"Is he a good man?" Lyanna asked as soon as Eddard opened the door to his chamber.

She had just left her father's solar where he had informed her she was to attend the Tourney at Harrenhal and officialize her betrothal to the Lord of the Stormlands. They where to be wed as soon as summer came. According to the maesters, it was now already spring.

"You knew this day would come Lyanna" Lord Rickard said solemnly knowing she was about to start protesting. "I have tried to put it off for a long as I could, but Lord Robert offers a great deal that would benefit us all greatly. The north will have a strong allegiance to the stormlands and you will become the lady of a great house."

"How is this a good deal for me? I have never even met him!" Lyanna argued back.

"You brother Eddard has known him for years. I have spoken with him longingly on this topic. I believe Lord Robert to be suitable for you.

"So I am the last to know? Am I really of that little worth to you father? Except from being a valuable exchange currency, of course."

"Do not speak that way Lyanna. I am over this with you. This is an order and you have no choice on the matter. For years now you have been free of responsibilities and worries. I find it to be way past time you get yourself back to reality."

"He is." He gave his words a long pause as the sound Lyanna's inconsistent hiccups filled the cavernous stone hallway "It might not seem like it as first but once you get to know.."

"Ned" tears were rolling freely down her face and her whole body trembled at every breath "Please. Tell me all you know. I'm begging you."

Eddard gestured to his room so that Lyanna would enter and shut the heavy door. This was the one she had least been in during her lifetime. Ned had spent years at the Vale with Robert Baratheon, both as wards to Lord Arryn. Brandon was also sent to Barrownton with Lord Dustin, but that distance had been much shorter and allowed visits home.

Ned had returned home not three days ago and now she knew why. He was to talk with father and solidify the northern alliance with the stormlands.

She sat on the edge of his bed, still sobbing, while Eddard remained standing.

"I-Is it truly that bad you have to think longingly of how to tell me in the kindest way you can find?" Lyanna managed lowly.

"That is not it." Ned walked around not facing her. "Robert tries to be good, he is just and fair. An amazing fighter as well. He is a one of the great lords, which means he has a lot of power.. Oh and he also has a warhammer he fights with, have I mentioned that?"

"You are trying to distract yourself from the truth. I am going to be forced into marrying him regardless of my feeling. It would be best to know what I am in for before."

"Whatever Robert may have done is in his past now. We have talked extensively. He is trying to better his ways, this I swear to you."

"That is good but I cannot know what he is willing to change if I do not know what are his ways! You are the only one who can tell me of him, as I am sure you have told him about myself plenty of times."

"That is reasonable." Eddard let out a sigh " I will tell you some I know. But remember those are events of the past. I am certain he will be a good husband."

Lyanna ran through the deserted grounds outside of Harrenhal not bothering to pick up her skirts and letting the hem of her dress to be marked by the muddy ground. There was a mix of sadness and anger she hadn't ever experienced before.

All was going well up to that point. She had a tent next to all of her brothers, and her father wasn't present to order her around. Lyanna rode around the castle freely, trying to forget the real purpose of their trip. There was even a moment where she got to use a sword and threaten some mean squires, saving a boy in the process. She appreciated the moment of power and the boy, who they discovered to be Lord Howland Reed of the Neck, became fast friends with Benjen and herself.

When the sun was set they all made their way into the great hall of the hundred hearths, where the opening feast of the tourney was being held. It was the largest room she had ever lain foot in. The hall seemed as though it could fit the entirety of Winter Town inside, with the ceiling as high as an well sized tower. Lord Whent had invited all of the realm to attend the Tourney in honor of his daughter's nameday but all the lords, ladies, knights and squires could not manage to fill the room. In fact, they had left an enormous empty area in the center, the size of the biggest of Winterfell's pools, for the dancing.

Whomever decided on the seating arrangements had placed the northern party as far away from the dais as possible not to seem rude, but not as far as the stormlands' own table. Lyanna had barely reached her seat when Lord Robert came to introduce himself. He was very tall but she thought Hodor the stable boy was taller. His eyes were deep blue and his eyes were made of black onyx. She could not deny that he was in fact very handsome. Eddard had confessed to her that the ladies never gave him a second look. He was always with Brandon or Robert and those seemed far more interesting to them.

"I feel incredibly honored to finally meet you in person, my lady. Your brother's words do you no justice." Robert grabbed her hand to kiss it and stared deeply into his eyes. The gesture made Lyanna very unforgettable. "But then again, not even the best poet could hope to ever be able to express your beauty in words."

She could feel her cheeks getting hot with color. What am I even supposed to respond to that?

