Author´s note:

Hey guys

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Thanks a lot to the ones that favorite this fanfic.

And a special thank you, with rainbows and glitter on it to rikka21, nightwatchers2, Carlypso & to Florence, who reviewed.

Dresses in this Chapter (remove spaces) :

Arrival - agameofclothes.tumblr.
com/post/39078613444/what-cersei-would-wear-in-the-autumn-oscar-de-la

Feast – littlefindsforgot. tumblr.

com/post/33783930567/followers-choice-who-would-wear-this-reem

Chapter 2

"She belongs to Fairytales,

that I could never be."

- Love Song Requiem

My mother gave me one last soothing look before she followed all the maidens out of the carriage. The moment she stepped out, she wasn´t the loving mother anymore, no, she turned into the Queen of Westeros. Her warm, worried face expression turned into a hard, cold one, suitable to the weather in the north.

My golden colored skirt held up off the ground and out of the way of my feet in one hand, whilst the other one held the outstretched hand of who I assumed was my Uncle Jaime; I stepped out to expose myself to the silent crowd. It felt like throwing myself in the mouth of the unknown, the eyes of strangers were on me as I walked on foreign ground. These strangers are soon to become my people; I was soon to become their Lady. The pressure of their stares was like a rock on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I dug my nails into the leather of Jaime´s gloves as if they were the only thing that kept me on my feet. "Never forget who you are." His soft voice whispered in my direction.

As if these were some magic words, the rock split in two and fell down to my feet. My back straightened and a cold masque flushed over my face, like a wave it removed any emotion that was there moments ago. I am Princess Tania Baratheon, the daughter of the ruler of the seven Kingdoms, I am not weak, I will not let these people intimidate me. Pride radiated out of the position my body had formed now.

I let my hand slide out of my Uncle´s and mouthed him a short thank you, before my gaze wandered over the people bowing in front of my father. Their eyes were now strictly on the mud beneath them, their bodies stiff. A small movement of the King´s hand and they were released from their position. My father eyed a man, who was most probably the Lord of this castle.

"You got fat", my father let out with a grunt. I refrained from rolling my eyes at that, but couldn´t stop the quiet sigh that escaped my mouth. Sometimes I wonder if he´s ever shown some act of formality. With all the whores tip toeing out of his chambers I assume not.

"Where´s the Imp?" asked a little girl in the front line. Speaking of whores, they were my uncle´s favorite hobby and I had no doubt that they had something to do with his disappearance. He was, oh well, really passionate about his hobby.

"Where is our brother?" I heard my Mother hiss.

"Where do you think he is?" I said as if it was most obvious. I heard Jaime´s chuckle, his armor rustling under his movements. I pressed my lips together to prevent myself from smiling at my mother´s blank expression. When I and Uncle Jaime team up, it never ends well, much to her despise.

"Come to me, my little Dove" My head shot up at my father´s nickname for me, I hated it. I had nothing in common with those stupid birds. I had a lot of nicknames, but I disliked this one the most, doves are weak, small and white. They were the opposite of me, I was neither weak, small nor white. I was strong, not physically, but mentally. I was tall, at least as tall as my mother and I had long hair that rather had the color of a raven´s feathers than a dove´s.

I turned around to my mother pleading for help, but she just nodded, gesturing to obey him. I exhaled deeply before I dragged myself towards my father and his old friend.

I put on my previously practiced fake smile when I was just a few steps away from them.

"Aye and what a beauty she is" Lord Stark said with a smile forming on his lips.

"You flatter me, my lord" I said politely, my cheeks flushed into a light pinkish hue at the compliment he gave me. The Lord took my right hand and kissed the ring I got for my 16th name day. It was golden with my family´s sigil engraved in; the Stag´s eyes were replaced by small emeralds. I wore it ever since my father placed it on my finger.

To his left stood Catelyn Stark née Tully, as her blue eyes met mine she curtsied and murmured "My Princess"

"Lady Catelyn, it´s a pleasure to meet you" I said softly as she lifted herself. She gave me a warm smile that I gladly returned.

"Come, princess, I want you to meet my Son" Lord Stark said, with his hand on my back he led be to my betrothed. I felt my knees weaken as we came closer to the target. The thrumming cacophony between my head and my chest made it unbelievably hard to think straight, with every step I took it got louder. When I noticed brown boots made of deer hide, in front of my white shoes, I knew that we´ve reached him. Still I didn´t look up, like a heavy anchor was around my neck drowning me in the sea, preventing me from breathing, muting all the sounds around me.

Who was Robb Stark? Was he caring? Scaring? Loving? Possessive? Cold? Bold? Mysterious? Charming? Romantic? Rude? Nice? Formal? Customary? Adventurous? Strong? Amusing? Ignorant? Mischievous? Arrogant? Desirable?

Unfamiliar fingers placed themselves under my chin and pushed my head out of the water. Suddenly I could perceive every sound around me again, murmurs, people clearing their throats, horses whinnying. This would be the first time I lay eyes on my future husband, Robb Stark. They bored into eyes as blue as the sky in king´s landing, my home, eyes like home. My mind immediately created a crib between those eyes and home, without me wanting it. But there was no sign of warmth in them, no, they seemed to be as cold as the frozen earth beneath us. Dark Auburn locks were falling into them, creating a great contrast. Still my fingers tingled to remove them, but I couldn´t gather the courage to do so. I didn´t feel like a lion or a stag, I felt like a cub, like a fawn getting approached by a wolf. Fear clung around my heart as he kept his eyes on me.

"My-My Lord" I stuttered silently. Seven hells, I sound like a little feared little girl. I mentally hit myself for acting this way, it was childish how uncomfortable I felt in this situation. Other men have flirted with me, they wanted my hand in marriage, they stared at me and other things my mind is too dizzy to remember, but Robb Stark, the man I was supposed to live with, left me utterly stunned. Thankfully my knees were steadier than my voice.

