Thank you so much for the favourites I received, I'm ill with the flu, which sucks so bad so instead of lying around being all lazy I decided to at least sit up in my bed and write this new chapter for you so soon after the other chapter went up. Your feedback means a lot to me and I really do appreciate it if you would leave a review. This story is slightly different from the other stories that I have seen on here, and may not be to everyone's taste but I'm glad that people are willing to just read through it. I hope you all have a lovely New Year! Thank you so much!

Slightlynerdy.

Wolves and Hounds.

Chapter 3.

The atmosphere at dinner was off putting, everyone sat in silence as the food was served to them, wild deer with roasted vegetables, a true northern meal as her father would have said. However he said nothing this evening as the tension in the air was palpable. Something had happened between her mother and her father, something that her inquisitive nature wanted to find out.

Rickon, being the four year old that he was, moaned about Shaggy dog not being allowed to sit with him at the table. Shaggy dog, Shaggy for short, being the name that Rickon had chosen for his direwolf. Robb had gone with Grey Wind, Sansa had chosen Lady and Arya had of course named her wolf after some female warrior who was heavily cherished by the Martells in Dorne, Nymeria. The bastard, Jon Snow had named his albino pup Ghost. Fitting she thought, as the wolf was always in the shadows, slinking and watching from afar. Her own wolf, Tome, was in the kitchen with his fellow littermates. Bran had yet to choose a name for his own cub.

As the last plate was placed on the table, and the servers had retreated from the room, then did her father speak; his voice gruff and deep. It demanded the attention of everyone in the room, even Rickon stopped chattering away.

"Jon Arryn is dead." Tarynn looked up from her plate of food and to her father. His steel eyes betrayed nothing; no emotion was betrayed on his face. Jon Arryn had warded her father when he was young, alongside the King Robert Baratheon, he had been like a father to him. "He was taken by a fever not a fortnight pass, tomorrow morning we will all pray for him in the Godswood, to speed on his departure. Your mother will also be going to the Sept if you wish to join her…" Eddard looked to his wife Catelyn after he had finished speaking, and so it was Tarynn's mother's voice that filled the air next.

"The King and his Royal Entourage is coming to Winterfell," There were the tittering's of conversations as the Stark children exchanged looks and words of surprise. "His Highness will be here in two days hence which means a lot of preparation in order to receive him into our home. While the King and his family are here there will be no climbing Bran, Arya you will not be sparring with your brothers at all, Robb you will not visit the village during this time…" Tarynn realised that her mother already knew about Robb's exploits and watched as her younger brother ducked his head in order to avoid their mother's gaze. "And Tarynn I am sure you can put aside the books in order to treat our guests with the expected courtesy."

The only one she left out had been Sansa, but then again Sansa rarely did anything out of the ordinary.

"I hope you heed what your mother has said children, now come, let us eat before the venison grows cold."

Despite the cold start, dinner was soon filled with talk and chatter, she sat beside Bran who filled her ears with the stories Nan had been telling him. Not fully realising that Tarynn had already heard the stories many years before. Still she listened with attention to what her little brother had to say, no one could deny Bran. From across the table Sansa was aiding Rickon with his food whilst simultaneously keeping a conversation with Robb. Sansa would do well when the Royal Family arrived in Winterfell, she was born for motherhood and keeping up appearances. Didn't King Robert have a son who was also around the same age as Sansa?

"Father?"

Her father broke off his conversation with her mother in order to look at her, "Yes Tarynn, what is it?"

"How many people is King Robert bringing from the south? If it's an entourage like mother said that would be nearing a hundred."

"He never stated actual numbers Tarynn, just said that he is bringing an entourage from King's Landing. But knowing Robert like I do he is like to do things big, so we should be expecting at least eighty people, perhaps even more."

"That's an awful lot of people to bring, what does he need them for?" Bran piped up from beside her, his hand reaching up to brush the strand of hair from his eyes.

"The King doesn't need a reason. And I expect that it was the Queen who insisted that half of the city accompany them."

"Perhaps they're scared of Northmen," Robb grinned, "That's why they need to bring so many people, just to protect them from our barbaric ways."

