Rhaena sat nervously on a bench at the grand table where many were feasting in celebration of the king's arrival to Winterfell, shifting occasionally every time the queen turned her piercing gaze onto her. So often had Rhaena sat under the scrutiny of the queen's glower that she knew when it was settled upon her. Always it made her nervous and uncomfortable, so much so that often was the case that she could not eat. She sat beside one of the girls whom Sansa had introduced her to, Jeyne Pool, who chatted away all evening happily about some nonsense or other, twittering like a little bird. Drinking and eating very little, Rhaena struggled to find her appetite despite the merriment around her. Being unused to these surroundings made her anxious. Already she had witnessed a boy make a scene at the far end of the table, his shout having turned several heads before he had stormed out of the dining hall where Rhaena was certain she had seen tears in his eyes. Jeyne had made a derisive sound like a snort as she sipped at her drink and promptly informed Rhaena that the boy was the bastard of Winterfell, Jon Snow. It was clear the girl thought very poorly of Jon Snow. Probably as little as Rhaena thought of Jeyne Poole. An airheaded girl with a meanness in her that Rhaena did not appreciate. Eventually she tired of the incessant babbling of the girl and decided that she would take to the air to clear her head and cool down, for it was exceedingly hot in the hall. Rising slowly to her feet as to not draw attention, she smoothed out her grey cotton dress then leaned down to Jeyne. "May I walk for a while?"
"Yes of course, shall I ask for someone to go with you?" Rhaena looked around, seeing everyone either engaged or unfriendly towards her. Why would she want their company when this could be the first time in years she might enjoy some true solitude? "Could you direct me somewhere? Please? I require a little air." Considering for a moment Jeyne then nodded sweetly and gave a few directions that would take Rhaena out of the noisy and heated hall where she might find some peace. Knowing that the queen was currently not observing her, Rhaena took this chance to quietly slip away. The young girl picked her way through the banquet, Robert's laughter roaring in her ears before she left the hall and turned down the hall to follow Jeyne's instructions. They were simple enough and she managed to reach the balcony which overlooked the courtyard without difficulty and looked down where one of the boys was practicing with a sword against a straw dummy. He seemed angry, he belted at the dummy with all his might until he tossed the sword aside with a frustrated grunt, the echo reaching all the way to the balcony.
Rhaena leaned forwards, curious. It was Jon Snow, the boy who had run from the dining hall. His anger was understandable as someone seemed to have upset him earlier, though it seemed strange to her that he, the son of Eddard Stark albeit a bastard, had been sat at the far end of the hall whilst she, a prisoner and a Targaryen would be given a seat closer to the king and their hosts. Suddenly, as if sensing someone watching him, Jon Snow looked up at her. Jon saw the girl with the pale hair as white as Ghost's fur standing there, washed in moonlight and seemingly aglow. It shone upon her silver hair and alabaster skin, cast her dress into a smooth metallic grey that flowed around her as she stared down at him with a natural air which seemed to place her in another world. They held one another's gaze for a few moments as Jon naturally seized up to see a girl like that looking at him. Heat gathered in his face as the wine flew to his head and he began to feel dizzy. Unexpectedly, however, the girl then smiled to him. Now his head spun. There was something comforting about that smile, as if she were looking at him and saying I know how you feel whilst truly meaning it. Jon became awkward the way he did whenever a girl was around him. He was never very good at talking to them or interacting with them the way his brother Robb could. All he could manage was a curt nod of acknowledgement in return before turning and walking away slowly in order to retrieve his sword and return to his practice. "My lady?" A calm voice called softly and Rhaena looked about her in order to answer the address, drawing back from the balcony's edge and instinctively sdropped into a curtsey.
"My Lord Robb." She greeted with her head bowed low.
"The queen is worried for you; she was about to send her brother Ser Jaime to find you when I offered to go in his stead." He explained to her as she rose once again and immediately raised her eyes to meet his. Robb took this opportunity to take in the Targaryen girl before him, tilting his head slightly in curiosity. He too had been intrigued when he and his siblings had first glimpsed the stranger, now he was able to see her more closely Robb could study the individual features of her face clearly. Any man would be taken by in by her mystical gaze and obvious beauty, and Robb was no fool, he could see it for himself, but there was something else which pulled at his thoughts and attention, something which kept him transfixed, though he could not immediately put his finger on what it was.
