𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒, game of thrones

Chapter Five

"Right," Dylaine said, and "Low," and "Left," and "Left" again, faster and faster, moving forward. Lyanna retreated before him, checking each blow.

"Lunge," he warned, and when he thrust she sidestepped, swept his blade away, and slashed at his shoulder. She almost touched him, almost, so close it made her grin.

"Left," Dylaine sang out. "Low." His sword was a blur, and the training yard echoed to the clack clack clack. "Left. Left. High. Left. Right. Left. Low. Left. High!" he stopped and she stopped.

Dylaine trained Lyanna since she was four, she often trained with Robb and Jon all her life. Ser Rodrick even allowed her to train with the boys in the training yard. Dylaine had a brown hair like a mud colour, middle-aged, he wasn't the best, but he would beat Jon and Robb in melee.

"Nice, nice" Dylaine said, the wooden swords were quite heavy but it was the weight as normal swords. "Again, and strike me"

She has been trying to strike him for hours already, they've been on that for since morning after breaking their fast.

Reason why she had to practice early mornings was because of Bran, if he saw her practice fighting now, it would made him feel sadder, she knew how much becoming a knight meant to him, he could've been Robb's bannerman like their father said. Lyanna never knew who she wanted to be, all she wanted was to be normal, she was a noble born, true born, a Stark, one of the Nobelist houses in the world, she's a princess and the Lady of Winterfell. She wouldn't mind if she were a bastard, maybe if she were a bastard, she wouldn't worry about war, her job as the lady and responsibilities.

When she spotted Bran and Rickon coming out of the castle, she immediately told Dylaine to stop and it was enough for the day. "You fought well, m'lady" Dylaine said, "we shall continue tomorrow"

As she smiled at him, she glanced beside and saw Jojen with his sister, only Meera was sharpening her axe while he seemed he was watching Lyanna practicing all along. "Thank you, Dylaine"

Alebelly came forward, working the bellows for Mikken. "Maester wants you in the turret, m'lady princess. Also your lord brothers. There's been a bird from the king."

"From Robb?" Excited, Lyanna did not wait for Hodor, but ordered Alebelly to carry Bran. He was a big man, though not so big as Hodor and nowhere near as strong. By the time they reached the maester's turret he was red-faced and puffing, and both Walder Freys as well.

Maester Luwin sent Alebelly away and closed his door. "My lords, my lady" he said gravely, "we have had a message from His Grace, with both good news and ill. He has won a great victory in the west, shattering a Lannister army at a place named Oxcross, and has taken several castles as well. He writes us from Ashemark, formerly the stronghold of House Marbrand."

Rickon tugged at the maester's robe. "Is Robb coming home?"

"Not just yet, I fear. There are battles yet to fight."

"Was it Lord Tywin he defeated?" asked Bran.

"No," said the maester. "Ser Stafford Lannister commanded the enemy host. He was slain in the battle."

Lyanna had never even heard of Ser Stafford Lannister. She found himself agreeing with Big Walder when he said, "Lord Tywin is the only one who matters."

"Tell Robb I want him to come home," said Rickon. "He can bring his wolf home too, and Mother and Father." Though he knew Lord Eddard was dead, sometimes Rickon forgot . . . willfully, Lyanna suspected. Her little brother was stubborn as only a boy of four can be.

Lyanna was glad for Robb's victory, but disquieted as well. She remembered what Osha had said the day that her twin brother had led his army out Of Winterfell. He's marching the wrong way, the wildling woman had insisted.