Riding across the frost, Winterfell was a distance behind me, with the morning early and my family still soundly sleeping. If any did wake to discover me gone and my bedsheets cold, it did not take a genius to figure where I'd be if not the castle. I was a wolf after all, and I ached for the outdoors. To feel the wind hitting my skin, as I am undeterred by the climate we endure here in the north.

However, they wouldn't know exactly where I would be, or more accurately who I would be with.

With my body moving in rhythm with the horse, I came under a forests canopy, where the leaves rustled wildly with the wind. I was aware of being watched by all manner of creatures here, from the humble beetle to the proud stag and I slowed down to a gentle trot as I neared my destination.

The horse's breath steamed from his nose as he snorted, his strong legs having been worked long and hard since I exited through the gates. swinging down from its high back, I retrieved an apple I had taken from the kitchens, offering the horse the shiny, red fruit in the palm of my hand. The horse tickled my skin as he devoured it whole, and I smiled, stroking its head. I didn't bother to tie the beast up, I had trained it well enough, so that if I whistled he would come to me directly and without distraction.

Satisfied, I meandered through the shrubs, watching to make sure I did not trip over any branches, or have my face scratched. It was a thick growth and took some force, but as I made it through the other side, it had been well worth the fight with nature.

As cold as the north was, you just had to know where to look in order to seek some warmth. And that warmth came in the form of hot spring waters, pooled deeply in the ground, and better than climbing into any fresh bath.

I was cautious not to make any fallen foliage crunch beneath my feet, hoisting my skirts above my knees, as I came to the edge of the pools bank. I slunk down low, peering over, and felt my heart practically skip a beat when I saw a strapping figure below.

From the waist down, his body waded in the water so I had only his bare chest to appreciate, which I didn't mind in the least. Those hours spent sword training with my brother had done him wonders over the years, and every movement, no matter how small, emphasized just how well his muscles were sculpted.

When we were children, he had not been so handsome, his features were gaunt from being so skinny and they had been hidden away by his mop of dark brown hair, but by thirteen that was when he really started to fill out, and became the man he was. Now his bone structure did not look so skeletal as it had, and as he continues to age, so did it become all the more striking as more of his inner beauty showed upon his face.

I was glad to say though, that the softness in his dark irises had always been there, as well as the gentleness in his smile, and it was those attributes to his character, which have forever drawn me to him.

He had not noticed my arrival yet, and I scraped the dirt aside with my fingers harvesting a pebble. Cleaning it some, I took my aim and with a fine throw, ducked to hide from his view as his complaint of pain, erupted.

"fuck!" he shouted more than once.

I didn't bother to stifle my laugh and perched myself up, to see him clutching the back of his head and wearing a bemused grin.

"now that was a perfect shot if you ask me," I remarked.

He winced, checking his hand for a spot of blood, "aye, not bad at all; for a woman."

I glared at him, and ushered down the bank quickly, making grooves in the earth, and skidded to a stop.

He had watched me all the way down and walked closer, sending ripples my way to tease the toes of my boots.

Without hesitating, I kicked the two off and paired them together so as not to lose them, and cautious of his stare, I bent down slowly and grabbed the ends of my cotton dress. With one swift motion, I wasn't clad in the fabric for long, feeling my long black hair hit against my naked back as I dropped the dress atop my shoes, biting my lips as my spectator growled with desire.

In a rasping tone, he asked, "tell me fair maid, does your father know you are out here?"

With the cold air perking me up, I stepped into the water and stood face to face with him.

"no, he does not," I leaned in so my breath touched his lips, "nor did he know the time before that, nor the time before that…"

His eyes had closed shut and he rocked his head against mine, "Gods, it's been too long Leona."

And I could not have agreed more, cupping the hand he had cradled around my neck, "then don't waste any more time my love; My Lucan."

With the sound of his name rolling of my tongue, he obeyed my asking and let me taste his need, as his mouth claimed mine desperately and our bodies gripped the other tightly, so that no space was spared between us. We were no strangers to this kind of intimacy, but each time we were in the midst of such passion, we search and linger at each and every crevice, as if we had not been there before, with our souls loving each other as much as our bodies, even when caught between those moments where we are intoxicated by our climax, savouring it for as long as we could, so we had something to think back on at night, when we were alone.

…..

As the sun climbed the sky higher, turning our early morning into late, we became still, savouring these final embraces before we had to part, and spend the rest of the day treating each other as was customary, I a lady of the house Stark, while Lucan was a companion of sorts to my brother Robb and nephew to Sir Rodrick, Winterfell's master at arms.

I hated the secrecy; hated not being able to kiss him when I wanted to, which, granted, was each time I saw him. But we had this to work to our advantage. I was Eddard Starks eldest daughter, and I have forever doted upon my father, as he did me, and because we were so closely bonded, I made him vow that I could marry any man of my choosing. I was wilful and headstrong, he could not deny me this, and nor could my mother, since she had lost her influence regarding my life as soon as I was able to speak.

They knew about me and Lucan of course. We both had told them and have been promised to each other ever since then, however, my parents, more under my mother's command rather than my fathers, have made us wait until my sister, Sansa, could find a good enough match which they hoped would mask my 'inferior one.' So far they have slacked in their search, and sansa remains unmarried, thus we have not been able to keep at bay our desire.

At that, Lucan kissed the nape of my neck, "marry me."

We were promised, that was true, an engagement that meant more to us than it did anyone else, but still he asks me and has done repeatedly, urging me to give up my want for my parents blessing and just run off to elope. It was a tempting scheme, tempting indeed, only I did very much love them, and it meant something to me if they could find it in themselves, to accept my choice in suitor.

My parents trusted us to wait, and wait we shall.

I sighed, turning to take his chin between my fingers, "be patient my love; I'm not going anywhere."

I beamed up at him and tilted my toes to kiss his lips, leaving Lucan standing alone as I returned to my clothes and started to dress.

"I would wait until the ends of the earth for you," he called, "but if we continue as we are, then perhaps your mother and father might find a reason to hasten our marriage rather than delay it."

At his statement he eyed my stomach and grinned.

Instinctively, my hand trailed where perhaps his seed might have taken root, for the thought that I might discover I carry his child has crossed my mind and I did not discourage the situation.

Lucan as my husband and his children growing strong in my womb, that is all I have ever wanted, and what would make me happier than anything else in this world could.

Slipping my feet into my shoes, and swinging my damp hair off to the side, I replied, "pray by all the gods, that might come to pass. Until then, Lucan Cassel, we shall wait, with only the wind sharing in how deep our love goes."

He stared at me in wonder and it was with great difficulty that I broke from his trance and went up the way I came down, whistling to my horse and riding as fast as I had come, to avert the urge to turn back around and straight into Lucan's arms again, for if I did that, there would be nothing that could tear me away from them.

'have faith," I appealed to my restless soul, 'that fate will favour this Stark at least.'