Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or anything related. It belongs to George R.R. Martin, the creator of this wonderful universe and David Benioff and D. B. Weiss who created the show.

Face Claim for Lady Sanira Tremaine: Caitlin Stasey.

Chapter Six: Being Left Behind.

"I am going to miss you so much," Sanira whispered closing her eyes and holding her little brother close as she thought about the fact that he would be alone with their mother. It had always been her that had acted as a buffer between their mother and Deston, especially when he didn't live up to her expectations. The early morning sun was just beginning to rise, casting little light on the leaving party; it was cold out and Sanira was glad she had put on her cloak when she had rushed out of her chambers that morning to say her goodbyes.

Deston sniffled clinging to her, he did not want her to stay here and wished that she was coming home with them; he peeked over at her new husband hating him for taking Sanira away from him. He clutched at her fur cloak and buried his face deep into the fur trying to hide away from the fact that he would have to leave his big sister behind. Despite being six years between them, Deston had always looked up to his big sister and had been closer to her than their older brother especially since Arthur was busy learning the ropes of his future role.

"I don't want you to stay here," Deston whimpered staring up at his older sister with bleary eyes, he wanted her to come home with them; he did not understand why she had to stay with the Starks. Sanira was someone that Deston could always turn to, he barely saw his older brother and their father because of their work while their mother ignored him when she could and he disliked his Septa.

"It'll be okay… I will write to you every week," Sanira murmured trying to comfort him, she knew how lonely it was going to be for him back home and she could only hope he would be okay. He could not cling to her skirts forever, there was no denying that their father had high hopes for his second son and had begun plotting out Deston's future from the moment that he was born.

Watching Sanira with her brother, from a few feet behind his wife's back; Robb could not imagine what this was like for her watching her entire family leave her behind while she started a new life in a strange place. It was something that he had never had to do himself, his entire life had been spent in the castle that he called home and Robb knew that there was little chance that he would ever truly leave it's safe walls.

The red dress that Arlenna wore as she approached them caught Robb's eye and he watched silently as his mother-in-law did not breathe a word of farewell to his wife instead, she made her way swiftly towards the carriage so that she could leave. No one would miss the Lady of Aeredale, she had proved to be a nightmare especially for the servants around the castle who had been forced to ruin her errands during her stay.

Pressing a kiss to the top of Deston's head, Sanira closed her eyes as she let her younger brother go so that he could join their mother; she did not want to cry in front of him. Arthur was next to come say goodbye, he wrapped his arms around his sister and held her close knowing that it was time for her to carve her own path in this life.

"We are only a raven away," Arthur promised her, he held her close for a moment longer before stepping aside so that Elayne could say goodbye; he looked over at their mother not even surprised at her eagerness to get out of here. Elayne smiled softly at Sanira, she was sure her sister-in-law would do well in Winterfell and it would allow her to spread her wings without living under the constant scrutiny of Arlenna.

Sanira watched sadly when Arthur and Elayne would away to join the leaving party, she was going to miss them all so much with the only exception being her mother. Rolan came out of the keep with Eddard and Catelyn, the three of them talking peacefully about the coming winter that was slowly creeping up on them. The days slowly grew colder and Rolan was sure that this winter would be the longest that they had suffered in many years.

"I shall write soon, there is much left to do before the winter sets in," Rolan stated clapping Eddard on the shoulder, he nodded to his old friend knowing that he trusted the man with his life. It was one of the main reasons that he had entrusted the marriage of his only daughter, he would not have had it any other way even if his wife might have preferred to have Sanira married to one of Baratheon's sons by her niece.

Moving away from Eddard and Catelyn, Rolan slowly approached his daughter and tried to think of exactly what he wanted to say to her when it could be months or years before they were to see each other again. It was something that he had dreaded since the moment that he had agreed to marry his only daughter to Eddard's heir all those years ago. It truly was an honour that he could not refuse and he was still in awe of the fact that Sanira had been chosen, there were many other vessel houses that had daughters that could have been picked.

"You must be brave now, Sanira. Remember our words and do our house proud," Rolan instructed firmly, his eyes taking in the grown woman that had somehow replaced the baby girl that he had held in his arms all those years ago. He remembered watching her learn how to ride around the courtyard of the castle, she had been a far better rider than her older brother and far more confident until Arlenna had meddled in her lessons.

"Of course, father," Sanira said quietly, she offered him a weak smile and nodded her head as she clasped her hands in front of her; she never knew quite what to expect from him. Rolan had been rather distant especially when it came to raising a daughter, he often left her education in the hands of her mother unless there was something he felt he should insist upon.

Robb moved to stand next to Sanira, he did not say a word as he nodded to his father-in-law and watched the man closely as he turned towards his horse so that they could leave. Watching as her father walk to his horse, Sanira took a deep breath and held back the tears that she felt burn her eyes; she could only watch as her family prepared to leave her mind for the first time.

Rolan climbed onto his horse before moving to leave Winterfell, he cast one final look at Winterfell before he nudged his horse forward and started to leave the Northern capital behind. He felt a sense of dread that he had not been able to shake and he could only hope that he had done the right thing by marrying his daughter into the Starks.

Stepping into his quiet chambers, Robb closed the door behind him and looked over at Sanira who was sat silently working on her sewing; she did not look up at him, instead remained focused on her work. It had been a few hours since Sanira's family had left to return to Aeredale and Catelyn had been a little concerned when her daughter-in-law did not come down to join them for their midday meal.

Catching Robb as he entered the hall with Theon and Jon Snow, Catelyn had sent her eldest son to track down his wife; with a reminder that Sanira was his responsibility and he could not leave her to waste away. Catelyn recalled what it had been like when she left Riverrun behind for the first time to come North with Ned and baby Robb after the rebellion was over. It had not been easy but she had adjusted because she had no other choices and a son that needed her; she had always known that she would be Lady of Winterfell even if Eddard was not the one that she was meant to have married.

"Are you coming down to eat?" Robb asked moving closer to Sanira, he sat down in the free chair beside her knowing that his mother was right; Sanira was his wife and he had to look out for her. It was strange to think about the fact that they were married now and Robb could not imagine what his life was going to be like moving forward with all of this. The two of them barely knew one another, it was an arranged marriage and Robb was certain that they had never crossed paths before now.

"Not yet," Sanira mumbled not looking up from her work, she wanted a little quiet and the starring that she got from people was something that she was not used to. A part of her wished to hide away from a little while longer, she wanted to forget that she was all alone her by herself; her family having returned to Aeredale which she was unlikely to see again.

"It'll be okay," Robb said trying to comfort her, he knew that this was not the easy and he couldn't imagine how he would feel if it had been him forced to move to Aeredale to marry Sanira and then stay there without his family. However, there was little that they could do about it now and Sanira was just going to have to get used to her new situation. There was much for her to learn from Catelyn and she had responsibilities now, they would one day be the Lord and Lady of Winterfell afterall.

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