Author's Note: I only own the first name of Jane, her personality and her appearance. Everything else is from the show. Please tell me what you all think, without feedback I tend not to want to update; just so you know.
Summary: Jane Arryn, niece of Jon Arryn-the former Hand to the King has lived at the Vale for eight years; ever since her father died in battle of the Greyjoy rebellion. Her aunt being unstable has decided to send her away from the Eyrie, away from her. She is to go with Lady Stark, to be her ward; how is she to survive with her nearing the battles and on-going war? How is fate tied into all of this? Robb/OFC
Healing Hearts
Chapter 1
As she ran down the corridors her brown cascade of curls flew everywhere and her speed caused the wind to whip around the hem of her dress. She felt like she was about to trip in her long dress even with her holding onto the skirt as she continues to race towards to the main hall. She was late and her aunt would be very distress about it.
Panting as she finally reached the great oak doors which caused the guards to raise their brows, once she regained her breath; the girl nodded towards the guards to open the doors. As she stepped through the archway to the main hall she could feel everyone's eyes on her as she walked pass the Eyrie's new guests and up the stairs to her aunt and cousin.
The eyes of everyone still on her as she moved behind them, "Dear Jane, thank you for joining us. Put your veil on dear one, you know I can't look at them."
The girl gritted her teeth and let out a soft sigh before she pulled a scarf over her hair and let in hang over her eyes, "Sorry for being unpunctual Aunt Lysa, it was rude of me; especially since we have guests."
The redheaded woman, Lysa, nodded at her niece-in-law and let a small smile play on the corner of her lips, "Forgiven my dear Jane. But you have missed the excitement."
"There was a little man. I want him to fly!" Robin interrupted his mother.
Lysa cradled the young boy to her crest, "Yes, Robin. Maybe he will, we get to pass judgment on him." She then glanced back up to the brown hair girl, "Now you remember my elder sister, Lady Catelyn Stark of Winterfell. Cat, this is Jon's niece Jane."
An older woman, who look very much like Lysa began to walk up the stairs and embraced the girl, "My gods, this cannot be little Jane Arryn?" Catelyn pulled Jane an arm's length away for a better look at the girl. "Has it really been five years since you were last at Winterfell?"
Jane smiled, "Well I did just have my seventeenth name day, Lady Stark. So it appears it has been five years."
"You have grown up to be a beautiful woman, Jane." Catelyn smiled sadly at her before continuing "I believe even surpassing your mother's legendary beauty."
"Thank you, Lady Stark." Jane would have blushed, but since she was fourteen she has received such praises. "With Aunt Lysa permission, I can show you, Ser Rodrik and the rest of your company to the bedchambers I had the maids prepare."
"So that is why you were late, dear Jane?" Lysa's lips tugged upward, "What a fine wife of a Lord you shall make my dear one. Yes, take them to rest. Dinner shall be in a few hours."
Robin let out a groan and whined "But I'm hungry now." And undid his mother's top to feed as the group departed.
Once they were through the doors, Jane took off her scarf as they walked down the corridor. "You remember me, Lady Jane?" Rodrik spoke up.
"Of course I do, Ser Rodrik. You did help me perfected my archery skills all those years ago." She smiled sweetly at the aged old man as the memories of her youth came racing into her mind's eye.
Rodrik grinned at the girl before replying "You were already just as good as young Lords Robb and Jon. I just helped with your form some."
Jane laughed softly, "As you say, Ser Rodrik." She stopped and pointed out the bedchambers to the guest. Before departing, "Supper will be held at seven o'clock; I shall come back and walk you all to the dining hall."
"Thank you, Jane."
"Of course, Lady Stark. I must see if Aunt Lysa needs anything else. Until Supper, ma'am." Jane curtsied and walked back the way they came. Before going into her room, Catelyn noticed Jane pulled the scarf back over her hair and let it hang just over her eyes.
Just as Jane said she would, she walked the guests to the dining hall. Catelyn and Jane caught up with each other as they walked; Jane gushing about all her cousin-in-laws.
"I cannot believe little baby Rickon has had six name days already!" Jane explained as their neared the hall, "He was but a babe the last time I saw him."
"He has grown, they all have grown." Catelyn said sadly.
Jane took her hand before entering the hall, "The Starks are strong, and will be united soon. I know it." Cat smiled a little as they walked to the head table where Lysa and Robin sat.
Lysa let out a shriek as they neared, "Dear one! Your veil!"
Halting instantly, Jane again pulled the fabric over her eyes. Catelyn look like she was about to speak, until Jane just shook her head and sat down; Cat followed suit. Talking was short around the whole hall; just the sucking of Robin on Lysa's breast could be heard.
An hour later and the tense environment was pretty much the same, but thankfully Lysa and Robin got up to retire for the night.
"Goodnight, sister. Goodnight, dear Jane." Lysa said as she half carried Robin away.
"Goodnight." They said in unison. Once Lysa was out of the hall completely, the atmosphere shifted and everyone livened up. Jane slipped the scarf from her head and let it lay on her shoulders.
"My little sister has become an unfamiliar person to me." Catelyn said remorsefully.
Jane nodded and replied "Aunt Lysa has become more paranoid as of late; ever since Uncle Jon's death."
Catelyn just took it all in as Jane continued to talk about how Lysa was after the death of Jon, how unstable she has gotten. She paused in her listening as she questioned Jane, "Robin has had his eighth name day, has he not?"
