"Damn!" Bran cursed. Once again he had missed the target in front of him. Why he couldn't learn how to use a bow he would never know. Jon looked at the little boy and then to his parents.
"Just breathe Bran, Your father is watching. And your mother." Bran drew a quick breath, just before releasing but an arrow had already pierced the center of the bullseye. Bran turn to see his sister Arya, curtsying with bow in hand. Bran, enraged, ran off to catch his little sister. Jon and the oldest Stark erupted into fits of laughter at the scene. Lady Stark scoffed and shook her head up above while Eddard chuckled to himself.
"Boy! Go get your brothers and sisters. We're to be leaving for Greenwood by morning." Eddard yelled down to Robb before disappearing into the household. Theon Greyjoy assisted Jon with fetching the extra arrows Bran had so graciously shot over the target.
"Oi, I still have to get a trim." Robb mewed, aggravated. Jon and Theon began to crack jokes but were cut short by the Lordling.
"Don't think it's just me. Mother told me to drag the looks of you both along. You both look like a direwolf pulled you through the mud." Jon and Theon gave one another looks of disappointment.
"I don't know why Theon and I have to go with the Stark family. It's just the Gale's"
House of Gale was off near the South East of Winterfell and was governed by Lord Stefan and Lady Catia. The Starks were called to witness the joining of the houses Gale to Lannister. Cerion Gale was to wed Tywin Lannister's niece, Aramella. The joining of the houses was a big change for not only Westeros but the surrounding lands as well. Gale was a force to be reckoned with. If it wasn't due to them being halfway to the North, the Capital would have been taken by Stefan rather than Robert. Baratheon, however, was quicker.
"The Gale's are important. This marriage is important." Catelyn said, bopping the two boys over the head.
"We leave in the morning. Hurry up boys, dinner will get cold." Theon rolled his eyes at the Lady Stark before opening his foul mouth.
"We're probably getting cleaned up for the queen, I hear she's a little minx that one." Robb, unphased by Theon's comment, responded tersely.
"I hear the prince is a right royal prick."
"Yeah? Think of all the southern girls he's gotten to stab with his right royal prick." Theon scoffed, rolling his eyes. Robb laughed as he threw Jon into the chair to be sheared next.
"Ai, there ya go Tommy, shave him good, he's never met a girl he likes better than his own hair." Robb said, pawing at his face.
Catia ran all about the kingdom, trying to get everything in place for not only the Stark arrival but also for the Lannisters and Baratheons. This union would prove to be a strong one with strong allies for each family involved. Stefan wouldn't hear of having the Starks not be invited to the wedding of his son to the Lannister girl. The Gale family was almost as big as the Starks but they had them beat by one bastard, Jon Snow. Catia looked around the hall, everything seemed to be in order. All she needed now was to find all her children. Cerion was in his chambers, speaking with his father before the ceremony and the triplets were...well she wasn't sure.
"Deina! Rolan! Brack! Oh for sake of the Seven, where are you monkeys!" Catia heard giggles above her and saw her three monkeys climbing about.
"Oh! Get down you little rascals! Before you hurt yourself! Damn it!" The three children slid down the banister as best they could with their little legs. Cerion had returned from his room with his father to catch the sight of the three little ones, climbing about their mother. Stefan gave Cerion an amused look before yelling down to the three.
"Oi! You lot better go get your best on before I send a griffin after you!" The three squealed in glee, running up the stair to their nurses as fast as their little legs would go. Catia blew her hair out of her eyes and nodded toward her husband and her eldest.
"Thanks for that." She replied sarcastically. Stefan walked to his little wife and threw her over his shoulder, causing her to squeal with glee.
"I was just telling Cerion how I might need to show him an instructional on the bedding ceremony my love." He joked, giving his Lady a quick swat on the ass. His son laughed at the scene, his mother squirming to be put down and his father laughing along.
Cerion couldn't help but feel a bit nervous about his betrothal. His mind wondered as he walked about the castle, making his way outside near the stables, preparing for the arrival of the Starks and the Lannister/Baratheon clan. Cerion was torn away from his thoughts to the sound of the littlest Gale.
"They're coming Cerion! They're coming!" The little Lord ran, his fur swallowing him up.
"Oh yeah?" Cerion laugh, pulling the small boy up on his hip to walk him to where the rest of their family was. Stefan stood tall, leaving a space for his eldest and his wife. Catia placed Deina where she needed be and the two boys next to her before walking to her own place to greet the caravan. Catia smiled, finally relaxed that everything was done.
