A/N: Thought I'd post this up before I go to work as a thank you to those who have already followed this story. I know it's not easy to get a good feel for something from just one chapter so I will post fairly regularly for this week at least because I have quite a bit already written. As always, any comment appreciated but I am just glad people are reading (and hopefully enjoying!) :)
Thanks: angelicalaurene, paramoregal15, nightsinshadow, smartypants023, MyLivelyLove & Turquoise Waffles
Adjusting
When I awoke the next morning it took me a while to realise where I was, but slowly and surely the events of the night before began seeping back. The deathly silence of Winterfell's stables, Jon Snow slashing his sword against the mannequin, the kindness of Lord Stark and most prominently of all Robb Stark's eyes as he smiled at me. The thought of Robb brought a jolt to my stomach, which brought my attention to the fact that I was starving. As I got out of bed and dressed myself in the gown I had arrived in I wondered whether or not I would be able to remember my way back down to the dining hall. I glanced out of the window at the sun, noting with relief that it was still morning, I tried to see the stables from where I was but I could not. With a sigh I turned back to the room, I would have to see to my horse once I had been fed myself. My stomach groaned at the thought of food as I ran my fingers through my long, dark curls, trying my best to detangle them. I chanced a look in the mirror before I left the room and to my surprise I did not look nearly as bad as I felt, my eyes definitely looked brighter than they had in months. It took me a few tries but I finally managed to make my way down to the dining hall, when I reached the door I paused hearing the voices floating out into the hallway. "… Is she beautiful Jon?" a girl's voice asked.
"Oh I'll bet she is, don't you Sansa?" another girl added.
"Tell us Jon!" the first voice demanded.
"You shall see for yourselves when she comes to breakfast", I recognised Jon's teasing tone.
"You are such a spoilsport Jon!"
"Robb, you will tell us! Is she beautiful?"
"She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen", Robb's voice almost stopped my heart. I heard no more although I knew the voices went on, if anything they grew louder, all I heard was Robb, his words had stunned me so that I even forgot my hunger.
"Lady Ardenne?" a questioning voice sounded behind me. I turned to see who had hailed me and saw an older woman approaching me, somehow I knew exactly who she was, perhaps because she so resembled Robb. "Lady Stark", I greeted her, dropping my head.
"You must be hungry, Robb said you did not eat last night", she said.
"He did?" I asked, as she pushed open the door to the dining hall.
"Lady Ardenne", said Jon Snow standing up at once as I entered behind Lady Stark.
"Good morning", I greeted him.
"You must excuse me, I have work to do", he said with a wary glance at Lady Stark as he left the room.
"Did you sleep well?" Robb asked me, as he also stood.
"Very well indeed my Lord", I replied, dropping into the seat he held out for me.
"I told you, you must call me Robb", he said quietly seating himself at my side.
"My apologies", I answered him with a smile as Lady Stark directed a serving girl to me with a plate of food. I thanked her and she curtseyed to me before making her way back to what I assumed must be the kitchens. "Lady Ardenne I cannot tell you how good it is to see you", Lady Stark told me.
"Thank you my Lady … but please, you must call me Ailsa", I stressed.
"Well Ailsa, I remember when you visited Winterfell as a baby", she recalled.
"I did?" I asked her, pausing in the act of eating.
"Yes, only once … you would only sit still on my lap if Robb was on it also", she smiled.
"I must apologise for being so demanding", I said with a small laugh.
"Have you met my daughter's?" Lady Stark asked, gesturing to her right.
"No my Lady I have not had the pleasure", I answered her, looking to the girls.
"This is Sansa, and Arya", she said, nodding to each in turn.
"I'm very pleased to meet you"
"And I you Lady Ardenne, Robb is right you are most beautiful", Sansa commented.
"Well, thank you …" I said, unsure of whether to look at her or Robb.
