298AC:

The throne room was nearly quiet as he watched the silent sisters in their prayers, circle around a body in the middle of the throne room. The man was silent as he laid flat on his back as he rested on a pedestal. His eyes were covered with painted stone in honor of the seven.

"I can't believe he's dead" the voice of a girl said next to him. He turned away from the dead man before him and looked to his side. The girl who spoke was wearing a black dress with dark blue lining riding down it. Her hair was let down and tangled as if she barely had time to comb it or even try. Even still she managed to look a natural beauty in her haste.

"He was old and sick, sister. It took me by surprise too but at least he went out peacefully in his sleep" the boy said.

He thought back on the last moments he had with the man. Jon Arryn was resting in his bed, sick of some fever for some time. When the prince went to see him, the old lord was barely coherent. When he had looked upon the prince he feebly clutched onto one of his hands and simply repeated some words.

"The seed is strong. The seed is strong" was all he was saying. Soon after he was gone. The prince looked to his right and saw his mother and uncle, Jaime, standing atop the gallery as well, watching as they performed funeral rites on Jon Arryn's cold lifeless body.

They were in a deep chat, seeming to be discussing something. Whatever it was, the prince couldn't say. "So are you ready for our trip to Winterfell?" he decided to ask his sister. "Not really. I much rather stay south then go north, but father wills it so it must be done" she says with half heartedly. "It won't be all bad. I thought you liked traveling and seeing kingdoms" he says. "Yeah, it's just the cold. Never been a fan" she replies.

It was cold...or at least it was to the others. Prince Alycilles has found that the cold didn't affect him that much. Even with the little clothing he wore, his body would give him a natural warmth. He wore his snow white lions cloak and had the lions head over his own as they traveled. The fangs were intact, hanging just above his eyebrows and the fur tickled a little but he didn't mind.

"Not freezing your arse off are you" a voice called out. The prince smirked a little as he watched his cousin, Tyrek Lannister, ride up next to him. "Not as much as you cousin" the prince says sneering at him. They've been on the kingsroad traveling for months now. Along the way, they would often stop to visit different lords, staying at their keeps and castles, like castle Darry. Oftentimes on their way down the road, the carriage that was being used to transport the Queen, and the prince's siblings would break down. His father would grow angry, and use this time to go on hunts, to which Alycilles would join him, always looking to bond with his father over a good hunt.

When they grew bored of that they would continue their trip to the north. The longer they moved the colder it got as he began to visibly see his breath and figured they were close now, very close. They passed Moat Cailin and were upon castle Cerwyn to which he was told Winterfell was not too far now.

Alycilles looked around watching as the royal caravans and carriages rolled and tumbled on the ground. He saw his father in front leading everybody as a few kingsguard surrounded him keeping their eyes scanning the land. He kept his own steady pace near his mother's royal carriage as he and Tyrek talked. As they rode, horses trotted up next to them with two familiar faces riding on top covered in furs and golden armor. "Cousin. Nephew" a man said. "Uncle Jaime. Uncle Tyrion" the prince replies.

Tyrek nodded his head as he greeted his two Lannister cousins.

"So, how are you guys?, enjoying the north so far?" the prince asked. The Lannister brothers shifted in place as if the north's cold gave them a chilling hug in the moment. "Well, so far what they said about the cold was true. Glad I packed extra furs and some wine" Tyrion says, revealing a wineskin as he takes a long sip from it. "You guys ever been to the north?" the prince asked. "Nope, not that I would want too" Jaime quickly replied. This brought a smirk to Tyrek's mouth. "Yes, us southerners don't take kindly to the cold" Tyrek says. "You guys might not, but I'm doing quite alright" the prince says smiling. "If anything, I think I might need to find me a good inn before I meet the Starks and calm my nerves" Tyrion Lannister said. "A good inn. Or a good brothel brother" Jaime said as the youngest Lannister sibling simply gave the man a cheeky grin.

At that a kingsguard rode up to them, halting their conversation as they focused on the arriving knight. "My prince, the king requests your presence" the man says. Alycilles turned to his cousin and uncles. "No time for the weary then" he says. He lightly kicks his stirrups as his horse went into a gallop. He saw his brother leave the carriage he was riding in and trade it for a horse. Alycilles figured his father wanted his two eldest sons to ride with him. Tommen was still too young to ride so he stayed behind with his mother and sisters.