"Thank you, Lord Robb. I did not mean to cause alarm." She knew the truth. She was out of the queen's sight and therefore a threat. To his credit the eldest Stark son did not immediately drag her back to the queen's side or insist that they return immediately, rather he stepped further out onto the balcony and into the fresh air to join her in order to delay going back. Perhaps he disliked the festivities as much as Rhaena did. She wondered if this was the case.
"What are you doing out here?"
"I needed fresh air. I find I like this cool wind and watching the snow fall from the clouds." She explained to him. "I have never seen snow before. It is quite beautiful."
"You get used to it after some time then it's nothing more than snow." Robb shrugged as he came to stand beside her, looking her way to notice that she was wearing no cloak, only her dress which in truth did not look it gave her a great deal of warmth even should she be inside. Perhaps she had no proper winter clothes or had underestimated the climate of the north and packed too lightly. "Are you not cold?"
"A little, but I shall be fine." She insisted distantly, still occupied by watching the falling snowflakes, but Robb immediately took off his cloak and placed it around her shoulders without any hesitation or reluctance. Surprised by the kindness, Rhaena started slightly and almost out of instinct jumped to reject the sudden physical contact of another being but the moment the cloak closed around her with its thick folds and padded fur she instantly felt warmer and the luxury was too sweet to give back so she smiled shyly at the boy beside her. "Thank you." It was rare to find such actions of kindness outside a scarce few people of her acquaintance, even more rarely would it come from a stranger. Perhaps the son of Lord Stark had inherited more than just his stature and blood, but his virtues as well. It was a comforting thought.
"My pleasure to assist a lady." Robb answered dutifully then returned to gazing at the sky and the falling snow as if it were some sort of spectacle, allowing Rhaena a moment to contemplate her unexpected companion. The heir of Winterfell was not the exact image of his father but shared some similarities with him. The bright eyes and strong jaw line, thick hair and straight nose though his colouring was that of his mother, who was born a Tully. He was handsome, obviously so, but he seemed rather gruff in his voice which seemed odd for a boy his age. Perhaps his voice had was breaking or had already broken, or perhaps he simply wished to appear older than his years. A little like his sister. Rhaena supposed that Sansa wished to seem older to become a lady, and Robb wished to be seen as a man. It was understandable, though Rhaena admittedly had to withhold a chuckle at the thought. "Does the king treat you well?" Robb suddenly asked which caused Rhaena to blink and look at him sharply, astounded at the bluntness of his question and unprepared to respond immediately. She gaped at the Stark boy for a moment before slamming her mouth shut and turning her head away once again.
"Yes. As well as can be expected. I am no favourite and the king has no love for anyone of my bloodline, this is no secret, but he allows me to live in peace and quiet. He gives me the clothes I wear, and I am always fed, he allows me to read and learn with Lord Tyrion and he permits Ser Barristan keep me company for the most part as my retainer and guardian. It is a simple life, but I am content."
"Content is not happy." Rhaena paused at this and was unable to hold back the wistful sigh which escaped her.
"I should not really speak to you of such things. You may get into trouble. So would I, if I was overheard." She told him in a low voice before her gaze then turned over her shoulder, catching Robb's attention so he too looked. Ser Jaime came into view from the shadows, his golden hair neatly brushed as his cloak swept over the floor in all the appearance of a dashing knight. Yet that unnatural glint in his eye betrayed the wickedness that lay within. A man without honour. The one who had killed Rhaena's own father when it was his sworn duty to protect him. Rhaena often felt conflicted whenever her path crossed with the Kingslayer, for although he was the murderer of her father the previous king, King Aerys was a known madman and more so would sooner burn alive thousands of innocence people just to keep himself warm. The war and death of her father had all occurred before she was born. She had never known her father and thus had no love for him and had grown up hearing nothing but hatred for her own house. It was fortunate that she was still breathing, in truth.
"There you are, girl, Her Grace is worried for you." Rhaena tensed instinctively. There was an immediate change in her demeanour which Robb noticed as he looked between her and the Kingslayer. Suddenly the Targaryen was harsh and defensive, reserved and distant in a manner which made her seem more like a sharpened steel sword rather than the delicate clusters of snow he had compared her to before in his own mind. He could see her clear distaste for the man and, being raised the son of Lord Eddard Stark, felt it more than a duty to come to the aid of a lady who was in distress. He stepped forwards and stood proudly before the Kingslayer with all seventeen years' worth of courage before him, though perhaps not the same amount of sense. The Kingslayer could easily have put the eldest Stark boy in his place and Robb knew this, but he stood his ground regardless, because honour demanded that he defend the lady behind him.
