Thank you for all the feedback, I wasn't sure if I was going to continue this story. Shireen was one of my favorite characters and I hope I can write her as accurately as possible. For the sake of the story, I had to make her a little older.

Part 2

"What's wrong with her face?" Arya asked after Lady Shireen and her father had followed Ned and Catelyn inside. Jon was still standing in the courtyard with Robb and Theon.

"Don't be rude," Sansa scolded.

"I'm not!" Arya protested. "I was just asking!"

"That was a rude thing to ask. Come along now, we need to get ready for the welcome feast."

Arya huffed and rolled her eyes, but she followed her sister.

"Why do I have to wear a dress, why can't I just…" she complained on her way.

"So…" Robb started after a very long silence. "She seems like a sweet girl."

"Yes, she does," Theon added, not bothering to hide his mischievous delight. "You are a very lucky man, Snow, I truly envy you."

"Theon," Robb warned.

"What, I mean it. Who could resist such a unique beauty?"

Slowly Jon looked at him and smiled.

"You know what Theon, for once I actually agree with you."

With that he turned around and marched away, leaving Robb and Theon staring after him. It was obvious that they had no idea what he thought of Lady Shireen. She truly was beautiful. When he had first seen her, he had been…relieved. Perhaps that was strange, but it was true. He wasn't sure what he had feared, but instead he had seen her, the girl who had the warmest and the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

When she had looked into his eyes, she hadn't tried to hide herself or pretend to be anything she wasn't. All he had seen was innocent curiosity. She had seemed almost trusting, like she would have genuinely believed that he was a good person, even though she knew nothing about him. He had to admit that she had managed to capture his attention completely. He wanted to get to know her. Thankfully they would have time for that before the wedding.

"How was your journey?" Ned asked after Lord Stannis had a wine goblet in his hand.

"It was long," he replied simply.

Stannis Baratheon had always been a man of few words and Ned respected that, but he wanted to at least try to have a polite conversation before they would get to the point.

"Yes, I am sure it was. I hope it wasn't too uncomfortable for your daughter."

"Shireen isn't a pampered noble girl," Stannis replied, a hint of pride clear in his voice. "She is modest and practical."

Ned didn't doubt that, since the girl had spent her whole life in Dragonstone. Stannis certainly wasn't an extravagant man and even though Ned had never been in Dragonstone himself, he had heard that it was a very ascetic place. Perhaps that wasn't a bad thing, at least the girl would likely adapt better than she would if she would have grown up in King's Landing.

"Well, we are all happy to have her here and I hope she will feel at home as soon as possible."

Stannis was quiet for a brief moment before replying.

"Lord Eddard… I believe we both know why my brother felt the need to arrange this marriage."

Ned wasn't sure how to reply, the situation wasn't pleasant for either of them. Robert was his friend and his king, but obviously Ned wasn't blind for his faults. He also respected Stannis as a soldier and as a man of honor. Not to mention Ned had two daughters, he imagined that he understood how unpleasant this was for Stannis. Shireen was his only child after all.

"Yes, I believe so too," he stated. "For what it's worth, my son is a good man; he would never mistreat your daughter."

"With all due respect, your son is a bastard," Stannis replied sharply.

"He has a title," Ned stated, keeping his tone of voice calm.

"Yes, but he is nonetheless a bastard and my daughter is the king's niece."

"I understand, but I did not ask Robert to do this."

"Well, I doubt that you asked him to undo this either," Stannis snapped tensely.

Ned crossed his arms, letting Stannis know that he didn't appreciate his tone. They were after all in Ned's house.

"I apologize," Stannis stated rigidly. "I trust that you can understand my concern as a father."

"Yes, of course."

Ned didn't add that Stannis seemed equally concerned about his own reputation than his daughter's wellbeing.

"Shireen is… a special girl," Stannis continued after a moment of silence.

"Yes, I can believe that. You and Lady Selyse have done wonderful work raising her."

Stannis almost smiled, but there was no joy in his smile.

"You could say that Shireen has mostly raised herself. I have not spent nearly enough time with her."

Ned nodded.

"I understand what you mean. Children grow up so quickly."

Stannis sighed and looked at Ned.

"I have always respected you, Lord Eddard and there is something I would like to ask you to do for me and my daughter."

"Certainly, if I can."

"Give your son your name. Do not let my brother humiliate me and my daughter by forcing her to marry a bastard."

Ned was speechless for a moment, although he felt that he should have guessed this.

"Lord Stannis…"

"I do not think that I am asking much," Stannis cut in sharply. "I will not allow my daughter to become Snow. She has already suffered enough."

"What you are asking is not that simple…"

"It is to me. If you do this for me, you will have my gratitude and friendship; I will repay you very generously. However, if you wish to disgrace my daughter… Then I am afraid we will have a problem."