ANTEA

"I'm done!" Antea followed her twin in his room and shut the door behind her.

"Would you please calm down?" She said looking at the door and then at her furious brother, who was throwing his gloves on the floor.

"I hate that kid!" He exclaimed, his cheeks were red and his eyes full of anger "He cannot come here and make fun of me just because he is the prince."

Her brother and prince Joffrey had had hard times during the training that morning. Everything was going well, Bran and Tommen had trained and then had been the two older boys' turn, but after Robb had beaten Joffrey, the prince wanted to fight with steel swords. Robb wanted to do it, but Ser Rodrick forbid that. He never let the boys trained with real swords, they were too young and Antea agreed, she didn't want for her brothers or Theon to get hurt during the trainings. So, the prince started to say that Robb wasn't brave enough. Her twin was so furious that Theon had a hard time to take him away from the field.

"And even his personal guard" he said sitting on his bed as Grey Wind went next to him "Or Cassie."

Even Cassie, she thought.

Not that Cassie had insulted them, she didn't. But by what Theon had told her the princess didn't even say anything when Sandor Clegane said that Ser Rodrick wasn't a good Maester at arms. Antea didn't know what there was to expected, but maybe she wanted for Cassie to say something. Anything.

"What's with her, anyway?" Robb asked.

Antea had noticed Cassie acting different that time. She barely ate with them; she ignored her own family and she rather spent her time alone than with Antea or her brothers. And Antea had noticed that she disappeared everytime the princes were around. She didn't even see her with Jon anymore.

"I do not know" Antea set next to her brother and put her chin on his shoulder. Robb immediately turned to kiss her temple "I think they are just a strange family"

Robb snorted "Good thing they are the royal family" Antea smiled at her twin's words.

The Baratheons were strange indeed. The King seemed to like his wine more than his wife. The Queen was a cold woman in Antea's opinion and her smiles never seemed true. The prince wasn't charming or funny or pleasant to spend time with, he was just a whiny young boy who liked to have everything under his power. At least Myrcella and Tommen were young and nice, of course not as nice as Antea's brothers but maybe she was judging out of love. And then there was Cassie, who didn't even seem to be part of the family with her attitude.

"Cassie had never talked about them? Why?" Robb said, and he was speaking the truth. Not even once Cassie had spoken of any of them, no even her own siblings.

Robb took a breath "At least we would have known that her brother is a twat."

Antea slightly smacked his arm.

"Robb!" He laughed looking at her attempt to maintain a straight face.

"He is our prince; we have to respect him even if he is an idiot." she said making him laugh as he lean towards her.

"Look who isn't watching her mouth, now" Robb said and she snorted at the end.

"Stop it" she said standing up "Why don't we take a walk?"

A nice long walk was what Robb always needed when he got angry. Once he and Theon had a fight and he walked for three hours around Winterfell. It had become dark and their mother got so worrieed that she wanted for the guards to go look for him.

"Alright, sister, as you want" he answered before leading the way.

The twins walked with their arms linked to one another and Grey Wind close to their heels.

"Where is Shadow?" Robb asked, looking around.

"Oh, you know her" Antea answered "She is here, but she doesn't like to be seen."

When she first told Robb about her choice for her pup's name, he thought it was because Shadow's fur was black, but the truth was that Shadow was impossible to be seen if she didn't want to be. But Antea knew she was there, she was always there fallowing the girl around the castle. Antea call that a connection, because how was it possible to her to be sure Shadow was there? It was like she was able to feel her pup. It had been strange at the beginning, but now it felt so natural.

The walked with their arms linked, greeting their people as they passed. Antea loved the tall walls of Winterfell. She knew her mother found that castle quite intimidating at times, but to Antea had never felt like that. It was ward, it was safe. It was her home.

"Robb, the princess" Antea whispered, when she saw the blond girl sitting on the ground with Sansa and her friend. When the two passed by, they bowed their heads to the princess.

"My princess" they said together.

