. "You're at the wrong camp."

"What do you mean the wrong camp?"

"This is King Renly's camp."

"King Renly?"

"Yes, he is the one true king of this realm, and your family has yet to swear fealty to him. I don't think we should let her in."

"Oh c'mon, she's just a girl. Let her see King Renly."

"But she has a sword," he draws his, and I put a hand on mine.

"I don't mean to do anything," I say. "I just thought that this was my brothers camp, I can be on my way."

"No, King Renly will want to see her."

"She'll have to pay for her entry," the man who drew his sword says.

"Arthur leave her alone."

"This is so boring," he says and I take a step back drawing my sword.

"Arthur!" the other guard says but Arthur stabs at me and I parry. I defend myself moving around the man.

"Halt in the name of the King!" I hear a voice, and the man drops his sword kneeling.

"Your Grace."

"What are you doing attacking this child?"

"I um-."

"We were just having fun Your Grace, I am Lya Stark. I thought I was going towards my brothers camp but I guess I was wrong."

"Come with me," he says. "Take her horse give it some fresh water, and a place to graze." I sheath my sword and follow him through the camp.

"So, you're fighting King Joffrey as well."

"He is no King, he is the bastard of his mother and uncle."

"What about your brother?"

"The people don't like him, I should be King. I am the King," he corrects himself. "I just have to get to the Throne. I received a letter from Lord Tywin today," he says leading me into his tent. "Have a seat," I listen. "Here, read it," I take it and look it over.

"Dear Lord Renly, if you happen to come across Lya Stark in your treasonous ways please send her to Kings Landing, where she is to await the marriage to my son Jaime the heir to Casterly Rock." I look up at him. "He can't do this can he?"

He leans back, "well if King Joffrey is the real King then yes he can."

"But he's not. My own father didn't support him and died by his hand. I want revenge."

"Well I'm not sending you to him."

"My King," a woman says behind me. I turn to see a beautiful girl.

"This is my wife, Margaery. Darling this is Lya Stark."

"It's nice to meet you," she says. "Shall we set her up with a tent?"

"Yes, she will be at least be spending the night," Margaery turns and talks to someone.

"You are very lucky Your Grace, she is beautiful."

"I know."

"King Renly," a boy in armor says coming in.

"Come back later Loras."

"Yes," he says turning, pecking Margaery on the cheek, and then leaving.

"Will you escort Lady Lya to her tent?"

"Of course," she says.

"Thank you Your Grace," I say bowing slightly. I turn and leave following Margaery. "You are very lucky," I say to her.

"Yes, he is very attractive."

"Any children yet?" I ask eyeing her belly.

"No, not yet. I have heard of your betrothal to the Kingslayer as well as your friendship."

"Yes, well that ended when he decided to attack my father."

"Are you sure?"

I take a deep breath as we stop in front of a tent, "he tried to kill my father. He almost succeeded, and he killed several of my father's men. I'm very sure. Thank you," I bow slightly and then go into the tent.

"Your bags from your saddle will be brought to you shortly," I hear her say before she leaves.

I'm trying to finish getting dressed when I hear the sounds of a fight. I finish quickly and grab my sword running out. I follow the noise to a large group of people. Loras, the boy from the King's tent the night before is lying on the ground his hands up and another knight is leaning over him holding a small knife to his face.

"Yield, I yield," he says. The knight gets up as Renly starts clapping.

"Well fought, approach," the knight starts towards him and kneels. "Rise remove your helm," he listens and then pulls off his helm to reveal a girl. She isn't very pretty but she was a great fighter, she had just beaten Loras who still didn't look happy. "You are all your father promised and more My Lady," Renly says to her. "I've seen Ser Loras bested once or twice but never quite in that fashion."

"Now, now my love," Margaery says. "My brother fought valiantly for you."

"That he did My Queen, but there can only be one champion. Brienne of Tarth, you may ask anything of me you desire. If it is within my power it is yours."

She kneels down in front of him, "Your Grace, I ask the honor of a place in your Kingsguard. I will be one of your seven, pledge my life to yours and keep you safe from all harm."

"Done," Renly says a smile on his face. "Rise Brienne of the Kingsguard," he leads people in applause.

"Your Grace," a man says stepping forward. "I have the honor of bringing you Catelyn Stark, sent as an envoy for her son, Robb Lord of Winterfell," I start pushing my way through the crowd trying to get to her.

"Lord of Winterfell, and King in the North," I hear her say.

"Lady Catelyn," I hear Renly say as I keep going. "Pleased to see you, may I present my wife, Margaery of House Tyrell."

"You are very welcome here Lady Stark," she says. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

"You are most kind," Catelyn says.

"My Lady," Renly says as I catch sight of her. "I will see the Lannisters answer for your husbands murder. When I take Kings Landing, I'll bring you Joffrey's head."

People cheer making it harder for me, "It will be enough to know that justice was done My Lord."

"Your Grace," Brienne says. "And you should kneel when you approach the King."

"There's no need for that, Lady Stark is an honored guest."

"Has your son marched against Lord Tywin yet?" Loras asks.

"I do not sit on my son's war councils. And if I did I would not share his strategies with you."

"If Robb Stark wants a pact with the King he should come himself. Not hide behind his mother's skirts."

"My son is fighting a war not playing at one."

"Cat!" I say tripping over someone into the middle of the circle. She turns as I push myself back up. "Mother!" I hurry to her and hug her. It takes her a moment but then she's squeezing me back just as hard. Renly stands and approaches the both of us, and we pull away.

Catelyn blinks back tears. "Don't worry My Lady. Our war is just beginning," he says to her gesturing for us to follow him.

"When were you going to tell me you had my daughter? What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for Robb. I want to help."

"And I wasn't going to announce it to everyone," Renly says. We follow him through camp Brienne following us. Renly talks to a man and I just continue looking Catelyn up and down. They start to talk of military strength and I fall back slightly next to Brienne.

"That's a nice sword you've got there," I say to her. Catelyn looks back at me and I nod to her.

"Thank you."

"So you're a woman?" I see her face tighten, "it's alright. I wish I had your skills, my looks tend to cause me trouble," she doesn't respond. "How'd you learn to fight?"

"My master-at-arms taught me."

"I was taught by sell swords going through the man who raised me's inn."

"Lady Brienne escort Lady Catelyn and her daughter to there tent at once. They are tired from their journeys."

"At once Your Grace. Shall I return after?"

"That won't be necessary. I will pray a while, alone," he says walking away.

"If you'll follow me My Lady's."

Catelyn bows to her, "you fought bravely today Lady Brienne."

"I fought for my king. And soon I'll fight for him on the battlefield. Die for him if I must. And if it please you Brienne's enough I'm no lady."

"Have you killed before?"

Catelyn looks at me, "like you know so much about killing people."

"You left me alone, you left Bran and Rickon alone, you don't know what we've been through," I turn back to Brienne. "Have you?"

"No, My Lady."

"People will tell you it's hard and I suppose if the circumstances are right it could be. You seem to be an excellent fighter though."

"I won't just kill people to kill them. They will be trying to hurt My King."

"Yes, and they will be trying to hurt you as well. Keep that in mind and stopping them shouldn't be too hard. I hope we can talk some more," I bow and go into the tent.

"What were you talking about?" Catelyn asks.

"You left me to travel North alone. I was attacked, they didn't care that I was a Stark or that I'm betrothed to Jaime. They tried to rape me," I say avoiding her gaze. "I did what I had to, and you weren't there. Robb was though, and Luwin. What about Bran and Rickon have you thought about them? They lost their father and need their mother, as much as Robb does, if not more," I turn and leave her.


	18. Chapter 18

I stand rubbing Silver's nose. "What have we gotten ourselves into?" I whisper to her. "Hunh? We lost one father, to find an entire family waiting for us, and now we've lost another father." She snorts and I lean my head against her. "I know, I'm taking care of Jaime," she moves slightly, and I pull back looking at her. "I don't care if I liked his kisses he injured my father. You're no help either," I say pulling away. I hold out the last apple to her. "I'll come back soon," I turn and walk back to camp.

I walk around the tents towards Renly's and find it is guarded. "I wish to enter," I say.

"He is in a meeting."

"Did he say I couldn't go in?"

"No, but-."

I push past them and walk in seeing Littlefinger, and Renly talking. "What are you doing here?" Renly asks him.

"Yes, what are you doing here?" I ask a hand on my sword. Brienne straightens a hand on hers as well.

"Ah come in, you can trust the three of us. She wants you dead I presume, you are responsible for her father's death, and Brienne's loyalty comes without charge."

Littlefinger glances at me. "You still have many friends at court Your Grace."

"And do you?" I ask him.

"There are many who believe Ned Stark erred in not supporting your claim to the throne," he continues not answering me.

"And yet you deceived him," I say. "You were supposed to be helping him and yet you held a blade to his throat. You let the Lannisters capture him, and now he's dead."

"I didn't intend to kill him, I just didn't want Stannis getting the throne."

"No, you just wanted my mother for yourself, excuse me Your Grace," I say curtsying. "I should leave before I do something you would regret," I turn to leave. Renly talks to him then and I walk away angrily. I stand at the edge of his tent gripping my sword tightly and then letting go.

"Feeling like you need a fight?"

"Yes, Arthur," I say recognizing him from the entrance.

"I am sorry for the way I treated you. You fought well, shall we spar?"

"That sounds nice right about now," I follow him away from the tents where we find tourney swords and we spar until it's hard to see.

"I'm ashamed of myself," he says as I help him to his feet. "I should have easily beaten you, you are a girl."

"Yes, well I have sparred with the famous Jaime Lannister. To talk about arrogance," I say grinning. "Maybe next time?"

"Of course My Lady," he says bowing slightly. I turn and walk away towards my tent. Along the way I see Petyr and start towards him but stop within hearing when I see Margaery. I walk slower behind them.

"You're tent, not our tent," he says. "The king snores perhaps or simply prefers solitude. Pressures of command no doubt four kings all fighting for the throne."

"I am not tutored in warfare but basic arithmetic favors the side with the greater numbers."

"If war were arithmetic the mathematicians would rule the world. I did notice your brother entering His Grace's tent just now."

"The place of a kingsguard is by his king."

"And on your wedding night. Who was by the kings side then?"

"Your Grace," I speak up hurrying up. "A word please?"

"Of course. Just a moment. You seem interested in my marriage Lord Baelish. You've never married?"

"I've been unlucky in my affections."

"My mother happens to have good taste in honorable men, who know how to fight for themselves," I say narrowing my eyes at him.

"It's a good thing, marriage seems to confuse him."

"If Ned Stark was such a good fighter, where is his head?"

"Here is your tent Lord Baelish. Come along Lya," she says turning away and I follow her. "You don't like him," she observes.

"He betrayed my father, and in doing so my mother the woman he loves. He would have us all killed if it meant he had a chance with her. I couldn't help but overhear his comments about your husband."

"Renly is-."

"Your husband and your king. Nothing matters as long as you have children, and there are ways for that."

"Thank you," she says.

"I do have to say they are both very attractive and it's unfortunate, but hey to each his own."

"Have a good night."

"You as well Your Grace."

I turn back after curtsying and towards my tent. "Get out!" I hear Catelyn yell.

"Cat! I've loved you since I was a boy. It seems fate has given us this chance," I rush in just as she turns on Petyr with a knife.

"Have you lost your mind get out," I draw my sword, and he turns to look at me.

"Do you want to see your other girls again?"

"What are you going to do you already betrayed us once, now you heard her get out," I say moving around so I'm in front of Catelyn.

"Sansa, looks more like you everyday, and Arya just as wild."

"You have Arya?" Catelyn asks.

"Of course-."

"Both girls are healthy and safe for now. But you know the Queen and you know Joffrey. I fear for their longevity."

"And I fear for yours if you don't get on with it," I say narrowing my eyes. I hear Catelyn put the knife down but I don't dare.

"What do you want?" she asks.

"Your daughters will be traded for the Kingslayer."

"Of course they will," she says. "Jaime Lannister for two girls. Robb will never agree to those terms."

"And I won't either," I say speaking up.

"I'm not bringing it to you or him. I'm bringing it to their mother."

"You think I keep secrets from my son?"

"And how do we know if you're telling the truth. You've lied to us."

"Robb is not a mother and neither are you yet," he looks at me. "Consider it you may not get another chance. I've brought you a gift."

"I don't want your gift," Catelyn says.

"A token of Tyrion Lannister's good will. He wants you to understand that this exchange of prisoners is offered in good faith."

I watch as a box is brought in. "What is this?" Catelyn kneels by it and slowly opens it. There is what is left of Ned's body. I cover my mouth and lean against her.

"Your husband was an honorable man he should rest with his family beneath the crypts beneath in Winterfell. You may-."

"Get out," she says in a hurt voice. He turns and leaves but I follow him.

"You think this makes up for it? Because it doesn't," I say. "Nothing will ever make up for your betrayal. You're just a messenger, and if I get the chance again, I'll kill you myself," I turn and go back to Catelyn. She grabs onto me hugging me. I hug her back.

"My girls are alive," she whispers into my hair stroking it. "Do the dream thing, to see where they are?"

"I'll try," I whisper as we hold each other. I let my tears fall silently at the idea that Ned will be where he belongs and the girls were safe. I hadn't known them that long but I had grown to truly care for the both of them.


	19. Chapter 19

A/N: I almost feel like this is a filler until Jaime's back in the story. I also feel like my hatred for Melisandre came out in this a little bit, I really don't like her at all.

I sit up pushing my hair back out of my face. "Where are you going?"

"To negotiate with Stannis and Renly."

"Let me come," I say standing and dressing myself.

"You should focus on finding Arya and Sansa."

"It's not working, I can't sleep all day. I need a break, and actually do something."

"Fine, go get Silver," I leave the tent after strapping my sword on and get Silver ready. I am on her back when everyone else comes and I follow them away from the encampment. It takes about half an hour to reach the meeting spot, where Stannis is already sitting astride his horse.

I look away from him out at the view of the ocean from the top of the cliffs, and can't help but notice that the way we are positioned, Stannis has the upperhand. I look back at them as Stannis starts to speak. "Lady Starks, I had not thought to find you in the stormlands."

"We had not thought to be here, Lord Stannis," my mother responds as I look past Stannis towards the woman in red. She hasn't blinked once yet and she's staring at me. I don't hear the exchange between the two brothers, something about banners, but I really don't care. I grip the reins tighter as I continue looking at her, feeling extremely uneasy. There's something off about her, and it's not because she isn't blinking.

I get the sense that she is evil, and given the chance would kill anyone no matter who they were. As I continue to look into her eyes, I start seeing a fire behind her eyes, which grows larger as she speaks. "Aww you must be the fire priestess we hear so much about," my ears don't pick up the rest as she raises her head slightly the fire burning fiercer. They all start to talk and still the fire is all I see. As they start to leave, her eyes flick to Renly breaking me from my trance.

"The night is dark and full of terrors," are the last words she says before she is gone.

"She's threatening him," I whisper my hand going to my sword.

Catelyn stops me, "what are you talking about?"

"I don't like her, she will do anything to get power. Let's go back I'm feeling tired," I turn my house around and gallop back towards the encampment.

I'm no longer standing in Kings Landing watching people walk back and forth, but in some sort of cave. The Red Woman, the fire priestess, whatever you want to call the evil bitch, is standing taking her clothes off. My eyes widen as I take in her pregnant belly, that hadn't been noticeable earlier. She lays down and starts giving birth almost like it's nothing. My eyes widen as I see a dark drippy shadowy mass come out of her exposed legs instead of a crying tiny baby. A flash of Renly lying in a pool of blood flashes before my vision, and the cave disappears for the sounds of the camp.

I sit up looking around. Catelyn is nowhere in sight, so I fix myself and get up heading for Renly's tent. Night has already had fallen and I'm unsure of what I truly saw in the cave, but I know I saw Renly dead. Checking on him is what I need to do first. I get to his tent and nod to his guards before walking in. "Negotiate a peace with your brother," Catelyn is saying.

"Negotiate with Stannis?" I see Brienne is helping Renly take off his armor. "You heard him out there. I'd have better luck debating the wind. Please bring my terms to your son," he says turning around. I turn to feeling something in the pit of my stomach. I move to the entryway as he keeps talking.

"Don't let anyone else in," I say to the guards before turning back around. Almost instantaneously there is a sharp wind behind me blowing through the tent. "Renly!" I call as the mysterious shadowy thing I had seen in the cave materializes behind him. I go for my sword as if in slow motion but as I watch I know it's too late. A shadowy dagger is sticking out of the front of Renly's chest reflected in the mirror.

Brienne lets out a scream as he falls and she catches him. Renly's guards come bursting in the room pushing me out of the way. "You'll die for this!" one shouts and she draws her sword. Catelyn tries to protest but we only watch as Brienne slays them both.

I grab my mom's hand as she breathes heavily looking at the dead men on the ground. Brienne collapses over Renly and starts to sob. "We have to get out of here," I say to my mom.

She kneels by Brienne, "we've got to leave. They'll hang you for this, we have to leave now."

"I won't leave him."

"You have to avenge him Brienne, you can't do that if they kill you first. Let's go," I say moving past Catelyn and to Brienne putting a hand on her shoulder. Catelyn starts towards the entrance, but Brienne gains control over herself and heads the other way.


	20. Chapter 20

**A/N: So, I 'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. I thought I would be able to update sooner but work has been crazy and I'm barely home at all anymore. Anyways, enjoy!**

We finally stop walking after what feels like forever to wash up a little and allow the horses to drink. Two nights ago Brienne had led us out of Renly's tent, got our horses, and then we took off. We had only stopped to give the horses rests as they needed it as well as ourselves twice to take little naps, as we headed for Robb's camp.

"I'm telling you it looked like Stannis."

"To me it just looked like… a shadow in the shape of a man."

"In the shape of Stannis," Brienne insists.

"I saw it in a dream closely and whatever it was wasn't human," I say shuddering. Catelyn turns away from us heading towards her horse.

"We should reach my sons camp tomorrow."

"Will you stay there long my lady?"

"Only long enough to tell Robb what I have seen. And then I have to get back to Winterfell. My two youngest need me."

"What about you?"

I shrug, "I don't know yet," I let their conversation fade away about giving birth something I didn't want to speak of and brushed out Silver talking to her quietly.

"Renly's death was no fault of yours," Catelyn's voice sharp cuts through and I look to them, seeing Catelyn sitting down while Brienne stands over her. "You served him bravely."

"I only held him that once," she says and it hits me how much Brienne had cared for him.

Catelyn stands and approaches her, "he's gone Brienne. You serve nothing and no one by following him. Renly's enemies are Robb's enemies as well," I approach them now.

"I do not know your son My Lady but I could serve you. If you would have me," Brienne says the power in her voice yet sounding meek at the same time. "You have courage," and she continues on and as I look at Catelyn I see what Brienne means. Catelyn has the courage it takes to protect her children, something Brienne and I didn't understand fully the bond between a mother and a child. "Promise me that you will not hold me back, from Stannis," she says and Catelyn looks on with determination and starts speaking.

"When the time comes I will not hold you back," I remain still and silent realizing that something serious is now going on. Brienne draws her sword and I jump a little not expecting it in the peaceful setting. She bows down in front of Catelyn.

"Then I am yours My Lady. I will shield your back, and my life for yours if it comes to that. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New."

Catelyn takes Briennes hand, and I realize that Brienne has changed from following Renly to following Catelyn another woman. "I vow that you shall always have a place in my home and at my table and that I shall ask for no service of you that will bring you dishonor. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New."

The peaceful moment had passed and we were walking once again Brienne in the lead heading in the direction Catelyn had directed her in. We were relaxed but not entirely in case of an attack. "So, Brienne is yours now."

"I don't own her," Catelyn says.

"That's what it sounded like."

"Well I don't. She must do as I tell her to do now, but she will also in return protect me as needed. She would have done that anyway, this is the sort of life she chose. This is the sort of life that Bran wanted for himself."

"He still dreams of it."  
"He's young and old dreams die hard in a young boys mind. But it's unrealistic. He will never be a knight."

"Don't be so quick to think that Catelyn. Bran can ride a horse now, with the right saddle and the right horse. Tyrion came up with it, he stopped at Winterfell with the designs before you took him hostage."

"You understand why I did what I did. I thought he had tried to murder two members of my family."

"And now you think Jaime did it?"

"I know he tried to kill Ned."

"I saw, but he didn't try to kill Bran and I he saved us if anything. I don't know what happened with Ned, but he did fight with him, and he killed Jory."

"Which is why we have him, but I need the girls back. I would much rather have the girls with me and alive than having the man who attempted to murder my husband," she gets quiet for a moment. "Have you found her yet?"

"No, I haven't seen anything."

"What about Sansa, anything about her?" I shake my head no.

"I haven't been trying to see Sansa though, so I'll try for both of them. Maybe I'll get something. Sansa is safe, they wouldn't kill her, not when we have a Lannister but they won't give her back unless we trade them. And Arya is smart and feisty I'm sure she's fine."

"Thank you."

"For?"

"Making me feel better even if it isn't true," she moves past me to walk closer to Brienne and I sigh leading both our horses along.


	21. Chapter 21

We walk into the encampment freely, the next day just as it is ending, with Catelyn at the lead Brienne and I next to each other leading our horses. The guards nod at Catelyn as we pass by as if Brienne and I are her shadows. We pass by people Catelyn asking if they've seen Robb. We are pointed in the same direction so we continue on, and then we spot him. He's talking to a pretty girl, with his back to us. She seems to be enjoying whatever it is he is saying to her.

"Robb," Catelyn says coming up next to him. He turns a look of surprise that is replaced by a smile rather quickly.