"Where's Milah?" She felt Stefan's hot breath on her ear.
Oh for sake of the Seven. On today of all da,ys that girl went out into the woods?
"Oh damn it all." She said, finally accepting her day wasn't going to go as planned. Surprisingly enough the Starks arrived first to the wedding ceremony. They all rode in on horses, they weren't exactly the carriage types. They were Starks afterall not Baratheons.
"Stefan!" Eddard exclaimed, smiling gripping Stefan in a hug. Cat smiled curtly at Catia who nodded. She wasn't her most favorite. Catia walked to the young Stark who had just gotten off the horse.
"Oh little Rob isn't so little anymore aye Catia?" Stefan said, following his wife to greet the children.
"Oh Sansa look at that hair, you beautiful girl." Catia mewed. Sansa smiled widely at Lady Gale. It wasn't a compliment from the queen but it would do. Arya, hearing this, made a face of disgust before she ran off with her brothers about the castle.
"Robb, I think you'd get along well with Milah, if we can ever find that girl." Stefan said. Eddard laughed.
"Can't keep an eye on your eldest daughter can you? How do you expect to marry her off if she's always running off?" Stefan turned to Eddard.
"I don't" Ned laughed at Stefan who came to terms with his daughter being a free spirit as appropriate by the Gale sigil, a griffin.
"Oh everyone come in, have a drink before the notorious late Lannisters make their appearance with my son's bride." Eddard clasped his hand on Stefan's shoulder as he lead his family in. The horses were taken to the stables by Jon and Theon, the youngest ones had taken a liking to Sansa, dragging her into the castle, asking if she was a princess.
Arya looked bored, ready to meet Milah. When the Gale's summered in Winterfell to get a release from the heat, Arya wasn't even a thought. She had heard great stories of Milah Gale and how she had the best bow arm in all of Westeros. She thought about being married off when she was a bit older to a Gale, then she would be able to do what she pleased. House Gale believed a Lady who couldn't protect her people wasn't worth a title. She would love to train to be a Lady of the Gale house.
The conversation was cut short between the fathers, Robb, and Cerion when a horse was heard, screeching to a halt. The rider threw her legs off, and brushed off the furs that adorned her neck, handing the reins to a stable boy. Stefan looked at his daughter amused as she took off her hood, shaking her dark curls out. Robb looked on in a baffled state. This was Milah Gale? The same Milah who had broke his arm when he was six? That same Milah Gale who was always running around, playing in the muck and sword fighting with himself and Cerion? She wasn't a very tall woman but that didn't mean much. Her hair was shorter than Robb remembered but then again it had been fourteen years since he last saw the Lady Gale. He imagined the cut would make for easier maneuvering in hunting or riding.
"Im not late am I?" She smiled, taking off her quiver and handing it off like the horse.
"I'll let it pass." Stefan mused, Milah breathed a sigh of relief, throwing her fur over her shoulder, undoing her clasps on her jacket, revealing a small waist. Theon's jaw dropped and he made a face at Jon.
"I thought Milah Gale was a horrid wannabe boy. Women should wear boys clothing more often." Jon elbowed him in the gut, not taking his eyes off of Milah. It seemed like none of the boys could. She was a different kind of beautiful.
At least, Jon had always thought so. During their summer at Winterfell, though they were all young, he had developed a crush on the small girl. Due to his bastard status, he never felt truly welcome being with Cerion and Robb, though they always invited him out. He decided to stay in with Milah so the both of them weren't bored all day. Cerion was adamant about his baby sister not tagging along all the time but Jon didn't mind. Jon rather liked sword fighting and horsing around with Milah and Milah liked horsing around with Jon. Jon noticed how she didn't really fill out how he thought she would. Lady Catia was by no means a twig of a woman like Lady Stark. Catia was busty for lack of a better word but small. The Gale women were of short stature, that no one could disagree. Milah's small frame, however, meant little considering the little Lady could wield any weapon necessary. It was a wonder how her beauty hadn't travelled like Lady Margaery. Eddard kept his voice love and whispered to Stefan.
"So about joining our houses." He mused pointing to the direction of his son, mouth agape. Stefan let out a loud laugh before addressing his less than punctual daughter.
"My little bird, repercussions will be had for lateness." Milah stopped in her tracks, tugging at her earring.
"But Father-"
"A melody perhaps." Oh gods, her father always made her sing in front of company and frankly it was a nuisance. Stefan crossed his large arms and sighed, giving his daughter a pointed look.