His fingers left my chin and reached for my hand. His eyes never leaving mine, he brought my hand to his lips and placed a tender kiss on it. His lips were roughed by the bitter cold northern air, the sensation of them making contact with my sensitive skin, sent unexpected chills down my spine and I shuddered lightly.

"My princess" his deep voice added to the horribly formal act.

The room I got was, like most highborn girls´, large and spacious – but it was too dark for my taste. They were candles in every corner, but the shadows easily swallowed their light. The only light that kept me from standing in pure darkness was the daylight from the window next to the large sized bed. Bulging bags, with all my belongings in them, were supplied in the elegant mahogany wardrobe.

But the low-cut white dress, with golden flowers decorating my chest, that showed of too much skin in my opinion, hung prepared on a hook next to the mirror.

I have to wear it to the feast tonight, even though i´d much rather read in the privacy of my bedroom. I do like celebrations, that wasn´t the matter, the matter for my current behavior was that this feast meant seeing Robb Stark again. I don´t know where the sudden panicking of a confrontation came from, it was simply there, taking over all my thoughts. I could still see the boyish blue eyes staring down at me, so intense, but still so cold. Unreadable, that was the perfect description for them. They didn´t show off any kind of affection, they didn´t tell me if they liked or disliked what they saw, they were empty. Like he has not been looking at me, but through me.

Ugh. I leaned back in the chair I sat on, while Mary´s skilled hands braided my jet-black hair. Of all of Robert Baratheon´s children, I resembled him the most. My hair had his color, the typical Baratheon black. I had plentiful curves, compared to my mother. At least they were placed right, on my hips and on my chest. Still I often find myself envying her for her perfect appearance. But who didn´t? Cercei was beyond perfect, a true beauty whole Westeros sang songs about. The only thing I had from my mother were my green eyes, but even they had my father´s grey in it.

"He´s very handsome, milady" Mary said with her strongly accented voice. As much as I know she had been born somewhere far south. Her skin was dark bronze and her eyes almost as black as her hair. I didn´t know much about her past, but she had become a good friend to me in the short time i spent with her.

"Yes, I guess he is." I replied dryly. Robb Stark indeed could be described as handsome, with his curly reddish hair, his blue eyes and his firm jaw, clean shaven and tidy. The ladies on the court at home would have instantly fallen for a guy like him. Like they fell for the knight in the golden armor, also known as Jamie Lannister. But I wasn´t that kind of a girl, I didn´t fall for anyone´s looks. Call me ridiculous, but I still believe in something like inner beauty. People can look most beautiful, but be a pig in the inside. If Robb Stark´s handsomeness only referred to the looks of his meat suit, or if he´s a man with a beautiful soul, I didn´t figure out yet.

"I´m finished, Princess Tania" Mary remarked proudly. I lifted myself from my seat and walked across the room to the giant mirror to admire her work. My hair was braided southern style, like a half moon on top of my head, there was a crown, i´ve never seen, involved in the braid. It was golden with honey colored amber stones on it.

"I don´t remember ever getting this crown, Mary" I said, staring confused at the reflection of the headdress.

"Oh, your Uncle Renly told me to give it to you last time he visited, as a wedding gift. He said it belonged to Rhaelle Targaryen. Amber stones are very rare nowadays" My handmaiden explained.

I sighed deeply. Rhaelle Targaryen was my great-grandmother; she has also been a princess before marrying a Baratheon. My Uncle Renly inherited all her belongings, because my father and my other Uncle Stannis refused to have anything from those "bloody" Targaryens. From all the Baratheons I knew, I appreciated Renly´s company the most, he was kind and a goodhearted man unlike his brothers.

I turned to face Mary, who was already waiting for my instructions. "Would you help me in my dress, please?"

Finally dressed I stood in front of the mirror. The dress I wore hugged my curves tightly and unfortunately the cut was lower than I thought, that I immediately noticed. The fabric clung the curves of her chest so invitingly, that men could easily guess what´s under it. Why did my mother want me to wear this dress again? I frowned.

When my gaze wandered to the reflection of my face, I looked into my own greyish green eyes. Though the innocence in my eyes has faded, I tell myself to take a second look like i´m a castaway who swears he sees land. Trouble was that I wasn´t a child anymore and in a few months there will be no innocence to be found anymore.

I put a light blue velvet cloak over my shoulders, that wasn´t meant to keep me warm, but to match my dress. It was too long for me, even though I was tall, at least a foot of material was stretched out behind me.

With Sandor, my guard, at my right I walked down to the hallway towards the Great Hall where the feast is to be held. Cheering music, rambunctious laughter of the folk, loud horrible sounding singing and women chit chatting could be clearly heard the closer we come.

When we reached the door made of oak and iron, my fingers smoothed my dress quickly before a hooked my arm with Sandor, or The Dog how the most people called him. I prayed to the seven to not stupidly stumble over my own two feet as we entered the hall. "Please don´t let me fall" I whispered under my breath.

"Never" Sandor´s rough voice replied. I smiled weakly at the man who had been my so called "shield" since the day of my birth, as I grew a strange friendship was built between the two of us.

As we stepped over the threshold, a few heads shot up, noticing my entrance. One of them was Robb Stark, his jaw dropped at the sight of me.

"Maybe he will save me in the ocean of his dreams" – Love Song Requiem

Author´s note 2: So, that was the second chapter. It was quite longer than the last one. Again, i couldn´t thank you enough for the follows, favorites and reviews.

Did you like this chapter? Did you dislike it? Were you disappointed? Did you expect more? Or do you actually think it was good? Please tell me in a short Review.

Love, m.