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CHAPTER 2: ARRIVAL

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"Sansa, stop pestering your sister."

"But mother..."

"Silence!"

"But she started it."

"No, I didn't!" – the youngest Stark girl replied.

"You did!"

"I didn't!"

"You did!"

"Enough!" – Catelyn stopped their argument, staring at Sansa the whole time. – "If you do not behave you will be forced to go the rest of the way on horseback." – she threatened, forgetting that his eldest was very fond of horse riding.

Sansa was about to reply something rude so she could leave when the cart they were travelling in stopped and seconds later, their father appeared next to it.

"We are a few hours from the city." – he informed them. – "Would you like to continue or should we stop for a while?"

"We should stop for a few moments, Ned. The girls and I would like to refresh ourselves. We need to be as presentable as possible."

"As you wish, Cat."

"Father, can I get out of here?"

"No, Sansa, you need to get ready too." – her mother answered before her husband could.

"I'm fine like this mother."

"Sansa! What would the king or queen think if they saw you like that?" – she asked pointing to the breeches the redheaded girl was wearing under her simple dress. There was no way she was letting her daughter met the royal family dressed like a... like a wildling!

"I don't care. This is comfortable." – Sansa said before turning to her father once more. – "Can I, father?"

Ned smiled at her and signalled Jory to bring another horse while helping her to get out of the cart. Immediately Sansa rode her horse and arranged her skirts so they wouldn't get stuck in the saddle. Catelyn didn't say anything, simply glared at both father and daughter and then turned all her attention to her youngest.

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Two hours later, the whole family entered the city gates.

Sansa was instantly attracted to all the noise and the various people going about their days.

"Am I meeting my sword teacher today, father? – she asked. She couldn't wait to start learning.

"Not today. He should be arriving in a fortnight."

"Oh." – she sounded disappointed.

Ned pulled his horse closer and took his daughter's hand.

"Don't be sad, my dear. I am sure there are many adventures to have in the Red Keep. And as you will also be learning with the other ladies, I won't say anything if I see you in the training yard with Robb every once in a while." – he winked at her, making her laugh gleefully.

They spurred their horses and started racing each other and soon enough, they got to the Red Keep. Ned had barely dismounted when someone jumped him, nearly making him fall.

"Ned! You are finally here!" – a voice screeched in his ear.

"Lya!" – he hugged his sister fiercely and spun her around before allowing her to step away.

"You look old." – she commented.

"So do you." – he argued. Both burst out laughing and hugged again.

"I've missed you so much, my dearest Ned." – Lyanna sighed, hiding her face in his chest and closing her eyes contently.

"And I you, Lya. It has been too long. Too long." - he murmured, stroking her hair like he always did when they were younger.

It was then Lyanna noticed Sansa and her own husband getting closer to them.

"Is this my little niece?" – she asked smiling.

"Lya, this is Sansa, my eldest daughter." – he introduced them. Sansa bowed awkwardly. She had expected the queen to be more concerned with the proper protocol with foreign visitors, but she had clearly been mistaken. She found herself liking her immediately.

"You are quite the beauty, my dear." – the queen said, uncaring of the redhead's dirty clothes or messy hair.

"Thank you, Your Grace."

"Did you bring her all the way from Winterfell on horse, Ned? Shame on you!" – she joked, causing Sansa to blush in embarrassment. Her father, to her mortification, only laughed.

"Not all the way, but she is definitely your niece."

"I'm glad to hear that. This kingdom needs more daring ladies." – she concluded, caressing Sansa's cheek. – "So you better keep misbehaving and causing Ned trouble, ok?"

Sansa laughed, delighted with her royal aunt.

Lyanna then seemed to remember her husband, and grabbed his arm to introduce him to her family. Ned acted wary of the man at first, still upset for the way his sister and good brother had eloped and gotten married. But not even he could deny neither forget than in all these years he had proven to be a good and loyal husband to Lyanna. Better than what she would have got had she married Robert Baratheon like it had been planned.

By the time the rest of his family arrived, the four of them were talking animatedly. Ned helped the ladies get off the wagon and introduced all of them to the royal couple.

"You look just like my wife, little one." – King Rhaegar commented after Arya was introduced.

"Thank you, Your Grace." – Arya bowed politely.

"Do you also like misbehaving like your sister?" – Lyanna asked, feigning seriousness.

"Of course not, Your Grace. That is not a proper lady's behaviour." – she answered politely, earning a frown from her aunt.

"Well, a little mischievousness won't kill anybody." – she winked at the young girl, making her frowned slightly in confussion.

"My dear, we should let out guests settle. We can talk more during the feast."

"Of course, my love. And please make sure Jon attends. You know how he is with banquets." - his wife reminded him before seeing to her family's comfort.

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