As he made it to the front of his family's traveling party, he noticed his brother on his father's left side eyeing him as he stopped next to the king. "Father, you called for me" the prince says, his swavy platinum golden hair blowing in the wind. "Yes, we'll be arriving at Winterfell soon. I want you and Joff by my side as we ride in" King Robert says.

"As you wish father" the prince says.

The household of Winterfell were at their main gates, servants, and maester alike lined up as they waited for the royal parties approach. The lord of Winterfell, Eddard Stark was by his family's side, watching the entrance when a little girl wearing a steel half helm casually took her place in line.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing with that on?" the lord asked. The little girl looked up to him, eyes somewhat cowering from the man's gaze.

"I saw him," she says, her eyes full of excitement.

She fell into line pushing a small boy out her way as she took her place. They were silent and could hear the sounds of hundreds of horse feet trotting on the dirt ground growing louder and louder heading their way, armor of knights clanking as they bounce on their saddles.

The lord of Winterfell watched as he saw the King being followed on both sides by two young boys. Eddard recognized one of them, but not the other. Lord Stark's daughter, a redhead named Sansa was watching the crown prince, Joffrey Baratheon, her eyes following him when she found them glancing at his younger brother. Her heart skipped a beat when she looked upon him. The second prince stopped next to his brother, his long silver hair, thick and shaggy, resting on his white cloak. His face was refined with high cheekbones, but it was his eyes that captured her. She's never seen anyone with different color eyes and she could help but gaze in them. He had a suave look to him.

She hadn't realized it but she was gawking at the two of them somewhat comparing. The eldest prince was beautiful in his own right, having long golden locks like his brother that rested on his shoulder, pouty lips and gleaming green eyes.

Looking at the two she could see a similarity between them that they didn't share with their father. She wondered if they took on more of their looks from their mother like herself. She hadn't noticed but her brother, Rob Stark had noticed his sister staring at the two princes and decided to have his own look. They didn't seem to special to him. Both looked like what he expected most royals to look like. Well designed clothes, a regal appearance, and high noses. The rest of the traveling party arrived following the king as the inhabitants of Winterfell bent down to one knee as the King got off his horse. Lord Stark watched as his old friend needed a step stool and some help down from his horse. The King marched towards them as he stopped just in front of Lord Stark. Prince Alycilles watched as his father waved his fingers as they all stood up from their knees.

"Your grace" Lord Stark says. They looked at each other for a long second, everyone holding their breath as the two exchanged greetings.

"You've gotten fat" the King finally spoke. They looked at each other as everyone watched as false tension built. Lord Stark casually looked down at the King's stomach then back at him then the two broke into a loud laughter embracing each other. The prince's cousin made his way to his side as his father made pleasantries. "Impressed yet?" he asked, rubbing his hands together bringing a little warmth to them.

"I haven't met them yet, but by appearances alone they seem like an honorable bunch" the prince says. Once the king was done greeting the Starks he turned towards his family.

"Well, time to make my appearance. He hopped down from his horse giving the reins to his cousin to hold as he made his way to his mother's carriage as one of her servants opened the door. Out came the queen wearing a long fur coat over a long red dress.

Her hair was set down low keeping her southern style. Those who heard rumors of the queen's beauty saw those words spoken true when they were able to cast their gaze on her that day.

Behind her trailed the eldest princess. She looked entirely like her mother though the queen would say her daughters' appearance was more of her own mothers. She had long silver hair like her brothers that flowed well past her shoulders. Her cheekbones were strong and her eyes intimidating as people looked onto her. The Starks were watching, captivated by the princess's own beauty. Alycilles could see some boy whispering something to another boy who was standing next to lord Stark. He could tell he was talking about his sister as the weasel looking boy was laughing with a smile as he looked in her direction. Alycilles narrowed his eyes but turned his attention back to his family members.

"Not bad, eh Robb" Theon Greyjoy whispered close to the young lordling. Robb simply turned his head back to him then looked at the princess. "You wouldn't mistake her for anything other than a princess, that's for sure" Robb says as he kept his eyes on the princess. "Yeah, and if rumors are true, that princess might be your lady wife in the future. Not a bad deal to have that in my bed every night" Greyjoy said as he let out a cringy snort. Robb simply looked back at him and turned to face the royal family.