"It is lovely to see you" she answered with a gentle smile and a light blush upon her cheeks as she looked at Robb. Myrcella was so nice. Why had Cassie never spoken about her?

And even little Tommen. He was so gentle. He was Bran's same age, even if he seemed younger than Antea's brother.

"Are you staying with us, Antea?" Asked Sansa with her soft voice "We are going to braid our hair."

"Not today, sweet sister" Robb said affectionately patting Sansa's hair "Today we want to spend some time together" Sansa shook her head with a smile.

"As it never happens" then she turned to the princess "But having here princess Myrcella is not something that happens often" the little girl's cheeks were still red and with a small smile, she spoke again.

"My lord, do not worry. We have plenty of time" Robb bowed his head.

"Gratitude, my princess" Antea bowed her head too.

"Spend a lovely morning, girls" she said "I'll see you all at sewing lesson" after that she fallowed Robb that was already leading her away.

It was a lovely day, the sun was warming up a bit the cold air of the North, it was perfect for the Royal Family that was, of course, used to a totally different weather. But they seemed to enjoy that day, most of them were outside.

Walking they saw prince Joffrey and his scary personal guard Sandor Clegane walking and talking. Actually, only the prince was talking, the older man just nodded now and then. Antea had to pull her twin away, since he seemed eager to fight with the prince once again.

Then they saw Bran and Cyel in the Goodswood; their favorite place, playing with Bran's direwolf. Bran was trying to show her how his pup took back the stick that he threw, but the little thing just looked at him without moving.

"Don't stay there just looking at me. Take the stick" he seemed almost desperate, but his frustration just seemed to amuse Cyel more and more and Bran glared at her.

"Stop laughing, Cyel" he said splashing the girl with the pool water.

"My lord, you are going to regret this" Cyel said before moving her hand so that she could splash the boy.

The twins left them laughing, too busy to play and laugh to pay attention to them.

"Robb, Antea" Jon Snow's voice made them stop and turn around.

"Hello, Jon" Antea greeted him with a smile.

"Jon, brother. Is everything alright?" Antea looked between her two brothers with a questioning look. Was Jon worried about something?

"Actually, yes" Jon replied "There is something I want to talk to you about." Antea bit her lip, that happened a lot.

It was never easy to understand what was on Jon's mind. He was very introverted and he usually didn't talk about his worries, sometimes she thought it was to not alarm his brothers, but Antea would have liked to look into his eyes and understand him to help him better, like she always did with Robb, after all since she had memory, there had always been the three of them.

"What is it?" Robb asked encouraging their brother to speak. Jon fixed his gloves and after taking a breath he spoke.

"I want to leave for the Wall, to become a brother of the Night's Watch" at his words everything seemed to stop for a moment. Looking Jon's expression, she realized that both her and Robb hadn't spoken a word.

"Well, that's…"

"New" Robb finished for her. Well, it was new indeed, but it was even rush. Becoming a member of the Night's Watch was a vow for life. He could never go back if he made this choice.

"I know but I realized it's the best thing for me" if all of this was new for Robb was ten times more sudden for Antea who was just looking at her brother.

"What did Father say?" Antea looked over her twin, she didn't know what answer she wanted to hear. A part of her wanted for Jon to stay, he was so young, but another part wanted to see him happy.

"That I have to clean up my mind" he answered not pleased by their father's words "He said that I have time, but if I am sure I can leave."

The way he spoke made clear to her that he really wanted to leave, she couldn't stop thinking about the shocked expression on Robb's face. If Jon really wanted to leave for the Wall, was it possible that he had never talk to his brother about it?

Antea suddenly realized how little she knew about what Jon wanted. She didn't knew her own brother that well? That thought terrorized her. She loved her brothers so deeply, she didn't want for them to keeps secrets with her.

"When are you leaving?" She spoke for the first time.

"With Cassie?" At her twin question Antea felt her heart skip a bit. Cassie was leaving the morning after. Would she had to say goodbye to her brother so soon? Watch him go away without knowing when she would see him again?