"Mother," he moves in and hugs her tightly. "Lya," he hugs me as well our hug lasting a little longer. "You're lucky you're my sister," he says. The lady crinkling a paper in her hands catches our attention. Robb pulls back and looks at her. "Mother, Lya this is Lady Talisa. She's been helping with the wounded," he leads Catelyn in closer to her and I follow.

"Lady Talisa."

"Ladies Stark," they incline their heads towards one another.

"Lady Talisa…?"

"Lady Talisa Maegyr."

"Where is that from?" I whisper to Catelyn.

"Don't be rude, it's impolite to whisper in front of people like this," I blush at the reprimand as Catelyn continues on. "We are sorry we don't know this name."  
"It is uncommon here, it is an old name in Vilantis. Excuse me My Lady, Your Grace," she nods her head and turns to go.

"I'll take care of the horses," I offer taking Catelyn's from her.

"Follow her," Catelyn says to Brienne turning to follow Robb. I hurry after Talisa.

"Lady Talisa!" I call. She turns to see me and smiles slightly.

"How may I help you Lady Stark?"

"You may call me Lya. I'm not used to the whole title thing."

"What do you mean?"

"I wasn't raised as a Stark, it's a long story, anyway. I saw the way you looked at Robb."

"His Grace is very handsome."

"He has a lot to worry about, and romance shouldn't be one of them."

"You're one to talk, I hear you have a thing with Ser Jaime Lannister."

"We don't have a thing, all's I'm trying to say is don't be too distracting. We are doing alright so far, and you better not mess it up for him."

"Noted Lya. It is sweet that you care for your brother so." I nod at her and lead Brienne and the horses towards the stables. Brienne looks slightly uncomfortable. We drop the horses off and start back towards Robb and Catelyn.

"Is something bothering you?" I ask her.

"Was that your place to say something to her?"

"I'm only looking out for family," I say. "You would do the same thing if a girl could get your brother killed."

"I'm not the best when it comes to-."

"You might not be the best with your words Brienne but I've seen you with a sword. You're an intimidating force." We come upon Catelyn and Robb conversing just as a man comes up.

"Your Grace, My Lady. News from Winterfell," he holds up a little scroll from a raven.

Robb takes it and reads it, "what does it say?" Catelyn asks.

"I need time to think," he shoves the paper into Catelyn's hands and walks off. I stand patiently hoping one of them reads it as I look over her shoulder and see I only know a couple of the words.

After Catelyn, and I have eaten we gather in Robbs tent. "This cannot be true," he says.

"We've had ravens from White Castle," the man, whose name I learned is Roose Bolton,who had delivered the note says adding in other places that don't have much meaning to me. "I'm afraid it is true."

"Why? Why would Theon-," Robb starts and I put a hand on his shoulder knowing how angry he is. His brother Theon, not by blood but by being raised together, had taken over Winterfell.

"Because the Greyjoy's are treasonous whores."

"My brothers?"

"We've heard nothing of them," I look to see Catelyn's eyes fill with tears and she looks away. "But Roderick Cassell is dead."

"I told you never trust a Greyjoy!" Catelyn says the hurt in her voice evident. I move from Robb to her and hug her allowing her to bury her face in my shoulder.

"I must head off at once."

"There's still a war to win Your Grace!" Bolton says as Robb rises.

"How can I call myself "King" if I can't even hold my own castle. How can I ask men to follow me if I can't-," Robb yells back.  
"You are a king, and that means you don't have to do everything yourself," Bolton replies just as heated.

"Let me go and talk to Theon," Catelyn says moving forward.

"I could go with her," I say hand on my sword.

"There is no talking he will die for this."

"Theon holds the castle with a skeleton crew. Let me send word to my bastard at the Dredfort, he can raise a few hundred men and retake Winterfell before the new moon. We have the Lannisters on the run. If you march all the way back North now you lose what you gained. My boy would be honored to bring you Prince Theon's head."

"Tell your son Bran and Rickon's safety are paramount and I want Theon brought to me alive. I want to ask him why and then cut off his head myself," Bolton nods and turns to leave. I storm out after him ignoring Catelyn's words to come back.

I'm sitting in a corner holding my head. There's a cage nearby but I don't care to see what's in it. "Who's the pretty lady over there!" I hear a familiar voice. I sit up looking around slightly confused and then stand approaching the cage. Jaime is inside tied to a post.

"Don't fucking talk to me you have no right," I say fighting tears. "You tried to kill my father."

"What's wrong?" he asks looking up at me covered in his own filth and yet he still sounds concerned. I feel a surge of hatred suddenly and just want to go in and tear him to pieces.

"Don't fucking talk to me, I hope Robb kills you for what you've done," I spit at him and turn walking away. Out of distance I start punching a tree not feeling my skin split open and the blood start to drip down and off of my hands.

"Catelyn she's over here!" I hear Brienne sometime later. I've hunched over again and am holding my head.

"You're bleeding," Catelyn says and tries to pull me to my feet but I won't budge.

"May I?" I hear Brienne. Catelyn moves and then arms pick me up and carry me through the encampment.

"Lady Talisa, can you help us?"

"Of course Lady Stark, what is it?"

"She hurt her hands," I'm laid down on the ground and she kneels next to me examining them.

"Were you fighting a tree?"

"More like Robb than she'll know," Catelyn says. "Talk to me Lya tell me what's wrong?"

"Why?" I wipe at my eyes with my arm as Talisa washes the blood away and picks the bark out of my hands. I wince occasionally. "Why didn't I see this. Why aren't I seeing anything? I can't see Sansa, Arya and I didn't try to see Bran or Rickon but why wasn't it shown to me."

"It's in the past now there's nothing we-."

"I know we can't change the past but I've seen things in my head. I've seen Ned dying and someone else dying, and bad things happen to people but I didn't see this. Something we could have prevented."

"I don't know. But we can't blame you, we can blame Theon the traitorous little snake," Talisa starts bandaging my hands. "It's being taken care of the boys will be alright, and we will win this war."

"I wouldn't be so certain about that? Can I go now? I'm tired," I say.

"All done," Talisa says. "Make sure you keep them clean, and use this for the pain," she puts a small jar in my hand.

"Thank you," I stand and walk myself to my tent.

_I see flashes of faces. There's Hodor with Bran on his back, and Rickon right in front of them. And then there's Sansa with a bruise on her face and a small bleeding cut. And Arya, at last something of Arya._


	22. Chapter 22

"Catelyn! Robb!" I say walking into Robb's tent. Catelyn is standing there talking to him while he sits looking over some paperwork. They look up at me as I walk in. "I've seen them! I've seen all of them."

"Sit down, tell us everything."

"It's not very much," I say listening. "But they're all alive. Bran and Rickon are with Hodor, and Osha, remember her?" I ask Robb.

"Of course I do."

"She seems to be helping them now. And Sansa is alive, in the capital. I saw Arya but she's surrounded by darkness."

"Oh this is great," Catelyn says hugging me.

"I have to go sit for a little while," I say getting up. I leave and make my way to the river. I throw some stones into the water and watch the ripples for a few moments. I stop when someone walking by says a Lannister is in the King's tent. I go back to it just in time to hear Robb.

"And what does she say?"

"She admires your Spirit Your Grace. And she um, she tore the paper in half Your Grace," he says nervously."

"You've acted with Honor I thank you for it."

"Lord Karstark see that his pen is clean. And that he gets some hot food."

"Does he have to lie down?"

"Why?"

"There's no room."

"Have the men build him a new pen. Put him with the Kingslayer for now," his eyes find mine at those words and I look down. "Everyone out," we all turn to leave. "Except you Lya." I move closer as they all leave. "I would like to talk to you for a moment."  
"Yes?"

"What did you leave out about our sisters earlier?"

"Sansa has a cut and a bruise on her face, and she looks miserable."

He nods taking a deep breath. "I'm going to get them back but we aren't going to do that by letting the Kingslayer go."

"His name is Jaime."

"I know that you had feelings for him but he tried to kill Ned."

"And he didn't," I argue back. "And he didn't try to kill anyone else in our family recently anyway. What if they kill Sansa?"

"They won't, they know that will ruin things for them."

"A moment of your time Your Grace?" Lady Talisa asks.

"You can go," I turn to leave.

"How are your fingers?"

"Fine thank you," I say continuing to walk away.

"Jaime!" I call walking closer I nod to his guard and kneel down in front of their cage.

"That's so nice to hear."

"Shut up," I say. "I want you to know that I-," I stop talking.

"You what?"

"I hope you're sister," I spit the word at him, "likes you as much as you think she does. As much as I thought I did."

"You liked me?"

"I thought I did."

"Yes, well feelings change," he smiles at me and it drives me crazy. I want to go in there and smack him and another part just wants to kiss him. "Have you met my cousin Alastor?"

"He's a monster," I say to his cousin. "Don't look up to him. Good night gentlemen." I get up and walk away.

"I hate you two Lya!" Jaime yells after me.

I don't sleep much that night. Jaime had killed his cousin and then a guard and escaped. I sit with Catelyn who's going over letters with me having found out that I don't read very well. I'm getting frustrated so when a man comes in disrupting us and is short with Brienne I welcome it. She puts him in his place and when he announces to us that Jaime has been found we both run out.

"Lord Karstark!" Catelyn interrupts him. She argues with him, and I walk right up to him. I slap him across the face.

"You fucking asshole!" I scream at him. "You killed him. You killed your own Cousin," he looks down. I can't help but kick him. "You killed one of the Karstarks, just so you could be free!"

"You would have-," I grab his hair.

"You have no right to talk to me," I shove him towards the ground. "Now I see who you really are," I spit on him. I walk away as Catelyn continues to argue with Lord Karstark and then Jaime jeers her.

I ignore all the fighting around me and go to him. I kneel in front of him and take the rag I had taken. I wipe the filth from his face and he just watches me. "I thought you hated me," I look away.

"You have no regard for the human life around you, and yet with me and those you love you're-."

"I love them," he says softly.

"Why? Why did you do that?"

"You're brother is either going to kill me or send me back. I figured I would rather go home than be killed so I took my chance."

"You killed your own family member."

"I-," he looks down.

"Exactly."

"You're mother is accusing me of something I didn't do. I will gladly own up to the things I did, but I didn't attack you and your little brother."

"I know that," Catelyn comes in and I stand aside. She glares at me and I just look at him as he looks down.

"Get out," she says. We all go to leave. "You stay," she says to me.

"Come to say goodbye Lady Stark? I believe it's my last night in this world."

"Is that a woman?"

"Shut up about her," I say. "She's better than I am."

"Not better looking," I smack him despite myself. "Spare me Lady Catelyn, you're daughter's already giving me crap about how I'm a terrible person. I killed his son, he was in my way. And my cousin. Any knight would have done the same to get out of his enemies encampment."

"You forsook every vow you ever took."

"So many vows. Defend the king obey the king, obey your father. Protect the innocent defend the weak. But what if your father despises the king? What if the king massacres the innocent," I look away remembering what he had told me of the Mad King. "It's too much. I'm always forsaking a vow no matter what I do."

"You're title is the Kingslayer."

"What a king he was," he says. "I shoved a sword in his back. The king of all of us."

"You are a man without Honor."

"Y'know I've never been with another woman but Cersei, so in my own way I have more Honor than poor old dead Ned. What was the name of that bastard he fathered?"

"Jaime shut up," I say. He looks over at me. "Stop talking or I'll hit you again."

"Lya you're sword."

"You didn't love him did you?"

"Mom, he's-."

"I saw it when I was in Winterfell."

"Lya?" she has her hand held out.

"She's going to end this for me."

"Cut his chains," she orders me. I blink at her but then I listen drawing my sword and cutting his chains. Brienne drags him to his feet and I look at him swallowing.

"Are you going to hit me now?" he asks his stupid smile on his face.

"Shut up," I say.

"You two have things ready for you to leave, go on."


	23. Chapter 23

A/N: Someone left a review saying my protagonist hasn't changed anything, and yes I have followed the show pretty closely so far but things are about to change. Not in this chapter but in the next few.

I had fallen silent; pray to my own thoughts ever since we had left camp. All that trouble I had gone to to track Jaime down and here he was. And yet I couldn't yell at him, scream at him. Get my revenge like I wanted to. I looked at him and saw the face of the man I had flirted with. The man whom had made sure I was OK after the awful dance with Joffrey that night long ago at Winterfell. The more I looked at him the more I just wanted to forgive him and forget everything bad that had happened and instead focus on the way he made me felt. I had to remind myself of the things he had done. He fucked his sister for one and had children by her. The thought though disgusting just didn't seem to want to fit in with the picture of the man here. He had tried to kill my father who was then executed cutting our time short before I could get to know him better. And yet here he was a dirty stinking man who still managed to look incredibly hot even in the rags he was wearing. I should be looking at him with disgust but instead I want him. The thought makes me blush.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by Brienne starting to drag him towards a river struggling. "I can hold him" I offer. She looks at me and then finally holds the other end of the rope over.

"I'll be right back," she says starting down the slight embankment.

"Jeez I thought she would never leave us alone," Jaime says moving closer to me facing me.

"I didn't do this for your benefit," I say hoping that I still sounded angry. I had been pissed back in the cage hitting him but I couldn't seem to hold it there present with me.

"What's wrong? I thought you would have gotten all your anger out," I bite my lip looking away. I try really hard not to look at him as he steps a little closer tilting his head smiling at me a little. "You're cute when you're pretending to be mad at me."

"I'm not pretending."

"Where did the fight go from the other night?" he teases me. I move to shove him back but he grabs my hands pulling me even closer so we're right up against each other.

I can't help but gasp and look up at him. I start to lose my train of thought looking into his green eyes. "It didn't-.. I-..." he starts to chuckle and I try to move away. "It's not funny," I say fighting the smile starting to form.

"I didn't say it was funny, I said you were cute," he leans in suddenly and his lips catch mine. My eyes widen and I can't think.

Just as I start to tilt my head into it he's yanked back. "Kingslayer!" Brienne says taking the rope from my hands. "That is no way to treat your escorts. Let's go," she starts to pull him along towards the boat and he's cooperating.

"You know I think she's jealous."

"Shut up, Kingslayer," I say wanting to get him to shut up. "Who would be jealous of you? You haven't seen yourself lately." I know the use of 'Kingslayer' hurt him because he does stop talking for once as we get into the small boat and start down the river. I regret it biting my tongue. I want to apologize but I'm not allowing myself to and only bite my tongue a little harder to keep myself from following through with it.

A/N: Well it's 1:30 about there anyway in the morning and I couldn't sleep and for some reason all of these ideas for this story started going through my head so I hope this is good. I gave up trying to sleep and started writing instead. I may get up tomorrow and decide to change it up a little bit but I don't know yet. Enjoy it anyway, even though it's really short. :) Other updates are sure to come soon I just wanted to post this one.


	24. Chapter 24

A/N: I did say that updates were coming soon :)... enjoy.

Jaime had been quiet for about an hour but he wasn't one who could stay quiet for long. The sting of my words had worn off quickly and instead he was teasing both Brienne and I. Brienne keeps telling him to shut up but I don't bother. I know all the words in the world won't keep him quiet for long. It's in his nature. We are walking a road going hopefully towards Kings Landing, as I have no sense of direction. We all smell at this point, none of us bathing in a while, some longer than others. Winter might be coming but it sure didn't feel like it as the sweat started to drip down my face.

I allow Jaime's and Brienne's words to just wash over me not bothering to really pay attention to their stupid little squabble. I still wasn't talking to him though I knew he wished I was and oh how I just wanted to talk to him again. "Hey!" I interrupt them to draw their attention towards three corpses hanging from a tree in front of us.

They both stop talking and walking to stare at them. "They laid with Lions," Jaime reads the sign attached to one of them. "This is the work of the North, the Freedom Fighters." I sense Jaime's eyes on me.

"We have to get them down," Brienne says. She walks by me handing me Jaime's rope.

"What would good old Robb, the great King of the North say if he saw that his people were killing tavern wenches." I try not to answer. But his next comment gets to me, "you know that he could have easily lain with a woman and she would be killed, hung with a sign reading she wanked a wolf."

"Shut up," I say yanking on his rope. "Robb is promised to a Frey."

"And he's flirting with that pretty woman I see walking around taking care of the wounded."

"Robb knows what he's doing. He knows that he has to marry the Frey girl and he will do the right thing."

"But what is the right thing? Following his heart? Or what his duty is?"

"We both know what you would do."

"Hey what's your business here?" I look from Jaime towards the new male voice. Three men dressed in light armor stand there cheeky grins on their faces.

Neither of us move, "we're escorting a prisoner," Brienne speaks up first.

They all start laughing, "you two are escorting a prisoner?"

"She's a pretty one over there," one of them starts forward. "Is that the Kingslayer?" he bristles slightly at the name.

"Of course not," Brienne says but her hand remains on the hilt of her sword.

"I think that's the bloody Kingslayer."

"We could get the Kingslayer and some fun with the other girl," one of them says as they all draw their swords. Before I can process it Jaime has shoved me to the ground and started running the opposite direction screaming unintelligible things.

I scramble to my feet and start to chase after him the clang of metal ringing behind me. He veers to the left and I go diagonal hoping to head him off. But then he's running past me back towards the fight which is still going on. He runs right into one of the guys knocking him off his feet pinning his sword down on the ground. I keep running back towards them as Brienne shoves Jaime off and plunges her sword into him.

"What do you think you were doing?" I demand breathing hard hunched over. "You're unarmed and tied up!"

"I still took him out."

"I think Brienne just saved all three of us you better be thankful."

"Whatever," he says as Brienne yanks him back to his feet. He looks proud of himself and I just want to slap the stupid smirk off of his face.

"Let's go," Brienne says and we set off once again quickly falling into what has become our rhythm of walking with the two of them arguing and my silence.

It's been several days since the incident with the bodies we found, and I still haven't spoken to Jaime but I'm not really talking to Brienne either. I haven't been sleeping very well either the dream I had of Jaime having his hand cut off playing over and over in my head. No matter how hard I tried to focus on something else on seeing Arya or Sansa. That was all I could see.

"I'm going to bed," Brienne says. "Wake me up when you go to sleep." I nod as she rolls to her side looking away from the fire. I stare into it wishing it to just take away the dreams, to engulf them and make them go away.

"Is it the dreams again?" I look up at the sound of Jaime's voice. He's lying lazily against a tree though I know he's probably extremely uncomfortable.

"You know that they come true."

"Tell me about them?"

I sigh and stand brushing myself off. I move around the fire as quietly as I can so I sit next to him. This whole time I had wanted to want myself to kill him but sitting next to him I just want to seek his comfort. "It's the one where you lose your hand."

"It's not going to happen unless either of you are planning on doing it."

"I have it multiple times every night, you know that they come true."

"You're right but we've done things to change what you saw. I'm sure what we are doing now is going to stop it from happening," I don't respond just lean my head on his shoulder. He leans his head on mine and we sit like that in silence except for the crackle of the fire. "She's a really good fighter," he says quietly.

"I know I've seen her."  
"I thought I might be able to distract them in the hopes of her beating them but I'm sure now that she would have been able to beat them on her own."

"You're just stupid, and want to show off."

"No I don't."

"Who else but you would decide to tackle a man with a sword when you have no way of defending yourself?"

"I didn't die did I?" I roll my eyes.

"No. But I think you succeeded in distracting all of us from the fight. Next time just let us handle it."

"There's going to be a next time?"

"Possibly, we're going to Kings Landing with just the three of us. Who knows what we're going to come up against," we get quiet again.

"You know I do listen to you?" I don't know what to say. "I've been practicing with my left hand."

I smile, "and how is that going?"

"It's terrible, but I'm getting better at it."

"Thank you," I say closing my eyes starting to fall asleep, completely forgetting to wake up Brienne like she had asked.


	25. Chapter 25

The days melted into weeks as we continued along our path through wooded areas and huge fields of corn towards Kings Landing. I had fallen silent again, the moment with Jaime in the night had faded for both of us and he was now teasing Brienne and I constantly. I was conflicted on my feelings towards him and only spoke to Brienne when necessary not speaking with Jaime at all. I spent my time trying to figure out what was going on in my head. It didn't help that I was sleeping even less now as the occurrence of my dream about him had increased in frequency as well as vividness.

We stop for Jaime to urinate frequently to the point where I think even Brienne no longer cares. I'm sure Jaime mocked us both for standing guard on him while he goes but if he did I didn't notice. After one such stop at the edge of a forest, right after some hedges Jaime's needling gets even more annoying, bring Catelyn up into the topic. I shift taking in his words about how her honesty hasn't gotten her anywhere. I fade out again as he continues to talk.

Suddenly we're stopped and Brienne is gripping Jaime's hair pulling his head back. I blink staring at them completely bewildered. "We don't get to choose who we love," Jaime says gently and I realize he must have offended her. The sound of a horse interrupts us and we turn to see who it is.

I sense Jaime's eyes on me as Brienne does the talking with the man leading his horse with sticks tied to her back. She tells him we're heading to Kings Landing and they converse on our chosen route. I glance over at Jaime a couple of times who is still looking at me. I can't help but blush and look away, stealing glances every few seconds. The man continues on and Jaime finally says, "he knows who I am."

"No he doesn't."

"Maybe you're right what if you're not."

"I agree with Brienne, why would he recognize you?"

"I'm the most recognizable face in Westeros."

"Why because you're so handsome?" I say suddenly annoyed with him.

"What if he tells someone?" he says ignoring me.

"He's an innocent man."

"More innocent than Lady Starks daughters?" Brienne shoves him forward and starts walking grabbing my sleeve to pull me along because I had been seething and unaware of their departure.