"When the cold wind is a'calling And the sky is clear and bright Misty mountains sing and beckon Lead me out into the light I will ride, I will fly Chase the wind and touch the sky I will fly Chase the wind and touch the sky." Milah sang, dancing with her little sister who had ran over to her.
The melody was that of the House of Gale, making her mother grin, and her father hollar.
"Oh come on in Milah, I have some people I want you to meet!" Milah hiked the little Lady up on her hip, throwing her own furs over the child's face in a playful manner. Deina pushed them off with all her might, sticking her tongue out at her sister, who returned the favor.
The Starks and Gales had once spent summers together but that was many many years ago. Milah was only but five years old while Jon and and Robb were around seven and she followed them everywhere.
"Oh watch yourself gryphlet," she warned as Deina ran off to show Arya her quiver set.
"Milah, my beauty, you remember Robb Stark and Jon Snow?" Milah brushed her curls out of her face and smiled lightly.
"I remember you both being afraid of girls." she smirked, causing laughter to erupt from the fathers. Jon smiled slightly while Robb was taken aback.
"Actually, we just didn't want to run around with girls." Robb said, not realizing the ideas swirling around Milah's head. Jon was perplexed.
This small woman held so much power. She was trained like a man throughout her life. She would rule a great kingdom one day. What perplexed him the most is that she wore trousers. Never in his eighteen years of life had he ever seen a woman in anything more than a dress but here she was in tight leather trousers and bounded in a shirt by a leather corset.
"Well let's hope that still isn't the case." She teased, undoing a lace on Robb's shirt then ruffling Jon's hair before running off to change for her brother's wedding.
"My daughter, she does what she pleases, and is pleased by what she's done." Eddard smiled at his friend who poured out wine for all.
"She's truly a Gale." Eddard said, sitting down with his old friend, drinking wine to pass the time. The Baratheon/Lannisters should prove to be coming soon.
"She gets more and more like her mother every day and frankly, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad." Stefan said, not hearing his Lady approach with Lady Stark.
"Oh wow thanks for that." She sarcastically rolled her eyes, sitting herself down next to the Lord Gale. Lady Stark situated herself next to her husband, glancing at her boy momentarily.
"Robb! Why are your laces undone?" His mother pondered, earning a stifled laugh from Jon. Milah took this moment to make her presence known. The young woman had been watching the conversation unfold from the stairs. She was a quick dresser, never having needed someone to put her clothes on for her.
"Yes Robb, why is that?" She asked in a mocked tone, pouring herself a glass of wine. Catia gaped at her daughter.
"Milah for gods sake why in the seven hells do you need to be strapped. That dress is so much prettier without leather all strapped about it." Milah looked down at her teal dress, cut up to the front of her thighs. She always thought it made her look like a Dornish queen.
"I don't see a problem with it do you?" She asked Jon, causing him to choke on what wine he had in his mouth. Catia rolled her eyes, a Gale woman's trait no doubt. Lady Stark whispered to Eddard among the commotion of the Gales.
"I don't want Sansa let alone Arya to be influenced by her." Lady Cat wasn't one for unLady like things and Milah exemplified all of these things she hated. Ned looked at his wife in a questioning manner.
"Really? I think it would do them some good to learn from her. I wanted to speak to Stefan about joining our houses." This caused Cat to gasp. She wasn't about to gain a daughter to Winterfell, especially one so unsuited for Robb. Robb looked content though, his eyes sparkling as Milah made jokes, and asked about Winterfell. Catelyn hadn't seen her son's eyes light up like that in a long time.
He remembers running around with Milah when they were little. She was always smaller than he was but she had a quick wit, something he liked about Milah. Whenever other Ladys entered the Stark residence, they were quick to play with Sansa, or learn needlework.
But not Milah. Milah was always wanting to do what the boys were doing and in Stefan's eyes, why shouldn't she? Stefan believed the right place for a Lady was defending her Lord, not simply sitting around, practicing needlework. Stefan raised his girl like he raised Cerion, with the wisdom of the sword and of finer things. If they left to go hunting, Milah went as well. A Lady who cannot defend her kingdom at her Lord's side proves to be useless. It was evident to Lord Gale that Lady Stark wasn't too fond of the ideas that Milah was putting in her children's heads. Especially the younger ones.
A young stable boy ran into the castle so as to announce the arrival of the king.
"The Baratheons are coming!" Stefan downed his cup in a gulp and clasp his hands together.
