Warning: Some adult language towards the end, but if you watch or read the series, I shouldn't really be warning you.
Disclaimer: I do not own GOT nor A Song of Ice and Fire. I only have rights to Amirina, obviously
It had been three years since Amirina's last trip to Winterfell. Now, she was ten and six, going on ten and seven in a couple of months. Quite a bit had changed since then. Her dark curls reached the bottom of her hips and was usually pulled back into a rope braid that sat at the nape of her neck. Her brown eyes still changed often; either being hazel or chocolate brown depending on the weather. Colder weather meant darker eyes, and warmer meant lighter eyes. Her skin was still tanned from living in Sunspear and was at a permanent shade of deep tan. She would grow darker if she spent days sparring with her father (sometimes becoming as dark as her father). When she traveled to see her extended family, she could lighten to a pale tan. Her freckles came out when she spent time in the sun and faded to light dots across her cheeks and nose when she was under the grey coverage of the North. Her nose was straight and a bit thin, but it seemed fairly normal (she took her mother's nose). Her cheekbones were still up and cut like her mother's. A sharper arch had developed in her eyebrows and they had filled out, much like her body.
Most Dornish women were lean and thinner than Northern women, who took on thicker bodies and filled out figures. Katerina Martell had been one of those Northern women. And Amirina took after both of her parents. She did not have a thin nor a thick body. Her breasts had grown but not like a whore's. Her waist did not exactly have curves to it but was thin and toned with muscle. And her hips slightly moved out, giving her a slight curved figure. Her thighs were large from working them beyond exhaustion with sparring, and her calves were formed with muscle. Overall, she didn't have the lean body of say Ellaria Sand nor the curvy figure of Katerina Martell, but she did have her own form that some men could find attractive.
Overall? Amirina Martell was a woman now…a pretty one at that.
"Rina?" a child's voice questioned, as if worried that they were intruding upon her privacy.
Amirina looked up and noticed that her cousin, Bran, stood in her doorway. She smiled and motioned for the boy to enter, looking away from her desk. Bran walked across the warm room and to his older cousin. She motioned for him to sit on one of her legs so she could talk with the boy and continue on with her letter.
"What is it, young pup?" she asked, allowing for Bran to situate himself upon her legs. Her eyes then pulled back to the letter, her hand reaching for the quill she had been using for quite some time now.
Her oak eyes caught sight of Bran seemingly fidgeting. She smiled lightly and decided to give the boy time to speak. However, it seemed as though the time she thought necessary was not actually existent at all. He immediately questioned her, albeit timidly.
"Why are you leaving again?" he asked, a sad and confused look in his puppy eyes.
Amirina sighed and put down her quill, deciding to write her letter to her uncle, Doran Martell, later. She pushed the brown strands of hair away from his face, and smiled. She really would miss Bran. She didn't have a baby brother and Rina had to admit that she was rather fond of the idea of staying for a bit longer. However, she only came to visit, not to stay. That's how it was every time. Sometimes she would stay a couple of fortnights, sometimes only a week. But they were usually long visits due to how long the trips were. Her father enjoyed them, seeing as how he and Ellaria often fought because of her and her half sisters.
"I don't live here Bran," she chuckled, leaning back slightly in her chair. "I live in Dorne. Everything I know is there."
Now that wasn't a complete truth, and Amirina knew that. She only had her father, uncle, a few cousins, and her home there (she had already thought of her bastard sisters and Ellaria). That wasn't everything she knew. In fact, almost everything she knew was here in Winterfell. Her horse, her aunt and uncle, her cousins, a warm hearth, a few friends she had made, and lots of free range to do as she pleased. Her father could not control her as much as he wished he could while in Winterfell. Despite being a free-loving kind of man, he was sometimes strict with her. She hated it. But here? He couldn't say much lest he wanted to upset Ned and Cat.
"Plus," she added, "my father wants me to go back home with him."
"But mama and papa want you to stay!" he exclaimed, receiving a raised eyebrow from Amirina.
"What do you mean, young pup?"
Bran then looked guilty immediately, as if he had shared a secret that was not his to share.
She smiled and made sure he locked eyes with her, manipulating him in the slightest to get what she wanted. "Come now Bran, tell me. I might consider it a reason to stay."