We stand Brienne staring out across the water while Brienne picks on her for trying to decide. "We'll take the bridge," I say, wary of crossing the river. Who knew how deep it really was and the water was moving fast enough to carry us away and allow Jaime to escape. Though I wondered if he would really try. He had continued to look at me since we came upon the man and I knew that he at least found me attractive and was friendly with me. We had kissed before, but that was a long time ago and probably held no meaning here.

We start across the bridge Jaime mocking my decision and then refusing to cross the bridge in the middle. Brienne tries to yank him along but he won't let her. Something seems wrong. "Jaime, c'mon let's just cross already," I say going to tug on his sleeve.

He stares at me as if he had forgotten I was there. He licks his lips and I'm not sure what he's going to do. He's backing me up and I let him not struggling. "I like you," he says suddenly. "More than I thought I did," he kisses me on the lips quickly. "I'm sorry." He shoves me over the railing of the bridge.

I scream as I go over and hit the water. I sink down to the bottom quickly and then struggle to stand up, to at least get my head above the water before I drowned. I push myself up and stand up on tip toe tilting my head back so I can breathe. There's a lot of voices coming from the bridge but I can't understand anything as I struggle to keep my head above the water. I manage a deep breath before I sink back under momentarily, long enough to start panicking and then I'm back up and the voices are gone.

I start to feel exhausted quickly of the effort of keeping myself up. I start taking my stuff off, untying my armor sucking in water several times with the effort choking myself. I let everything except my light dress underneath fall to the bottom of the river holding my sword with both hands and using my feet to walk/ propel myself to the side of the river. I lay on the rocks not caring that I had banged myself up pretty good in the process of getting over here I breathe hard shaking from exhaustion and the adrenaline of trying to keep myself alive. When I've calmed down enough to move again I crawl further onto the embankment and then lay on my back my sword lying next to me.

"I don't see her anywhere!" I hear someone yell.

"Let's check the other side again."

"Oh c'mon, why don't we just give up already and go back to Hoat?"

"The farmer said she was a pretty one. Think of how nice she would be compared to that beast," I sit up realizing their talking about me. My hand goes to my sword and my breathing though it was quiet now sounds like it's thunder in my ears. I stand up and start to stumble backwards towards the woods. I turn and start running as fast as I can away from the river.

I stop running and lean against a tree the river to my back. I grip my sword across my body the belt hanging down between my legs as I sink to the ground leaning my head back to look up at the sky through the tree tops. The sun has started to go down the shadows around me elongating and getting harder to see around me. Along with the sun goes it's warmth. I had been running for what felt like forever and my clothes were still wet and I was starting to feel the chill in the air.

I had lost the men long behind me but hadn't stopped running too worried about them finding me. I realize that my shaking is now from the cold and no longer the exertion from the running. I set about gathering sticks and set them up so I can light a fire. I reach for my pocket to get out my flint but find that I didn't have one. It had been in my robe's pocket which was now either floating somewhere along the river or sitting at the bottom of it. I couldn't start a fire without it.

I sit back frustrated huffing. I decide that I should keep moving it would keep me warm and I could sleep when I needed to. But deciding to keep on moving was one thing; knowing where to go was a completely different thing. As I sit there deciding which way to go I feel how cold it really was getting. It makes my mind up for me and I get up to start wandering around wrapping my arms around me after belting my sword back to my hip.

As it gets increasingly more dark and more chilly I start to get more irritated with everything that had happened. My thoughts wandered to Jaime even though I had tried so hard to just focus on what was going on in this instance around me. That was pretty hard when everything looked the same and there wasn't much of anything around me except the trees, and fallen leaves.

He had kissed me again. I hadn't even had time to react or process anything before he had pushed me into the water. Where I almost drowned. I kick at the leaves in a burst of anger sending them flying.

Why had he done that? And neither of them came to help me. People had been up there with them though, I knew that. I had heard their voices. I concentrate on what I remember hearing but that's difficult when the time you're trying to remember you were trying really hard to not drown.

I didn't recognize any of the voices, except Jaime and Brienne, the harder I concentrate though the more frustrating it becomes. I turn lashing out at at tree and freeze seeing a huge dire wolf. I blink at it unsure of what to do. It stares back at me it's yellow eyes seeming to glow in the low light. It has a grey coloring and the more I look at it the less fear I have for her. I look at her more and my mind flashes back to the direwolves at Winterfell. Nymeria and Lady had accompanied us, and both had escaped a possible death at the hands of the Royal family. She looks like she might be Lady, who had grey fur and yellow eyes. Nymeria had been grey as well but her eyes were a distinct golden color.

I put a hand on the tree for support seeing that if I got lower than her I would already be way below her height. I hold my hand out inviting her to come closer to me.

She approaches slowly starting to sniff me. I let her sniff my hand and then my face. She nudges me with her nose and I wrap my hands around her neck hugging her. "Lady?" I ask and she seems to nod into me. "Oh Lady you're alive. How did you survive out here?" I pull back to look at her and inspect her more. She is a little smaller than a small horse, her head going up to about my shoulder as I stand taller. "I'm sorry we had to abandon you," I say holding onto her. She sits down allowing me to do so. She's really warm and my slight shivering soon stops and I relax with her acting as a heater. Her head starts to droop so I lay down unbelting my sword and curling up next to her knowing she would protect me if anything happened.

_I'm standing in a shaded area well away from the fire that's lit. I see Jaime kneeling on a stump talking with a man. I can't hear what they're saying it's almost as if I'm under water and they're talking. The sound of their voices are reaching my ears but I don't know what they're saying. It's getting frustrating and I nearly scream as the unknown man puts the knife right up to Jaime's face looking like he's about to cut his eye out. The man whispers something to him and then stands up and brings the knife down severing his hand._

I jump awake looking around hoping to see Jaime tied to a tree sleeping and Brienne sleeping with her back to all of us. Instead I see Lady on her feet in front of me growling at something. I peak around her in time to see four men holding swords up in front of them aimed at her.

"We are here to protect you Lady Lya, sent by our Lord Tywin Lannister."


	26. Chapter 26

A/N: Whoo! Another chapter. It's a really short one, sort of just like a filler. But I should have another chapter up tomorrow. It's nice having ideas to write again, and in such quick succession :). Thank you for all of the favorites/follows and the reviews. All are welcome :) Thank you to who ever has been reading this since the beginning. It's almost been a year!

I peak out behind Lady moving so I'm more next to her burying my hand in her fur. The four men look uneasy taking in the huge direwolf by my side. "How did Lord Twyin Lannister know I was here?" I ask feeling suspicious of the four of them. They are dressed in Lannister red bearing the sigil of Jaime's family but there's no way they were sent directly here to save me. Tywin would/should have been more concerned for his son.

"He didn't. We were just searching for you and happened to find you here."

"And how are you four going to protect me from my family's army. Well, actually you'll need to protect yourselves from my family's army."

"There's more of us." My grip on Lady's fur tightens as three more men with bows step out from behind trees.

"So there's seven of you?" I ask. I had held my own against several men once before but this was seven of them. I might have Lady on my side but I wasn't sure how well we would fare, and I couldn't just surrender to them either. Who knew what they would do to me.

I allow my hand to fall from Lady's fur to rest on my sword. "There's more of us," the man who seems to lead them says eyeing us shifting slightly. He clears his throat and Lady lowers her head growling louder menacingly. There's a crack of a twig behind me and I turn drawing my sword seeing three men standing there.

"If you're here to protect me why do you seem so hostile?" I ask as they shift seeing they were caught.

"We figured you wouldn't want to come with us, I hear behind me and we saw this beast with you." One in front of me goes to attack so I defend myself easily going on the attack and they shift trying harder seeing I'm better than they thought. Another joins him and I can hear the snarling of Lady and shouting of the men behind me.

There's a whistling noise and then a searing pain on the right side of my chest. My hand falls down and I can't lift my arm. I grab my sword from the hand and hold it up in front of me gritting my teeth. I can see an arrow protruding through my body and try to ignore it. The Lannister men didn't want to hurt me, I could tell they just wanted to incapacitate me. It hadn't been working before but now the most I can do is block their strikes, I'm no good on the attack. I'm feeling weak and dizzy and stumble back with each block I manage to hold up.

The men start screaming and I see the fear on the men's faces in front of me. I don't have the energy to find out what's going on my movements becoming sluggish. "Grab her!" I hear one of them say and then I'm being lifted by the back of my dress. Whatever's carrying me is moving quickly, and is a lot bigger than me, my feet aren't even touching the forest floor, the trees going by in a blur before I lose consciousness.

A/N: Any guesses on who/what is carrying her.


	27. Chapter 27

I awaken acutely aware of the stabbing pain on my right side from my chest to my shoulder and down through my arm, as well as the sound of someone's ragged breathing. It takes me a moment to realize it's my own sounding in my ears like, hopefully, a lot louder than it actually was. I open my eyes and sit up feeling dizzy immediately. I lean forward closing my eyes putting my left hand on my leg to keep myself grounded. I'm terribly thirsty but need to figure out what's going on first. I know the arrow is firmly lodged in me and there's nothing I can do about that.

I open my eyes breathing hard with the effort. I slowly look around starting with looking to my right. There's a tree blocking my view so I look straight in front of me. I jump seeing a huge direwolf my breath becoming heavier than it already was. I'm sweating from all this strain and start to panic that it's going to kill me. Something moves to my left and I look to see another slightly smaller direwolf. It seems to be looking at me in concern as I hunch back over in pain as the skin tried to move to accommodate my head moving to the side.

I relax slightly remembering I had found Lady. When the pain recedes to the ache I look back at the one in front of me and surmise that it must be Nymeria, Arya's direwolf. I remember that she had been grey just like Lady, but with golden eyes a completely different shade of yellow than those of Lady's. She would be so happy to see that she was alive. If only I knew where she was. Wherever she was she was doing better than Jaime was. I had realized that I recognized one of the words he had uttered, "Bolton." I knew a Bolton, he had brought the news of the boys to King Robb and us. I also remembered that they were known for flaying men alive. Jaime wouldn't last very long at their hands.

"Jaime," I say out loud. "We need to go save him. And we need water. And to not die," I say. I hold my hand out to Nymeria who stands and runs to me sniffing my hand. She sits as I work my fingers into her fear and start using her to pull me up. Once on my feet I start dry heaving the pain blinding me and my dehydration making it all worse. "Water first," I say. She gets down and I manage to somehow pull myself up so I sit on her like a horse. I wrap my hand in her fur and scream a little as she stands. I slump forwards. "Water, we need water," she starts walking and I pass out again.

_The first thing I see is Jaime's body lying in a pool of blood, his head missing. Then it's Robb lying in a pool of his blood, and then the woman he had been flirting with lying in a pool of hers as well a clear stabbing wound on her slightly bumped up belly. Then there's Catelyn lying in her own face down. Sansa is kneeling half clothed, bruised and a little bloody. Arya is filthy covered in dirt and blood with no signs of other bodily harm. This plays on a loop over and over again._

I'm jolted out of my fitful sleep by a sudden burst of pain. I hear a whine of a dog near me but am holding my breath in pain writhing on my side. It fades but the pain has gotten worse than earlier. I see there's a small stream and manage to crawl down to it slowly nearly falling over numerous times. I finally reach it and drink from my one hand until I feel ready to burst.

I then go about trying to clean my wound. I know that the arrow has to be removed but I can't break the shaft, and I didn't think I would be able to pull it out. Maybe some other spot but I couldn't when I could barely see it. Even moving my left arm towards it sent shooting pain through my body anyway. I fall asleep again to the same dreams.

I wake up in darkness one of the wolves curled up next to me for warmth but I'm shaking violently. I'm freezing and feel like I'm dying. I know that I actually am at this point, and am so sick that I have to do something soon. The face of Tywin and then Jaime flashes across my vision as if I was in a dream again but I realize that he can help the both of us.

Tywin would do anything for his son, and he wanted us to marry meaning he wouldn't let me die. But how was I supposed to get to him. I didn't even know how to get to Casterly Rock if that was even where he was. He could easily be anywhere, we were in the middle of a war. That's when my thoughts turn to the men who were sent to protect me. I manage to drink a little more water through my shaking body but it's difficult. I climb back up on Nymeria. "Find those men, hurry," I say starting to lose consciousness again. I hold on tightly with my left hand.

I'm awoken from the loop of people dying over and over in my mind in time for Nymeria to lie down and gently move so I'm lying on the ground. She nudges my head and I pull away. I'm warm now, too warm. I feel as if I'm on fire. She whines and I hear the sound of men talking. I realize she had found them like I asked. I slowly get to my feet stopping to lean on her to get my balance as I sway with dizziness. I stand using my left arm for support to go from tree to tree.

Out of the darkness I see faces. Some of monsters, and some of people I know. People who are dead, like Ned, and the Targaryens. I just want to stop and lay down giving up but the thought of Jaime dying keeps me going. I finally stumble into a small clearing and see real people. I fall to my knees holding myself up with my good arm. "Tywin," I gasp out. "Bring me to Tywin," I fall forward and am unconscious before I hit the ground.


	28. Chapter 28

Being so close to death can be a bizarre experience. I've heard of people saying that they see bright lights, or they see things they regret doing. But all's I felt was nothing. It was like I was sleeping but I knew it. I had the visions I had been having since I had been shot with the arrow but it was like I was a true 3rd party to all of it, not having feelings towards any of them.

My first sense that I am alive is feeling really warm, sweat dripping down my forehead, and a voice whispering in my ear that I'm going to be OK. My second sense was quite the opposite. I was freezing, shivering, and again the voice telling me I was going to be OK. Then I'm back to my dream filled sleep.

Suddenly I'm sitting in front of a Godswood tree, the one by Winterfell near the pond I had fallen into. "It's time to wake up now," it seems to say to me. "When you awaken you will use your powers to guide you through what you must do." I go to speak but it seems to know what I'm going to ask already. "Just think about what you would like to see and you shall see it. You have power to change many things," it says.

I try to ask more questions but I blink and I'm staring up at a ceiling. I'm wrapped in a light blanket, and I can hear the crackle of a fire. "You're awake, excellent," I hear a voice that demands respect. I look to see the source to see a man, balding with white hair and Jaime's eyes.

"Tywin?" I try to sit up but can't stopping to wince. "Jaime! You have to go find Jaime!"

"I have to do no such thing. You will address me as Lord Tywin. Get over here girl. Help her up, bathe, and shower and dress her in the dress in the corner," he stands to leave. "You are a beautiful young woman, you're lucky you survived that. We will talk more later. Let her eat some food first," he says leaving shutting the door behind him. I look to see the girl he was talking to but her back is to me fiddling with things. "The maester will be here soon to check on her," he leaves again and I stare at the door waiting to see if he would come back again. He doesn't.

Instead I turn to see the person who is to assist me and nearly faint recognizing Arya. I lay back into the pillows staring at her. "Arya?" I whisper. She just stares back at me. "What-," I stop realizing I was yelling and for whatever reason talking was hurting my shoulder. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story," she says just as quiet. "But you're alive," she looks hesitant so I hold out my good arm and let her hug me for a moment.

There's a knock on the door so she stands. "Come in!" I call. A man wearing Maester robes comes in and Arya steps back to getting the food and things prepared.

"Glad to see you're finally awake, Lady Lya."

"Thank you Maester."

"Alright let's see that arm of yours," he helps me sit up enlisting Arya's help. I lean back against the head board allowing him to pull my dress sleeve down revealing my upper breast and most of my arm. "It's healed nicely, just a small scab now. How does it feel?"

"It hurts, even when I talk."

"Yes well that will be the scar tissue that's formed stretching. You'll have to keep moving it everyday so you get the movement back. You're lucky you survived. I would have cut your arm off but Lord Tywin wouldn't let me." I stare at him wide eyed. "He said that a one armed girl was not proper for his son Lord Jaime, a man of the Kingsguard. Now call for me if the pain gets too bad, but other than you should be fine," he gets up and leaves.

His mention of Jaime had drawn my mind back to him but I can't concentrate for long on that when Arya brings food over to me. She sits with me allowing me to eat in silence. "Have you heard anything about Jaime?"

"I haven't heard anything about anyone. For all I knew everyone could have been dead until you showed up here. What have you heard?"

"Everyone is still alive."

"Why do you care so much for Jaime?" she asks as she helps undress me.

"Why are you a serving girl, for Lord Tywin?" she stops to glare at me. I sigh. "Things have happened that we've had no control over. We've both ended up in positions we'd rather not be in. Now, tell me everything," I instruct. She gets me up and into the warm tub as she fills me in on how she was heading North with people heading for the Nights Watch when they were ambushed. She was captured and has been here ever since. They used to torture people but Tywin saved them and when he saw that she was a girl he used her to serve him. When he was gone she did chores and helped out with other things. And then I was there. "You're lucky he didn't recognize you."

"He wouldn't have recognized you the way they brought you in here," she says helping me to wash my back. It hurts my shoulder but everywhere else it feels nice. "You were close to death, covered in blood and filthy. Not to mention like all your clothes were gone, used for bandages to try and stop the bleeding. The arrow was still in you, they had to remove it. Tell me about it," so I do, we sit talking well until the water is cold and my eyes are starting to droop with exhaustion.

A/N: This is another short one but I just wanted to post it and couldn't write as much as I wanted to so I cut it off at a good spot to stop. The next chapter shall come tomorrow :) Hopefully I'll be able to post it we keep losing power for what feels like no reason :( anyway's enjoy! And review! Thank you so much to anyone who is still reading or has started reading this btw!


	29. Chapter 29

When I next wake up I'm alone. My shoulder aches but as I sit up I find I can do so without needing help or to stop because it hurts to much. I try to stretch a little and test the usefulness of my arm but there's little movement. My elbow works perfectly fine, but I can't lift my arm up more than a few inches forwards or out to the side and I can't lift it at all behind me. I try to move my shoulder up and down and stop holding onto it.

I take my alone time to look around the room I've been staying in. It gives no clues as to where we are or how long I've been here. It's obviously been enough time for my arm to heal enough to a little scab on the front and back. Next to my bed is a tray with food on it. I reach over and pick up an apple and a note with it. I glance at the letters not being able to read any of it I put it back down and sigh biting into the apple.

I lean back and close my eyes thinking about what was going on. I had been out for a while and woke up to find my youngest sister working for a man my whole family hated, and though I had only talked to him briefly I understood how people didn't like him but also how they respected him. My thoughts turn to Jaime, and I start to worry for him. He could be dead right now for all I knew. What had the Godswood tree said in my dream before I woke up? Something about thinking about what I wanted to see.

I shift so I'm laying down again and put my apple on the tray. I close my eyes and try to think about Jaime. But it's not working. I get out of bed and slowly walk around thinking about him. I end up sitting against the wall cross legged, the cold wall easing the pain that had gradually worsened in my shoulder. Think of Jaime. I close my eyes and start to imagine him. With his long golden hair, and green eyes. The cheeky smile, and stubble on his face. Just as I can picture him entirely in my mind I'm seeing him. He's sitting with a Maester on a rock. The Maester is attending to his wound and seeing the state of his wound makes me feel sick. He looks miserable and just as I want to inspect him more I'm staring into the eyes of Arya.

I blink confused. "What are you doing?"

"Thinking. What are you doing?"

"I'm here to dress you. Lord Tywin wishes to speak with you. Didn't you read the note?"

"I can't."

"You can't what?" she asks as I stand up.

"I don't know how to read. I can recognize some letters and stuff but I was never taught how to read. It wasn't important and my father didn't know how."

"So you were taught how to fight by people coming and going but no one taught you how to read?"

"No one stayed long enough. Besides it was more entertaining for them to see a little girl beat up their squires or friends," she helps me take my dress off and then we put on a different one with some difficulty. "My stupid arm won't work right."

"The Maester did say to practice moving your arm and stuff so you got the movement back."

I slip my feet into shoes and we walk together her leading the way towards wherever. "Where are we?"

"Harrenhal," she says as we walk into a dining hall. Tywin is already seated looking at papers. He looks up and I see he looks impatient.

"Did you just wake up?" he asks.

"No, I needed time for myself," I say not wanting to let him know I can't read. "Besides I need help to dress."

"The note said to go find Jane."

"I didn't know where to find her, I didn't even know where I was until I just asked her."

"I went and got her sir. She was struggling to get her dress off. Her wounded arm doesn't work properly."

Tywin looks back to me, "I'll send the Maester see if he can do anything for you. In the meantime have a seat." Arya/Jane pulls my seat out for me and I sit. "We need to talk about some things first, your arm. How does it feel? Besides not working?"

"It's sore, I was shot with an arrow."

"It's almost all the way healed now. You've been here for a little over a month now. Do you know which of my men shot you? They've all been punished but-."

"I didn't see them. Besides I'm sure that animal hurt some of them."

He nods, "fine."

"I would like to ask you why you won't go help Jaime?" I can tell the question irks him.

"Because Jaime got himself into this mess he'll get himself out."

"He was captured by the Boltons, they like to torture people."

"My son is smart he'll get himself out of it."

"He's missing his hand."

"How do you know that?"

I bite my lip, "I don't. But I'm worried about him."

"He'll be fine now stop asking about him. We are going to Kings Landing for the kings wedding to your sister, and then you are to marry my son."

"I declined that offer."

"You don't have that right," he says.

"Ned declined and-."

"Ned's dead."

"Well Robb won't allow it."

"Robb is dead," I stop trying to argue with him. "Your mother is dead. Your little brothers are all dead. You and Sansa are the only one's left, which means the King has the right to declare who you will marry. He's decided you are to marry my son."

"You're son is on the Kingsguard, he can't marry."

"That can be undone."