The younger siblings soon made their appearance, Princess Myrcella, and Prince Tommen stepping off the carriage, moving to stand next to their mother. Princess Myrcella had golden locks reaching her back in the style of her sisters, leaving it falling down her back. She wore a red and brown dress coupled with scarfs around her neck to keep her warm. Plump little Tommen wore a dark red tunic and black trousers while shaded by a long black cape with red inner lining. Alycilles made his way to his sister standing next to her as the royal siblings all stood in attendance. The little girl who was wearing the half helm, smiled as she looked at the royal family. A man wearing golden armor removed his helm as his golden hair flowed around his head. "That's Jaime Lannisiter. The queen's brother. And that's them. The gold and silver twins" Arya said in her tone just above a whisper. "Would you shut up?" her sister, Sansa said visibly annoyed.

The queen and her children made their way over to the Stark family as the king looked to introduce them. She held out her hand to which lord Stark grasped and gently kissed. "My queen" Stark says. His lady wife, Catelyn Stark gave her a curtsy saying "my queen" as she did so.

"Ned, allow me to introduce my children" the king says waving over to them. "My eldest son, Joffrey.'' The crown prince stepped forward, golden hair flowing through the cold air as he walked. He was tall for a boy his age, strutting forward as he eyed lord Stark. He had a laid back look to him, as if he didn't want to be there.

As he stopped, his eyes met Sansa's who gave him a smile, her small lips pressing together as they curled. Joffrey, finding this amusing, gave her a similar smile. Next, the king waved to his two twins. "My second son, Alycilles, and my eldest daughter, Saphira. The famous twins" he says.

The two stood there as all of Winterfell's inhabitants turned their gaze to the twins. Whispers could be heard as the courtyard grew a little quiet. It was no secret how these two resembled Targaryans and the news of it all was spread all over the seven kingdoms, even the north who rarely paid attention from things not on their land. They had tales of them ever since they could walk and grew rumors and stories from it. Some say the gods made this a punishment for King Robert for ending the near three hundred year Targaryen dynasty by giving him Targaryen children of his own. The northerners were somewhat mystified by their appearance. They had strong Targaryen features they would assure you, mainly their hair that seemed almost white in the north.

Robb was eyeing the prince, sizing him up wondering if he was any different from the way he knew princes to be. Greyjoy was staring at the prince as well, with a blank expression, but his eyes told a different story. Ned looked over the boy. It's been years since he last saw him since the last Greyjoy rebellion, and back then he was a small child with tears on his face surviving his first battle. Now, he was almost a man grown, like his own boy, Robb.

King Robert then introduced his last two children, Myrcella, and Tommen and was ready to proceed on. "Come Ned. Take me to your crypts, I wish to pay my respects", the king says. He had already begun to walk when the queen turned her head towards him. "My love we've been on the road for months. Surely the dead can wait" she says. The king simply ignored her as he beckons Ned Stark to follow him. "Cat, can you show them their rooms?" he asked. She nods her head in response.

Ned looks at the queen, solemnly,too quick for anyone to notice, then follows the king. Catelyn turned to the queen giving her a warming smile, speaking a few words to her as the Stark and Baratheon children walked up to each other. "So Prince Joffrey, how do you like being away from the capitol?" Robb asked. Joffrey folded his arms as he kicked some snow around. "So far, I've seen no reason to ever leave again" he said. Before Robb could retort, Joffrey walked off calling for his sworn shield, a man with a burned face called Ser Sandor Clegane. They watched as he walked away, cape, and dog trailing him without so much of a goodbye.

Prince Alycilles turned to the oldest son of the lord of Winterfell, who noticed him, as Alycilles walked up to him. "Don't mind him, this pack isn't used to the cold yet like you guys. A pleasure to meet you Robb Stark." Robb turned his gaze to the silver haired boy who stopped in front of him, holding out a hand. Robb stood straight as he gripped the prince's hands. He gave him a good squeeze, any feeling of limpness not present.