"Well…" he started, wringing his hands slightly, "mama thinks you'd do well here. She likes that you're like a sister to all of us. She thinks of you as a daughter, is what I heard. Plus she said it'd be good for you to get outta Dorne, too many bad things happen there."
Amirina felt a smile crawl onto her lips then, moved and touched by what the Stark boy had heard his mother say about her. Cat had grown a bit harder to please the past few years. And to know Rina made her feel as such? Why, it was the greatest compliment the Martell has ever taken. However, the last part made her want frown a little bit. She knew it was directed towards the bastardy and open mindedness of the Dornish culture.
"And your papa? What did Ned say?"
Bran smiled then, "He said it'd be good for you! And he said you were like the daughter he wanted, a mix between Arya and Sansa! He said he wanted to keep you in Winterfell for a little bit, just to make sure you were safe."
Amirina smiled and gave a pat to Bran's head, proceeding to ruffle his hair affectionately. He gave a boyish giggle and pushed her hand away.
"Do you want to go annoy your brothers?" she asked, a sly grin on her lips and a want to make the young boy laugh. Bran's oak eyes widened before nodding vigorously.
Amirina chuckled and motioned for the boy to get up. He cheerfully jumped from her lap and grabbed ahold of her hand, leading her out of her warm room. A chill immediately settled into her flesh, despite her northern garb. She donned a grey dress that had a blue undertone to it and grey furs that lined it.
Summer still lived on and had for quite some time now. However, Winterfell was far up north just enough that it would have snowing spells and the chilling cold at times. There was a constant briskness to the air, a slight nip to it if you will. Sometimes, however, it would blow snow and have a chill so intense, one would think it was winter. It made Amirina miss Dorne even more. But she could not deny that the chill of Winterfell had grown on her (she blamed it on the Stark blood in her).
Bran led her through the halls of the keep, his small hand grasping onto her own. Amirina smiled as they walked around the dark stone architecture. She rather enjoyed the way Winterfell had been built and its design. It was comfortable, albeit cold due to the stone, but warm in a home sense and from the spruce and fir wood. She liked it here. Sunspear was warm at all times due to the sun never hiding behind grey clouds. The sandstone walls protected the inhabitants from becoming cooked like pigs on a spit; however, it was always warm still due to the open concept of the castle. Amirina had liked it but she wasn't sure how she would deal with the blistering heat after Winterfell.
The two continued walking, Bran knowing the way to the training grounds by the armory by heart.
"I think there's enough snow to make a few balls," Amirina noted, remembering the amount of snow that had fallen the last night. She had woken up from a fit of dreams and saw snow falling. She had also walked to Luwin's tower in the young morn and seen a couple of inches of snow below her riding boots. They were the only shoes she had that would work when going outside now. Her slippers simply weren't protecting her feet anymore.
Bran looked up at her and smiled hopefully, "You really think so?"
"I know so," she joked, giving a wink to the boy of seven name days.
He gave a giggle and continued along his path; the two of them reaching the doors to the yards. They silently creeped out, hoping the bustle of the armory, stables, and training grounds would keep their entrance subtle and discreet.
Amirina decided to take lead then, placing a finger to her lips to make sure Bran was quiet as well. He nodded and smiled, excited to have someone to play with. The Martell sniggered and then grasped her leather gloves which were tied to her side at all times. She never wanted to lose them, especially in the North. Fingers always went first. She slipped those on and walked over to a patch of thicker snow, motioning for Bran to follow her actions. He accompanied her and picked up some snow, forming it into a tight ball with her.
Amirina looked around and saw Robb, Jon, and Theon, all practicing their archery. The girl knew they were all too busy comparing their cocks to even pay attention to the trouble approaching them.
Rina made a few more balls and handed a couple to Bran before taking as light of steps towards the shooting range as possible. She knew who she would hit first as she kneeled behind a wooden post and some stacks of hay sitting by the range.
A sharp cry from the one and only Theon Greyjoy alerted the other two boys to an unknown presence. Amirina had to stop herself from cackling loudly as she spied the kraken wiping the back of his head and coming up with only melting snow.
"I swear to the gods of old and new, your little sister needs to get in check, Stark," Theon swore, rolling his grey eyes at Robb.
