A/N: Just some information I realised I should have given you in the first chapter: The story starts about two years before the events of A Game of Thrones, and will continue eventually within the canonical storyline, keeping to main events (although you will have to pretend that Prince Mors, brother to Prince Doran, did not die as an infant!). Also, it is rated M in case of swearing and possible future scenes of sexual nature.
Chapter 2: A Royal Arrival
The horses continued to trudge onwards in their usual methodical manner, but their riders could barely sit still. The girls were shrilly calling to one another, chattering and giggling about what they were going to find, and the boys trying to urge their horses on, challenging one another in excitement. My brothers and sisters couldn't wait to finally see Winterfell. Most of them weren't even born the last time we stayed here, or were too young to remember, so it was their first time seeing a true Westerosi castle, in all its glory. And indeed, Winterfell did look impressive; it seemed to rise out of the hill itself, and look down upon its lands like some ancient protector. Perhaps it was - after all, they say a girl could walk from one side of the North to the other, as naked as her nameday, and remain a maiden.
Although, why and who would ever walk naked through this frozen land is beyond me!
I shiver slightly, and pull my cape tighter, and the hood lower down over my face.
Around me, the excited chatter has spread through the entire party as we start our ascent towards the castle. Mirya, our caretaker, cusses and threatens us (in what I like to think is her loving way) until we are all silent. First impressions, according to father, are of the utmost importance; everyone must stand still, straight and be silent. After all our travels in Essos, we knew the procedure.
Clop, clop, clop, clop.
A myriad of noises announced us as we reached the paved ground of the castle, metal horse shoes against stone, the carts juddering along, laden with our possessions and father's treasures that he collected over the ten years in Essos.
Stone faced soldiers lined the way. What a jolly bunch! So much for the loud and gaudy festivities that usually greeted us in the Free Cities - coloured petals used to cover the streets, and you wouldn't be able to hear anything over the cacophony of laughter and chatter.
Grey soldiers, grey walls.
White noise.
And there is the Stark household. Quite a royal greeting by Westerosi standards I presume. I imagine turning my horse around, and fleeing, running away from all this stillness and cold. I focus instead on controlling my breathing and my facial expressions - impassive, calm, collected. I get down off my horse.
Thump, thump, thump, as we get down. We all know our places, and line up accordingly, as we have done for the past ten years, and bow.
"My Lord Stark! It is such a pleasure to see you again after all these years. It really has been too long, my friend," says my father in his deep voice.
"Prince Mors, welcome to Winterfell. Our hospitality is yours for as long as you should desire," graciously replies Lord Stark.
As the formalities continue, I look around at their little party. Catelyn standing tall as I remember her, and Sansa by her side. I see Arya and Bran... I remember them quite well! There is a little boy who must been born after we left for Essos. I turn subtly to look at the other side. There's Robb, Theon and Jon, all standing together like a big gang of brothers. I scoff under my breath and look away: bet they're still a bunch of idiots. And I spot Maester Luwin, not looking a day older than I remember! He was the only real friend I had ever made at Winterfell - I had spent so much time with him in the library, and following him around everywhere. I automatically give him a huge smile.
"Yes Lord Stark, let us feast together this eve. I hope you will accept these gifts I have brought for you from Essos," my father continues.
"But first, introductions, for it has been far too long, and I have had far too many children, ha! Lord Stark, my eldest son Lewyn, Donar, Fewlyn, Annareil, Tomas, Leia, Rhia, Zakar my youngest, and Elia my eldest daughter."
I curtsey as I am called, and as I rise, my hood falls back. I see Robb staring at me, his eyes completely fixed on me. I automatically stare back - childish I know, but I don't care. Oh no, should I not blink too?! Before I have time to decide, he looks away. I keep watching him. He's grown so tall now - I remember being taller than him, even though he was a year older than me. And broad, wow very broad. Gods, he's handsome… damn him! Bet he's still an arse.
His blue eyes catch mine as they snap back to me. A flirtatious smile starts to spread over my lips as I stare back - no! no, no, don't you dare Elia! I thankfully snap out of it as I hear my father accept Lord Stark's offer for us to rest and refresh before the welcome feast tonight. Fantastic! After all those days riding, my aching body is crying out for a hot bath.
I pick up Zakar and give him a big kiss on his forehead as he ogles around happily. He's so adorable. And we follow the slaves (servants! I mean servants! This is going to take some getting used to) up the stairs and along winding passages towards our bedchambers. I leave Zakar with Mirya, and run to check out my new room. It's quite beautiful, in its own way. Soft purple and fuscia patterned carpets adorne the floors, contrasting with the hard grey of the stone walls. And Nara was right, the rooms really are warm! I let my cape fall to the floor, and in doing so, catch sight of the bed. Its covered with furs and looks so incredibly inviting that I make a beeline for it, ready to fling myself onto it.
"Princess, no!" screams Nara.
"Nara! You gave me such a fright! I didn't even hear you come in."
"Just unpacking your evening dresses first, Princess, so all the creases will be smoothed out in time for tonight's feast. Speaking of which, don't you dare get into bed! I know you - head on the pillow and we won't see you again until tomorrow morning. You simply can't miss the feast."
I groan and grumble as she unpacks my things and draws a hot bath for me.
"If I fall asleep and drown in the bath, it will be all your fault Nara," I say jokingly.
She ignores me. "Which dress do you think would be best for tonight, Princess?" She loves getting me all dressed up for these things, and, quite frankly, I would probably look like a complete wretch half the time if not for her and Mirya.
"I don't know, I'm not very good with these things. Um… the green one?"
"No, not good enough. After the way those boys were all looking at you today, we need to make sure you look your best tonight," she giggles.
"Oh Nara! It's probably just because I'm the only one here who is around their age. Or perhaps they were thinking about our last encounter," I groan, the apprehension for tonight growing in my stomach.
"Oh, shut up!"
"You know, if you weren't my best friend, Nara, you could get into serious trouble for speaking to me in that way," I say jokingly.
"Oh, shut up," she repeats. "Definitely the red dress, and the gold headband. Now, how shall we do your hair?" she says, turning round beaming.
I sigh, letting all my breath out and allowing myself to sink below the water.