Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones, only House Pyralis and Ophelia.

So...it's been a long time since I've updated. I think I may have wrote myself into a corner, and I didn't know how to write out of it. This chapter alone took me months of writing it, and re-writing it because I felt it wasn't good enough. Still, this was that the only draft that I felt worthy of publishing, so I do hope you like it.

Thank you to all those who reviewed my previous chapter and for your endless patience that comes with keeping up with this story. Hopefully you guys will like this chapter, and please leave me a review. I appreciate every single one I get!

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3rd P.O.V. Riverrun

Seraphine Pyralis was bored. The young girl twirled her mahongony locks while she wistfully stared out the window. Cat was busy with their Septa learning how to make a new pattern of dress. Though Sera was good with a needle herself, she just didn't feel like sewing at that moment, and she was skilled enough at the craft to skip a lesson every now and then.

Lysa was off with Petyr somwhere, probably playing Knights and Princesses, and Edmure was with Lord Hoster Tully, learning how to be a Great Lord. Then, there was him.

Jaime Lannister.

Seraphine rolled her eyes and scoffed.

Why was he even at Riverrun?

He had arrived a fortnight prior, and the moment he had stepped down from his grand horse, surrounded by bannermen waving around that fearsome Lion sigil, Sera's first thoughts were not kind. She gazed down at the boy from her perch behind the multi-colored window of her favorite reading nook. He was handsome, with his bright green eyes and wavy golden hair.

And she could tell he athletically inclined, what with how he jumped off his horse effortlessly. He was also well versed in all manners of the court, obviously, by the way he greeted the Great Tully Lord that would foster him for the next few months.

All of that was fine and good.

But, it was as he was being introduced, he glanced up to the window she was at, that Seraphine saw what put her off by this young golden lion: Arrogance.

Seraphine viewed Jaime Lannister as arrogant.

His Lannister Green eyes held her Pyralis Crimson ones, as if he were silently chanllenging her. She did not move or flinch, rather, she narrowed her eyes at him and stared back.

When they had their first formal introduction, her mind was concretely made up.

"I'm Jaime, son of Tywin Lannister." He had said as she curtsied before him, along with the other children of the Tully House.

"I'm Seraphine Pyralis." Sera gave the boy a polite smile. Jamie cocked an eyebrow at her sarcastically.

"And who is your father?"

Did he really not know who her family was? How idiotic.

Seraphine crossed her arms defiantly and scoffed at Jaime. "Somebody more important than your own." The Westerland Boy took issue with her words immediately.

"My father is Hand of The King!"

"My father is cousin to the King. Obviously, one of us is more important than the other. How daft must you be to not even know who he is?"

"Hey!"

"Children," Lord Tully came between the bickering kids and put a hand on each of their shoulders, "please do not argue. It is very unbecoming."

Seraphine stood her ground glaring at Jaime, as Jaime did the same. "Lysa will show the Young Lord to his rooms. Lysa?" The elder turned to his body to his youngest daughter, and she perked up at having the assignment of showing this handsome boy to his room. "Follow me! They are quite big."

As the pair was leaving, Jaime 'casually' bumped into Seraphine's shoulder, without apologizing.

She watched them go, when a deep voiced interrupted her gaze. "Sera, I know you don't seem fond of Jaime, but he will be here for a while. I do expect you to treat him with the utmost respect that any young Lady of the court would know how to demonstrate. Is that understood?" Lord Tully's giant physique towered over her, yet the young girl was not afraid.

You see, Seraphine Pyralis rarely cowered before anyone. She merely tilted her head in agreement and said, "Of course, My Lord. I will do better".

"Very good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to those Lannister Bannermen."

Seraphine turned to Petyr, Edmure, and Cat staring at her in shock.

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "What are you all staring on at?"

Cat slapped her forehad in disbelief as the boys groaned in exasperation. "Sera", Cat went over to her close friend, "you can't speak to Jaime that way. His father is a powerful man...and I heard he's scary." Cat's voice dropped into a whisper as she uttered the last part of her sentence.