It was so strange, she felt so strange. It was like she had just realized that one day they all would have their own life, their own home, away from one another. Without realize it she clanged onto Robb's arm.

"No" Jon replied quickly "I'm not leaving with Cassie." he then looked down, touching Ghost's fur silently.

"Have you two been fighting?" Robb said with curiosity in his voice. Jon shifted from foot to foot sheaking his head.

"No" he said before looking up at Antea "I will live with uncle Benjen in ten days" she nodded, still chewing her lips.

"Is this really what you want?" The girl said in a whisper. She hope her voice was not trembling, but she wasn't sure that she had succeeded.

"It is what I want." Jon assured.

He wanted it. He wanted to leave Winterfell. He wanted to change his life. Antea forced a smile, stepping forward to envelop her brother into a tight hug. Her face was pressed on the white fur of his cloak when she felt his arms hugging her close by the waist..

"I am happy for you" she said before giving him a kiss on his cheek.

"It seems that you already made up your mind" Robb spoke once the two broke their hug. He got closer and hugged Jon. Antea watched them smile to each other: she could just imagine what feelings they were hiding.

"I wanted to talk to you about this before make any decision" Jon said looking between her and Robb.

"Well, if you are sure, then you should go and talk to Father" Robb said patting his brother shoulder, who give them a little smile before walk away with his direwolf beside him. Antea was looking at Jon when she felt Robb arm around her shoulders.

"I think now it is you who needs a walk" she looked up to her twin nodding, trying not to let any tear slip from her grey eyes.

"Yes, please" he smiled taking her arm under his, before starting to walk again.

This time they were silent. No words or laughter were shared between them. Robb squeezed her hand every now and then, but the thought of Jon leaving had already changed Winterfell a bit in Antea's eyes. But Robb was there. She clinged to that feeling. Knowing to have her twin by her side made her feel so safe, like he always did since they were babes. When the scary stories of legends and monster scared her and Robb would take a blanket, cover the both of them with it and assured her that if any monster would have come to take her, he would have sent it away.

When they approached the main entrance of the castle, they heard the sound of steel smashing together. They looked at each other, it couldn't be Theon, he usually used bow and arrows.

Walking to the field where the boys always trained, they saw Cassie with her shining daggers out, fighting against the famous Kingslayer. Their moviments were perfect, clean and elegant. As if they were dancing. Cassie's was wearing her black dress, her Keeper of Light's vest, that would oppose to the golden armour of Jaime Lannister. Antea's eyes stopped on Cassie's right hand, the one marked with black lines of ink. Arya had always been curious about that.

In all honesty, they had always been curious about it. But their Lord Father didn't want for them to talk with Cassie about her powers.

"She is just a child, no different from you" he would say "I want you to treat her as such."

And so they did. They sometimes would ask her about the Wall and about her duties; the first time she answered with joyful voice and missing front tooth. But as the years went by, Cassie talked less and less about the Wall, saying that there were always the same people, doing always the same thing. And that she was sure that in Winterfell there were many more things to share to have a pleasant conversation.

"You are not even trying, Cassandra!" Jaime Lannister shouted to an annoyed Cassie, who marched around the field.

"Are you bored?" She asked mockingly "That must be why you are here boring me?" The Kingslayer attacked the girl who blocked his attack with one of her shining daggers.

Valyrian steel.

Mikken the blacksmith once told them that the princess had with her real Valyrian steel. It wasn't a common material. Only few Houses could say that they possessed that precious and ancient steel. Her father, Lord Eddard, had a sword made with it. His long sword Ice, it shined exactly like those daggers.

"Are you mocking me?" The man complained at the girl.

"What is he talking about?" Robb whispered with a frown "She has a perfect form."

Antea didn't understand all those shoutings. Jamie Lannister wasn't winning that fight and to her eyes Cassie was fighting any different from the usual. Ser Rodrick always spoke about Cassie's skills as a fighter, saying that she used her daggers in such an easy way that she seemed older than her age.

