Summary: She didn't understand. Why do people always assume she was like her mother? Yes, she was brought up with power and money and a King for a father but she was not him. Her mother may have been Cersei Lannister but she was Seraphina Baratheon. There is a difference. She wanted someone to love that would love her back. Was that so hard? Jon/OC, AU in parts of the show. Co – Written with WalkingPotterGirl14.

Special Thanks To: HIPuni101, Guest, francisvirus, Theeyeofanger, diamondgirl647 and Vulcran.

AUTHORS NOTE: This isn't a story for Catelyn fans, and if you don't like it, then don't read it.

Dragons And Stags

Chapter 10

Catelyn Stark could not believe what her husband was saying. It could not be possible for the King to agree or allow something like this to happen. Was he out of his mind? Drunk? He was clearly not thinking and it was now being shown through the decisions he was making.

"How could you let this happen Ned?" She screamed at her husband the rage clear in her voice when she spoke to her husband. She would have thought that since he was named as Robert's hand he would start using his power to influence the choices the King was to make in the future. The look Ned received from his wife was one thing he would not allow in this marriage. She was looking at him like he was a child, like he should do ask she tells with no question. He would not let her bully him.

"Robert felt it would benefit the realm and I agree with him. It would heal the rift between House Targaryen and House Baratheon, besides, Jon and Seraphina are very taken with each other. It would be no benefit if Robert was to break his daughter's heart before she had the chance to love." Ned explained keeping his voice calm as he spoke to his wife. He did not want to argue with the woman but he knew that she would not listen to him.

Catelyn felt a rush or anger and rage wash through her at her husband's words and she wished to hit him them. The bastard boy had no right marrying the Princess, he was nothing compared to her perfect son and he never would be.

"Robb should marry her, not Jon. The Stark and Baratheon houses should join together and become powerful not the Princess and some bastard!" Catelyn shouted pushing her own son's name forward in hope that it would replace the bastard boy.

"That bastard is my nephew and I will no longer let you talk about him like that!" Ned snapped shaking his head at his wife as her face twisted as if she had bitten into a bitter lemon. When she opened her mouth to protest Ned simple held his hand up to stop her and gave a heavy sigh. "It is too late Cat, Jon and Seraphina will marry in three day's time. The Martell's are travelling as we speak." Ned informed her calmly not looking her directly in the eye as he spoke. "They will not make it for the wedding but they wish to be here to give Jon their approval and to also forward their approval onto Sera and Lyanna."

Catelyn snorted at her husband's words and she could forget in that moment that she was a Lady and just act the way she wanted.

"The Martell's will kill them without a second thought." she muttered coolly hoping that they would make the bastard's death and painful. She did not see the look her husband had until he sighed softly and calmly spoke.

"No they won't Catelyn." he mumbled running his hand over his face, something Robb had picked up from his father. Catelyn frowned at the words and peered at Ned's face careful as she waited for him to say something else.

"What do you mean?"

"Princess Elia wrote to her brothers before she died, it seems Prince Doran and Oberyn were aware that their sister had given her blessing to Rhaegar and Lyanna. She knew that she would not be able to give Rhaegar anymore children and so she gave him his wish to marry another to complete his desire." he told her coolly remembering the words his sister spoke to him hours before when she spoke to him privately in her chambers. Catelyn felt read run through her at the thought of the wedding going on and she looked at her husband with pleading eyes when another thought crossed her mind.

"Where will they live?" she asked fearfully hoping that it would not be in the castle with them. She had handled the boy for seventeen years, nearing eighteen and she would no longer do so under her own home.

"They will live in Summerhall, Robert's had it being re-built for the last five years. He knew that Sera would need her own home and wanted her close to him." Ned told her before pausing and turning his face away from her but still able to see her reaction to his next words. "In the North, I have gifted them Moat Cailin, it has also been under repair for a while and will be finished before their children come into the world." he added wincing when her hand met his cheek with the heat and fire of her slap. She saw red then and turned away from him marching over to the door only stopping when she reached the heavy wood and turned her cruel eyes to her husband.