"Cat's right, Sera." Petyr walked forward, and leaned in to whisper as well. "Tywin Lannister drowned a whole castle full of people, and now he sits beside the King. I would not anger his son, lest he writes back to his father."

"Please, Sera, just be nice to him. Jamie didn't seem that bad." Edmure piped up from the background.

"I am Seraphine of House Pyralis. My Uncle is the king, the other is Lord of Highgarden, and my cousin is the Prince. I've nothing to fear." She stated bluntly.

The three other kids looked worriedly at each other, but didn't say anything to Seraphine. There was really no point. She was too headstrong to listen to anyone but, her own voice of reasoning.

So, her mind was made up: Jaime Lannister was arrogant.

Yet, he was the only one unoccupied at the moment. She set off to find him, which she did, in the library. He was sitting at a table, immersed with a book that had an illustration of a gallant knight on one of the pages. He stared intently at it, as if silently willing the knight to come alive with powers of his mind.

"Psst. Lion Boy." Seraphine whispered from the doorway.

Jaime didn't even look up as he replied, "Don't you have Cat to go bother, Seraphine?"

Seraphine huffed. "No, she's too busy."

Jaime looked up at her, furrowing his eyebrows in annoyance. "Well, what about Lysa or Edmure?"

"They're annoying."

"As are you, so it seems you'll all get on perfectly well." Jaime retorted sourly.

"Just come play with me." Seraphine snapped.

"No!"

"And why not?"

Jaime stood up and closed his book as he walked towards the door, scowling at the girl who was nothing but unpleasant to him. "Because, you are arrogant and rude!"

Seraphine stood aghast with her mouth open in shock. "Me?! Arrogant!" How could he possibly think that?! "You're the one putting on airs because you think you're too good for any of us because your father is Tywin Lannister."

"Well, you think you're too good because your uncle is the King!" Jaime's angry clutch on his book was so tight, Seraphine noticed his knuckles turning white.

"Children!" The Maester of Riverrun was in the library, trying to read, when Seraphine and Jaime's arguing interrupted him. He stood up to face the pair and was quite annoyed. "I cannot concentrate with your bickering! I will tell Lord Tully if you do not stop at this moment."

Seraphine scoffed and folded her arms. "Do you really believe that I'm afraid of your idle threats?" Jaime cocked his head in annoyance as he glared up at the older man. "Or I, for that matter? Go back to your reading, you old buffoon!" Seraphine felt a smile tug at the corner of her lips, yet she held her steely gaze still.

The Maester stood gobsmacked, and then replied angrily, "It will not be an idle threat now! Come, we will go to the Lord together, and you can explain for yourselves about your poor behavior!" As the elderly Maester moved forward to reach the kids, Jaime nonchalantly dropped his heavy book on the Maester's foot, causing the older man to stumble back in pain as he grabbed it and yelled in pain.

Jaime grabbed Seraphine's hand and yelled, "RUN!"

The two children ran away laughing as they heard the older man shout, "You two get back here!"

They ran up one of the staircases going towards one of the guest wings in the castle. Seraphine giggled as she said, "You want to know what I think?"

Jaime smiled a bit as he said to her, "Not really, but I think you'll tell me anyway".

"You're not that bad". Seraphine grinned as she started to hop up each stair by bunching up her delicate white dress in her hands so she wouldn't trip on it.

Jaime shrugged as he started to hop alongside her. "You aren't that bad either."

Seraphine leaned into his ear and whispered, "Also, Jaime is a girl's name!"

She giggled as she raced up the stairs with Jaime trailing behind her shouting, "It is not!", though he was still lauging.

"Oh yes it is!"

They ran up the stairs until the reached an empty guest bedroom, where Seraphine opened the door and ushered them inside.

"Come on!" She grabbed Jaime's hand and pulled him up onto the grand bed and started to jump. "I can jump higher than you!"

"Oh no you can't!"