"Can I train with Sandor?" Cassie asked "At least he doesn't speak while we are training."

Her black hair was shining like onyx as much as her uncle's hair were shining like gold. It was beautiful to see them fighting, Antea could not takee her eyes away from them. She knew what Robb thought about the Kingslayer, but it was undeniable that he was very good at sword fighting.

"You are in a worst mood than ever, niece" the man said lowering his weapon "The North and its kids make you weaker."

The way Cassie looked at her uncle, almost scared Antea. There was so much wrath in them and for a moment Antea thought Cassie was going to attack. And she was surprinsed when the princess put her daggers back on their place inside her boots.

"I'm not going to be mocked by you" Cassie said "I do not even have to train. I don't know why I'm wasting my time with you" The man shook his head with a cold laugh, that made her glare again.

"Too much of your father in you" he said, Cassie looked at him up and down silently before turn her back at him.

"Have a nice day, uncle."

Robb and Antea looked at each other; they surely had noticed the same thing. Those two didn't talk like they were a family; Antea didn't know what she had just seen.

The twins looked at Cassie who was picking her things up when they heard Jamie Lannister's voice.

"The future lord Stark and his twin sister" he said and Cassie looked up "Do you want to train for real, my lord?" Antea didn't like his tone, mocking and even disrespectful. They could be the royal family, but they were their hosts after all.

"Then it is a shame that Ser Barristan couldn't come, he could teach you two or three things, Uncle" Cassie said walking towards the twins.

"Hey" she said.

"Hey" Robb said unpleased, looking behind the girl's shoulder. Cassie did the same before taking a breath.

"Just ignore him. That is what we all do in King's Landing" the princess spoke with a little smile moving her long black hair hanging over one of her shoulders "What were you doing?"

"We were taking a walk" Antea said looking at Robb, who was still glaring at the Lannister that was now walking away. Cassie nodded; she was so different from the girl Antea saw just a few moments ago. Of course, Cassie had always spoken her mind but she was so cold with her own family that Antea couldn't stop asking herself which one was the true Cassandra. The always smiling girl that they had always seen or the cold one from just a moment ago.

"You are leaving tomorrow?" Robb asked.

"Indeed I am" the girl answered nodding her head one time.

"We didn't even spoke" Robb complained "It was like you weren't here."

Cassie smirked at him.

"What? Have you missed me, Robb Stark?" Cassie teased him, pushing his shoulder lightly, making him chuckle.

"Not me, but maybe Jon" Antea noticed that Cassie changed expression as he mentioned Jon. Her blue eyes clouded and her smile disappeared "Have you two being fighting?" Robb asked with curiosity.

It was something Robb had been thinking for quite some time now, but Cassie just observed him for a moment before shrugging her shoulders.

"Just different duties, I think."

It was obvious they had a fight, Jon and Cassie always spent time together and had fun together. Jon always smiled when she was around. And Cassie always told him something that had happened during her long travels on the King's Road, maybe she told him about the Wall too.

"Jon wants to leave for the Wall" at her words Cassie turned to look at Antea, her mood changed once again.

"Does he?" She asked coldly, but Antea wasn't sure Cassie was surprised by her words.

"He told us just before" Robb said.

"Did you know about that?" Antea asked looking at the girl in front of them, who put her hands on her hips taking an heavy breath.

"He told me the night of the feast" the twins looked at each other, then Robb spoke.

"And what do you think about it?"

Cassie was the only one who knew exactly how the Wall was like, not even their Father could know it that well. But Cassie just shook her shoulder.

"Robb, what can I say?" She said "It is not on me."

Antea frowned and Robb just studied Cassie up and down, as if he didn't recognize the girl before them.

"I have to go and prepare my things for tomorrow" she said before walking backwards from them with her usual smile "I'll see you later" they looked in the girl's direction for a minute or two in silence before Robb spoke.

"What just happened?" Antea shook her head.

"You tell me, she is one of your best friends" those days had shown another part of Cassandra Baratheon. Robb said maybe she was in a bad mood, he always justified her, but maybe he was right, he knew the princess better than Antea. Of course, the two girls were friends, but they had never been that close.

