The journey had finally ended. Days, weeks, and now a month's worth of travelling were over for Daenesella and her small crew. In the back of her mind she wondered why only two people accompanied her on her trip. Rose, her maid or slave as Viserys labelled her, and Maron, a Targaryen friend. Was it a death sentence? The Starks and the Targaryens were considered enemies after the war, but this marriage would hopefully put everything aside and bring peace, allowing Viserys to gain the Iron Throne in the end.
Viserys hoped with peace among the Starks, they would assist in helping the Targaryens take back their home land. Dragonstone. While with Khal Drogo's army, he could win the fight. But Daenesella knew how this story would end.
Her brother dead, both sisters wedded never to see each other again, and possibly another war.
The temperature had dropped when they entered the North of Westeros, compared to Pentos. She thanked the Magsiter for the thick warm dress and coat she was dressed up for; to make an impression.
Opening the small window of the carriage, Daenesella peaked out, seeing a black large castle in the distance, and nothing but snow and grass surrounding the land. She had to admit to herself, the scenery was beautiful.
"Tell me about Winterfell" She spoke while staring out of the window, captivated by the sun shining on the cold land.
"Winterfell is the capital of the North under King Eddard Stark. We are currently on the Kingsroad. It is the longest and grandest highway in the Seven Kingdoms" Maron explained.
"Question Maron, how do you know everything I ask?" Daenesella asked, glancing at the man wearing the armor.
"Before we left Pentos, Viserys made me read books, he wanted me to be the best guide for his little sister, anything you need to know, hopefully I have it stored away in here" He tapped his finger on his brown hair.
"Tell me more about this road"
"Of course Daenesella, well, the Kingsroad runs from Castle Black located at the Wall, and all the way south to King's Landing, which also passes Winterfell along the way, but it doesn't run through it"
"But we are on it"
"We are fully aware, but we won't reach Winterfell for at least an hour" he explained "There will be a short road which leads up to the castle when we reach a crossroad, one which goes North to the Wall, or South to King's Landing"
"That will explain it then, once we reach the crossroad, I know my heart will drop to my stomach" she admitted. Maron looked at her with a sympathetic look. "What is on your mind Maron?" she asked "You may speak the truth" Maron let out a soft sigh before looking at the saddened princess.
"As Viserys isn't in our company, I would like to express my true feelings" Daenesella had a touch of concern for Maron. "I am truely sorry for what you have to go through, marrying a Stark in order for peace and return home to Dragonstone, for your brother Viserys to gain the Iron Throne"
"Thank you for expressing your truth feelings Maron, I appreciate it. But no matter how anyone feels, it will not change anything. I am to be married to Robb Stark in order for Viserys to gain Dragonstone and the Iron Throne" she sighed softly.
But no one knew the deep secret in Daenesella. She wouldn't stay in Winterfell for long. She would leave the night before the wedding. To find out the truth about her, find her real mother. That was her mission.
"Tell me more, about Winterfell" Maron nodded at her before continuing his story.
"Within the walls of Winterfell, there is a Godswood, which is a small spiritual garden, maybe Robb can assist you there" he suggested before carrying on "In the worst of winters, the castle is still very warm from the hot springs. The castle is situated on top of them. So you're lucky" he chuckled softly to himself "Also below the castle are tombs, which contain the remains of any Stark family members, especially Lords and Kings. The castle has stood for a millennia, and according to legend, House Stark has held the castle of Winterfell for eight thousand years"
"At least they still have their castle" she mumbled to herself before closing the small window as a small cold breeze flew to her skin.
"Tell me about the family. Because all I know is that they hate us, and we hate them" Maron nodded as it was in fact a fact.
"Where do I start?" he asked and placed his hands on his lap "Lyanna Stark, the sister to Eddard, was actually due to wed Robert Baratheon, but your older brother Rhaeger decided to kidnap her, causing the great war" Daenesella never knew that. All she knew was that a war had sparked causing the deaths of her family. She never knew her brother caused the war, for what?
