Chapter Four: White Harbour
Noarei stared at the wooden ceiling above her, her hands grasping the itchy woolen blanket that she had tangled in her legs as she tossed and turned, trying to sleep. The creaking of the great ship had kept her up almost every night, her only comfort the waves. They were a constant noise that reminded her of home, a painful one however.
With memories of home came memories of Koura, who hadn't even said goodbye as Noarei and her family boarded the ship. Noarei found that she could no longer recall the sound of her voice. The memories were hazy, even her face becoming a fuzzy image. The one thing that stayed with Noarei was the touch of the girl: it was practically seared on her brain, and it was a touch she still longed for. Her lips, her gentle caresses, her breath against her cheek. Even Koura's scent, or the way her hands were so firm but never hurtful when they were together. Noarei missed the feeling of her hair being brushed back, so she could stare into Koura's doe eyes. Gods, Noarei wanted Koura. Noarei knew she should stop thinking of Koura as if she could go back to her, as in no time she would be a married woman.
Tomorrow morning the ship would dock in White Harbour, where she would stay for one night before she continued on to Winterfell. Noarei's stomach churned at the thought, her mind spinning an endless web of thoughts, all bad ones.
Noarei was not typically a vain girl, but she knew she would look a mess when she would meet her future husband, a thought that worried her more than she would like to admit. In her subconscious, her anxiety told her Robb would hate her and think she was ugly, just another stupid girl from Essos. Her only purpose was to give him a son, she knew, and what if she failed? Those thoughts kept her up all night, only adding to her deteriorating appearance. Noarei barely slept, and when she did, it was fitful and nightmarish. Her best sleeps tended to be during the day when the noise of people drowned out the unusual and harrowing creaking of the boat. And so, her eyes were sunken and dull, rimmed by purple. Her normally brown skin was ashy and sallow, her cheeks and lips pale. The dry, cold air made her hair frizzy and brittle, and her nails were peeling and torn. Noarei had never looked worse.
Her anxiety did more than alter her sleep, it tensed her up and made her snappy. She barely ate. All these things only mounted on her worry of being a poor wife, of not pleasing Robb.
Noarei's parents had reassured her that Robb was a kind man, but every parent with at least a shred of kindness in them says that to their daughters. Even they had never been in contact with Robb, so how could they so surely comment on his personality? While she did not share her fears with her parents, Noarei obviously knew that they could tell something was wrong, and she had become worse at hiding it. She couldn't change the way anxiety was physically affecting her, just the way she acted. Even then, Noarei was failing on that respect.
I wonder how Robb must be feeling. Excited? Surely not nervous - he's a man. All he has to do is get an heir out of me. Noarei thought with a frown and an annoyed huff, turning to rest on her side, her hand sliding under her pillow. Maybe if I'm lucky he'll hit me too. Despite her brothers being generally good men, Noarei was not unaware of the way men often treated their wives. Even her own father had laid a hand on her mother, but they never fought in public, and it had only reached that point few times. The one thing Saena made sure she had taught her children was keep your arguments private, and hold your chin high. Saena did so with immeasurable strength and grace.
I will too, even if it kills me. Noarei thought indignantly. She would be strong for her brothers, and her mother. Her father too. She would still be a wild mare, even when she would claim the direwolf sigil as her own. I will always be an Arona.
"Noarei, are you ready to go?"
The gruff voice of her father snapped Noarei out of her daze. She stood from the bench she was seated on, gripping onto the shawl she had wrapped around her. Noarei nodded, and walked forward to join her parents by the hull of the ship. Her brothers Reho, Laeon and Aleceho were there. Alec's wife, Laera, had also joined the trip. Ben could not come due to Emmera being so heavily pregnant, and someone needed to stay and run the Kingdom. It was just another downfall of the trip, as Noarei and Benareon were the closest siblings. She missed him as much as she did Koura.
"Are you excited, Noa?" Reho asked, leaning over the edge of the ship casually. Noarei joined him, her shawl whipping in the wind and the hair that had escaped her braids with it. She hesitated before she answered, thinking about what she would say. Which lie to go with? Before she answered, Laera cut in.
