The days leading up to King Robert's arrival were hectic. Maygen and Theon were suddenly forced into new bedrooms, two directly beside each other. Maygen nearly went mad hearing Theon and the whores he snuck into the castle. He had no regard for her; he did as he pleased and didn't care if his bride-to-be was offended. Maygen took to writing her father late in the nights, sending the letters each morning. She never got any response.

When the day finally arrived, everyone dressed in their best clothes. The air had started to grow colder, and as Maygen wrapped herself in a fur cloak, she thought of House Stark's words. Winter is Coming.

The dress she chose for the day was green, a color Sansa and Catelyn agreed looked lovely with her olive skin. She would wear a different dress for the feast, however. That dress was blood red.

Catelyn was in a frenzy. The Starks were in a line from eldest to youngest, with the exception of Rickon, who stood beside his mother. Theon, Jon, and Maygen were behind the Starks. Theon and Maygen were only wards, and Jon was a bastard. They were not permitted to stand among the Stark family. There was only one person missing.

"Where's Arya?" Catelyn was muttering.

She looked at her eldest daughter. "Sansa," she said, "where's your sister?"

Sansa shrugged in response, and Catelyn tsked quietly. Only a few moments later, Arya came running, a helm tottering dangerously on her head. "Hey, hey, hey, hey," Eddard stated.

He took his daughter by the shoulders, taking the helm from her. "What are you doing with that on?" he nudged her toward her spot in the line. "Go on."

She groaned, stepping into her place, shoving Bran as she did so. "Move!" she snapped.

Eddard sighed, handing the helm off to Rodrik Cassel, Winterfell's Master at Arms. Rodrik was old and fat, but he was strong as well. He had white, wispy hair and a forked beard that he braided together. Maygen quite liked the old man. He treated her kindly.

Lannister knights filed into the yard, followed closely by a man of the Kingsguard, who led along Prince Joffrey. Joffrey had the look of a Lannister; golden blond hair, an arrogant face, and emerald green eyes. He wore the Lannister colors, not those of his father, Robert Baratheon.

Joffrey's eyes landed on Sansa, and the two shared a smile. Robb glanced between the two, adjusting himself anxiously.

At Joffrey's side was another knight. He was nearly the size of two men, and he rode an all black warhorse. His helm was hammered into the shape of a snarling dog's head; Maygen labeled him as Sandor Clegane, the Hound. He opened the face of his helm, revealing the twisted scars that marked his face. His hair was light brown, and his eyes were deep-set, almost black. He had the start of a beard. His dark eyes scanned the yard, intimidating anyone who dared to meet them.

Next was a wheelhouse. Inside, Queen Cersei was with her younger children, Tommen and Myrcella.

And then there was the king.

He was not what Maygen expected. Yes, he was a large brute of a man, but the mass was all fat. His black hair was to his shoulders, starting to go gray. His eyes were small and black. He was pink. Maygen felt bad for the black stallion that had to carry him.

The people filling the yard kneeled; waiting for Robert to dismount. He needed a stepping stool to do so.

He climbed down, stepping up to Eddard and gesturing for everyone to rise. When they did, he looked over Eddard with disappointment. "Your Grace," Eddard said.

"You've got fat," Robert stated.

Silence fell over the crowd. Maygen only realized it was a joke when Eddard glanced down at Robert's bulging stomach, smirking. They both laughed, embracing. When they pulled away, the king was grinning. "Cat!" he said, throwing his arms around Catelyn.

She didn't share the embrace, but she laughed and smiled. "Your Grace."

He ruffled Rickon's mop of blond hair before moving back to Eddard. "Nine years," he stated. "Why haven't I seen you? Where the hell have you been?"

"Guarding the North for you, Your Grace. Winterfell is yours."

The queen climbed from her wheelhouse, Tommen and Myrcella at her sides. She was beautiful. Long, golden blonde hair that was styled the Southern way, all braids. Her green eyes scanned the Winterfell courtyard with disdain. "Where's the Imp?" Arya asked Sansa.

"Will you shut up?" the older girl retorted.

"Who have we here?" Robert asked, holding out a hand to Robb. "You must be Robb."

Robb nodded respectfully, shaking the king's hand. Ned, Robert moved on to Sansa. "My, you're a pretty one," he noted.

Arya now. He lowered to her height. "Your name is?"

"Arya," she said stiffly.

Bran's turn. Robert smiled. "Oh, show us your muscles," he instructed.

Bran obeyed, flexing his arm. The king laughed. "You'll be a soldier."

Maygen watched as a Kingsguard took off his helm. Jaime Lannister. He looked like an older, wiser Joffrey. Proud, handsome face and blond hair. She had never seen anyone quite as handsome. "That's Jaime Lannister, the queen's twin brother," Arya spoke up.

"Would you please shut up?" Sansa demanded.

Queen Cersei stepped up to Eddard, holding out her hand. He kissed the back of it, nodding. "My Queen."

Catelyn smiled, nodding at Cersei. "My Queen."

"Take me to your crypt," Robert said. "I want to pay my respects."

"We've been riding for a month, my love. Surely the dead can wait," Cersei told her husband.

Robert ignored her, starting for the Winterfell crypt. "Ned," he stated.

Eddard offered the queen an apologetic before following Robert. "Where's the Imp?" Arya repeated.

Cersei cocked an eyebrow at the question, moving to her twin's side. "Where is our brother?" she asked. "Go and find the little beast."

The crowd began to disperse. Maygen stuck near Jon, watching Jaime Lannister with great interest. Jon nudged her shoulder, smiling. "Thinking of calling off your betrothal to Theon?" he teased.

"That's all I think about, Snow," she retorted. "I'm just admiring a very handsome man."

"A very handsome man who can't marry. He's Kingsguard, May. And you are still betrothed to Theon."

She shoved him roughly. "I know that. I'm not stupid, Jon. I'm allowed to look at handsome men."

He rolled his eyes. "Yet you're angry when Theon sneaks whores into the castle."

"That's different!"

"I know. Now get on, we have to prepare for the feast."

Maygen tore her gaze from Jaime, nodding. "Of course."

Jon chuckled as they both wandered off in the direction of their rooms.