As Serphine was jumping high, Jaime grabbed a pillow and hit her with it, causing all of the feather burst out and explode around them. The cascade of white fluff endlessly reigned down on them as they continued to bounce on the bed, causing more of the feathers that had landed to spring back up and fly again. The children laughed and continued to play, not having a single care in the world.

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1st P.O.V. Winterfell

"Now, the secret to catching frogs is patience." Lord Reed said as he held a thin yet, large rope net in his hand. My dress was bunched up just below my knees, tied up with a leather thong. We were all standing near the damp bank of a stream in the Wolfswood, and I was not wearing any shoes.

"Why do I have to be here?" Robb whispered into my ear. He was standing near the bank of the stream along with me, Torrhen, Lord Reed, and Jojen Reed.

"Ssshhh!" I hushed him. "I'm trying to listen!"

Before we left the castle, I saw Robb and asked if he would like to go on an outing with me and Lord Reed. He noticed how Torrhen had my arm through his and gave me a surprised look.

Robb went to go ask Lord Stark if it was alright, and when he gave his permission, Robb came along with us, thinking that our small group of people were just going for a walk through the woods.

I suppose he didn't notice the woven basket with a lid that Jojen was carrying, or the bunched up net that Lord Reed had slung across his right shoulder.

To, his credit though, I did say 'outing'.

My attention went back to the Crannogman who stood in a crouching position near an old tree log that was covered in moss. He put his finger to his lips and carefully crouched near it. Then, as quickly as possible, Lord Reed lifted up the log with all his might, and tossed it to the side. Several frogs jumped out from the damp earth that was previously shielded by the log, but Lord Reed made haste as he dropped the thick net down and caught several of the four legged amiphibians. He held it up with a look of triumph on his face.

"These are a good size, nice and thick. But make sure that they are frogs, not toads." Lord Reed gave me a smile as I watched him with much intensity. Jojen opened up the basket and Lord Reed put the frogs in it, with his son closing it tightly.

"There we are! A couple good-sized ones. It is important to know the difference between a toad and frog. There are also some types of frogs that you cannot eat, which I will teach about."

I held up my hand real quick. Lord Reed chuckled light and gave me a crooked smile. "Yes?"

"Which part of the frog is the edible part?"

"The legs are what we mostly eat, but there are other parts too, though not as savory. The legs hold most of the meat."

I raised my hand again and Lord Reed's smile grew an inch. "You don't need to raise your hand, you know."

"Oh." I sheepishly put my hand down and asked the Crannogman, "What do you cook them with?"

Behind me, Torrhen closely leaned into Robb and asked him a low voice, "I was afraid to ask, but now it seems that I have been overtaken by curiosity; why does she want to know about cooking frogs?"

Robb shrugged his broad shoulders and whispered to him, "I have no idea what goes on in that head of hers...but this is a complete 'Ophelia Occurrence', absolutely, one hundred percent."

Torrhen gave out a singular laugh. "An 'Ophelia Occurrence' you say? How interesting."

Lord Reed scratched his greying stubbled chin at my question, deep in thought. "Garlic is good. Butter is best. As is salt, and pepper too. If you have all of them, it will be the most amazing thing you will ever have."

"Is that a promise, My Lord?" I joked.

"If you have any doubts in my words, Lady Pyralis, tell it to the frogs." He quipped back lightheartedly.

Jojen coughed in the opposite direction, withholding a laugh as his Father made a jest that added into my own.

Lord Reed clapped his hands together in front of our small group to redirect out attention solely on him. "Now split into pairs, and catch what you can. Give them to my son so he may keep them in the basket. Make haste, no more than a half hour at most." He waved everyone away.

"Stark, care to search with me?" Torrhen asked as he gestured to the forest around us.

"Aye, it would be good to have another set of vigilant eyes."

As the two set off on their own way, I hummed softly as I began set about to look for some more frogs in the muddy stream bank.

I searched alongside Lord Reed, who had also entertained me with stories about the swampy homeland of Greywater Watch, and of Rowtag.

"I met your father when he decided to venture in the bogs of my home. He was stuck in the mud, slowly sinking down. I was hidden in the fog, watching as he flailed his arms around in a panic."