"Really, Reho? Do you think she's excited to be leaving home and marrying a stranger across the Narrow Sea?" The woman said, snapping squeakily. Not unlike a mouse, Noarei thought. That woman could be so frustrating, Noarei had learned on the trip across the sea. It was a wonder how Aleceho put up with her at all. It was if she was raised with no manners, and no empathy. Although, a part of Noarei appreciated her bluntness and offering the answer the Princess dared not give.
Reho tucked his head in, and mumbled a 'sorry'. Noarei didn't say anything, just watched as Alec grabbed Laera's elbow hard. Her sniveling expression went slack and she looked away.
"My wife is sorry about that, Reho." Alec said, although Noarei could see he was gritting his teeth.
Reho didn't respond, and neither did Noarei. She could think of a lot to say, but today she didn't want her annoyance to get the better of her. Although, the words 'Can your wife not speak for herself?' almost escaped her lips. Laera surely could, she had just proven, just not when it came to admitting her own wrongdoings.
"I am cold. I haven't been warm since we got on this ship." Noarei said, trying to lighten the mood, although she knew was was a half-tried attempt. Reho laughed, as did Laeon, but the wife and husband stayed silent.
"Me too. Those woolen blankets really are quite thin." Laeon commented.
"And scratchy." Reho added, and Noarei nodded along, smiling despite herself.
"They don't smell too great, either." Noarei said, and this got another laugh out of the two men.
"Like wet dog." Laeon said, his voice merry. They laughed again, and Noarei joined in, putting her annoyance out of her mind. These few moments she had with her family were the only light on this dark voyage, and Noarei cherished them greatly.
Silence lapsed once more, and Noarei watched the ship cut through the waves, her mind blank. For a moment, she just enjoyed herself, and lifted her head to look at the cloudy sky and the land that was steadily approaching. It had a stark beauty, a muted palette but yet it still seemed to draw her in. Noarei found herself wondering what lay beyond the green, rolling hills. Could she see mountains in the distance? Were there forests, like the ones back home, or was it open land as far as the eye could see? Noarei had a general idea of the land in the North, but she still had so many questions.
The Princess tilted her head back even further, toward the sky. Dull, grey clouds stretched across it, but she saw small blue patches trying to peek out. Gulls dipped and circled around the boat, their calls reminding her so much of home. She closed her eyes, and enjoyed the wind buffeting her and the ocean spray peppering her face. The only thing that was missing was the sunlight to warm her skin: instead, as it had often been in the past days, it hid behind clouds and only gave off thin, diluted light that could not even warm a snake who lay in the sun for hours.
"Noarei, fix your shawl. The wind is ruining your hair! I spent so long braiding it." Saena said, tutting as she walked over to her daughter. Noarei sighed as the woman yanked the shawl back over her head, and pushed the stray hairs back.
"I can't control the wind, Mother." Noarei said, turning around to look out on the ocean again.
Saena squeezed in in between Noarei and Reho. "Well you can always fix your shawl, Noa." She said. "I want you to look at least presentable when we land in White Harbour."
Noarei rolled her eyes. "You want to talk about my hair? Take a look at Reho." She said, smiling as her older brother's eyes widened as their mother practically pounced on him.
"By Inati, Reho! How did I not see this! Your hair looks like a birds nest!" Saena said, referring to her patron goddess as she grabbed her youngest son's elbow and dragged him off.
Laeon smirked at Noarei. "I was going to say something, but even I didn't want to bring Mother's wrath on him. Poor man." He laughed, shaking his head.
"Likewise, but I'll do anything to avoid bringing it on myself." Noarei jested, smiling to herself.
Suddenly, Edaor's booming voice cut into the relative quietness of the ship. "Alright, children. We are going to dock in only a moment, so I want you all ready to greet our escorts. Alec, you'll ride alongside me. Reho, you'll travel with the cavalry commander. And I swear on all the Gods, if you pester him- where's Reho?"
"Coming, dear. Don't worry, he's ready to go." Saena said, rushing Reho back to the crowd. He frowned, but at the very least his hair did look much better. Judging by his expression, Noarei bet he wouldn't be bothering anyone anytime soon, lest he get another talking-to by his mother. Or another appearance fix.
Edaor nodded,but he seemed surprised by the submissive actions of his most troublesome son. "As I was saying, Reho, well, you better be on your best behaviour. Do you know where you're going?"