I stand, "you're wrong. Arya is alive as well," she drops the cup she was bringing over. "She's been here all along, and you won't lay a hand on her," I grab Arya's arm.

"That's Jane and-."

"This is Arya of House Stark, the youngest daughter of Lord Eddard Stark, and Lady Catelyn Stark," I say moving her in front of me shaking her a little. I turn and storm out dragging her with me. I somehow make it back up to my room finally letting her go.

"What did you do that for?" she yells at me as I start to pace.

"They can't be dead. They can't be dead," I mutter over and over again.

"What are you talking about?"

"Shut up for a moment!" I sit down and hold onto my head. I try to concentrate but I can't concentrate on one without the other and I'm starting to shake. "Damn it!" I say getting up again to start pacing.

"Will you tell me what is going on?"

"Tywin said Robb and Mom are dead."

She sits down and hugs herself starting to rock, "they can't be. They can't be. You're alive and you said-, you lied to me!" she gets up and flings the door open to see the Maester. "Is it true?"

"Is what true? I need to see her," he moves into the room and Arya stays closing the door. I stand and he checks out my arm ignoring Arya's pestering questions. He tells me ways to move my arm to make it more mobile eventually. But he says it'll be painful. As he goes to leave, Arya moves in front of him blocking the way. "Are they dead?" she demands her hands on her hips.

"Maester, my mother... Is she-?" he sighs lowering his head slightly. "Tell me what happened?" I demand joining Arya in front of him.

"They were at a wedding at Walder Frey's when his wife-."

"Who was his wife? He was supposed to marry a Frey himself."

"He married some commoner Tali, Alia something like that. They were both murdered as well as your mother?"

"Who?" I whisper. "Who did it?"

"I don't know," he says. "I have to get going," he shuts the door behind him leaving us. I hug Arya feeling numb.

"I'm going to kill them, I'm going to kill them all," she says into me.

I smooth her hair down, "no they'll get what's coming to them. We have to take care of us first," I sit down holding her in my lap letting her rest her head on my shoulder. My thoughts go through all my siblings imagining their faces.

I get an image of Bran on Hodor's back in the woods somewhere, next is Rickon walking with Osha somewhere else, and then there's Sansa sitting reading a book. Last is Jon with a bunch of people somewhere unknown. I realize that I am seeing these things in the moment. When I saw Jaime earlier he was really having his wounds treated. Sansa really is reading and the others are doing as I saw them doing.

I play with Arya's hair running my fingers through her short locks wondering how to see into the future. I close my eyes and focus on Tywin, the way he looked to me. I fight past the image I get of him talking to someone a menacing look in his eye. I try to focus on the future unknown as it is. I start to get a little flash of him sitting on something. I try to focus on it and it disappears.

I refocus on Jaime and see him walking, and then I'm looking at him. He's dressed all fancy, a golden hand on the end of his arm, and he's smiling down at me. I try to see what's around him and get flashes of a huge crowd. Arya moves bringing me back to the present and I feel a headache coming on.

I focus on Sansa pushing past her reading and see her bleeding, covered in bruises, Joffrey standing over her. I sit up startled nearly pushing Arya from my lap.

I manage to move her without waking her up onto the floor. I stand and move past her and get a blanket. I bring it back to her and cover her with it. I kiss her forehead, smoothing her hair back out of her face before finding my way back to the dining room. Tywin looks up as I walk in. "I'll do it," I announce. "I'll marry your son."


	30. Chapter 30

He almost looks like he doesn't believe me. I think I surprised him and he doesn't seem like the type of person who gets surprised very often. "I'll marry Jaime," I repeat making sure he had heard me.

"You don't have a choice."

"You're right I don't have a choice. But Jaime does," I sit down without asking for his permission. "And he won't marry me unless I tell him myself that I wish to marry him." Tywin narrows his eyes.

"What do you want?" he asks.

"To go home, to Winterfell. With my sisters. And I want the North to be pardoned."

"That will not happen, we-."

"We'll pay, eventually. But Winter is upon us and if you want to lose an entire part of this kingdom you will make it so we are granted a Royal Pardon until Winter is over and then we will go about paying back what was destroyed, and making amends. We all lost people, you're son killed the Northerners they won't accept him unless something good comes with him."

"Who-."

"I and my mother and another woman saved your son from certain death. He killed a Karstark in an attempt to escape. You will accept this or I won't marry him. And I want it in writing."

"Your sister, Sansa, is going to marry my grandson, and-."

"Yes, but Arya is going to Winterfell with me. And if the King changes his mind then Sansa will as well."

He takes a breath. "Fine we'll have it in writing," he starts writing things down. "But you and Jaime will marry a week after he returns. You will have a child within the first year and a half or this contract is null."

"First two years," he narrows his eyes. "We will be traveling a lot, we should be settled back at Winterfell before we have a child so it survives."

"Fine two years. And you will spend time at Casterly Rock as well, when I die he will be the Warden of the West. Now no more negotiations. I'll have it written up and you can sign in it in the morning right before we leave for Kings Landing."

I stand and nod my head, "Thank you Lord Tywin," I say leaving the room.

I let Arya sleep as much as she needs to lounging around unable to relax. I couldn't believe I had just done that. I couldn't believe I was marrying Jaime. My fingers itched to do something, anything to get my new pent up energy out. I tap my foot, my fingers, pace around the room but nothing will help. What I really want to do is use my sword. Where was my sword? I begin to wonder. Could I go ask Tywin? After that meeting, I wasn't sure.

"What are you doing?" I look over at Arya leaning against the wall. I had started mock fighting with my left arm.

"Do you know where my sword is?"

"No but I could go ask the guards," she says standing up.

"Thank you," I say as she leaves the room. I resume my pacing still wishing I had a better outlet. After what feels like forever of pacing I feel extremely exhausted so I lay down on the bed.

The next thing I know I'm waking up to Arya shaking me. "C'mon we have to get ready. We're leaving," I wipe the tears I hadn't realized had fallen in my sleep and sit up. She leaves me then to go and get ready leaving me to get ready myself. I smooth the dress out I was already wearing and fix my hair a little bit unable to do so one handed. I freeze remembering the contract, and that I couldn't read.

I leave my room in search of Arya needing her help unsure of when Tywin would ask for my signature. I wouldn't put it past him to fuck me over. "Lady Stark!" I turn seeing a guard. "Lord Tywin wishes to see you," he says. I follow him down the halls and then into a room I hadn't seen before. Like that was hard I scoff at my own thinking. I had seen all of two rooms.

"Lord Tywin," I greet him he is standing this time dressed for riding wearing some armor. "Do you expect to be attacked on our way to Kings Landing?"

"I heard you sent your sister looking for your sword. We are in a time of war and as the heads of our houses we are both in danger. Sign this," I approach the table and see a piece of paper sitting on it.

"I would like time to read it over carefully," I say.

"You don't trust me?" he approaches me and I have to look up at him. I don't know what to say so I just look up at him. "That's a smart decision. Who knows if I added anything into this? You are going to be helping run Casterly Rock when I'm gone and I won't have my future daughter in law muck it all up because she signs things without reading first. I want it back at the end of the day. Now go get your sister and meet everyone outside," he walks back towards his window.

I roll up the paper one handed easily because it had previously been rolled up and carrying it delicately I look for Arya. I wander the halls shivering at how gloomy it all is. Winterfell wasn't the brightest place ever but Harrenhal was just creepy. Arya did tell me that people were tortured here. I hunch my shoulders up against the chill I feel and turn the corner walking into some guards.

"You need to be outside."

"I'm looking for Jane," I say. "Lord Tywin sent me looking for her."

"She's already outside with the others."

"Thank you."

"Lord Tywin has your sword," one of them says looking uncomfortable. "I'd like to apologize for the way we treated you. And I'm sorry for your arm."

I clear my throat. "It's fine," I'm unsure of how I should act with him. "It will heal. Were any of your men hurt?"

"Bruises and cuts from you, larger cuts from that beast. But nothing too serious. We all survived."

"Glad to hear it. I should be going," I turn away from them and go outside. Being alone with them like that had started making me feel uneasy. It's my first time outside the walls that I can remember and the outside is just as bad as the inside. It is visible the destruction this castle was rendered with it's burnt walls. Everything is dirty and there's a pen still being taken down.

"That's where they kept us," Arya says making me jump nearly dropping the paper.

"I need you to read this, and tell me what it says?"

"What is it?"

"A paper with words, just read it please?" she takes it.

"How come you aren't more upset?"

"About?"

"Robb and Mom?"

"Arya of course I'm upset, I just-."

"You didn't really care for them did you? You're marrying Jaime?" she looks up at me and I can see she's really upset. "How could you?" she shoves the paper into my arms and turns to disappear.

"Arya!" I call after her. "Arya, let me, explain," the last word barely coming out in a whisper as she's gone by the time I get to it.

I start after her but am interrupted by a man leading a horse. "Here's your horse for the journey My Lady."

"Thank you," I shift the paper to my bad arm and grab onto the reigns with the other one. "If you find Lady Arya please tell her that I'm sorry and that I wish to speak with her?"

"Of course," he nods his head and walks away. I stand there unsure of how to get on my horse.

"My Lady," I turn to see a man. "Jaqen H'ghar," he holds out his hand. "I'll take the reins you take care of your paper."

"Thank you," I hand him the reins.

"I have gotten to know Lady Arya quite well."

"You're the man she told me about? The one she made a deal with?"

"It is," he says. "I wish to tell you something."

"Go on?"

"Keep an eye on her. I worry for her."

"I will, thank you," I say taking the reins back. I had shoved the paper up my sleeve.

"Would you like help on?"

"I got it," I lift my leg up into the stirrup and pull myself up and over. "Thank you Jaqen. See you later," I manage to hold the reins with both hands and guide the horse through all the people looking in vain for Arya.

We don't stop for lunch that day only stopping at night for a quick meal and then sleep. Lord Tywin wants to get to Kings Landing in a week and at this pace it'll probably be sooner than that. "Lady Stark," I hear Tywin's voice but I duck away not wishing to see him yet. I still haven't found Arya and as I continue through the camp avoiding him I hear her voice.

"Why? I said a name, you should-."

"Have you thought about this name? Really thought about it?"

"I-."

"Arya!" I come around a corner.

"Jaqen please!"

"Arya," I pull her into a hug.

"What are you doing here?" she tries to pull away.

"I need to talk to you. Please you have to understand. I agreed to marry him so we could go home, all of us, and we'll make things better. We can't change what's already happened but we can live the way we want to."

"Really?" she looks up at me.

"Absolutely. Now please tell me what this says?" I pull the paper out and give it to her. She looks at it.

"You're going to marry Jaime spend time at both Winterfell and Casterly Rock. Sansa and I can go home with you. You'll have a child in two years. And you'll swear fealty to the King. And you'll disband the people fighting against the crown and they will be punished once the Winter is over in a way you and the crown sees fit."

"Lady Stark there you are!" I turn to see Lord Tywin. "Come!" Arya follows me as I follow him. We enter a tent. "How was your day of travel?"

"Long and I'm tired," I admit. "My shoulder is sore from holding the reins."

"Yes well I won't have people walking. Are you going to sign the paper?"

"I am," I take the pen he offered me dipped in ink and I sign my name with squiggles. He looks at it looks at me and then signs his name next to mine.

"Have a good rest of your journey," he dismisses us. "Take them to their tent," he tells a guard. We follow the guard through the encampment and he stops outside a tent.

"Thank you," we go in. We sleep in the same cot that night me holding Arya and telling her everything is going to be OK.


	31. Chapter 31

"There it is," I hear Jaqen come up next to me. I had been keeping to myself mostly. I was trying to work out my feelings for Jaime which wasn't working out so well. I look up from my thoughts and see Kings Landing sprawled out before us and at the very end the Red Keep rising up as if out of the sea. "And this is where I leave you."

"Jaqen wait!" Arya says riding up next to us. I hadn't seen her at all and had no idea where she had been for most of our journey. I feel a little guilty for not trying to spend more time with her.

"If a lady ever needs help just present this and say Valar Morghulis to any Braavosi," he hands her a coin.

"But-," he disappears before she can protest more.

"Where have you been?" she blushes to my complete surprise. "What?" I ask.

"I've been talking with a friend."

"Who are they?"

"It's not important."

"Arya I'm just curious."

"His name's Gendry."

"And what does this Gendry do?"

"He was an apprentice in a forge, and is really good at it."

"We need someone who can make things like that at Winterfell," she looks at me. "Ser Rodrick Casell was killed, maybe we could find him a job."

Arya smiles, "I'd like that."

"You have any other friends from around these people?"

"There's Hot Pie, whom was left behind at Harrenhal."

"What does Hot Pie do?"

"He's a baker."

"Well his name suits him," I say as we descend down the road to enter Kings Landing itself. People follow us and there are shouts of my name and I'm really confused. I wave a little unsure of why they're shouting my name and then someone says I'm one of the last Starks. A joke is made about how it's a rare sighting and I ride on in silence.

We reach the Red Keep finally and Tywin sends us off to be escorted to our rooms. We both go keeping our grumbling to ourselves. As soon as we are dropped off in rooms right next to each other and are shown around, I turn to go find Sansa and to speak with Cersei.

"Where are you going in a hurry?" a girl asks standing at the door.

"To see my sister, Sansa Stark."

"Not before a bath," she says and then insists on helping me. I'm not really used to it, I do need the help to undress because of my arm still, but the actual bathing part is still a little humiliating. But I let her. I stand wrapped in a towel to dry and wait for her to help redress me.

"Do you know where my sister is?" I ask the only words either of us have spoken.

"Probably somewhere getting ready for her wedding in two days," she responds as three other girls come in.

"Her wedding is in two days?" I really need to speak with Cersei and Joffrey as much as I hated him. His words about how he hoped Sansa was good in bed back at Winterfell all those months ago rings in my mind. And then his grip on me had been painful. I really hoped I could do some convincing.

The girl is talking, and I hadn't been paying attention. "I don't see why we have to worry about your wedding dress now, Ser Jaime isn't even here yet, and we have a more important wedding to worry about."

I look down at the cloths they are holding up to me and marking. "You're making my wedding dress?"

"Of course I'm not making you're wedding dress. Do I look like I make wedding dresses?"

"Erm no," I say. "I just- you're right why are we doing this now?"

"Lord Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King ordered us to take your measurements and start working on it."

"Oh," I stand and wait until they are done.

"We also have to make you a dress for the King's wedding," I am starting to get impatient now but don't want to be rude to them. As soon as they are done I send them all out except the first girl.

"What's your name?" I finally ask as I'm dressed.

"Felicity. I'm you're new handmaiden."

"Oh," I feel like that's all I've been saying, one worded answers. "Do you know my sister?"

"No, but I've seen her. She is very pretty, as are you. Where did this silvery yellow hair come from?" she asks as she starts to brush it.

"Can you just do something simple with it?"

"Of course," she pulls part of it back and braids it tying it so it stays.

"Thank you," I stand from the chair she had had me sit in, and slip my feet into slippers.

"I wish to see Queen Cersei," I say to the Kingsguard standing outside. He opens the door for me and I go in. I pause seeing Joffrey and Tywin sitting at a table. I curtsy to them.

"Well this should be good," Tywin says leaning back. "How can we help you Lady Stark?"

"I wish to speak with the King about his future marriage."

"There's nothing to talk about I'm going to marry your sister in two days."

"Are you sure that's in the kingdoms best interest?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well she's a Stark, we Starks belong in the North. As soon as we go South bad things happen. We get ourselves into trouble. Do you really want to marry her, when outside of our true home we seem to drop like flies."

"What about your little brothers? I heard that they were burned to death," Joffrey says. "In your true home?"

"That was done by an outsider, someone we should never have trusted. And they tried to run."

"Any other reasons?"

"Our family is a family of traitors, you don't want to be married to a family of rebels."

"Going by that, you all should be punished."

"Our father openly rebelled against your rule. You don't want everyone else in the world to see you as someone who is weak. Someone who is relying on the rebels family? There are better, prettier women, who aren't from a family who rebelled against your rule."

"My son is getting married in-."

"Silence," he says. "You find someone prettier than Sansa, from a stronger family, and I will marry her instead," he stands and Tywin and Cersei get to their feet. "Now I must go visit with my fiance," he walks past me leaving the room.

"Well that was entertaining, good luck," Tywin says leaving.

I turn to go as well but Cersei stops me, "how are you going to find someone?"

"I don't know yet, but I'll figure it out, if you'll-."

"Let me just make it clear to you that whatever your planning won't work."

"I just want my family to be home and safe back in Winterfell. Now, if you'll excuse me," I curtsy and turn and leave. I start looking for Sansa really wanting to see her, when I turn the corner and walk right into Margaery.

"Oh look it's you!" she hugs me kissing my cheek. "How are you?"

"I'm alright," I say. "A little tired from the journey. How are you doing?"

"Oh ya know, adjusting to the smell for this wedding that's taking place."

"Have you been pardoned for..."

"Oh yes of course I have, I had no part in that," she smiles at me. "I'm hoping to find a better husband."

"One who's more loyal, I presume? Safer?"

"One who-."

"I have a proposal for you. How would you like to be Queen?"

"Meet me for breakfast in the morning?"

"Perfect."

"I'll send a note to your handmaiden, so you'll be ready. See you then," she continues to walk and I stand formulating a proposal to get her to agree in my head.


	32. Chapter 32

I sit with Margaery, in silence after I had told her that she could be Queen, ruling by Joffrey's side. I knew she liked the idea, she wanted to be Queen so badly, and she had had it for a while with Renly. I could see her mind working behind her pretty eyes staring down at her food and her little side smirk.

"I'll do it."

"Excellent!" I clap a little.

"My grandmother will be so pleased."

"Thank you."

"Oh you're welcome," she says though I know we're only doing this for ourselves, not truly caring about what the other one wants. "We must go meet with Joffrey."

"Joffrey, my future husband," she corrects me. We finish eating quickly and then walk down to the throne room. We curtsy to King Joffrey who sits up taller at the sight of Margaery. He grins at her.

"Who is this?"

"Margaery Tyrell, Your Grace. She is of a better standing house than Sansa Stark," I ignore the looks people are giving me.

"She is the one you found to replace her?"

"Yes Your Grace."

"She is beautiful. It's final I will marry Margaery Tyrell."

"Your Grace," a man steps forward. "All the preparations are-."

"Silence!" Joffrey yells and I see him flinch. "I will marry whom I say I will marry. Set everything back. Mother tell the Tyrell house the good news and set up a new date for my marriage."

"Of course," Cersei says and I can see the hate in her eyes as she looks at me. I look away.

"Where is Sansa? I want you two to meet!"

"She's in her room Your Grace."

"Get her, and get my Uncle as well."

"He needs to heal more-," Cersei says and I perk up a little realizing they weren't talking about Tyrion. He silences her and then a few minutes later Meryn Trant drags Sansa in. He throws her on the ground and I have to force myself not to run to her. She pushes herself up so she's sitting and bows her head.

"Sansa, meet my new future wife Margaery Tyrell," Sansa looks over at us and I see her eyes widen. "Stand her up," Trant drags her up to her feet and she trembles slightly. "Go say hi."

"Hi it's nice to meet you," Sansa says nodding her head.

"Uncle! There you are," and Sansa relaxes a little. I pull her to me and hug her at the same time I look around for his Uncle. Jaime comes in looking absolutely exhausted, his hair is still long and wild but it looks slightly clean. I feel like a weight was lifted off my shoulders holding Sansa who is still trembling and seeing Jaime alive. "I see you're hand still hasn't grown back," his face tenses and he gives a simple nod still looking down. "I've released you from your Kingsguard duties."

"Your Grace I can still serve, I-."

"Oh there's no need you'll be needed elsewhere. Go on say hello to your future wife," he looks around confused. "Oh you weren't told, you are to marry Lya Stark."

"Of course Your Grace," he bows a little but I can see he's really upset. "I'm bored all of you out. Margaery stay," Jaime turns and disappears before I can get to him so I take Sansa back to my room. Arya comes in and we all hug.

"We're going home, soon, I promise."

"I don't have to marry Joffrey anymore?" Sansa asks.

"Absolutely not," I hug her tightly.

"But you're marrying Ser Jaime."

"I'm going to get food," Arya leaves.

"She isn't happy about it," I say sitting on my bed next to Sansa. "I am marrying him for you guys, so that we all can go home to Winterfell. We don't belong down here."

"Are you sure that's it?" I sigh. "Oh c'mon you liked him since we were back at Winterfell. You just don't want to admit it."

"I don't know," I admit. "He makes me so angry sometimes, and then other times I just.." I blush a little.

"Just because you love someone doesn't mean they make you happy all the time."

There's a knock on the door. I get up and open it. "Where's Felicity?"

"I sent her away, she needed some time for herself as well."

"Lord Tywin wishes to speak with you."

"We'll have dinner, the three of us," Sansa says smiling at me, and I can see she actually looks slightly happy now. "Besides I need to talk to Arya."

I follow the Lannister guard through the castle and up to the Tower of the Hand. Standing outside the door makes me think all the way back to when Ned was in it and I have to pause to bite my lip and get myself together. I go in, and the guard closes the door. Jaime is sitting there his arms crossed not looking at me or his father either.

"Have a seat," I sit down. "You have a way of getting what you want."

"What are you talking about?"

"You got your sister back."

"I did, I told you we don't belong down here. Did you need something from me?"

"Jaime's angry, and-."

"Of course I'm angry I come home to be kicked out of the Kingsguard which is supposed to be for life, and to find out I'm expected to marry you."

"I'll leave you two to talk," Tywin says leaving. "Oh yes we must make wedding preparations," he closes the door. I grab Jaime's chair and even though it hurts my shoulder I manage to turn him so he faces me.