His fur glove was fuzzy on Robb's hand. The glove was woven with brown wool with black fur sewn around the palms. "Robb, meet my sister, Saphira," the prince said. He looked at her, his eyes taking her in full. She had a sharp face with cheekbones that were finely pronounced. He saw the queen in her, especially with her hair styled in the queens fashion. She held out her hand to him which he took as his father had done with the queen and placed a soft kiss upon it. He turned his face up to her, catching her gaze. His heart fluttered upon seeing the mismatched color of her eyes. They were sharp and unyielding. Robb, before making a fool of himself took to introducing his own sisters. Sansa could hardly contain her shyness, her face bright red. She could hardly meet his gaze and whenever she did, she would quickly glance away. Prince Alycilles eyes looked over the red haired girl as he stood at least two and a half feet above her. He could tell she was shy and nervous.

Her cheeks were turning red, and her blue eyes would never set on his own. He found her funnily innocent.

"Well met, Lady Sansa," the prince said, smiling at her. Her eyes widened as she found even his smile beautiful.

"Well met, my prince" she says as she curtsies. He then introduced his younger sister Myrcella and brother, Tommen, who seem to get along with the younger Stark children. The young Stark girl, Arya, had excitement written over her face as she looked up to the prince who noticed her curious eyes.

"You look like you want to ask me something," he said to her, looking down at the young she-wolf of Winterfell. Her face lit up at his words.

"Is it true you killed a lion with your bare hands?" she asked, curiosity written over her face. The Baratheon children laughed as the prince simply sighed. "I sure did. Peeled its skin off with my bare hands, and now I wear it as my cloak" he said, gesturing to the white lion's cloak draped around his back. The baby of the Starks, the one called Rickon had his mouth wide open, marveling at the story. The other Stark boy looked eager himself to talk to the prince.

"I heard you were knighted at the age of thirteen. I hope to be a knight one day" Bran Stark said.

"Keep at your practice, and I'm sure you'll be one in no time" the prince said as he revealed a wine skin from behind his back. The Princess Myrcella gasped when she saw it, "Does mother know you have wine skin?'' the princess Myrcella asked. "No she doesn't. Which is why this is just a strong cider, to keep me warm" he said. "Well can I have a sip then?" Myrcella asked. Prince Alycilles gave her a small smile as he seemed almost reluctant to but decided to grant her request. "Fine, but don't let mother find out" he said as he handed her the skin to which she took and took a long sip from. The Stark children watched on, finding the royal siblings different from what they expected them to be like.

"You know with all the castles I've seen, Winterfell has some of the finer craftsmanship" he says. Robb smirked, "you've barely seen her, how can you make such a claim" he said.

"Well, lets just say I have a good eye for this thing. Even so there's a lot to say about this place. There's a serenity to it that King's Landing lacks" the prince said. "Peaceful in nature. Your pretty perspective" Robb says taken aback.

"So, are you going to introduce me to the boy brooding behind you?" Alycilles asked. They all turned around to see Jon lift his head up as he saw the attention quickly turning to him.

"This is my half brother, Jon Snow" Robb said.

"Nice to meet you Jon," the prince said as he held his hand out." Jon looked at his hand, then at the prince. He gave the prince a tight grip as they shook.

"So, are you guys good with the sword. I was hoping to get some practice in, while I was here" the prince said. "Well we usually have training in the courtyard. I'm sure Ser Rodrik wouldn't mind if you joined" Robb said.

"Sounds good" Alycilles says. The prince then turned to his siblings, eyeing them as he gathered their attention. "Come guys. Let's go find our rooms" Alycilles says, taking his wine skin back from his smiling sister as he led them away.

His room was of decent size. Furs layered over his bed as a hearth warmed him as the sounds of crackling logs filled the silence of the room. Alycilles was changing out of his traveling clothes and into something more comfortable. A yellow and black studded doublet with his coat of arms of a crown stag facing a lion on his left breast. Underneath he wore a cotton black shirt with the strings tied to keep him warm. Along with his doublet he wore a pair of black trousers, tightly fitted that clung to his legs but still fitted him comfortably. He bent down and grabbed a pair of boots. Black, just like the trousers as he stuffed his feet into them and laced them up. He combed his fingers through his silver-blonde hair till he looked presentable for the feast.