I perked up and stepped in a couple paces, as I stared at this peculiar Lord. "Really? How did he get himself in that position?"

Lord Reed bent down to inspect a fern bush. He carefully combed through the leaves, yet came up empty "He thought he saw something in the distance. What it was? I haven't the slightest idea. But it captured his attention so intensely that he got lost, and then stuck in the bog. I took pity on him and helped him out of there. Took him to my holdfast where he stayed for several days. I was still a young lad, and he was older than I. We had a nice time together, and my family who rarely received any guests believed he was a great delight. I remember his laughter out of everything. He didn't take nearly sinking to his death too seriously."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Personally, I was afraid of deep water. Anything that had a great potential to drown me, I feared. Obviously not the hot springs that laid around the castle, nor the tub where I bathed. Not even the gentle creeks such as these that drizzled in a soft melody of liquid over moss and stones.

No, I feared rivers, lakes, and oceans. The thought of drowning sent a shiver down my spine. However, I do remember Lord Stark saying that my Father was an adventurer, who sailed across the world. In light of everything he must have come across on his travels. Drowning was probably the least of his worries.

Noticing I was silent for a bit, I asked, "So, did anyone else with him? Or was he by himself?"

Lord Reed turned away from me as he slowly picked up a rock to check for any animals. Nothing there. Gently setting the moss covered surface back down on the mud flood, he replied, "Apparently he was separated from his group. We eventually found them after a week. They didn't even venture in the bog for fear of drowning in it's dark, murky waters." As Lord Reed moved a falled branch to the side, I spotted a big green frog. As fast as I could, I snatched it up and held it triumphantly. Lord Reed gave me a rare giant smile.

Out of all my nameday gifts, this was perhaps the best one I received.

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With a half full basket of frogs, we made our way back to Winterfell. Jojen was carrying the basket and Robb was conversing with Lord Reed. I was in my own thoughts, when Torrhen's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Ophelia?"

I turned to him and tilted my head to the side. "Yes?"

He scratched his mop of mousy brown hair as his gaze went up to the green tree line above us. "Do you like swings?"

I blinked. "Swings?"

He let out a chuckle and his Hazel eyes flickered to me for a moment before looking away. "Yes, swings."

Swings? What on earth was this man talking about?

Noticing my confused expression, Torrhen gave me a small smile and shook his head. "Never mind. I was just thinking of something."

"Oh alright." I trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

Oh! How I wished I could have taken after my Mother or Father in this regard. They were both socially aware people, and then there was me, the Inept One. Maybe it was because my heart wasn't fully into this endeavor? After all, my feelings for a certain brooding bastard had yet to wane, and here I was practically forcing a courtship with someone who by all accounts seemed rather pleasant and nice but wasn't...him.

It also did not help that Torrhen didn't say much during our outing, only speaking up now and then to inquire about the task we had set out to do. The times he did speak were primarily to Robb. I didn't mind at the time, as I focused on learning what Lord Reed had to teach, yet now I was regretting my choice not to be a more vocal conversationalist with him, because now the trek back to the castle was awkward.

I winced as I imagined My Lady's temperament earlier, due to our argument about Ros. If word got back that I had not made more of an effort with Torrhen, she'd probably burst into flames of rage. I knew she would really want me to make a better attempt at beginning a courtship, but how?

I immediately felt my arm begin to itch, as it always does when my nerves act up, and I tentatively began to scratch at it.

"Ophelia?"

I turned my Crimson gaze to the tall man walking beside me, who gave me kind look. "You should probably hold onto my arm. It should start raining soon, and I wouldn't want you to slip in the mud." He held out his elbow for me to take.

Slowly, I hooked my arm through his, as we walked together at a glacial pace behind the rest of our group.

Huh.

Was it always this going to be this easy? Or was I just lucky? Perhaps he made an excuse to take hold of me?