The Stark heir and his bastard brother both started chuckling, Robb especially.
"Arya has always had quite the grudge against you, Theon. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the first of many," he joked, receiving a glare from his ten and eight friend.
Robb had grown up, Amirina had noticed quite a lot. So had Jon. The former had thicker auburn curls and eyes that seemed to grow more blue by the day. His jaw was strong now, his facial features becoming prominent with manhood. He had reached his ten and five nameday not too long ago (an event Amirina missed by a fortnight). He had grown taller too, passing Amirina by a whole head in height. She only came up to his chin now, and that annoyed her beyond belief. His build had become stocky with how he worked his body. She would be lying if she said the Tully-haired boy didn't make her want to swoon once or twice.
Jon had grown too. Perhaps just as well or better than Robb. Jon's dark brown (nearly black) curls had grown out a bit more and those dark grey eyes of his seemed to grow more lonely with each word from Catelyn. His jaw had grown stronger too, although, it had a bit of a smoother shape to it that Robb did not have and was long like Ned's. He had grown in height as well, reaching a hair or so taller than Robb. His body, unlike his half-brother's however, was lean and had seemingly good muscle underneath his leathers.
"What're you starin' at, Rina?" Bran asked, forcing Amirina to slowly realize she had been gazing fondly at the boys they had decided to attack.
She looked over at Bran and smiled, "Oh nothin', just thinking about how you all have grown so much. Especially you, young pup."
She sneaked a peek over the bales of hay and saw that all three of the boys had their backs turned. Two boys of ten and five, and one of ten and eight. Two were younger and one was older than her. It was an easy fight if they noticed it was her. Downside was that she had no weapon to fight them off. An idea then popped in her head and she looked over a Bran with a wicked (in a playful way) smirk. He'd be her shield if need be.
"On my mark," she said, grabbing a snowball, and readying herself. Another was in her left hand, ready to be transferred to her right and then rocketed towards a boy. "I'll get Robb and Jon, and you get Theon. He likes ya far more than he likes me."
Bran giggled and nodded, making sure to be ready.
"Three…two…" she started, ready to pounce, "one!"
Amirina darted up as quickly as possible and threw a ball immediately at Jon's back, his being the closest. Bran's ball hit Theon on the nape of his neck. She had apparently timed her throw and Bran's perfectly, because right as Robb turned his head towards them to see where the attack was coming from, Amirina's ball hit him straight upon his nose.
She pulled a hand up to her face to stifle the laugh that threatened to burst from her. Theon had seen and hunched over, a laugh tearing through him. Jon didn't laugh that much, mainly a chuckle with a smile that seemed like he didn't want it there.
Robb's face was red from the chill of the snow and the force of impact. Amirina watched as he wiped the melting ice off of his face, his blue eyes closed and his eyebrows knotted together. He flicked the liquid off of his fingers and stared directly at her. She then pointed at Bran and received a gasp of betrayal from her young companion.
"It wasn't me, Robb, I swear!" the boy exclaimed, placing his hands in the air in surrender.
Rina gave a mock sigh and rolled her eyes, "Oh like I could have aim like a marksman. I'm a woman, I can only do needlework and cook."
Bran narrowed his eyes at her before pouncing upon her.
She gave a gasp and laughed as the boy started to throw snow upon her. Amirina started laughing with amusement before pushing the boy off of her playfully. "Come now Bran, we're partners!" she said, grasping his hands. "They know you didn't do it, my aim is far too good for that to have been you. I distracted them like a true tactician."
The best part about everything going on at the moment was that the three boys had gathered their own armfuls of snow and were standing by the bales now, listening to every word spoken.
"Now, Bran, I'm going to need you to listen to every word I say," she said, grasping him by the shoulders, acting as if the situation were life or death.
"Alright, Rina," he said, understanding the dramatics she was creating and playing along. He found it much more fun that way.
She smiled and looked around, as if not wanting to be heard. Amirina leaned in and gave a mock whisper. "If you want to be a true knight, you must save your lady," she said, a smirk on her lips. She knew she had gotten Bran once she said knight. The boy only dreamed of becoming one.
He nodded and puffed out his chest slightly, a proud look on his face. "I will protect you, Lady Rina!" he said, making Amirina giggle.
