When I awoke I took a drink of water as I looked out the window as people in Winterfell began their work, and not after long there was a knock on the door. I said they could come in and it was Rayne with my new dresses and undergarments. She helped me into a green stark colored one, she did my hair, putting a simple northern braid updo with my mid-length brown hair. There as another knock on my door as she was finishing my hair and when I called out again Jon swung the door open. I could feel Rayne's hand come off my head to curtsy to Jon before continuing the hairdo.
"Morning Rayne, my Lady," Jon spoke lowly, I could not see him but I knew he was standing at the door awkwardly.
"The wolves in Winterfell are quite loud, I trust you slept soundly though Lord Stark," I joked and could imagine him giving a small smile.
"I have a gift for you," Rayne's hand stilled so I could turn to face him, he came forward with a carved silver hair clamp, the Stark wolf engraved on its side. He placed it softly in my hand and let me look it over.
"It is beautiful," I said wistfully as I touched the metal, the intricate design stunning.
"You are to be Lady Stark of Winterfell, only fitting you own the heirloom," He spoke, I thought about Rob's dead love and Sansa missing. I was the only lady they had other than his young sister.
"What about Arya?" Jon laughed and I realized it was a silly question, I had met the young Stark.
"Arya would never have a use for this, she is a warrior," Jon spoke, I wanted to hug him but I did not think it was appropriate. Rayne was still standing there awkwardly, waiting for me. "I will put it in for you," He spoke and I realized he would have to be very close to doing that. I passed it back to him and gently he fastened it in my hair, I held my breath as he did.
"Thank you," I whispered again, similar to last night. Rayne grabbed my necklace for me, the engraved golden stag horns. My outfit was fitting for me, the green stark dress and hair clasp but the stag necklace and bracelet, I hope Jon would not make me wear only wolves when we married, they were all gifts from my mother and father.
"Come we can go to get food, my lady" Jon spoke and held out his arm, I interlocked mine and he helped me up. I was very close to him and again felt my heart pound. I tried to relax myself reminding myself that he had been nothing but kind to me.
"Thank you," I spoke to Rayne as I left, and she winked back, her face flustered by Jon's presence. He led me down the halls and to the throne room where some food was out, no one was there but a few servants and guards. Jon pulled a chair out for me and sat next to me. I ate some bread and drank milk, the two of us in a comfortable silence which was quickly disrupted by the entrance of Bran and Hodor, so I was informed when Jon asked him to place Bran across from us. I knew the story of how Bran came to be paralyzed, Lannisters. "Lord Bran, very lovely to meet you properly for the first time," He looked from his half-brother to me his eyes a little wide to show his blue Tully eyes. He looked like his elder brother but with straight hair not curled.
"You are really pretty," He spoke softly, and Jon tried to cover up his smile at that. I managed a graceful blush as I replied.
"That's very kind my Lord, do not tell your brothers but you are most certainly the most handsome Stark son," Bran laughed and Jon just rolled his eyes playfully, smiling at me. "See Jon knows it," I made the young Stark laugh as he ate some bread as well.
"Bran, would you like to go riding with us? Alysh would like to see the Winterfell grounds, your saddle and horse will be ready for you,"
"Can Summer come?" Bran asked quietly, I imagine only being able to ride must be frustrating for young Bran.
"Certainly, Ghost will come," I realized Bran meant his dire wolf, it must be hard to feel safe when you can not get off your horse. Bran still had not said yes and was pushing around his food. I wanted to make sure the Stark siblings liked me, I would be their sister after all.
"I personally would like for you to come too, my Lord, much better company than Jon. He is a bit of a bore," Bran just laughed and I cast my eyes to Jon hoping he would not take offense. He looked amused at my words and I was glad.
"I will come," He said between laughs. "I like her Jon," The two brothers looked at each and the older Stark looked at me.
"I do too," I blushed under his gaze, looking away. Just then the moment was broken by Arya storming into the throne room. She was dressed in pants and torn clothes, she was truly not a noble lady.
"Please tell Robb that I am more than capable of learning swordsmanship on my horse," Arya huffed to Jon, with Robb in reluctant tow. Lord Stark did not look amused with his wild young sister, she was not be told what to do.
"You are a Stark lady, the last remaining one in Winterfell I might add, you do not need to be swinging a sword from horseback, you aren't even that good of a rider!" Robb argued back, sitting next to Bran with Arya on the other side. I watched them all quietly, they seemed like a close family. I never had that with my sisters or brother.