Reho nodded dutifully. "Yes, Father."
"Good. Noarei and Laera, you'll be traveling with Queen Saena in the carriage. Does everyone understand me?"
"Yes, Father." The children chimed in unison. They had good practise, learning from a young age you always answer Edaor no matter what. Even when you're like Alec or Ben, married and soon to rule and run your own home, you better respect your father. Laera, however, remained silent, to the surprise of no one.
Noarei hated the carriage. It was just so boring. Sure, she saw the same sights as the riders did outside, but it wasn't the same. Without the saddle beneath her and the wind behind her, traveling was mind-numbingly dull. Not to mention, she had hours on hours of time to worry. By the end of the trip, she would be stuck in a seated position, her body so tense from worry she would have to be pried from her seat. Noarei nearly laughed at the thought..
The reality of her situation was dawning on Noarei once more, and fast. She tried to keep her composure but as the ship docked and the men bustled around her, throwing ropes down and securing the boat, her heart raced and the movement turned to blurs. This was it. She was really going to leave home for ever, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Noarei swallowed thickly. Already her Father was stepping off the ship, to greet the Stark envoys who would be travelling with them to Winterfell. She watched, terrified, as her mother followed, then Alec, Laera, and Reho. Noarei followed, her movements slow and stiff. She gripped onto the side of the boat, her breathing heavy. She took in a deep breath, trying her best to calm herself.
You are strong. You are a Princess. This is easy.
Noarei stepped off the boat, and onto the dock, joining her siblings as they faced Stark men. She shivered, and wished nothing more than to back home and safe, in her bed. She could feel her lack of sleep from the night before creeping up on her, made worse by the emotions that whirled through her. Although, as she stood with her family, Noarei's nerves began to calm ever so slightly.
"Presenting King Edaor Arona of Maureo, and his wife Queen Saena Arona, formerly of House Mallister, and their children Prince Aleceho and his wife Princess Laera of House Maegyr, Prince Laeon, Prince Reho and Princess Noarei."
The Stark men bowed briefly. "Welcome to White Harbour! I am Lord Starrac Malcom, and I welcome you on behalf of the Stark family." A tall man spoke in Westerosi, with a weather-worn face and a salt and pepper beard. He had short, red hair and bright green eyes, framed by wrinkles, although Noarei guessed that he was most likely around the same age as her father: 5-and-40. Starrac was stocky for his size, but not fat. Noarei made another assumption: he would be a formidable opponent in swordplay. And by the scars that dotted his face, Noarei guessed he had had his fair share.
Edaor bowed, and his sons followed. Saena curtsied, and Noarei did the same, and tried to hide the shaking of her hands as she lifted her skirts. Focus on your surroundings, Noa. There is nothing to worry about. "We thank you, Lord Starrac." Edaor responded in Westerosi, and reached his hand forward to shake Starrac's.
"I trust your travels here were alright? No storms?" Starrac asked, retracting his hand and clasping them behind his back.
Saena answered for Edaor, looping her arm around her husband's. "Only one, Lord Starrac, thank you, and it could have been much worse. One could say we had luck on our side." She said pleasantly, offering her best smile.
"Wonderful." Starrac responded. He walked forward, breaking his crowd of four men. "You must be Prince Aleceho." He said, and shook the man's had.
"That I am, Lord Starrac." Alec responded, and smiled too. Starrac moved down the line, commenting on Laera's beauty. Noarei thought him truly a kind man from then on: Laera was the ugliest person Noarei had met, her beauty mediocre but marred by her rudeness. Proving it, she just sniffed at Starrac's kind words, and looked on with disinterest as he greeted Laeon.
Noarei curtsied once more as Starrac move on to greet her. "And the Princess Noarei. Another beauty, truly. Your family does not fall hard on that." He said.
"Thank you, Lord Starrac. You are a very kind man." Noarei responded sweetly, although she did not care much for small talk with people she had just met. However, as her position required, she handled it well enough. He must be truly kind to call me beautiful in my state. Noarei thought. She was well aware how. . . disheveled she must look.
Starrac moved back to join his men. "As requested, I have 3 mounts at the ready. Once your cavalry has all landed, we can get moving. If you will please follow me, I can show you to your horses and to the carriage."