She mocked as close to a curtsy as she could while kneeling in the snow.
"Thank you, my brave Ser Bran."
"You won't be thanking your knight for very long," was all Amirina heard before snow was dumped on her and Bran was spared.
She gave a sharp gasp as the ice fell upon her and into her dress through the neckline. She felt the already melting snow liquify against her skin and trickle down her back and between her breasts. Amirina stood and tried shaking whatever she could off as best as possible. It was melting in her hair. Of course, the day she let her hair down for once, she mused bitterly. Rina wiped some snow off of her red features, flicking it out just as Robb had done earlier.
Her brown orbs stared at the three boys who had been sniggering. She placed her hands upon her hips and decided to be annoying.
"You simply can not just throw snow upon a girl! I am a lady and you boys should know better than to do that. Am I not correct, Ser Bran?" she said, not even looking her little cousin at the last part. She knew he'd side with her.
"Oh yes, you never throw snow on a lady," Bran said, making Amirina smile with victory.
"You throw it at her!"
Amirina's smile dropped and she gave a nervous chuckled. "Come now, you boys wouldn't do that to a lady," she laughed, placing her hands in surrender. "I might catch cold now due to the snow already melting upon me. Your mother would not approve of that," she said, trying her best to guilt trip them.
Robb smirked and then shrugged, looking between Jon, Theon, and Bran. "I'm not so sure, dear cousin," he said, looking directly at her. He squatted down and grasped a handful of snow, patting it gently. He then stood and approached Amirina.
"Oh, no, no-"
Amirina was cut off when Robb dropped the handful of snow upon her head. She closed her eyes at the icy cold feeling now upon her curls and scalp.
"From the bottom of my heart, dear cousin," he laughed in a playful manner.
"Robb Stark!" Amirina called, watching her cousins and their friend walk away, leaving her in an amused yet frustrated pose in the training grounds of Winterfell.
What she had not seen however was her aunt and uncle standing beside her father, observing the interactions between the cousins.
Amirina walked alongside her father, her left arm placed on the crook of his elbow. She had changed from earlier in the day after the snow incident. Her old dress was hanging in the washroom, probably having been cleaned against a washboard and soaked in warm water from the piping in the keep. Her current dress was the same coloring as her first but it had a neckline that only scooped down barely past her collarbone. Her Martell necklace sat upon her chest and her Stark brooch was sat upon her desk in her room. And that reminded her of the letter.
"So, uncle is planning to give me away again," she started, her dry hair (finally having rid of the melted snow) twisted away from her face and pulled into a braid at the back of her head, while long and wild curls bounced behind her.
Her father sighed and kept his eyes ahead, "I know." Amirina was not surprised her father knew. Doran had been sending her ravens for a fortnight now, wishing for her to return home so she may meet her newest suitor. The strange thing was that Doran was the one arranging for all of her marital responsibilities, while her own father stood at the sidelines and watched with an unspoken sadness. He did not want her married.
She cocked an eyebrow and kept her own eyes trained forward. "You do not encourage nor stop him, why?" she asked.
"Because Doran wants what is best for Dorne but he does not understand that you are my daughter. Remember, he raised you as well when I could not. He views you as his own, and he wants to take charge of parts of your life, my desert rose."
Amirina sighed and nodded. She understood it well, but she wished it was not true. She loved Doran, as if he was a second father. And at times, he was! However, it became to be a bit much sometimes and she knew Oberyn was not always appreciative of it.
"What are your thoughts on me staying in Winterfell for a little while longer, papa?" she asked casually, not wanting to stress it too much but also wanting to make it known.
Oberyn led the way as they continued walking through the chilled walkways. "I am neither thrilled nor taken by surprise to hear you ask that question. Answer me: was it the little wolf that asked if you would?" he knew the question would come at one point or another. They simply spent too much time here.
"Yes. He came to me in my chambers and told me as to why I should take up a longer residence here. He had become much like a brother to me, papa. I must at least give him some form of an answer." she said, her chocolate-looking eyes in the firelight of the torches scanning the stone walls. "It is the least I can do for the boy."
The duo took a left, entering into the main walkway before having to exit into the brisk air of the night to get to the Great Hall. "I will think on it, Rina. Then I will have to discuss it with your aunt and uncle, if I even believe for a moment that it is a possibility," he conceded, causing a smile to curl over Amirina's cold burnt lips.
