So I'm making James act more like a Lannister than some hero who fights for his family. This chapter is a little short and speeds things up because I want to get right into the war of the Five Kings basically
Chapter 1:
King Robert, my father, had described Winterfell to me but it was nothing compared to actually seeing it with your own two eyes. It was huge and beautiful. Not dazzling like Casterly Rock and not as large as Kingslanding but magnificent. It had northern styles in every building with added to its beauty. But its so damn cold!
Father was behind the carriage with Cersei, my mother, and the younger children while Joffery and I would enter at the front with Gregor Clegane following behind us. When we entered through the front gates, we were the first to be greeted with the cheers of the common folk. They wished us good health and thanking us for the long journey from King's landing.
We made our way up to the Castle and that was where I got my first clear look of the Stark family. I could identify Lord Stark by his long, brown hair and serious looking demeanor. Father had described him accurately. The woman next to him was Lady Stark with her graying red-brown hair. She had the youngest boy next to her and the eldest stood next to Lord Stark. All of the boys looked like their mother with reddish-brown hair but they had the figure of their father. The youngest girl looked exactly like Lord Stark with brown hair, a long face, and dark eyes. The eldest girl had long, red hair and a pale complexion with blue eyes. I could see those exact eyes moving back and forth between Joffery and me since we looked similar, yet different.
When we reached the center, we unmounted and turned to watch the carriage roll in and behind that, Father. He unmounted and walked up to Lord Stark and started off with his teasing. They laughed, embraced, and my father went down the line to acknowledge each family member. I walked to the carriage, opened the door, and offered my hand to help the rest of my family get out.
I did my dues to our "gracious" hosts and as Robert pulled Stark along to go visit Lyanna grave. It was time for us to make ourselves at home here.
I took Mother's arm in mine as our family started to introduce ourselves to the Starks.
XxX
The feast itself was less than impressive then what I usually had at Kingslanding but I feigned enjoyment as I always did. My brother Joffrey was chatting with Sansa, and father already told me that he planned for her to be married to Jofffery. Tommom and Myrcella were chatting with the youngest of the Stark children. I glanced at the Hound guarding Joffery and wished Gregor was here. Father ordered him to stay at King's Landing while I wanted him to come. When I had argued with him, he struck me. I had stormed out while Mother and Father argued after what happened.
XxX
I spent most of the afternoons in Winterfell watching my older brother taunt and mock the eldest Stark while he practiced with a wooden sword. "Prince James, you want to try?" Ser Rodrick asked. I let out a sigh as I walked over to join him. "Sure. I guess I'll fight Robb then"
We both stood at the ready and when Ser Rodrick issued us to begin, Robb went on the attack. He swung heavily, showing that every time he swung he was getting tired. I blocked an attack and dodged his second swing. Then, while he tried to bring up his sword, I knocked him to the ground with the butt of my sword. Joffrey was laughing and cheering as he watched us. Robb got up, and said "That was a good fight" he looked at Jon Snow, who was standing a few feet away "Want to fight Jon. He's much better than me"
"He's a Prince, Robb. It would be insulting and humiliating for me to spare with him."
"Prince's don't train with bastards" Joffery said, standing next to me. "Let's go" I nodded my head, my head tall and proud to whoever saw me beat Robb, and we both walked away.
I know, small chapter.
