I was four the first time I saw Winterfell. It was, and still is, the most beautiful place I've ever been. We went during the winter so it was even colder than usual, freshly fallen snow covered the ground, making crunching noises whenever someone walked. My father wasn't with me, only my butler. I'm not sure if he is a butler, but I liked to call him that. He helped me out of the carriage and we walked to the big metal doors. I had heard so much about Winterfell growing up and I dreamed of going for as long as I can remember, so my parents aloud me to visit the Starks. My arrive seemed to make everyone run about, tending to my every need. Two guards opened the big heavy doors and a blast of heat hit my face. It looked like a throne room, festive decorations were every where and my eyes grew so wide I was sure they would pop out. Lord Stark and his family all stood at the end of the hall, watching me with anticipation. When we finally reached them, I curtsied and said:
"Thank you for allowing me to stay for the winter," Lady Stark looked as though she wanted to hug me, but restrained herself. I noticed that there were three boys, a girl, and Lady Stark was will child. Lord Stark knelt in front of me and motioned for the children to come forward, however an older boy was hiding behind a wall. He said each of their names as they stepped forward.
"This is my son Robb and my daughter Sansa," I curtsied to them both. "This is Theon, his father serves me and he is visiting as well." I curtsey to him Theon, he bows to me with a big smile on his face. I smile back then turn to Lord Stark.
"I don't mean to be rude milord, but my daddy said you had another son," his face falls and Lady Starks face turns red. "I was just wondering if I might meet him as well." I stood there, hoping I wouldn't be yelled at or sent to my chambers. However, Lord Stark motioned for a boy to come out of hiding.
"This is Jon," he says as the boy bows. I curtsey and smile. Lord Stark has us sent to a room filled with toys, while he talks to my butler. I stare at the toys and wonder what to look at first. I was never into playing with dolls, I preferred to stare out my window and dream of a more adventurous life. Sansa offered to play with me and I agreed. We played with her dolls, she seemed to be acting like a lady and not a child. I didn't really care, but she obviously was trying to impress me, everyone was. The boys were building for sort of giant tower, it looked fun, but my butler came to show me my room.
"Lord Stark says that you can visit the Godswood after lunch," he says, making sure everything was unpacked and put away. I squeal with excitement and ask if there was anything we could look at before lunch. He took me to the training grounds, where guards were training. I watched as they battled each other, their swords extensions of their arms.
"Will I ever be able to wield a sword like them?" He looks at the guards and watches them,
"I think you'll be better than they are," he says, smiling at me. We watch them for about an hour before lunch is ready. I sit at a table with the other little girls. I eat my food in silence as I watch everyone eat, talk, and have a good time. However, I got the feeling that everyone was afraid to insult me. I knew that my family was wealthy and that we had a lot of power, but I couldn't imagine how much I actually had. After lunch, Lord Stark allowed me to sit in front of him on his horse and he took me to the Godswood, a guard also accompanied us. When we reached the Godswood, Lord Stark helped me down and showed me how to pray. I sat there in front of the tree for about an hour when it happened, I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in my temple. I grabbed it and images began to appear. I saw me, Robb and Theon both kiss me on the cheek as I'm about to go home. Time skips ten years ahead, my daddy is sick, I'm a woman now. A man forces himself on me, but I can't hurt him for some reason. The images blur out and I'm lying in Lord Starks arms. We are back on the horse and almost to the Keep. He sees me opening my eyes.
"Are you alright my lady?" he asks, voice full of concern. I nod my head before my eyes close and the world around fades away. I saw the images replaying in my head, I couldn't understand it and yet I could. The Old Gods were speaking to me, I was meant to be something more than a Lannister. I awaken in my bed, it's dawn and my butler is fast asleep in the chair next to me. I sit up and notice I'm covered in sweat. My stirring awoke my butler.
"My lady! You're awake, are you feeling well?" I nod.
"How long was I out?"
"Only the night, you had us all worried." I look out the window, toward the Godswood.
"I'm find, the Old Gods spoke to me. I'm destined for greatness, but also grief. I will need your help." I was far more intelligent now and I understood the world a little better now.
"I will serve you for as long as I live milady." I smile at him. "By the way milady, I noticed you haven't been calling me by my nickname the past few days, is everything alright?" I look at him with sadness.
"It occurred to me that I don't know your real name and I think that my nickname is not right-" He laughs.
"I rather like my nickname milady and I think it's perfect." I beam at him.
"Well then Ser Butler, might we go downstairs and eat breakfast?"
The remaining weeks I stayed there, I became friends with Jon, Robb, and Theon. I drifted from Sansa, because I didn't, and still don't, like girls like her. I visited the Godswood everyday and prayed. Lord and Lady Stark were impressed by my devotion to the Old Gods and my ability to make even the meanest guard in Winterfell smile. Ser Butler and I also spent time with the guards, we watched them fight and they even showed me how to make a blade, how to hold it, and how to have fun during the most boring of tasks. The night before I left Robb and Theon came to my room and helped me pack. They each gave me a gift. Robb gave me a wooden horse with a soldier on it. Theon gave me a wooden sword to practice with. I thanked them both by kissing them on the cheek. They both grabbed their cheeks, blushed deep red, said hasty good-nights, and bolted out of the room. I giggled as I packed their gifts away. The next morning, Lord and Lady Stark gave me a drawing of the Godswood, since we didn't have one down south. I thanked them and curtsied. Ser Butler helped me into my carriage, I sat on my knees so I could see the Starks and Theon. The guards I had befriended were also there. I smiled and waved goodbye. The guards laughed and waved back. Ser Butler bowed to the Starks and thanked them. He sat across from me, as the carriage started to move, we watched as Winterfell disappeared. I sat correctly and thought about the images.
"Ser Butler, will I be able to come back again?" I asked as we pasted the frozen fields.
"I don't see why not, they absolutely loved you." We both smile and look out into the distance. I did get to visit again, many times. They watched me grow into a lovely young lady, but when the Greyjoys tried to take Winterfell, my uncle Tywin forbid me to go back until things settled down. I was twelve the first time I went to the Free Cities and it was wonderful. I only got to stay for a week though. After that I would talk to anyone that had been there and asked about their time there. It sounded wonderful and I wanted to go again. Finally, my parents agreed to let me go. I was having a wonderful time and was learning so much, however I got a raven six months into my trip and was forced to return to Winterfell. I was nervous, but very excited to see my cousins and the Starks. I would also see the King again, of course this time I'm not alone. Ser Butler went ahead to make sure things were ready for me to travel to Winterfell, but I had two wet nurses and dark-haired twins to take care of. I was four years old when I saw them conceived and living it was much worse than seeing it as a child. I only hope nothing too crazy happens in Winterfell. The last thing I need is more secrets to keep.