Sorry for being so lame and not posting a chapter on this like forever. Enjoy.

Leila

Leila had wrapped herself in furs and cloaks on the way to Winterfell. Tyrion had joked to her, saying that when she was married, her husband would warm her bed. She had blushed when he said that, and Cersei reprimanded him. When they arrived in the North, she was immediately taken to her room by the Starks, which was when she met the Stark ladies, Catelyn Stark, the matriarch, Lydia Stark, the eldest daughter, Sansa Stark, the pretty middle daughter, and of course, Arya Stark, the youngest. More than anything she wanted to speak with Robb, or to at least meet him, but she also knew that she'd be living with these Stark women until they wedded lords, and she needed to make a good impression on them.

So why was it that Lydia Stark looked at her with contempt? Had she not been polite? Had she not spoken openly and honestly? A lie was never becoming on a lady.

Upon arriving at Winterfell, Tyrion had insisted upon going his own way. Leila knew where he went –the brothel. She knew more or less what happened at the brothel, but her father never had allowed Tyrion to speak of details around her. It was something he didn't approve of. Then for the first two days, Leila saw nothing of the Stark boys, other than what she saw when she first arrived. She was determined to learn what she could about the Northern customs, especially if she was going to one day be Lady of Winterfell.

"My lady," Sansa Stark said in a feeble voice. She looked down at her toes. "I was wondering if you could tell me about…about what it's like at the capital…"

Sansa Stark looked like her mother. She was very pretty, and so far she seemed like the one most interested in Leila.

"I grew up away from the capital, at Casterly Rock. I've visited on a few occasions, though. It's beautiful, overlooking the sea," she said. "Do you want to go to the capital?"

"I've always dreamed of it," said Sansa.

"Has your brother ever taught you to use a sword?" Arya asked, butting in.

"Arya!" Sansa gasped.

"A lady doesn't learn to use swords," Leila answered, puzzled.

"I'm not a lady," said Arya.

"I don't understand –" Leila began but was cut off.

"She doesn't have to be a lady," Lydia cut in, glaring at Leila. "I'm leaving. Sansa, Arya, let's go. There are things to be done."

And with that the three Starks upped and left Leila alone, utterly confused by what had just happened. What have I done to offend that girl? Leila thought to herself. She'd spoken no ill towards her. Her father had told her that many people were jealous of House Lannister and that it had its enemies. Could that girl be one of them? But Leila shook her head. No, she wasn't an enemy. She was to be her sister one day.

It had been long enough. Leila was ready to meet her future husband. She was sure her father would be furious if she knew she hadn't spoken with him for two days. Enough was enough. She would find him and she would speak with him.

Making sure her dress was smooth and her hair pinned back perfectly, Leila made her way toward the training grounds where she was sure Robb would be. Sure enough, she saw him standing by his bastard brother and their warden, who fired an arrow at a target. Hoisting her skirts up so they wouldn't get dirty, Leila walked proudly toward them.

"Watch it!" Theon shouted and fired his arrow. "Stupid girl! I could have killed you!"

Robb wacked Theon in the stomach, effectively shutting him up.

"My lady?" Robb asked.

"Lord Stark," Leila said, ignoring Theon and Jon. "I came to see you. I've…wanted to speak with you since I arrived."

He had to have known about the marriage proposal. To Leila, he was very handsome. Slim and strong like a great warrior should be, Robb Stark dripped the essence of being a Lord. Somewhere in the background Theon snorted, but Leila paid no attention. She stared directly at Robb and smiled shyly.

"I…I've never been North before, and I wanted you to show me around," she admitted sweetly.

It wasn't just Theon that snorted this time, but Jon covered a laugh with his hand. What was so funny? Leila had poured over books about the North during her studies and she'd never come across anything that said the Northerners just laughed at random things.

"My lord," she began nervously. "What is so funny?"

Robb glared at the other two, and they shut up.

"Nothing, my lady," Robb said quickly. "I'd be happy to show you around Winterfell. You must excuse the boys here. They aren't like the lords of Casterly Rock, I'm afraid. They're brutes in comparison to what you're accustomed to."

Brutes? No, not brutes, but it was true they weren't like the lords of her father's keep. Robb was, though. He was different. He was kind, understanding, and patient. Leila moved in such a way that Robb could take her by the arm. He didn't take her arm, though. Did he not know basic protocol? Did they not teach the lords of the North that they were to escort ladies by their arms?

"Lord Stark," she said quietly.

"Lord Stark is my father," Robb said automatically.

She swallowed.

"Robb…" she said. "Your arm…"

He looked down, and his eyes widened. Then, almost awkwardly, he wrapped his arm in hers. Was he shy? Did he feel uncomfortable around her because she was a Lannister, the daughter of the most powerful lord in Westeros?

The two began their walk around the castle's courtyard. Robb spoke of where things were and pointed out the historical significance of each wall to her. He was stiff with her, and she found that endearing. Perhaps he had feelings for her, and for that he was acting so distant. He was embarrassed. Maybe it was because she was so pretty.

"It's not as fancy as Casterly Rock, I'm afraid…" he said.

"It's different, but it's beautiful," Leila said kindly. "I'm happy I came here, though, Robb. Your home is incredible…"

"Thank you," he said stiffly. "Over here is a monument to my great great grandfather, the famed Lord Beron Stark, ruler of House Stark during King Aerys I Targaryen's rule over the Seven Kingdoms…"

"It's amazing!" Leila said excitedly. "I know all about him! My uncle Kevan taught me about him in my history lesson! There's so much history here in the North! You must be very proud of your roots!"

