Chapter 6

A pitiful mouse

Minea sat silently at the dressing table as Ersa was brushing her hair. She hadn't slept well last night, not after her husband's visit. Apparently she had somehow displeased him. Perhaps he would have wanted her to feel more humiliated instead of willingly submitting to him. Had that been too easy for him? She had hoped to make the whole thing as painless as possible by simply giving him what she had assumed he had wanted. Why else would he have come to her chamber?

There was no doubt that he hated her, but why would that stop him from demanding her to fulfill her marital duties. He was a man and according to Minea's experience, there weren't many things they wanted from women. Whether they liked a woman or even tolerated her, made no difference. Minea pressed her lips together; she wasn't going to let her husband break her.

At least she knew now what their marriage was going to be like and she was determined to find a way to endure. With any luck, he would find himself a mistress, if he didn't have one already. Obviously Minea needed to give him an heir, but hopefully he would leave her alone after she would be with child.

"How are you feeling, my lady?" Ersa asked.

"I am fine."

Ersa was quiet for a moment before continuing.

"Do you wish to have your breakfast here?"

Minea was about to say yes, but suddenly she changed her mind. Maybe everyone in Winterfell hated her, but she was still the wife of the High Lord. She was done hiding in her chamber.

"I believe I will go to the dining hall."

Ersa smiled.

"That is good, my lady. You are a Lannister, you should keep your head high."

Minea smiled too, she was more than grateful to have Ersa here. She had been Minea's handmaiden and a trusted friend for many years. After Tyrion would leave, Ersa would be the only friend she would have here. The only person who had been at least somewhat polite to her had been Lord Jon, but Minea wasn't foolish enough to expect much from him.

What she desperately needed was an ally. There had to be someone here who didn't already hate her. Well, if there was, she hadn't met that person yet. She sighed and concentrated on choosing something proper to wear. Something modest and practical. Hopefully that would help her new family to see that she wasn't just an arrogant Lannister.

"Do you know where my brother is?" she asked.

"I believe he went to seek some…company last night," Ersa replied.

"Ah. He probably won't attend at the breakfast then."

Tyrion had spent the whole day with Minea yesterday and she had been very grateful for his company, but she hadn't told him the truth about her wedding night. She had only said that everything had gone as well as could be expected. The memory still made her shiver and she hoped that she would be with child already. Hopefully then she wouldn't have to endure his touch again before the child would be born.

"Keep your head high, my lady," Ersa said before Minea headed to the dining hall.

"I will."

She took a deep breath before entering the dining hall. All the Starks, except her husband, were sitting at the table.

"Good morning," Minea said and tried her best to smile.

Lady Arya's eyes narrowed before she stood up and marched out without saying a word.

This was starting well…

"Good morning," Lady Catelyn replied coolly.

Lord Bran greeted Minea somewhat cautiously and Lord Rickon simply stared at her. Lady Catelyn didn't ask Minea to join them; she simply started talking to her sons. Minea walked over to the table and took a seat; she wasn't going to give up. Not that she had much chance, this was her home now.

"Winterfell truly is a beautiful place," Minea said politely as soon as no one else was talking.

"Yes, it is," Lady Catelyn replied, just as coolly as before. "Excuse me."

A tall male servant approached the table and picked Lord Bran up.

"Hodor," the servant hummed.

Lady Catelyn walked out of the dining hall, followed by her sons. Minea sighed and closed her eyes. Not a very good start, but she needed to keep trying. This was her home; she was the High Lady of Winterfell. That was a strange thought. In Casterly Rock she had mostly been invisible, but now she had her own household. Not that this felt like her household, she felt more like an intruder.

She didn't think that would change any time soon and right now she felt that she would have preferred the invisibility. How pathetic was that. She had never been like her sister, she wasn't a lion. She was a pitiful mouse. No. She was done being a mouse. Yes, she had been dragged here and forced to marry a man who hated her, but there had to be a way to make her life here at least tolerable. There had to be someone here who would be willing to give her a chance…

"Good morning, my lady."

She looked up and saw Lord Jon entering the room.

"Good morning, my lord."

"Do you mind if I join you?"

"No, no, not at all," she replied quickly. "Please."

"Thank you."

He took a seat opposite her and yawned.

"Did you have a long night, my lord?"

"Yes, I did."

"Oh. Nothing serious I hope?"

He shook his head.

"No."

Apparently he wasn't in a talkative mood this morning. She was trying to think of something suitable to talk about, but he spoke first.

"How about you, my lady? Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did, thank you."

"Hmm, that's good. What are you planning to do today?"

"I… I have not thought about it yet, but I would love to get to know Winterfell."

"I am sure you would. Perhaps you would to like to take a walk outside?"

She hesitated for a brief moment before replying. Was this some kind of a test?

"That sounds wonderful. I am sure my brother can escort me after he wakes up…"

"I can escort you, if you like," he stated. "I was planning to take a walk anyway."

Again she hesitated. This was a great opportunity, but it would have been foolish to blindly trust him.

"You are very kind, my lord. Do you mind if my handmaiden joins us?"

"No, of course not."

She smiled, wanting to believe that there was no hidden agenda behind his offer. His friendship would be a very good thing, but she wasn't sure if she had any chance earning it.