Disclaimer: All characters (besides Amarah) are property of HBO and George R. R. Martin

Note: Thanks for checking out this story. I've been working on it for some time and will post one chapter at a time. All reviews are appreciated constructive or otherwise

Eddard Stark had prepared a large feast in honor of his royal guests. Amarah had been filled with a sense of longing as she entered the feasting hall, remembering the days she used to spend sitting in this very hall while getting into all sorts of mischief with her cousins. With a casual perusal of her surroundings, she saw Robb sitting with the other stark children but Jon was nowhere to be seen.

After looking through the crowd for several moments, Amarah finally found him sitting in the back of the hall with the squires and soldiers. As she took in his uncomfortable expression, something painful tightened around her heart. She knew that bastards were not usually accepted in higher social circles and the fact that Jon was allowed to attend the feast was significant. But it was a bit difficult to see her childhood friend so ostracized from the rest of his family.

Turning her thoughts away from those of Jon Snow, Amarah approached her hostess Lady Stark who was seated next to the queen. Cersei did not acknowledge Amarah's presence and turned her gaze toward the feast, but Amarah was used to the Queen's hostility and ignored her ungracious behavior. Turning to her aunt she gave a charming smile.

"This is a beautiful feast aunt" she said warmly. "You have truly outdone yourself."

"Thank you my dear" Catelyn replied with equal warmth. "Come sit next to me. It has been too long since we have last seen you. You must tell me all your news from the capital."

"Certainly" Amarah replied, grateful she would not have to be seated next to Cersei.

For the next hour, Amarah chatted with her aunt about the different bits of gossip she carried back with her from the capital. No one had better placed spies than Amarah, a fact the queen was blissfully ignorant of. Due to her many sources of information, Amarah knew more gossip than half of King's Landing and did not hesitate to share many of her trivial findings with her aunt.

Through the course of their conversation, Amarah noticed her father's obvious enjoyment of the feast and those who served it as well. She had already lost count of the number of serving wenches that he openly groped and ogled in a drunken state. She glanced over at Cersei who had also taken notice of her husband's activities, but despite a look of vague annoyance, she seemed not too disturbed.

And little wonder Amarah thought bitterly as she turned her gaze to Jaime Lannister who stood conversing with Uncle Ned. However her father had disrespected Cersei in their marriage, it was nothing as vile as her behavior towards him. Keeping her features carefully composed, Amarah abruptly stood.

"Forgive me aunt" she apologized. "I am afraid our travel has left me rather weary. Would you beg excuse me."

"Certainly dear" Catelyn replied with a kind smile and turned to speak to the queen.

Hastily making her way through the hall, Amarah's gaze caught Robb's as she passed by his party. He was sitting with a boy she recognized as Theon Greyjoy and a host of other young men, but her gaze was only for him. She faltered for a moment in her quick pace, reading an expression in his eyes that she couldn't quite comprehend. Abruptly realizing that she was staring, Amarah quickly withdrew her gaze and moved on. She did not have to turn back to see that he followed.

Once she had exited the hall, she walked out into the cool night air but slowed her pace considerably. Heading casually toward the stables, she waited for Robb to join her. Hearing the heavy fall of his footsteps behind her she felt her heart suddenly beat uncomfortably fast in anticipation.

"It's good to see you again, my lady" he said softly. He did not come around to face her but pressed his form against her back and whispered the words softly against her exposed neck. She shivered deliciously at the feel of his hot breath against her skin.

"I think it's rather too dark to see anyone" she answered while still facing away from him. He gave a low chuckle at her quip.

"Then I suppose I shall have to take a closer look" he answered. Grasping her firmly, but not painfully, by the arms he slowly turned her around to face him. He looked at her very seriously for a few moments before a slow smile spread across his face.

"Yes, just as beautiful as I remember."

"And when did you become such a gallant knight who made flowery speeches to young ladies?" she asked in good humor.

"Since I became a man who knows what he wants" Robb answered seriously, the boyish smile leaving his face.

"We can't always have what we want" Amarah answered suddenly dropping her gaze.

"Or sometimes we just have to take it" he answered before grasping her chin, forcing her gaze back to his. "I've missed you."