"I should have never married you!" she screamed at him bitterly waiting before she left to see if he said anything back to her. Ned sighed before he looked at his wife and knew that he should tell her the truth like she did to him.

"If I was a real man, one without honour and trust then I would have slept around with other woman many years ago and actually sired many bastards, but I stuck with you all these years Catelyn. I let you torture Jon and mistreat me but I never betrayed our vows." he told her softly thinking about how she would have been much happier if she was to marry his brother. "I loved someone too Catelyn, I couldn't be with the woman I loved just like you couldn't be with Brandon."

Jon's heart beat wildly as he approached his uncle's solar. His wedding was in two days. Yesterday had been such a joyous event for him finding out he was able to marry the girl he had grown feelings for. He did not know if what he felt was love but he was certain that it was approaching that level. He cared about Seraphina deeply and he knew she felt something towards him. He knew that their marriage would be one of love and nothing but. If they did not love one another now he knew that they would grow to care for each other deeply.

His wedding was approaching and he was trying to deal with his nerves in the only way he could - practicing his sword skills. He knew he was good but he could be better. He was practicing in the morning with Robb when Bran came running up to him telling his that 'Father' needed to speak with him. Jon loved the way that Bran referred to Ned as his 'Father' still. To him it showed that the young boy still thought of him as a brother.

It was now that Jon stood outside his uncle's door trying to pluck up the courage and knock. For some reason, he knew that whatever they were going to talk about in here had something to do with his upcoming wedding. Taking in a deep, slow breath Jon raised his hand and tapped lightly on the door with as much courage as he could muster. I'm not here because I've done something wrong. He told himself just as Ned opened the door and sent a strong, glowing smile down to the young man. A young man he had always considered his son even though it was not true.

"You wished to speak to me, uncle?" Jon muttered softly as Ned opened the door to allow his dark-haired nephew to enter. There was a goblet of rich wine placed upon the desk. Something Ned had the maids bring just for this conversation. He had been saving the wine for a special occasion and he couldn't find one better than this moment.

"Aye I did Jon," Ned said with a smile as he poured a glass of wine for each of them, he nodded to the chair in front of the table and let Jon know that he wanted him to sit down.

"Take a seat Jon." he told him lightly handing the boy a goblet as he took the seat opposite him, sipping lightly on the rich wine. Jon followed Ned's lead and sipped at the sweet-smelling wine. The taste burst on his tongue making it tingle lightly in a way he had never felt before. The wine was not one he had the experience of tasting before but it was delicious and he was thankful that he had the chance to taste it in his lifetime. "How are you feeling Jon?" Ned asked after a while. He felt that he should wait until the boy had a bit of wine in his system before he went into the deep details of the upcoming wedding. He wanted to know the truthful answer that Jon was to give him and he knew that the wine would loosen his tongue.

Jon stopped sipping his wine and looked up into the blue eyes of his uncle before taking a deep breath. He should be truthful, even if he was not Ned knew when he was lying. As they were brought up not to lie they tended to be such bad liars even when they tried their hardest to be convincing. He was happy but he was nervous at the same time but he did not want his uncle going to tell the King that he was feeling nervous about marrying his daughter.

"I'm alright." He said finally finding that this was the best way to describe how he was feeling without letting to much of his nerves appear. He was fine to handle everything until his wedding. He could handle it until he married Sera. he didn't need to talk about anything until he was with his wife - and that was what she was going to be his wife. Ned looked at his nephew deeply before nodding his head and starting a conversation that was away from the wedding hoping that this would calm the nerves that he could see that Jon was trying to push down inside.

Ned knew that the wedding would go smoothly if Jon held his nerves until he sealed his marriage with that kiss and the words that would mean everything for his future. It was not long after their conversation grew into ones of other unimportant matters that Jon stood from the chair and walked towards the door, Ned following behind him.