The feast itself was grand as the Starks proved to be the gracious host. The feast hall had a big hearth burning towards the front of the hall as its flames heated up the cool room. Torches hung from the stony walls of Winterfell giving the hall an orange tint as they all seem to glow. The meals the prince saw that were laid out had his mouth watering, especially after not having eaten anything filling since their long trek to the north.

When they came in, all the Stark children were paired up with a Baratheon child, while the King was paired with lady Stark and lord Stark was with the queen, leading into the feast as the lords and ladies watched them. Joffrey looking gallant, was walking with Sansa Stark, the girl trying her best to calm her nerves. Next came the second prince as he had his arm entangled with Arya's as they made their way down the hall. After it was Robb walking in with Princess Saphira. He sometimes would sneak a peek at her as she walked with her chin held high. Last it was Princess Myrcella walking together with the young Bran Stark. Once they were sat, music began to play as a couple of people were playing instruments filling the dining hall with songs of the north.

People were dancing and jeering, mugs of alcohol in the air as they sanged along to the music. The older men and women seem to swarm around the king being pulled into his loud presence. As the prince watched him, he wondered why so many gravitated to his father, especially some northmen. Maybe it was because of his history with the north, or his accomplishments in the past he was thinking. The prince was sitting at one of the main tables with Arya to his right shoulder, while Robb and his sister were to his left. Before them there were large platters of food all lined up down along the table. Steaming pig glazed with honey, sausages crisped near black, bread toasted leaving a crunch after every bite. Chicken, fish, steamed carrots, broccoli, and other greens.

Sweet wines, ciders, beers, fermented milk, rum, and mead, were all set on every table, most likely requested by the king himself. Alycilles enjoyed the wine the most, liking the sweet taste it left on his tongue. Beer and mead was a little too strong for his liking and tasted like watered down piss. He took a glance down at his table, seeing who else were seated with him. Brandon Stark was on the left of Princess Saphira, laughing with her as he told some sort of joke. She would occasionally talk with Robb, laughing with the young lord. Alycilles was surprised his sister was giving him the time of day. She usually liked to toy around with sons of lords who were eager to win her hand, but with Robb she looked like she was genuinely enjoying him.

He looked away, turning towards the food before him. He grabbed a knife and fork, cutting into the sizzling pig, slicing off a large portion as it dripped with juices all over the table then onto his plate, staining the white ceramic. He grabbed a couple of mushrooms, carrots, a piece of the cooked chicken and some of the baked rolls. It was like an ecstasy to his mouth. The smoked pig filled his mouth with juices whenever he chewed, leaking from the corner of his mouth. He didn't bother taking the time to wipe his chin, using a piece of the roll to wipe the grease from it.

After awhile he found his plate nearly empty, and his hunger barely sated. He clutched his goblet, and grabbed one of the wine mugs, and poured some sweet wine into his goblet until it was nearly full and took a long sip, enjoying the sweet flavor of cherry. He wiped his mouth with a piece of cloth as he saw the feast hall becoming more active and lively. Alycilles could barely hear his own thoughts or even Arya as she tried to get his attention. He shut his eyes as he let out some held in air. "What is it Arya?" he asked. She looked hesitant but spoke anyway.

"Is it true that you fought in the Greyjoy rebellion?" she asked. Alycilles swallowed a mouthful of wine as he listened to the little girl speak.

"Yes, it's true. I was kidnapped by them when I was very young. I managed to escape while I was there but I found myself running into a battlefield. Why so curious?" he asked her. "My father would tell us stories of his life in the past. The Greyjoy rebellion was one of them that I liked hearing the most. The tale of the silver stag was always curious to me. You had your first kill there, right. When you were five?"

"That's right" he says

"And now they call you the Avenger", she said excitedly.

"That's what they call me. A nickname like all the rest" he said. "Does your father talk about me alot?" he decided to ask her, the wine taking over his thoughts as they wondered. "Not really. But when he does it's mostly about what happened that day and what he saw in you" she said. That somewhat had him curious. "What do you mean, what he saw in me?" he asked. "I don't really know. He just said, "you had the warrior watching over you," she said.

The prince sipped the rest of his wine, emptying his goblet as he thought about what she just said. The warrior watching over me. I could see why he would think that in those moments he thought as the pictures of that day played over in his wine filled head. He felt the effects of the potion kicking in as he felt himself going numb. The roars of his father's laughter got his attention as he watched him fondle some tavern wenches behind.

