Finding Hope - Jaime Lannister fanfic

The Future

Chapter two 

~ The Future ~

The news of the Royal family's visit had spread out light wild fire through Winterfell. Her mother was carrying out her duty as the Lady of Winterfell and was preparing everything in detail for the arrival of the king. Liya however wanted nothing more than for this to be over, she dreaded whatever could happen during the king's stay in her home and after. She wished she could just lock herself in her chambers and only come out once the king had left their borders. If only she didn't feel the responsibility to stand by her father's side when king Robert and company would ride through the gates. As the oldest of the family, although she was born a girl, she represented their household. Use proper courtesies, be polite and only speak when spoken to, the three rules that her Septa had spoken to her every single lesson to remind her that she had to be the perfect image of a lady of house Stark. However, it often contradicted how the women of Winterfell actually behaved. She had often been rude, although that person usually deserved it, and a few accidental curses might have slipped through her lips once or twice. This was of course not acceptable in the presence of their upcoming guests. A nock on her chamber door interrupted her thoughts.

She heard the door squeaking slightly as a familiar face, framed by the bright color of auburn red, entered her room. Her mother looked at her with a tired smile and sat herself beside Liya on the bed. Her daughter saw the fatigue in her eyes as they were not the bright blue that she was used to. Liya missed that spark in her eyes, so she voiced her thoughts.

"You're tiring yourself out mother, please get some rest"

She sighed silently agreeing with her "Thank you for your concern my dear, but I'm afraid that I have to tell you now, otherwise it would never come to it with all the preparations going on" Catelyn said as she took her daughters hands within her own

Liya eyed her mother and a quite serious look stared back, though it seemed that her lips couldn't stop curling just a little. It was a face her mother had only shown her two times. The day when Liya had first bled and the second about the ways between a man and a woman. 

"Liya, since you've been of age for a while, your father and I have been talking about your future" her mother said, but she remained silent after seeming to gauge her reaction

Liya knew this talk was coming, but she hadn't foreseen it to be so soon after her becoming of age. It was most likely that the king's visit had given her parents the reason to discuss her marriage a little earlier to when they would've. King Robert had connections and he was father's old friend. Together they could arrange a number of suitable marriages for her. But if it was one thing she dreaded most of all, it was a marriage without love. The thought it could become her reality sooner rather than later send a crashing wave of emotions to her heart. Liya could only hope her face wouldn't reveal the storm running inside.  

Seeing as her daughter gave little to no reaction she continued "Your father and I agree that we cannot force you, but eventually..." she said trailing off

"I understand" Liya simply said knowing her duty for the family

Catelyn squeezed her hands in appreciation for her daughter, she had always and still seemed to amaze her. The ideal image of a lady, but still possessing the fierceness and strength of a wolf. Catelyn remembered her betrothal with Eddard Stark, it took a while to grow close to him, but eventually they both had grown to love each other equally. Now with six children of her own, she could only thank the Gods for their blessing on her and Ned. She wished this kind of love in her daughters marriage with all her heart, but the future was not for Catelyn to decide, she could only pray to The Mother and The Maiden for Liya's marriage to be as joyous as hers was with Ned.

"Your father will speak with the king, but he will not do anything without your opinion on the possible suitors"

Liya smiled at that, glad she would at least be able to have a voice concerning her own marriage. Her father wouldn't let her marry a man she wouldn't even be able to meet before the day itself. She had often heard about women with less fortunate conditions in their marriage. The Sansa that dreamed of beautiful princes and brave knights was naïve. Liya knew the harsh reality and it pained her. Her future husband would probably take her far away from her home and family. She had accepted that that would one day become her reality, though her heart ached and it did not wish to leave the life that she had here in Winterfell.

"But we'll hope that you'll be able to decide soon"

"I'll try" Liya said trying to hide her true feelings with a slight smile

Catelyn did not notice the sadness at first, but soon she saw it in her eyes, colored a blend of her own and Ned's was slightly glazed. She rubbed her daughters hands soothingly, but soon encircled her arms around her in comfort. Liya slowly raised her own hands and hugged her mother tightly as she felt a bile rise in her throat and not soon after a sob had escaped her lips. Liya felt the first tear fall from her eye and many followed in the embrace of her mother's arms.

~ Five days later ~

Catelyn had awakened her children earlier than usually. Pulling open the curtains, bright light entered the room wherein her daughter somehow still silently slept with all the commotion going on in and around the castle. Though a groan was heard as the light hit her face, but she saw that her daughter just rolled onto her other side to continue her slumber.

Catelyn chuckled a little "Come on Liya, out of bed"

"No" came a slightly muffled, but firm, reply from the bed

"Your brothers and sisters are already breaking their fast" Catelyn said as she moved to where her daughter laid in bed and pulled the furs and blanket away from Liya's face. Her eyes were closed, most likely not to open any soon if it was up to her. Catelyn had felt blessed with Liya's long and deep sleep as a baby, but now it was more of an inconvenience and it didn't seem to pass as she aged.

"Liya" her mother said firmly

"I'll be out soon, don't worry" Liya answered still holding her eyes shut as if asleep

"No you'll fall asleep as soon as I leave to room again, so up now" Catelyn ordered her and pulled the blankets off of her sleeping form leaving her open to the cold

Liya immediately jumped up from her bed and quickly fetched her thick robe. Staring a little angrily at her mother she grabbed a dress and other garments to wear for today.

"You know that it is an important day, not only for you, but to entire Winterfell" Catelyn stated "So we cannot have you still lying in bed when the king arrives" Liya only grumbled in reply still irritated by the sudden end of her slumber

Tightening the last string on her dress she reappeared from behind the dressing screen. Her mother looked at her early morning appearance with slightly widened eyes

"What is it?" Liya asked

"We've got allot work to do"

A/n: I'm really happy so far with the response to this work and it motivates and inspires me to write more!

Love,

Ann