"Drew Darling please try to focus on your needle work" My mother Cersei said scolding me as I stared out of a window in the wheel house. I sighed wanting to get out of the carriage and ride out front with my father, but when I'd asked he'd just laughed at me. Joffrey and Tommen got to ride out front with our father, but I got stuck in the wheel house with Myrcella, my mother, and her insipid ladies in waiting. And Speaking of the devil Joffrey poked his head inside the window chuckling.
"How are you ladies?" He said flashing the ladies in waiting a dazzling smile causing them to fly into a titter. I rolled my eyes Joffrey did tend to have that affect on ladies being the heir to throne and he was actually fairly attractive.
"I would feel better if I could be riding out there with you dear brother" I said smiling sweetly at him.
"Darling Sister father would kill us if he caught you ridding out there with us" Joffrey said chuckling.
Then Cersei cleared her throat "Are we almost there Joffery?".
"Yes mother according to the scout we should be there within the hour" Joffrey said.
"Well then as long as you promise not to muss your hair, keep your dress clean and you stay with your brother I guess it would be all right" Cersei said knocking on the wall signaling for the wheel house to come to a halt. I stepped out side as a Joffrey's squire brought forth my horse that I'd demanded be brought with us from kings landing. The squire helped me onto my house and before my mother or brother could say another word I was off riding into the harsh cold country side bounding towards Winterfell, the curls my mother had piled on top of my head came undone whipping around my face. I think I heard my brother shout something after me, but I knew he would never be able to catch me. I was by far the better rider and my horse was fresher than his even riding side saddle. I laughed as I flew by the others leaving the royal party behind. In the distance I heard my fathers boisterous laugh probably induced from my current escapade, but I didn't care. I was free. The land might be barren, cold, and ugly, but at least for a couple moments I was free. I rode hard for about thirty minutes before catching sight of the castle. Instead of stopping and waiting for the rest of the party like the good girl I was supposed to be I decided to venture around the nearby forest. It was as ugly and dead as the rest of the land, but at least it was something to do. As I trotted along I set to work fixing my hair pinning my loose curls back out of my face with jeweled pins.
"You look lost" A voice said interrupting my concentration.
"No I'm exactly where I want to be" I said quickly assessing the stranger. He was a handsome boy a few years older than me perhaps nineteen or maybe even twenty with well made clothes, but not ornamented meaning either a squire or a favored bastard son. Probably not a threat.
"I'm John Snow" The boy said "Might I ask who you are?"
"But where would the fun in that be?" I said arching an eyebrow.
Jon smiled "Well if I had to guess I would say you were either a prostitute or a dancer" Jon replied "Probably from out of town traveling with the kings party and which ever one you are you're probably very good at it judging by your clothes" Jon said finishing proudly.
I laughed at his "You've found me out" I said smiling back at him. There was no point in telling him who I really was. If he was who I thought he was he would find out soon enough.
"I must be getting back to the rest of the party before some one misses me" I said turning back in the direction I'd come from. "I think I'll be seeing you again soon Jon Snow" I said before I took off into a trot. I heard laughter from behind me and smiled knowing that I would be the one laughing soon.
As I approached the party I saw Joffrey riding toward me looking peeved, but before I had to deal with him I heard my father call for me from the front of the party. I rode over to his side as I cheked to make sure that my dress wasn't stained and my hair was presentable.
"Drusilla what did I say about riding?" He said chuckling.
"Mother said that it was alright" I said smiling sweetly at him knowing that he would never be able to stay mad at me. I was our fathers favorite despite managing to cause the most mischief of all my siblings, but I kind of suspected that that might be why I was his favorite.
"Why don't you ride up front with me for the rest of the way seeing as your already on a horse" He said chuckling again.
I nodded my head like a dutiful daughter should and continued forward with him noticing that Joffrey had not been issued an invitation. I sighed even though Joffrey and I were twins, my father had always favored me over him. I was the clear favorite out of all of us, but it had always bothered Joffrey the most.
I adjusted the green dress I was wearing as we entered through the gates of Winterfell. I felt uncomfortable with all the people staring even if they weren't staring at me I'd always hated being the center of attention, it made me uncomfortable. Finally we arrived in front of what looked to be Lord Stark and his family. Then I saw the boy who had introduced himself as Jon Snow standing next to Lord Stark and realization dawned on me, it hadn't really been the lords bastared, but his oldest son and heir, Robb Stark.
I scowled at him as he looked at me with wide eyes realization dawning in his face. My father hopped off of his horse and helped me down from mine as the Starks and the rest of the congregation bowed.
My father laughed before beckoning for ned and his family to rise. I kept my eyes down cast keeping up the appearance of being a demure obedient daughter in order to keep from rolling my eyes at my father playing at being a king.
'It's been to long Ned. Let me introduce you to my children. This is my eldest daughter Drusilla, the light of my life" My father said gesturing to me and ned stark gave a small bow. "Then we have her twin brother Joffrey and Marcella and Tommen" My father finished, Joffrey coming up standing on my other side. I fought a sigh knowing I was going to pay for our fathers words later.
