Gifu
-ooo-
Morning came around, foggy and damp. Gifu's eyes slid over to Gara the moment they opened; her sister was lying on her side with her back to Gifu. She kept her eyes trained on her for a moment in case she woke – but she didn't. With a shrug, Gifu stretched and got up and dressed herself in a rich blue gown. Gifu eyed her reflection silently; she smiled her sharp little smile and crocheted her head to the side. She was looking wonderful today, no one would doubt; her hair fell thick and long, red ringlets tumbled down her back, hanging lazily over her shoulders like crimson vines. From underneath her thick black lashes, she blinked slowly and sensually at her vivid reflection. Feeling good, Gifu got pertly to her feet and cast her dark gaze over to a sleeping Gara; she shook her head with a calculating smile before slipping out of their chamber and making her way down to the main hall for some breakfast.
It was quiet this morning; the only people Gifu saw on her short journey was the servants who were stoking the fires and banging the smoke-riddled tapestries. Gifu couldn't wait to be down South; she liked the idea of heat, endless heat. The dancing, the atmosphere and the fashions; gods, the fashions! It would be a wondrous expedition and then she would be wed to her betrothed, Thegane Lannister. Gifu's eyes trailed the floor; she would never tell, but she had been thinking furiously about her impending meeting with her husband-to-be. What if Gara was right and she didn't like him? What if he treated her poorly? With a sudden laugh, Gifu stopped and shook herself;
It must have been early if she was actually wondering if Gara was right! Of course she would like her betrothed and him, her. What was there not to like; Gifu knew she was beautiful, witty, stylish and captivating – no one else could do what Gifu did and do it so well. Who else could flick their eyes in any man's direction and have him eating out of the palm of their hand and make it look as though they were no more ensnaring than a kitten? Certainly not Gara, not Gifu's 'sweet-tempered' milk and sugar sister.
"What's so funny?" Asked a voice behind Gifu and she turned with a start. It was Jon Snow, Ned Stark's bastard. At his heels was his albino dire wolf pup. He was a handsome boy, thought Gifu; with curly black hair and brown eyes, he had a good build with broad shoulders and strong arms. But he was a bastard none-the-less, and therefore beneath Gifu. The redheaded girl arched an eyebrow at him and stood to her full height, chin in the air before smiling radiantly and saying – a hint of mockery in her sultry voice, "Just a joke, one with your limited understanding would probably not get it."
Jon Snow didn't smile. Folding his arms, he shook his head and stepped around Gifu, leaving her alone. Gifu felt her temper flare, she would never trail anybody's heels – it just wasn't in her nature to do so – especially the heels of a bastard. "Excuse me, sir," She piped provocatively. Jon Snow turned slowly his expression moody.
"What is it?" He asked curtly, and Gifu's eyes gleamed, "Will you not escort me to breakfast?" Jon stood straighter as she sauntered forward and planted her hand in the crook of his arm and simpered up at him, "I understand that you cannot go past the middle tables, but its close enough." She ended with a sharp bite in her voice and a dangerous glint in her black eyes. Jon's eyes were scornful as he looked at her, and dislodged her hand from his arm,
"Find a squire." He snapped angrily before brushing past her roughly and walking back the way he came. His white wolf trailed behind him – wary of his mood. Gifu grinned and patted down her bodice before resuming her walk down to the hall.
-ooo-
Gifu was endeared to see that the hall was at least moderately full; the whole Stark family were breaking their fasts – all except for Lord Stark, who was presumably in meeting with her father. Catelyn smiled warmly at Gifu upon her entering the hall and beckoned for Robb to go and offer her an arm – which he did rather sullenly. Gifu smiled charmingly at him and gave him a sidelong look; yes, she could see his appeal to Gara, but Gara's appeal to him, Gifu knew not. Silently Robb led her to a stool and sat her down. Sitting across from Catelyn, the former Tully asked,
"Where is your sister?" Gifu looked up from her empty plate and replied just as a server was slicing her some soft bread. "She is still abed," She said silkily and cleverly avoided Robb's gaze as she smeared butter on her bread, "I think she had a late night – she was exhausted when she came to our chamber." Gifu had to stifle a laugh when she saw Robb tense,
Catelyn nodded and didn't give her words any more notice and helped Rickon with cutting his food. Gifu eyed them all as she poured herself a cup of warm cider; first there was Robb, handsome, next in line for the title of Warden of the North; not a very merry one in Gifu's humble opinion. Next there was Sansa, Gifu smiled over to her young friend and had to hold down her envy, it was said that Sansa was to marry Prince Joffrey, the son of King Robert. She was pretty though, Gifu had to admit, with flowing orange hair that shone as bright as gold in the sunlight; with a fair complexion and clear blue eyes, Sansa Stark was a beauty but not as pretty as Gifu, no one was. Over beside Sansa was her little sister, Arya. A boyish looking young girl with brown hair and a mischievous face; Gara was more friendly with this Stark than Gifu, she was hardly surprised. A little further down was little Bran, only ten years old – he was adorable. Gifu remembered the feast that had been held to celebrate his birth, after Robb he was the second boy after the births of Sansa and Arya and he was a great joy to his parents. With longish dark brown hair and big brown eyes, his complexion was pale and clear like his mother's.
