Chapter 2

Entering the dinning hall, Clara could have passed out. The laughter, the talking came to a sudden halt when Lord Stark entered with her behind. Clara's cheeks flushed a bright red along with immediately looking to the ground. Feeling at least a hundred set of eyes look at her with harsh judgment.
Looking down on her Ned softly spoke, "remember what I just told you?"
Solmonly she nodded. With a deep breath she looked up. Looking around the dinning hall, faces with expressions of shock, disbelief and horror. But holding her own with a strong determination to prove to Lord Stark that she could hold her own. Clara held her chin up high and fought back the tears. The feeling to run and hide ran deep in her. Yet she did not give in.
Lord Stark's booming voice suddenly unhinged the silence. "This is Lady Clara, of House Smith. Comes from Cavernstone. She is our guest and will be treated with the highest regards. Her dress is that of lands far from here. And I am to believe that you shall all treat her kindly and help her with our traditions."
Blushing more deeply than she new was possible she continued following Ned to the main table, Clara could still feel some judgmental eyes on her. Yet most had continued their laughter and conversations.
Finally reaching the table, Clara noticed that three of the chairs where empty and did not contain a place setting.
"May I ask which members of your family have gone to town?" Clara said shyly.
"My daughter Sansa, my wife Catylyn, my eldest son Rob, and Rikken my youngest. They should be back tonight." I will introduce you to them tomorrow. As of Arya, Bran, and Jon. I will introduce them to you shortly. When they hear we have a visitor they will come running."
"Why are they not at dinner?"
"They have been out in the fields all day, so they have become quite stricken with mud." Once again looking her up and down, "they are unpresentable, even for my standards, so they are taking baths. They shall soon be done and you will meet them."
Her heart quickening with anticipation, she always admired Ayra. Her strength and quick wits. Strong willed and adventurous. Uncommon for women in this time. It was truly admirable. As for Bran... Well Clara never really cared for him at first. He was a child who became agitating and unwanted to her. But reading the books and continuing with his story she grew to love and admire him. She knows though, that the Bran which she knew from the last few books and the Bran she will meet now. Will most defiantly not be the strong, smart Bran, but the one who whines and climbs. As for Jon Snow. Jon Snow. Her first love. When she began the books. Jon freaken Snow was the one who held her heart. The bastard son of Ned Stark. Which Clara knew was bull crap. Bastard? Maybe. Ned's son? Most defintly not. He was and is to honorable to cheat on his wife. In truth Jon Snow is the son of Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryn. Well this is what theory she believes in most. Makes the most sense and why Ned has never told Jon.
Jon has the look of a Stark. Which Clara has always loved. Jon is perfection in Clara's mind. Yet that time has passed. She knew of the love with he has for another. Which will end very sadly, but he needs that women. He need her. Even though he is fiction she couldn't love him anymore. It felt wrong. Now she doesn't even believe he is fiction anymore. This felt real. Too real.
"He is real" She thought hopefully. Heart skipping a beat. Yet he will most likely not even give her the time of day. He does not notice those kinds of things. He sees so many things. Yet this is one thing he will not want to see. She is not who he wants, if he wants anyone.
"Lord Stark? May I ask of you a favor?"
"Depends on the favor" He said jokingly. The atmosphere has driven him to a more joyful mood.
"I fear that I have come to lose my luggage. I have no other clothes than the ones I arrived in. I cannot repay you right away, yet once the rest of my things come from CavernStone, I should be able to get you the amount you need."
"Of course young one, I will have our seamstress create some gowns for you. How long do you plan on staying with us may I add?"
"That would be very kind of you, could you also have her create an article of clothing which could be used in combat? Or combat training? I know it is much, but I am wishing to continue my training here. As for my stay. I plan to stay as long as I am welcome. Once my things have arrived I can start repaying you for all of your kindness." Clara took notice of how bold that sounded and became slightly prideful.
"Now you are talking like a Lady. And That is a strange request, yet we will be able to see what we can do. Do you require a sword and a bow? Or a training master to help you? And as for repaying my house, there is no need."
Taken aback she exclaims "Lord Stark I insist..." But slightly grateful, for she knows that no luggage is coming. Unless the Gods are generous again and give her this relief.
Pouncing on the opportunity to stop the conversation short, Ned forcefully says, "I will not take no for an answer, we will not be taking your money, even if you stay here till you die. Winterfell welcomes you."
Chapter 3
The next day the raven arrived. The king was on his way with his party. This is what Clara was waiting for. He was coming. Finally she was going to meet him. See him.
As for meeting Bran, Arya, and Jon last night. All was well, Arya asked so many questions about her clothing, and where she came from. Clara was happy to answer them. She loved Arya, just like she knew she would. Bran quickly came in and said a quick hello and that was it. She was happy he didn't stick around. As for Jon. Clara wanted to tell him of all the things she knew. Of his bloodline of his future. Yet she stayed silent. On those subjects. She found him as handsome and well mannered as she would have hoped. Through out the night she had to keep telling herself though he was single as a Pringle now, later he will be part of the Night's Watch, and will have fallin in love with Ygritte. And it's not like he was actually speaking to her regularly, he sat close by where she could sneak looks at him. But he was talking to his friends. And Arya