"I see you've been making plans with my father."

"I'm trying to save what's left of my family," I say back.

"While I was simply trying to survive!"

"Oh and I didn't have struggles?"

"You've been with my father!"

"Not before his guards attacked me, wounded me, and brought me to him unconscious!" I yell. He looks shocked, "you pushed me off that bridge and nearly killed me."

"I was trying to protect you," he mumbles.

"That's a funny way of showing it," I grumble back.

"I figured it would give you a chance to get away from Locke's men. He's a nasty man," and Jaime shudders a little. "I don't even want to think about what they would have done to you. How were you injured?"

"Arrow through the shoulder. It's still off. I told you this was going to happen," I reach across and gently take his stump in my hands.

"Don't it's disgusting."

"It's part of you now, there's nothing you can do."

"I said don't!" he pulls his arm to him.

"You can't grow your hand back, I'm going to see it anyway!"

"What if I don't want you to see it? What if I don't want to marry you?"

"Would marrying me be that bad?" I demand. "You can't be on the Kingsguard anymore Joffrey already dismissed you and he won't take that back."

"I am not marrying you."

"Oh would you rather you could marry your sister? Is she better suited to you're liking?" he pushes me back into my seat. "I saw her in the Throne Room, Jaime she won't even look at you. You aren't perfect to her anymore, she doesn't love you!" he slaps me. Not hard but it's still a slap enough to shock me and make me blink back tears in my startled state. I stand and leave him there.


	33. Chapter 33

I sit in the Godswood, Sansa sitting on the grass in front of me while I practice my braiding on her long beautiful hair. Neither of us are talking just taking in the peacefulness of it all and our own thoughts. Sitting here had made me forget my anger at Jaime and replaced it with the sadness of all the loss we had faced. Someone clears their throat disturbing the quiet and we both look to see Jaime standing with his arms behind his back. He bows his head to us, "may I speak with Lady Lya alone?"

Sansa looks at me and I allow her hair to fall, staying weaved together but it will fall out soon without some sort of ribbon. It wasn't very good anyway. "You can go," I tell her. She stands and starts to walk away. She stops and glares at Jaime for a moment and then continues on her way. I don't get up just look at the tree in front of me.

"I- I wish to apologize I shouldn't have hit you."

"You don't have to marry me if you don't want to," I reply.

"Can I sit down?" I scoot over on the bench a little. "I don't know how I feel," he says. "I've spent my whole life chasing after Cersei, she was all I ever wanted but then for the longest time I haven't been able to get you out of my head," I let his words wash over me as I continue to stare at the tree. "That first time I kissed you and then made a complete ass of myself... Well it was nice," he says. "It didn't leave me feeling slightly guilty, well the way I acted did, but the kiss itself didn't. I didn't feel like I had to hide. And then when Locke captured us all's I could think of was you, and that I hoped you were safe no matter what he did to me. Even when he took my hand my thoughts were on you. I love to tease you and make you blush. I love to see you smile and laugh. I- I think I love you. I'll give you some time to think and well here," he puts some flowers he obviously picked from the garden next to me and stands. As he starts to walk away I pick up and look at the flowers. I stand and run after him.

"Jaime!" he turns just in time for me to throw my arms around him. He stumbles a little bit but then he's holding me. I pull back and look up at him and then we're kissing. It's sweet and short but we're grinning at each other like fools. "We have a week," I say.

King Joffrey walks me down the aisle and gives me away to Jaime. I would have preferred anyone else but I got him. Well he wanted to, probably thinking it would torture me but seeing Jaime waiting for me made me forget and in the end it could have been a complete stranger who gave me away for all I cared. Our celebration afterwards wasn't as big as the Kings wedding was coming up but I didn't care. I danced with Tywin as was expected of me, and I danced with Jaime a lot, making him the first few times but then he just went with it starting to enjoy himself.

We snuck off before the bedding ceremony which was something neither of truly wanted to take part in. I was honestly terrified of this part and a whole bunch of people groping me was surly not to help. Jaime noticed something was wrong and when I confessed my fears he comforted me and promised to be as gentle as possible.

A/N: sorry my updating of this story is so sporadic! I'm hoping to be able to update twice a week at least, this week is an exception because I already have another chapter almost finished. Anyways thank you to whomever is still reading this and thank you to anyone who has started to read this recently. Also, any comments on what you want more of or if you want anything to happen are welcome :) Any feedback is welcome :)


	34. Chapter 34

I'm no longer in bed with Jaime, instead we're sitting at a table with a feast. I watch as events speed up around me and I do my best to follow a long. A woman pulls something off of a necklace Sansa has around her neck, puts something in a cup which ends up in Joffrey's hands and he chokes to death.

I sit up breathing hard. "You OK?" Jaime is sitting up as well. I feel his hand on my face pushing my hair off of it. When I don't respond, he finds my hand squeezing it. "Hun? Are you OK? Is it from earlier? I tried my hardest not to hurt you I-," the panic is rising in his voice.

"No it's, it's not that, give me a moment," I take deep breaths holding his hand. It was nice having him there to comfort me after waking up from a nightmare. "It wasn't- that was nice," I fight the blush I know is rising on my cheeks. "It hurt for a second but then it was nice. Do- do we have to go to the wedding?"

"I'm pretty sure we're expected there, why?"

"Something's going to happen. I need time to think," I get out of bed wincing slightly at the discomfort between my legs at first. I get some wine and then go to the window and open it looking out. I turn back to look at Jaime who was still sitting up his head leaned back. All that time he had spent in captivity and he still had a nice body.

I shake those thoughts from my mind. I needed to figure out what the hell was about to happen. I can't help the nagging feeling that this particular event was supposed to happen. The Godswood's words come back to me that I can change many events but maybe I was supposed to let something's happen. I'm afraid to see what is going to happen so I switch tracks. I focus on Brienne instead. I was worried about her, and I was also afraid to see how she was.

I had to though, I set the wine down on the table and take a breath in letting it out. I focus on the way she looked the last time I had seen her. Annoyed with Jaime probably thinking of ways she could kill him. Slowly an image takes shape. There's a shadow of a large form in the dark curled in on themselves. My eyes adjust to the dark a little more and I see she's naked. I swallow. There's blood in her hair and all over her. So much of it that I can't tell where it's actually coming from.

I jump when someone's arms wrap around me and I'm brought back to the present place with Jaime. He nuzzles my neck and I turn around to face him. "You left her there with them," I say accusingly even though we had already established this.

"What?"

"Brienne, you left her there and now she's a fucking mess."

"What does this have to do with the wedding?"

"Absolutely nothing except we're getting her away from those bastards." I start towards the door but he grabs me.

"Where are you going? You can't just leave in the middle of the night we need to think about this make a plan," he kisses me gently. "I'm sorry I left her, OK? I shouldn't have but all's I was focused on was getting away and I couldn't think of anything that would help her."

"We're wardens of the north," I say.

"Yes?" he says uncertainly.

"We can use that against them. I need you're help writing something."

"Can't you do it?"

"I don't know how to write," I whisper.

"Well we will have to change that. Can it wait until morning?" I hug him.

"I don't think I'll be able to sleep."

"Come lay with me and try. You need it," he leads me to our bed and covers the both of us with blankets. He pulls me to him and holds me humming in my ear.

"Did you do this with Cersei?"

I feel him tense behind me, "do what with Cersei?" I roll over so I can look at him.

"I know I'm going to have to just accept that stuff happened between you two and nothing I can do is going to change that. I don't know if you're over her, I don't know if you ever will be, right now I don't really care. I'm just curious, did you ever just hold her, and comfort her?"

"No," he doesn't look at me, "our relationship was more physical. I want this two though," he looks at me. "I want to be able to hold you when you're upset, make love to you when we want, hold our children when we have them, have you all to myself and not have to worry about other men." I smile at him. "I was serious when I said I was in love with you. I want all of you, not just the small parts. Let's not talk about her anymore OK?" I nod and he pulls me back to him. He hums in my ear until I fall asleep.

I'm up as the sun rises taking the blankets with me. He groans pulling the pillow over his head. "Why?" he says.

"Letter writing time," I say tickling him with the pen.

"It's so early."

"Well I'm awake now," I kiss his back and he shivers. "C'mon," I say tickling him again.

"Fiiiine," he says rolling over. He smirks at me as I blush. "I have to pee," he says sitting up. He goes to the bathroom and comes back pulling me into his lap wrapping the blanket around both of us. I jump a little but relax leaning my head back onto his shoulder. "We should do this every morning," he kisses my neck.

"We are writing, no more kissing," I say pushing his head away. He pouts and I kiss his nose. Blushing again. It was weird being like this him, nice but weird.

"OK," he leans forward pulling the paper and feather pen to him, "tell me what to write."

"Well how do you start a letter?"

"You've never written a letter?" I shake my head no. "Ok we start by addressing whom we're writing to," he starts to write. "To Roose Bolton Head of House Bolton and Lord of the Dreadfort. Then you should start by offering some sort of pleasantry how about, I hope this letter finds you well in your preparations for the coming Winter. Thank you for allowing Ser Jaime to return home to Kings Landing it is much appreciated."

"He knows we're married."

"Yes but we don't need to write about that. He'll get the meaning that you are happy I'm alive. Anyway now what would you like to say?"

"We need Brienne released. But he hasn't sworn fealty to me yet. None of them have, I have no backing yet."

"You will be there leige lord, they will follow you anywhere. Look how far they followed Robb, you are a Stark. Let's state your claim as Wardeness of the North," he starts to write. "After the passing of my late brother Robb Stark, I am stepping up to fill my place as Wardeness of the North, in the understanding that you will pay your respects for my brother and pledge you and your household to me. Along with doing so I ask that you return the prisoner Brienne of Tarth to me alive. If she isn't alive I need some sort of proof of her passing. You have two weeks. Best of luck, Lya Lannister Stark. You just have to sign."

I smile at my new name. We had decided to keep Stark at the end to help with the Northerners who hate Lannisters, but at the same time let it be known that I had married one. "Can you write you're name?" he asks.

"Barely," he has me hold the pen and then guides me through it.

"We'll work on it. What are your other plans for today?"

"I need to spend some time at the Godswood tree and we need letters sent out to the other Northern families."

"I'll have breakfast brought up to us, Felicity is probably waiting anxiously for signs of life so she can come in and help you bathe. After you can go down to the Godswood, and I'll start on the letters."

"Thank you," I kiss his cheek. I get off of him shivering in the absence of his body heat. I pull on a light robe and go to the door.

"M'lady, you're awake," Felicity says standing up.

"Yes I am," I say smiling at her. "You could have knocked."

"I was told not to disturb either of you," I watch as two girls enter the room and go to the bed taking the sheets and the blanket. I look for Jaime and see he had at least put pants on and was now sipping my discarded wine looking out the window. I see Felicity blushing next to me.

"Breakfast?" I say.

"Oh right of course," he walks over to the bed and pulls his shirt on. I go behind him and tie the back of it for him. He turns and pecks me on the lips. "Anything in particular?"

"Something warm."

"Good to see you Felicity," she curtsies as he walks out. The girls come back in and start filling my tub with hot water. They leave to get more and I notice Felicity relax next to me.

"What's wrong?" I turn to them.

"They serve the queen," she says quietly. "They tell her everything. So last night?" I wait until I hear the girls coming back.

"He didn't do it," I say pretending to try and be discreet. "We didn't have sex," she raises an eyebrow but doesn't say anything. The girls finish filling the tub and they leave.

"What do you mean? There was blood on your sheets?"

"I was lying," I say taking off my robe. I step into the tub and start to wash myself. "If they're Cersei's spies it'll get back to her and I'll deal with it."

"It's just going to make her angry with you."

"So? She can't hurt me I'm family now."


	35. Chapter 35

Felicity is washing my hair out for me while I lean my head back closing my eyes enjoying it. I usually hated this, allowing someone else to do something I had been doing for myself since I could remember, but my shoulder still prevented me from doing it all on my own. I had increased my range of motion but I still couldn't keep my hand above my head for that long and it didn't leave me feeling very clean to do it one handed. My thoughts turn to Jaime who literally only had one hand and wondered if he had somebody washing his hair for him. He was talking about cutting it, but I loved his long hair. It had been really long and knotted, and a mess when he got back but I hadn't seen it like that.

He had been cleaned, his hair cut a little bit, not too much. He was gaining some of his old weight back as well, trying to work out more but he struggled without his other hand. I was determined to help him though and decided I would ask to spar with him. We both needed the practice, him with his uncoordinated hand, and me with my extremely weak arm.

The door opens without an announcement and Felicity stands to face whomever it is coming in. I turn as well making sure I'm covered to see who it is. "Your Grace," Felicity says curtsying. I don't bother just watching the angry look on Cersei's face focus in on me.

"Your Grace," I acknowledge her.

"Get out," she says to Felicity.

"Stay Felicity," I counter.

"You dare-."

"She is my maid I can tell her what to do. Yes you are the Queen but I am not talking to you naked in my tub. Don't you think this is improper, and you yourself told me I must act like a proper lady," if steam could come out of our heads in anger it would probably be pouring out of her ears and nose. "Get my robe?" I say to Felicity. She listens quickly and as she stands in front of me opening it I notice her trembling. I smile at her to help calm her down. I put my arms in and then she helps me step out. "Now, how can I help you Your Grace?"

"You can start by explaining this rumor."

"What rumor?"

"There's a rumor going around that my brother is unable to perform in the bedroom." I raise my eyebrow.

"It's only the morning after our wedding night, how could you have heard of such a rumor already?"

"Things travel quickly," she says through gritted teeth.

"Felicity have you heard such rumors?"

"N-no," she stutters.

"Tell Queen Cersei about my bedsheets?"

"There was blood on them Your Grace," she looks down at her hands the whole time.

"Even the girls who came in and changed my sheets noticed them. You know about them don't you Your Grace? You sent them."

"Of course I did, to make sure it had been done. I wasn't going to have my brother's named dragged through the mud."

"The only person dragging it through the mud is you yourself Your Grace, trying to say he couldn't perform. Maybe you were hoping it was right, I am not as pretty as his usual bed mate, obviously. But I can assure you last night was... well great," I tilt my head to the side. "I hope that makes you feel better." She is turning red, catching my insinuation and embarrassment that I saw through her so easily. "Keep your people away from me and Jaime," I say to her. "Now if you'll excuse me I must get ready for the day," I curtsy to her. She doesn't even respond just turns and leaves the room slamming the door behind her.

Felicity lets out a breath of relief. "Don't do that to me," she says a hand on her chest.

"I'm sorry but I was honestly a little worried about what she was going to do. Now, I have to get dressed I have to go down to the Godswood."

"Of course," she helps me into my clothes as Jaime comes back. We eat in mostly silence, while Felicity does my hair even though she didn't really want to.

"I might get my hair cut shorter," Jaime says.

"You're long hair will help keep you warm in the North.

"It'll grow back."

"That's true. Whatever you want to do, I guess. You'll look good either way," he smiles at me.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should. I'll see you later," I say as Felicity is done. I kiss him on the lips and hurry down through the castle, out and to the end of the garden and into the Godswood. I look at the tree, almost wishing it would just speak to me. I pull my dress up a little bit over my knees after making sure no one was watching me and kneel down in front of it.

I start to think about the dream I had had last night and of King Joffrey dying. I beg the Godswood for help both verbally and mentally. Just as I'm about to give up, I'm kneeling in front of the Godswood back at Winterfell instead.

"You got my message, there are things you can change," he says. "And things you cannot."

I swallow, "I just- how do I know if I'm supposed to change it."

"If you change it and it wasn't supposed to change it will happen again," he says not bothering to be cryptic thankfully.

"What is the end result of all of this?"

"A better future," he says and then he's gone and I'm looking at the face of Tyrion Lannister.

I jump back falling over onto my back. I push my dress back down over my knees hoping to the gods I hadn't just flashed him. "I have never seen someone stare into space for so long and still be alive. You didn't even know I was here."

"I-I'm sorry. I was thinking."

"Were you having a vision?"

"I- what are you talking about?"

"Let's go for a walk," he holds out his hand to try and help me to my feet. A comical sight in the least as I'm so tall next to him. I take it anyway with my bad arm and use my other one to push myself to my feet. I brush the grass from my dress. "Jaime told me about them," he says as we start to walk through the gardens staying away from the castle. "Your visions, it's curious, but," he shrugs. "Cool, I guess."

"Yes, they're cool I guess," I agree.

"So you and your brother are returning to the North."

"We are the Wardens of the North now we must."

"And you're bringing your sisters. That was very clever of you presenting my nephew with a prettier girl than Sansa to get her out of it."

"Joffrey doesn't care about personality all he wants is a pretty face to sit next to him and abuse at his will. Can I help you with something?"

"Sansa is bringing her handmaiden to Winterfell with her, they have become rather close."

"Sansa has been through a lot."

"Your whole family has."

"So have you," I turn to him. He looks down a little as if he could hide the scar across his face. "You haven't gotten any credit for what you've done. This handmaiden?"

"Shea."

"She is very beautiful."

"So are a lot of girls."

"Tyrion," I say gently. "Your father wouldn't be pleased," he opens his mouth. "Why else would you be talking about someone's handmaiden. You could have brought up that I'm bringing mine back as well but none of us make those announcements so how else would you know. Unless you're spying but why would you be spying on Sansa's handmaiden."

"My father would not be pleased," he agrees.

"Maybe we can work something out, find something for you to do."

"Work as a servant for you and Jaime?"

"Of course not, you already have things to do here, but we could provide excuses to visit us. You are family after all."

"You are very kind. You will take good care of my brother I'm sure of it."

"Thank you Tyrion," we part ways but then he calls to me.

"Oh Lady Lya, you shouldn't make it a habit of pissing my sister off."

"You heard about that?" he nods smiling at me.

"Congratulations, but she is very spiteful. Be careful."

"Always Lord Tyrion," I turn again and continue on my way towards the castle. I had a lot of thinking and planning to do. And I still needed to try and help Jaime.

I sit in my room after drawing all the events down in front of me. I didn't like Joffrey, he was a horrible king but that didn't necessarily mean he needed to die, or that I needed to interfere. So far I knew that after his death Tyrion would be blamed, go to trial, ask for a trial by combat which would kill two more people, and then seal his sentence of death. So that would be at least four deaths that didn't need to happen.

"How's it going?" Jaime asks making me jump, he squeezes in behind me.

"You like this position too much," I say leaning back against him.

"It's comfortable, I like to hold you," he kissed my cheek.

"It's stressful."

"Do you know who does it?" he asks quietly. Felicity had left us to give us privacy but it was still a dangerous topic.

"It's an old woman, I don't know who she is. But she obviously has some power if she is there. She's dressed nicely."

"What does she look like?" I describe her.

"Sounds like Olenna Tyrell of Highgarden."

"Margaery's grandmother?" he nods into me.

"I know that this might be a hard concept but what if he's supposed to die?" his hold tightens on me.

"He's my kid by blood but not because I wanted one or by practice. I'm barely even his Uncle. But that would kill Cersei," I fight the slight jealousy that he doesn't want to hurt Cersei. "We would all suffer then, if anything happened to her children," I don't answer just hold his hand lightly in mine running my thumb over his fingers. "What is all this?" he motions to the papers with his stump. "Are those people dying?" I tell him softly about what I had figured out. "Are you suggesting it's OK that my brother is killed for something he didn't do?"

"No absolutely not. I could figure out something to stop that from happening. I like your brother a lot, I wouldn't want anything to happen. I figure if I don't change the main event I can change the offshoots of it."

"I think you should stop it. If you don't, I swear-."

"Jaime we have time," I turn to face him and see he looked angry. I cup his face. "We've barely even been married for a day, do you really want to fight over something like this? Something that hasn't happened yet?

He sighs and shakes his head no, "what can we do? Can you figure out where she gets the necklace from?"

"I've tried a little but not very hard yet. She might have it already and I don't know if I can see into the past. And I'm absolutely exhausted. I promise though I'll tell you everything I know, OK?" he nods into me. "And I won't make a decision involving your family without you."

"Our family," he corrects kissing me. "I can't lose my brother," he says. "I won't let that happen."


	36. Chapter 36

The morning of Margaery's wedding to King Joffrey dawns early for Jaime and I. I hadn't slept well, worrying over the idea of him dying and the things it could cause. As awful of a ruler he was, Jaime was right, I didn't want to see all those innocent people dying. I bathe myself before Felicity can come in while Jaime sits at the table fiddling with his stupid golden hand his father had given him, like it was supposed to make up for his lost hand. I sigh.

"Worrying about it isn't going to help," Jaime says.

"I can't help it. What if we can't stop it?"

"We've already talked about this. We don't know where Sansa gets the necklace, she doesn't even have it yet, so we'll just keep an eye on everything around us looking for anything suspicious. You talked to Sansa on more than one occasion telling her not to accept any necklaces from anyone."

"Why can't I see how she's supposed to get it though. It's like it's blocked off and I've done everything I can think of."

"Sweetheart, I don't know anymore than you do," he gets up and kneels behind me so I turn a little so I can look at him. "It'll be OK, we'll make it OK. I promise," he leans in and kisses me.

"What if we aren't supposed to stop this?"

It's his turn to sigh and pull away to look at me, "I thought you said you didn't want all those innocents to die."

"But what if we could stop them?"

"Let's stick to the game plan, alright? Stopping his death. If it happens we'll deal with the aftermath, but we can only focus on this right now. It's the day of the wedding in case you forgot."

"How could I? I swear Margaery has never been this excited in her life, and Sansa is equally as excited that she doesn't have to marry him."