"I'm a fine rider! That was one time, my horse spooked!" Arya exclaimed back. Jon chuckled at his sister and Bran just looked done with the bickering.
"Arya listen to your brother," Jon spoke quietly and Arya shot daggers at him back. I wondered who they were each closer to, it seemed Robb and Jon were not distant.
"This is unfair, I should be allowed to do whatever I want," The boys just ignored her, she looked to me. She smiled devilishly and I widened my eyes shaking my head at her. "Did you learn swordsmanship or riding?" All of their eyes were on me, I looked down away from the Tully and Stark eyes.
"My father or brother did not let me," I started and Robb looked at his sister with raised eyebrows but I was not done. My father never lets any of his daughters fight, we were princesses but I rarely saw him so how would he ever find out. Loras was like a father to me and watching him compete made me want to learn as well. "But I did it anyway with my uncle and his men," The three men looked at me and Arya had a growing smile. "A girl has to protect herself. Loras Tyrell taught me," I said, it was a slight lie but they would not know. I remember the lessons with the blond knight, not the Tyrell though.
"See! I win," Arya exclaimed the men just rolled their eyes because they had been beaten by two girls.
"I can teach her to ride," I told the men, Arya looked to her brothers. I realized I might be out of line and turned to Robb. "If that's alright with you Lord Stark," I corrected quickly.
"Just Robb is alright my lady, we are all family here. Are you sure you want to do that? She is a terrible student," Arya slapped him lightly and he laughed at her pretending to rub his arm like she hurt him.
"Am not!" She exclaimed back and Bran just groaned at her. It was clear he wanted her to stop talking, he truly did not care what she did.
"I would be honored,"
"It is settled, you will take riding lessons from Alysh and then when she says you are good enough you can take swordsmanship on horseback," Robb told the young Stark, she jumped up, moving around the table so she could jump on me to hug. Ghost gave a low growled but Jon waved him off.
"Thank you! Thank you! I knew having another lady would be better!" The men laughed and Jon looked at me, delight in his eyes. She sat back down next to me, eating more bread and wine. She scarfed down some food, unladylike.
"Bran, I and Alysh are going out to ride now," Robb stood with us, lifting his young brother onto his back. Bran looked so unamused, I giggled at him and he rolled his eyes back. Jon had his hand on my lower back, guiding me after his two brothers. Arya ran after us, saying she had to see someone. The Stark girl left us and when we entered the royal stables in the castle I stood in awe at the beautiful horses around me. There were seven stunning horses and you could tell vaguely who's was who. Two large black horses stood at the end. Three white horses and the last two bay horses. I guess the two black ones were Jon and Robb's war horses and the three were women's horses. Robb put Bran down on a hay bale and flagged down three grooms for us. The Lord of Stark house then went directly to one of the white horses, a mare. He petted it, whispering quietly and placed his forehead on it. The meeting was intimate and deep, I was sure this was not just a horse.
"It was her horse," Jon whispered and I knew he meant Robb's dead love and I felt for him. The grooms began on one of the black horses and one of the greys for Bran. The last asked which Robb wanted for me, he looked at me, his eyes sad but he smiled.
"Take her," He said gesturing to the white mare, Jon froze and I began to protest. "It is quite alright, she is been neglected since.. since you know. Sansa would not take kindly to you stealing her precious stallion. Take her," Robb spoke firmly, I nodded stepped closer to him, putting my hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you," I told him sincerely and he nodded, eyes wet. He hugged me and I was shocked but I squeezed him back tightly before he let go and pulled away.
"Enjoy yourselves and watch Bran, he is been known to gallop off," Robb said finally before exiting the stables. Jon was just looked at me, face impressed with my interaction with his brother.
"What's her name?" I asked the groom, he smiled sadly.
"Firewolf," He said and I understood, I knew of Robb's love, a fiery head of hair bound by the Stark wolf. I stroked her and she nickered softly, her nose soft. Her long mane was soft and combed, she was beautiful. Jon threw his brother on his horse, strapping him in tightly to the saddle and checking the sword at the back of the saddle for emergencies. The groom walked out Firewolf for me, and Jon's horse was being walked out as well.
"My lady," Jon smiled, he grabbed my hips and he was so close I could feel his breath as he lifted me onto my horse and I swung my leg over. I settled into the horse, the stirrups slid into my feet. Jon grabbed the reins of his horses and jumped on gracefully. "Thank you," He called to the grooms as Bran led the way, trotting slowly as Jon and I walked our horses behind him, the two wolves in front of our side by side. "How do you do it?" Jon asked me quietly as we exited the castle walls and into the mass of Winterfell. People stopped to look at us and I waved at the young children and they smiled back.