Ned smiled. "Well you know my wife Catlin. And then we have Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon" Ned said gesturing to his children. My father went through making a jokes with each of Ned's children charming everyone who watched. I smiled at this. While my father wasn't the best with foreign policy or managing his accounts he did know how to be the charming jovial king that people loved. Then my father went with Ned down to the crypts and Joffrey took my arm as we were shown to our courters by servants.
Before Joffrey could fly into a tirade I gently put a hand on his shoulder. "Joffrey you know he only dotes on me because I'm his daughter. You're his oldest son, his heir, he must be firm with you to mold you into the great king that your going to be" I said softly hoping to head off his temper tantrum.
I watched his face as he digested my word before smiling and wrapping an arm around my waist. "Of course dear sister and why shouldn't he dote on you more than Marcella and Tommen their both stupid and you are far prettier than Marcella" Joffrey said giving me a dazzling smile and I let out a breath. It looked like for now anyway I would escape Joffrey's temper.
Then we parted ways and were shown to our separate chambers and he left me with a kiss on the cheek. I shivered as his lips brushed my skin, but thankfully he didn't notice.
I was in the middle of unpacking all my silks and gowns when Cersei entered the room not bothering to knock as usual. She gave me a small sad smile as she pushed a stray strand of hair out of my face. "You know you look almost exactly like I did when I was you're age. We could have been twins though you're still prettier than I was" My mother said wistfully as she motioned for me to sit. I did as I was bid and my mother took the remaining pins out of my hair, grabbed a brush from the table and began to brush my hair like she used to when I was little.
"You know I was married when to Robert when I was a year younger than you" She said smiling. I pursed my lips saying nothing. I knew this wasn't a social call all I had to do was wait for my mother to say what she meant and I had a feeling I wasn't going to like whatever it was.
"As you know your father has been trying to figure out a suitable match for you for quite some time and he's decided on one for you. Robb Stark" Cersei said attempting to give a reassuring smile that looked more like a grimace than anything else.
"I will not marry Robb Stark. He is a northerner and a pompous prick. I will not become his wife and the lady of Winterfell. I won't do it." I said stubbornly refusing to accept my fate just shuddering at the thought of having to spend one moment alone with the prick.
"You can and you will. Your father has decided you will marry Robb and Joffrey will marry Sansa Stark" My mother said calmly.
I took a breath trying to calm down so that I could sound reasonable "That makes no sense to marry two of us off to Starks. Let Joffrey marry Sansa and let me wed some southern Lord perhaps a Tully or a Tyrell." I said trying to be logical.
"I'm sorry darling I'v tried to convince your father of that all ready, but he will not listen to reason. He is like a man possessed determined to see you and Joffrey wed to Starks" My mother said wrapping me in her arms.
"When am I to be sold off" I said bitterly conceding that for now at least I had no choice in the matter.
"Robb and you will be married in Kings landing as soon as we get back" My mother said "I've already started making preparations. Is there anything you would like me to include?".
I fixed her with a look that would have stopped a direwolf in it's tracks but my mother just shook her head in pity. I stood up "I need to get some air" I said reaching for a coat when my mother stopped me in my tracks.
"Later pet. Let me do your hair before you dress for the banquet the Starks are throwing tonight in our honor" Cersie said and I fell back in the chair grumbling as she pulled my hair back into an elaborate series of braids pinning them back with emerald pins that matched my eyes. I glared at my reflection fighting the urge to throw a fit breaking the mirror and breaking everything I could in the room, but I couldn't. I needed to remain calm, acting like a child wasn't going to help me.
"Your father had this dress made for you last month and I thought it would be nice for you to wear it" Cersei said gesturing to a green and gold dress that a maid servant had brought in, before she left the room.I just nodded and waited for the girl to help me into the dress.
After I was dressed I reluctantly walked out of the room where Robb was slouching against the wall across from my chambers.
I pretended not to see him as I walked past him heading to the great hall. He noticed and reluctantly jogged to catch up.
"What do you want?" I asked not bothering to look at him.
"I was told to escort you to the great hall for dinner" Robb said stone faced.
"Well then you may as well leave me be. I know how to get to the great hall without assistance" I said pursing my lips in displeasure.
"Oh really" Robb said his face twisting into a smirk "I didn't look like you didn't need directions the last time I saw you".
I stopped in my tracks turning on him "I wasn't lost I was precisely where I wanted to be. I just needed some space. I don't like being surrounded by high born pricks" I said giving him a sarcastic smile.
"Oh I'm sorry princess" Robb said the humor draining from his face "I guess I should just tell your father that you were making suggestive remarks to a man you believed to be bastard".
"Oh yes you do that and then you can tell him how you called me a prostitute and made suggestive remarks towards me and then I'll be forced to tell him how I didn't know how to respond because I feared for my life" I said pretending to sniffle and sound scared.
I started to walk away from him when he grabbed my wrist "You better learn to behave yourself when your my wife". He squeezed my wrist in his hand so hard that I wanted to cry out in pain, but I refused to give him the satisfaction.
"If I have any say in it we won't be wed. And even if we are remember that I am my fathers favorite and my brother, your future king, adores me. Keep that in mind" I said wrenching my wrist free of his grasp. I turned on my heels rushing away from him gingerly rubbing my wrist.