"Continue" she spoke softly
"No one knows why your brother kidnapped her, but Eddard's father Rickard, and his brother Brandon travelled to see King Aerys II Targaryen and they demanded their daughter and sister be freed, but your father killed them both. Rickard was burnt alive from inside his armor from wildfire, while Brandon was strangled from a device. He was trying to reach the sword to release him from the rope, but strangled himself by doing it"
"I can see why the Starks hate us" she said shaking the thought from her head.
"So because of that, Robert decided to create a civil war, which in the end caused the downfall of your house" he explained before looking at his hands and then back at the red head.
"Eddard rode South to fight with Robert. In the end, Robert won, and your brother and sister and mother survived, formally. Eddard returned to Winterfell with his new wife, a Tully. Catelyn Tully, as well as their infant son, Robb Stark, but Eddard also returned with a bastard son, Jon Snow. He somehow managed to father during the war"
"My guess is, Eddard decided to have sex with the girl, causing her to fall pregnant, but then he marries Catelyn and then Robb is conceived"
"That would make sense Daenesella. But, Robb would of never of been born if your brother didn't cause the war"
"How so?" she asked frowning
"Catelyn Tully was supposed to marry Brandon Stark, until he was murderer, so she married Ed instead" Maron explained the supposed to be ending story
"Now it makes sense. I have a feeling she doesn't enjoy the presence of Eddard's bastard son"
"I have heard that, but would that bother you?"
"No. A bastard is just a name for having one parent, I have none. Everyone is still human" She told him. "Who was the woman?"
"The woman who Eddard slept with?" he asked. Daenesella nodded "According to stories, a common serving girl called Wylla also a wet nurse. No one knows if she is alive or dead, only Eddard. But he doesn't share that story"
"And they say our family is fucked up" She commented before feeling the carriage turn up a road.
She was getting closer and closer to Winterfell.
Soon enough, the carriage had stopped. Her heart was now in her stomach. She heard whispers outside of the carriage, whispers about her.
"I heard she isn't really a Targaryen" Only if they knew the truth, only if she knew the truth.
"Does she really have magic?" Was the one question that caught her attention, the tone was from a girl.
"Are you ready?" Maron asked. The carriage was silent for a moment before she nodded
"I don't exactly have a choice, in a month's time; I will be married to a man I don't even know or love and then be forced to have his children"
"I wish I could say something to make it better, but I don't" Maron admitted before opening the carriage door and stepping out. "Eddard Stark and Stark family, I would like to present Robb Stark's bride to be, Daenesella Targaryen, of House Targaryen" Maron spoke with a proud tone before Daenesella stepped out of the carriage, a few gasps and stone faces.
Daenesella looked around at the people wearing coats, and for once, she fitted in, except her red hair.
A man with brown hair tied back stepped out, taking her hand and kissing it softly. His face looked shocked.
"Your hand is warm" he spoke softly
"I wish I could give you an answer, but I don't have one. Maybe one day it will also answer for the red hair" she spoke in a soft decent tone.
"Of course, my apologies Daenesella Targaryen-"
"Just call me Daenesella"
"Of course, Daenesella" Eddard smiled before removing his hand from his. "Welcome to Winterfell, it's a pleasure to meet you" Daenesella wanted to say many things such as:
"We both know that is not true"
"I wish I could say the same"
"I don't have a choice"
But she decided to keep her mouth tight lipped. She did want peace amongst the House's, but that would never become a reality
"Pleasure to finally meet the Starks" she smiled softly. Eddard smiled before motioning another man.
"This is my eldest son, Robb Stark" The man she would be marrying. He wasn't bad looking. Could there be a chance she could fall in love?
The man had short curly hair, clean shave, and a big black fluffy coat. He took her hand gently and kissed it softly, feeling the warmth. Her eyes didn't follow his kiss, but when he lowered his head, her eyes locked onto another. He had a lot of curly hair, with a clean shave. Who was he?