"Do what?" I asked back as I continued to wave at the people who were working.
"You are doing it now!" Jon laughed and I cocked my head at him. Winterfell began to thin as we headed into the plains. "Everyone loves you! First sight, first meeting," I blushed at him and shrugged. "You made Bran laugh harder than I have ever seen him, you stood by Arya, Robb hugged you! Maybe it is just you, you are just lovely," I blushed ducking my head as I looked at the grounds. I did not take kindly to compliments, I rarely got them anyway.
"Not everyone loves me, not at home especially," I spoke quietly, Jon looked at me, eyes curious. I should not have said that but it was too late to take back.
"I never did understand where you come from? Did you grow up in Kings Landing?" Jon asked me, Bran was far ahead as he circled us at a canter, the wind in his hair. He looked free in the Northern Plains.
"I did, mostly with Uncle Renly. He was lovely and so kind. My sisters and brother were always with Robert but he did not have enough time for me, my sisters were soon married off and I was so much younger I was left alone. Uncle and Loras Tyrell were my families," Jon could tell that was not the whole story. "Robert sent me off to live with my other Uncle not long after my fifteenth name day. After the events that occurred later I was glad I was far away from the chaos,"
"Why did he send you away?" Jon pried, I pursed my lips. Bran saved me as he came towards us at a slow canter. He pulled into next to me and looked over.
"I thought you said you were a rider Alysh! Come on!" Bran called to me, I looked to Jon and we both trotted off, the wolves running behind me. Both the Stark brothers were strong riders, Jon was quiet letting his horse do as it please and the large stallion was eyeing up my mare but did not move out of place. Once I believed the white mare was warmed up, I nudged her to canter and tested her out. She was eager of the leg and light in the mouth. Bran was beside me and Jon behind us, he looked at me and egged his horse on, and I match his speed, Firewolf was not even panting as we both galloped around the field. We got to a small creek and Bran slowed his horse to trot through the water but I clicked the mare on and she jumped the crick before I lightly sat and she slowed right down to a walk and turned to face the two brothers.
"What did you say about being a rider young Stark?" I winked and he just laughed. We circled around the woods as we headed back into Winterfell, I could see the wall in the distance. I slowed the white horse to a walk as I admired the structure I had heard so much about. "It is so much bigger than one could ever imagine," I spoke as Jon rode up next to me. He looked longing at the wall and the land beyond.
"We want to rage a war in the South but the war is always to the North," Jon spoke quietly before he muttered the Stark words. "Winter is coming," I shivered at the words and the incoming wind.
"Ours is fury," I spoke back the Baratheon house words. Jon had a small smile as he broke his gaze on the wall.
"We should head back you are getting cold," Jon spoke to me over the wind, we canter our way back, the wolves sprinted back towards home. We walked once we entered Winterfell, Jon and I trailing behind Bran. When we got back to the castle grounds Hodor helped Bran off his horse and he handed the horse to the groom. Jon hopped off his horse and look up at me, I swung one leg over and he held my hips and pulled me down gracefully. When I landed I was inches away from him, I looked up into his eyes and he smiled before letting go. I walked the mare back to it is stable despite the groom's insistence that he would take her for me. He took her gear off as a grabbed a damp sponge and washed her face softly. Jon walked Summer the wolf back to the kennels but Ghost stayed with him. When he came back the white mare was eating out of my hands. "I think everything in Westeros likes you," Jon joked and I wished that was true.
"Animals are easy, simple like children. It is easy to get children to like you," I whispered as I finished feeding the mare some grain and washed my hands off before drying them. We were heading back to the castle but stopped to watch Arya in the training ground, Bran was sitting on a haystack trying to throw a knife at the target. He was not doing so bad but he was no master, Arya, on the other hand, was slashing and spinning with her thin sword like a professional. Jon smiled at his sister.