"I need you to know that you will always be my father." Jon blurted just as Ned's hand wrapped around the handle. Ned stopped in his place as his heart beat fast as he turned to look at his nephew. Jon looked flustered at his words and Ned knew that it was the wine that had his nephew slipping these words. Jon felt like he should explain more to his uncle at the confused look upon his face. " I know that Rhaegar Targaryen is my true father but he could never replace you. You taught me to be the man that I am now, I feel that I should tell you that I will always consider you my father." Jon explained rubbing nervously at the back of his neck as he waited for his uncle to say something.

Ned's heart burst from Jon's words, he had been told by his true children that they loved him but this was the first time that Jon had really ever told him that and for some reason he was thankful. Ned quickly brought Jon into a hug, holding him close to tell Jon that he felt the same way. To him Jon was his sin and not his nephew. He had to bring the boy up without a mother there to care for him. Ned was proud of Jon in that moment. He had pushed aside any horrid feelings he may have been feeling at being lied to his whole life and told this man he knew was his uncle that he accepted him as his father.

"I am very proud of you Jon, never forget that." Ned told him as he pulled out of the hug and clapped Jon on the shoulder as his nephew left the room to meet Robb. As Jon stumbled down the hall he could not help but feel like he had accomplished something just be being told that he was the pride of his uncle. All his life he had aimed to be the same as Robb in their father's eye and now he had been excepted and for that he was grateful. Jon felt that everything seemed to be looking up for him at the moment and he could not help but wish that it would stay that way forever but he was not stupid. Winter was Coming.

The day was like no other. A cool breeze spread around Winterfell and the clouds were a suspicious grey that threated to show either rain or snow, but the sun was struggling to make its appearance as many people rushed around trying to achieve the perfect scenery for the big day. Two people that should have been sleeping as the night turned into the early morning hours were up and trying to rid their tingling stomachs. Today was a big day for both of them, today would change their lives forever.

Seraphina had been awake before the sun had risen over the mountains just watching the snow fall lightly around Winterfell. She was not ashamed to admit that she was slightly afraid of the event that today brought but she knew that she would be happy once the pressure of the wedding was out of the way and she was married to Jon.

She glanced over at her wedding gown as it hung up in a wrap against the wardrobe to stay clean for the upcoming event. She knew that meant that her extended family had arrived. Her grandfather brought the dress for her mother – apparently Cersei was determined that her daughter would wear a dress made from her hometown when she married.

Along with her grandfather Tywin, her uncles from her father's side travelled. Uncle Stannis had arrived by ship along with his wife Selyse and as many said his misfortunate daughter Shireen. There had been a many times Seraphine had played with her younger cousin Shireen and to her she seemed like any other young girl. Along with her Uncle Stannis came her Uncle Renly – if she was to admit he was her favourite Baratheon Uncle but he was nowhere near as brilliant as Tyrion. No one could beat Uncle Tyrion's place in her heart. Uncle Renly brought his new wife, Lady Margaery Tyrell along with him and escorting them was his good friend, Lord Loras Tyrell.

They had all arrived last night after receiving her father's letter two weeks ago. She knew it was him that sent the letters otherwise her family would not be her within this short time. They had managed to travel by ship rather than horse, cutting the time in half before reaching Winterfell.

At her grandfather's arrival, there had been a silence that settled around the castle that had everyone unnerved to the bone. She could feel from the moment her entered the large hall to join in on their feast. His eyes had gone straight to Lyanna as if he was finding it hard to believe she was even there. It was on the minds of all, the memory of what her grandfather had part-taken in was haunting everyone. Princess Elia and her two children did not deserve what came to them but now everyone could not help but make that link between those sweet innocent lives to Tywin Lannister.

She could remember when her grandfather set his eyes on Jon. It was in that moment to truly saw her mother in her grandfather. It was true what her father told her as a child. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She did not know what he meant until then. Her mother may be married into the Baratheon family but she was far from the stag – she was a lion and always would be.

