Savages - LolaStark

Chapter Two

FALLON

The Great Hall was full of chatter.

The ladies were giggling excitedly as the stared up at the table where the noble Ashford family sat and dined with the Starks. Davina fawned after the beauty of all three of her daughters who had long summer hair and full pink lips. Each more beautiful than the next, the eldest of whom was being stared at by all the servants as if she were on display. Fallon wasn't quite sure who they were until Enat reported that they were the daughters of Kipling Ashford, the eldest of which was Lord Robb's betrothed.

Her name was Kathryn, she was told, a very Southern name in Fallon's opinion. Not many people in the North donned such elegant names and it sounded foreign in comparison to the ones she was accustomed to. Most of House Magnar had names of Ancestors that dated back to the First Men, her own name even, was the name borrowed from a strong female warrior who had helped secure Skagos from the invaders who tried to overtake it. It had been her father who had chosen it - a fitting name, she'd been told for a girl such as she.

But only Enat would understand those stories. In fact, hardly anyone at Winterfell showed any interest in her at all after the novelty of her arrival wore off. Aside from the children, Bran and Rickon especially, who were constantly asking her about Skagosi customs, she could have very well been invisible to the rest, the way she walked the halls without a single glance in her direction. Part of her wanted to thank them. Fallon preferred her anonymity among these strangers who whispered derisive names when she passed by or entered a room. It was hard enough being a prisoner in a strange place, but not even being able to reprimand them for their ignorance.

She was once a lady of House Magnar, able to do and say as she pleased, should it please her. While nobility was somewhat different on Skagos, she had never once worried about speaking out of place. Only her father held authority over her and she'd made that clear many a time. Her current circumstances left her as a low member of the Stark household and therefore she had little rights to speak out against any harassment in her direction.

Theon could sympathize, perhaps if he had a heart to do so. He was once from a high born family, an heir to a Lordship before he was sent to Winterfell, now he was barely anybody, not even a Ser. Once referred to as 'Lady Magnar' was now reduced to simply 'Fallon.' She shouldn't complain, she knew that. Hardly anyone at home had referred to her as Lady Magnar or Lady Fallon unless they were foreign. But it was being refused the courtesy that had been disheartening. She had always felt pride in her status at home, something she'd known since her youth.

"Fallon," she heard from her side and turned, grinning at her dear friend who was just now sitting down for the feast at the table far from the family. "I received a letter from Aedan this evening," she said, pulling the parchment from her skirts and handing it to Fallon who now donned a real smile for the first time in weeks.

News from home was a comforting thought, the last letter they'd received was nearly a month ago when they'd arrived back in Skagos. She opened it quickly, knowing Enat would have already read it as it was addressed to her Fallon, however, had yet to receive any letters for herself. Even from Rowan.

"He says things are well. That is good news. I was worried Broden would cause unneeded tension among the other Lords. Now that father is beyond The Wall, I imagine Broden - and Rowan as well - will have much work to do keeping the tribes in line," she said as she looked up but saw that Enat was not glancing at her in return but rather up towards the front of the hall. Fallon furrowed her brow.

"Fallon?" Enat whispered but Fallon's eyes had already caught on to the distraction. They were focused up front on the main table where the Starks and their guests were sitting and several of them were talking and glancing back at her.

"What are they gawking over?" Fallon asked and Enat took the letter from her hands and placed it back in the folds of her skirts.

"I think they're gawking at you," she replied and Fallon looked back up to catch the eyes of Ned Stark who looked clearly upset. His wife was smiling sweetly as she talked with Lord Ashford's wife. Robb's eyes found hers as well but as soon as she glanced in his direction, he looked back down at his plate, pretending to be interested in what was left of his food.

It was something that happened often, Fallon had noticed. Robb was used to being adored. And since the moment of their first encounter, she had hardly given him any attention at all. She could tell it caused an uneasiness between them. But Fallon didn't think much of it. He was a kind young man with a gentle heart, much like his father, she had noticed. Fallon soon realized she shared a great deal of interests with the Stark men but had very little opportunity to participate in the activities she had once been so accustomed to. She hadn't touched a weapon since entering Winterfell and she was beginning to wonder if she ever would again.