Feeling a drop of water hit my nose, I raised my hand to it and wiped it off. Glancing beyond the tall green trees of the Wolfswood, the sky began to darken to a dim grey, with winds whistling in from the East. It's soft breezes billowed my hair all over the place, surely leaving it a tangled mess that Katherine would be annoyed to brush later on in the evening.

"I told you it would rain." Torrhen have my a grin, which I found to be a bit infectious. I gave him a small smile of my own. "Aye, you did." I felt the itch on my arm fade away.

"How did you enjoy your party last night? My Father told me that it was quite the decent affair, nearly as entertaining as a Harvest Feast."

I shrugged as we kept walking. "To be quite honest, it was alright. I enjoyed seeing everyone that I had met as a little girl, and it was pleasant to meet new people from the other Houses...but...I..." I trailed off and bit my lip. I did not want him to view me as ungrateful, but I didn't want to be dishonest either. I felt as if the party was a ruse to trap a young suitor, and that I was the bait.

"I'm not good at parties, though I think you knew that. No, I detest small talk and false courtesies, aside from being in large gatherings. Though," Torrhen's his opposite hand over the other that was hooked in my arm, as a way to hold me slightly closer, " I do wish that I would have manned up and stayed for a little while."

I blushed immensely. "Oh? Why?"

Torrhen leaned down and whispered into my ear, "I may have gotten a chance to dance with you."

I felt my heart skip a beat and the heat that flooded my cheeks had started to radiate down my neck.

What should I even say to that?!

"I...uhhh...well...I'm-".

"Oi!"

Our heads snapped up to see that Robb was staring down at us from the hill up ahead. His voice carried through the wind as he asked, "What's the hold up, you two?" It appeared that Lord Reed and Jojen were more ahead than all of us. They weren't jesting when they said the would have to leave today. Robb started to walk our way and I quickly pulled my arm from Torrhen's and stepped several paces away from him, pushing him away from me at the same time. He gave me an amused look at my nearly flailing to get some distance between us.

When Robb reached up, I quickly said, "Robb! Dear Friend! We were going slowly because... I just saw the most amazing bird."

Robb raised a dark eyebrow at me in skepticism and crossed his arms. "A bird?"

Becoming an even deeper shade of red, my eyes darted between the two boys and I nodded. Torrhen looked as though he was trying not to laugh, and Robb pinched the bridge of his nose at my antics. "So, let me get this straight: You two are taking your sweet time to look at... a bird?"

Torrhen chimed in as his placed his arm around Robb's shoulder. "Oh, yeah, mate. Biggest creature you'd ever see. About four horses big, and wide enough to sit on."

"YES! Exactly! Look!" I pointed towards the direction of Winterfell. "There it goes! Now, if you'll excuse me, My Lords." I quickly curtsied, gathered up my skirts, and raced towards Winterfell.

I heard Torrhen bursting out laughing behind me, as Robb muttered, "It seems that we have found somebody as 'Felia."

Once we got back to Winterfell, Lord Reed sent Jojen to the cook with instructions on how to skin and cook the frogs. Robb and Torrhen were talking as they both walked inside, too enraptured in whatever conversation to so much as give me a glance.

I turned from their direction to face Lord Reed as he was done saddling his horse. He stood tall as he said, "I'm sorry, My Lady. Though it may seem like it a haste, we really must get back, or Greywater Watch will have disappeared entirely."

My confusion must have been visible as Lord Reed chucked. "The castle moves."

"How? How can a castle move? They're stationary." I gestured to the giant stone structure around us.

"Ahh, you see, that's just the magic of Greywater Watch. It has too much to see, so it likes to move around in order to view as much as possible." A nostalgic look of sorrow appeared on Lord Reed's face as he mumbled, "Like your father." His vibrant green eyes glistened at the word 'magic' and then he put his hand on my shoulder and gripped it with assurance. "The Starks have done an amazing job seeing to your upbringing. I know Rowtag would have been proud of the woman his daughter his becoming."

I felt a sudden slight sting of tears sting my eyes, though I held back from shedding them. I did not want to cry in front of anyone today. "Really?"