Poor Jon must have felt so nervous under Tywin's gaze and she wanted to call her grandfather's name to distract him but knew that Jon would not forgive her if she did. He would have to stand up for them both soon enough and she could not be taking away his masculinity.

'Men could be so stubborn.' Sera thought as she pulled her silk dressing gown closer to her body as she continued to gaze out of the window. The window seat had become one of her favourite things about her room here at Winterfell. The seat was padded with a thick brown fur and was decorate with two cotton covered pillows for extra comfort. As she peered out the window and looked down into the courtyard she noted that many men were up already rushing around to prepare for the wedding today. She sighed deeply taking in the cool, brisk air and noted with happiness that the snow was starting to fall heavily now.

Her gazing out the window was cut short when the door opened allowing Meera to enter, a beautiful silk underdress in her arms and a small wooden box atop of that.

Sera knew it was more stuff for the wedding and remembered how her father had planned for the wedding to happen four days after agreeing the bond between Jon and her. They had tried of course for the wedding to happen quickly but her mother had refused for it to happen so fast. She wanted her father there for the wedding of his granddaughter and so they had waited two weeks.

After Meera entered the chamber two men entered carrying a large wooden bath full of boiling water and tipped it into the larger bath hidden behind the cover. When they let many maids rushed in with smaller buckets of water that Sera knew ranged between hot and cold water.

Meera wandered over to the window next to the princess and placed her hand on the girl's shoulder softly. It was time for her to get ready, if she was to be ready before the Queen entered than she needed to step into the bath now.

Once Sera was undressed and settled into the bath, Meera poured a small bottle of oil in the water watching it mix quickly. A smile was brought to Sera's face when she smelt the oil. It was her favourite; bluebell. She also got the scent of roses, a favourite of her mother's and Myrcella's.

At the thought of her little sister the door opened revealing the blonde girl as she entered. It was as if the little girl had heard her sister's thoughts and had come to find her. She had the largest smile on her face and was wearing a light pink dress made out of the finest cotton. He sweet sister looked beautiful. Her hair was twisted in a braid but most of her hair was down like the northern ladies wore it. She had a pink bow that matched her dress tied into her braid at the bottom.

Sera smiled at her sister and watched as she settled on the bed playing with the little wooden horse Tommen had left there the day before. They were both fond of their youngest sibling and brother but Sera felt even more protective of her two youngest siblings.

As a babe, Myrcella had nearly died. Sera could remember visiting her crib when she was born. Her mother did not leave her side and they both spent most nights sitting in a chair beside the cradle with a little Myrcella. Seraphina would be wrapped in her mother's arms while Joffrey would be off with some maid ruining her life. Ever since she could understand that she nearly lost Myrcella to something she couldn't control she had been protective.

It only got worse when Tommen was born. She had only been nearly four when Myrcella was born and nearly six when Tommen entered the world. She had felt like a proper big sister to them both and knew that as the oldest she had to protect them.

But not Joffrey.

Even at the age of six she knew that Joffrey was a monster and she stayed away from her four-year-old brother as much as she could when she was six.

"Are you excited?" Myrcella asked jumping on the bed slightly as she helped Meera by holding onto the wooden box like it was her life. Sera smiled fondly at her sister as she climbed out of the bath and allowed Meera to dry her with one large fur. She was not dried fully but it did not matter when Meera covered her in a powder that absorbed the drying liquid on her body, drying her in a way that a fur would not. The powder smelt of bluebells and roses.

"I am very nervous as well as excited," Sera admitted lifting her arms as Meera slid on her thin silk underdress. It felt lovely against her smooth skin and she blushed knowing Jon would see her in this later that night.

Her nerves grew when she realised that the Martell's would be arriving within the next few days to congratulate her and Jon on their marriage. She did not know how it would go down with them but she knew now that the Martell Brother's had both received letters from their sister before they died saying she accepted Lyanna and agreed for her to marry knowing she would no longer be able to give Rhaegar any more sons or daughters.

