So this has been sitting at the back of my mind for months now and I needed to get it out there before I forgot about it. It is my first attempt at a Game of Thrones fanfic so please tell me if I'm doing alright with it, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoy it

The crisp cool air bit at Rhaena's nose and cheeks as she peeked through the flap of her wagon. She stared at the snow dusted forest and trees, the grey sky stretching for miles and miles. She pulled her cloak tighter around her then jerked back as a knight trotted close to her.

Rhaena pushed her silver white hair back from her face then quickly tied it back with some string. Her violet eyes glanced around her little space before pulling her knees in closer, tucking her chin onto her knees before sighing. It was dark in here and quite cold, but Rhaena found she did not mind it as much as she thought she would.

Her clothes were thick and warm, the king had been good to her, despite hating her guts. Rhaena should be grateful that she was still alive. She supposed she had Ned Stark to thank for that. He had persuaded the king when she was a baby to spare her life. She knew the story well.

Her mother, Rhaella, had given her in secret to a trusted wet nurse on Dragonstone, who had run from the castle just moments after giving birth to her and her older twin sister, Daenerys. She had separated the twins for safety, but the plan had failed.

The captain who was meant to smuggle Rhaena to Braavos had turned them over to the Baratheon, Robert, who had taken her from the woman's arms and gone to kill her. Ned had stepped in, insisting that her life should be spared, that she could be useful to use against the other Targaryen's in case they decided to invade in later years.

Robert eventually agreed, like he always did. Lord Stark had wanted to bring her to the North but the king kept her close, under his watchful eye. He was not always unkind, simply preferring to never speak to her. He kept her fed, clothed and allowed some education but nothing fitting for her royal heritage.

The wet nurse had been killed anyway for being a traitor, which made Rhaena sad. She wished she could have thanked her. Rhaena felt the wagon pull to a stop and she looked up. She waited until one of the knights came to fetch her. It was Ser Barristan Selmy.

"Out you get little dragon." He smiled warmly at her and Rhaena jumped out, her boots crunching the snow.

"It's so cold up here." Rhaena beamed, her hot breath visible against the cold air like steam. She gazed around at the snowflakes then turned to Ser Barristan. He chuckled at her. "Come little dragon, the king wishes you to join him when meeting Lord Stark."

"Will I get to speak to him?" Rhaena asked as she hurried alongside him. "I would like to thank him."

"Whatever for?"

"For sparing me as a baby." She answered simply and Ser Barristan was struck, like many times before, at how sweet and innocent this child was. She skipped along in the snow, smiling brightly as she reached down and touched the cold flakes.

"What are you doing?" Queen Cersei hissed, turning her head around so fast her golden hair flared out behind her. "Get out of the slush and stand with Ser Barristan." Rhaena squeaked then bowed her head, dropping her head.

"Yes Your Grace." She nodded and waited for Ser Barristan to join her. The king looked around from his large mount, grunting before stepping down into the snow. His portly belly wobbled slightly as he took the jump before he went up to Eddard Stark, who was kneeling on the ground as were his entire host. Robert signalled for everyone to rise and Ned got up to look at his old friend, who was now fat and red faced.

"You've grown fat." Robert said to him and Cersei visibly winced at the words her husband spoke. Ned cocked an eyebrow then simultaneously, they both began to laugh. They clasped one another's shoulders and grinned. "Cat!"

"Your Grace." The lady curtseyed politely and Rhaena tugged on Ser Barristan's cloak.

"Is that Catelyn? Lady Stark?"

"Aye little dragon, that's her. Beside her is her son Rob, their eldest, then it is Sansa, the auburn haired girl, then Arya, then Bran and lastly, Rickon. He's the youngest lad." Ser Barristan explained. Rhaena smiled.

"They look nice."

"The Starks are known for their honour, they are a great house, little dragon."

"Like mine used to be?" Ser Barristan did not answer her but she knew that he wouldn't. Rhaena still believed in her house, that one day she would be free and not some toy for the Fat King to glare and hate at for the rest of his life.

When the greetings were over, Lord Stark looked around. "Where is the girl?"

"What girl?" Robert frowned then his face dropped into a cold glare. "Oh. The girl. Ser Barristan, bring the girl forwards." Ser Barristan gently placed his hand on Rhaena's back and she stepped forwards, holding her head high but keeping her eyes low as he guided forwards.

"There. Satisfied I haven't starved the creature?" Robert demanded but Lord Stark continued to look at the child, who had only seen ten and three years, as she slowly lifted her eyes to meet his. They were a beautiful shade of purple, like twin amethysts.