"Eh, yes…" was all he said.

They finished their tour of the Winterfell keep, but Leila wished they hadn't. Robb was so sweet, and he was strong. She knew her father would like him. She was too scared to bring up the topic of marriage. Next time she would. She had every intention of spending as much time as possible with her husband to be. She'd heard how much her parents loved one another, and she was determined to create that same rumor for her own children. They'd be beautiful children too…with golden Lannister hair and Stark grey eyes.

On her way back to her room, Leila passed by her brother, Tyrion, who was leading a pretty lady by the hand and laughing. Whores weren't allowed in the castle at Casterly Rock, but at King's Landing and Winterfell, they were acceptable.

"Tyrion," Leila acknowledged him, bowing. "Will we see you tonight at dinner?"

"Of course, dearest sister!" He said.

"She's your sister?" The wench asked. "Then that must mean that you're Jaime Lannister's brother too!"

"Oh, him." Tyrion rolled his eyes. "He's certainly easy on the eyes, but he's got the cock of a child."

The girl gasped, but then she laughed loudly. She and Tyrion ran off together, and Leila sighed. She'd have to prepare herself for supper. It would be smart to take a bath before. Everyone would be there, including the Starks. She had to make a good impression of herself.

As she walked to her room, she stopped abruptly at the sound of snarling. She froze and saw coming toward her the largest pup she'd ever seen before. It certainly had the features of a pup recently weaned from its mother's milk, but it was the size of a great hound. She didn't wish to make any sudden movements. The beast could easily rip a hole through her…

But she was shocked when the dog stopped its snarling and came straight to her. They'd never had animals at the Rock, so she was a little hesitant and nearly pulled away when the dog licked her hand. Why was this dog so big?

Because it wasn't a dog. It was a wolf. A direwolf, the same beast that decorated the banners of Winterfell.

She knew Robb would be impressed with her if she showed no fear towards his family's sigil. Trying her hardest not to shake, she reached her other hand over and patted the wolf's pelt. It was certainly soft, and when the wolf closed its eyes appreciatively, she worked up some more courage to rub other parts of its body.

"Well you're just lovely, aren't you?" She whispered as she scratched its neck.

"Winter!"

The direwolf jumped and sprinted toward the voice. Standing there was none other than Lydia Stark. The wolf reached its mistress and she gave it a piece of meat. Lydia glared at Leila, and again Leila wondered why Lydia seemed to hate her.

"He's beautiful," Leila said weakly.

"She's beautiful, you mean," Lydia said.

"Apologies, my lady," Leila said. She wasn't accustomed to apologizing to other girls, especially girls that were borderline lowborn in comparison with her family. "I've never seen a direwolf before. Are they common around these parts?"

"Out in the wood you can find more," Lydia said. "I wouldn't go out there if I were you, though. A pack could easily rip you to pieces."

"If a wolf even so much as scratched me, the King's Guard would hunt down the whole pack and slaughter them all," Leila responded without a second thought.

Lydia narrowed her eyes. Leila had the sudden impression that she'd said something wrong. The Stark girl's gaze was nightmare inducing.

"Your wolf is very well behaved, though," Leila said quickly. "What's her name?"

"Winter Wind," Lydia answered. "Of course she's well behaved. We didn't place a direwolf on our sigil because they're beasts; we placed them on our sigils because they're loyal and intelligent animals that would stop at nothing to protect their own kind."

"I'm glad I met yours," Leila said.

"Be careful," Lydia said. "If you have anything to hide, a direwolf will sense it."

Was she threatening her? Before they could make further conversation; however, Lydia and Winter walked off together.

At long last, Leila reached her room, annoyed that she'd lost so much time.

"Servants!" She called out.

A woman in a hood detached herself from the shadows. She began helping Leila undress. Something about her touch seemed familiar…

"Who are you?" Leila asked abruptly.

The woman removed her hood, and Leila gasped out loud. Standing before her was her old friend, Miriam Tyrell. She was the daughter of the second richest lord in Westeros, Mace Tyrell. They used to spend summers with one another. Miriam looked kind of like Margaery, but she wasn't as well groomed. That was because Miriam never cared too much about her appearance. She'd always spent her free time in the library.

"Miram!" Leila gasped. "What are you doing here?"

Miriam put a finger to her lips and looked around the room. The door was shut and thanks to the cold, the walls were extra thick. They couldn't be heard.

"I'm here on business," Miriam explained. "But the Starks don't know. I came to have an audience with Lord Theon Greyjoy."

"Theon?" Leila repeated, stunned. "Why him?"

"I'll explain later," Miriam said.

Leila swallowed and then just asked: "How can I help you then?"

"I don't want my appearance at Winterfell known just yet. I want to be your handmaiden for the time being," Miriam said.

"My handmaiden?" Leila gasped. "But why? You are a Tyrell! Not some silly serving girl!"

"Please," Miriam said and wrapped her fingers in Leila's. "Please do this for me. Trust me. I am doing something very important for my family. I won't have to be your serving girl for long. I just need to speak with Theon, and soon after I will reveal myself."

Leila just stared at her, utterly confused. Miriam was a friend, though, so she trusted her.

"Alright," Leila finally said. "But I don't expect you to clean up after me. That would just be ridiculous."

Miriam smiled. Leila personally thought she was more becoming when she grinned, but Miriam didn't do it much…at least not around people that weren't her family or Leila. Her reserve was both a strength and a weakness. It was a shame, because she really was a sweet girl.

Miriam reached over and Leila did the same. The old friends caught one another in a hug.