After breakfast I excused myself as quickly as possible, promising Sansa that I would participate in needlework with her later in the afternoon and promising Arya that I would watch her and her brothers practice archery in the tiltyard in a while. Once I had made my way out of the dining hall and outside the keep I crossed the courtyard to the stables to check on my weary horse. I found him tethered where I had left him and as I approached he looked at me warily as though afraid that I was going to take him on a long journey again. "Don't worry we aren't going anywhere", I said quietly, stroking his neck soothingly. After a moment a stable boy approached me and I gave him instruction that he should give my horse all the care that he needed after such a long journey. Satisfied that he would now be properly looked after I decided that I had time enough to explore Winterfell before I had to watch archery practice. I had not been walking long when I spotted a wolf loitering around one of the towers, I smiled assuming it was Grey Wind but as I got closer I realised that it was not. The wolf looked up as I approached, it did not seem bothered by my presence but neither did it appear as friendly as the one I was already acquainted with. I looked around for a moment, wondering to whom this wolf belonged when a sudden thump behind me caused me to whirl around. "By the Gods!" I exclaimed clasping my hand to my heart at the sight of the boy who had appeared grinning before me. "I didn't me to frighten you!" he assured me, his grin dropping at my horrified expression.
"Where did you come from?" I asked weakly.
"I was climbing", he answered.
"Is that not dangerous?"
"Not for me, I am too good", he said brightly.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Bran. And you?"
"Ailsa", I replied.
"Pleased to meet you"
"And you. Is this your wolf?" I ask, gesturing to the pup at his side.
"Yes he's mine, we all have one"
"You must be Robb's brother", I conclude.
"Yes, you know Robb?" he asked me.
"We've met", I answered; "does your wolf have a name?"
"Not yet … I can't think of one …"
"No matter, I am sure you will come up with one in time"
"Are you staying here at Winterfell?" Bran asked.
"Yes I am, why do you ask?"
"You seem nice", he shrugged, "would you watch me practice archery?"
"Of course, I already promised your sister"
"Arya is coming?" Bran moaned, looking crestfallen.
"Do you wish she wasn't?"
"She's better than me", he confessed and I tried to hide my smile.
"But can she climb like you?" I asked, trying to instil some confidence.
"No", he answered brightly, "no one can climb like me!"
I was glad that I had cheered Bran by complimenting his climbing when I watched his performance with the bow. He did not have the skill of his older brothers and no matter how much Jon and Robb tried to encourage him and give him advice he could not seem to make his arms move the right way. I had sympathy with him, as my father's only child he had tried to teach me to wield a sword and shoot an arrow; I was adequate with the sword but dismal with the bow. I was watching Bran so intently that I did not notice Robb at my side until he spoke; "how do you like Winterfell my Lady?"
"I like it very much", I replied truthfully, smiling at him.
"I am very glad to hear it"
"Perhaps he would be better with a sword?" I nodded towards Bran.
"Believe it or not he is worse with a sword", Robb confessed quietly.
"Then I do not know what to suggest", I said, a laugh escaping me.
"None of us do", Robb said, joining my laughter.
"What is it?" I asked after a moment as Robb's expression became unrecognisable.
"Nothing", he said softly, "it is just so nice to hear you laugh"
I could feel myself blush again but I was saved having to reply by Sansa who had come out into the courtyard to look for me; "Lady Ardenne, we are headed to our needlework lesson if you would still like to join us"
"Yes of course", I replied, steeling a quick glance at Robb who's expression was unreadable; "I suppose I will see you at supper", I said to him.
"Of course", he replied with a smile, "I shall save you a seat next to me."
Needlework with Sansa, Arya, their companion Jeyne Poole and their Septa Mordane was not quite the horrendous ordeal I had thought it would be. I had never been overly fond of sewing, of course I had been taught it well; my mother had seen to that, what I lacked was the patience to actually finish anything I started. However, when Sansa showed me some of the beautiful slips and dresses she had made I made a silent promise to myself that I would definitely try harder. Arya seemed to be of the same mind as I was when it came to needlework and so I seated myself next to her, leaving the far more accomplished Sansa and Jeyne to be fawned over by the Septa. Around the seventh time the Septa exclaimed over how beautiful their work was I chanced a sly glance at Arya who caught my eye, we both grinned for a moment and then cast our eyes back to our own pieces. It took me by surprise when the Septa announced that we should all be heading to our rooms to get ready for dinner. We all rose thanking her and left together, Arya and Jeyne turned off for their rooms first bidding Sansa and I farewell. When we were alone Sansa asked me what I would be wearing for the feast and I had to confess that the only thing I had was the gown I was wearing. Sansa was horrified and insisted that I come with her to her rooms to get ready. Once inside she rifled through her wardrobe for a time, sifting through dress after dress while I stood awkwardly, wondering what on earth she was looking for. "This will be perfect on you", she finally announced, showing me a beautifully cut emerald gown; "it will go perfectly with your eyes", she added with a smile, holding it up against me. I looked down and saw that it trailed across the floor, Sansa was a good three inches taller than me. "No matter, put it on quickly and I will adjust it as best I can before dinner", she promised. I did as I was told, slipping off my own gown and pulling on Sansa's. We were both quiet as she worked on the gown, she began with the hem, pulling and tucking it under, fastening it in place with a few stitches. She then began to pull it in at various places so that it fit the curves of my body better. "There is nothing I can do about the bodice with so little time", she said once she had finished; "I'm sorry if it's too tight". My chest certainly did feel more restricted than usual and Sansa's dress did more to emphasise it than any of my own clothes would but I did not want to complain after all her hard work. "It's a little tight", I confessed with a smile; "but no matter, you have done a wonderful job, thank you". She seemed to glow at my praise and it made my smile wider; it was nice having other girls around me for a change and I was determined to become fast friends with all of them.