"Yes, I'm quite certain." At that moment several of the house guard from House Reed, as well as Jojen came forth with horses and supplies. Lord Stark came out to say farewell to his old friend, and while the rest of the guard was busying themselves with their horses and such, Jojen gave me that mysterious smile of his, a smile of knowing, and took my hand to kiss it. "My Lady, it was an honor to meet you."

I curtsied and laughed, "It was an honor to meet you as well. I had no idea that Crannogmen were such fine dancers." Jojen grinned and said, "We are a mysterious people." He got really close to me and in a low voice, whispered, "We would not have been a good match, though, you and I. The path you're on, is the path to go."

The path.

That woman in Wintertown had also mentioned a path. She said there was four. In the back of my mind, I had thought maybe she was a stark raving lunatic, though a small bit of myself did believe her to be a clairvoyant of some kind.

And do note, when I say small, I mean minuscule. Yet, now there were two people mentioning paths and whatnot to me. One by that woman, the other by this boy. This boy who also knew about Jon, weeks after he had ended things.

I let out a shuddered breath, all traces of a smile gone from me now. "Jojen, what path?"

"Any of the four. You'll find out which one, soon enough."

A chill went through my body. No. No. No. This couldn't be. This was too odd, and too coincidental.

"Jojen, come. We must go now, Son." Lord Stark and Lord Reed appeared together, and after a brief hug, they parted ways. I stepped aside to watch their party start to leave when Lord Reed turned before getting on his horse.

"Oh, and Lady Pyralis? Should you ever need anything, you will always have a friend in House Reed."

"Thank you, My Lord." With that, I stood with Lord Stark as we saw the Crannogmen retreat back to their home. I was sad to see them go, but what Jojen had said...I shivered in fear.

As I watched the retreating figures of the Crannogmen slowly disappear, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see it was Domeric Bolton.

I put on a pleasant smile and said, "Oh, hello. How has your day been going? Hopefully you've found Winterfell to your liking?"

Domeric grinned and said, "Aye. It's been quite nice, and rather warm too. I've always heard of the heat from Winterfell being able to seep into the bones of those who reside here, yet now I know for sure. And it's certainly more comfortable than the Dreadfort, though home is home, I suppose."

Running his hand through his hair he said, "Actually, I was wondering if I could have a word with you."

Confused, I furrowed my eyebrows and felt my hand go up to my arm to scratch in nervousness. "Oh? And what might that be?"

"I was wondering if yo-"

"Ophelia! There you are!" Theon's boisterous voice cut off Domeric from finishing his sentence. Theon came over and slung his arm around my shoulders. I looked up at him quizzically and removed his arm from me. He had on his usual arrogant smile, and Domeric, for the first time since arriving, looked quite annoyed.

He had a barely hidden scowl on his face as he regarded Theon's rude interruption.

"Greyjoy, can't whatever this is wait? I was talking to-"

"Oh yes, I'm sure whatever story you're telling 'Felia here about the Dreadfort is quite riveting, however, I am afraid to interrupt. Lady Stark requires Lady Pyralis' presence in her quarter, and well, who are we to disregard the Lady of Winterfell's commands? Now, wouldn't you agree?" Theon continued to give Domeric a cocky look as Domeric glanced from me to Iron Islander besides me.

None to pleased, Domeric nodded his head and politely said, "Of course. Perhaps we'll finish our conversation some other time?"

I gave him a kind smile and nodded. "Of course!" Curtsying, I left towards the castle, with Theon trailing behind me. Glancing at him, I gave him a disapproving sigh. "Must you be so rude? You could have waited until he had at least asked what he was going to."

Theon scoffed and nudged me in the shoulder. "And why would I do that? He was probably going to ask to court you, like any other man here."

I felt my cheeks redden. "And that should only be my business! And not yours."

Theon rolled his eyes. "Honestly Ophelia. Do you not remember what I had told you last night? They don't really want you. You need to be more careful."

I crossed my arms, and looked away. Feeling horrible about what he had told me, I responded in a low voice, "Of course I remember. It's hard to forget it when someone tells you that no one really cares for you."