The words were simple enough, but the meaning behind them was dangerous. Pulling away from his grasp to place some distance between them, Amarah tried to calm her racing heart while restoring sense to her mind.

"I've missed you as well" she answered softly.

He came up behind her again and hugged her to his chest. She felt the solid form of him behind her and resisted the urge to melt into his embrace. The nine years of their separation had made him a strong man built of solid muscle and bone, not the boy she had left so many years earlier, and the man he had become was dangerous to her peace of mind.

"How much?" he asked quietly before softly kissing her neck.

"Robb!" she reprimanded him before pulling out of his embrace once more.

"What is it?" He sounded exasperated now.

"We can't do that" she said, inwardly cringing as she spoke the words. "We're cousins."

"What does that matter?" he asked defensively. "The Targaryens married their siblings for centuries." No statement could have cooled her ardor more quickly.

"We are not Targaryens" she replied coolly. "And incest is a sin Robb. It's condemned by the gods."

"It's not a sin between cousins, Amarah." he said in a logical tone.

"It's close enough for me" she replied while turning to face him in the glowing light of the surrounding torches. "Besides, my father would never allow it."

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him" he replied stubbornly.

"Do you know how many people have lost their heads over that logic?" she asked. "It is getting late and I am tired. You had better return to the feast." He looked as if he might protest at first, but he gave a small sigh of resignation before giving in to her request.

"It was a pleasure, my lady" he said with a mocking bow before leaving her in the darkness. As she watched his retreating form, she stubbornly held back the tears that threatened to overflow. Never she silently vowed. Never again.

"Well" came a voice behind her "he certainly seems to have missed you more."

"I am not in the mood, Tyrion" she replied coldly without bothering to turn around.

"What a pity. For I always am."

Fighting the smile that pulled suddenly at the corners of her mouth, Amarah turned around to face him. He was still sober, which was a small miracle considering the amount of wine he must have consumed already. His half-black, half-golden hair glittered in the torchlight giving him the appearance of a friendly demon.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you it was impolite to eavesdrop on a personal conversation?" she asked.

"Believe me, that is the least of my sins" he replied.

"I do not doubt it" she said finally giving in to the smile. "And how did you enjoy your morning?" she asked in order to steer the conversation in a different direction.

"I would have enjoyed it more in uninterrupted bliss, but it was a pleasant interlude all the same."

"Ah" she replied with a knowing smile. "Discovered by the Kingslayer were you?"

"Yes," he replied with a weary sigh. "Apparently our sweet Jaime cannot endure a night with the Starks without the added reinforcement of my company."

"Oh yes, how inhuman to force him to spend time in the company of decent people" she said with barely restrained sarcasm.

"How intriguing that my brother never ceases to raise your ire even when he is not present" Tryion replied with an intuitive gaze that instantly set Amarah on edge.

"That man has spent years practicing how to raise my temper" she answered tightly. "I would say he has succeeded only too well."

"How interesting as it would seem he is the only one capable of doing it."

"Do not take that tone of voice with me, Lannister" she replied with an indignant huff. "The only reason Kingslayer succeeds in gaining any reaction from me at all is that I cannot abide oath breakers. I dare say he would run a sword through my father if the chance ever presented itself and he thought he could get a way with it. The man has shit for honor and I want nothing to do with him. So you can cease with your inquisitive glances and veiled implications."

"As you say" was his only reply.

Tamping down an irritated response, Amarah schooled her features into an expression of dignified boredom and rolled her eyes at his superior attitude. For such a small man, he possessed a great deal of self importance. But she could not fault him for it. If no one else could appreciate Tyrion's intelligence or worth, he might as well make up the difference himself.

"Why are you still out here and not inside?" she asked, realizing for the first time that he had yet to step foot inside the hall.

"Just fortifying myself for a night with the Starks" he said patting the flagon of wine he held close to his belly.

"I see. Well, I shall leave you to your spirits and bid you a good night."

"Not in the party spirit I take it?"

"No, unlike you I am never in the mood" she tossed over her departing shoulder.

"Sweet dreams" came the mocking reply.