He instinctively turned his eyes towards his mother, who was staring daggers into his father. Old man, you could at least show her some respect when in public he thought. He would go over and talk some sense into the king, but the king had been drinking, and when drunk, it was hard to rain in his antics especially with an audience.

He suddenly found the rest of his appetite gone. "So how are you liking the feast prince?" a voice on his left asked.

He turned and saw Robb, staring at him, eyes wide with a smile across his face. "Yes, you guys have good taste down here in the north" the prince said. "So what's this I hear about you guys having direwolves. Is that true?" he asked. "Aye, they're in the kennels resting. I"ll introduce them to you. Bring your siblings if you want" Robb said. He suddenly felt Arya, poking into his side, asking for more attention from the prince. "What is it now Arya?" he asked. "You see Sansa over there, and her friend Jeyne Poole. They've been casting glances over here, and I'm certain they're not looking at me" she said keenly. "Okay, what about it?" he asked, a little confused. "I bet I can hit her with this spoon of potatoes" she said digging her spoon into the mound of mash potatoes that were on her plate.

"All the way from over here" he says, doubtful.

"All the way from over here" she repeated with confidence in her tone as she smirked. She took her aim, Sansa or the Jeyne girl not noticing the small Stark girl readying herself for her potato attack. Arya pulled her spoon back a far angle and then let it go.

The potatoes flew across the table missing any bystanders as they found their mark splattering on Sansa's cheek. She wailed as Arya laughed causing her Robb, Theon, and some others to laugh as well. Sansa could be heard screaming Arya's name as Jeyne Poole tried to clean her face. It was then Robb stood up and grabbed his young sister saying, "alright, time for bed," as he lifted her up from the seat away and led her out of the hall.

As Robb left, leaving his spot empty, Princess Saphira scooted over next to her brother bringing a goblet with her. "So, I actually come to find the north a little interesting. It's still a cold place with miles of nothing, but they have some interesting people though" she said. "I bet. You and Robb looked to be enjoying yourselves" he said. The princess, a little under the influence of the wine, seems to blush at his words, trying to hide her smile behind her goblet. "He is a shy one. But he's sweet and charming" she said. He simply rolled his eyes as he poured some more wine into his goblet and sipped it, with a blank expression.

The princess looked at him, waiting for a response but nearly snickered when he didn't. "What's wrong. Afraid your sister is going to get swept off her feet by a lord's son, forever to be his lady" she teased him.

He gave her a snort as he tilted his head to her. "Robb Stark would have to be blessed by the gods to have you" he said raising his goblet. "Oh brother, you sure know how to warm a girls heart" she said almost sarcastically as she smirked at him.

A man suddenly appeared next to the prince sitting down on the bench as he looked towards the two. "Hello Tyrek" the princess said. Tyrek Lannister had a smug look on his face, clearly under the effects of a strong alcohol. "I'm surprised you two are still here. I thought you would have left to bed by now" he said slightly slurring his words. "I was actually planning on going soon. And it looks like you need to as well my drunk cousin" the prince said.

"Who are you the king?" he said chuckling, downing some more of his wine. "If the realm were lucky" the prince said as he stood up, grabbing his cousin as he and his sister made their way towards the exit. They approached the high seats his mother and lady Stark were seating, the two ladies noticing them as they approached. "Mother. Lady Stark. If you excuse us but we'll be retiring for the night. The queen smiled at them. "Very well my cubs" she said with her eyes watching them as they left the feast hall.

Arya looked down at her stitching. Crooked again she thought. She frowned at her work with dismay and glanced over to where her sister Sansa was sitting with the other ladies and the princesses, Saphira, and Myrcella. Surprisingly to everyone, both princesses had handled the art of needlework with exquisite handling.

Septa Mordane was highly impressed and barely had to teach them anything. Arya looked at her own work, looking for some way to salvage her mess but conceded to giving up. She looked glumly at her sister. Sansa was chatting happily as she worked on her stitching. Beth Cassel, Ser Rodrik's little girl was sitting at her feet listening as Jeyne Poole leaned over whispering into her ear.

"What are you talking about?" Arya suddenly snapped at them. Jeyne gave a startled look, then giggled.