"How's Arya?"

"Spending time with Gendry."

"Our new blacksmith?"

"Yes, our new blacksmith. Sansa says she's in love, but I think I would call it an infatuation."

"Oh to be young and in love."

"Hey!"

"I'm not young missy," he pulls me in for another kiss. "I never said I wasn't in love."

"I love you," I whisper loving the way it felt to tell him so and not feeling like an idiot or like it was wrong. This was something that we had and though it hadn't been more than two weeks, we both knew we were absolutely in love with the other on.

"Ser Jaime, you need to get ready for the wedding."

"Right," he kisses me again. "I'll see you soon," he yanks his hand off the table on his way out.

"That thing is so ridiculous. I don't know what his father was thinking."

"I don't either. I see you bathed M'Lady. Allow me to wash your hair."

I stand with Arya and Sansa all three of us with our hair done, and beautiful dresses on and Jaime dressed up as well next to me. We were holding hands lightly between us, waiting for the wedding to be over. Sansa is smiling, while Arya looks to be bored out of her mind. I wish I could be either one of them in this moment as I watch them take their vows for each other, knowing that this might only last a few hours and then mess up the entire kingdom.

We clap when it's over and the two of them walk out. "It's fine, it'll be fine," Jaime says quietly into my ear kissing the side of my head. I blush seeing Cersei staring at us. Jaime looks up and pulls me closer to him. "Look at me," I listen. "Ignore her, ignore everything else going on right now. Think, about tomorrow when we leave for Winterfell, because we will be leaving for Winterfell." I nod into him and he kisses my forehead. "Let's go join the party."

We walk around together eating and talking with all the guests getting our own congratulations on our recent wedding. They ask if we're expecting a baby yet, and I tell them there should be one in there soon making Jaime a little uncomfortable. "I'm not lying you know," I say as we walk away from a particularly awkward conversation where the woman had basically asked how Jaime was in bed.

"I know we're going to have children one day but I wish it could just be us."

"We're powerful people Jaime, of course people are interested, besides..." I fade away looking at Sansa. She's sitting at our table with the King. I had told her to sit there so Margaery would have someone talk to while Jaime and I mingled. She looks happy as she talks with her. "Where'd Sansa get that necklace?" I ask Jaime.

"What?"

"She's wearing a necklace," I drag him walking as fast as I dared to without drawing attention. Even still I feel Cersei's eyes on me as I walk up the couple of steps to where the family is sitting. "Margaery, it's so great for you to finally be married to him."

"She is very lucky," Joffrey says looking at Margaery like she's a piece of meat making my skin crawl.

"Can I borrow Sansa it's important?"

"Why of course. I'll have you back anyway shortly. Joffrey wants the show to start soon."

"This is so boring."

"It'll be OK dear," she turns her attention to Joffrey. I grab Sansa's hand and pull her into the crowd.

"What are you doing?"

"Where'd you get this?" I hiss at her.

"The singer guy I don't remember his name."

"Why'd you take it?"

"He was thanking me for saving his tongue."

"Well I told you not to accept presents," Jaime wraps his arms around me.

"Don't be so hard on her. Switch necklaces. It'll look less suspicious," Sansa pouts but listens to his suggestion as he takes mine off and then puts hers on me.

"It doesn't look as good on you," she turns and storms away.

"She's just upset, we never told her why she couldn't take any necklaces."

I hope this works. I survey the table while we continue to talk to people, and then I see the woman Olenna Tyrell get up and talk to Sansa. I notice a slight falter in her step as she goes to walk away and then Joffrey's telling everyone to get to their seats. We listen Sansa getting up moving past us to go sit with Arya while Jaime and I take our spots at the table.

I watch unamused as some dwarves put on a show, and then Joffrey insults Tyrion. I hold Jaime's hand under the table as Tyrion insults him back but I'm not entirely sure if Joffrey understands the insult or is just mad Tyrion disobeyed him as he walks over and spills his wine over Tyrion's head. Jaime's hand tightens a little on my own as I look down at the table. Margaery breaks some of the tension asking Joffrey to come back to her.

"How am I supposed to toast with no wine. Uncle you will be my cup bearer."

"You do me a great honor."

"It's not meant as an honor." Tyrion gets up and walks around the table while Jaime's hand on mine tightens to the point of pain. I squeeze back and he lightens a little.

"Kneel," Tyrion refuses not looking directly at him. He gets impatient and starts yelling at Tyrion. Tyrion turns to walk away and Joffrey pushes him into the table knocking my food and Jaime's food into our laps.

We stand. "Look Your Grace! The pie!" Jaime clumsily starts to brush me off and there's commotion as people try to help us. No one had bothered to help Tyrion and I glance over seeing Cersei smirking at us. Over her shoulder Olenna is coming over to help. I reach up and rip the necklace off my own neck and clench it in my fist.

We are surrounded by people who wipe us off and then we sit back down to Joffrey's glare. Olenna is the last to sit down. "I think I'm leaving now," Tyrion says quietly as Joffrey starts to eat some of the pie.

"Uncle! Where is my cup? You are my cup bearer." he freezes and comes back. He grabs the cup off of the table in front of Olenna where it had ended up and hands it to Joffrey. I watch closely as he drinks. Tyrion turns to try and leave and Joffrey starts to yell at him.

"Your Grace, please I would like some pie," she smiles at him and he walks away from Tyrion who turns and practically runs as fast as he can from the area.

The next four hours of the wedding party pass uneventfully for everyone. Joffrey has no more outbursts, Tyrion is forgotten, and though Jaime and I are sticky and slightly dirty with food we've both relaxed a little. The bedding ceremony happens and Jaime and I manage to duck out before we're sucked into it.

"I told you it would work out," Jaime says kissing my head as I fall asleep later that night.


	37. Chapter 37

A/N: Sorry for the wait on this update several more are coming :) I promise. Thank you for still reading this. Especially anyone who started when I posted it more than a year ago!

I sit while Felicity fixes my hair watching Jaime. "Don't bother," I tell him. He's struggling to put his golden hand on.

"My father will kill me."

"It's useless. And you're father's already getting what he wants. You ruling over Casterly Rock with a proper wife."

"That doesn't mean he doesn't want me to wear this stupid thing."

"You can't let your father control you all the time."

"I don't," he looks up at me. "Who's idea was it to get married? Not mine. I've gone against my father ever since I could, and now I'm following along with his plan, instead of being in the Kingsguard."

"No one forced you to," I say. Felicity puts a hand on my shoulder. I get up and walk out not saying another word to Jaime. I look for Sansa and Arya, finding them in Sansa's room. "Are you girls ready?"

"Yes," Sansa says smiling at me in the mirror.

"What about you Arya?"

She sits up from the bed, I hide a gasp seeing she had cut her hair again. It hadn't been that short yesterday. "It doesn't matter," she gets up to walk by.

"What's wrong?" I ask her grabbing her hand.

"Nothing," she pulls away and walks out.

"What's wrong with her?" I ask Sansa.

"How am I supposed to know?" I roll my eyes.

"Fine, let's all just go down and say goodbye to everyone, and then we'll be on our way, the sooner the better," I walk out before she can respond. Jaime's standing in the hallway with his stupid hand in his left hand. I walk up to him and take it. I put it on his stump and use the straps so it stays on.

"Thank you, I-," I walk away before he can finish. I don't know why everything is annoying me so much today, but I'm just going to focus on getting out of Kings Landing.

I stand impatiently next to Cersei, trying to conceal my distaste for her. She isn't bothering. "Oh Sansa! There you are!" she pulls my sister into an embrace and I can see her face. "I hope you will visit again."

"As do I," Sansa says curtsying and turning quickly disappearing so she doesn't have to talk with Cersei any longer.

"What are you doing here?" I hear Cersei say with clear distaste in her voice.

"I'm going along with my dear brother and his young wife to aid them in affairs up North."

"But you're the Master of Coin," she says through tight lips.

"Oh yes, well I'm sure you'll find someone better suited to take my position now won't you?" Tyrion says in his own condescending way while still sounding polite, he sends me a little smirk before bowing. He turns away, "I must go," he starts to say but the rest of what he was saying is drowned out by my guard coming up and bowing to Cersei.

"My Queen," the one in the middle says. "We are here to guard Lady Stark, on her journey to the North, as you ordered."

"Oh thank you," I say. "You didn't have to," I say to the Queen.

It's her turn to smirk at me, "we wouldn't want anything to befall you on your long journey Northward."

"I won't have anything to worry about with these men," I say pretending to be happy.

"Sister," Jaime says stepping in, in front of the guards. He looks at me and smiles. I don't return it and his face falls a little. "Everyone is ready to go, My Lady," he says offering his arm. I take it and turn to face Cersei.

"Thank you for your hospitality, and the care you provided for my sisters," I grit my teeth.

"It was my pleasure," she says though I know seeing me with Jaime could probably drive her to kill someone. "My apologies from the King, he was too tired to come and bid you safe travels this morning."

"I'm sure he must be exhausted from the day's activities. Please extend to him our thanks at his hospitality and putting on such a wonderful celebration."

"It is nice to see you acting like a proper lady, you are well suited for my brother."

"Thank you," I say curtsying to her. Jaime pulls me away from her and the guardsmen follow. He stops at my horse.

"Do you wish to ride?"

"What kind of question is that?" I ask reaching to pull myself up onto my horse. He goes to help. "Jaime, I've got it," I say. He let's his arms hang down on his side but as soon as I'm up in the saddle he puts a hand on my leg.

"Whatever I did wrong, I am sorry."

"Let's just go," I say watching him turn away to get on his own horse with some help. The guardsmen are on their horses and situate themselves around me. I can't help but feel guilty at the way I was treating Jaime, but I was just annoyed with him, and I didn't know why.

The guards around me annoyed me as well, so I just didn't talk the entire morning journey as we made our way slowly North. We stop for lunch and I get down handing my horse off to someone else. I had decided to just stay away from Jaime, and go look for Sansa and Arya. Arya had been riding and Sansa had insisted on being in a wagon, preferring that over riding. I didn't get it, but I was OK with it if she was happy.

I find her still in the wagon her arms folded. "Hey," I say. "How's the wagon suiting you?"

"It's suiting me fine," she says.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I'm just- nothing, OK? Ser Jaime was looking for you."

"Where's Arya."

"He's your husband you have to talk to him sometime."

I sigh, "do you know where Arya is? I want to check on her."

"No, what did Jaime do?" she asks curiously.

"Nothing, OK? I'm going to find Arya."

"Whatever," she says the moments of curiosity gone, replaced by her foul mood. I huff what is wrong with everyone today?

"Oh, there you are Lya. Have you seen Her?"

"Her who?"

"Her," he says his eyebrows raised. I stare at him confused.

"Ohhhh Her?" I say catching his meaning of Shae. "No I haven't."

"Where's Sansa?"

"In her wagon, she isn't with her."

"If you see her tell her I'm looking for her."

"Wait, have you seen Arya?"

"No I'm sorry," I sigh, and keep going. Moments later I run into Shae and just want to smack my head off of something. Today is starting to really exhaust me.

"Lady Lya do you know where Sansa is?"

"In her wagon, Lord Tyrion is looking for you."

"I'm worried about Sansa," she says.

"She's in a bad mood it feels like we all are."

"She's been moody lately and I don't know what's wrong."

"Shae we're finally leaving the place that caused her so much pain. She's probably just overwhelmed. Have you seen Arya?"

"She went off towards the trees, she didn't look happy. Will you please talk to Sansa?"

"Yes, I'll talk to her later," I hurry past her towards the forest. The guards step closer to me and I sense their uneasiness as I venture forward.

"Lady Stark, please we should stay with everyone."

"You don't have to come," I say to them. "But if you're going to come, stop talking."

"Yes, My Lady."

I turn back towards the trees and take a breath. I start walking again, the men following me and start to hear something hitting a tree. A hand is on my shoulder and I pull away from it continuing towards the noise, hearing it get louder and louder as I continue on.


	38. Chapter 38

A/N: Arya's POV, hope you like it! Sorry for those who read this when it had all the code, hopefully it's fixed now. Thank you for letting me know ManonVarendaz, and thanks for the feedback.

I grit my teeth in frustration as I continue to hit the tree. Jaime had found me and was watching me from a spot a little ways away his handless arm tucked up into his opposite arm like he needs to hide it from me. I'm surprised he didn't have the stupid golden hand my sister seemed to hate so much. I hit the tree particularly hard breaking the stick in my hand.

I groan, "if only I had Needle," I say out loud.

"What? You would have felled the tree?" Jaime asks amusement laced in his voice.

"You would have felled the tree?" I repeat mocking him.

"This seems to serve to get your anger out. Get another one."

"You aren't the boss of me," I say still turning to get a stick to continue beating the tree.

"I never said I was," he says settling further into his spot getting comfortable.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off somewhere with my sister?"

"Shouldn't you be with everyone else?" that shuts me up for a moment.

"She's mad at you isn't she?" I don't give him time to respond before I continue on, "you're always with each other. And even when you aren't, both of you seem to be distracted by thoughts of each other. I'm surprised she isn't expecting a child yet." he doesn't respond as I turn back to the tree my chosen stick in hand. "I'm right aren't I?"

"Yes, she's mad at me, but I could say the same of you."

"What have you done to make me mad?"

"Well you're angry at something."

I move hitting the tree feeling the vibrations shudder through the stick hurting my hands. "So?" I ask ignoring the uncomfortableness and hit the tree again.

"Where is Needle?"

"What?" I let the stick fall looking at him.

"Where is Needle? That's your sword right?"

"Gendry has it," I hit the tree again.

"Gendry hmm?" I feel myself blush. "What did he do?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not stupid. And yes your sister is mad at me, but we talk about things."

I continue to beat the tree, "what did you do?"

"I haven't quite figured it out yet. Do you know?" I hear him ask and his want to make things right with my sister comes through in his voice. "What did Gendry do?" I ignore him as I snap another stick. He stands and as I grab another preparing to attack the tree, he corrects my stance with his foot nudging them into other places. It even feels more comfortable.

"Maybe she's just in a bad mood. And that lovely golden hand of yours never improves her mood."

"My father expected me to wear it," he says defensively as he moves my hands on the stick to adjust for it's weight. "Don't hold it so tightly," I listen and this time when I hit the tree the stick bounces back a little but the vibrations don't hurt as badly.

"Maybe you should have just gone against him and done what made you both happy."

"Is that what you want with Gendry?" I feel myself blush as I move away quickly going for the tree.

"He says it isn't proper," I say not looking at him as I prepare to hit the tree. "And I can't talk to Sansa because she would agree, and then wouldn't leave me alone that I- there's- Gendry," I say unable to admit out loud that I like a boy. I could barely think about it in my head. "And Lya's always busy."

"You're young, he's young. You've been through a lot, keep the friendship and deal with the rest later," he says to me. "You are friends right?" I smile a little as I nod.

"He knew I was a girl long before I admitted it. But he won't stop calling me M'Lady. I am not his M'lady. I want-," I stop. "We're equals," I say firmly.

"Stay friends and see what happens," he advises and I continue the abuse of the poor tree.

I hear someone clear their throat. I look to see Lya standing there, with her guards behind her looking anxious. I'm sure she ordered them there, not wanting to hide behind them. "Arya, I'd like to speak with my husband."

I drop the stick deciding to listen for once. I was going to go check on Needle. "Thank you Ser Jaime," I say starting back towards everyone else. I groan as Lya sent the guards after me.


	39. Chapter 39

A/N: Jamie's POV Hope you like it!

I was a little shocked when Arya listened to Lya. She tended to argue all the time. I was grateful when she sent the guards away. Who was going to attack us out here that we couldn't deal with? I notice she has her sword strapped to her hip, and she draws it out. "Hi?" I say uncertainly.

"Let's spar," she says.

"We can't hit each other with our sharpened blades."

"Maybe it'll give us more ambition," she mutters but she takes the stick I give her with a raised eyebrow. "We need to talk," she says raising the stick in front of her. I hold the stick in my left hand. "This is so distracting," she lowers her stick and grabs the golden hand that was still stuck between my arm and my body. I don't say a word waiting for her to throw it off into the woods somewhere. But she tosses it towards Arya's tree.

"Thank you," I turn back towards her. I raise my stick.

"We need to spar more," she says making the first move. Her skills are a lot better than mine at the moment especially and she knocks the stick out of my hand five times before either of us talk. "What happened to the tree?" she asks as I retrieve my stick.

"Arya was mad."

She snorted, "that's probably a better idea than keeping it inside." I manage to hold the stick a little longer but as I go to pick it up again she speaks again. "What was wrong with her?"

"Something about a boy," the stick practically jumps itself out of my hand and I'm starting to sweat profusely. "How- how was your journey so far?"

"It was... I missed you," she says quietly and for once I manage to attack hitting the stick out of her hand. She doesn't get it just stares at a spot on the ground. "I am so sorry, I was being stupid. You were trying to make your father happy, and that's important for now." I move towards her dropping my own stick and caressing her face.

"I won't wear the stupid thing unless I absolutely have to," I say. "Are you sure that was the only... I mean are you OK?"

"Yes," she leans into my hand. "I feel so much better just being near you," I lean down and capture her lips with my own. Her hands come up around my neck pulling us closer together.

Both of us freeze hearing a stick break. "You're so sweet together," a voice comes from that direction. My grip on her face tightens a little. I pull back and she draws her sword. I follow suit very clumsily, and just as I bend over to pick up my sword an arrow flies over my head.

Before either of us react, there's growling and screams. I pick up my sword and stand uncertain if we should run or not. Usually I am so certain about everything but this was entirely new. A huge beast jumps out of the bushes and I stumble back tripping my eyes wide. Lya runs forward and embraces it. Another one comes out and I stand looking at them closer. "These are your direwolves?" I ask with wonder in my voice.

"Good girl," she coos at them moving to the other one. "They tried to help me back when your father's men took me. They must have tracked us down. Let me go get Sansa and Arya. You stay here," I almost protest but don't dare. Not after whatever had happened earlier blew over. The Direwolves get comfortable and I look at them uneasily.

I decide to check out the commotion. I take a couple steps into the trees and see there's five bodies, terribly mauled on the ground. I look back at the direwolves, who look fake at this point and swallow hard. I remember when they had been small, now they were huge. "Ser Jaime!" I hear. I walk back towards the clearing in time to see Shae come in Sansa behind her. Sansa looks absolutely miserable. Apparently it was running in the family today. Hopefully she would get over it like the other two seemed to have.

She looks over Shae's shoulder who looks horrified. One of them, Sansa's I presume stands as Sansa starts towards her shock on her face. Shae tries to stop her but Sansa pulls away and embraces the direwolf. She starts to sob. Shae looks confused. "Sansa what's wrong?" I ask getting closer. She sobs into her pets chest.

"Nymeria!" Arya shouts and runs forward.

"What happened?" Lya asks looking at me like it's my fault. I put my hands up in defense.

"I think she's pregnant," Shae says. I open my mouth but shut it. "I've been trying to tell you that, but I didn't know how," I look around and see Arya's staring at Lya waiting for her reaction.

She pretends like it wasn't said, "they can't travel with us until we get further North," she says. "Everyone else is ready to go, we should head out," she goes to Sansa and puts a hand on her shoulder. Slowly everyone heads back towards camp, Lya and I the last in line. Everyone's ready to go, so I find my horse and then go back to find Lya.

Neither of us talk as the journey restarts. "What are you going to do?"

"I wasn't going to ask her about it in front of everyone. Do you know how bad this is?" I don't need to answer. We slowly get comfortable in each other's presence again.

We stop for the night well after dark with the plans to get up early in the morning. We needed to get to Winterfell, well before the snows started and there was a lot to do. Letters had poured in that people would meet us on our way so they could swear fealty to us. I was a little surprised with them knowing we had been married that they were going to come so easily. I leave my horse with the stable master, and then go look for Lya.

"Have you seen Lya?" I ask Felicity outside our tent.

"She's talking to Arya."

"OK, thank you," I go inside and stop seeing Sansa sitting there crying. "A-are you OK?" I ask her shocked. She gets up and hugs me. It takes me forever before I hug her back I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

"I think she's right," Sansa says into my chest her tears soaking into my shirt.

"Who's right?"

"Shae," her hold on me tightens. "I think I'm pregnant."

A/N: So, I don't know if I did a good job or not with Jaime's voice. It felt kind of awkward at first writing from his point of view, but hopefully you all like it!

I was a little shocked when Arya listened to Lya. She tended to argue all the time. I was grateful when she sent the guards away. Who was going to attack us out here that we couldn't deal with? I notice she has her sword strapped to her hip, and she draws it out. "Hi?" I say uncertainly.

"Let's spar," she says.

"We can't hit each other with our sharpened blades."

"Maybe it'll give us more ambition," she mutters but she takes the stick I give her with a raised eyebrow. "We need to talk," she says raising the stick in front of her. I hold the stick in my left hand. "This is so distracting," she lowers her stick and grabs the golden hand that was still stuck between my arm and my body. I don't say a word waiting for her to throw it off into the woods somewhere. But she tosses it towards Arya's tree.

"Thank you," I turn back towards her. I raise my stick.

"We need to spar more," she says making the first move. Her skills are a lot better than mine at the moment especially and she knocks the stick out of my hand five times before either of us talk. "What happened to the tree?" she asks as I retrieve my stick.

"Arya was mad."

She snorted, "that's probably a better idea than keeping it inside." I manage to hold the stick a little longer but as I go to pick it up again she speaks again. "What was wrong with her?"

"Something about a boy," the stick practically jumps itself out of my hand and I'm starting to sweat profusely. "How- how was your journey so far?"