The table laughed, it was common knowledge that southern people didn't mix with northern. Two different ways of life, two different styles of living. The day after the morrow they were like to have a feast in order to welcome the strangers into their home, the deep rumble of her father's laughter, and her mother's soft chidings were comforting.

They had a moment of calm before the storm.

The following morning the clash of swords and the shouts of men were what greeted her as she entered the yard, Rickon's tiny hand clasped in her own. Arya followed as they made their way to the Godswood where the majority of those who kept the old Gods were convening; at least the majority of the Stark family who kept the old way. Sansa had decided to go to the Sept with their mother, the vivid colours and ornate statues appealed to her more than a face carved into a tree, but Tarynn treasured the Old Gods, just like her Stark ancestors before her.

She led her youngest brother and sister through the gate that led to the hallowed pools which surrounded the tree, birds chirped in the trees, and the sound of their feet crunching the snow that had fallen on the ground added to the blissful serenity of the sacred place. She wasn't surprised to see her father kneeling before the heart tree already. Robb was to the left of him, Jon Snow was on the right. Bran was kneeling beside Robb. She let go of Rickon's hand who ran towards the praying man and boys before slumping to his own knees just behind their father.

"Arya, Tarynn, kneel so that we can pray together for Jon Arryn." Her father's voice held no emotion in it, it was just gruff and commanding, as it always was whenever he was faced with a task that held personal tones. She sank to her knees and Arya followed suit. The snow began to melt onto her cloak as her body warmth heated it up.

"Old Gods guide Jon Arryn, our friend, our mentor, our father, into the land beyond death. Make his passing easy, and allow him to rest well in his eternal slumber."

The silence that followed was chilling; even the birds had stopped their song as Lord Stark's harrowing words settled over the boughs of the heart tree. Tarynn peeked up, into the face of the tree; the red sap that lingered over its face gave the depiction that it was crying. And perhaps it was; only the Children of the Forest truly knew the secrets and powers of the old trees that were situated in the middle of the Weirwoods.

After several long minutes, her father grunted, the signal that they were allowed to stand and that their prayers for the recently deceased Jon Arryn had been long enough. When they stood however all of the children were silent, not wishing to break the powerful aura that had been summoned when their father uttered his words of prayer. They walked out in a single file, she noted how messy Arya's plait was, she had obviously avoided her maid so that it wouldn't be plaited again.

Tarynn had her own maid too, but it didn't feel right having someone dressing her when she was perfectly capable of doing it herself. Gerta instead would just tidy up after her, order her papers in a chronological way and make sure that her dresses were always cleaned and put in her wardrobe. She was Tarynn's best friend and confidant, despite the fact that she was 5 years older than Tarynn and already had two small boys, her husband was one of the cooks in the kitchens. Tarynn cherished Gerta dearly, she was one of the first people she turned to whenever a problem aroused, her and Maester Luwin. Although the Maester was always obliged to tell her parents, a fact that she didn't come to realise until too late.

Once in the yard, they dispersed. Bran ran off to one of the towers, most likely to do some banned climbing. Robb and Jon were in talks of going hunting, Arya following them, hoping to be allowed to join them and Rickon had been hoisted up by her father who was going back into the castle. Once again she was left alone in the middle of the courtyard, or so she had thought.

"Finished your morning prayers then?" He grinned at her, his teeth perfectly white, his dark brown hair tousled gently in the wind, the clear grey eyes full of jest and charisma. Overconfidence. "I was hoping to catch you in fact, care to join me for a ride?"

She looked around her; she didn't have an excuse, or anyone to help her make an excuse up. She was stuck, and if the news that her father had still not divulged to her was that she was to be married to Theon Greyjoy in order to strengthen the ties between the Starks and Greyjoys then she didn't want to offend this smiling fool too much. Otherwise their forced marriage would be an unhappy one.

"I… Yes Theon, I'll ride with you."

His grin grew impossibly wide, and she thought she saw a flicker of what she could only think of as surprise in his eyes.

"Great, I'll tell the stablehands to saddle the horses. Stay here I'll bring them to you."