"And make sure to find a salve for your lips, Amirina. They are drying from the cold," he warned and slightly scolded.
Rina rolled her eyes and continued on with her father, welcoming the warmth and light of the hall willingly.
They were having a larger dinner this night due to Bran's nameday approaching within the week. Amirina and her father were due to leave either the day before or the day of, but if she stayed, that would be her present to him. And something else of course. She just wasn't sure yet. So the dinner was being held in their honor and just in case they missed Bran's nameday dinner.
They also had these larger ones when they arrived and sometimes when they left. Amirina liked them quite a bit and rather enjoyed seeing all of her maternal extended family in one place. However, it did make her sad, as Jon was usually not there. When they were younger, it was a bit different, but Rina knew that Catelyn had discouraged him from attending. It was a shame to Amirina and she found it disrespectful to Jon. He still had Stark blood. He was loyal to his half-family. But because his mother was someone else, he was treated like shit at the bottom of a shoe at times. The Northern culture is so weird, she mused silently.
Amirina took in the hall, enjoying it again, perhaps for her last time this trip if her father would not permit her a longer visit. She observed the dark stone floors that danced with torch light. Then there were the spruce pillars holding up the wooden supports that kept the ceiling from collapsing upon them. There were banners hung up, the head of a direwolf on a plane of white. Then there were stitched murals hanging upon some walls. Some created generations past. Some threaded and needled just a few years ago. All of them told stories of the North. Some of them told of Bran the Builder and the Stark lineage. Others portrayed the Night King and the stories Old Nan told with a great fervor. She admired it all.
"Your mother would have never let you leave here," her father started, a faraway look in his dark eyes.
"And why is that, papa?"
Oberyn looked down at her and smiled, "Because she would have wanted you to love it as much as she did."
Amirina then looked puzzled. Her father spoke of her mother openly, however, he did not speak of her often. Rarely did he speak of her in Dorne. Only when they were in the North or sparring by the cliffs would he speak about Katerina. If Rina had to guess why, she would have put gold dragons on the fact that her father's paramour followed him everywhere and fights ensued if he spoke of Katerina in front of her or their daughters.
Amirina did not like Ellaria Sand, and it was easy to see why. The paramour of Oberyn Martell changed him. When she wasn't around, Rina's father was soft spoken and quiet. When she was around, however, he was flamboyant and egotistical. Amirina knew of her father's past of sleeping with a multitude of women and sometimes men, and the time now that he did the same thing. She did not judge him for that; for who was she to judge? But she knew that when he spoke of her mother, his wife, he did so with such gentle and compassionate words. He was no Red Viper. He was no Prince of Dorne. He was simply Oberyn Martell. And it was at those times and at times like this where Amirina got to see the true face of her father.
"If she loved Winterfell so much, papa, why did she leave so willingly?" she asked, the duo approaching the table they were to sit at. They sat at the head table, where the Stark family and noble guests always dined. Those of lesser status or lineage always ate at the clusters of smaller tables that were no less comfortable.
Her father pulled her chair out for her then, "Because she knew it was her duty as a Stark."
Amirina sat and nodded her head in thanks to Oberyn. She contemplated what he said and looked up at the tanned man. "If it was her duty, how did she come to loving you? You never told me just how she fell in love with you, father. You would always speak of your true love, yet you never mention the method of falling in love."
Oberyn chuckled and placed a kiss on the top of her head and hair. "I will tell you another time. For now, my desert flower, enjoy your time with your cousins," he said, patting her on the head and heading towards the end of the table where her uncle and aunt sat calmly.
Looking around, Amirina realized that her female cousins were both yet to arrive. She knew Sansa would take ages to get ready for the smallest things. It was something that worried Rina. The girl was so self-obsessed at such a young age (well she was ten and two), that Amirina wondered what would become of her when she became older. It was not good to have such characteristics so early, and the Martell mused that it was partially Ned's fault. He spoiled that child like no other.
Arya, on the other hand, was absolutely hysterical to Amirina. She had a ferocity that some knights failed to showcase. The youngest girl had shoulder-length brown hair and a long face like Ned's. She was short, very much so (even for her age), and she was tiny. Amirina joked the girl would soon be skin and bone. Arya would always bite back with a quick rebuttal and impress Rina. She was rather fond of the girl and would take her over any other Stark (but she would never say that).