She only hoped that her grandfather wouldn't cause a fight with the dark-haired brothers. She knew he had a little temper when it came to them. Many a times she had heard him cursing their names when he visited.

Meera slowly brought her out of her thoughts when she pulled the wedding gown over her arms and ran behind her to tie the laces until she was satisfied with her work. It seemed Meera had finished just in time as the door opened allowing her mother to enter.

Cersei looked over at her daughter and almost cried out when she realised this little dove was beautiful. She ushered Meera away and lead her daughter to the chair in front of the mirror and started on her hair.

There had been times when Cersei delight in the mothering act of braiding her two-daughter's hair, both had inherited thick smooth locks but while Myrcella's was fair like hers, Seraphina's was dark like Robert's. Both girls had hair that waved down their backs like a waterfall Cersei had once seen as a child and she delighted in the fact that these two beautiful girls were hers.

As Cersei ran her fingers through Seraphina's hair she absently hummed a soothing lullaby to her daughter, one that was familiar to both woman in the room. As a babe Cersei had always hummed or sung the lullaby to Seraphina, on nights when the girl could not sleep or had unsettling nightmares she had always stepped over to the bassinet and cradled her daughter close to her chest, humming to her until the babe settled down.

The dark locks were pulled into a delicate intricate braid at the centre of her hair, with a few loose stands floating down in a gentle curl. Cersei's long fingers fiddled with the raven hair before clipping a fragile, ancient sliver stag clip donned with glittering rubies and golden raindrops. It was a beautiful clip and not even Cersei could complain about the lack of lions considering the clip still held her colours. For such an ancient thing, it seemed as if the fates knew Cersei would bear Robert Baratheon a daughter – the clip had been passed down through generations according to Robert when he handed her the clip the night before.

Tapping her daughter gently on the shoulder Cersei stepped back and looked down at her eldest. She could not help but feel as if some part of her was being ripped out in the inside. Something she would never get back. Seraphina pushed up off the stool and turned to face her mother, a gleaming smile crossing the raven-haired girls face as she took in her mother.

Cersei hugged her daughter to her tightly, that bubbly feeling within her stomach she knew to be pride as she held her daughter to her. She could not believe that the day had come when she would see her daughter married. She could remember holding her as a babe and thinking she would be a beauty and she would have to fight off any boys that went after her little princess, but here she was getting her ready to marry a Targaryen.

"You look beautiful, my little dove," she said proudly almost feeling herself choke on her tears as she held them in. It would not do to cry now. Crying was a weakness and she did not need to be seen as weak. Cersei pulled away from her daughter then, cupping her face within her hands and pressing a light kiss to her head in approval.

"Thank you, mother," Seraphina gushed smiling greatly and so happy that her mother approved of her. It was the only concern Sera had, that her mother would not accept that she would be marry Jon and would no longer belong to the Baratheon family by nightfall.

"You have made us all very proud my darling daughter," her mother told her smiling a smile Sera had not seen since she was a child. There have been few times her mother had ever smiled like that – there had been one-time Sera had sneaked about the castle and listened in on a conversation between her mother and father. She was sure that they were both drunk but they had laughed and joked and Sera had never seen them so happy before. "My little dove,"

Seraphina was interrupted by her thoughts when Meera appeared again holding Sera's maiden cloak of a large golden stag on a black cloak. It was beautifully made and Sera knew that her father had paid a rather large sum for it to be made for her wedding day. As the cloak was spread over her shoulders a flutter within her stomach had her shuffling on her feet from nerves. As the golden sting was clasped against her chest the door to her chamber opened and the large frame of her father stepped into the chamber, taking up the doorway. Her father glanced around the room before his eyes settled on her and he gave a gruff grunt. She knew he was happy though, she could see the smile in his eyes – a smile he shared with her during company he found less …. It was their secret smile.

"You ready girl?" he grunted sending her Queen mother a look before Cersei ushered young Myrcella out of the room, Meera following behind quickly, leaving the two Baratheon's alone.

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