He left her, but a small bark alerted her to the fact that another creature wanted her attention.

"Where were you a moment ago huh?" She knelt down and stroked the fur between Tome's ears, "I could've used you as an excuse." She picked up her wolf, holding him against her chest tightly, watching as the other wolves tumbled out of the kitchen doorway, noses to the ground as they tried to sniff out their young masters. She held the wolf out so that she could look into his inquisitive blue eyes, "I'm going riding, and I'm afraid you can't come, you won't be able to keep up I fear," The wolf gave a small whine and she brought him back against her chest, "Don't worry it won't be for long, besides I can never last long in Theon's company, his smile unnerves me too much."

I wonder if Theon grins like he does now when he beds a woman.

She placed Tome back on the ground where he scampered off as soon as his paws hit the dirt, heading back towards the kitchen. She turned to face the sound of a horses whinny and looked upon a chestnut coloured mare.

"Your steed my lady." He held out the reins to her and she accepted them, he turned from her and mounted his own horse, a bay roan, his treasured longbow on his back alongside a quiver filled with arrows.

I do hope he's not looking to impress me by shooting rabbits.

She walked to the side of her horse and gripped the pommel of the saddle; she put her foot in the stirrup and heaved herself up and over the elegant animal. Her cloak splayed out behind her, covering the horses lower back. She tucked a strand of hair over her ear, she hadn't braided it today, and instead it hung like a sheet of water over her shoulders, soft brown waves which flowed down her back. As she righted herself and shifted her skirts so that she was more comfortable, Theon led his horse round so that he was facing her.

"Do you want to go through the forest or take the King's Road?"

The King's Road was safer, they could ride hard and fast without worrying about wherever their horses would break a leg or go lame over some uneven land. But she wanted to go through the forest; she wanted to breathe the deep heady scent of pine and oak. To watch Rabbits flit between trees and bushes.

That is until Theon brings them down with an arrow or a fox catches them for his supper.

"The forest."

"Feeling adventurous are we?" He shot her another grin, filled with expectation and double meanings. She felt the urge to say 'just because I'm riding with you doesn't mean I'm going to bed you as well. Arrogant pig.'

She spurred her horse on, leaving the castle gate at a canter, the horses' hooves clacking against the smooth stone. The leather gloves she was wearing in order to keep her hands from getting frostbite were smooth against the skin of her hands. Her cloak sheltered her from the wintry winds and her feet were snug inside her leather boots. She felt oddly comforted as she rode through the town, Theon was at her side of course and that did put her at a slight unease, but the dull thrum of the horses' hooves and the chatter and sounds of the locals going about their daily business relaxed her and allowed her shoulders to loosen a little.

She had worried all through the night over what would be expected of her when the King and his followers came. Would she have to smile and be flirtatious? Was she to put herself on offer to any Lord or Knight who came looking, interested at having a Stark connection? She looked sideways at Theon, whose face had lost it's smile, instead concentration was etched onto his features.

At least I know him. I can't say the same for these Lords and Knights from the south.

She slowed her horse to a trot as they neared a crowd of people. Some of them moved out of the way, bowing their heads as they realised who was riding the horse that was trying to get through. Some just stood there and she had to weave around them. She forgave them though, for they were too wrapped up in their own affairs and she knew what that was like.

When they were free from the town, they took a left from the King's Road crossing over towards the fringes of the Great Wood that surrounded Winterfell. It was then, when they were nearing the green canopy of trees that Theon decided to strike up a conversation.

"The King's coming to Winterfell, that's sure to be exciting. I hear he whores and drinks his way towards an early grave. Seems to me that's a fine way to go, with a woman atop you."

"You're not all together charming are you?" They picked their way through the undergrowth of the woods.

"I can be charming if you wish, my Lady." He was grinning again, she didn't have to look up in order to confirm it; she could feel it in his voice. "What do you think that Prince Joffrey's going to be like, I've heard tales of the little prick and they're not good."

