When I woke the next day, I found that Irri had left out a deep, dark red dress with a black belt and black swirls on it. Beside it was my favourite black cloak as well as my wolf pendant and a pair of black gloves. It was lovely and I knew what my mother was doing.

Sighing, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up slowly as Irri walked in and gave me a small curtsey. "My Lady, would you like me to help you into your dress and then do your hair?" Her sweet voice made me smile, and I turned to look at her.

"Yes please, after I've washed." She nodded, and I saw that she'd placed a bowl of warm water on my small dressing table. Crossing over to it, I cupped my hands and then splashed the water over, my face. It was soothing and gentle as well as calming.

After I had dried my face, Irri said: "My Lady, may I?" I nodded at her, and she removed my night dress carefully before helping me into a silky black corset and my familiar tan breeches, which I always wore unless there was a wedding or a funeral. Then, I raised my hands over my head so that she could slip the dress on me. Then we carefully got my arms into the sleeves, and finally, my direwolf pendant was fastened around my neck. Carefully she brushed my hair, and we decided to leave it down in its natural long curls.

"There you go, My Lady. I'm sure that you'll even out shine your mother's and sister's beauty." I didn't need to ask which sister she was talking about.

"Thank you, Irri." She curtseyed and left as I turned to look at Shadow, who was watching me expectantly. "Come on, Shadow." We left the room as well, making our way down to the great hall, where my family would all be heading for breakfast. I passed servants and soldiers, who were all busily preparing for the wedding and the royal visit.

There were even more in the great hall, but I just crossed from the far side, by the main door and over to the high table, where my father, mother and Robb sat. Mother and father were deep in discussion and hardly noticed me, but Robb beamed when he saw me. Sitting down beside him, I was then handed a plate of bacon, bread and a small mug of clean water from the spring.

"Good morning, Nym," Robb said as Shadow jumped up onto my lap. "Who is this then?"

"This is Shadow, Robb and good morning to you too." He smiled at me as a grey, slightly large pup let out a whine. Raising an eyebrow at the wolf, I watched as Robb looked down at him.

"Greywind, calm." He instructed, and the wolf did so as Arya bounded in with her direwolf, who I later found out was called Rhaenys, who was named after one of Aegon the Conqueror's sister-wives. Then Bran and Rickon joined with Summer and Shaggydog. They were all happily tucking into their meals when Sansa arrived.

Unlike Arya, who was dressed in Stark grey, Sansa was dressed in Tully blue with her long red hair braided properly. She did look beautiful, but the moment she saw my dress, she glowered at me. She clearly wasn't too keen on me wearing something that was admittedly very lovely and elegant. Arya looked up at her and sighed before whispering in my ear: "She's jealous because you might be marrying the prince and that you're much more beautiful than her, especially wearing red."

Blushing at my sister's words, I smiled at her and turned to Sansa. "Darling sister, you look enchanting. Any man in a hundred miles would probably throw themselves at your feet for a mere glimpse of you." Her glower softened, and she gave us a weak smile before seating herself next to mother with her direwolf Lady trailing after her.

After that, breakfast was relatively uneventful. Robb and I discussed his betrothal to Margaery Tyrell. He was excited about it, and I knew that they'd be married in a few moons after Sansa was, which was in five days. Arya, Bran and Rickon were arguing about who was better with a sword and to be honest, it was probably Arya. Sansa, mother and father were all discussing her wedding.

By the time that we'd all left, we had less than an hour left until our guests arrived. I was out in the courtyard, and I noticed that Bran was climbing again. "Brandon Stark!" He looked over at me and sighed before climbing down from the tower and then looked over at me. He hated me calling him that and I only ever did it when I was worried about him. I hated him climbing as did mother, who'd scold him later.

"Nym! I just saw the King's banners!" He yelled as mother and father walked over to us. Mother paled while father smiled, clearly delighted to see his sister again.

"Cat, Bran can you go and get everyone to assemble here in five minutes." They nodded and ran off to get everyone with Summer running off after Bran happily while father turned to look at me. "Nym, I know that you're not too happy about this, but will you try and be happy. I hate to see my little She-wolf sad."

"I'll try father."

~ɤ~

When all of the staff had been lined up, father moved on to us. He would stand on the far left then mother, Robb, Sansa, me, Arya, Bran and finally Rickon. The boys were all in finest black and grey for our house, and so was Arya, who looked like a real Stark lady. Mother like Sansa was dressed in her Tully colours and held her head high.

Suddenly, the galloping of horses could be heard, and we all turned to see King Rhaegar, Queen Lyanna and Prince Jon ride in. They were quickly followed by Princes Viserys, Rhaegar's younger brother, and Rickard, their youngest son. Then Princesses Daenerys, Rhaegar's little sister and Visenya came trotting in behind them.