"I gave her the sword when she left for Kings Landing, she hasn't stopped learning since then," Jon walked forward and I went to stand near Bran as he grabbed two unsharpened training swords. He raised his eyebrows at Arya and she sheathed her sword and he threw her one of the training ones. The two lightly sparred for a minute but they were just warming up. Bran and I stopped to watch the two. Then the two picked up the pace, their swords clanging and a few of the guards and knights stopped to watch the Stark siblings. Jon gracefully moved for a man, he was not just a brute warrior he was planning his moves. He spun and the back of Arya and had his sword in her throat, not pressing down but there. While I thought that meant he won, he laughed and looked down Arya's sword lightly touching his stomach, they both killed each other. The two unraveled and took a bow to each other. They both looked around to see the guards watching. "Volunteers?" Jon questioned before pointing at someone he seemed to know. Arya passed the strange man a sword and Jon and him faced off. Soon they were clanging and blocking blows. The fight was much louder and much less graceful than between the two Starks. I jumped every time one of them nearly missed a block. Their swords got caught in a brace off but the other man acted quickly before Jon overpowered him and slammed him in the stomach with the butt of the handle. Jon fell backward and the man backs off as he got back up. I cringe as Jon grabbed his side but he only smiled and they began again. There was a similar fast paced brutal spar before finally Jon ended it by the throwing the man down and put the tip on the guard's neck. The other guards clapped as Jon helped him up patting him on the back. "Much better, you even got me in the stomach," Jon laughed and the man apologized but Jon waved it off before handing back the two swords and walking back over to me and his siblings. He prodded at his side and hissed quietly.
"You alright?" I asked when he got to us and he just nodded but I could tell he was having trouble breathing deeply. Arya went to put her gear back and Jon and I headed back to the castle. Bran went a different direction as Hodor picked him up. Jon walked stiffly next to me as we headed back up to our quarters. "You aren't alright, clearly it is more painful than you are letting on," I spoke quietly and Jon just shrugged.
"I have had worse," He spoke low, and I cringed at the thought. We stood to face each other, each of the rooms behind us. "You never told me," I stiffened as he spoke, this was never good. "What Baelish said to you? How do you know him?" My brain raced as I thought about my past with him and what he said.
"I know him from King's Landing," I could tell Jon thought about why I was sent away from the capital but I went to the next question. "He told me that he knew things about you, things that I would want to know," I said quietly, Jon stiffened and I knew this would ruin the entertaining day we had.
"Like what?" Jon said, his voice was tough and he sounded angry.
"That you visit a whorehouse every week," Jon looked at me, his eyes set. "I told him it was none of my business and asked him to never speak to me about a matter like this again," Jon took a breath and ran a hand through his hair.
"I go to a whorehouse.."
"You do not have to tell me!" I interrupted, afraid he was going to tell me something I did not want to know.
"I go to see women," I cringed and he shook his head. "Not like that, not for sex. I go to see these women and I talk to her. I know that sounds dumb but I feel bad for her so once a week I pay her just to talk to me so she won't be pushed around by some drunk man for sex just for that one moment," I looked at Jon sadly and he just shrugged.
"It was not my business but thank you for telling me," Jon just nodded and I thought about my secrets and Baelish's threat to me. I knew he was going to find out one day and that Robb probably already knew but still my heart beat hard when I thought about it. "I enjoyed the ride, thank you, Jon," Jon smiled at me and we both went into our rooms. Rayne was waiting for me saying that Rob asked for her to measure me for riding gear and pants to teach Arya in. Honestly, I was excited to get out of dresses, they were so tight and restrictive. I stood as Rayne measured me everywhere.
"How was your ride out with Lord Jon Stark?" Rayne asked me, a wistful smile on her face. I rolled my eyes at her jokingly.
"You are love for my future husband is sickening," I joked and she laughed. "I enjoyed it, Robb gave me his late love's horse," I told her and she slowed her movement.
"Firewolf?" I nodded. "That's significant, he must really be taken with you,"
"Not really him I need to impress," I joked and Rayne just snorted.
"I think you've won Jon Stark over already," She finished up her measurements and I drank some water before deciding I was going to head out of my room. I walked through the halls, peeking down open doors. Finally, I found what looked like a library, I went for a look down the aisles. When I turned a corner I slammed into someone, I apologized quickly and found Robb Stark looking down at me.
"It is quite alright," He said as he picked up a book he dropped. He was a quiet man but I could tell he was kind. "How was your ride?"
"Wonderful. The mare is magnificent," Robb nodded in response, he looked like he was debating something in his head before he spoke.
"Last night I saw you speaking to Lord Baelish," I froze, Robb did not look angry or anything but my blood pumped. "Did he bother you in any way? What did he say?" I thought about how I told Jon only half the truth.
"I said to Jon that he offered to tell me things that he knew about the Stark family. But I did not tell Jon that he also said he would tell Jon about me, and what went on in King's Landing," I looked at Robb's face and there was no anger, only understanding. "He also told me that Jon frequented a whore house," Oddly Robb laughed at that and I looked back oddly.