"You flatter me, my lord." Lyanna forced her hand away from his.

After all we're acquainted with one another they sat on the long benches to enjoy the feat. Lord Robert seemed to spend more time at the northern table than on his own, only to further Lyanna's frustrations. He went as far as to grabbing her seated leg during a fit of laughter.

Brandon mentioned to Ned all of the Ladies in the room, the ones from minor houses who would rejoice to marry someone from a great house, be it even a second son. Benjen, who was far too young to be worrying about such great steps in life enjoyed his meal while loudly chatting with Howland.

Glancing above her at the dais, Lyanna caught her first glimpse of the king. She knew, as most people did, that he wasn't an old king. He was younger than her own father but seemed to be the age of Old Nan. Extremely fragile, with long fingernails that curled inward. A huge contrast to his oldest son that stood at his side with his wife.

The prince was extremely intriguing. Rhaegar, she believed his name was. Lyanna investigated his image. She noted his silver hair done up in a plait down his back, though she could not see the end of it. He wore a cape of crimson that contrasted with his palenes. He did not seem interested in whatever it was that his princess told him, only nodding sparingly to her words but never looking her way. His eyes, much darker than the violet of his father, were always surveying the room, as if he searched for someone or something. When their gazes met she quickly looked away.

"And you seem awfully mesmerized by the southerners" teased Brandon, who sat across from her and she was taken out of her trance.

"Not at all dear brother. I am simply using my spy abilities for the good of the North" she joked back quickly "But perhaps you do not comprehend my technique as it is certainly more subtle as your more… evasive one"

Benjen laughed at his brother while Ned gave only a smirk.

They continued on with the feast. Course after course and Lyanna was astonished by the quantity and variety of food available. She drank a full glass of Arbor Gold along with Benjen but as soon as Ned noticed them filling a second cjo he took the jug away, much from his siblings disappointment.

A course later Lady Catelyn Tully, Brandon's betrothed, came over to their table with her younger sister Lady Lysa. They were pleasant enough. Catelyn was quiet and shy while Lysa like to talk a lot and gossip about the occupants of the room. She was a southerner to be sure, but Lyanna was glad Catelyn appeared a little more mannered, reserved and respectful than her sister, though she did not know how Brandon felt about it.

Brandon was wild and unpredictable, much like myself I suppose. The wolf blood, their father called it. They wanted adventure and excitement but in their future there was only responsibilities.

"Oh look!" Lysa exclaimed "Prince Rhaegar is getting down from the dais. He is so handsome! And he has got his harp as well!"

The last part came very much as a surprise. All she had heard of the prince was of his great swordsmanship skills. Lyanna had overheard dozens of conversations where men exchanged money betting on who they thought would win. Rhaegar was a common favorite for the lances. Could he play the harp as well?.

The prince set the instrument in front of the northern table and pulled a nearby bench as people started to gather around. The whole hall fell quiet in expectation of his notes.

When Rhaegar started playing Lyanna noticed she had never heard anything like it. Her body leaned forward and her lips parted. The harp itself was extremely uncommon in the north and the melody itself was unfamiliar, not a popular song. In fact it seemed as though he was its composer, she thought as he started singing. His voice is sweeter than that of any bard. The words were strange, in a language that was not the common tongue. Valyrian, perhaps.

Lyanna fixed her gaze on the way his fingers worked the strings, then on how his mouth moved when muttering the unknown words. Finally, she looked him in the eyes and her shoulders dropped. Prince Rhaegar was staring right back at her.

The whole world started to blur and the sounds became muffled, even if Rhaegar was still singing. She could not tell how long it was that she was caught up in that spell.

When the music ended all applauded and praised the young prince. Lyanna kept an empty gaze while everyone left to their seats.

"Lyanna?" Benjen shook her arm softly "Are you well?"

"What?" she turned to him with thought. Her face felt wet.

"Gods you are crying a lot...Hum… do you wanna get out for a while?"

"No, no its fine" Lyanna said as she wiped her tears with the long sleeves of her dress, still shaking.

A larger set of musicians took the floor with various instruments and a number of couples joined in dancing. Ned was too shy to ask out the friend of the princess, Ashara Dayne, so Brandon offered to talk to her on his behalf. He excused himself from Catelyn, who was all smiles and made his way to the dornish table. Five minutes had passed by and no sign of Brandon returning with the lady, instead Lyanna saw them both together spinning around to the music and laughing.

Ned and Catelyn made their best efforts not to seem bothered, but Lyanna knew neither were pleased with the situation.

"Does my lady care to join me in the dancing?" Robert said loudly arriving at their table and she could smell a strong scent wine on his breath.

