When the Cold Winds Blow...

Chapter Three

Larra stood in front of the Heart Tree in the Godswood. It had been a few hours after her blow up at Lord Stannis and she sought clarity of mind under the blood red leaves of the ancient Weirwood. She knew that she would never be able to see her father in the same light if he stood idly by while King Robert harmed or killed Myrcella and Tommen. She understood the severity of the crime that Jaime and Cersei Lannister committed. She didn't, however, believe their children should be punished for their actions. As hard as she tried to clear her mind and cast such morbid thoughts away, all she could think about was King Robert laughing madly while bringing his massive warhammer down on a begging Myrcella and a crying Tommen.

She knew she was no longer alone when she saw Ghost lift his head to watch something behind her. A moment later, the snapping of a branch under a heavy boot echoed through the trees. Still, she didn't turn around until she felt their presence right behind her. Standing stiffly with his hands clasped behind his back, was Lord Stannis. When her grey eyes lifted, she found his own already upon her. Before she could greet him with what was left of her manners, he began to speak.

"Your father and I have spoken. We've decided that your words, while bold, held truth to them. Joffrey has always been a spoiled brat, courtesy of his mother. He shall be sent to the Night's Watch when your uncle Benjen returns to the Wall. Myrcella and Tommen will become wards of Winterfell until their fates are decided. Since you were so eager to champion them, you will be the one to look after them."

After spending the last hour imagining such terrible outcomes, Larra was so relieved that she threw her arms around Lord Stannis in an embrace. The man tensed against her and she realized, with growing horror and embarrassment, what she'd done. Larra pulled back immediately, her cheeks feeling hot and she could see the flushed skin in her mind's eye. How mortifying. Lord Stannis cleared his throat, looking away from her. It was good for Larra who didn't think she'd be able to meet his eyes ever again.

Larra cleared her throat, "Thank you, Lord Stannis. I'm glad to hear that they'll be spared."

"Something you must help with," he said, looking back in her direction.

"What do you mean?"

"As I said, your words held truth. When we tell my brother about Ser Jaime and Cersei, he'll be furious. In his rage, he'll be blind to all good sense. Lord Stark and I have agreed that you'll take the children out riding in the morning for a picnic. Ser Davos will retrieve you when things have been settled."

"You mean when it's safe."

Larra met his eyes again, grey clashing against blue. She faltered at the intensity in the blue depths.

"Forgive me. I speak out of turn."

"No," he said, his voice more quiet than she'd yet heard it. "I would prefer it for you to speak your mind to me. Especially if..."

"Especially if..? What?"

"Lord Stark and I agree that Lord Tywin will not take our arresting his children lightly."

"Of course not. Everyone knows what happened to the Tarbecks and Reynes. He'll take it as an insult and there's no possibility of him believing that his beloved son and daughter were involved in such a manner. He'll undoubtedly call his banners to fight."

"War is coming. Isn't it?" she asked softly, her arms wrapping around her waist.

"It is and as with all wars, alliances need to be secured...some through marriage."

"Marriage? Who's getting married?" Larra instantly thought of bright copper hair and bright blue eyes. "Sansa? Is she not too young?"

"Not Sansa. You."

"Me?" the question came out incredulously. "I'm no one...just a bastard."

"You're the eldest daughter of one of the Great Houses and of childbearing age."

"Who am I to marry?" Larra asked, her honor to family duty surging within her.

Lord Stannis looked away from her. Larra felt her heart seize in her chest, her breath stealing from her lungs. The reason for Robert's Rebellion was no secret. Yes, it was partly for the injustice done to Lord Rickard Stark and his heir, Brandon as well as the Mad King demanding her father's head from Lord Arryn. The more romantic aspect of it was King Robert, then Lord of Storm's End, called up his banners with Houses Stark and Arryn for the abduction of Robert's fiancee Lady Lyanna Stark by Rhaegar Targaryen. Now, Larra feared more than anything that her likeness to her deceased aunt Lyanna made her the preferred new bride of King Robert. The mere thought of being bedded by the fat slob who couldn't keep to one woman made her stomach roil.

"Not him. Anyone but him."

Confused blue eyes met her wide, teary ones.

"Him, who?"

"King Robert."

Stannis's own eyes went wide before he shook his head, "You're not to marry Robert. Even with you being legitimized as a Stark, a better match would need to be made for him."

"Oh," Larra said, embarrassed but mostly relieved. "I thought...with my likeness to my aunt Lyanna..."

He nodded in understanding. Robert's love for the Stark girl was well known. She then realized that she still didn't know the name of her husband to be.

