- Winter Is Coming

Lyra had reached the execution site with her brothers and father, the blonde climbed off her white horse squeezing Bran shoulders in reassurance as she knew he was scared as she was in the same position as she had never seen an execution before due to her brothers and father as all they wanted to do is protect her from everyone and everything and that they didn't want to take away the light that she brought whenever she was around.

The blonde walked away from her little brother, hooking her arm with Robb who smiled down at his sister grabbing her hand silently telling her that he was here for her, " I know i broke my oath. And I know I'm a deserter. I should have gone back to the wall and warned them, but, I saw what I saw. I saw the white walkers." The man spoke, looking up with wide eyes and a look of fear on his face.

Lyra frowned in confusion, wondering why the man was bringing up tales that was told to children when they were younger to scare kids making sure that they don't sneak off into the woods late at night as that was all it was a story, "People need to know. If you can get word to my family, tell them I'm no coward. Tell them I'm sorry" Robb squeezed the top of Lyra hand not showing any emotion at all.

Ned stayed silent for a couple of moments taking in the man's words before he let out a quiet sigh nodding his head at the guards, waiting for the man to be forced onto the beheading block as Theon handed over the large sword which was made out of Valyrian Steel over to their father as it was only used for beheading and knighting ceremonies.

"In the name of Robert of the house Baratheon, first of his name..." Ned started to speak up as Jon moved forward so he was standing behind Bran and whispered, " Don't look away. Father will know if you do" Lyra glanced over at her brother over her shoulder before turning her attention back to her father, " King of the Andals and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm, I Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, sentence you to die"

Lyra squeezed her brothers hand tightly as she watched her father hold up the sword and swing it down cutting the man's head off causing the blonde to scrunch her face up in disgust as she watched the head roll down the small hill until it came to a stop as her blue eyes connected with the dead man's eyes as she couldn't help but think that this was just the beginning and something bad is going to happen.

"Lyra!" Robb called out snapping the blonde out of her thoughts as she hooked her arm back through his as be led her towards the horses as he glanced over his shoulder back towards the head before helping his sister get back onto his horse and following suit on his own making sure that she was okay as he knew how sensitive Lyra is and that seeing an execution had probably traumatised her.

The Stark family and Theon was making their way back to Winterfell when Robb came to a stop staring at something that was on the bridge causing a look of confusion to appear on her face, " what is it, brother?" Lyra questioned as she moved to stop her horse next to his as everyone dismounted their horses to see what was going on.

Lyra scrunched her face up in disgust placing her hand over her nose as it was the scent of rotting carcass that became to much as they got closer to the end of the bridge. Soon after, she began to hear the buzzing of flies and she wrinkled her nose in distaste trying not to be sick at the sight of the dead stag, " what is it?"Jon curiously questioned causing Lyra to raised her eyebrow with an exasperatedly look on her face as it was clear as day what dead animal it was.

"Mountain lion?" Theon suggested with a shrug of his shoulders as they all stared at the dead corpse of the Stag. Lyra looked around her surroundings trying to figure out where the animal that had killed it came from. It couldn't be far away as it looked like the Stag had put up a fight, "There are no mountain lions in these woods" Lyra informed as something caught her eye causing her to follow the trail of guts with her brothers following after her leaving their father not much choice but to follow after them to make sure they don't put themselves in any danger.

Lyra skidded down the embankment, digging her boots into the soft mood holding onto the trees helping her down the small hill, " Lyra, be careful!" Ned called out to his daughter in a worried tone only for her to roll her eyes and resorted, " Don't worry. I got this, father" Lyra let go of the tree as she turned the corner only for her eyes to widened at another corpse that was much larger than the stag it was a huge wolf with six newborn pups surrounded their dead mother.

"It's a freak!" Theon called out staring at the dead animal with a look of disgust on his face causing Lyra to shake her head in disbelief glaring over at the boy from over her shoulder as it wasn't a freak, it was a symbol of her house, " are you really that stupid? It's a direwolf, you absolute moron" her brothers couldn't help but snicker at their sisters fiery personality as their father moved to stand by his daughter removing the antler from the wolf's head, "Tough old beast"

Robb frowned deepened with an confused expression as he exchanged a look with Jon before he commented, "There are no direwolves south of the wall." Lyra rolled her eyes once again shooting her brother a look as she stated, " Clearly you're wrong since they are six of them right here" Jon picked up one of the direwolf holding it out to Bran, " you want to hold it?"

Lyra couldn't help the smile on her face as she scooped up another of the litter up holding it close against her chest, the pup was small and had a light grey coat and bright blue eyes staring at the blonde in curiosity and Lyra couldn't help but coo after the direwolf stroking the top of its head. "Where will they go? Their mother's dead" Bran curiously questioned holding the direwolf securely around his arm.

"They don't belong down here," Roderick commented with a shake of his head as Robb glanced over his sister's shoulders at the little pup in her arms with a small smile on his lips laughing at how she was so fond of the wolf as if nuzzled against her chest. "Better a quick death. They won't last without their mother" Theon pulled out his knife as he made his way over to Bran to kill the pup.

