*Edited: 26/12/2018- Minor spelling and grammar mistakes.*

The Winter Storm Queen

By TJ-182

Chapter 1: The Unexpected Daughter

The winds of the North howled in cold fury; Ice covered every wall and threatened to seep through the cracks of the bricks. The people of Winterfell stayed locked and huddled in their homes due to the snow blizzard that raged outside their doors. Some whispered that it was the anger of the Old Gods that fueled the storm. Other's believed it to be a sign of power; that the Old Gods were warning naysayer's to silence their doubts and remember the fear they could wrought. However for the House of stark such thoughts were of no importance.

The winter storm was unexpected and perhaps the harshest winter the North had seen since the Old days. Usually the inside of the castle would be warmer with no hint of cold during winter. This time the chill crept inside and had the residents bundling themselves with fur even within the walls. The food had to be strictly rationed due to the sudden blizzard and how unprepared they were; several worried over how long the storm should last. They worried over how many they may lose to the cold. Although none worried more than Lord Rickard Stark of Winterfell.

Lord Rickard and his lady wife were expecting another child for their brood; Already the Lord and Lady had been blessed with two sons, and not too long ago, their first daughter. Those within the castle walls of Winterfell whispered about the favorable light Lady Lyarra Stark must hold with the Gods. No more than eleven moons had passed since the birth of little Lady Lyanna Stark and soon after Lady Lyarra quickened with a babe. The married nobles had been most surprised but they had just as eagerly celebrated the news.

Winter was always long but those of the North knew how to endure through it. All of the Stark children had been born during various periods of winter; yet the upcoming babe would be the first of all their lineage to be born during a winter storm. Lady Lyarra thought it to be brilliant and was entertained by the idea of their surprise child being born during a surprise storm. Lord Rickard was more concerned about the health of his wife and new coming babe.

"Must I repeat myself husband? The gods are smiling upon us. This storm will not take us from you yet," Lyarra would scold with pertinent annoyance and amusement.

Rickard never spoke against her but always remained cautious. The love between the couple often made those of Winterfell fawn with admiration. Rickard Stark loved his wife and she the same; their children were strong and healthy. He was a stern man and rarely did he show kindness. Instead, he reserved his smiles and soft words for his children and his love and heart for his wife. All of Winterfell would confidently state that the heart of Winterfell lay with Lady Lyarra. In the eyes of many, House Stark represented the good favor the Old Gods held towards the Northern folk.

The snow storm had been raging for three days when the time came. Rickard had been in the middle of seeing to the distributions of food rations to the villagers. When his wife's personal maid heralded the news; those who witnessed the spectacle swear on their lives they'd assumed their lord had been called for war instead of a birthing. Rickard had run through the corridors, ignoring any manner of lordship in his haste. He pushed pass anyone who stood in his way with the most desperate expression on his face.

Rickard would never breathe a word about his embarrassment over the story and Lyarra would never let him forget it. In his defense, he'd been stressed and expecting worse to befall on his family. The birth had terrible timing and proved to be harder on Lyarra's health in comparison to his other three children. Rickard had been cautiously preparing himself for some form of loss. An act of caution that proved to be unnecessary after he'd been handed his new born child by his tired but alive wife.

The roaring snowstorm beyond the walls mattered little to the Lord and Lady Stark. In his arms, Rickard once again felt his devotion and belief in the gods pulse strongly within him. Only Lyarra would witness the true tears of happiness he shed that day. The child in his arms proved that the gods were kind for they had given him another daughter. Now he had two of each and all of them were deemed strong and healthy babes. He looked to his wife and struggled to tear his eyes from the delicate babe in his arms.

They did not expect a daughter and while grateful their choices in names for females were short. Lyarra's eyes twinkled like they always tended to do when naming each child she birthed. Rickard never knew what made his wife so sure about the names she gifted their children; her eyes always sparkled with mischief and knowing when she'd explain the name she chose to bless their children with.

When their eldest was born she declared him Brandon Stark; whispering about how strong the boy would grow and that the wolf blood in his veins would bring him strength. 'He will be wild and filled with untamed life' she had said; all the while the babe had screamed in her arms as if to confirm her words. Their second child's naming went much the same. Unlike his brother Eddard Stark did not scream his arrival to the world but mewled and whined. The healers muttered that the boy must have weak lungs but Lyarra said otherwise. 'He is resilient and strong of heart that is all he needs to be great'; many of the healers muttered in disagreement but Rickard understood his wife's words. Lyanna's birth went much the same as Brandon's; 'Loud and filled with pride. She will be a fighter' and every day since Lyanna has proven true.

Rickard is a proud father and so he waits eagerly to hear what his wife will say about their latest babe. He studies his youngest daughter and wonders what may be said; will she be like Lyanna? He can see the similarities already between the sisters. They share the same coloring and lips but this child favours Lyarra more. He can tell her features are softer and delicate compared to the fierce brows and lines of her siblings. She is a quiet babe and he wonders if she will be like Eddard instead. He looks to Lyarra and spies her wide smile waiting for him to ask.

"She is precious. What shall we name her?"

