Chapter 2
Isobel POV
The two sisters woke with a start when they heard a rapping on their window. Isobel peeled the curtain back to see her father looking at them expectantly. He motioned for her to open the window.
"We're almost there so I wanted to make sure you two were awake and," he paused, stifling a laugh as he looked to his younger daughter, "um, presentable. Elinor, sweetling, it seems Isobel will have to fix your hair again. You look like you've been hibernating for months." The little girl blushed and looked to her big sister apologetically, who simply smiled at her and patted her bed-head.
"Not a problem, dear father. It should only take me a moment. Thank you for waking us," she gave him a small and rather tired smile, which he returned before riding ahead. She turned to her sister and laughed, smoothing her hair affectionately. She undid the simple braid gently and began re-doing it, combing her fingers through the soft curls as went. She went through all her father had told her of the Starks; Lord Eddard had served with him during Robert's Rebellion and they had been great friends. Lady Catelyn Stark had grown up with her father, since Iredale resided in the Riverlands that her family ruled over. Her brother had been a playmate of Rodrik's when they were boys.
Her father had spoken very highly of both of them back in Iredale, stating that they were truly noble, kind people, and that he had no doubt that they had raised their children to be the same.
"A rare breed these days," he had stated coolly as he sent her a sly smile, "you ought to try and get to know their oldest son, Robb. From what I understand, he has yet to be promised to anyone, and I hear he is quite the looker." Isobel rolled her eyes and sighed, giving him a small grin, though she knew he was only half-kidding. Many called her the Old Maid of House Braeden. The fact that she was 17 and had yet to be married, or even betrothed, was unheard of. At one point there had been rumors that she was hideously disfigured, or that she had eloped with a low-born, and plenty of other terrible lies. The real reason was that Lord Braeden saw no need to sacrifice his daughter's happiness for politics. He wanted her to marry eventually before she did become too old, but his daughter deserved love. So he merely teased her, encouraging her to meet and get to know young men but never forcing her into anything. Besides, he had already lost his wife, and he wasn't ready to lose Isobel just yet.
When she was finished, she looked out their carriage's window and gasped, her mouth falling open.
"What?! Lemme see, lemme see!" Elinor crawled forward hurriedly and squeezed in front of her sister. "Oh wow, it's huge! Sissy look at the towers, they're so tall!"
Isobel nodded in agreement, still looking on in wonder. She immediately thought of exploring its many halls and extensive grounds and found herself growing excited. The carriage came to a halt and Isobel took a deep breath, making sure not to let her over-eager grin show. The door opened and they were immediately hit by a chilling breeze. She was suddenly very thankful for their new, warmer dresses. The footman first helped Isobel, then Elinor out of the coach. The child grabbed her sister's hand and stayed partially hidden behind her skirts. She led her forward to stand behind their father, who was waiting along with Benjamen patiently to introduce them. She took the opportunity to get a good look at the Stark clan. Lord Eddard and Lady Catelyn, no doubt. Followed by a handsome boy with reddish brown hair and his mother's eyes, a year or two older than her. Lord Robb, she reminded herself. Next was a beautiful girl who was the spitting image of her mother and another, younger girl next to her who had all the looks of a Stark; the Ladies Sansa and Arya. That leaves Lord Bran, and the little one has to be Rickon. Her father stepped forward, reaching out to give Lord Stark a firm handshake before pulling him into a strong embrace. The two men laughed before separating.
"Ned, my boy, you've aged!" They both chuckled deeply, and Rodrik turned to Lady Stark, "Cat! You are as beautiful as ever, it has been far too long," he kissed her hand chastely, flashing her a large smile. He then stepped back and to the side, a large smile on his aging face. "I present to you my three children. The youngest, my dear little Elinor," he said motioning for her to walk forward. She slowly dropped her sister's hand and walked up to Lord Stark, avoiding his eyes shyly. He smiled down at her, placing a hand gently on her head.
"Hello little one, welcome to Winterfell. Your father tells me you are quite a horsewoman already," at that she looked up and gave him an eager smile, nodding quickly.
"You'll have to visit our stables then," Lady Stark chimed in, "one of our mares has just had a colt." Elinor beamed at this before stepping back to stand next to her father. He then gestured for Benjamen, and the 14 year old walked forward to shake Lord Stark's hand.
"You must be Benjamen. I hear you are an expert archer, Robb will have to show you the grounds and perhaps take you hunting."
Lord Rodrik looked proudly at his son before waiting for Isobel to walk forward, "and lastly, my eldest, Lady Isobel. She looks more like Elayna every day, does she not, Ned?"
"Indeed she does, the spitting image. You were just a babe when we saw you last. Welcome, my dear," he said quietly and she quickly curtsied to him then Lady Stark.
Cat looked upon her with kind eyes and a smile, "Lord Rodrik has informed us that you love to read. You may borrow any books you wish from the library, my husband has quite the collection."
Isobel gave her a genuine smile, "thank you my lady, I look forward to it."
They then let the children take a moment to meet each other. Elinor immediately took a liking to the elder Stark girl, and was already playing with a game little Rickon. Ben talked with Robb and Bran about hunting and blushed like a git when he kissed Lady Sansa's hand. Isobel talked with Robb, who gave her a charming smile and said he would love to take her on a tour of the grounds, and she found that she liked the stubborn, tom-boyish Arya very much. Lady Sansa was sweet, a perfect and proper lady. She insisted that Isobel would have to sit and sew with her once she got settled and suggested that they could travel into town to visit the shops. Though she hated sewing, as well as most other traditionally feminine activities, she had to admit that shopping and seeing the town sounded fun.
When at last introductions were over, Lady Catelyn announced that they would be shown to their chambers and that a feast would be held that evening in honor of their arrival. Isobel took Elinor's hand and started to lead her inside after the others, when a figure caught her eye. A young man with black curls and dark eyes leaning against the forge, away from all of them but close enough to watch. When he saw her looking, he held her gaze before nodding politely and heading off in the other direction.
Who in the world was that, and why was he not introduced to us? Isobel felt a tug on her hand and shook her head, quickly going inside.
A.N: I added more to the first chapter, describing Isobel and her family as well as their home. It was just too short for my liking. Will be posting a third chapter within another hour or so. I'm on a roll.