When she looked around at the faces at the table, she saw that all of the Ashfords were watching her curiously and she felt a wave of hotness burn in her cheeks. She tried not to notice as she took a sip of the wine that was by her side but when she looked back the eyes had not moved and several of them seemed to be arguing a point. It was Ned who she looked to once more, this time to see him waving her up. Fallon placed the wine goblet down on the table and looked behind her. Surely he'd meant someone else.

"No I think he is meaning you," Enat mumbled, nudging her with her bony elbow and Fallon took one more sip before standing, gaining her courage.

It was on her way up towards the front that she hoped her lips were not stained too red from the wine as she knew Lord Stark frowned upon too much wine intake by the youth of his household. She straightened out the lovely dress that had been gifted to her by Sansa and pulled her plaited hair over her shoulder. The braid was long, resting just above her waist as her mother's always had.

It seemed like an eternity before she reached the front. When she did, however, make it to Lord Stark's side he stood and placed his hand on her back as he motioned to the large group at the table.

He was a kind man, she'd decided. She was surprised to find out fond she was of his company, finding his laugh very much like her father's. He dulled the longing she felt for home, some days. And he made it seem as though, perhaps, Winterfell was not the hell she'd been dreading all along.

"Lord and Lady Ashford, may I present, Fallon, youngest daughter of House Magnar," he said slowly and carefully.

She could tell he was avoiding saying her father's name as he was no longer the Lord of Kingshouse. Fallon watched as eyes traveled over her small frame and she momentarily shared a glance with Kathryn. It was a short one however. By the time Fallon looked at the girl she was looking away with boredom.

"Ned tells us that you are sister to the new Lord of Kingshouse. There aren't many Skaggs that make it to the mainland, let alone all the way to Winterfell," he said and she cringed at the derogatory term he used so nonchalantly as if he'd just said something of a compliment. She glanced at Lord Stark who gave her an understanding look as he nodded, signaling that she was free to speak. Free to speak, never had she been prohibited before in her life until now.

"Indeed, My Lord Ashford," she said with as a refined accent as she could muster. She could tell the lot of the Ashfords were surprised that she could speak the common tongue at all - as if she were some savage captured across the sea. "My eldest brother Broden is now Lord of Kingshouse. He and my brother Rowan have spent their lives seeing that the rogue tribes of Skagos have become less of a threat to our land. Our land is harsh, but certainly breeds men of courage and strength."

"Yes I imagine all of your savage men must be quite brutish." It was Kathryn who interrupted her with a grin on her pink lips, sipping out of her goblet gracefully before continuing. "One might wonder how a girl your size could manage."

"Kathryn!" her mother chided under her breath. Fallon could see the challenge in the girl's eyes but she refused to be humiliated.

"Yes well our Skagosi women are bred to be strong as well. We know how to handle our men," she replied and there were several coughs from the table as laughs were stifled, hidden under the façade of coughs. She saw that Robb was one of them who looked most amused by her comment and had she not felt the fury still evident in her veins from his betrothed's comment, she might have smiled to thank him.

"You must excuse her," Lady Catelyn was saying as she looked at Fallon with disapproving eyes. "One of the servants gave her a bit too much to drink this evening. It has loosened her tongue. I assure you it won't happen again, will it Fallon?"

Fallon looked to the woman who was reprimanding her so publicly. And for what? She'd simply defended herself from humiliation at Kathryn's pleasure. But ultimately, this was not her home. She was not even a guest here. She was a hostage, a prisoner and prisoners did as they were told. She knew that.

"Begging your pardon, Lord and Lady Ashford, but my Lady Stark is right. I apologize for the crudeness of my words. It was out of turn." She looked to Lord Stark apologetically as she picked up her skirts. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think it is time for me to retire."

"Shall I escort you My La-" she heard and turned to see Robb rising from the table as he would have been trained to do upon any Lady's departure. He paused his words tough, seeing everyone looking at him curiously, remembering her place in front of these particular guests. "-Fallon," he finished, trying to correct what mistake had already been made. Fallon shook her head modestly.

"Oh no thank you My Lord, my maid will be suitable enough company I assure you. I couldn't presume to pull you from your guests," she told him and didn't give him a second to protest as she descended the steps and didn't look back as she walked. She would have preferred to run, to get as far away from the watchful gazes burning into her back. Enat was at her side quickly, without a word from Fallon and they made their way out of the hall and out into the night air.

They walked for several moments before Enat dared speak.

"What did they say?" she asked and Fallon frowned.

