ASHA POV:

Winterfell:

"I hope there is a whole army coming to Winterfell because that is the only excuse I'll allow for you not being in bed"

Asha smiled as she admired her husband's form by the window. She was never one to waste her time with love and courtships, they were all political strategies really.

Being the heiress of the Greyjoy family had it's perks! Meaning she didn't have to settle down being someone's wife. The Ironborn had always been self sufficient, independent in the seas. Asha herself is captain of the biggest warships, leading side by side with Theon after he finally returned home from Winterfell. At first Theon surprised everyone with the young, fine man he turned into but what surprised them the most was of his loyalty towards the Starks. Bad blood ran between the families but it was washed away after Theon came back. The kingdoms where no longer at war so Rob Stark's trips to Pyke didn't seem necessary. More so his trips to Ten Towers were Asha spent most of her time.

"I don't like change Asha, I don't like it at all"- Rob said going back to bed with her, eagerly engulfing her in his arms.

"Change is inevitable Rob, we can only insure it is best to our advantage"

"That is my sister you are talking about"- He said in his commanding tone. Asha laughed, it never worked on her.

Everyone knew what the King came looking for in Winterfell; a bride for the Crown Prince. Asha didn't have a good impression of him, what man needs his father to pick his own wife for him? but she didn't want to trouble her husband more than he already was. After yesterday it was obvious that the Prince not only favored but genuinely liked Arya. His eyes never left her and after dancing the night away it was clear that the man was in love like those fools depicted in songs.

"Why did you marry me?"- Rob says looking down at her, the only thing that Asha Greyjoy now Stark hated about her husband was his face. It really was! It was just too damn pretty, even more pretty than her's. She hated herself more because she could look at it all day.

"I mean... you didn't have to. You hardly knew me and you had to leave your home"-

"So you are asking me if Arya will do the same..." Arya Stark; the famous She-Wolf! Asha was more looking forward to meeting Arya than marrying Rob. But she though about what her husband had asked her and she could only tell him the truth. She assumed that was going to be the topic for this morning early family meeting so it was best if he knew what she thought.

"I wanted to and it was best for the family. The Stark's rule the North. The Baratheon's the south. Words runs quickly over lands and sea and people talk about how something is coming, lurking in the dark. Greyjoy's would lay with the stronger side, not with a King who doesn't care for all his kingdom equally and has an army that is vanishing do to lack of fights and alcohol"

"So you are saying that you would have married any Lord with power who came asking for your hand?"-

"No! I am saying that the Lord that came and had power was also the Lord I liked and decided to marry. Two very different things!"

"Aye...but I don't think the King would react the same way as me if you would have said no. I would have respected your choice. I don't think King Robert would spare us the same kindness. You already saw how he reacted when Theon asked for Sansa's hand in marriage"-

"And you also now that Arya isn't Sansa. If she doesn't want to marry the Prince no one will convince her otherwise"

"We are talking about possible war Asha. Remember Stark's died the last time they went to the South"-

"We are talking about marriage dear husband and remember you married an entire fleet with able and strong men that do not fear death. Again; who do you think will lose if war is proclaimed... not that necessary would be the case"

"What do you mean?"- Rob Stark was an exceptional war strategist. Asha was even better.

"Well, we all saw the happy couple yesterday. Have you ever seen Arya act that way with someone?" Rob remained silent so she kept on "Have you ever seen anyone touch Nymeria other than her and Jon? Maybe it doesn't have to come to a war. Maybe Arya will agree to marry the Prince"

"That means she will be Queen! She won't like it! Nor will the people like a Queen with her...abilities"- Ahhh yes. A queen, a warg, a fighter, and a skin-changer. What a pretty little deadly package.

"That is something to worry about if she agrees. Think about what it would mean for the North! Your north! Your father is aging Rob, you are the Lord and I am the Lady of Winterfell, you have to think about your son's future. If Arya marries the Prince we will rule Westeros. Greyjoys and Starks! God's knows that if Arya marries the bloody fool she'll have him wrapped around her pretty little finger. The Nights Watch need men and Arya can provide that"

"It's too much to think about, too much in such a short time. I wish Jon was here"- Rob counted too much on his cousin if you asked Asha but she didn't mind it for Jon was even more shrewd than Rob and will no doubt know how to manage Arya's temper if it were to rise.