Sansa and I walked down to dinner together and met Lord Stark just outside the dining hall, he smiled at us both and beckoned me over, nodding to Sansa to go ahead of us. When we were alone he finally spoke; "you look lovely Lady Ardenne"
"Thank you my Lord, Sansa lent me a dress"
"I should like to introduce you to the King", he told me.
"As you wish my Lord", I replied, my stomach clenching nervously.
"There is no need to be nervous", he assured me, holding out an arm. I took it gratefully and he led me into the dining hall. My eyes scanned the room for Robb at once but it was so full of people that I could not see him anywhere; I was wondering whether or not he had saved me a seat next to him when I noticed that Lord Stark and I had come to a stop. I looked to the front and found myself in front of a man who could only be King Robert, I dropped into a low curtsey at once as Lord Stark bowed beside me. "Your Grace, allow me to introduce Lady Ailsa Ardenne", Lord Stark said.
"A pleasure my Lady", the King replied taking my hand and kissing it lightly.
"The pleasure is mine your Grace", I answered with a smile.
"You remember her father?" Lord Stark asked.
"Of course, Markus Ardenne, a good man … taken too soon", he said with a nod to me.
"Thank you your Grace", I replied softly.
"How long will you be here at Winterfell?" the King asked.
"As long as Lord and Lady Stark will have me", I replied.
"Well I will keep you no longer", the King smiled.
"Your Grace", I said with another small curtsey.
"There is a seat for you just over there", Lord Stark gestured to an empty place.
"Thank you my Lord", I said, heading over to where he had pointed to a place at the end of a table next to a young man I had not yet met. Before I was out of earshot I heard the King address Lord Stark again; "you should think of her for your son". I almost stopped dead but managed to keep walking, I strained my ears for Lord Stark's reply but it was lost in the swarm of noise that filled the hall.
I took my seat at the table and thanked the serving girl who instantly brought me a plate of food and a cup of wine. I took a sip of the wine before I began on my dinner; it was sweet tasting and ever so pleasant on my tongue. Again I scanned the hall for Robb and saw him sat across the room from me between his sisters, I held my gaze on him willing him to look in my direction but Sansa held his full attention as she chattered away animatedly. "Excuse me?" a voice came from my right, I turned expectantly; "are you Lady Ardenne?" the young man next to me asked.
"Yes, but please, call me Ailsa", I replied with a smile.
"I'm Theon Greyjoy", he smiled back at me, extending a hand for me to shake.
"Greyjoy?" I repeated as I took his hand, "… forgive me … are you Ironborn?"
"Yes my Lady, but I have been a ward of Winterfell almost my whole life"
"Ailsa", I reminded him and he smiled, "do you like it here?" I asked.
"Of course, Lord Stark is a most gracious host"
"But you must miss home?" I questioned.
"Winterfell is the only home I have ever truly known", he said, a slight edge to his voice.
"I'm sorry", I said quickly, "I meant no offence, it's just … I am away from home too"
"There is no offence Ailsa", he said, leaning over me to top up my wine cup.
"I hope not", I returned, "thank you", I added when my cup was full.
"To friendship?" Theon suggested, holding up his cup.
"Friendship!" I agreed, clinking my cup to his before drinking deeply from my own.
A/N: Just a quick note, I know Theon usually comes across as a lecherous bastard in most fics but I decided after toying with that idea that he would probably know better than to try and get a high born Lady into bed! That's not to say he doesn't enjoy other women!