Benjen gave her a reassuring smile and she took his hand all the while glancing back at her brother uncertain.

Robert proved himself to be a difficult partner. As if his sheer size wasn't a hard enough chore, the man was the drunkest on the floor.

"I cannot wait for us to be married m'lady. Having you around at all time will be a blessing." Robert said almost falling onto her.

"Thank you my lord." she replied in a low voice.

"Nah, you shall call me Robert! The gods know we will be very intimate very soon" He said as his hands slid to the bottom of her back and grabbed her bum. It felt extremely trapping having to stand there in between his large arms all around her tiny frame.

Her solution to this problem was to step as hard as she could on his foot and give a hurried excuse while rushing off.

Lyanna sat back down mortified. Only Ned had left the table since she had left. Catelyn and Lysa were talking of the dance and parring of the couples while Benjen and Howland devised a plan to get back at the southern squires on a low tone. Lyanna offered her help.

"Is that Lord Baratheon?" Lysa asked wide eyed. All of turned to the direction of her gaze.

Robert was ferociousness kissing a woman in modest clothes in the full view of every attendee. As soon as all assimilated what was going on they shifted their attention to Lyanna.

"I think I'm going to retire now" She said not even looking at any of their faces and making her way outside.

The courtyard was nearly deserted and full of mud. How could he? Lyanna tried to organize her thoughts. I should have known. He's unbearable and I cannot comprehend how Ned would even think of me marrying someone of that sort— Woooa

She wasn't paying as much attention to her steps as she probably should have and ended up sliding backwards til something caught her.

"Woah! Are you well?"

Lyanna gasped. It was the crown prince. She let go of him as soon as she realized it.

"Uh… I… yes! I need to go uhm.. to my tent"

"Not even a thank you? Let me get you name at least"

"Thank you, my prince."She straightened out her skirts and bowed. "My name is Lyanna."

"Lyanna it is then. I will accompany you on your brief journey." Rhaegar offered her his arm "What kind of crown prince would I be letting sole maidens wandering about the night by themselves.?"

"Truly your highness it is not an issue. I am set up right there see?" She gestured at the northern pavilion. "No immediate danger apart from these puddles."

"The Stark tents" His whole demeanor changed "You are the she-wolf aren't you? The ice maiden?"

"I prefer Lyanna, honestly my prince" Lyanna smiled softly gazing downwards "Thank you for saving my dress. Good night."

Riverrun made Lyanna feel hotter than she ever had felt in many years. It was rare that Winterfell got that warm, but even in summer there was a constant cold breeze to refresh them and many a time it snowed.

She had been south before, on the Year of the False Spring for the Tourney at Harrenhal. But it was still winter than, despite of what all the maester had told them. And the winter roses were still blooming this down south.

Lyanna said goodbye to Winterfell and Benjen the last moon, one of the hardest moments of her life thus far. There was little hope of returning there soon. She apologized to her younger brother that she couldn't join the Night's Watch with him.

Rickard Stark left his ancestral seat with his three oldest children, to marry two of them off south. The plan was to make their way down to Riverrun and wed Brandon to Catelyn Tully, and then head south some more still, to the Stormlands, for Lyanna's Wedding to Robert Baratheon. At the end they should all return north, only Lyanna would be left south.

"M'lady" she heard a low voice from behind her as she sat on Riverrun's tiny godswood.

It was a small peasant boy that stood there, very young, with a scroll on hand. She accepted it and he said nothing more before running off.

Lyanna pulled the crimson ribbon and unfolded the message.

East gate. Hour of the Wolf.

It brought a smile to her lips and tears to her eyes.

Tucking the words into her left boot she made her way into the castle.

Later on the evening after supper, Lyanna decided to pay Ned a visit some hours before her meting.

"I'm scared of tomorrow" She confessed to him.

"Tomorrow? Bran's wedding? You don't need to worry about it" He reassured his sister. "Are you afraid of what will happen afterwards?"

Lyanna paused to think before answering "Yes. I am afraid of my wedding." If only you knew.

"I know." He let out a heavy sigh. "I understand now. It will be hard for him to give up his ways and I can see that. But he does love you. The idea of you at least."

"Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but it cannot change a man's nature."

"There is still some time left. We only leave a week from now. And I promise to ride with you all the way to Storm's End."

She smiled sadly. "Thank you. I am looking forward to all the riding there is to come." And fast too I we don't plan on getting caught.

"I will keep my promise, no matter how tired I become."

"I know you will. Don't forget me."

"I could never. See you tomorrow?"

"Yes. Til tomorrow."