"Lord Stark wished to introduce me to the Ashfords but it is clear they were intrigued by my presence and I was simply there to indulge their curiosities about Skagg women."

"Fallon," Enat chided, her eyes wide and Fallon's choice of words. "Listen, I know you're unhappy," she said in a low whisper. "I wasn't exactly planning on spending my days so far from home either."

"I didn't force you to come," Fallon replied heatedly and Enat grabbed her hand so they came to a stop.

"I came for you. I came here because you needed someone and because-" she started but then paused as a servant passed by, looking at them out of the corner of his eye before continuing on his way.

"Because why?" Fallon asked curiously and Enat looked down at her feet. Only silence passed between the two of them, their breaths visible in the night air. But neither shivered from the cold. Both were used to much worse.

"Because," she started again. "Aedan asked me to." Fallon looked away, diverting her eyes from her friend's. "But I would have come even if he hadn't. You know that."

"Yes well he has a wife to worry over now. He shouldn't be wasting his breath on me," she said off-handedly and Enat rolled her eyes.

"Do you think me so blind that I have never seen my brother's affection for you? Or yours for him for that matter?" she asked and Fallon shook her head.

"Aedan has married Elsbeth. There is nothing left to be said."

"Fallon," she whispered.

"No, please do not say anything else," Fallon said quickly, turning from her friend in attempt to hide the heartbreak apparent in her eyes. "I will see you in the morning."

Fallon didn't often dismiss Enat so rudely. She found it demeaning to talk to people in such a manner. Enat was a friend, she always had been. But right now she wanted to be alone and as her emotions clouded her judgment, so did her mouth as she sent Enat off on her way.

It was several moments before she heard the woman's footsteps turn and then die away into the distance. Once they were gone , she felt it was safe to breathe. She knew there was only one place she would gain the peace she longed for and her feet were already leading her towards it. It was a short walk, brisk in the cold night air. It helped numb her thoughts until she came to the base of the weirwood. She could hardly make out the tragic face of the tree god but she wasted no time in bowing to her knees on the cold, wet ground.

She didn't know what to pray for or if they were even listening to her prayers. They must of had thousands of aching souls crying out to them at this very moment. Surely her prayers could wait.

For a long while she just stared upon the face until her eyes could make out all the features. Skagosi men and women still prayed to the old gods. She'd prayed to them every day since she was a child - always for the same thing. Selflessness. Always selflessness, she'd pray for. When she'd heard she'd be travelling to Winterfell, it had been one of her fears that they wouldn't still practice the old customs. She was very relieved to see that they did. She didn't need another reason to be an outcast.

"Do you think they're actually up there listening?" a voice asked and Fallon turned her head to see Jon Snow standing a few paces away with his arms crossed over his chest. Had it been almost anyone else she probably would have ignored them. But it was Jon, more of an outcast than even she was and he had Stark blood.

"I'd like to think I haven't been completely abandoned," she said with a small smile and he returned it with one of his own.

"I don't think they're listening when I speak," he said, half joking.

"The gods do not punish bastards, Snow," she said seriously without thinking then that the term would make him cringe the way he did. "You are not at fault because of your father's indiscretions."

"Then I imagine the gods wouldn't abandon a ward like yourself either," he added and she shrugged. "It isn't your fault you had to come here for your father's crimes."

"It's a little more complicated than that," she whispered, looking away as the wind rushing over her face. "I chose to be here."

"Bran told me you have a younger brother," Jon asked and she closed her eyes to picture Corran's light brown curls and his light green eyes. "Is that why your father sent you instead. You're nearly a woman - seems like a slight on your part."

"I'd rather my brother grow up with a chance at a good life, rather than spend his life as a ward to some family he doesn't know," she said and he stepped closer.

"We aren't all bad you know. You won't be miserable forever."

"You speak well for a family that ostracized you," she retorted, half joking.

"Not always," he tried to argue but she could see it was a subject he wrestled with on his own.

"They should be proud to have another son," she told him. "In Skagos, even a bastard son is recognized by his Lord Father's noble house. The more sons, the more opportunities to bring honor to one's house. At least, that is how we see it."

"And how many of your brothers are bastards?" he asked and she could tell she had struck a nerve even bringing it up the subject.

"None," she admitted as she stood. "My father had too many of us to take care of as it was when my mother died."

"And if he did would you welcome them so readily into your family?" he asked her skeptically.