It does not take long for her to answer but Rickard pauses at the name. Lyarra looks to have expected his reaction. He is not upset just curious at her choice and she explains herself with ease.

"She will be great I know it, similar yet different to her siblings. I could predict plenty about her but will never truly know. The gods gifted her to us for a reason and much like this winter storm we will never know its full extent. She will live each day as it's given and she will be strong for it or wither through. The path she'll pave will be simple but filled with ice like storms of winter. Wherever she goes all will know winter is coming," Lyarra softly hummed while caressing the babe's soft head.

Rickard stares at his wife, taking notice of the distant gaze in her eyes. She always sounded so sure; he ponders on the stories told by the old crones of greenseers who see throughout time. He feels foolish for thinking such thoughts but his gut tells him to think it true. Rickard ignores his thoughts and trusts his heart and love for his wife instead. He kisses both his child and wife on their heads and privately thanks the gods once more. It is then the door opens and the rest of his children tread in to greet their newest sibling.

Brandon runs to join them while peering eagerly for the babe; behind him Eddard follows. One of the handmaiden's bring Lyanna into the room and Lyarra holds her. Brandon practically vibrates in place and his prompts to see the new babe are not at all quiet.

"Is that it!? That's them right father? Is it our new brother you're holding!?" the seven year old prattles.

"Hush Brandon, your mother is tired and so is your sister," he orders gently while rocking the babe in his hold.

Lyarra and he share a look of amusement at the scrunched expression on Brandon's face. The boy darts a look to the very awake and babbling baby Lyanna. He furrows his brows in confusion and Rickard sees when Eddard realizes what he meant.

"Lya's not sleepy!?"

"He's not talking about Lya, Bran."

Eddard's voice is soft with awe and he smiles at the babe in Rickard's arms. The two boys then crowd closer to see their new sister. It's Eddard who braves a soft caress on the babe's cheek causing her to whimper softly but not cry. Brandon let's out a laugh and claps Eddard on the back as if to congratulate him on making her move. Lyarra giggles from where she watches, all the while bouncing a huffy Lyanna in her lap to keep her pleasant.

"Another sister Ned! We get one each now!" Brandon cheers.

"You will take care of BOTH your sisters Brandon. Your sisters will need both of you to protect them, help them and teach them. You are children of the North and the future of House Stark," Rickard lectured with light scolding towards his excited son.

Both boys nodded with as much restraint and discipline they could manage in the moment; the solemn looks on their childish features so out of place it caused Lyarra to giggle. The babe in his arms began to fuss and Lyanna started to cry bringing all attention back to their tiny selves.

"Oh great! TWO crying babies!" Brandon bemoaned.

Rickard's lips twitched at hearing the dread in the boys tone; oddly enough the new babe settled quicker than Lyanna, who fussed louder in her mother's hold. He could tell that his wife was still too tired from the birthing to muster patience with their first daughter. He'd been ready to call for the maids and healers so she could rest when Eddard spoke up.

"I can take Lya mother," he spoke with determination.

In response Lyarra beamed at him with a wide smile. It didn't take long for Brandon to decide he would take Lyanna instead. Rickard chuckled at the sibling rivalry that was sprouting between the two boys. Lyarra too seemed to realize the same thing as she blinked with wonder. Rickard could already see his sons becoming slaves to his daughters wants and needs in the future. It worried him but in the moment it only served as entertaining.

"I'm eldest Ned. It's my duty as the oldest brother to take care of our sister!" Brandon reasoned.

In Lyarra's short moment of confusion he'd already reached for Lyanna. As if knowing his intentions Lyanna reached for Brandon and began to slap and babble at him contently. The boyish pride on Brandon's face shone brightly like the sun. Rickard watched his sons intently, measuring what type of men they could shape to be; his wife's predictions already showing in Brandon but not Eddard. The disappointment on Eddard's face so obvious to see. It only deepened at seeing how happy Lyanna appeared to be in Brandon's arms. Rickard wondered if he would need to be concerned about Eddard growing jealous of Brandon.

Lyarra must have seen the look as well for she beckoned him to give her their newest babe. He was reluctant to do so but knew better than to argue with his exhausted wife. He hovered by her side and smiled when the babe clutched his finger with her tiny hands; as if she too did not want him to give her to another.

"Would you like to hold her Ned?" Lyarra cooed.

"Can I?"

"Of course, but you must be seated just to be safe."

Eddard did as instructed and was allowed to hold his newest sister. If Rickard had not been watching the situation closely he would have missed the cunning smirk Eddard had given Brandon. He found himself surprised at such smarts appearing so early and from the sour look on Brandon's face- he too realized he'd been outwitted.

"Hello… I'm your brother," Eddard introduced.

The silence that followed was filled with adoration from the two boys. Lyanna seemed to grow quiet in Brandon's hold; all the while starring at the strange bundle in her brother's hold. Lyarra forced herself to stay awake as she refused to forget such a moment. Rickard knew that he would never forget the moment himself.

"What's her name father?" Brandon softly questioned.

It was the most subdued the boy had ever been since his birth. When Rickard was sure both boys were paying their full attention; he spoke the name of his newest daughter.

"Her name is Anya. Anya Stark the first of her name."