Riya Denwarn

The journey from the Wall was cold and tiring. Riya could no longer feel the aching of her bottom cheeks. Aching turned to numbness. The cold was a bitter wind. She began to wonder why she had agreed to travel to Winterfell alongside Benjen Stark. Her excitement she had before leaving had all but disappeared. She had read many books about Winterfell and was anxious to see it for herself. She hadn't expected such a journey to be this gruesome.

"How much longer Benjen?" Riya asked as she adjusted herself in the saddle.

"Just up ahead," Benjen replied with a snicker as he watched her squirm. He looked forward and let out a sigh. He was happy to be home again. Riya looked up from the reins to see the flames of torches in the distance. Benjen and Riya stopped to look down at the kingdoms walls.

"Welcome Lady Denwarn, to Winterfell," he smiled as he turned to her. Riya observed the walls protecting the small town inside. She began to trace the granite walls. Her bright hazel eyes came across the drawbridge that when opened would slam down to the other side by the outer village. It was exactly what she had pictured while reading the descriptions in her books. Riya thought it was magnificent. Not as nice as the Elven Realm but certainly better than the home she had been moved into inside the Wall. Not to mention it was a bit warmer here, not by much but still better than the ice cold. Riya snapped back to reality when Benjen took off in his jet black horse. Riya gave a smile and kicked her horse to catch up with him.

When they rode inside, Riya looked around. She turned as Benjen jumped off his horse and tied it to the post near the troff. He then made his way to the side of Riya's horse and reached out his arms. Riya brought her other leg over from the opposite side and placed her small gentle hands on Benjen's shoulders. Benjen grabbed her by the waist and put her on the ground. Riya watched him as he tied up her brown steed and came to stand beside her.

"Uncle Benjen!" a young man's voice called out. Benjen and Riya looked over. She looked at the boy. He had black curled hair to his shoulders. His body was thin with some muscle and he had a strong bone structure with brod shoulders. Benjen quickly jolted to the boy and gave him a hug.

"Jon Snow. I've missed you much!" Benjen chuckled as he gripped onto the boys shoulder. Riya remained quiet and still until Benjen turned to look at her. The boy's eyes soon met hers. They were dark. The name Snow mean bastard in the north. He truly had the eyes and looks of a Stark.

"This fair maddens name is Riya Denwarn," Benjen introduced.

"Denwarn? As in the Gathonian Denwarn?" Jon asked with curious eyes. Riya shied away.

"Yes. I am the sister of the infamous Nadia Denwarn that I'm sure you have heard plenty about Lord Snow, bastard of Eddard Stark," Riya said without emotion. Jon went quiet. He looked down in shame of being called a bastard. Riya observed him closely. Benjen let out a sigh and gave him a tap on the back. Jon Snow soon shook it off and looked back at his uncle.

"When will you talk to father about the Night's Watch?" Jon asked. Benjen smiled and looked off. His gaze came back to the anxious young boy.

"The wall is no place for a boy Jon," Benjen replied. Jon bit his lip.

"I am no boy, I am fourteen. I am a full grown man. I can do this," Jon said. Benjen looked at Jon. His eyes were full of begging. Only something a puppy would do. Benjen let out a sigh.

"We shall see," Benjen said before making his way inside. Riya stood there still looking at Jon. He turned and saw her. He then picked up his sword and stormed over to a training dummy set up by the stalls. Riya watched him for a moment longer before she made her way inside.

Inside was nothing special. A regular celebration of men. Whores roamed the isles as the men waved to them. Some of the men toppled over in their seats and spilt their pint all over them. As Riya observed the intoxicated men she came across one special one. Robert Baratheon. King of the Seven Kingdoms and drunken fool of whores. She had never seen the King and at this moment she wished she hadn't.

"Observing our King?" a firm voice said behind her. Riya turned back to see an approaching woman. She looked down and smiled at Riya as she turned back to look at Robert. Riya said nothing.

"My apologies, I hadn't thought to introduce myself. My name is Selda Amcottes," she said with a smile. Riya looked at her nervously. She had heard of the Amcottes family. Some say they are evil and tricksters other say they are hero's to the realm.

"You must be a Denwarn? You are not so beautiful so you can not be the infamous Nadia," Selda said as she observed Riya's face. Riya wasn't offended. She got that a lot. She waited a moment longer for Selda.

"Of course, you are the younger sister. Riya. I have heard much of you. Smartest woman in all of Westeros. Or so they say," Selda stated as she turned back to look at the crowd. Riya was surprised she had known it was her. For a moment Riya did not know how to communicate with such a woman. She was right hand to the queen and she had talked ill of the King.

"Do you not love your King?" Riya asked. Selda looked up.

"I love the idea of the King. I do not love who portrays him. But I am yet an observer and second hand in the court," Selda smiled. Riya looked over at the drunken King.

"Maybe you shouldn't speak so ill. The wrong person may hear you," Riya warned. Selda gave another smile and began to retreat from her post beside the young girl. Riya watched the woman slowly make her way through the halls. A mysterious woman no doubt.

It wasn't long before Riya got bored with watching the drunk men and her King. Riya turned and left outside the doors she entered from. As she walked outside she heard the clings of a sword. Her gaze followed the noise to the still angered Jon Snow. Riya thought back to his conversation with Benjen. An idea to talk with the boy came to mind and she made her way closer to him.

Riya took a seat on one of the barrels. She watched him carefully. His black hair bounced with his motion. Her interest in sword practicing was one that was slim. She only knew a little bit about holding a sword. She had tried once before in the elven realm but even with the light elven steel she was not able to keep the sword up. It did not bother her of her weakness to wield it. She had no care for it. Books and writing was all she knew and she liked it that way. In her mind, Riya believed there were too many people that could wield a sword and too little that can read and write. Riya let go of her thoughts and stood. She took two steps closer and watched Jon slowly raise his sword. Jon stopped his sword in midair as he sensed her presence.

"What do you want?" Jon snapped. Riya sighed.

"It is not what I want but what you want, bastard," Riya replied. Jon slowly turned to face her.

"You wield a sword like a true man but you're only half of one. I don't believe you have must use here. Catelyn Tully hates you. Your father can barely be with you. You're just another person unwanted here," Riya paused. Jon looked down at the ground in shame.

"You know this. This is why you desire a position in the nights watch, is it not?" Riya asked. Jon looked back at her and nodded. Riya gave a chill and quickly rubbed her arms for warmth. Jon watched her and grabbed his fur on the barrel. He handed it out to her. Riya looked down at it then back at him. She had not seen such a kind gesture.

"I will see what I can do Lord Snow," she said before walking back into the castle. Jon lowered his fur. He took another second before giving a suddle smile.