"Baelish never ceases to surprise me. Do not worry I do not trust him," I waited for him to comment on me but he did not.
"How much do you know about King's Landing?" I barely whispered, Robb, pursed his lips. He opened his mouth before closing it again before finally speaking.
"I know what your father told me," I sighed because what happened was not what I knew to be true. "Alysh, it does not matter. I would not have let you come here if it matters to me, while I would not want to refuse your father's will I still would have found a way. I have not told Jon, as you must be aware. I assume there is more to the story than your father lets on, so when the time comes you can tell my brother," I suppressed tears at Robb's kindness, I was so ashamed of went happened and so angry. I thought about his face, his face of fear as they sentenced him to death.
"Thank you," I choked out and Robb just nodded. "Thank you for everything, your family has been nothing but kind to me,"
"You will be our family soon enough and you have been wonderful, all the Stark siblings are taken with you," I thanked him once again before he headed out of the library. I leaned against the bookshelf taking a few breaths as I let a few tears go. I wiped the tears away and looked at the books, I did not find anything to my interest and exited the library. I wandered the halls planning on trying to find my way back as I came across Ghost. He seemed to be wandering around alone. "Ghost, I'm a bit lost buddy," Ghost just looked at me, there were guards around to ask for the way but I did not want to. When I walked by the Dire he followed me quietly, not making a sound. As I turned another corner I tried to spin around and go back but he saw me.
"Lady Baratheon, how nice to see you again," Baelish's slimy face was there.
"Lord Baelish," I gave him a nod, he looked from the dire to Jon's fur coat, raising his eyebrows. I did not hate Baelish, I hated that he knew far too much about my life.
"It seems Jon Stark is taken with you," He commented, Ghost growled lowly when he tried to step forward. Baelish put his hands up taking a step back.
"Ghost, stand down," I asked him and the wolf retreated behind me but still watching.
"I'm sorry, we started on the wrong foot. It was rude of me to say such things I did. I will not tell Lord Jon what went on in Kings Landing," Baelish spoke to me, it seemed like a promise but I knew this man, he rarely makes promises he keeps. I looked at the man, one of the men who practically raised me when I was younger. I thought about why I was angry and it was overblown, he did help me. Then I realized why he tried to betray me to the Starks.
"You are angry," Baelish looked at me, head turned slightly in feigned ignorance. "You got mad because you are angry I'm marrying a Stark," I commented, Baelish took a breath. His eyes narrowing at me and I could tell I was correct.
"He isn't a true Stark,"
"He is now. You never got to marry Cat Stark, and this is you being angry about it. I was like a child to you Baelish, before I left King's Landing. You, Renly, and Tyrell. All of you and yet not a single one cared where I was these couple of years," I was angry but my voice was soft and Baelish shifted in his stance.
"That's not true," My eyes jumped to him as he rubbed his wrists, he would not meet my eye. "We all looked for you. I knew you were with Stannis. Renly was furious and tried to get his brother to bring you back. Tyrell offered him money, guards, anything if you could go live with his father and sister," Tears were in my eyes as I thought about the men who raised me, who I thought I did not love me anymore. "I'm sorry that you did not feel we loved you anymore, we always did," Baelish held out his hand, and I took it but pulled him into a tight hug. Ghost was circling us but did not do anything. He was shocked and stiff but soon he returned the hug. "I apologize for what I said last night,"
"Thank you," I replied back but he was not done.
"And yes you are right that is the reason I was unreasonable last night but trust me when I say this Alysh. Renly, Tyrell, and I have always been watching out for you, when we found out Robert willed you to the Starks, we were so overjoyed. This is a safe place for you and Lord Jon is a good man. They would have come here themselves if they did not have a war to prepare for," I was still hugging him, not saying anything. "I'm sorry for the court, I thought it was the only way," I spent years despising him over it, it was time to let it go. He did help me, just not nearly in the way I expected.
"There is nothing to forgive," I replied back when I finally pulled away Baelish was smiling. "I have missed you," And he nodded back his eyes watching me.
"I will take you back to your quarters," He said finally. The two of us walked back and he asked me briefly if Stannis treated me well and I told him he did. While I would not trust Baelish the way I used to anymore, he was still all I had here from the South. He walked me to my door and we spoke quietly outside, finally, Baelish left and I entered my quarters. There was food delivered to my room and the day ended peacefully.