Chapter 9

Uninvited

Minea observed her reflection in the mirror and glanced at Ersa.

"What do you think?" she asked nervously.

Ersa smiled.

"I think you look beautiful, my lady."

"Thank you."

Minea bit her bottom lip and looked at her reflection again. She had chosen a light green gown and a copper necklace Tyrion had given her on her 12th nameday. It was her favorite necklace, he have had it made especially for her. The symbol carved on the necklace meant lion cub.

"Why do you think Lord Stark requested my presence?" she murmured.

Ersa pressed her lips together and crossed her arms.

"Perhaps he is trying to act like a decent man instead of a savage…"

"Ersa!"

"Forgive me, my lady, I shouldn't have said that."

Judging by Ersa's look, she wasn't really sorry at all. Minea smiled, she was more than grateful for her handmaiden's loyalty. She trusted Ersa just as much as she trusted Tyrion. The rest of her family she didn't really know. Jaime had always been kind to her when they had met and she remembered how he had sometimes lifted her on his shoulders when she had been a child.

He had changed a lot when she had met him in King's Landing before traveling here. She couldn't even imagine how horrible losing his hand had been to him. Thinking about that made her ashamed for complaining about her own situation. Yet this dinner made her very nervous. What if this would be like their wedding? The thought made her shiver; she didn't want to be touched.

The truth was that what had happened with those other lords and then with her husband had affected her deeper than she wanted to admit. Before that, no one had ever touched her roughly. No one had ever caused her pain. Of course she had been prepared for hostility, but not that kind of physical pain and humiliation. Her father had never been kind and caring, but he had never hurt her either. Neither had anyone else. She startled when she suddenly felt Ersa's hand on her shoulder.

"Is everything alright, my lady?"

"Yes," she replied quickly, trying her best to smile. "I am just a little nervous."

"I can believe that," Ersa replied tensely. "But you are strong, my lady, I know you are."

Minea smiled at her gratefully.

"Thank you."

Ersa didn't have time to reply when someone knocked on the door. It was Tyrion.

"Well, look at you," he said as he entered Minea's chamber. "My little lion cub has become a beautiful lioness."

Minea smiled and leaned down to kiss his cheek.

"You look very handsome as well."

"Oh, I know. Ladies, hide your daughters!"

He winked at Ersa who rolled her eyes.

"Charming as always, my lord."

"Of course." Tyrion paused and offered Minea his arm. "Shall we then?"

Together they headed to the dining hall, Minea could hear people chatting and laughing as they approached the entrance. She felt even more nervous, but she struggled to stay calm. As she and Tyrion entered the dining hall, the whole room was suddenly quiet. That didn't seem to bother Tyrion at all.

"Hello, good evening!" he said, leading Minea towards the table where the Starks sat. Lord Robb was sitting at the end of the table; there was an empty seat beside him. He stood up when Tyrion and Minea approached him.

"Good evening," Tyrion said.

"Good evening," he replied and glanced at Minea. "My lady."

"My lord," she murmured and curtsied.

He pulled out a chair for her.

"Thank you."

Tyrion went to sit next to Lord Jon who greeted Minea with a nod. Lady Catelyn who was sitting on Lord Robb's other side also greeted Minea, although quite rigidly. Lady Arya didn't say a word and her younger brothers weren't very talkative either. At least the other people in the room were talking again.

"So," Lord Robb started after an awkward silence. "What do you think of Winterfell, my lady?"

"It's very beautiful, my lord."

"Yes… You took a walk behind the walls today?"

"I did, my lord. Lord Jon was kind enough to escort me."

"Hmm. Good."

They ate silently for a while, Lord Robb turned to talk with his mother. Minea wasn't sure what to think, what did her husband want her to do? Did he want to talk or was this whole thing just an unpleasant duty to him?

"My lord!" a cheerful male voice suddenly said.

Minea startled when a large drunken man appeared between her and Lord Robb.

"Good evening, my lord!"

"Good evening," Lord Robb replied.

"I am glad to be here," the man continued. "Honored. Your father… He was a great man."

"Yes, he was."

"A great man who deserved better. His murder won't be forgotten."

Minea tensed as the man glanced at her.

"Lord Eddard and his sweet daughter… I knew Lady Sansa ever since she was a little girl. She was a sweet girl. An innocent girl."

Minea's heart was pounding as the man leaned towards her. She could see the hatred in his eyes.

"That's a nice necklace you got there. Did you steal it from someone your father murdered?"

"That's enough, Lord Ducan," Lord Robb said firmly. "You are talking to my wife."

The man smiled and bowed at Minea mockingly.

"Of course. Please forgive me, Lady Lannister."

"Her name is Lady Stark," Lord Robb corrected.

"Well, it shouldn't be," the man snorted. "Forgive me, my lord, but that's the truth. You never should have agreed to marry a Lannister cunt…"

"Hey!" Tyrion snapped and stood up. "What kind of a coward harasses a woman?"

"Who should I harass then? You, imp?"

"Stop it," Lord Jon demanded. "That's enough."

"No, it's not," Lady Arya suddenly said and stood up. "Lord Ducan is right, that woman isn't a Stark and she never will be. I want her to go back where she came from, she's not welcome here!"

"Arya!" Lady Catelyn called when her daughter stormed out. "Great… Excuse me."

She gave Minea a cold glare before she went after Lady Arya. Minea felt everyone in the room staring at her, all she wanted was to hide.

"My lords, my ladies," Lord Robb said tensely. "Lady Minea is my wife and I expect all of you to show her the proper respect."

Lord Ducan snorted and made his way back to his seat. All Minea wanted was to return to her chamber, but she wasn't going to do that. Instead she would sit here and finish her dinner, although she had lost all her appetite.

"I apologize for that," Lord Robb stated tensely.

"I understand, my lord."

Actually she didn't understand. She had never done anything to anyone here and yet they treated her like a she would be some kind of a monster. She hadn't chosen her family, any more than she had chosen to come here, not to mention marrying Robb Stark. She didn't want to be here, she wanted to go home. Tears were burning behind her eyes, but she fought against them. Unfortunately one single tear rolled down her cheek before she managed to stop it. Quickly she wiped it away and continued eating. After she was finished, she excused herself and walked out.

"Minea…" Tyrion started, he was right behind her.

"I'm fine," she assured. "Everything is fine."