Sansa looked abashed.

Little Beth blushed as she watched the older girls. No one answered as Arya eyed them looking for their words. "Tell me" Arya said. Jeyne glanced over to see Septa Mordane busy with Princess Myrcella distracting her. "We were just talking about the princes" Sansa said. "Yeah, and it seems your sister can't decide on which one she likes the most" Jeyne said as she failed to hold back a giggle as Sansa eyed her. "The crown prince is so handsome but so is his brother. He seems a little mysterious though. Not like his older brother at all" she says. Unaware of them, Princess Saphira was listening to them as she finished her needlework. "Prince Joffrey likes your sister," Jeyne whispered, looking proud for her best friend. "He told her she was very beautiful. He's going to marry her and then Sansa will be queen of all the realm" little Beth says dreamily.

The Stark girl's face began to match her hair. "Beth you shouldn't make up stories" Sansa corrected her gently stroking her long hair to take the harshness out of her words. "What do you think of Prince Joffrey Arya?" her sister asked. "He seems a little snobby, nothing like Prince Alycilles" she says.

"Aww, I think Arya has a crush on the second prince" Jeyne teased. "I do not" Arya said a little too loudly. This caught Septa Mordane's attention who walked over to Arya. "Alright Arya, let's see what you have."

The speta examined the fabric. "No Arya this will not do. This will not do at all" she says with a tsk to her voice. Everyone was staring at her now. It was too much.

Sansa was too fast to smile at her sister's disgrace, but Jeyne was smirking on her behalf. Even the Princess Myrcella looked sorry for her. Arya bolted from her seat heading straight for the door.

"Stop right there young lady. Do not take another step. Your lord mother will hear of this behavior. And even in front of the princesses" the septa was saying. "It's alright. Let her go" Princess Saphira said, causing all of them to look at her in surprise. Arya looked at her and gave her best bow, "thank you princess," she said and then ran out the room.

Arya made her way to the covered bridge between the armory and great keep with Nymeria trailing her mistress's tail. She noticed Jon leaning on the sill looking out on the courtyard. Ghost leaned his head up noticing Nymeria and began to wag his tongue. Jon turned his head taking notice of his half sisters approach. "Shouldn't you be at your knitting studies" Jon says.

"I left that. Too boring. Rather watch this" she says. "Well come on up then" Jon says lifting her onto the sill as she sat and watched. Prince Tommen and Bran Stark were in a makeshift ring both wearing padded armor as the two whacked at each other with wooden swords. As one would swing, the other would react in kind, bringing their sword in for a strike. Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master at arms, was watching the two, focusing on their sword work.

A dozen spectators on both sides, Lannister, Baratheon, and Stark were cheering on their respective sides. Prince Alycilles was leaning against a crate while he and Tyrek cheered on for Prince Tommen, shouting out suggestions for the plump prince while Rob Stark and Theon were doing the same for Bran. Suddenly prince Tommen was on the ground, rolling in the dust as he tried to get up but failed. Bran loomed over the fallen prince, ready to whack him again but was stopped when Ser Rodrik called out, "enough."

He gave the plump prince a hand, and helped him up. "Well fought. Lew, Donnis, help them out their armors" the master at arms said. "Prince Joffrey. Robb. Will you two go another round?" he asked. Robb stepped forward eagerly. "Gladly" he said. Prince Joffrey stepped into the light, his mane like hair shining in the sun. "This is a game for children, Ser Rodrik" he says. Theon Greyjoy gave a sudden bark of laughter. "You are children" he said derisively. Prince Alycilles looked at this opportunity and stepped forward. "I'll take him on, Ser Rodrik" he says. Everyone looked to the prince as he grabbed one of the wooden swords. Robb was smiling having been anticipating this matchup.

"Very well, let's have at it then" Ser Rodrik said. Robb and Alycilles both strapped on some of the practice armor and took to the circle. The two young men began to circle around each other, the courtyard silent as the two stalked around each other, the cold air blowing through Winterfell.

Robb had a serious look to his face while the prince was simply smiling. Robb made the first move, taking a swing at the prince who easily parried it, circling around Robb. he waited for Robb to face him, holding his sword up while his other arm was placed behind his back, while he stood in a stance Robb didn't recognize. He charges again swinging his sword as Alycilles swung his own, each time meeting Robbs wooden one, knocking it back with each collision. Robb was grimacing wildly putting power into each strike while the prince was calm and fluid.