"Now that we have had some wine to warm our bellies, let's go back out into the Greenwood cold to welcome our king eh?" Catia placed her arm on her husband so he could lead her out, as did Eddard with his wife. Jon knew his place. As a bastard, he was only there as a guest, not as a family member. Robb offered his arm to Milah who looked surprised.
"What? I can't walk myself?" she teased, hand on her hips. Robb smiled lightly, tripping over his words. Greenwood women were strong, that he knew. He didn't want to tame one like his mother would insinuate. He thought the Gales had the right idea, raising strong women with strong men.
"Oh I'm only joking." Milah smiled, hooking herself to the young Lord.
"My Lady, you wound me." He teased back. Milah liked someone who could take and dish out all the same. She wasn't one for weak men or men who thought her place was under him. Jon followed them closely as to find his spot behind line to greet the royals.
"Oh you mean like when we were little? Play fighting and you always happened to lose?" Milah always had the tendency to make Jon laugh, even when they were all young. She had a wit about her and it was quick. Some would have her hold her tongue but the Stark men were of no such men.
"Oh please, I let you win. I couldn't hurt a girl. My father would have my head." he teased causing Milah to smack his chest as they got into line. The Lords, the Ladies, the eldest boys, and so on. Robb snagged Milah's hand, holding it to his chest.
"Oh watch yourself little bird, I won't be so merciful this time around." He whispered into Milah's ear, causing her to smile slightly. She was amused. The Stark boy actually amused her. Which if you asked any little Lord in the kingdom, or her father, it was a hard thing to do. The Baratheon knights strode in just has he let go of her hand. It was like they were old friends who hadn't seen one another for many years.
As soon as she snapped her hand back, Milah adjusted her furs. King Robert rode in after his carriage with his son Joffrey. He was bigger than Milah had remembered him.
"Why don't we just join the Baratheon and Gale house hm? You could be queen. The only downside to that would be..well... Joffrey." Robb snickered. Milah threw her leg back, smacking Robb right in the ass with her foot, causing him to falter as King Robert came to shake his hand.
"Congratulations on your marriage Cerion." Cerion gave a hearty handshake, nodding at the king.
"Robb, what's the matter with you?" He asked the slightly crouched Stark. Milah laughed to herself, trying to hide it though the king would not see. Robert glanced at Milah quickly and smiled at the young Lord.
"Ah, I too would be speechless at the sight of such a fair beauty. Milah, strapped and ready for battle I see." Milah curtsied to the king before pulling out and twirling her knives she had strapped away.
"Never know when you need to send a woman to do a man's job when it comes to protecting the king, your grace." She smiled, thrusting them back into their holster.
"Smart one you are. If only I had a boy your age. Damn it all." He laughed making his way back down the line of Gale/Starks. The queen made her way to the front as well, smiling curtly at the Lord and Ladies of the houses.
Queen Cersei was a very cold woman, at least that's how it seemed to the Gale household. Stefan ushered in his guests so that Aramella could get out of the carriage unseen by her betrothed. A Gale tradition at its best. The two had never spoken to one another before this day. This was one tradition Milah could do without. Robb leaned down to whisper once more in hushed tones to Milah.
"Watch yourself little Lady or I'll have to punish you. As is my right as future Lord of Winterfell." Robb pinched her side for emphasis, causing Milah to yelp, shoving him in the process.
"Oi, still being picked on by the young Stark? My apologies my Lady." Jon said, coming up behind them after finding Theon. He looked disheveled and out of place. Milah rolled her eyes as she took Jon's arm, leading her into the castle. Catia had walked with Sansa and Arya to help the young Lady Aramella out of her carriage and into the tower to prepare for her wedding.
Milah just wanted to catch up and listen to King Robert's tales of bravery and hunting stories. Maybe after the ceremony, she could teach the girls how to use a bow.
"I can only imagine where you found him." She looked up at Jon, pointing a thumb behind her at Theon. Jon smiled slightly, patting Milah's hand.
"Theon isn't exactly the most tactful with pretty women." Jon said as they strolled on through the hall, Theon and Robb not far behind.
"Oh? I personally think the women of he brothel are quite pretty. Isn't that their job?" She pressed, trying to illicit some type of response. Jon was very good with words.
"Oh, Pardon my Lady, did I say pretty women? I guess I slipped. I meant women with honor. Theon has never been one for many words when it came to women." Milah threw her head back in laughter, putting her other hand on Jon's arm, stabling herself.