Theon grinned and swung his arm around me again. "Oh, lighten up, I'm sure there's someone out there for you. Someone who cares." Feeling his grip on me ever so slightly tighten, I gently elbowed him in the ribs and he held up his hands in surrender.

"It's not to be made light of, Theon! My Lady and Lord Stark are very adamant about me finding a suitor."

Theon rubbed his ribs where I elbowed him, and said, "Alright, but really? Domeric Bolton? Would you truly feel safe and comfortable livng in the Dreadfort, out of all places, alongside Lord Bolton? Imagine your first disagreement as a married couple- he'd probably flay you right then and there!"

Remembering Lord Bolton's cold demeanor and fear inducing gaze, I shivered. "Theon! Do not say that." I lowered my voice and looked around us, "There's Bolton men all over here and the last thing we need is to instigate an unneeded conflict because of your careless words. And no, I think not. I would not be entirely at home at the Dreadfort, though Domeric seems to be of different stock from his father. From what I can tell, they're nothing alike."

"Well, as true as that may be, it doesn't matter. If you're not going to court Domeric, then there's no need to entertain his attention."

Thinking about the conversation I had with My Lady about Torrhen this morning, I sighed and shrugged. "I suppose you're right." Theon grinned at me and looped my arm through his, patting my hand in a soft manner.

"Of course, I'm right! Now, come along. Lady Stark was quite insistent that we hurry along." Walking at a brisk pace, Theon and I quickly made our way through the throngs of people in the courtyard all the way to My Lady's quarters. Knocking on her door, I heard her say, "Come in."

Opening it up wide, there in the room stood My Lady, Lord Stark, Lord Karstark, and Torrhen.

Lady Stark nodded her had at Theon and coldly said, "Thank you for fetching her. You are dismissed."

Theon stood there for a moment analyzing everyone, when suddenly, it seemed as if something slapped him in the face. He quirked an eyebrow between me and the others, and then quietly mumbled, "Of course, My Lady". He walked away, putting his hands in his pockets while looking down.

Everyone looked at me as Lord Stark gave me a kind look and beckoned me forward. "Ophelia, please come in and have a seat."

Feeling a giant knot in my stomach, I walked in and gently shut the door behind me. Sitting besides My Lady, I looked at Lord Stark. "Have I done something wrong?"

Lord Stark smiled and shook his head. "No, quite on the contrary, I heard that you and Torrhen here have taken quite a liking towards one another.

Gulping, I glanced him Torrhen's direction and then back at Lord Stark. I nodded staring down at my hands which were fiddling together.

True, I did pick Torrhen and our banter was quite good. There was even a small spark there, however...my mind drifted off to Jon and his dark eyes and curly hair. I felt the longing for him again, until Lord Stark's voice interrupted me. "Torrhen has asked permission to court you."

Snapping my head up, I stared at My Lord in shock. Wait a second...He asked to court me?! Wasn't the whole point of my conversation with Lady Stark was for me to ask to court him?!

I sat there gobsmacked as Lord Karstark said, "Naturally, I had my reservations, considering Lady Pyralis' background, and lack of dowry." He glanced at me and, surprisingly, he gave me a small smile. "However, seeing as she was raised by you from infancy, I do believe I can make an exception. After all, in the end, Rowtag was a good man...one of the best. The least I can do, is give his daughter a chance."

Lord Stark walked over to Lord Karstark and gave the older man a roll of parchment. "These are the King's terms for any courtship or betrothal of Ophelia. They have been nearly the same before she was bone and are, for the most part, set in stone". Lord Karstark opened the scroll and read it. "Well, there's nothing in here that I don't know."

Lord Karstark looked over at his son and cleared his throat, gesturing over to me. Torrhen got the hint and strode a few paces over to me.

"I am aware how fast this may seem, what with so many other eligible suitors here, however all I do ask is that you consider it."

