Author note: This was not originally the first chapter, I started on what has turned out to be chapter 10. I realized that I had to give you more details for this story than what was provided so I ask your patience as we move toward our main story. Hopefully you enjoy the chapters I added in though as they explain why things are the way they are between the characters.

Chapter 1

Freya knew what she was, she had known it since she was old enough to understand. She was a Lannister, a Lannister always pays their debts, all of them. She bore the golden Lannister hair and sparkling green eyes, she did not however bear the Lannister name. Her last name was Leo, Lion, the sigil of the Lannisters. Freya was the best kept secret in the Seven Kingdoms, very few people knew of the Lannister bastard. It was something Lord Tywin was determined to keep secret. His poor wife, people thought she had died due to illness, but it had been a broken heart. His affair with a common whore had broken her. The whore died shortly after giving birth to Freya though, and Lord Tywin took her in knowing she had no one else in the world.

Freya was treated like the rest of the Lannister children, but was frequently sent away whenever visitors came. Cersei was already married to King Robert when she was born, Jamie had long been called the Kingslayer. Tyrion, was loved by his siblings but his father felt total apathy for him. Freya rounded out the group as Lord Tywin's company. Despite being his bastard, he seemed to favor her over his other children. A fact that did not go unnoticed by Cersei. She felt the sting of her father's betrayal more than her other siblings. Cersei had been closest to her mother, she despised the little bastard girl, though she would never tell the rest of her family that.

She grew jealous of the little girl, even Jamie seemed incredibly fond of her, a fact that did not sit well with the queen. Cersei had the little girl brought before her, she had just celebrated her 7th name day, and Cersei claimed she wanted the little girl to see the court and be raised in the capitol. Lord Tywin agreed and brought his youngest daughter to the queen. Cersei had a plan, her husband had no idea about the Lannister bastard, she'd been kept a secret since her birth. The queen counted on her husband's anger, she knew he would have the girl sent away or killed. It didn't take long for the whispers to start, for people to notice the presence of the little girl and realize what she was.

The reveal of a Lannister bastard came as a surprise to several people, especially King Robert, who did not appreciate being made a fool of by his wife's family. He did what he thought he had to do and had Eddard Stark brought before him in King's Landing. King Robert counted Lord Stark amoung his most trusted friends.

"Your grace," Ned said as he bowed before the King.

"Lord Stark," Robert said formally before motioning for him to rise. "I have a task for you my friend, my wife's family has a bastard."

"A Lannister bastard," Ned said in shock. "Who are her parents?"

"It would seem Lord Tywin fathered the girl, broke his poor wife's heart, the girl's whore of a mother died shortly after she was born. I need her gone Ned, people are starting to talk, it won't do," Robert declared.

"You want me to kill a child," Ned demanded.

"Hells no Stark," Robert cried rolling his eyes. "I couldn't have this girl killed even I wanted to, she may be a bastard, but she's a Lannister bastard. Those blonde shits need to be taught a lesson, I want her away from her family. She's young she'll be fine."

"How can I help with this matter your grace," Ned asked.

"Take her back to Winterfell with you, I know you already have a ward in Theon Greyjoy, your own children as well, what are their names? Robb, Jon and the little girl, she won't be any trouble though, she's small, well-mannered, she's got the Lannister wit and temper to be sure," Robert said as he motioned at a servant.

"I've two other children as well your grace," Ned informed him, the youngest Bran was barely a year old. Ned glanced over his shoulder as the door to the throne room opened and Jamie Lannister entered leading a little girl with him. She was a beautiful child, the golden Lannister hair and straight features. She smiled up at Jamie, unaware that she was being sent away.

"Kingslayer," the King said gruffily.

Jamie bowed to Robert releasing Freya's hand so that she could drop into a curtsey. "Your grace," she said softly.

"Girl, this is Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell," King Robert explained. "Did you tell her Lannister?"

"No," Jamie said coldly. "It is your order, you can give it yourself." He was furious about this, he had made it no secret to the rest of his family. Freya was the bright spot in the family, completely untainted by their politics and games.

"Right," Robert said as he gazed at the little girl. "Do you know what you are girl?"

Freya stared at him for a moment before looking up at Jamie to see if it was alright to speak. Jamie nodded but pursed his lips to keep himself from speaking.

"A problem, your grace," Freya said without pretense.

Ned raised his eyebrows in surprise. He'd never heard a child speak about themselves in such a manner.

"Yes, you are a problem child, one we are going to remedy. You are going to go with Ned to Winterfell, there you will be far from court and your family of blonde idiots. We won't have to worry about anyone else finding out about you," Robert explained.

"Can I take my pony," Freya asked.

"Take whatever you want," Robert said with a wave of his hand.

"Can my family come to visit," Freya asked.

"No they can not, and I never want to see you again," Robert said with a firm look in Jamie's direction. "You'll leave in the morning, Ned do you have a Septa for the girl or will we need to send her's?"

"We do not have a Septa for my daughters yet," Ned said looking again at the little girl. "You will be well looked after child."

"She had best want for nothing Stark," Jamie snapped. "This is not her fault."

"No it's not and she will not be treated as such despite the history between our families," Ned said quickly. He bowed again to Robert before leaving the room. He had to send a raven to his wife informing her of their new addition.

Jamie turned back to the King after watching Lord Stark stride from the room. "Is that all your grace," Jamie asked as he grabbed Freya's hand.

Robert simply nodded and sent them from his presence. He'd had enough of Lannisters and their little blonde issues, but even he had to admit that he'd never seen Jamie Lannister act that way over another human being. He truly cared for the little bastard.

Jamie pulled Freya behind him as he angrily strode back to her room. He practically kicked the door open before releasing her. Her Septa rose and moved toward the girl. "You leave in the morning with Lord Stark, see that everything is ready," Jamie ordered before moving back to the door.

"Jamie," Freya called as she chased after him. Her septa made to grab her, but she was to quick. She threw herself at Jamie, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't want to go!"

"You don't have a choice, none of us do, if we could keep you here we would. No one wants you living with the Starks less than I do, but it is the King's order. Who are you," Jamie asked as he knelt in front of her and met her gaze.

"Freya Leo, of the House of Lannister."

"What is our sigil," Jamie asked.

"The golden Lion."

"What are our words?"

"A Lannister always pays his debt," Freya said with a nod. "Hear me Roar."

"And we will pay the King back for this, I promise you, we will make him pay," Jamie said before hugging her. Once he released her Freya nodded at him seriously. "Now, I want you to never forget who you are, and don't let the Starks forget it either. Let them hear you roar little lion, never let them see you cry. No more tears."

None of them realized it would be 9 years before their family would be reunited, by then though Freya had been with the Starks for so long that her loyalty to the House of Lannister could be, and would be, doubted.