The next morning, they were all outside to say farewell to Cassie. The girl just wore her black dress, the Keeper of Light's dress, her cloak, and her daggers on each hip. She didn't have anything else.

Cassie walked straight to lord Eddard and embraced him. Antea's father laughed lightly with his deep voice.

"Thank you, Ned" she said with a big smile on her face.

"Stay safe, dear" Cassie seemed to study the Lord for a moment.

"You too" she said serious before lighting up again "I'm not scared of the North, my lord" then she moved to hug lady Catelyn, who asked her if she had taken everything.

"It's not that much, Cat" she said "But yes, I've got everything I need."

Then she moved to Robb was smiling at her.

"When I'll see you again?" he asked and Cassie shrugged her shoulders.

"Who knows" she replied.

"You own me that fight that we always talk about" it had been years now that Robb and Cassie wanted to fight seriously on the field, to see who was the strongest, but until now there wasn't the occasion.

"Why do you wish to be beaten so bad, Stark?" Robb laugh echoed in the yard before they shared a quick hug.

"Until the next time" he said once they broke the hug.

"Until the next time" Cassie repeated. She couldn't make a move because suddenly she was crushed by Arya, Bran and Rickon in a group hug.

"Antea and I found a beautiful place to ride, I'll show you next time" Arya said jumping up and down "We must go!"

"You have to tell me all about the Wall" Bran spoke over Arya.

"You have to teach me how to beat someone!" Antea noticed her mother's eyes opening wide at Rickon's demand.

Cassie was laughing while the children kept asking her things, she would have to bring to them or tell to them.

"Of course" she said "I promise."

Antea eyes fell to the Queen who was looking at the scene with a strange expression, like she wasn't happy of what she was just seeing before her.

"Goodbye, Cassie" Antea looked at Sansa who was bowing her head gracefully to the princess. Cassie did the same with an affectionate smile, before turning to Antea.

"Antea, until the next time" she said.

"Of course, Cassie" she answered "Be safe on the road" Cassie then smiled to Cyel who bowed her head, then she shouted.

"Hey, Greyjoy" Antea turned to see Theon rolling his eyes "It wasn't a pleasure, like always."

"Likewise" he replied annoyed. Antea was pretty sure that those two really hated each other, they were too similar in some ways.

Then Cassie stopped in front of Jon, but they didn't say anything just looked at each other, before Cassie turn her back to him and move in front of her family.

Antea was surprised when the Royal Family just bow a little to the princess, the Queen and Joffrey weren't even too keen on doing so. Cassie stopped in front of her father and they look at each other, like they were having a conversation with their minds. Then Cassie turned to go to her horse when little Tommen spoke.

"Bye, Cassie" the little one was held tightly by one hand by the Queen, but he was waving his free one to his sister. Cassie stopped when she heard her name, and she looked at her little brother with a surprised expression. Her blue eyes were wide and a little smile made its way upon her lips. And after a moment she waved her hand back to him to.

"It's Cassandra, Tommen" Antea saw her Father glaring at the Queen when she spoke.

Cassie seemed not to notice and on her black mount. She looked at Benjen bowing her head, before kicking her horse and she rode away from Winterfell as Arya, Bran and Rickon followed her till the main entrance, like always.

"Did Jon and Cassie have a fight?" Antea turned to Cyel who was looking at an angry Jon Snow.

"It seems like it" Antea answered observing her Jon talking to Robb as they were walking back inside the castle.

"It must have been on a serious matter" Cyel guessed "If they didn't even spoke to each other for days" Antea agreed. Cassie was surely very proud but she had never seemed the type who stayed angry for long. Not with Jon, anyway.

"Good morning, my ladies" when Antea turned around, she saw the little Queen's brother, Tyrion Lannister, known in the Seven Kingdoms even by the cruel name the Imp.