"It was... I missed you," she says quietly and for once I manage to attack hitting the stick out of her hand. She doesn't get it just stares at a spot on the ground. "I am so sorry, I was being stupid. You were trying to make your father happy, and that's important for now." I move towards her dropping my own stick and caressing her face.

"I won't wear the stupid thing unless I absolutely have to," I say. "Are you sure that was the only... I mean are you OK?"

"Yes," she leans into my hand. "I feel so much better just being near you," I lean down and capture her lips with my own. Her hands come up around my neck pulling us closer together.

Both of us freeze hearing a stick break. "You're so sweet together," a voice comes from that direction. My grip on her face tightens a little. I pull back and she draws her sword. I follow suit very clumsily, and just as I bend over to pick up my sword an arrow flies over my head.

Before either of us react, there's growling and screams. I pick up my sword and stand uncertain if we should run or not. Usually I am so certain about everything but this was entirely new. A huge beast jumps out of the bushes and I stumble back tripping my eyes wide. Lya runs forward and embraces it. Another one comes out and I stand looking at them closer. "These are your direwolves?" I ask with wonder in my voice.

"Good girl," she coos at them moving to the other one. "They tried to help me back when your father's men took me. They must have tracked us down. Let me go get Sansa and Arya. You stay here," I almost protest but don't dare. Not after whatever had happened earlier blew over. The Direwolves get comfortable and I look at them uneasily.

I decide to check out the commotion. I take a couple steps into the trees and see there's five bodies, terribly mauled on the ground. I look back at the direwolves, who look fake at this point and swallow hard. I remember when they had been small, now they were huge. "Ser Jaime!" I hear. I walk back towards the clearing in time to see Shae come in Sansa behind her. Sansa looks absolutely miserable. Apparently it was running in the family today. Hopefully she would get over it like the other two seemed to have.

She looks over Shae's shoulder who looks horrified. One of them, Sansa's I presume stands as Sansa starts towards her shock on her face. Shae tries to stop her but Sansa pulls away and embraces the direwolf. She starts to sob. Shae looks confused. "Sansa what's wrong?" I ask getting closer. She sobs into her pets chest.

"Nymeria!" Arya shouts and runs forward.

"What happened?" Lya asks looking at me like it's my fault. I put my hands up in defense.

"I think she's pregnant," Shae says. I open my mouth but shut it. "I've been trying to tell you that, but I didn't know how," I look around and see Arya's staring at Lya waiting for her reaction.

She pretends like it wasn't said, "they can't travel with us until we get further North," she says. "Everyone else is ready to go, we should head out," she goes to Sansa and puts a hand on her shoulder. Slowly everyone heads back towards camp, Lya and I the last in line. Everyone's ready to go, so I find my horse and then go back to find Lya.

Neither of us talk as the journey restarts. "What are you going to do?"

"I wasn't going to ask her about it in front of everyone. Do you know how bad this is?" I don't need to answer. We slowly get comfortable in each other's presence again.

We stop for the night well after dark with the plans to get up early in the morning. We needed to get to Winterfell, well before the snows started and there was a lot to do. Letters had poured in that people would meet us on our way so they could swear fealty to us. I was a little surprised with them knowing we had been married that they were going to come so easily. I leave my horse with the stable master, and then go look for Lya.

"Have you seen Lya?" I ask Felicity outside our tent.

"She's talking to Arya."

"OK, thank you," I go inside and stop seeing Sansa sitting there crying. "A-are you OK?" I ask her shocked. She gets up and hugs me. It takes me forever before I hug her back I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

"I think she's right," Sansa says into my chest her tears soaking into my shirt.

"Who's right?"

"Shae," her hold on me tightens. "I think I'm pregnant."

A/N: So, I don't know if I did a good job or not with Jaime's voice. It felt kind of awkward at first writing from his point of view, but hopefully you all like it!


	40. Chapter 40

I feel drained. Being angry, traveling all day, and then the shock of Sansa's confession left me falling asleep my head resting on Jaime's shoulder. She had finally fallen asleep her head on my lap. "We need to find a Maester," I say quietly. I run my fingers through Sansa's hair, and Jaime does the same to me.

"Are you sure we can trust a Maester?"

"We could have trusted Luwin, he loved these children," I sigh. "We should have let him die. We should have figured something out to get Tyrion out of trouble and let the little bastard die," Jaime doesn't answer. "What if our kids are like that?" Joffrey was Jaime's child, the thought that our children would be like his had never crossed my mind.

"I didn't raise him," he says and I'm a little shocked when he's not angry. "We'll do our best to raise our children right. He's a spoiled little brat who is-," his fingers fist in my hair and I wince as he pulls. "Sorry, I'm just... I can't believe Cersei raised her son to be like this."

"I don't think she has any control over him."

"Tommen and Myrcella are sweet, Tommen might make a good King if Cersei didn't have the power she does."

"There's nothing we can do about that," I mumble under my breath.

"What?"

"I have half a mind to have him killed," I say. "Serves him right," I stop talking when I hear shouting and what sounds like Arya yelling back.

"Lady Stark, Lord Lannister," a man sticks his head in looking scared. "Lady Arya was trying to sneak away."

"Bring her in," I say. They drag her in and she's still struggling. Her eyes fall on Sansa and she stops. "You can leave."

"I'll be back," Jaime kisses my cheek and gets up and leaves.

"Is it true?" she says. I nod continuing to brush Sansa's hair. "It was Joffrey I know it," I don't answer or look back up at her. "Is she OK?"

"She's upset, but she'll be OK," I pat the spot Jaime had just vacated. She sits down, "where were you going?" I ask her.

"I'm going to kill him."

"Arya, he is part of our family, you can't go and kill him especially the King."

"I hate him," she says. "I hate a lot of people," she adds. "I'm so sick of people hurting our family, and there's nothing I can do about it," she starts to cry softly. I put her head on my shoulder and kiss her.

"Me two, me two. But how would Sansa feel, how would I feel if you were executed for treason? Do you think either of us want to lose another family member?"

"No," she says. "I wish there was something I could do for her."

"We're working on that. Try not to annoy her too much," I say. "Let Jaime and I figure it out."

"Lady Stark!" Gendry bursts through the tent door and Sansa sits up quickly. "Arya is-," he stops seeing Arya sitting next to me. He's dragged out by some guards.

"Let him in!" I call out to them. "It's great that he could just burst in like that," I mutter under my breath. They are the guards the Queen sent with us, maybe they were trying to have us killed. Or me at least, I'm sure Cersei wanted Jaime back, just because she couldn't have him anymore. Gendry comes back in looking embarrassed. He bows to me.

"I am so sorry for interrupting, M'Lady, I just. Well I didn't want Arya to get hurt."

"Don't worry about it Gendry the guards stopped me."

Sansa starts to get up, "I'm going to go back to Shae, and get some sleep now," she says the exhaustion clear in her voice. I get up and go to the entrance.

"Ser," I say to a Stark guard. "Please escort Lady Sansa back to her tent."

"Yes My Lady," Sansa walks out with him and I turn back to Gendry who is standing in front of Arya. Arya looks pissed.

"What did I miss?"

"He's being an asshole," she storms past me. I stop him from following her.

"Jaime told me she has feelings for you," he looks away.

"She's higher up than me."

"You know that's technically not true. I'm Wardeness of the North, all's you need is my permission," he nods not looking at me. I let him pass and sit back down.

I wake up when Jaime crawls in next to me. "What did you figure out?" I mumble.

"We can see a Maester in two days if we keep at the speed we're going. How's Sansa?"

"Went back to Shae. Arya went off somewhere pissed. Stark guards will tail her though." I snuggle into him. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Getting mad at you for no reason this morning."

He doesn't respond right away. "Joffrey and the other two, aren't my children. I have had no hand in raising them. I am more of a far off relation than an uncle to them. I promise, that when we have children of our own, I will be the best father ever," he kisses me gently. "Now sleep."

I feel drained. Being angry, traveling all day, and then the shock of Sansa's confession left me falling asleep my head resting on Jaime's shoulder. She had finally fallen asleep her head on my lap. "We need to find a Maester," I say quietly. I run my fingers through Sansa's hair, and Jaime does the same to me.

"Are you sure we can trust a Maester?"

"We could have trusted Luwin, he loved these children," I sigh. "We should have let him die. We should have figured something out to get Tyrion out of trouble and let the little bastard die," Jaime doesn't answer. "What if our kids are like that?" Joffrey was Jaime's child, the thought that our children would be like his had never crossed my mind.

"I didn't raise him," he says and I'm a little shocked when he's not angry. "We'll do our best to raise our children right. He's a spoiled little brat who is-," his fingers fist in my hair and I wince as he pulls. "Sorry, I'm just... I can't believe Cersei raised her son to be like this."

"I don't think she has any control over him."

"Tommen and Myrcella are sweet, Tommen might make a good King if Cersei didn't have the power she does."

"There's nothing we can do about that," I mumble under my breath.

"What?"

"I have half a mind to have him killed," I say. "Serves him right," I stop talking when I hear shouting and what sounds like Arya yelling back.

"Lady Stark, Lord Lannister," a man sticks his head in looking scared. "Lady Arya was trying to sneak away."

"Bring her in," I say. They drag her in and she's still struggling. Her eyes fall on Sansa and she stops. "You can leave."

"I'll be back," Jaime kisses my cheek and gets up and leaves.

"Is it true?" she says. I nod continuing to brush Sansa's hair. "It was Joffrey I know it," I don't answer or look back up at her. "Is she OK?"

"She's upset, but she'll be OK," I pat the spot Jaime had just vacated. She sits down, "where were you going?" I ask her.

"I'm going to kill him."

"Arya, he is part of our family, you can't go and kill him especially the King."

"I hate him," she says. "I hate a lot of people," she adds. "I'm so sick of people hurting our family, and there's nothing I can do about it," she starts to cry softly. I put her head on my shoulder and kiss her.

"Me two, me two. But how would Sansa feel, how would I feel if you were executed for treason? Do you think either of us want to lose another family member?"

"No," she says. "I wish there was something I could do for her."

"We're working on that. Try not to annoy her too much," I say. "Let Jaime and I figure it out."

"Lady Stark!" Gendry bursts through the tent door and Sansa sits up quickly. "Arya is-," he stops seeing Arya sitting next to me. He's dragged out by some guards.

"Let him in!" I call out to them. "It's great that he could just burst in like that," I mutter under my breath. They are the guards the Queen sent with us, maybe they were trying to have us killed. Or me at least, I'm sure Cersei wanted Jaime back, just because she couldn't have him anymore. Gendry comes back in looking embarrassed. He bows to me.

"I am so sorry for interrupting, M'Lady, I just. Well I didn't want Arya to get hurt."

"Don't worry about it Gendry the guards stopped me."

Sansa starts to get up, "I'm going to go back to Shae, and get some sleep now," she says the exhaustion clear in her voice. I get up and go to the entrance.

"Ser," I say to a Stark guard. "Please escort Lady Sansa back to her tent."

"Yes My Lady," Sansa walks out with him and I turn back to Gendry who is standing in front of Arya. Arya looks pissed.

"What did I miss?"

"He's being an asshole," she storms past me. I stop him from following her.

"Jaime told me she has feelings for you," he looks away.

"She's higher up than me."

"You know that's technically not true. I'm Wardeness of the North, all's you need is my permission," he nods not looking at me. I let him pass and sit back down.

I wake up when Jaime crawls in next to me. "What did you figure out?" I mumble.

"We can see a Maester in two days if we keep at the speed we're going. How's Sansa?"

"Went back to Shae. Arya went off somewhere pissed. Stark guards will tail her though." I snuggle into him. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Getting mad at you for no reason this morning."

He doesn't respond right away. "Joffrey and the other two, aren't my children. I have had no hand in raising them. I am more of a far off relation than an uncle to them. I promise, that when we have children of our own, I will be the best father ever," he kisses me gently. "Now sleep."


	41. Chapter 41

A/N: Sorry once again for the long wait!

I had ridden in the wagon with Sansa who wasn't talking except to ask for new thread while she worked on her sewing. She tried to get me to join in, but I preferred to watch the people around us make their way North. The scenery was beautiful, and when I tried to point it out to her she wasn't interested. We settled into a comfortable silence both of us preoccupied with what we were doing.

"What are we going to do?" she asks softly. I look up unsure if she had spoken she had done so softly. She's still working at her project, it looks like a scarf or something, and she doesn't look up even as I watch her. Shae shifts in her spot listening for my answer.

"That's up to you, we'll have you examined, but you can make the decision that you want to make," I turn back to watching the trees go by.

"What should I do?" she says in the same small voice.

"I don't know," I continue to look around, "it's something that you'll have to think about," we slow down and come to a full stop. "It's lunch time," I say as Jaime comes up. He helps me down first, and then Sansa, and lastly Shae.

The two walk off together. "How is she?" he asks.

"I don't know. I think she's confused. She wants to know what to do about it and I honestly don't know," he puts his arm around me holding me close as we walk towards a field on the side of the road. We sit together on a blanket and eat the bread and whatever else we've been given.

"We do need to talk to her about it."

"I don't want to make the decision for her," I say crinkling my brow.

"You don't have to, go over what will happen depending on the decision."

"What if I don't know what will happen."

"You can always look ahead."

"But it can change, we both know we changed what happened with Joffrey. Who's to say someone else couldn't change it?"

"It doesn't have to be perfect, it could aid her in making the right decision for her," I lean on him as I continue to eat. "Have you seen Arya?" he asks suddenly.

"No, I've been with Sansa all day, and Arya hates riding in wagons. Why?" I go to sit up but his arm holds me there and he strokes my hand on my lap.

"I haven't seen her all day," I sit up forcefully knocking his arm away. "I'm sure it's fine," he says quickly.

"I'm sure it is," I agree a sour taste in my mouth. "She's probably just thinking about everything that's going on. We shouldn't stay here long," I get up and he follows behind me back towards our convoy. I decide to ride for the afternoon and can't help but notice Jaime stays close. I appreciate his worry though so I don't complain.

I look for Arya that night figuring we could all eat dinner together. I don't see her anywhere so I look for Gendry as well. "Excuse me, ser have you seen Lady Arya?" I ask one of the guards.

"No, I haven't, my Lady."

"What about Gendry Waters? The blacksmith?"

"I saw him earlier this morning but haven't seen him since."

"Thank you," I say walking away. I ask random people about Gendry lying about wishing to speak of a sword with him. After what feels like forever I go find Jaime.

"Her direwolf isn't following us," he says before I can speak. I swallow.

"We have to bring her back," I go for Silver, but he grabs onto me.

"You can't just leave, we need to lead these people North, half of them will gladly kill me in my sleep and we aren't even in your territory yet. If I'm going to earn their trust we need to work together."

"But Ary-."

"We'll send someone else."

"Who's going where?" I look to see Sansa.

"Just some guards," I clear my throat. "We'll have more soon, don't worry about it. How was dinner?"

"Good," she attempts a smile.

"Can you give Jaime and I a moment, we would like to talk to you, but we have to finish this. Meet us at our tent in a while."

"OK," she walks away and we wait until she's out of sight.

"Who?" I hiss at him.

"Don't get mad at me, I'm trying to do the right thing here," he says. "I'll find some people. Why don't you focus on where she is, you can do that you know," he pulls me into his arms. "She'll be fine," he kisses the top of my head and I relax a little in his arms.

"Thank you," I walk away and go to my tent. I sit down cross-legged leaning against the center pole and breathe slowly. I find it hard to concentrate, my worry for Arya and for Sansa pours through, giving me a headache.

"Is it working?" I jump and open my eyes to see Tyrion. "You look frustrated," he says. "You're trying to locate Arya are you not?"

"Yes," I grumble.

"You have a lot going on with Sansa and making our way North."

"And?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Let's use logic to solve this mystery, when did you see Arya last?"

"Last night."

"And what did you talk about?"

"She wanted revenge."

"And you think you changed her mind?" he doesn't wait for my response. "Arya's an angry young woman. She's seen too much to be a child anymore," he says before I can protest. "You talking to her is going to go in one ear and out the other. All's she cares about is that another person has hurt her family."

"She's going back towards Kings Landing."

"Precisely," he says. "I have people following her, they'll bring her back."

"What do you mean?"

"I was trying to be helpful," he shrugs. "I didn't want to worry you, I figured they'd be back by now, but well obviously that hasn't happened."

"Who did you send?"

"Don't worry about that it is a repayment, for a debt."

"What debt?"

"Allowing me to travel North with you and stay with Shae. Gendry is with them," he says pausing at the door on his way out. "They'll bring her back before she gets herself in trouble, don't worry about it."


	42. Chapter 42

**A/N: Oh wow guys I am so sorry! I thought I posted this ages ago! I hope you enjoy this and I have half the next chapter written so look for it within hopefully the next week! I know I say I'm working on the next part already, but I'm trying really hard to update more regularly. Anyways please enjoy! Comments and feedback are welcome!**

We'd made it North faster than any of us had really planned. Now that we were out of the South we were meeting with those who were supposed to swear fealty to Jaime and I. They didn't look too happy as the husband and wife stood side by side glaring at Jaime, and looking on me with pity. I couldn't help but wonder if Jaime had killed any of their family members, sons, brothers, fathers perhaps. Not a word is spoken against him in our company.

After the brief ceremony, I step forward, "we thank you for your efforts to provide us with a feast, but save it. Winter is Coming and we will need food later. Already the snows are falling."

"Thank you," the wife, I can't remember her name I'd been so distracted with thoughts of Sansa whom I can see out of the corner of my eye is paler than usual, says as she curtsies.

"We wish to seek council with your Maester, one of our members has fallen ill."

"Arrangements will be made immediately. May I ask who it is My Lady?"

"Lady Sansa," I say. "She has been feeling a little sick lately, seems normal with the change in weather I suppose, but better to be safe than sorry while we're travelling."

"Of course," she says. "Maester Rowan," an old man reminiscent of the likes of Maester Luwin steps out of the shadows.

"Right this way My Lady," he says to me. I hold out my arm and Sansa takes it.

"Jaime," I say looking back. "Check on things making sure everyone is making camp preparations properly. Send Shae along when you get the chance," I say giving him a meaningful glance.

"Of course," he says nodding his head towards me and I can see he's trying not to smile. I turn back to walking two of our guards following us.

"He likes this authoritative side of you," Sansa whispers.

"They hate him," I whisper back. "I can't just leave him there, and he sure as well can't come with us."

"That has nothing to do with it," she says.

"What do you know?" I ask as we are lead into a room. "Wait outside," I say to the guards, who nod and separate keeping watch at the door. Maester Rowan closes the door.

"What do you expect to happen?"

"They won't leave me alone," I say.

"Ser Jaime is very protective of his wife," Sansa says.

"I see why," he says looking at me. "When do you expect a child."

"We'd hoped to arrive at Winterfell and get settled first," I say.

"Yes, I see. Travel can be bad for a baby. What seems to be the matter with you Miss."

"First," I say drawing a piece of paper from my gown. "You sign this," I move to the desk and set it down. He looks it over.

"Why the secrecy?" he asks.

"Just sign it," I say.

"The only people I would ever tell are my Lord and Lady."

"Sign it," I repeat, so he does. "Not a word leaves this room."

"I signed it," he points out. "I'm a Maester, why am I signing things to keep my mouth shut?"

"She was attacked by someone, in a position of power, and we might have a situation."

"Oh... OK," he says. "Go ahead and lie back," he says to Sansa.

* * *

I watch the men preparing the tents. "Ser Jaime you asked for me?"

"I suppose I don't have the title of Ser anymore do I? I'm no longer a Kingsguard, I suppose that means I lost my Knighthood."

"Lord Jaime," Shae corrects herself.

"Lady Lya said she wished to see you. She and Sansa are meeting with the Maester."

"OK."

"She seemed like she wanted something else, any idea what she meant?"

"No Ser- M'Lord," she corrects herself before I can.

"Alright, go on," I say. I set about continuing to watch the men prepare the tents, my "hand" itching wishing to do something. I sigh frustrated with myself, and go off to find something I can do.

* * *

"Thank you so much," I say to the Maester who bows in response.  
"Good luck and safe travels home."  
I put a comforting arm around Sansa, "let's go to the others." We walk out the door and a worried Shae comes running to us.  
"They wouldn't let me through," she says clasping Sansa's hands in hers. "Are you alright?"  
"Why don't you take her back with you," I say seeing her still ashen face. "Have you seen my husband or Tyrion anywhere?"  
"Lord Jaime sent me here. I haven't seen Tyrion in a while."  
"Thank you. Go on back now," I say. One of the guards follows them and I turn the other way mine following me. I needed some time to myself to think.

"Lady Lya!" I turn to see Lord Tyrion waddling his way towards me, his few guards following along slowly behind him almost looking bored.

"Lord Tyrion," I say waiting for him to come closer containing my excitement that something might have been heard from my sister.

"How is Lady Sansa?"

"As well as can be expected, any news?" I say now that he is closer, dropping my voice down to a whisper.

"No, I'm sorry," he says. My face falls, "but we won't give up, there has been several sightings and they will get her back to you soon. In the meantime Lord Jaime was looking for you."

"Is he alright?"

"He just said that I should talk to you and that I should tell you he was waiting for you."

"OK, thank you. Please don't hesitate to approach me if you hear anything."

I head back into our tent looking for Jaime. There's candles on the small table and two plates set up with some food. I look at it furrowing my brow, "you're back," I turn to see Jaime had walked in behind me.

"Are we celebrating something?"

"Are we?"

"Sansa is-," he puts a finger to my lips stopping me.

"Let's talk about that later, let's just relax for tonight. I thought a nice dinner just the two of us would be good, after everything that is going on with your family," he pulls me into his embrace.

