Chapter 4

Cassana's chambers in Winterfell were warm and small – well, smaller than she was used to. But it was space enough for Cassana and her handmaiden Ambra. Ambra Hill had been at Cassana's side for the last three years, appointed by Ana's mother and grandfather to be her companion and servant.

Ambra was rumored to be the bastard child of one of Ana's uncles. She certainly looked the part – tall, slender and tawny-haired. Cassana had even asked her once, if she was the bastard of a Lannister. Ambra had answered honestly, which spoke for her character, Ana thought. "I don't know," the older girl admitted. "My mother was a chambermaid, and she never said a word of my father, whoever he is. Noble-born or not. She never will, neither, since she's been dead in the ground these last five years,"

Ana let her eyes explore her chambers via the looking glass mounted before her, as her head was gently tugged this way and that, her maid's fingers working through her hair. Much of Winterfell, and her chambers, were built of stone, just like King's Landing. But Ana's home in King's Landing had been made of warm tan or brown stones, while Winterfell was black and grey. It was a much colder place, Ana admitted, in both appearances and in temperature.

Tapestries covered the walls here, and furs the floor, preventing the chambers from being too cold. As well as the hearth, of course, the fire in which blazed high and hot; warming Cassana and Ambra's southern bones.

"What did you think of my husband-to-be?" Ana asked suddenly, lifting her gaze to meet her maid's emerald eyes. Ambra smiled gently at the princess's reflection, letting her eyes fall back down to her work.

"I can't rightfully say, my lady, I only glimpsed him for only a moment," Ambra answered, tying off the end of Cassana's plait with a lavender ribbon to match her dress.

The moment Ambra's hands left her hair, Ana turned to face the maid. "But you must have noticed something, Ambra! You've been with me for years already, and many more, gods willing," Cassana said, and the older girl nodded indulgently. "I wish to hear your honest opinion. Otherwise I would not ask for it, I promise," She reminded her maid.

Ambra sighed. "I know, I know, my lady. Old habits are not easily broken, especially when they are learned at Casterly Rock," she said, reaching out and dusting off what could only be imaginary dust or lint from Ana's shoulders. Ana gave her a pointed look. "Lord Robb is very handsome, princess," Ambra said finally.

Ana smiled, turning back to the looking glass. "He is, isn't he? And so kind, too, from our short interaction," she confided to her maid. Ambra seemed pleased, letting her hands rest on her lady's shoulders.

"He seemed taken with you, too," Ambra remarked, and the younger girl lifted her eyes to meet Ambra's. Cassana's expression was clearly pleased, her cheeks flushing with color.

"He did seem it, didn't he?" Ana asked, self-consciously looking back to her reflection. "The way he stared at me when my father led me to meet him… it did seem like he thought me beautiful," she drew a finger along her hairline, carefully checking to make sure her plait was done well (it was, of course, Ambra never failed to please).

"Of course he did, my lady. Any man would be blessed to have you as a wife. With or without noble blood," Ambra said sternly, as if she truly believed it. "If he does not treat you as you deserve, my lady, there are many ways for a wife to get back at her husband. Or for the wife's handmaiden," she continued, waggling her eyebrows mischievously.

Ah, there it was. The reason Ana adored her maid. Ambra had proven herself to be loyal, kind, and even protective of her mistress. It was probably the reason she had been selected by Lord Tywin. Ana knew that even if she could count on no one else, she could count on Ambra.

The two young women were roused from their conversation when someone knocked on the door outside. Ana's eyes went wide and an excited squeal left her lips. She rose from her seat before the looking glass and made for the door in a flurry of lavender skirts.

"Wait, wait, my lady! Let me answer the door," Ambra protested, her long limbs easily allowing her to cut Ana off from the door. Ana pouted and Ambra fixed her with a stern look. Ambra shooed Ana back to her seat. Ana sighed, retreating a few steps and reigning in her excitement.

Ambra opened the door just as the knocking began again. She immediately dropped into a low curtsey before Robb Stark. He waved her away, eyes fixed on Cassana. She approached, holding her hand out to him. He bowed low quickly before accepting Ana's hand. "I trust you find your chambers adequate?" Robb asked politely.

"Of course," Cassana responded quickly. "They're lovely, Robb," she added, not sure what else she could say.

Robb flashed her a smile, clearly unsure what else to say as well. "I thought I could show you around the grounds here, on our walk," he suggested as Ambra brought a cloak over to her lady and began to lay it over her shoulders. Ana smiled and nodded, and Robb cleared his throat, both young women looking up at him. "You might want a warmer cloak. Temperature drops very quickly in the evening here," he advised.

Ambra quickly took the other cloak away and brought back another. "Thank you, Robb," Cassana said, referring to his suggestion. Her maid laid the cloak over Cassana's shoulders and secured it with a clip. "Shall we go?" she asked. Robb nodded with a grin and offered his arm and Ana readily looped her arm through his.