Lord Tyrion was a dwarf, he had golden hair like his brothers but not the same looks, even his unmatching colored eyes were different from his brothers'. Although this man before her was famous for his wit and intelligence, she didn't understand why gave him that terrible nickname.

"Good morning, Lord Tyrion" she greets bowing her head followed by Cyel.

"Good day, isn't it?" The man said with a pleased voice.

"It must be a bit sad for you, my lord" Antea guessed smiling politely "Seeing your niece going away" Lord Tyrion shrugged his shoulders hugging his cloak closer, that day was colder than the previous one.

"Do not be worried about me, my lady" he said "Seeing your beauty eases any pain."

Antea couldn't help but blush. Nobody except her brothers and father have ever complimented her in that way. She didn't even know how to answer. But Cyel seemed to have noticed so luckily, she was the one who spoke.

"How are you liking the North so far, my lord?" Tyrion turned towards the girl.

"Different and cold, like I'm sure you've found when you first came here" he replied looking at Cyel, then his expression became curious "How are your engagement going, lady Sand?"

Now was Cyel's time to blush. Antea knew that she didn't feel at ease talking about that and she could understand why; Cyel was a guest waiting to marry one of the boys she grew up with. Of course, she wasn't comfortable talking about that, especially with a stranger.

"It is early to say" Cyel managed to answer with a flush of pink on her cheeks "But I'm sure we will be very happy" Antea linked her arm with Cyel's.

"Of course, you will be" she said before turning to lord Tyrion "Forgive us, my lord, but now it's time for us to go. Have a good day" the man bowed his head with a big smile.

"Good day, my ladies."

That was really a strange man, were the men in the South all like that?

"Remind me why do I always have to help you?" Cyel whispered while they were walking towards the main entrance of the castle.

"Because you are the best of friends" Antea said with a small laugh and Cyel followed her still blushing.

The morning had been the usual; Antea, Sansa, Arya and Cyel were all sat in the main hall with princess Myrcella and they talked about their countries, tales and dresses. Well, they were, Arya was in a corner pouting every now and then. She wanted to go outside and play with their brothers and the smallfolk, but now everyone was busy, they would have time to play later.

"Antea" hearing her mother's voice she turned to look at her, Sansa and Myrcella smiled while Cyel bowed her head.

"Yes, mother" the girl said standing up. Catelyn Stark stopped in front of her, her auburn hair shining as much as her blue eyes. Antea always loved her mother's hair, its color was beautiful, Robb had it, but Antea hadn't. She had inherited her mother's looks but her father's colors, dark hair and grey eyes.

"Come with me, dear" she said with her soft voice "Your father and I have to speak to you" Antea looked at the girls and she noticed a very happy Sansa, like she knew something they all didn't. Antea stood up and followed her mother in Winterfell's corridors. The girl brushed her fingers on the wall while she was walking, she had always loved how the stone was hot under her touch. The warm water that run into them kept the castle warm against the cold weather outside.

"Is everything alright, mother?" She asked after studied her mother for a bit, her face was still but her eyes were… sad. Why was her mother sad?

"It is, dear" she answered forcing a smile back to Antea "Do not worry" now she was worried. Did something bad happen?

They walked in silence before they arrived in front of her parent's chamber. A lot of questions rounded in her head while her mother opened the door.

Her father was there with his forehead resting on his hands, something that he did when he was tired or overthinking.

"Father" hearing her voice made the man look up and a smile appeared on his face "Did you want to see me?" She asked.

"Indeed" he replied "Sit down, Antea" she did as her father asked looking at her parents. She could tell they were both forcing their smiles, but there was something wrong, she could tell.

"I'm not going to lie to you, I'm just going to say it" her father said after taking a breath and his smile was already gone, like her mother's "I'm going South" Antea's heart ached "I'll become the new Hand of the King."

Becoming the Hand of the King was a great honor, it was the man who gave advises to the King, who helped him to rule. She knew that the King had offered that position to her Father, but she was sure he would have denied it. He had to leave his country, his people. And what about his family?

