One shot for now

Winterfell

Jaime hated participating in any celebration where the king was. Robert always drank too much and started humiliating Cersei every way he could. The worst part was that there was absolutely nothing Jaime could do about that. He could barely even look at Cersei without jeopardizing not only her and his own life, but also the lives of their children. He had to hide his thoughts and feelings, as he had done for the last 16 years. No, longer than that.

He had loved Cersei as long as he could remember, she was his whole world. Yet he could never tell that to anyone. He had no choice but to settle for the brief stolen moments with her. It wasn't fair. Bitterly Jaime glanced at Robert who was already drunk and apparently in a very good mood. He was talking with Eddard and Catelyn Stark, completely ignoring Cersei. Jaime couldn't look at her; he feared that everyone would see what he was thinking.

Tyrion seemed to be more or less drunk as well; he was talking with Robb Stark. All the Starks were here, although Jaime hadn't paid much attention to any of them. He emptied his wine goblet and left the dining hall. What he needed right now was a moment to clear his thoughts. It was already dark outside, torches and lanterns lighted the courtyard of Winterfell.

Jaime looked up at the night sky before heading to the stables; he wanted to make sure that his horse was properly taken care of. The horse, a golden colored stallion called Lionheart, had been a gift from his father. Normally Jaime didn't much care for his father's gifts, but the horse was undeniably magnificent. Jaime had spent a lot of time training Lionheart and he was the only one who the horse really obeyed.

He entered the stable and looked for a stable boy when he noticed his horse and approached his stall. He frowned when he saw someone in the stall with Lionheart. A young woman who was wearing a modest grey dress and a cloak. Her dark hair was braided behind her head in a single plait that reached almost to her waist.

"Hey," Jaime snapped. "What do you think you're doing to my horse, girl?"

She turned to look at him with her large dark brown eyes. Her oval face was quite pretty and her skin was pale. A typical northern girl, almost all of them seemed to be pale. Well, of course they were, there wasn't much sunshine here.

"I was grooming him," she replied calmly and showed Jaime the brush she had in her hand.

"He doesn't like strangers much," Jaime stated.

The girl glanced at Lionheart who seemed perfectly calm and satisfied.

"I haven't had any problems with him."

"Well, I'm sure you know how to do your work."

The girl smiled.

"Let's hope so. What brings you here this late?"

Her casual tone amused Jaime; he doubted that the poor servant girl had any idea who he was.

"I came to see my horse."

"Ah. He really is a beautiful horse."

"Yes, he was a gift from my father, Tywin Lannister."

Jaime expected the girl to start apologizing for speaking to him so freely, but she didn't.

"I see. You have a very generous father."

Jaime frowned; surely even the lowest servant knew who Tywin Lannister was.

"I'm Jaime Lannister, the queen's brother."

The girl nodded.

"I know who you are, Ser."

Her tone was just as calm as before, she didn't seem to be even slightly intimidated by him. For a moment he wasn't sure how to react. She hadn't really been disrespectful, but he certainly wasn't used to servants talking to him like this.

"I'm Lyra," she added.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Jaime replied after getting over his confusion. He did have some manners, even if the girl was a servant. "Are you a stable girl?"

"I do many things here," she replied smiling.

"I see. Do you like it here?"

She nodded.

"I have no reason to complain."

"That's an admirable way to think," Jaime huffed.

"Hmm. I take it that you don't think like that."

He frowned.

"You speak very freely."

"Have I somehow offended you?" she asked, clearly amused.

"I'm not easily offended, but I suggest you watch your tongue with the other members of my family."

"I'll do that, thank you for the advice."

"Good." Jaime paused and looked around. "Are we alone here?"

"So it seems," the girl replied.

"Is it safe for you to be alone here this late?"

She smiled.

"Should I be afraid of you, Ser?"

"No, not me, but all the men are not like me."

"I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself."

"Really?" Jaime huffed and crossed his arms. "What would you do, if someone would attack you?"

"Well…" she started and stepped out of the stall. "Allow me to show you, Ser. Attack me."

Jaime's eyes widened.

"What?"

"I think you heard me," she replied smiling.

"I'm not going to attack a woman," Jaime snorted.

"Why not?" the girl hummed. "Are you afraid that you would lose?"

Jaime's eyebrows furrowed.

"You do know I'm a knight? A member of the Kingsguard?"

"Then surely you have nothing to be afraid of?" she stated innocently.

Jaime's eyes narrowed.

"Alright then, if you insist."

There was something about her boldness that amused him; she was feistier than any servant he had met before.

"I'll try my best not to hurt you, little one," he hummed smiling as he approached her. She was almost a head shorter than him, so this wasn't in any way a fair fight.

"I appreciate that, Ser," she replied, standing her ground.

The whole situation was so ridiculous that he wanted to chuckle. What was he doing? He tried to grab her, but she was faster, she managed to move aside. She arched her back like a cat as he tried again.

"Aren't you a quick little kitty," he chuckled.

He tried few times, but he couldn't get a hold of her. She really was fast. As amusing as this was, the whole thing was starting to become embarrassing. Couldn't he honestly catch a servant girl? His eyes narrowed before he tricked her with a fake attack. She fell for it and he jumped on her like a stalking lion. They both lost their balance and he fell on top of her. No more than a second later, he felt something cold and sharp on his throat.

"Are you threatening me with a knife?" he asked disbelievingly.

"No, I am showing you that I can take care of myself," she replied, still panting a little.

He frowned.

"You do know that I could have you executed for this?"

She smiled.

"Do you really want everyone to know that you lost to a girl?"

"I would hardly say that I lost."

"Really? What would you say then?"

She gasped when he suddenly yanked the knife from her.

"I would say that it's not wise to celebrate too soon," he hummed smirking.

"Hmm, that's a good advice," she replied.

It was his turn to gasp when he felt something sharp between his legs. He stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Alright, I admit it," he chuckled. "It seems that you can take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Ser," she replied smiling.

He stood up and held out his hand for her. She let him help her to her feet.

"I must say that servants here are very different than in the south…" Jaime started.

"Lyra?" a male voice interrupted him.

Jaime turned around and saw Jon Snow, Lord Stark's bastard son. He was looking at Jaime suspiciously.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

"Yes, Jon, everything is fine," the girl replied. "Ser Jaime, have you met Jon Snow, my cousin?"

For a brief moment Jaime was speechless.

"Your…cousin? So you are Lord Eddard's...?"

"His niece," she finished. "My father is Benjen Stark."

Oh great, and Jaime had just wrestled with her.

"Is there a reason why you didn't mention this before, my lady?" he asked as calmly as he could.

"You didn't ask, Ser," she replied innocently and curtsied at him.

"Why are you here in this hour grooming horses?"

"I like horses."

Jaime had no idea what else to say, the girl seemed nothing but amused.

"Jon, could you escort me inside?" she asked. "Ser Jaime was just telling me that it's not safe for me to be here all alone."

"Of course," the boy replied. The look that he gave to Jaime was hardly friendly.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Ser Jaime," the girl said smiling sweetly. "Good night."

"Good night," Jaime murmured.

Great… Just perfect. Hopefully the girl wouldn't say anything to her uncle. Something told Jaime that she wouldn't. He should have known right away that she was a Stark. He huffed and rolled his eyes. Yet he couldn't help but to smile, he couldn't deny that she had amused him. For a very brief moment he had actually forgotten all his worries.