Lastly there was the baby, Rickon. At six years old, he had lovingly named his dire wolf 'Shaggy Dog' Gifu had laughed at this, although sharp tongued and a little condescending, even Gifu couldn't be so to or about little Rickon; never a sweeter boy with dirty blonde hair, rosy cheeks and sky-blue eyes. The Starks were a fortunate brood, Gifu's own family sadly lacked any male heirs, her mother Ambahr had borne her father a son, but he had died in his fourth month of life. He had been the first and the last until she and Gara came along; Father had always said that this did not bother him, but Gifu knew better. Of course a lack of heir was worrying, and she knew that's why her father was so keen on her and Gara marrying soon. She was shaken from her thoughts by Rickon who was holding out a plate of bacon to her, with a smile Gifu took the plate and said sweetly,
"Thank you." Rickon smiled, flashing his teeth in a grin. Gifu 's smile lingered as she tucked into her breakfast, it was good to be back in Winterfell; the excitement of the King's impending visit was the talk of the table, but Gifu saw that Robb barely spoke and kept his eyes fixed on his food until his friend, Theon Greyjoy arrived and took a stool next to him. Gifu did not look at him, but she felt his dull blue eyes on her; gods, she knew that fool could just eat her up. She relished his gaze, and made sure he saw her profile as she daintily picked at her breakfast, totally ignoring him. Finally the conversation turned to every one's activities of the day; Gifu shrugged prettily and said,
"I may go and watch some archery," Her eyes slid over to Theon, and she saw him hitch before she turned away and continued, "Or I may work on some needlework, Sansa, would you care to join me?" The redheaded girl nodded demurely and smiled, "Yes, I'd love to." Septa Mordane beamed down the table at the girl's brilliant manner and eyed Arya exasperated when she piped, "Me and Gara are going for a ride! She's going to – hey!" She barked at Robb who was scowling down at her to silence her drawl. Gifu smiled and looked away, "Gara often sleeps late, and hopefully she'll keep her promise." Arya frowned puzzled at Gifu's words, Robb watched her carefully before getting to his feet and announcing, "We'll be out in the yard." Theon got up too, but Robb motioned for him to sit back down, and turned to Gifu,
"Would you care to join me?"
Gifu eyed him a moment before nodding and getting up gracefully, her back straight and her head up she accepted the arm offered to her and felt the eyes of all the Starks on her as Robb led her outside. It was a cold morning with fog rolling in from the hills; Gifu shivered and walked at a leisurely pace alongside Robb until they reached the stables across from the archery butts.
"I hear you are to be married to one of the Lannisters, Gifu." Began Robb conversationally, Gifu sighed and leaned against a railing, cocking her head up at Robb, "Yes, it is a good match and will ensure the continuation of my House." Her gaze flicked up and then down again, "I will carry him many sons and make Father proud." She responded a little callously. Robb ignored it and snapped bitingly,
"What a catch for you, a Lannister. You must be thrilled." Gifu chuckled breathily and it plumed out before her in a white cloud, "Of course, I'm not a private person. It's all about continuing your line, Robb. What's best for family, not personal preference." She trailed off and from the corner of her eye saw Robb's jaw clench before she mused to him, "Something my sister keeps on missing..." Robb was about to speak when Gifu held up a hand,
"So what is it you intend to get on my sister, Robb? Is it a quick thump in the stables? Or a bastard, like your father? It boggles the mind." Robb exhaled and tried to remain calm as Gifu appraised him with her darting black gaze, "She's very easily...led." Gifu added as Robb eyed her.
"'Get on her'?" Repeated Robb and Gifu nodded, "Well, she's hardly anything special is she? Not much in the way of brains, she is not much to look at." Robb nodded, "Aye, second-born, nothing special? I think it's you who feels threatened by your sister." Gifu's face hardened, "Not much to look at, well then I think you can stop preening and prancing if that's the case." A harsh bark of laughter escaped Gifu then, "I meant no offence,"
"Yes you did."
Robb interjected snappily. Gifu's eyes narrowed, like a shadow cat glaring down a rabbit; she said,
"You think I feel threatened by Gara?" Robb nodded, a smile tugging at his lips, "Then you are a fool. She is my sister. She's mine, and no one else could ever know what she means to me." Robb's brow knotted as Gifu leaned in and hissed, "She means more to me than she ever will to you, Robb Stark. I'm the one who's looked after us for all this time," She smiled suddenly, "Gara is the one who needs me." Brushing a hand down her bodice, Gifu's eyes darted down before flicking back up with a flash of anger,
"This is my time, Robb. Not Gara's and she knows it," Robb's face was bewildered at Gifu's strange mixture of loving and hateful words towards her sister; "I do not need her. She knows that too." There was a very pregnant pause before Gifu sneered,
"Gara isn't that stupid, she knows I'd step over her to reach my greatness. Not that I have to – mind you – Gara is mindful enough to follow the hem of my gown and not get in my way." At that Robb shook his head and eyed her with disdain,
"I have heard your Family's words uttered a thousand times by your father; I can't believe you, Gifu." With that he turned away leaving Gifu to watch his retreating back, when suddenly an afterthought seemed to strike him and he turned back and said over his shoulder,
"If you do not need her, then why do you not let her go?" A thick cascading of rainfall began to fall then, dampening everything it touched. Gifu's hands were behind her back as she strolled over to Robb. Planting herself before him in the misty rain, she hissed with contempt in her voice,
"Do you know why we have shadows?" Robb's clear blue eyes never left her face, he shook his head silently. Gifu shrugged and finished – her tone dripping with scorn,
"Neither do I, we just do."