"Lady Rhaena was simply taking some air with me, Ser Jaime. She is perfectly safe; I can assure you." Ser Jaime blinked at the audacity of the boy before him then smiled in amusement.
"She should come back now before she catches the cold." Sensing that the tension was now rising and knowing the temperament of Ser Jaime, Rhaena went to step forwards so that any argument may be settled however Robb moved his arm so that it was held outward and blocked her path to give her pause. There was a stubbornness in his look which took Rhaena by surprise, so much so that she froze to her place and blinked rather witlessly.
"I have given her my cloak. Honestly, Ser, she will not go far from my sight, you have my word of honour." Ser Jaime gave a scoffing snort of a sound in response as his tone betrayed his sardonic view to such a boy bartering with him. At the very least he saw no reason to argue over the matter. The girl knew better than to try and run, for one she would not last long out there in the cold and should she be captured undoubtedly his beloved sister and the king would have her flogged to within an inch of her life. Pitiful creature. Ser Jaime always noted how lifeless the girl seemed whenever their paths crossed and knew that part of her situation was because of him. He had killed her father after all, not that he had any regrets on that count.
"And the Starks are all about honour. Very well. I shall inform Her Grace." He paused before turning and striding back inside with a swirl of his white cloak, a final look thrown towards Rhaena who shifted uncomfortably as their eyes met. That man had always made her anxious whenever he was near though he had never done harm. In fact often was the case that he would stay his sister's temper and keep the queen from punishing Rhaena in some manner for any offence she could contrive. Perhaps it was guilt that prompted him to defend the girl when he could, though he did nothing more than simply distract his sister. It was not always successful and most often simply delayed the inevitable. Yet sometimes when their eyes met, Rhaena felt certain that his eyes would soften and his mouth would curve downwards in pity. Yes he had murdered her father, but Rhaena never heard a sharp or entirely unkind word from him. In fact she preferred Ser Jaime to other members of the Kingsguard who could be just as cruel as Joffrey or his mother. Still Rhaena was glad to see him go and the moment he was gone from sight she allowed herself to relax.
"Thank you." Whispering softly to Robb, Rhaena dipped into a polite curtsey of gratitude now that Ser Jaime was absent from their presence, and she could finally take a deep breath of relief. "I do not much care for such a man as he."
"How so?"
"He is rude, imprudent and has an ego that is too big to fit inside his head. I do not like him. In addition, he is the queen's brother." Rhaena responded simply, feeling more at ease since it was just the two of them now. "I am watched like a hawk every moment of the day as you can see. Thank you for speaking for me, Lord Robb." To this Robb smiled a little awkwardly, uncertain of how to respond. This was strange for him. Usually he was fairly adept at speaking to girls and getting them to laugh, blush and giggle. Here however he found himself floundering, because the girl before him although as small as Arya was no girl at all. She had the bearing of a highborn, far more graceful than the giggling common girls Robb charmed with his smiles before, and far more beautiful too. It embarrassed him to even find himself blushing which did not go unnoticed by Rhaena. His shyness made her smile further with a warmth that rarely showed in her features, even daring to tease the boy before her for his flushed cheeks. Robb took the teasing well and even welcomed it for it lessened his uncertainty and allowed him to feel more at ease, thinking that he would just act as he would around Sansa and this would do until he came to know the Targaryen a little better.
"I do not think we have been properly introduced, my lady. I am Robb Stark of Winterfell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Taking her hand lightly Robb bowed over it as he had been taught before straightening once again and looking at the girl expectantly as she dipped into a rather elegant curtsey in reply.
"And I am Rhaena Targaryen, the pleasure is all mine my lord." They grinned at one another then and tossed aside all further politeness and decorum in order to speak freely and effortlessly with one another, for what did they care for courtesy and manners when there was conversation to be had? Rhaena could not recall the last time she had spoken to someone who looked upon her as an equal outside of a precious few who had known her since childhood. Robb did not see her as a prisoner, or a disgraced former princess, or even as a lesser being as a girl. His manner was natural and pleasing, allowing Rhaena to feel increasingly comfortable in his presence as she took the arm he had offered her in order to take a walk with him. He showed her his home in greater detail than Sansa had, talking about its history which Rhaena found fascinating, listening to every word he said until they found themselves in the courtyard where Jon Snow was still practicing with his sword in order to vent his frustrations but stopped in order to look when he heard the crunch of snow underfoot and found an unexpected pair walking towards him. He blinked in surprise to see the Targaryen girl linked arm and arm with Robb.