They hadn't even reached the end of the corridor before a door opened. It was Cassana's mother – Cersei. "Where do you think you're going?" the blonde questioned sharply, stepping into the hall. Inside the chamber, Jaime could be seen sitting back lazily.

"For a walk, your majesty," Robb answered honestly. His expression already seemed cowed by the Queen, and his betrothed's mother.

"You're unchaperoned," Cersei protested, stepping closer.

"Mother, Robb is my betrothed," Cassana reminded her.

"I don't care who he is, Cassana. You will go nowhere with a man unrelated to you, unchaperoned," Cersei retorted.

Cassana huffed. "Then chaperone us, mother!" she complained.

Cersei turned away. "I don't have the time," she said, fluttering her hand in the air and stepped back into her room. Robb and Cassana looked at each other in disbelief. "Jaime," Cersei said. "Chaperone my daughter and her betrothed," she continued, spitting out the last word with utter contempt. Her twin rolled his eyes at her and left the room, shutting the door after him. Jaime gestured for Robb and Ana to go ahead.

When the trio of them made it outside, Jaime cleared his throat. Robb and Cassana looked back at him. "I'll keep my distance so you can talk," he began, flashing a fond look to his niece. The look he gave Robb was left friendly. "Best be respectful, boy," Jaime warned. After that, he fell back and stayed five paces back at all times.

"Your uncle seems kind," Robb remarked as if surprised.

Ana smiled, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "And, let me guess, you've heard that the Lannisters are cruel and greedy," she suggested and Robb looked embarrassed. "They can be, it is true. But they value family. Even though they may show it in strange ways," Cassana acknowledged.

Robb smirked. "Yes, your mother does seem quite affectionate," he joked.

Ana barked out a laugh. "She never was. But she's been outright nasty since my father announced our betrothal," she replied.

"So the dislike between Starks and Lannisters go both ways," Robb remarked in amusement.

"Oh yes," Cassana confirmed. "But I digress… my Uncle Jaime is a saint. He's been putting up with my mother since birth," she gave a shiver at the idea.

"And you're close with him?" Robb asked.

Ana nodded. "I'm close with all my uncles,"

"And your uncle Jaime is the only one came for the wedding?" Robb asked with furrowed brows.

"My uncles Tyrion and Renly are coming. They should arrive in the next few days," Cassana responded.

"And what of…Stannis?" Robb suggested, remembering that there was another Baratheon brother.

Cassana shrugged. "I have never met my uncle Stannis. My father says he has not left Dragonstone in many years. I doubt he would leave just to see me wed," she suggested.

They walked in silence for a few moments. "I have been told that most of the people in the South worship the Seven. My father has planned for us to wed in the Godswood by the Old Gods. Do you object?" Robb asked suddenly.

Surprised by the question, Ana took a moment to answer. "No," she said finally.

"My father did have a sept built for my mother many years past. If you wished to marry there instead, I think I could convince my father," Robb suggested.

Cassana shook her head. "There is no need, Robb. I am most curious about the Old Gods. I do not mind being married in front of them. But," she began, looking over to her betrothed and saw him hanging onto her every word. "Perhaps the day before we wed… you would accompany me to the sept so that we could pray to the Seven together." Ana proposed hopefully.

A grin slowly stole over Robb's features. "I could do that," he confirmed. "So now we've talked about our families, our religions, but now I'd like to hear more about you, Ana. We are going to be married in as little as seven days. I'd like to know you a little better." Robb said.

They shifted slowly from arm in arm to hand in hand. Jaime noticed but said nothing. "Why don't I tell you what I've just learned about myself in just the last few days?" Cassana suggested.

"I'm intrigued," Robb said, encouraging her on.

"I know I'm a princess, Robb, but I never knew how pampered I was," Ana remarked. Robb flashed her a raised eyebrow. "I hated sleeping on the ground. I'd never been on such a long trip before. The farthest I've ever been was Lannisport, and it's only a two day ride – we slept in the coaches,"

"I'm sorry that you will be so very far from your family. I hope you'll come to see Winterfell as home, too," Robb said sadly.

Cassana shrugged. She couldn't say she didn't find the distance, the weeks between home and Winterfell, a little, well, displeasing. "Winterfell is beautiful. I like it here already," she said, offering a smile to her betrothed.

Jaime cleared his throat, closing the distance between himself and the couple quickly. "The feast is starting soon. My niece should be getting ready," he interrupted. Robb agreed easily and kissed Cassana's hand before bidding her goodbye.

Jaime took his niece's arm once Robb had left. He grinned down at her, running a hand through his golden hair. "Do you like the Stark boy?" Jaime asked teasingly.

Ana blushed, allowing her uncle to guide her back toward her chambers. "Yes," she answered shyly.

"Good," Jaime smiled.

Sorry for the delay! Reviews?