Upon glancing up at him, she noticed a figure behind his right shoulder, not too far in the distance. She didn't know how long he was standing there, or how much he'd heard. But he was close enough that she could make out his ocean blue eyes watching her carefully.

"Yes," she said confidently, speaking a truth she had never had to consider. "I would never be ashamed to have a bastard for a brother."

With that she made her leave, not taking her eyes away from Robb Starks until she passed him and walked into the castle.

She found this family very strange, she decided. They had a large, happy family with noble blood so well regarded by the King that they could do anything they wanted. And yet, they refused to recognize the son who was so clearly a Stark, even more than some of the others.

It was sad.

And it was just another reason she found herself longing for home, more than ever.

JON

There was something unsettled in the air.

The afternoon was cool, a chilling wind brushing through the trees inside the walls of Winterfell's courtyard. The morning had been spent, the lessons of life and death and responsibility had been learned. He was still listening to Bran asking Robb questions about White Walkers and whether or not the boy their father had executed was a liar.

It was difficult to explain such things to a child. He remembered being the one asking the questions as if it were just yesterday when their father had taken him and Robb out to the stone and swung the sword over a different man's neck. Now he viewed that responsibility much differently. He looked at Robb and knew he'd have to be the one to do it one day. Not Jon, but Robb, the firstborn - the Stark.

Somewhere in the halls Lady Stark was whispering about a letter they'd received from King's Landing. She hadn't told them what it was about, but whatever it was, it had caused a few arguments between her and her husband. Several arguments that Jon did his best to stay out of earshot from after receiving several odd looks in his direction from the woman who refused to be his mother.

"Enough of this grim subject now," Robb was saying and Jon looked over to see him standing. "Let's see how well you've been practicing."

He was talking to Bran, who often sought out lessons on sword fighting and archery. Earlier in the morning they had practiced the bow, watching as Arya outshot her younger brother easily. Arya had always been a quick learner and Jon suspected Rickon would be as well.

Jon spun around on his place there on the bench and watched as Robb pulled out a wooden sword and handed one to Bran and then took one for his own. The two started out slow, circling one another for several seconds before Bran finally jumped in and started. Jon furrowed his brow as he watched his younger brother exhibit moves he'd never seen. Only weeks earlier he had sparred with Bran himself and he'd had a difficult time not pinning him to the ground within the first few moves. Now the boy seemed patient and certainly more brazen than they'd ever taught him to be. It wasn't a style of fighting that he'd have learned from either of them.

"Very well done Bran," Jon said and Bran smiled proudly. "Where did you learn to do that move there?" he asked and Bran shuffled his feet slightly, glancing down at the mud and then looked up towards the balcony where Fallon was sitting on her favorite perch, the wind blowing her dark hair about as she seemed to be reading quietly.

"What are you looking at her for?" he asked and Bran looked away. Both Jon and Robb shared a knowing look before they took one more glance up at the girl and then back to their brother. "I've never even seen her touch a sword, let alone wield one." Bran shrugged.

"You mean to say Fallon taught you how to do that thing with the arm?" Robb asked and Bran looked up again. Both Robb and Jon glanced to Fallon who was now looking down at Bran with a smile and gave him a curt nod.

"Yes," Bran said then lowered his voice to a whisper. "I saw her out here the other morning with Arya. She said she used to train with her brothers. The Skogosi have the most interesting way of fighting. Though it is not entirely different than how we do in the North."

"A lady with a sword," Robb laughed. "Now wouldn't that be a sight to behold?" Jon agreed and both laughed as they glanced to Fallon who had returned her gaze back to the pages in her lap.

Several times that morning he'd caught Robb's glance staring up at that balcony, often times finding it without its current occupant. He didn't blame his brother, she certainly was an intriguing woman, and assuredly a sight for sore eyes. Theon didn't agree, however, claiming some excuse that her mouth was far too small and her height much too short for his liking. But from the way he'd caught his brother staring down at her pink lips from time to time, he assumed Robb was growing fond of that mouth of hers, most especially the words that came out of it.

Ever since the night of the Ashford's departure feast, he'd seen a slight change in the two of them. It had been nearly two weeks and never once did he see them alone with one another. But it was as if every glance held a thousand words and he wondered what had happen to cause such a tension. They were similar in some ways, and yet also so very different. Jon knew if Robb would just spend more time with the girl, that he'd grow to like her stories and especially her rare spurts of laughter.