"We are leaving?" She asked twisting her shaking hands. Her parents looked at each other, there was pain in their eyes.

"No, not all of us" her mother spoke, Antea could see her parents' arms close, they must have their hands clasped together.

"Your mother will stay here with Robb, helping him rule the North, while I'm away" her father looked at his wife with sad eyes. Antea knew how much they loved each other. They had been so lucky to fall in love even if theirs was an arranged marriage.

"And Rickon will stay too" Catelyn said, her husband nodded before speak again.

"He is too young to be away from his mother" Robb and Rickon would stay at Winterfell and she felt her eyes watering, she already imagined what was to come.

"But the rest of you will come with me, as guests of the Crown."

They wanted to make her leave Winterfell, her own home, without her own twin, to go into a different country.

"I know it must be shocking for you, dear" her father said, he knew how much she loved the North and the cold.

"But it is a great opportunity for you, Antea" her mother words made her frown.

"Is it?" She asked harsher that she intended to be.

"Of course" Catelyn answered "You'll learn more about the Seven Kingdoms" Antea didn't care about the other Kingdoms, she wanted to stay in her home.

"But I don't want to go" she said before she could stop herself "Please let me stay her with you" Antea pleaded her mother "I will help you with Rickon" she heard her father taking a breath.

"I know that you don't want to leave Robb but–"

"But you are fifteen, Antea" her mother said interrupting her husband "You have to start to think about your future"

Her future…

"You will not live forever in Winterfell" Catelyn kept saying "You have duties, you have to find a proper husband, you…" Then she took a breath "Sansa is going South because she will be wed to the prince" Antea didn't know she was engaged but she wasn't surprised, Sansa was almost perfect and with an important name, she was the right catch for a future king "You are the eldest, it's time for you to think more about your future and less about your brothers'" Antea knew her mother was right, of course she was, but it was all so soon.

"Dear, I'm sorry to put you through such pain" Her father said kindly "But it is important for you to come with me" It was painful, it really was, to say goodbye to everything she had ever knew, to her own brothers and friends.

"I understand" she answered in a whisper. Her parents looked at each other, then her father walked towards her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"I'm very proud of you" Antea forced a smile leaning closer to her father, but even his warm embrace wasn't making everything better.

Antea set outside for hours, after her talk with her parents. She watched the people she grew up with living their lives in Winterfell. Her people and her home. She already started to miss them. No more hiding in the dark crypts, no more games with the other children, no more snow. It was so strange thinking that she should have left everything behind.

Of course, she would be having her father, Sansa, Arya and Bran, but the Stark family wouldn't be the same if they weren't all together. It seemed just so wrong, Antea thought looking at her home.

Suddenly she felt something rubbing her leg and looking down she saw her little black direwolf next to her, it was like she wanted to comfort the girl.

"You showed up at the end" Antea said petting Shadow's head with a smile.

At least she could have brought her South and she was relieved by that, she would have never left this pup behind.

"Antea?" the girl looked up when she heard Theon Greyjoy's surprised voice "I thought you were with Septa Mordane" she should have been with the Septa but she wasn't in the mood for a lesson, she had so many thoughts in her head at the moment.

"Are you alright?" the boy asked and Antea nodded her head with a small smile.

"Yes, I am" she didn't want to oblige Theon to listen to her problems.

The boy looked closer and pointing at her he said "You're biting your lip".

"What?" Antea asked softly.

"You usually do that when you're overthinking about something" Antea looked at him surprised, she had never realized that "Or so is what Robb says" Theon said quickly after a moment of silence, shrugging his shoulders. The girl's lips curved in a small smile before looking back at her feet.

"Do… do you need to talk?" Antea's eyes met Theon's. She was grateful to her friend, he was always kind to her, in Theon Greyjoy's own way of course. But she shook her head.

"I'm sure you have more pleasant things to do than stay here listening to me" Theon gave her one of his usual wide smiles.