"Robb? What are you doing out here?" Jon asked as they came to him, his brow furrowed deeply.
"Jon, this is Rhaena." Robb introduced as he presented his companion. "My lady, this is my brother Jon." Rhaena smiled easily to the boy before her, taking in his appearance of long limbs and shifting eyes which seemed uncertain of where to look. Being rather excellent at judging a person's character, Rhaena thought this Jon Snow to be a vastly different to Robb in as much as one was nervously awkward around girls whilst the other was not, but were both sweet natured in their tempers and endearing in their own unique ways.
"Good evening, Jon. Your sister and brother speak very fondly of you." Reaching out to him Rhaena extended an offer of her hand to Jon who looked at it like it might suddenly burst into flame. Placing his sword into his other hand Jon took Rhaena's hesitantly but then was uncertain of what to do next, wondering if she wanted him to kiss it but was relieved when she only gripped his firmly then shook it. He nodded silently to her, his voice still a little lost and unable to think of anything to say. "I saw you practicing earlier, you are good with your sword." Rhaena complimented him politely though Jon only shrugged in response, still tongue tied though the compliment pleased him. Perhaps this was a common way to answer for boys in the North. Seeing that she was looking at him expectantly, Jon forced himself to think of a response.
"I've practiced for a long time." Rhaena glanced between Robb and Jon a little curiously.
"Do you train together?"
"Oh aye. I kick him into the snow most days." Robb grinned, punching his brother playfully.
"Only when I'm not concentrating." Jon retorted hotly but smiled all the same. Rhaena chuckled quietly as she observed them both. It was pleasant to see the two brothers treating one another so well, she had seen many bastards back in King's Landing treated with contempt and hatred simply for being alive. Not that it was ever their fault that their fathers could not keep their sticks and stones away from women who were not their wives, yet it always seemed to be the offspring who paid the price for the sins of their father. Although only sharing a father and not a mother between them, Rhaena could see genuine brotherly love between the two boys and found pleasure in observing the brotherly affection. If they were the example, then Rhaena did not doubt that the younger siblings also loved Jon just as dearly. Perhaps there would be more fun and happiness to be had here than Rhaena had expected if she was also to be treated as well as this. The Starks were a good family. She felt truly fortunate to be able to be here, even if it was with the king and queen.
The sound of footsteps in the snow drew the attention of the three children, turning their heads in order to see the imposing figures of both Ser Jaime and Ser Barristan moving towards them. Rhaena sighed softly, knowing that her time was now up. She had shown impudence at staying away for so long and would no doubt be reprimanded later, but a scolding would be worth the little freedom and enjoyment she had experienced. At least Ser Barristan was with Ser Jaime this time, so Rhaena did not feel so put down as she turned fully to face the boys and unlashed the cloak from her throat in order to return it to Robb. "Thank you for the loan of your cloak, Lord Robb, but it appears my presence is required elsewhere. It was a pleasure to meet you both, my lords." Too taken aback to refuse the cloak as it was swung back over his shoulders by the smaller girl, Robb barely had a moment to stammer out a response as Rhaena dropped into a curtsey then began to walk away from the boys to the knights before they were even halfway across the courtyard. They watched as she spoke to both the knights until Ser Barristan used his own cloak to cover her shoulders and escorted her gently inside with Ser Jaime who looked rather bored and displeased to be sent on fetching errands. Once they were returned inside once again, the boys both finally seemed to unlock from their frozen state.
"Lords?" Jon frowned. "I'm no lord."
"I pity her." Robb suddenly stated. "She seems so…empty."
"Wouldn't you be, if you were her?" Jon answered before turning aside to hack at a dummy again, having built up a new version of frustrations which needed to be vented. With a heavy sigh Robb picked up a training sword also and joined his brother though his mind wandered elsewhere, thinking of those withdrawn and apathetic eyes whilst knowing there was little he could do to help. He hacked the straw dummy to pieces.