The family followed the four men, Laeon and Reho striking up conversation with one stout man and another one who looked very plain. The one thing that amazed Noarei was how pale everyone was: her family must look like ducks out of water, with their dark skin and hair.
Noarei walked in silence alongside Laera, who seemed bored. The Princess, however, used her best tactic to calm her anxiety: look around and focus on what's happening around you. Noarei was amazed by White Harbour. She had never seen such a place so, well, white. Every building was practically immaculate and glimmering. White Harbour was beautiful, and expansive. It followed the hills, the buildings seemingly taller as the ground rose near the outskirts. A large tower rose above all others, however, and Noarei assumed it must have been a church. She saw birds flock to a window at the top, and noticed a bell. Definitely a church. Atop the largest hill lay what Noarei thought to be the governing family's home. It was a small building, compared to Sunhome, which came as no surprise as White Harbour was a much smaller place. Noarei still found it charming, though, and assumed it must have offered a nice view of the city. Turrets rose, proudly bearing banners, but they were much too far for Noarei to discern what was on them. Her mind worked, trying to remember which family ruled White Harbour, but her thoughts were interrupted.
She must have looked like a child seeing the world for the first time, because a man came up beside her and laughed.
"Forgive me, Princess, but you truly look amazed. White Harbour is an interesting place, ain't it?" He said, in a distinctly Northern accent, much different than Lord Starrac's.
Noarei turned to look at him, and found he was almost the same height has her. He was very small for a man, but round. He had a merry twinkle in his eyes and blonde hair, streaked with grey although you would have to look close to see it as his hair was so light.
Noarei smiled politely. "You're not wrong." She told him.
"I already know your name, but I believe we have not been introduced yet. I am Roland Manderly." The man said.
Instantly, Noarei recognized the name. "Oh! You're family's seat is White Harbour."
"Yes, my Princess. My brother is the Lord, actually. I ain't one to lie, I'm impressed you know my House." Roland said, his hand absently stroking his long, tangled beard. He had braided wo small parts, and a bell was attached. They jingled when he moved, which Noarei found to be annoying very quickly.
Noarei raised an eyebrow. Did this man think her stupid? Surely he would expect a Princess who is being married to a Northerner to know at least a little of her fiance's history. "Impressed? Why? Do women here not get educated at all, my Lord?" She asked, knowing full well she could be provoking Roland.
Roland laughed, his hands on his great belly as it shook. "No, my Princess. It's just that I find noble Ladies aren't too keen on education." He said.
Noarei rolled her eyes, making sure to look away as she did so so as not to let Roland see her. She knew plenty of intelligent Ladies back home, and she thoroughly doubted that every last one in Westeros would be as dumb as a post.
"I see. Well, it seems as though you have been proven wrong, however." Noarei commented, keeping a straight face as she did so.
Roland stopped laughing, but a smile remained on his face. Was it a bitter one? Noarei couldn't tell, but it most certainly did not look genuine. "Maybe, my Princess."
Already Noarei was not fond of this man. He quickly left her company to join Laera, striking up small talk with her. Laera, despite her stuffiness, also tended to put her smarts to good use. In all honesty, she probably knew more of Westeros than Noarei.
Noarei walked in silence with the entourage, down the dock and into the city. She knew they wouldn't get to see much of it: the voyage had been planned so that the ship would land in the morning and they could continue on through White Harbour to a small hamlet where they would stay the night. Get a head start to Winterfell, her parents had explained. Noarei wanted nothing more than to collapse in a bed on land, even if that bed had itchy woolen blankets. The ship would not be missed.
Time passed swiftly, and Noarei felt like she was just watching the world go by without her in it. Had she given her thanks to Lord Starrac for the carriage and arrangements? She couldn't remember. All she could do was what her parents had told her, hug your siblings and father before you get on the carriage, be polite and quiet and sit straight in the carriage like the Princess you are. Already she had done all of that, and she was left to stare out the window at the sights going by around her.
Noarei did so the whole ride, watching the city and stares of the people of White Harbour dissipate as they entered the countryside, getting closer and closer to Winterfell and the future that lay ahead of her.
And now we are on our way!
Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter,
-sarah