Winter's Knowledge

Chapter 6 Arrangement

When Lord Rickard returned to Winterfell, he came home to find out that his five-year-old daughter had been a terror as always. She had once again run off, refusing to do her lessons. Rickard sighed, he knew that if Lyarra had lived, she would have been able to control Lyanna better, but alas, she had died from a fever after giving birth to his youngest son, Benjen. Rickard was already getting a headache.

He asked the steward to find his daughter and have her come to his solar. A few minutes later, Lyanna, who was wearing her brother's tunic and breeches, arrived in his solar. She sat down in the chair opposite him and waited to see what her father was going to tell her. The longer Rickard took to speak, the more nervous Lyanna got.

“Lyanna, I have come to a decision. I have decided that in three years you will be fostered with your brother in the Vale. Rowena Arryn will teach you alongside her daughter, Hermione.”

“What?! I don't want to go South, Father! I don't want to be some weak flowery Southern Lady; I want to fight I want to learn how to use a sword! Can't you foster me at Bear Island instead?”

“No, I will not. You will go to the Vale, and that is final. It is time you had an appropriate role model. And while you are there, I will let you learn to use a sword.”

Lyanna's eyes widened, and her mouth fell open, “Truly, Father?”

“Truly, Daughter. I have discovered that Lord Arryn's daughter is not only a model lady but is a fierce swordswoman. And you will follow her example.”

All of Lyanna's excitement drained at hearing about Hermione, “What could she know about sword fighting. She probably doesn't even know how to hold a sword right.”

Lord Rickard smirked. He had found out from Lord Arryn that Hermione had been training with a sword since she was five name days old, and from what he had seen, Hermione was quite skilled, but he wasn't going to tell Lyanna that.

“That is the only way you will learn to use a sword, Lyanna. In the Vale or not at all.”

Lyanna huffed and crossed her arms, “Alright, Father.”

“In the meantime, you will attend every lesson from here on out until the day you leave. I will not have you dishonoring House Stark by behaving like a savage when you arrive. If you do not, you will not be allowed to learn alongside Hermione.”

Lyanna gritted her teeth. For a five-year-old, Lyanna Stark had quite a temper, “Alright, Father, I will do as you say.”

“Good, you may go. Your lessons will begin again starting tomorrow.”

Lyanna sighed and left her father's solar.

Three years passed quickly, and it was time for Lyanna to leave for the Vale. She had packed everything that she would need for her trip and even packed her wooden sword. Lyanna was not looking forward to going. She already hated Hermione. Every time Ned came home from the Vale, that's all he could talk about Robert Baratheon and Hermione Arryn. He would talk about how they were his best friends and that they were the most wonderful people he had ever met. He would go on and on about what he was learning alongside Robert and Hermione and how good Hermione was with a sword, “I know you'll love the Vale when you go, Lya, and Hermione is looking forward to having you there. She said that it's getting boring being around nothing but boys,” Ned said with a laugh.

Lyanna narrowed her eyes, “I hope she doesn't expect us to be best friends because I will never be friends with a flowery Southerner.” Lyanna said bitterly.

Ned chuckled, “Wait until you meet her; you'll change your mind.”

Since that day, Lyanna hated Hermione. She hated that Ned liked Hermione more than he like her. He had told them that Robert and Hermione were his brother and sister in all but blood, and made Lyanna's blood boil. So, she was determined not to like either one of Ned's friends.