"And watching your brother and the little prince argue again? No, thank you" he said sitting next to her "I'd rather stay here listening to my lady's problems." Antea couldn't help but smile at his words, like usual, he was always able to do it. Theon had always been there for her and Robb, he was nice with her sisters and Cyel and he played with Bran and Rickon. She trusted him and she began to talk even before she could even realize it.

"I've just talked to my father" she said "Apparently he will become the new Hand of the King."

Theon seemed surprised at her words, like she had been when her father told her. Then Antea took a breath before continuing "He is going South and he is taking Sansa, Arya, Bran and me with him."

"You are going South?" she didn't look at him, but she could feel his eyes upon her.

"I'm afraid so" Antea's gaze was fixed on her hands.

"For how long?" a sad smile appeared on her face. That was what she was scared about.

"Until I get married, I think" than from King's Landing she would have to move in her husband's house, maybe in the South, and she would have to make new friends, in a new place so far from her North. It would have been years before she could come back to Winterfell, but at that point it wouldn't be her home anymore.

"I don't want to go" she said turning to Theon, who was already looking at her "I knew this day would have come, but it's too soon."

Probably he was thinking she was a stupid acting like this, but there was something in his eyes that told her to keep talking "I'll just miss all of this so much" the girl said looking back at Winterfell.

"Can't you stay?" Theon wasn't smiling anymore.

Antea wished she could. She wished to stay in her home and keep living her beautiful life, but it was impossible.

Antea shook her head sadly "My father wants for me to go with him, I cannot ignore it".

She was Antea Stark and she was almost fifteen now, almost a woman grown, ready to get married. She had to start to think about her future and finding a husband like every other lady. She had been lucky that her parents had let her live her childhood freely, but she had to face her duties now. Cyel was their guest to find a husband and even Sansa would be leaving for the South to follow the prince. It was Antea's turn even if she had always prayed for her husband to be a man of the North.

"Alright" Theon exclaimed "Let's get married then" he talked like it was the simplest thing in the world and Antea couldn't stop a giggle from leaving her lips.

"What?" She said and Theon smiled back at her nodding his head.

"Yes, so you'll have to stay here" they looked at each other and she started to laugh softly, Theon seemed happy while his gaze was on her.

"I'm going to miss you, Theon Greyjoy" Antea said honestly, she would be missing him, his confident attitude, his remarks and how he made her smile. But he seemed surprised at her words and she didn't quite understand why.

"Really?" he asked and for a moment Antea swore she saw his cheeks turn a pale red, but they both turned her head when they heard Robb's voice yelling.

"Greyjoy! Take your ass over here!"

Antea's heart ached. Robb. How was she going to tell to Robb? The thought of leaving him behind was killing her. They had always been together; she wasn't ready to live without him by her side.

Theon took a deep breath and it was like he really didn't want to go, but after giving her a small smile he stood up, but Antea followed him immediately and stopped him gently by the forearm.

"Theon please, do not tell Robb" Theon looked at her hand before looking up at her "He doesn't know yet and I want to be the one who tells him" she begged with her eyes, she knew that her brother and Theon said almost everything to each other.

"Of course, my lady" he said nodding his head.

Antea smiled at him "Thank you, really."

Theon looked at her for a moment returning a small almost sad smile, not one of his usual wide smiles. She wanted to ask him what he was thinking about but she heard Rickon calling out at her. Rickon was her little brother, she felt sad thinking that those were the last days she would be spending with him. He was just three, he needed his family with him. She didn't want to upset him so Antea turned with a big smile and lift him in her arms.

"Hey, little one" his little hands were gripping at her dress "I waited outside the hall, but you weren't at sewing lesson" Rickon said "You promised me we would have played together" she gave him a kiss and put him on the ground "Let's go then" Antea said then she turned to Theon, who was still behind her "Theon–"

"Let's go, Antea" Rickon said pulling her by the hand, he was a jealous little pup.

"Yes, yes" she said, then she smiled at her older friend "See you later."

Theon nodded with that strange smile never leaving his face "Aye… see you later" she heard him answer while Rickon was still pulling her.