"It's a pleasure to meet you Daenesella" He lifted his head up and smiled. Daenesella smiled back softly.
"Pleasure is all mine; Robb Stark"
"Please, call me Robb" She nodded in agreement "I have to say, you are beautiful"
"Even with all the rumours?" she asked. He frowned at her.
"I don't pay attention, they are just rumours, stories" She did appreciate his truthfulness.
"Thank you" she smiled softly before turning her head to Maron who nodded in appreciation at her behaviour.
"Let me introduce you to the rest of the clan" Eddard spoke softly. She nodded before following the man. "This is Rickon Stark, the youngest of my boys" She then smiled softly at the small boy before turned her head at the next boy. "Bran Stark, my second son, and then Arya, the youngest of my daughters" she looked at the small girl and smiled. She looked a little tougher from the youngest siblings.
"Is it true you have magic?"
"Arya" Eddard spoke with a soft warning tone.
"Its fine and you could say that, I think more abilities" she told her. This must of been the girl who asked about it earlier.
"Can you show me?"
"Arya, enough" Eddard spoke
"Really, it's fine. She is the first to want to know more about this side of me" Eddard nodded in agreement, before Arya had a big grin on her face. She looked around at what she could do, she noticed a fire torch at the end of the row of people. She stared at the fire and put her hand out, flicking her hand up, causing a roar of fire to erupt larger than before. The people gasped and moved out of the way, soon enough she flicked her hand down causing the fire to disappear. But once she removed her hand, the fire returned to its normal self.
"That was amazing!" Arya grinned. Daenesella smiled and crouched to the floor picking up a leaf that looked half dead. She held it tightly in her hand and then opened her hand letting the ashes of the leaf fall to the floor. "Even more amazing!" Daenesella liked this girl.
"Thank you" she smiled and turned to the other girl, red haired, she didn't look impressed with Arya's behaviour.
"This is my oldest daughter, Sansa"
"Pleasure to meet you" Her soft tone spoke to Daenesella
"I like your red hair" She spoke softly causing the daughter to smile softly.
"You have met my eldest, Robb" Eddard spoke. She nodded.
"Behind is Theon Greyjoy, a good friend of Robb and a Stark ward" A man with light brown hair nodded at Daenesella. "Beside is my son, Jon Snow" The bastard.
"Pleasure to meet you both" she spoke, locking her eyes on Jon. There was something about him. He was handsome, outcasted, just like herself.
"And my wife, Catelyn" Daenesella turned to a woman. This was the woman who hated Jon. She noticed her face change when Eddard spoke Jon as his son.
"Pleasure, I have heard so much about you all"
"Good things I hope" Catelyn spoke up
"Some of them" Daenesella gave Cateyln a small smirk, letting Catelyn know full well how much she knew.
"I hope your journey wasn't too long" Robb spoke up, cutting the tension with a knife.
"A month's worth, I have never travelled except when I was an infant" Which was true. Dragonstone to Pentos. Eddard gave a look at Catelyn before Eddard spoke up again.
"Robb, why don't you escort Daenesella to her room for the time being"
"Of course father"
"Maron and I can have a quick chat" Eddard spoke up looking at Maron. Daenesella frowned if it was a good chat or a bad one. But she was prepared. Robb stepped out for cue to Daenesella to walk with him.
"Rose, would you be able to take some of my bags?" Daenesella asked. Rose nodded before picking up two trunks, leaving a few more.
"Theon, Jon why don't you assist them" Eddard advised. Both men nodded before grabbing a case each and following Robb as he walked.
Daenesella couldn't keep her eyes off Jon, even if it was the back of his head. As she watched the three of them walk off, she noticed Catelyn's stone face. Daenesella frowned at her before following the men with Rose.
She could tell she was going to be 'great' friends with Lady Stark.
This was going to be fun...
