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Lyanna grunted as the cloth touched her back.
"I'm sorry." Howland said.
"I’m fine, go on."
Just a few days ago they had been in reverse positions, she cleaning his wounds as he winced when the wet cloth touched his bruised skin.
Most of her bruises were in parts that would be easily hidden by a dress, which was good for hiding Lyanna's identity as the mysterious knight, but terrible for not causing embarrassment to the person who was cleaning her wounds. Howland was trying his best to ignore it and take care of her the way he would if it were a boy who had shown up in his room bleeding in the middle of the night asking for help.
“You should have gotten medical care right away, not gone to the feast.” he said.
"If I hadn't gone, they would have been suspicious, and besides, it's not like anyone noticed anything was wrong with me."
"I noticed."
That was true, at the feast he'd thought she looked a little uncomfortable, but he'd never suspected she was so bruised under her clothes.
“It amazes me that you noticed anything other than Ashara Dayne, every time I looked at you your eyes seemed to be on her. First Ned, then Brandon, and now you too? I know she's beautiful but guys' reactions to her are so exaggerated, maybe she's really a witch to enchant you too.”
"I wasn't enchanted, I was just watching her dance."
"With your eyes shining."
“As yours were to the prince as he sang.”
“I just liked the music.”
"Would you believe me if I said I just enjoyed her dance?"
"No, there was nothing particularly special about the dance except for the person who was dancing."
"I didn't find anything particularly special about the prince's music."
"Then you are a deaf fool."
Howland laughed.
After a moment of silence Lyanna said:
“Are you going to tell my father or my brothers that I am the knight everyone is talking about?”
"No."
"Even with your house's oath of allegiance?"
Howland didn't need clarification as to what she meant, he'd grown up hearing the words that marked the link between his house and hers.
To Winterfell we pledge the faith of Greywater. Hearth and heart and harvest we yield up to you, my lord. Our swords and spears and arrows are yours to command. Grant mercy to our weak, help to our helpless, and justice to all, and we shall never fail you.
I swear it by earth and water.
I swear it by bronze and iron.
We swear it by ice and fire.
“I'm being loyal to House Stark. You are as much a Stark as your father and brothers are, and the oath says that we will be faithful to those who come to our aid in our hour of need. And when I needed you, it was you who came to my rescue, not your father or your brothers.”
"Maybe I'm just more reckless than they are."
“Or braver.”
“Both probably.” Lyanna said and laughed softly.