Alycilles started to swat Robb's sword away going on for the offense now, looking to test Robb's own defense. He gave the young lord three quick stabs, two hitting his sword while the other hit Robbs shield sending him reeling back as he held his footing.

The prince didn't stop there as he quickly strolled to Robb swinging his sword away as he struck Robb's shield hard. Each blow Robb yelled out a little, struggling to hold his shield up after each strike the prince gave him.

Alycilles was swift like the wind, managing to get to Robbs back. Robb quickly turned his head managing to just barely block another blow with his shield, but this time the shield snapped and splintered, giving way after receiving hit after hit. This time Robb didn't back away as he gripped his wooden sword with both hands as he stared down Alycilles. The prince sidestepped a couple of times as he performed a hard feint, tricking Robb leaving him stunned as Alycilles gave Robb's hand a quick slap as he lost his grip to his sword. He then found his feet being kicked from under him, sending him falling to the snowy ground with a loud crunch. Robb tried to get back up but was held down by the prince with his knee to his chest and wood to his throat.

"I yield," Robb said and cheers from the Lannister and Baratheon men.

"Your good" Robb said as he was being lifted up from the ground by the prince. "You're not so bad yourself Stark."

"Aye, but there's much I need to learn still it seems."

Up on the walkway Jon and Arya were bewildered at the fight. "I've never seen Robb fight so hard. The prince looked like he was barely trying at all" Arya said. "Aye, he's good" Jon says.

"You think you can take him?" the young girl asked, but before he could give his answer, he heard someone call out his name.

"Hey Jon, care to have a go?" they heard the prince shouting up to them. Jon smiled and then looked to Arya. "Guess we'll find out" he says as he makes his way down the stairs to the courtyard. Ser Rodrik looked concerned, "my prince, are you sure you want to go through with this" the master at arms said.

"It's fine Ser Rodrik. Nothing to worry about" Prince Alycilles said to the man. His elder brother, prince Joffrey was on the side sneering. "Oh brother, don't disgrace our family by letting this bastard actually hurt you. What would our father, and mother think" he taunts, causing some chuckles to ring out. The prince simply ignored him as he got ready. Tyrion lannister casually strolled along with Jaime as they watched. "Dear nephew, you underestimate your brother. You oughta know of his talents with a sword" Tyrion says. Theon decided to interject his own comment. "Jon is no ordinary warrior, he's better than Robb. Your prince will have no chance" Greyjoy said confidently.

"You sound like a eager one Greyjoy. Do try yourself against my nephew yourself. He has a talent for fighting Greyjoys" Tyrion said. A couple of the Lannister men laughed at the comment to which Theon hid a scowled look from them. Jon had finally made his way to them as he grabbed a wooden sword. The prince could tell just from looking at Jon that he was more skilled than Robb.

"Wait" a voice suddenly called out in the yard, halting any conversations that were happening. They all turned to see Prince Joffrey there sneering. "Enough with the toy swords Ser Rodrik" he says. "I don't understand" the confused master at arms responded back with. "My brother means for us to use live steel Ser Rodrik" Prince Alycilles says. "You should've said something when it was my turn prince" Robb said to Joffrey.

"No, live steel is too dangerous, we'll stick to blunted edges, tourney blades" Ser Rodrik says. Joffrey said nothing but a man by his side with a burned face stepped forward.

"This is your crown prince. Who are you to deny him" the Hound said. Before Ser Rodrik could get a word in, he was cut off by Prince Alycilles. "He's the master at arms Clegane, it is within his right."

The Hound then looked to Ser Rodrik. "Are you training women here Ser?" he asked. "I'm training knights. They'll have live steel when they come of age."

The hound spat. "Come to age. This one here killed a man at only the age of five" he says looking at Prince Alycilles. The yard grew quiet until joffrey feigned a yawn then turned to his younger brother. "Come Tommen. The hour of play is done. Leave the children to their frolics" Joffrey said. This brought more sneers and laughter to the Lannister men as some of them walked away with their prince, leaving Alycilles gritting his teeth.