Game of Thrones: Love Shall Find its Way

Chapter 1 of my new Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Note, this is an AU story where Ned never finds out about the incest, but Sansa and Joffrey are no longer betrothed and the Starks are back in Winterfell, also in this Bran isn't crippled.

Also, this story will not start with the main couple, but will instead have a different viewpoint as the starting chapter, read on and see :)

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 1

It was an average day at Seagard; seat of House Mallister of the Riverlands. It was early morning and, within one of the bedchambers, was a young woman, aged five and ten. She was of average height with long sandy hair and brown eyes. She had just finished getting dressed for the day and was about to leave her room. She observed her reflection in the looking glass and smiled lightly.

'Father always says I'm the most beautiful girl; but he's my father.' She thought to herself. 'It's a father's duty to think his daughter it beautiful after all. I wouldn't say I am...At least like the great beauties in the Kingdom.'

She didn't mind that however; she was content with simply being average. She was happy with her life. Her father had high hopes for her and she didn't want to disappoint him. But she wasn't foolhardy and knew what was realistic for her to accomplish. She left the room and headed down to the great hall. She entered and spotted her family all seated at the high table. She walked up to join them; as she did so her father, Jason Mallister, looked up and smiled widely.

"Ah, Bethany, my little girl, good morning."

Bethany Mallister smiled, blushing slightly. "Good morning father."

She was a little embarrassed that, after all this time, her father still addressed her like that. She was practically a woman grown now after all.

She joined her family for breakfast; they mostly ate in silence. Finally however, Jason turned to his daughter, still smiling.

"So, Bethany, it's a lovely day today. I trust you and your friends have something planned."

Bethany smiled back and nodded, gently clasping her delicate looking hands. "Yes Father; nothing, major, just spending some time together."

Jason nodded slowly. "Good, good; you have fun."

Finally, having finished breakfast, Bethany left, heading outside. It did not take her long to find her friends. They had all gathered in the Godswood; sitting together talking. Bethany smiled lightly, fighting the impulse to roll her eyes. While she enjoyed spending time with the girls; they had an unfortunate tendency to gossip a little too much. Even now they appeared to be gossiping about something. Her closest friend was Liselle, a girl the same age as her with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Ramona had red hair and green eyes; she was also the greatest gossip of the three of them. Elizabeth had black hair and green eyes; she was the daughter of her father's steward; as such she was usually the one who got first-hand information for their gossiping. Something she took great joy in; sometimes to Bethany's exasperation.

Liselle looked and waved over to her when she saw her.

"Bethany, there you are, come on, join us." She called out.

She sighed indulgently and hurried over to join them. They were seated near the large pond. She sat down and almost immediately Liselle spoke to her. "Wait till you hear this Bethany, I just found out today. Father was talking to your Father and I overheard something big."

Bethany sighed and shook her head. "Okay, I'll bite; what is it you heard?"

"This is just a rumour, but if it's true, it'd be incredible." Liselle said quickly; her words almost running into each other.

Bethany laughed. "Just tell me already, you know I don't like it when you try to bait me like this."

Ramona also laughed. "She's right, c'mon, get to the rumours already."

"Rumours?" Bethany queried worriedly.

Elizabeth nodded. "That's right; apparently, there are plans being made, your father intends to have you marry."

Bethany started at this; shocked; she hadn't heard anything about this. "He, he wants me to marry?"

It was quite the surprise; she knew all too well that her father treasured her dearly. She always thought he'd try to resist marriage offers for her for a long, long time. Yet while for the most part, her friends merely gossiped, their gossips had some modicum of truth in them. That meant even this could potentially be true.

She was still surprised by what she had just heard, so much so that the next part left her stunned.

"If I what I heard is right, you're not just marrying the son of some lord. But an important one." Liselle said. "Apparently you're to marry Bran Stark of Winterfell."

Bethany started; eyes wide, she then shook her head. "No way, that's not possible. You can't be serious."

Liselle laughed. "Why wouldn't I be, it could be possible you know. These rumours could be true."

"Me, with a Stark?" Bethany replied in disbelief. "I'm sorry that's far too unlikely. I may be a noble, but the Starks are one of the Great Houses, why would they seek a wife for one of their sons from anyone other than another Great House."

Liselle shrugged. "Well, it is just rumours, just something we overheard."

Bethany merely nodded; this had shaken her deeply; she needed to think carefully, before approaching her father. She remained with her friends, listening to their gossip; until finally she couldn't take it anymore. She excused herself and left the Godswood. She began to walk around Seagard, observing the people going about their daily business; listening to the idle chatter as she passed. Yet all that did was set her mind racing again. It seemed her friends weren't the only ones who heard rumours about her possible betrothal to Bran Stark of Winterfell. She was talking with her Septa when a messenger arrived.

"My Lady, your father wishes to see you." He said quickly.

"Thank you, I'll go see him right away." She replied.

He left and she began heading for the great hall.

She couldn't think of any way of building up to the moment, in truth, she only saw one choice. She'd have to ask her father directly. She saw him seated at the high table, the rest of her family were nowhere in sight. She stopped in front of him and he looked up at her, smiling, the way he usually did when he saw her.

"Ah Bethany, there you are. I have some important news for you." He said.

Bethany sighed and then just asked. "Am I to marry Bran Stark of Winterfell?"

Jason Mallister started and stared at his daughter before sighing. "How did you find out?"

"Liselle and the other girls told me. I thought it was just gossip, but…" She explained.

Jason nodded. "Well, no, it's not, we have been speaking with the Starks for a while and the arrangements have been made.

"I see." Bethany replied; the confirmation of the news added to the shock she already felt.

She couldn't think of anything else to say, it was still so overwhelming.

"Yes; so, we best begin preparations to go to Winterfell." Her father explained softly.

She nodded; still rather overwhelmed. "Very well."

She turned and left the hall, still amazed at what she had just been told.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.