"Well, are you not just a sight for sore eyes, Martell," the voice of Theon Greyjoy rang in her ears.
Amirina rolled her eyes and huffed in exasperation.
"And I would rather be blind than see your face, Greyjoy," she said, looking over at the youth. Theon was not ugly, not even close, for there were many ugly men that Amirina had seen in life. He just was not spectacular like Robb or Jon. He was…okay. However, his personality made him far worse in the attraction standpoint. It was hard to like him unless you were a whore. Even then, apparently some didn't like him.
Theon laughed and threw his head back. "You never cease to make a smile appear on my face, Rina. Especially when your back is turned towards me," he said suggestively.
"And yet, I feel my best when my back is towards you, Theon. It means I can ignore you and leave my eyes unscarred."
Theon shook his head and leaned close to her, "I can make you feel your best-"
"Layoff 'er, Theon, will ya?" a voice interrupted. Amirina thanks the gods of old and new for Robb's intervention. "That's still my cousin and I told ya, no messin' with her."
"Oh c'mon, Robb. Ya know we're just havin' a bit of fun," Theon joked, a playful scoff at his best friend's words.
"And if you mean by having fun, annoying me, then I do dare say we have been," Amirina joked, honestly annoyed by Theon's approaches and antics. The only plus to marriage/betrothal (possibly) was that most men laid off on their approachings.
"You wound me so, Martell," Theon placed his hands over his heart.
Amirina smirked and leaned against the table. "Then I've achieved my goal," she laughed, receiving a playful glare from him. Was she annoyed by him? Of course. Did that mean she could not be decent and make merry and joke? No. It was how she dealt with annoyance. She would clearly show it but she would also make light of it.
Theon then put his arm around the shoulders of Amirina and laughed, "One day, Rina, you will be unable to resist me."
"The only way that day would come, dear friend, is if she lost both her sight and ability to hear. She would not even know it was you," Robb joked, receiving a laugh from both Rina and Theon.
"I do believe the young Stark-ling is right, dear Theon!" she agreed, her smile wide and infectious.
Theon laughed as well, though his pride was obviously suffering. Amirina knew the Greyjoy was not used to women refusing him. "You will come around to the idea, Rina. I hear Dornishmen will fuck anything," he said, his arm sliding off of her shoulders as he leaned against the table.
"Theon," Robb scolded, "you can not just say that-"
Amirina laughed, "Robb, dear cousin, I live in Dorne. There must be one conversation where that topic wanders in daily. You mustn't worry over my ears' innocence." She gave a pat to his cheek, the slight red tinge visible in the firelight.
She then turned to Theon, who had an eyebrow raised. "To answer your comment, Theon, I would have to say that is true for most. I, however, am a lady, and do not partake in the fucking of everything that walks and has a nice form. I still am a lady, you know."
"Your Stark blood runs too deep," Theon muttered, knowing full well that Amirina and Robb could hear.
"Maybe," Amirina shrugged, "but my blood runs thicker through the sand of Dorne."
A/N: Thank you all so much for the positivity and the immense response from just the first chapter! It's been very appreciated! I hope you enjoy this chapter just as much as the first. These coming chapters will be a bit shorter than the first, as I wanted to start developing relationships and character as soon as possible and that can be difficult to do at times. I hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter and I would appreciate any thoughts, constructive criticism, or even praise! I love you all!
Anna (Guest): Thank you so much! I hope you continue enjoying this and that this chapter did not disappoint!
Arianna Le Fay: Thank you! :) And I never particularly based her upon people. Although, if I had to base her on anyone, or say that she resembles someone…I guess you could say Sofia Boutella almost and Amirina look similar facially with certain differences. In some ways, she could even look like Jessica Biel mixed with Sofia (idk). They do look similar though. And yes, Rina will definitely affect the plot in certain ways, she is a new player of course. The main events will stay true but there will be possible changes. And possibly. The love interest is up for possibilities! But subtle hints as to who it will be will be placed within chapters! :)
HPuni101: I appreciate the kind words! I hope this chapter was just as good and thank you!