I felt the atmosphere in the room feel tight. This fast? I thought a few days at least, but to go into a courtship this quickly...it felt like so much. Develop a friendship first, or something like that...isn't that what My Lady said?

Now, I could barely recall what those words she spoke to me this morning were as my mind went blank.

Suddenly, I sensed everyone's eyes on me and I mustered up a smile. "Of course I will consider your wishes."

Torrhen held out his hand to me. I glanced at My Lasy and she nodded slightly. I took his hand, and he stood me up. "I have something to show you." I held his arn as we left the room, with the three adults following us. We made our way through the busy courtyard, where we recieved stares from some of the people.

We made our way to the outskirts of the forest where, hanging from a tree, was a swing.

Oh. So that's what he was talking about earlier. It was very simple, a wooden plank held up by two ropes. The only difference was that the plank was carved with a slight intricate design.

"Happy Nameday. This is my gift to you". Torrhen mumbled very quietly. I let go of his arm and went to inspect the swing. My fingers brushed the wood of the seat where the carvings were.

This was my future. Being on this path, this was supposed to be it...wasn't it? I sighed.

'Stop fighting!' My thoughts yelled. 'Jon doesn't want you. It's over. Stop holding onto someone who will never love you.'

I reluctantly relented. After all, I picked Torrhen, and by the luck of the Gods, he picked me as well. I should be grateful, not many girls would be able to pick theit courtship--that's what their families were for.

And Jon...Jon will going to the Wall one day. I would be going to Karhold. He would be a brother of the Night's Watch, and I would be wife to Torrhen. This is the best I could ever hope for, and it would also ensure that the Stark's would be safe from any punishment from the King. My life is not my own now, I know that.

But this choice is.

I turned to Torrhen and saw that he, as well as his father, Lord Stark, and My Lady were all observing me, waiting to see how I would react.

"It's a beautiful gift...and I would be honored to court you."

I saw My Lady's face turn bright as she gave me a proud look and Lord Stark gave me a small grin.

"Wonderful!" Lord Karstark said. He came over and patted his son on the back. "You two will get on rather well! Ned!" Lord Karstark turned to Lord Stark and boomed in a boisterous voice, "We must schedule a visit to Karhold for Ophelia, chaperoned of course."

Lord Stark nodded as he looked at me and added, "Of course, as well as seeing Torrhen to extend his stay here at Winterfell for a while. They should get to know one another before any other permanent arrangements be made."

As the two men started to talk, they turned around and made their way back up to the castle, while My Lady stayed with us.

"Ophelia, why don't you return to your room? You seem a bit tired. Torrhen, I'm sure if you find Robb, you can find time to spar."

Torrhen tilted his head in agreement. "Of course, My Lady." He faced me and took my bandaged hand, and kissed it, causing my face to burn up.

"Ophelia, until we see each other again." He turned and left.

Once he was from out of view, My Lady looked at me. "How fortuitous did this turn out. It seems you made quite an impression on him yesterday, as he came to us first!" My Lady came to me and hugged me...then sniffed and scrunched her nose. "Ophelia, you smell of mud and wood rot. Go to your rooms, I will send some servants to your room with hot water for a bath." She gave me a kiss on the forehead, and ushered me forward.

"Go on, you will have plenty of time to spend here in the next few days. We will have supper tonight with the Karstarks, and you need your rest for that."

"Yes, My Lady." I responded in a very small voice.

I walked alone to my chamber and as soon as I closed my door, frustrated tears began to spill from my eyes, but as soon as they began to drop, I willed myself to stop.

"You are lucky", I whispered to myself quietly. "Be grateful." I had to remind myself that this was the best for me, and even if it wasn't, it was non-negotiable.

Ethaesper, who was bathing herself in the corner of the room, flew over to me and landed on my shoulder. She nuzzled her head onto mine, as if to say, "It's alright."

I absentmindedly stroked her feathers. It would be alright...wouldn't it?

Alright! There was the new chapter. Once again, I am so sorry it took so long...But better late than never! Next Chapter: The Courtship of Ophelia and Torrhen is officially announced, present opening, and more! :D