I reached the doors to the great hall ahead of Robb and I found my brother chatting amiably with Sansa Stark. I gave a small smile relieved that he had decided to play the gallant prince today.
As soon as he saw me my Joffery excused him self with a smile and headed my way.
"Sister you look stunning" He said smiling and then he noticed the bruise that was beginning to form on my wrist. He frowned knowing that he hadn't grabbed me hard enough to make a bruise. I bit my lip knowing that Joffrey hated to see any bruise on my skin that he hadn't made.
"Who did this to you" He hissed angrily. "It was that low born Robb Stark wasn't it!. I'll make him pay for what he did" Joffrey said glaring at Robb.
"Shhhh" I said gently not wanting anyone to over here us "I'll be fine". Joffrey didn't say anything, but his face relaxed slightly. I carefully took his hand in mine and squeezed it gently. Joffrey smiled at me and I knew that all thoughts of Robb Stark were forgotten for now. I wondered why I was trying to protect Robb from Joffrey, they were both terrible people.
I walked over to Robb and he took my hand this time gently as the doors opened and we walked in.
As we walked in and were presented I felt Robb's eye's on me. When I glanced over at him to tell him to knock it off though I was surprised to see that his expression was one of tenderness.
I was about to tell him to knock it off when my father came bounding up to us grinning from ear to ear.
"My Darling daughter and Son to be" Me father said clasping Robb on the shoulder. "You two are quite the handsome pair. You'll make me some beautiful grand babies".
Ned came over chuckling at my father and gave me a small bow before saying "I'm looking forward to having you in our family Drusilla. And you truly are the loveliest girl in the kingdom. My son is lucky to have snagged someone as beautiful as you".
"Thank you lord Stark" I said as Robb led us away to the table where we were to sit with all of the other high born children.
I sat down in between Joffrey and Rob and for a second I considered faking an illness to get out of what was sure to be a long night.
"So Arya we're to be sisters you and I" I said smiling at the younger girl who was sitting across from me. Arya was a small girl about twelve or thirteen, she wasn't pretty, but she wasn't homely either. She picked nervously at her dress.
"Yes so is Sansa" Arya said looking uncomfortable "Your highness" she added hastily.
I smiled at her "Yes that's true. Though we'll only be together in the capitol for a short time I'll have to find time to show you all of my favorite places" I said lightly trying to make conversation.
Arya rolled her eyes at the boring small talk and her sister Sansa elbowed Arya horrified.
"Forgive her your grace. She has yet to learn the ways of a lady" Sansa said stiffly and now I wanted to roll my eyes. Instead I just laughed softly and said "It's ok, believe it or not when I was your age I was the exact same way".
Joffery laughed "Yes sister I believe that's an understatement. You nearly put mother and father into an early grave with all the mischief you caused" He said cheerfully. "Remember when you used to want to be a knight and you used to steal swords from the armory and then bully members of the kings guard into teaching you. When father found out he was so mad".
Everyone laughed and Arya stared at me her eyes wide in admiration. "Yes but it worked dear brother because after months of this father finally had someone teach me how to work a bow and dagger for my protection" I said thinking fondly of the dagger I kept strapped to my leg at all times.
Robb choked on his wine and I smirked glad that my words had had the intended effect.
The dinner actually went more pleasantly than I'd expected. However when Robb was forced by his mother to take Arya to bed I used this as en excuse to make my escape.
I slipped out of the great hall without much notice and wandered outside. The air was frigid, but refreshing in contrast to the stuffy dining hall in which the feast was currently being held in full swing.
I wrapped my cloak tighter around me using it as a shield to try and ward off the cold as I wandered toward the archery practice area. I grabbed a bow and a quiver of arrows off of a near by rack. I shrugged off my cloak drawing the arrow. I smiled relishing the stain on the muscles in my arm and back. Breathing out I let the arrow fly making a dull thud in the center of the target. I smiled instantly feeling the stress of the evening beginning to fade.
I drew another arrow watching as it split the previous one in the target right down the middle.
"You have good aim for a girl" A voice said interrupting me as I drew another arrow. I turned startled pointing my drawn arrow at a startled looking John Snow.
He put his hands up in a friendly gesture.
"I mean you no harm Princess. I nearly meant to give you a compliment" He said trying to hide his smile.
I lowered the bow grimacing at him "Thank you, John Snow. You might want to consider teaching your brother about manners since yours are impeccable" I replied giving him a small smile.
John ran a hand through his hair sighing. "Robb's a good man. I don't know what it is about you, but you've managed to get under his skin" John said laughing grimly "and from what I've seen he gets under yours too."
Now it was my turn to laugh "Is it that obvious? I've tried to hide my murderous feelings toward your brother but I guess I haven't been doing a very good job."
John smiled "No I just know my brother and feel when he gets that way with me, although you don't react the way most girls do around him".
I wink playfully at him "I'm not most girls though".
"No clearly not" He replied gesturing to the arrows, "but princess Robb really is a decent person. Try not to hurt him too much". And with that he gave a bow and left me alone with just my bow, arrow and the cold.