Rhaegar, the King, had silvery blond hair and dark purple eyes, typical of a Valyrian family like the Targaryens. He was dressed in black and red with a golden crown placed on his head. He looked every inch a King. Aunt Lyanna, on the other hand, had the same brown hair as Arya and I as well as the brown eyes that I had inherited. She was dressed in silver and white and looked truly beautiful. I could see why someone would go to war over her. Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys looked very similar to their brother in the same coloured clothing. Prince Rickard and Princess Visenya had the blond hair of the father but their mother's eyes.

But, I was naturally drawn into Jon. His eyes were dark purple like his father's, and his hair was nearly black. It was messy and curly and looked soft to the touch. He wore pure black, and his small amount of facial hair was handsome. At his side was his long elegant sword which I knew he could wield to deadly effect. He was stunningly handsome and definitely an excellent warrior.

I was snapped out of my thoughts as King Rhaegar dismounted and we all sunk into either low bows or low curtseys for him. He beckoned for father to rise, and they embraced warmly. Over the years, they had gotten much closer than they had been before. He then beckoned for us all to rise, and we did so.

"Winterfell is yours, Your Grace," Father spoke warmly as his sister dismounted quickly and walked over to her. He bowed to her and then she flew into his open arms. He said to her: "Welcome home, Lyanna."

Rhaegar smiled and then moved to mother. "Hello Catelyn, you look very well." She smiled at him.

"Thank you, Your Grace. I trust that you are well too." He beamed at her and pressed a light kiss to her hand before moving to Robb.

"And you must be Robb. Last time I saw you, you were a boy of five. My, my how you've grown. I look forward to talking to you soon." He spoke kindly.

"And I you, Your Grace. I also hope that you enjoy your stay in Winterfell." Rhaegar nodded at him and smiled. He was a very kind and good king, who treated us all equally with respect. He nodded at Robb and moved over to Sansa.

"Hello, Lady Sansa. I hope that you are well and excited for your wedding?"

"I am, Your Grace and I am overjoyed that you could attend my wedding." She beamed up at him, and he smiled at her kindly.

"I wouldn't miss it, Lady Sansa. Also, your Aunt Lyanna would never forgive me if I did and she is the only person who I honestly fear." He said with a glance back at his wife who was talking to her brother and her sister in law. Sansa smiled, and he moved on.

"And you must be the famous Lady Nymeria Stark. I have heard so many things about you, My Lady. According to your mother, you are a very respectful lady, but according to your father, you are a most fearsome she-wolf who is the best fighter in the family." I blushed and glanced down, but he simply raised my head and said: "You sound like you Aunt Lyanna and are just as beautiful. I am so glad that I am not the man tasked with taming you, but then again, a woman who can fight is a worthy opponent, and I am sure that you will be a significant lady."

"Thank you, Your Grace, you're too kind." He shook his head at me.

"No, I'm not, but I do believe that I would like to see you fight." A small smile crept onto my lips, and I looked at him directly.

"It would be an honour, Your Grace." He nodded and moved onto Bran while Aunt Lyanna moved over to me.

"I believe the last time I saw you, you were a year old. You seem to have my flare and certain disregard for the rules, but then again the rules are wrong." She said with a smile before she wrapped her arms tightly around me. I held onto her as she muttered: "Sansa may be lovely and Arya may be a fierce little warrior, but you are the real leader of a pack and definitely a Stark She-wolf."

"Thank you, My Queen." She smiled at me and then moved onto speak to my younger siblings. Once they had finished, my father stepped forward.

"My king, yesterday, my boys, Bran and Robb found a litter of direwolves who had been orphaned. Each of my children has their own pups, but there was another. A stronger fierce albino and we would like to gift this to your son, Jon." Rhaegar and Lyanna looked very pleased and beckoned for Jon, who dismounted and walked to father. I didn't hear what he said and when he pulled away, father presented him with the other wolf. He accepted it with a smile before speaking.

"I think I shall name you, Ghost." He said proudly to the pup with a smile. His younger siblings sighed as my father turned to us.

"Cat would you show our King and Queen to their quarters? Robb, Sansa could you show Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys to their rooms, please? Arya, Bran and Rickon, please show Prince Rickard and Princess Visenya to their rooms?" He paused, and the rest of my family began to escort the others as father brought me over to Prince Jon. He looked at me carefully and then his eyes drifted to Shadow, who stood beside me. I curtseyed as father spoke: "This is my second daughter, Nymeria, My Prince. She will be escorting you to your rooms and then will show you around the gardens."

"Thank you, Lord Stark. And thank you, in advance, Lady Nymeria." Father nodded and rushed off to begin the final preparations for the feast.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, My Prince." He smiled and gently took my none gloved right hand in his gloved left and bent down to press a gentle, lingering kiss on the back of it while staring up at my eyes.

"Trust me, Lady Nymeria, the pleasure is mine." Oh, what had I got myself into?