Game of Thrones: Love and Duty

Chapter 4 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, glad you like it :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; glad you liked the Starks; especially Arya, Gendry and Visenya; hope you liked the little thing with Visenya already showing how much she's like her mother (the wooden sword). Glad you liked that little part, well, came from Pod's respect for Tyrion after all.
Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks, glad you liked it :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 4

Shireen bit her lip. She had been at Winterfell for almost a month now. She was concerned that her fears were true. In all this time, she had come to know the Starks well. They all seemed very nice to her, except Rickon. He had been unbelievably reticent, had barely said more than four words to her. Other than at meal times, she hardly even saw him.

'He doesn't like me, doesn't even want me.' She thought sadly. 'But why, I don't understand. He's shown no revulsion, so it's not my Greyscale. Why is he acting like this?'

She shook her head and looked around. She was in the courtyard, standing with Sansa, Catelyn and Myrcella. They were watching while Bran and Meera were at the archery range, and the rest of the men, and Arya, worked on their sword practice. In Arya's case, her Water Dancing. Yet Rickon was nowhere in sight. The other women seemed to notice her distress and Sansa spoke.

"Shireen, are you alright; you seem, upset." She said softly.

Shireen sighed. "Sorry I just; I just don't understand it…I've been here nearly a month, yet Rickon's hardly spoken to me, or even acknowledged me."

Catelyn gave her a small smile. "He knows you are here Shireen; Rickon…It's nothing personal, he rarely talks to anyone."

Sansa nodded. "That's true, he's more a man of action, than of words."

"I…I guess I understand but, I just don't understand why he refuses to spend any time with me. He's always away somewhere." Shireen explained.

She saw the other women exchange looks at that.

It was then she heard Arya's voice behind her.
"Wait; so he's not spent any time with you?"

She shook her head. "Um, no, he's not."

Arya glared. "That stupid ass."

"Arya!" Cat cried out, scandalized.

Arya shook her head. "I'm sorry mother, but that's the way Rickon's acting."

Sansa bit her lip and added. "I agree with Arya, mother. He's treating Shireen terribly, not even giving her a chance."

Catelyn sighed, defeated. She knew that a situation like this, when both her daughters agreed on something, there was no arguing them out of it. Myrcella knew this too and looked worried.

"Now Arya, please, what exactly are you planning?" She asked, concerned.

"Nothing drastic." Arya reassured them, shaking her head. "I just think I need to have a serious talk with my little brother."

Shireen relaxed when she heard that. Despite his poor treatment of her, the last thing she wanted was Rickon getting hurt. It was then however that a distraction arrived, in the shape of a large grey furred wolf. Shireen stepped back, startled. Yet she noticed nobody else reacted, and Myrcella even smiled and held her hand out. The wolf sniffed and licked her hand before allowing Myrcella to scratch him behind the ears. It was then Myrcella remembered something else she had heard about the Starks; their Direwolves.

"Is…Is that…?" She began to ask hesitantly.

Myrcella nodded. "This is Grey Wind. I reacted the same way, first time I saw him."

Shireen smiled at that, feeling reassured. She had adapted so well to the north, sometimes it was easy to forget Myrcella was actually from the south.

Seeing Grey Wind meant that when she met Summer, Bran's Direwolf, she wasn't as taken aback. With their training done, everybody began to resume their usual routines. Except for Meera, after talking with Bran briefly she surprised Shireen by asking to talk to her, in private. Shireen agreed and followed; during her stay in Winterfell she had grown closer to everyone. But the ones she found herself closest too; were Arya, Myrcella and Meera. As they walked away Shireen glanced back. Myrcella was at Robb's side, both of them heading back to the castle, with the twins walking next to them. Sansa and Podrick were right behind them, Sansa holding Tyrion's hand as they walked. Bran followed them along with Arya. Gendry was heading for the forge. Arya was holding Visenya's hand and shaking her head. Making what looked like a half-hearted lecture on how dirty Visenya had got herself. But the look on Arya's face suggested she wasn't angry, in fact, she was remembering her own childhood. Very likely having done the same as her daughter; the two Direwolves followed them inside. From what she had heard, Shireen knew that Rickon also had a Direwolf, but she hadn't seen that one yet. Soon Shireen and Meera were alone and Meera turned to her. She saw the worried look on Meera's face and waited tensely.

There was an awkward silence and Shireen suddenly got the impression Meera didn't know where to begin. She waited patiently, all the while thinking, wondering what she could say or do to help Meera. Finally, however Meera seemed to make up her mind.

"There's something I need to ask you. I…I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone else, yet." She said carefully.

Shireen nodded. "O-okay, what's wrong?"

Meera sighed and then confessed. "I-I'm with child."

"That's, that's wonderful." Shireen gasped happily. "Why would you want to keep that secret?"

She knew Bran and Meera were the only married couple in the family yet to have any children. She couldn't figure out why Meera wouldn't want to inform anyone, particularly Bran.

Meera nodded slowly. "It is, but I…I just, don't want to tell anyone yet. But I needed to confide in someone."

Shireen smiled. "I won't tell anyone, but why won't you tell Bran?"

"I don't want to get his hopes up." She said sadly. "I don't want to hurt him again. I…I was pregnant before, a couple of years ago; but I miscarried. The look on Bran's face when he found out. I couldn't do that to him again."

Shireen lowered her head; she could see Meera's point; she could understand. But, she knew one thing, so she'd have to inform Meera of it.

"Meera; I understand what you're saying. You do have a good point." She explained. "But, think about it, wouldn't Bran be more hurt, that you kept this from him."

Meera was about to reply but stopped and then sighed. "I never thought of it that way, I guess you're right, thank you Shireen."

Shireen smiled and nodded, relieved she could be of some help.

That night; after getting changed for bed, Meera lay down next to Bran. Smiling Bran managed to move his arm around her and pull her close. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. Moving him until he lay on his side and was able to hold her too. They lay together, basking in each other's presence.

'Now is the time.' She felt and so she spoke up. "Bran, there's something I need to tell you."

He looked at her carefully. "Is everything okay?"

She nodded. "Yes, I'm sure it is…Bran, I'm pregnant."

She watched as Bran's face split into a wide grin; he then kissed her. After parting he remarked. "That's wonderful. Don't worry Meera, I'm sure this time, this time nothing will go wrong."

"I hope so." She said truthfully; relieved.

They both lay together, Meera smiling as Bran moved a hand to caress her still flat belly. She prayed that Bran's enthusiasm would pay off; that everything would indeed end up alright. That finally, they'd have a child of their own.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.