"But a reality non the less Husband. Will you at least warm our bed a bit longer before we have to go down to your father's study?" He smiled as he ran his hands over her short hair.

"I think I can do more than warm the bed..."-

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ARYA POV:

Winterfell:

Whenever Arya didn't know something she would study it, see how she could approach the mater and conquer it. She wanted to fight, she got a dancing teacher. She wanted to know about the dark arts, she went to Braavos. Boys? She never bothered with them but after she grew up she was curious of how much their attention towards her changed. Silly boys, you could kill them and they would be happy just as long as you had a pretty face... She snuggled into the sheets yearning to speak to the only one who would know what to do; Jon!

She gave up trying to sleep so she went in search of the warmth and security Jon always gave her even if he wasn't there so Arya ended up sleeping in his room. It was in the farthest side of the castle and it was even more grand than her parent's chamber. A room fit for a King; Eddard said one day Sansa protested why she didn't have the biggest room.

The reason Arya couldn't sleep? Gendry; the Crown Prince!

Arya wasn't like Sansa, she didn't waste her time listening to Old Nan's fairy tales about love and damsels in distress. She much preferred war stories about Aegon Targaryen and his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys. About Kings behind the wall and the children of the forest but right know her mind was filled with words like 'handsome' and 'dreamy' ugh, she felt sick! She felt sick the minute she saw him since her stomach began to do somersaults.

To be honest the whole court wasn't was she expected. King Robert; King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men? Nothing but a fat drunk who had to be escorted out of the feast. Queen Cersei; the most beautiful woman in all Westeros? Clearly the world had not seen her mother or her sister Sansa! The two lions caught her attention... Jaime the Kingslayer and his golden hand, Arya's own hand itched to see how well could he fight after her father cut his hand. He was the one who left him crippled. The North remembers, I remember; Arya though. The Imp on the other hand was just like she pictured him; small in stature but with the wit and intelligence to cover for it, you had to be smart to talk to Bran and he did so for most of the feast... Then came the two Princes. A Lion and a Stag, night and day, different from each other much like she was different from her own siblings. Maybe that was why Arya was so close to Jon for he looked so much like her.

Prince Joffrey was exactly what she expected of him. She heard he was thin and pretty which he was, with even more fine clothes than his mother almost looking like a doll but Prince Gendry on the other hand was strong, that was the first thing she noticed. Strong and tall, with blue eyes and thick black hair that he constantly had to sweep off his eyes. His jaw was squared and had a broad back. His arms and legs were covered in muscles and his voice was strong but gentle the moment he finally talked to her. She was well aware he was looking at her all evening, if she forgot Ramsey reminded her, fretting how the Prince should mind his manners but Arya didn't mind at all. She was curious of this future King. Of Gendry she only heard the he wasn't like his father, that was what people used to say.

"I should have known you were here"- Said Sansa opening the door. "You need to go get dressed, father is expecting us downstairs to discuss..."-

"My possible marriage with Prince Gendry?"

"Well it's not like it's a secret! I wanted to talk to you yesterday but I was tired and went to bed as well"-

"You wanted to speak to me but Theon Greyjoy's kisses distracted you and that my dear sister is no secret!"

"That is hardly the point..."- Sansa said with a blush that matched her hair. "What did you think of the Prince?"-

"Sansa I spoke with him for a couple of hours, that's hardly is enough to know if I want to spend the rest of my life with him"

"No, but sometimes you don't have an option"-

"Really? Because last time I checked Mother and Father gave us freedom to marry whom we wanted when we wanted. The Prince is just another suitor so I wont give him my affections just because he has a crown on his head" Arya spat, never liking when someone ordered her to do something.

"I know that... it's just that you seemed different last night, with him. You seemed to like him"-

"He's just...different from what I thought he would be. I'm not saying I will marry him but I guess I wouldn't oppose to getting to know him a bit better"

"Good girl!"- Sansa said ruffling her hair much to her annoyance "Now go get dressed, after the meeting we are to have breakfast with the Royal Family"-

...