"They're your family now as well," I say looking up at him. "Just like Tyrion and your father and everyone else is now my family."


	43. Chapter 43

I sit up breathing hard looking around in the darkness unsure of where I am at first. Jaime moves against me pulling the covers closer to him his stump resting on my bare leg. I stare down at it a little shocked at first that I was in bed with someone. I close my eyes breathing to relax myself. I gently push his hand off my leg and stand walking past all the candles that had long since gone out. I pull his shirt on me from off the ground making sure it covered everything before I walked out past the tent flap.

"Are you OK Lady Lannister?"

It always confused me for a moment that they would be calling me by that name instead of Stark. It shouldn't to the Lannister guards I was for all intensive purposes a Lannister now. They were to protect me from everything. "Yes, thank you I am fine. I just needed a breath of fresh air," a breeze starts to blow pushing my loose hair back.

I stare off into the distance we were to be home the following day. Well depending on the time it could be that day. I smile at the thought but it quickly disappears thinking of all the people who weren't going to be there. My mother and Robb, Jon though he was still alive at the least. My father, Bran and Rickon though again the last I'd seen of them they were alive. I had no idea where they were though. My heart aches for everyone.

"What's wrong?" I hear Jaime's voice in my ear before his arms wrap around my waist.

"Arya," I breathe back resting my head on his shoulder.

"Where is she?"

"It's not where she is, it's where she's going to be. Has your brother said anything about how his efforts are going?" he turns me around and holds both my hands in his one.

"No, but it's Tyrion he will get it done. I promise you'll have your sister back," he presses a kiss to my forehead.

"I- just- I- I," I'm trying not to cry it has me all stressed out and concerned about her future of being alive.

"C'mon back inside," he says gently pulling me back into the tent with him. He pulls me back into bed sitting me across from him his legs on either side of me and wraps the blankets around us. "Talk to me."

"She- she's going to kill Joffrey" I whisper knowing that no one can hear what I'm saying.

"Do you know when?"

"Of course I don't know when. I just know what I saw."

"Tyrion has people finding her."

"But no one knows how close they are to their goal and according to that vision they sure as seven hells aren't achieving it."

"Sweetheart Tyrion sent your guards after her along with people he's paying. Those guards will die protecting your sister. Not to mention Gendry. I've never seen the lad fight but he seems pretty taken with her. Maybe you should try to find him?"

"I haven't been able to see Arya."

"Just try," he whispers cupping my cheek. "We will talk to Tyrion in the morning."

I close my eyes listening his touch soothing me relaxing me so I can think. "How's it going? " he asks after a while.

"It's not," I grumble.

"I like this shirt on you," he says playing with the hem letting his fingers play over the skin underneath.  
I feel myself blushing. "You aren't going to distract me this is my sister who's possibly going to get herself killed."

"If I remember correctly," he says leaning in his breath on my neck making me shiver "it's just the two of us who are supposed to produce an heir."

"Jaime-," I start but he swallows it with a kiss on my lips. My body aches for him over powering my need to do something about my sister.

He rests his head on my shoulder his face in the crook of my neck our breathing is returning to normal. "I'm going to talk to him," I say pushing him off and standing up.

"Hey he's sleeping," he says tugging on my wrist.


	44. Chapter 44

I sit on Silver deciding I would ride that day instead of riding with Sansa as I'd been doing. I was excited to see the place I had somehow missed no matter the little amount of time I'd actually spent there.

A part of me is nervous. Nervous to lay a claim against Theon, nervous to see how the place had changed since we'd been there. The towers are the first thing I see in the distance. "Almost there," Jaime says reaching over with his stump. I squeeze it and smile at him. "Everything is going to be OK, " he says.  
The walls come into view and then I can make out a figure standing watching us "Who is it?" I ask Jaime.  
He squints "I do not have the eyes of a hawk I cannot answer that one."  
I hide my smile behind a glare.  
When we come into view of whomever it is they've disappeared. The gates are opened however and upon my insistence Jaime and I are the first ones to ride inside the walls. Looking around I'm shocked the walls I'd once known are blackened and some parts are so charred it's amazing they're still there.  
"Hello My Lord and Lady," comes a voice and I turn to see an unfamiliar face. I sense the anger from Jaime as he moves slightly ahead of me.  
"What are you doing here Bastard?"  
He tuts at Jaime though, "Bolton. My father has decided to make me his heir."  
"What is going on here?"  
"I am here to show my loyalty to make wrongs right."  
"By burning down my home?" I ride forward this time.  
"Please," he says in what should be a placating voice but accompanied by the look in his eyes only makes me shiver. "I'm sure you are all tired. My father should be here by tonight and we will discuss things then."  
"We are the Lord and Lady here not you. We will decide what happens. Get settled in," I turn to the people behind me spilling out. "There is much to be done. We will meet at noon for tea," I say turning back to the Bolton.

"Are you sure it's wise?"  
I look up from unpacking. "Is what wise?"  
"Meeting with that bastard without his father?"  
"Why wouldn't it be?"  
"He hasn't sworn his allegiance to you."  
"Every person we meet with won't have sworn allegiance. When we show up at people's houses looking for it we are putting ourselves in danger."  
"Yes, but he is not all of those people he is the son of a dangerous man."  
"Do you hear yourself?" I ask starting to feel annoyed. "There are lots of "sons of dangerous men". You're one of them!"  
He takes my hands in his. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant," he takes a breath. "The Boltons sigil what is it?"  
"A flayed man," I say quietly.  
"This is a house of people who skin people alive when they cross them. I've heard things about the son that not only is he as cruel as his father he's sick. Sadistic. I just can't stand the thought of him wanting to hurt you." He pulls me to him hugging me.  
"I have you and all of my men to look out for me. I appreciate your concern," I pull away. "But we need to find out what happened here. Where Theon went and what he's doing here commanding the people as though they are his. Trust me?" I cup his face. He sighs.  
"I guess I'll have to but I'm not leaving your side til him and his father are gone."  
"Fine," I say turning so he can pull on the strings of my dress allowing me to slip it off. He pulls me in close kissing my cheek. "We have stuff to do," I say pulling away out of his reach. He groans but sits to watch me move around pulling on a new dress and fix my hair in a simple braid.

Ramsay sits on one side of the table Jaime and I on the other. I catch that feeling again when his gaze falls on me. I fight the urge to shudder and he leaves a sick feeling in my stomach.  
"I think we all know the true reason we are here," Jaime says interrupting him in mid sentence. He'd been talking about his dogs just the thought of hunting with them seemed to make him come more alive on the inside. That was what bothered me even more making my skin crawl.  
"Don't be rude. The lady-."  
"Your future Leige lord asked you a question." I said. "You wish to come under our aid in good standings?" I say. "Winter is coming." For a moment I see anger flash behind his eyes but it is quickly replaced by a grin and a nod.  
"Of course My Lady," he says the grin on his face slipping away as if it was never there.  
"What are you doing here?" I ask.  
"Securing the walls for you of course."  
I squint at him. "How long have you been here?"  
"A week," he says. "We received the good news and decided to take the place back from that wretched traitor. My father sent me to take care of it."  
"What did you do to Theon?" I ask and he smiles again. It says a lot.  
I can almost hear him taunting me asking me "wouldn't you like to know?" At the same time I think of what Jaime said about the flayed man as his sigil and how cruel of a person he was. I start to wonder if I wanted to know what this man had done and so clearly gotten pleasure out of doing.  
"When did your father legitimize you?" Jaime asks when it seems clear he wasn't going to answer the question.  
"Not too long ago."  
"Why did he?"  
"I'm his son," Ramsay says.  
"What are you really doing here?"  
"I already told you."  
"It doesn't explain the damage."  
"I didn't just walk in and take the place," he says as if it's completely obvious. "Theon put up a fight. That's the result of our skirmish."  
"Where is he?"  
"Why does it matter?"  
I couldn't quite put it into words why I wanted to know so badly. Something about Ramsay terrified me. If he'd flayed Theon or just killed him either way I wanted to know. "His father deserves to know. Theon was my fathers ward."  
"He betrayed your family if you don't remember correctly."  
"So did yours,"I counter.  
"So did his," he nods at Jaime. "Fine," he says. "Reek!" He calls and someone shuffles through the door into the room.


	45. Chapter 45

I sit in a chair Felicity doing my hair while Jaime lounges around. "I just want to get this over with." I say closing my eyes but opening them wanting Ramsay's make over of Theon out of my head. "He was ours to punish not him. Theon didn't betray him." I say going to turn to look at Jaime but wince instead as Felicity's hold on my hair keeps me back.  
"Sorry My Lady."  
There's a knock on the door. "It's Tyrion."  
"Come in," I call.  
"Dear brother is that how you're going?" He asks Jaime his voice already heavy with drink.  
"Tyrion are you drunk before dinner?" He asks mock shock in his voice. Felicity's hands fall and I turn just in time to see Jaime pull his shirt on.  
"Thank you. Go do as you please I'll be fine for the night."  
She curtsies and turns leaving the room. I move behind Jaime fixing his shirt for him. "So what would you like to tell us?"  
"Good news. Arya is under the watchful eye of my men." I lean my head against Jaime's back relief washes though me.  
"But what about what I told you?"  
"Didn't you tell me if visions repeated after you did something to change them they were meant to happen?"  
"They'll kill her," I say moving around Jaime who grabs onto me.  
"My men will help her. Don't you think the little shit deserves to die?"  
"Of course I do. But my sister doesn't need to be killing people."  
"She's done it before."  
"Someone else should do it!" I say feeling exasperated.  
"That would have happened if not for you."  
"Yes well I saved you didn't I?"  
"Yes you did. Why don't you let me deal with getting your sister home. We have more important things to deal with. How's Sansa?"  
"Settling nicely."  
"And?"  
"She already did it," I say quietly as if the walls were listening. He bows his head nodding. The Maester had prepared a tea to rid her of the monster that was inside her. She'd taken it secretly on the journey though it seemed to still plague her.  
"And what do you plan to do about Theon?"  
"You didn't see him," I say even quieter. The sight of him had made me feel sick that a human being could look such a way and still survive. "It would be merciful to end his misery."  
"Do you wish to grant mercy upon the person who would have burned your brothers? Or show yourself as merciless?"  
"It wouldn't be merciless. You said it yourself he would have burned my brothers. Those children he burned alive deserve to be avenged. My family deserves to be avenged."  
"Coming from the woman who married a man who betrayed her family."  
"Jaime didn't. It was your father! Why are you being this way?"  
"I'm only playing as your enemy," he says simply. "Letting you see what everyone else is going to think. You have more things to worry about now than just getting revenge for your family. You are the Wardeness of the North. You have to keep the peace here. Keep the people believing in you."  
"And how do you suggest doing that?"  
"Keep him alive. Killing him would be merciful. But allowing him to remain with Ramsay would be cruel. He's already paid for what he's done. He can continue doing so more humanely."  
"How? What would I do with him?"  
"He's an example as to what happens if you are crossed. Make him a servant."  
"I didn't do anything."  
"The Boltons will be under your rule. It will show the people you are not to be messed with but at the same time you will are reasonable."  
I weigh his words sitting back next to Jaime. "Fine. You can have him. Now we have a dinner to attend," I say standing up.

We arrive first taking our spots at the table waiting for the Boltons to arrive. I frown when Theon enters the room first his head down feet shuffling along. How could this be done to a once proud man in a week.  
A balding man enters behind him sharing my frown at Theon. His son follows behind him a sense of glee at the situation. "Roose Bolton," he says introducing himself. "I'm more than pleased to be here under such a strong alliance between families."  
"Who's family's?" I narrow my gaze.  
"All three of ours of course."  
"This is not an alliance," I say coldly.  
"Oh but of course it is. Your father promised me the north." He looks at Jaime. I look at him as well not having heard of this arrangement. "He of course took it away from me when a better option came along. However you are going to need someone to look after things while you are a way in the west."  
"You are here to give me what I asked for as well as your allegiance. I can strip you of your house."  
He raises his head slightly. "I swore loyalty to your father. And to Robb."  
"Who you then betrayed. You're lucky I'm allowing you to even remain in the North."  
"Yet you married the man-."  
"Leave Jaime out of this we are talking about you. Are you swearing fealty?" He takes a knee bowing his head. He takes his oath peacefully. "Where is Brienne?" At my words she is brought into the room looking almost nearly as bad as Theon is. "Shay!" I call. She appears next to me. "Take care of her," she hurries down the stairs and gently leads her away. "Now for your punishment." I turn back to Roose. "I know you played a hand in my husbands maiming. Whether you would like to admit it or not. You will sacrifice a hand. Your sword hand," I sense everyone around me tensing. "And so will he. Your taxes are doubled and if you do not heed my call when called upon I will raze your entire House," I look down on him unwavering. "I do not wish to have you under my roof any longer. Get out. And leave Theon."  
"You bitch!" Ramsay screams insults at me struggling as his father and my guards escort them out.  
I sense everyone's looks upon me as the room quiets. "I wish to have dinner now." I say in a whisper.


	46. Chapter 46

A/N: this chapter has a sex scene more explicit than I normally write. Just a warning.  
Let me know what you think please!  
Jaime  
I sit there pouting to myself. I appreciated what she'd done but hated it at the same time. I glance over at her sipping her wine and eating the slice of raspberry cake. My loins stir and I mentally curse myself. Why did I want her so badly when I was so frustrated? "You didn't have to do that," I say breaking the silence. She finishes her glass of wine setting it on the table.  
"They deserved it," she says turning to look at me. "Besides we're married now so what I do we do as a couple." I look down at my stump and hand in my lap. She moves around coming to rest in front of me perched on the table. I push down the thoughts of wanting her. "Look at me." She says putting a hand on my chin. "I love you. I did this for you. Do you want to cut off his hand yourself? In sure we can arrange that." The thought is enticing but then so are her lips she's worrying with her teeth.  
"No. I want you," I say standing quickly capturing her lips. Her hands hold both sides of my face moving to my hair while I scoop her into my lap. I push my tongue against her lips and she grants me entrance. Her fingers move through my hair turning me on even more. I pull her close seeking some sort of friction to ease my want. I kiss her cheek tasting bits of raspberry and wine moving to her neck. She tilts her head angling her body so she's right on my hard on. It seems to strain against me seeking out her warmth. I focus on her kissing her neck moving my tongue over her loving the way she shivers. I kiss her earlobe and bite it gently. She moans loudly in the empty space. I pull back grinning at her. Her hands covering her mouth and I can see her blush. "My Lady!" I say. "I like it." I do it again and her hands back at it tug my hair so I kiss her on the lips. Our tongues tangle our breaths increase. I stand still holding her. She laughs wrapping her legs around my waist holding onto the back of my neck. I sweep the stuff off the table with my stump slightly surprised at how I got it all. I lay her down in the empty spot smiling down at her. I hook my fingers under her dress and tear at it wrapping the lace revealing her underclothes. I move those out of the way. She reaches up pulling me down toward her. I start kissing her lips loving the way they move against mine. Her legs squeeze around me. She gasps her hold on my shoulder tightening as I move my hand over one breast. I pinch her already hardened nipple. She moves closer arching her back into my touch. I twist and play with her nipple still kissing her. I kiss a trail down to her neck and then further down to her breasts. I focus on the other one kissing it teasing her. Her hands find their way to my hair yet again and tugs on it. She moans again as I suck her nipple into my mouth playing with it with my tongue. "Jaime," she says her want in her voice as she tugs me again pulling me back towards her. "Anyone can see."  
"Fuck them," I growl returning to driving her crazy. I move back up to kissing her lips. She's pulling on the bottom of my shirt.  
"Take it off," she whines trembling under me. I hover over her pulling it off tossing it to the side. I let my hand trail over her thighs as she explores my bare chest.  
"You aren't wearing any small clothes." I say my hand stopping. She shakes her head no. I move back and she follows sitting up I pull her dress out of the way. I can feel her wetness with my fingers. I kiss her and a moan greets my ears. Her dress is ripped and I stop for a moment looking up at her. She'd ripped it more. Her hand tangles in my hair. I kiss her lips and then separate them licking her. Her leg starts to tremble. I look up at her massaging her with my fingers finding her nub. She moves pulling hard enough on my hair to make my eyes water as she arches her back panting.  
I flick it and then massage her again circling her entrance. "Jaime," she gasps her other hand grabbing my stump her nails digging in. I let my tongue take over swirling around her. I suck on her nub both of her legs shaking around me. I stand pushing a finger inside her. She lets out a little moan of pleasure. I kiss her her tongue pushing into my mouth. I move my finger in and out my thumb playing with her nub. I pause loving teasing her. She opens her eyes glaring at me. "I thought anyone could see," I whisper pushing a second finger into her. Her lips part and she moves her hips against me. I move my fingers around in and out continuing massaging her nub. I suck her nipple back into my mouth loving her little mews at the sensations. Her fingers continue to dig into my stump her others forgotten clenched in my hair. Her breathing increases as well as her movements. Her muscles start to constrict my fingers. "Jaime, Jaime," she says breathlessly I swallow her orgasm with a kiss her chest rising and falling against mine. I reclaim my hand. "Jaime please," she says her hands fumbling with the laces of my pants. For once I have a better time of it than her. "Tell me what you want." I say my words deep with desire.  
"Jaime," is all she says her look of frustration and want clear on her face.  
"Hmmm?" I ask letting my tip circle her entrance wanting to hear it from her.  
"Fuck me. Fuck me Jaime," she says using her feet to push me closer to her vagina.  
I lean in, "say it again."  
"Fuck me Jaime Lannister." Her voice comes out a growl her eyes dark with her desire. I comply guiding my penis inside of her. I let out a breathy moan and she pulls me down kissing me. I start to move my hips her feet crossed behind my back. She bucks up to meet me sighing with pleasure. I tug her leg and she lets me push them out letting me plunge deeper into her. She moves hooking them over her shoulders. She pushes against me now increasing the pleasure. Neither of us are being quiet now. "Harder," she begs. "Harder," I listen getting my fingers and stump in a good spot pulling her into me as I push into her. She's tightening around me and I feel the familiar sensations that I'm close. I move letting me push deeper and two thrusts later I've emptied inside of her our simultaneous grunts of climax leaving me light headed. She lets her legs fall and I rest my head on her chest.  
Lya  
He stands after a moment pulling me into his lap a foolish grin on his lips. "I love you," I say kissing him and then rest my head on his chest.  
"You ripped your dress," he says pulling the two parts over my shoulders making me laugh.  
"You did that," I say pulling on the bottom where I had ripped it. Neither part will stay and we both laugh.  
"How does it feel to be home my lovely Lady of Winterfell?"  
"Well my Lord you keep that up and we won't leave."  
Someone clears their throat and I look to see the Maester. I blush holding my dress together hoping he hadn't walked in earlier. "How can we help you?" I ask unable to remember his name.  
"A raven has come from Jon Snow the Lord Commander of the Nights Watch."  
I take it from him and Jaime reads it while I pick out words I know. "This is written to Roose Bolton as the Lord of Winterfell. Has there been any others?"  
"One other a few days ago. Asking for aid in a battle against what he calls White Walkers."  
"Those don't exist," I mumble.  
"This one states they were barely successful and he has granted empty land to the Free Folk and asks us to not harm them. They deserve to survive the winter."  
"Who was here when the last one came?"  
"Ramsay Bolton, My Lady."  
"How long has he been here?" He looks conflicted. "You are my Maester now." I say sternly and Jaime shifts next to me.  
"Over a month now." He says.  
"Does Jon want anything?"  
"Leave the Wildlings alone."  
"Write him back," I say to the Maester "we will. Let him know Roose is gone. Meet us at breakfast tomorrow. We have things to discuss. Now if you'll excuse us." I stand taking Jaime's hand and we walk out together me holding my dress together.  
Jaime  
She practically hums the whole way back to our room her cheeks still red. I can't help but feel pleased that I'd made her so happy. I know she was embarrassed that the Maester walked in but that pleased me as well knowing someone knew the pleasure I could grant my wife. Lost in thought she pushes me against the wall surprising me. "What are-," she presses her lips against mine tugging at the bottom of my shirt untucking it. Her tongue presses against mine prompting me to a response. I gasp a little as her slightly chilled hand presses against my navel working into my pants. "You think you're the only one who can have fun?" She asks a devilish smile on her lips. She kisses my cheek working her way to my neck. She pins my hand to the wall leaving me open to whatever she wants. She kisses my lips and bites my lower one making me groan as she palms me with her open hand.  
Someone clears their throat. She jumps away from me like she'd been burned. "While I do appreciate the ahh show," Tyrion says, "Brienne is asking for you My Lady."  
"Go on," I say adjusting myself.  
"I'll be back," she whispers in my ear kissing my cheek lightly squeezing me making my dick twitch in response. "I'll be right with her. I need to change," she says to Tyrion going into our room.  
"I'm sorry for the interruption." He says. "You seemed to be enjoying yourself." I roll my eyes. "I heard you made a mess in the dining room," he comments nonchalantly.  
"Don't tell her that."  
"I am happy for you. I'd just appreciate not walking in on it."  
I roll my eyes and pat his head. I head into the bedroom to see her standing there completely naked her back turned to me. "You are a sight to behold." I say moving to her wrapping my arms around her. I kiss her neck. She arches her back pressing her butt against my erection. I run my hand up her body and cup her breast continuing to lavish her neck with kisses. She turns in my embrace kissing me briefly on the lips but pulls away.  
"I need to see Brienne," she says and I frown as she starts to dress. She saunters back over to me clothes on. She kisses me once more letting her hand run over my still prominent bulge. I groan watching her walk out.


End file.

Game of Thrones