Jane, knowing exactly what Catelyn was talking about, answered "He has Lady Stark, but Aunt Lysa spoils him and lets him act as a baby would."
"I see." Cat said simply, she paused before she continued questioning again, "And what of the scarf?"
Jane cast her eyes down before looking back at Catelyn, "I have the Arryn dark green eyes. The day the raven came and told us of Uncle Jon's death we all were very upset, for a long while Aunt Lysa and I just held each other and cried. Uncle Jon was just like a father to me, after my own parents died when I was younger. But eventually, she started to act calm; yet not really. Something changed more so in her. Then she began saying she wished I had didn't these eyes, and that their reminded her of Uncle Jon. Whenever I am in her or Robin's presence I'm to cover them."
Cat lifted Jane's chin with her hand, "Your eyes are beautiful. No one has the right to make you feel like you are not worthy of showing your true self, sweetheart."
The younger woman smiled and hugged the older, "Thank you."
A week has passed since the Lannister dwarf had "won" his trial and departed the Eyrie and now Jane was seen pacing in front of her aunt and cousin, in their chambers.
"What do you mean, I am to leave?" She demanded
"You are to leave from the Eyrie." Lysa said simply as she stroked Robin's hair
Jane spoke with a deadly calm voice, "But why, Aunt Lysa?"
"To be honest my dear one, I am getting sick of seeing your brown hair, green eyes and pale skin. You should have been born with the traits of your mother's people, not the Arryn's." Jane just stared into her so-called aunt's eyes, willing herself not to slap Lysa. As if senses what she said troubled the girl, "You shall be ward to Catelyn, just for the time being; until I am feeling like my old self again, dear Jane. It pains me to see you, for you look so much like my Jon."
"I haven't left the Vale in five years, and Lady Stark is heading towards her son, where he is fighting a war!" Jane exclaimed as she began passing again.
"You think I would send you out there without some protection? You are still my most beloved niece. I shall have 300 of the knights escort you and Catelyn to where Robb is at. But they are to return as soon as you are safe in the camp."
"300? There are over 7,000 Knights of the Vale! Why are you not sending more to help with the cause?" Jane felt as if a great injustice was made.
"Because they need to stay here and protect the Lord of the Vale, protect Robin!" Jane just stared wide eyed at her aunt as if she grew another head. With the Lannisters being the ones that killed her uncle, tried to kill Brandon Stark and them imprisoning Eddard Stark; Jane believed her aunt really did go insane for not wanting to send more troops. "Now, you leave soon. Catelyn wishes to depart by noon. The maids should be packing and readying your horse."
Jane nodded while holding back tears as Lysa embraced her, "I do love you, dear Jane. This will only be for a short while." She nodded again and left without another word.
As she rode her horse following the departing party, she didn't know which she was madder at: Lysa sending her away or Lysa not sending more troops to aid?
She was still fuming when they decided to make camp for the night. Ser Edward, a young knight of about twenty-five was assigned to help Jane with whatever needed and keep her company as they were the only ones closest in age. He had light brown hair and was very handsome, if Jane wasn't so mad she may have seen the longing looks Ser Edward gave her or how he would just continue talking to her, not stopping until she responded.
After helping her from her horse; in which Jane was getting upset over. She knew how to ride a horse properly; Edward spoke "I hear we shall be meeting up with the group in less than a week." There was no reply
"Lady Jane?" Still none
"Lady Jane?" Nothing
"Jane?" He whispered, as he tried to touch her snow pale cheek; which caused Jane to flinch away.
Snapping away from her thoughts, Jane saw Edward's lips moving "Oh, sorry Edward. What did you say?"
He simply smiled and shook his hair from his eyes, "I said we will be at the destination in less than a week."
"Good" Whenever Jane was alone with Edward, she felt awkward and not sure what to do "I should go see if Lady Stark needs anything. Goodbye and Goodnight, Edward" With that said she turned and left without hearing a reply from the handsome knight.
True to Edward's word they reached where Robb's encampment was in less than a week. Jane rode next to Catelyn at the front, as all of the Bannermen bowed their heads towards Lady Stark. She dismounted immediately and took off to find her son, as Edward tried to help Jane off her horse.
"I do know how to get off and on a horse, Ser Edward. I'm not some damsel who needs a knight to rescue her." Jane said as she swung her leg around and descended from the creature's back.
As Edward was to speak, another voice cut him off "An Arryn needing help? I believe I'll never witness that one." Ser Rodrik chuckled and extended his arm for Jane, "Come Lady Jane, to wherever Lady Stark disappeared to."
"We, Arryns never ask for help, we only give it." She smiled and they began to walk to the tent that Catelyn ran towards.
They stopped short to let the mother and son continue talking in their hush tones, Jane quietly observing Robb Stark. He had changed so much since she last saw him; he was no longer a lanky adolescent with stringy hair. Robb grew into a handsome man with well-defined muscles, but he still had those blue eyes that could pierce into any soul.
As if Robb could read her thoughts his eyes snapped up, looking at her. His face was unreadable as he watched her, but the power of his gaze almost made Jane fall to the ground from weak knees. It was like a shock passed from one person to the other, a strange force that pulled them together until they were only mere inches apart.
"Lady Jane Arryn?"