"Hello little one." He nodded with a kind smile to her which caused her plump lips to smile also.

"Good morning, Lord Eddard. I pray you are well." She said to him politely in a quiet voice.

"Very, I thank you." He answered her then turned to Robert. "Come, Your Grace, I shall walk with you to the crypts. Cat, will you see to the children?" His wife nodded his head then bowed her head as the king walked past her. She stepped forwards then smiled at the queen.

"Your Grace, if you would follow me, I shall lead you to your rooms." Rhaena watched as the queen and her children flowed past her, their sweet scent filling her nose and making them wrinkle. "Children, watch over her." Catelyn murmured to her children before they walked away. They all looked to her and she looked up at Ser Barristan who nodded.

"Go on, little dragon." She stepped forwards then dropped into a curtsey before them.

"Hello." She whispered.

"Hello." Sansa said softly and stepped forwards. "I'm Sansa, it's a pleasure to meet you. Would you like me to show you to your room?" Rhaena nodded then drew herself up to her full height, which wasn't very tall, but followed Sansa into Winterfell.

It was a beautiful stone home, there were warm fires in almost every room, the windows beamed in a bright light onto the floor as she walked through, gazing out at the snow and the crystal like ice dripping from the roof. "You have a beautiful home." Rhaena commented to Sansa.

"It gets very cold sometimes, but when you've lived here all your life, you get used to it." She answered with a smile. There was a gentle growl and a direwolf trotted into view, her coat neatly groomed. Rhaena's eyes stared in awe.

"Is that a direwolf?"

"Yes, this is Lady. She is mine." Sansa beamed, kneeling down to greet her friend and stroke her head. "You may stroke her too if you like, she's very loving and doesn't bite." She promised. Rhaena stooped down and tickled Lady's fur, smiling as she did.

"She's very beautiful."

"She's still young, direwolves are meant to grow much bigger." Sansa explained to her. "I've trained her to behave and not chew things, but there is still more she needs to learn."

"You're so lucky." Rhaena murmured. "I have always wanted a companion."

"Your house used to ride dragons, that must be extremely terrifying and amazing to see, don't you think?" Sansa asked as she stood, Lady moving to walk by her side.

"Yes. I wish dragons still existed. I would love to have a dragon, then no one would try and chain me again." Rhaena sighed. "But that is simply wishful thinking. It will never happen." Sansa smiled at her, turning around the corner.

"We all have direwolves. Rob's is called Grey Wind, Arya named hers Nymeria, then the two boys, Bran and Rickon called their direwolves Summer and Shaggydog."

"Shaggydog?" Rhaena frowned slightly. "That's an odd name."

"Yes, but he is only three. He doesn't really care about names." Sansa shrugged delicately, every inch of her person that of a lady. She walked well, with a straight back and lifted head, her steps were light and elegant that seemed to endlessly flow.

"And my half-brother, Jon, named his direwolf Ghost." The girls continued to talk. Sansa mostly asked about King's Landing, the court, the queen and her children, mainly Joffrey and as much as she could about the fashions and finery that Rhaena saw every day.

They talked for ages in Rhaena's given room, decently sized with a warm bed, a fire and a desk for her to look at her reflection. Rhaena talked with Sansa and found her becoming a fast true friend. Lady kept them company, sitting by the fire whilst the girls talked and giggled.

"I hear Jaime Lannister is the best swordsman in all Seven kingdoms, is that true?" Sansa whispered to her and Rhaena glanced around before leaning forwards.

"He is good, but I think he is too arrogant, he does not plan his attacks. I think that Ser Barristan is still the best. He has never lost his fitness, despite his age." Rhaena told her honestly. "He is one of the best knights I know."

"Is Joffrey like a knight?" Sansa asked, her cheeks blushing prettily. Rhaena paused and a shadow flickered over her face, memories coming back to her of her childhood where Joffrey would scream for attention, pull on her hair and set fire to her dresses by dropping candles onto them.

"He is not knightly, no. I find him to be rude, arrogant and cruel, however he is a master at hiding behind a mask. He will appear sweet and kind at first, but it does not take him long to show his true colours." Rhaena whispered this directly into Sansa's ear, meaning that some words she missed but she understood most of what Rhaena was saying. Rhaena had grown up in the Queen's court and knew that even this far north, there would be birds whispering in her ear of every move she made.

Thanks for stopping by, please R+R