She knew what he meant; word from the south was that Prince Joffrey expected life to be handed to him on a silver platter, which was going to be difficult in the North because northerners were hard people, used to working for what they want. Not snot nosed southerners who clicked their fingers and were waited upon by slaves and servants. This Prince Joffrey had already made a bad first impression, mainly because now Sansa had become obsessed with him. All she ever did now was say Joffrey this, Joffrey that. She had even gone as far to say that perhaps they will be betrothed, and then she would be Queen of Westeros. Her sister always had wild imaginings, and maybe this dream of hers, of being married to Prince Joffrey would just be another one. But still a chill had settled in the pit of her stomach.

"The rumours are that he is cocky and arrogant, but they are just rumours." She urged her horse to trot alongside Theon's own as the forest path had widened, "But he is heir to the Iron Throne and when he is here in Winterfell we must show him courtesy."

"Of course, we have to pay all southern bastards the respect that they deserve."

She could hear the animosity that Theon had for Southern folks in his voice. Separated by the Neck, those who dwelled in the southern most reaches of Westeros differed greatly from those who made their homes in the North. And in many cases they clashed. But Theon hailed from the Iron Islands, so Tarynn didn't fully understand his reasoning for the contempt that he held southerners in.

They rode on in silence; the only sound was the snapping of twigs and the rustling of leaves. She was left alone with her thoughts, and Theon began to scan the underbrush for any signs of wildlife, but so far there were evading him.

The thoughts that were primarily running through her head were who was the King going to bring with him? Obviously Queen Cersei, the children, perhaps members of the Kingsguard, some of their own servants but apart from that she didn't really see any point to bring everyone who held a job working for the royal family. Her other thought was whether or not she was going to be able to meet the Imp, the Queen's and Kingslayer's brother. Apparently he was well read and she wanted to see the fascination that hung over him like a cloying smell for herself.

She almost fell from her saddle when Theon stopped abruptly, holding up his hand as a signal for her to wait. She did, pulling on the reins so that her horse halted. Theon took his bow from his back and notched an arrow; his posture was slack and relaxed a great difference to how taut and rigid the string of his bow was. In a manner of seconds he had loosed an arrow and she heard something squeal. Theon leapt from his horse and dug around beneath a bush, slowly he pulled the limp body of a grey rabbit from beneath the green leaves and held it up proudly, the arrow he had shot had caught the rabbit in the chest.

Carefully he pulled the arrow out and wiped it on the fur of the recently deceased creature before balancing the body on his saddle and putting the arrow back in his quiver.

"Bet you haven't seen a marksman as good as me, look how clean that shot was." He came to stand beside her, he leaned against the neck of her horse, absently stroking a spot behind her steed's ear. "There was another reason why I asked you to ride with me," The smile vanished from his face and his eyes grew serious, she was staring flat into his face and she realised she had never properly looked at Theon with this much detail before. His skin was supposed to be a ruddy colour, or a light brown, which was a common trait of the Ironborn. But the years that he had dwelled in Winterfell had changed his pallor, he was quite pale. His nose was sharp, and his lips were thin and pressed together. His dark hair was long, but not as long as Robb's and he was tall, taller than her father.

"I was hoping that you would accept my offer of marriage." Her mind went blank so she just stared at him dumbly, he must've of noticed the expression on her face so he explained his proposition in more detail. "Between us, we could combine the Houses Greyjoy and Stark. Traces of ill will for what happened long ago will be banished. I have already discussed it with your father… It is the perfect union."

"What?" She regained her senses and her mind raced.

Marriage? Married? To Theon Greyjoy? The whorer, the charmer, the idiot who's grin already annoys me. Having to share his bed, having to hold his children in my belly. Having to know that even if we were married I would never be enough for him for he loves his wenches too much. And father knew about this? Even Robb did, he had hinted that Theon was vying for my attention just this past day. Why didn't he warn me, or at least allow me to know Theon's intentions sooner, I would have been able to think it over.

"Theon I…" She didn't know how to respond. The man repulsed her. But a solid union between the Greyjoys and the Starks would most likely prove to be invaluable. She dared not accept, she felt in her heart that she should seek guidance from her father and the others of her family. Perhaps even ask why he kept such a secret from her. "I'm sorry Theon but I cannot give you an answer just now." She wheeled her horse around, and she couldn't help but notice the confused look of rejection that had crossed his face, Theon Greyjoy was not used to be rejected by women.