"Who am I to marry, then?"

"Me."

Larra was shocked. She wondered what else, besides her Stark name, was her father giving Lord Stannis for him to marry her. Legitimized or not, a bastard would always truly be a bastard. The young woman thought of her history lessons and remembered all the information she knew about the man in front of her. How big of an insult did he see her as?

"I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't have picked me, given the right to choose. I'm sorry to be nothing more than another insult to you. First, you're given Dragonstone instead of Storm's End. Then, you're passed up for Hand of the King for my own father, a Northman who cares nothing for politics. Now, you must marry a bastard girl for an alliance because Cersei Lannister couldn't bare her duty."

He seemed shocked, at least Larra thought he was with the only facial change being raised eyebrows. A few moments passed in silence and just as he opened his mouth to speak, her uncle Benjen appeared.

"There you are, Larra. Dinner is about to begin."

"But Lady Catelyn..."

"Will say nothing to you. Come...you'll sit next to me."

Larra gave a quick nod to Lord Stannis before following after her uncle. She dared not argue with him. While her father was the grave, solemn brother, Benjen was the relaxed one. It was unusual for him to speak so roughly. As he turned to walk with her, Larra caught the way his dark eyes flashed with warning at Lord Stannis.

-:- -:- -:- .Game of Thrones. -:- -:- -:-

Larra rode back to Winterfell with Ser Davos at her side. She had taken all of the children, both Starks and Lannisters, for a ride. Needing to prolong their time away as much as possible, they stopped in a glade for a picnic lunch. The girls had enjoyed a tea party while Arya ran around with the boys. Since her father wanted Robb at his side for the unique learning experience, uncle Benjen and Lord Renly accompanied her. Both men were already aware of the situation, so they wouldn't miss anything of true consequence. While uncle Benjen couldn't get involved with his loyalties to the Night's Watch, Lord Renly was happy for the time afforded to get to know his soon to be good-sister. When Ser Davos arrived as the signal that everything had been settled, the Onion Knight had given her a meaningful look, which prompted her to his side.

"Lord Stark has already called his banners. The Northmen should be arriving within the following weeks. Lord Stannis's own bannermen are set to arrive in a few day's time," Ser Davos said, finally breaking the silence.

"Are you supposed to be telling me this, Ser?" she couldn't help but ask. "Talk of war is hardly a suitable subject for a lady, after all."

Larra was testing the waters, so to speak. She knew Ser Davos was perhaps Lord Stannis's most loyal vassal. The former smuggler saw right through her but answered her truthfully.

"Lord Stannis told me to inform you of any and all updates on the current situation." Upon seeing her confused expression, he explained. "Lord Stark has spoken of your upbringing and interests. More suited to the heir of a Lord, instead of a baseborn daughter. Regardless, Lord Stannis appreciates your high intelligence, unbiased compassion and honesty. He wants a wife who can stand beside him, as his equal not some woman who will easily bend to his will."

"He told you this himself, did he?" Larra questioned, trying to hide the way her heart fluttered at his words.

"I was in the room when he asked Lord Stark for your hand. Lord Stannis has developed a high regard for you, my lady."

Larra jerked in her saddle, turning to face the man in surprise.

"Lord Stannis asked for my hand? Personally? Why?"

"Is it so strange? Lady Selyse died over two years ago and he would have to remarry eventually. You proved to have a respectful, polite attitude but still had a certain fire to you. Shireen also took such a shine to you."

Larra tried to wrap her head around the fact that her father hadn't offered her up but she'd been asked for. Did Lord Stannis choose her just because she got on well with his daughter? That had to be it.

"I've known Lord Stannis for nearly twenty years and even I was surprised. We'd been in Winterfell for only four days when he decided you would be his wife. No one can ever accuse him of being a man that doesn't know what he wants."

"Wait," Larra said, wondering if she misunderstood him. "What do you mean, you were in Winterfell for only four days when he asked after my hand?"

Ser Davos seemed confused but tried to ease her obvious concerns.

"Just that, my lady. Why?"

"But...I was still a bastard then, with no plans to be legitimized."

"Lord Stannis was hopeful that between himself and Lord Stark, they could talk King Robert into naming you a Stark. Though, personally, I think he may have still married you regardless. I've never seen him look at someone the way he looks at you."

"How does he look at me, exactly?"

A strange expression came to Ser Davos's face, as if he was looking at the pages of a book written in a language he couldn't read.

"Like you're the last chance he has."

"Last chance for what?"

"Everything, my lady. Everything."

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