"Have you completely lost your mind?" Lyra snapped narrowing her eyes dangerously at Theon clinging onto the pub in her arm more tightly. " put away your blade!" Robb demanded glaring at the boy who ignored him as he turned his attention to Ned, " I take orders from your father, not you" Bran turned to look at his father with a pleading expression on his face, " please, father!"

Theon grabbed the pup from Bran holding it by the scruff off the neck as Ned shook his head with an apologetic look on his face as he responded, " I'm sorry Bran. Lyra glared up at her father at his words as they was no way in hell she'll let Theon kill the animal in her arms but before she could say anything Jon beat her to it as he called out, "Lord Stark. There are six pups, one for each of the Stark children. The direwolf is a sigil of your house. They were meant to have them"

Eddard stayed silent for a couple of moments before he sighed at the pleading looks he was receiving from Lyra and Bran causing him to give in as he firmly told his children, "You will train them yourselves. You will feed them yourselves and if they die, you will bury them yourselves." Eddard then walked away with Lyra following after him up the hill but stopped in her tracks when she heard whimpering from nearby turning around to see Jon holding up a white direwolf, " The runt of the litter. That one's yours, Snow" Theon teased Jon with a smirk on his face

Lyra rolled her eyes as she carried on walking up the small hill making her way towards her horse, climbing on with her fathers help before he climbed onto his own and appeared by his daughters side as he glanced at Lyra and told her, "We need to talk when we return to Winterfell" the blonde frowned but nodded her head in acknowledgment not knowing why he wanted to speak with her but it must be something important, "Of course, father"

"What are you naming the pup?" Eddard curiously questioned as he reached over petting the direwolf's head as Lyra beamed brightly turning to face her father and informed, " Visenya. I'm naming her after Visenya Targaryen." Ned smiled softly with a shake of his head as he watched the blonde ride away so she could catch up to her brothers as he couldn't help the saddened expression on his face as while she looked exactly like her father she acted just like his late sister Lyanna Stark and sooner or later he would have to tell her the truth and didn't know how Lyra would handle it.

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A little while later, Lyra returned to Winterfell with her family and Theon as she quickly put her horse back into the stables before rushing towards her room with Visenya following after her but as she turned the corner she nearly bumped into Sansa but managed to avoid it at the last minute, "Where have you been?" Sansa questioned raising her brows at her sister holding a dress that she had just made in her hands.

"Father wanted me to go to the execution with him and the boys" Sansa pursed her lips as she sent her sister a look knowing that the blonde didn't enjoy watching people be killed for treason and would rather be home with her siblings causing chaos of would spend most of her time with Eric but this time her father wanted to her to come, " There's a gift for you and Arya with the boys. Be warned mother isn't exactly happy about it"

Sansa's face lit up at her sisters words as she nodded her head and quickly walked away only for Arya to rush past her as she overheard the conversation causing Lyra to laugh as she heard Sansa scolding her little sister. Lyra shook her head in amusement at her sisters antics as she continued making her way upstairs towards her room with her direwolf following behind her like her shadow.

Once Lyra entered her room she removed her riding breeches and tunic before picking out a purple dress slipping it on her body, making herself presentable before making her way towards the private room where her parents where inside knocking on the door as she picked up Visenya waiting for her father to call out for her to enter. " Lyra, come sit down sweetie" Catelyn called out to her daughter as the Stark girl made her way into the room placing the pup by her feet as she took a seat on the opposite side of the table her parents where sat.

"I know that this is not what you want, but it is about time that we found you a husband," Ned spoke causing Lyra to groan in annoyance refraining from cursing as she didn't want to be forced into a marriage with someone she didn't know as she wanted to marry someone she loved. She wanted to marry Eric as she knew he would make her happy and wouldn't use her as a broodmare only having her around to push out heirs.

"Of course, father," Lyra muttered under her breathe not the slightest interested whatsoever as she doesn't want to marry anyone until she is ready to give herself fully to her husband. "Lyra, I got word from King Robert that's given you two options. I don't agree with any one of these arrangements but he is King there's nothing that me or your mother can do to stop this"

" The King has proposed that rather you or your sister, Sansa. Marry Joffrey Baratheon" Catelyn spoke anxiously causing a look of distaste to appear on her face, " or that one of you marry Khal Drogo. He has armies and King Robert wants to use that to kill the remaining of the Targaryen's. He's heard about your beauty and kindness and he wants to marry you"

Lyra couldn't help but scoff in disbelief as she exclaimed, " have you heard what the Dothraki do to people. I know that they are warriors, their bond with their horses is such that Dothraki are said to be born, fight, and die in the saddle. They also raid, pillage, enslave, fight, and rape, and they enjoy it. How can you ask me to marry him"

"I have heard all about Khal Drogo from King Robert and Roderick. He is said to be one of the most powerful, and respected Khal's because he protects what is his until his dying breath. When you marry Khal Drogo, he won't allow anyone to harm you in anyway he will protect you until his final breathe" Ned assured his daughter with a look of dread on his face.

" i understand that if I don't marry him than Sansa will and she won't able to survive that. I'm doing this for my sister but I will never forget that your both selling me to a man I don't know. I would of been happy marrying Eric someone I have grown to fall in love with" Lyra spoke narrowing her eyes at her parents before standing up and storming out of the room with Visenya on her heel.