Well he better get used to it.

She spurred her horse on, wishing now that she had decided to take the King's Road; she would have gotten away from Theon even quicker if she had. But even though it was slow going she didn't hear a second set of hooves picking its way across the forest floor, and for that she was grateful, and glad that Theon had decided to keep his distance.

When she reached the village it was quiet. The sun was already beginning to lower in the sky and she hadn't realised that she had been out for so long. When the portcullis which partitioned Winterfell Castle from the rest of the world loomed ahead she let out a breath she didn't realise that she had been holding.

I can't believe that Theon just proposed to me, we have never been close; we have always harboured a sort of tolerable relationship. Never really talking, always tolerating one another. When did that change for him?

When she reached the yard, a stableboy ran out to receive her horse, she dismounted and handed her reins to the lad who then led the horse away, she patted its rump gently before taking of her gloves and walking with sure steps she headed towards the heavy wooden door that led to her home.

When she was inside the warmth relieved her of the chill that had begun to set in her bones, she took a few furtive steps towards the dining hall but changed her mind, instead she went to her father's solar, which was the next likeliest place for the Lord of Winterfell to be. She took the steps two at a time, holding up her skirts so that she didn't fall over flat on her face. When she reached the floor that her father's solar was on she nodded to the guard who was stationed there and he knocked hard on the wood.

"Come in." Her father's voice boomed from inside the solar.

She thanked the guard before admitting herself into her father's sanctuary of sorts.

"Tarynn, I thought you were out riding with Theon."

"I was… Father he proposed to me."

Her father moved to his desk, occupying himself with some pieces of parchment that were obviously more important then his eldest daughter's future. "I was wondering when he would work up the courage to do that."

"You knew!"

"Of course I did, I wasn't even considering Theon as a suitable candidate but he gave me a very good case, ties between Greyjoy and Stark."

"So what? I'm just a bargaining piece now? Why didn't you tell me he was planning this?"

"He asked me very specifically not to. He wanted to impress you or show you what a good match for you he was."

"But he's not a good match. We don't even have the same interests. In fact I don't think he's ever read a book in his life, maybe he can't even read."

"Tarynn no-ones forcing you to accept his proposal, you mother and I…"

As if the Gods themselves had told her that something important was happening, her mother walked into the solar as well, "Ned I have some… Oh, Tarynn. I thought you were out riding with Theon?"

She repeated herself from earlier, "I was."

Catelyn looked from one face to another, "What's going on?"

"Theon proposed to Tarynn."

"He's done it then."

"You knew as well?"

"We all knew."

"But why didn't you tell me?"

Her mother sighed, "You don't have to accept him…"

"I've already said that."

"…But think it over, for Theon's sake."

His sake?! What about mine? I don't want to be a wife. Not yet. And it's Theon.

She had two options, go with her head… Or go with her heart.

"Allow me until the King departs from Winterfell father, mother, please."

"That's not for another week Tarynn."

"Please!" She looked at her parents, shifting her gaze from one to the other. She finally saw the relent in her father's eyes.

"Fine, but at least make the effort to talk to Theon. Otherwise, with his proposal just left there with no answer, problems may arise."

She looked down at the floor, she originally had no intention of speaking to Theon ever again, and every intention to reject his proposal, but she would go through the stages in order to appease her parents, so mutely she nodded and her mother rushed forward, catching her in an embrace.

"Marriage is not always based on love, I... your father and I didn't meet until our wedding day, and we are perfectly happy despite all that has happened. What with the war and Jon Snow…" Her mother didn't elaborate on Jon but it lingered in the air a few seconds after she had said it, Eddard Stark had been unfaithful to Catelyn in the first legs of their marriage, and Jon Snow was the product of that unfaithfulness. "You may grow to love Theon, despite his flaws. Try to understand him better. Find common interests. You both like riding."

Despite her mother's attempt at reassurance Tarynn still did not feel ready to decide her future when she was only eighteen, but she resolved to at least make an effort, to see how long she could survive in Theon's company. But she knew that her heart had already decided.