Of course it was Jon who spent most of his dinners with Fallon and Enat, as Robb was expected to sit with Kathryn who was always finding something to complain about when the opportunity arose. The girl was still young, much too young to understand how to behave like a woman despite all of her training to become a lady. Meanwhile, he would often find something to laugh about with Fallon and Enat in the privacy of their seclusion.

Jon looked up as Bran had once again lost, despite his new Skagosi techniques and Robb was helping the boy off the ground when they all heard a playful bark of one of the direwolf pups they'd discovered earlier that morning. It was Robb's direwolf, they discovered when rounding the corner to see Fallon - out of her perch - and Arya playing with the pup and both of whom were giggling in quite a girlish manner.

Grey Wind, Robb had named him. Jon thought it was a funny name for a pup, but couldn't really laugh, when he still had yet to name his own. Grey was currently tugging at Fallon's dress, the latter of the two seemed careless and just laughed as she half-heartedly tugged back. The pup would tug, his tail wagging excitedly and Fallon would pull lightly only to increase Grey's fascination. Robb ran over, laughing as well as he pulled the pup from the ground and tried to get the cloth from his teeth. It was to no avail as Grey was persistently clamping down on the fabric, tugging Fallon closer and closer until she was only inches away from Robb and the pup. Both laughing as they did so.

Jon watched with an amused smile as the two refused to make eye contact, neither willing to either notice or acknowledge their proximity as they became tangled in the pup's enjoyment and Fallon's skirts. They couldn't stifle their laughs and although the tension was evident, Jon could tell the two of them had let go of some of the hostility in that moment.

Their fingers touched and one would pull away just as the other would do the same. Jon rolled his eyes as he stepped forward, not bothering to hide his amused smirk. He pulled his knife from his belt and cut the fabric so that Grey wouldn't have to release it and Fallon could drop her skirts at last.

The fun might have come to an end but each of them still wore silly grins, Jon included. Arya was petting Grey Wind, picking up her own direwolf in her arms and letting the two sniff at each other's ears.

"What's going on?" a voice asked that caused all five of them to jump at the sudden intrusion and the mood visibly changed when they all saw Kathryn walking towards them, Catelyn and Sansa nearby. For a long moment no one said anything and she simply looked at all of them for the answer. It was Fallon who began petting the pup who fidgeted uncomfortably in Robb's arms. Yipping as he tried to escape.

"Arya and I were just playing with Grey Wind, he got a little too attached to my dress," Fallon explained calmly and Kathryn's eyes lingered on the proximity of Robb and Fallon for several moments before looking up with a smile that looked exceedingly forced.

"Robb," she said then. "Would you escort me on a walk? I need the fresh air and could use the company."

Robb seemed to hesitate only for a moment before taking Grey and handing him gently over into Fallon's careful hands. He then offered his arm to Kathryn, who took it eagerly as they wandered off towards the godswood. Several eyes lingered on the pair as they rounded the corner and then on Catelyn who had been avoiding them all day.

"While you lot are here, I should tell you that Lord Stark and I received a letter from the King this afternoon. It seems-" she said. "-that we will be receiving the royal party in a month's time."

"All of them?" Arya asked, intrigued.

"All but the King's brothers," she replied with a sense of weariness. "Though, the King's desires alone will cost us a fortune. I am not sure how we will begin to prepare for this."

"We'll all do our best to help," Fallon said. "Won't we?" she asked, looking around and everyone, including Jon, nodded. Catelyn looked once at Jon and gave him a curt nod of thanks in return.

"Don't be long now, supper will be ready soon," she told them, leaving them all standing there as she'd found them, Sansa in tow holding her own direwolf in hand.

Jon knew the coming weeks would be chaotic. The king may have been his father's best friend, but he was still the King of all Seven Kingdoms. Jon had heard many stories of the man who had done battle time after time with his father at his side, just as he had during their youth at the Eyrie.

They all went straight in, leaving Jon outside to wait for Robb to return from his outing. He watched as the sun fell low in the sky and radiant sunset across the clouds in the sky. It would be a while before his brother would return. And all the while he would contemplate his own importance, echoing Fallon's words in his mind.

I would never be ashamed to have a bastard for a brother.

He wondered if the roles were reversed between he and his brothers, if he could feel the same.

Updated 4/7/15