"If she doesn't want to marry him she wont marry him. End of discussion"-

"What if we don't have the option? What if Robert does what he always does and comes and takes her away by force?"-

"Well let him try and bring his army down North. Motherhood has soften me, my axe would be grateful for some action!"-

"You are aware that the Prince hasn't proposed to her yet!"-

"He bloody well may have the way he was looking at her yesterday"-

The family 'meeting' had resulted in a shouting match. Rickon, Rob, Asha, Sansa and Bran where the most vocal, Eddard just stood and listened. Catelyn remained silent while Arya just watched them.

"You are aware that I'm in the room do you?" They all fell silent and Arya wanted the bickering to stop. She was hungry and wanted to go riding.

"The King made it clear to me that in fact he wants you to marry his son Gendry. What did the Prince tell you yesterday?"- Eddard asked her.

"We spoke about our families and other things. He wanted to know more about Nymeria and Cold Breeze. That was all! He never spoke once of marriage other when I asked him and he told me that his father was the one that wanted him to marry and that he was waiting to find someone he liked. If you're worried about what I told him be safe to assume I told him that marriage wasn't something that interested me"

"Is it? Never once have you pondered on the idea?"- Eddard asked

"Well it's not like I have found anyone I like"

"Just like the Prince..."- Said Catelyn speaking for the first time "What about Ramsey?"-

"What about Ramsey?"

"Well it's obvious that you spend time with him and that the boy is completely infatuated with you. If he where to ask your hand in marriage; what would you say?"- Catelyn said.

"Ramsey is my friend! I don't think of him as nothing else" Sansa rolled her eyes.

"If Prince Gendry asked you... will you agree to marry him?"- Rob asked.

"I don't know him enough to marry him" She was getting angry.

"But you wouldn't exactly say no"- Said Bran.

"And she sure as hell isn't saying yes!"- Sneered Rickon starting another shouting match.

"May I remind you all that the Prince has not asked me anything?"

"No... but Gendry is his father's son. I saw him look at you last night, he will ask you"- Eddard said solemnly, Arya appreciated that he never pushed her into something.

"If you're so sure he will indeed ask me to marry him what if I needed time, would you give me that?"

"I think it could be arranged..."- Eddard said unsure of where she was going with this.

"Rickon's wedding is in two days. My name day along with Sansa's are one month away; give me till then and I you will have my answer..."

"That will be good enough for the King, I will tell him right away"-

"I'm not done yet father... I will have my answer to the Prince's proposal in one month if; only if Jon gets to come back for my birthday!"

"Arya! You know Jon must stay away!"- Catelyn immediately replied.

"Winterfell is Jon's home and he has been forced to leave it by the same man that killed his father!"

"Arya Jon's family situation is a whole different matter"- Eddard said.

"Is it? Because the last time I checked we were Jon's family father!"- Rob spoke with determination.

"I also think it is a great idea! If they were to marry do you think Arya will just stop talking to our cousin?"- Bran asked.

"If the Prince wants to marry Arya I think he needs to go through Jon first"- Rickon smiled. Eddard knew his children had ganged up on him. Arya would get her wish, she always did.

"Fine! I'll send a raven to the Wall but if it's time you want time you will get. You will spend your time with Prince Gendry! There will be no excuses that you find him boring or stupid. If you don't want to marry him you will speak immediately so that we can get out of this whole mess. Agreed?"-

"Father if I don't want to marry the dumb prince I'll be sure to tell anyone who has hears"

"Then it's settled! Let go have breakfast"- Eddard said getting out of the room in a foul mood but Arya didn't care, Jon was coming back! She could deal with the Prince in her sleep! All was to be back to normal in a month.

Everyone left the room but Bran who signaled Arya to stay.

"What's wrong?"

"The Prince is not at the breakfast table"-

"How do you know that?"

"Summer saw him go out a while ago. He went to Winter Town to find his Uncle the Imp"-

"So? What's that have to do with me?"

"It has everything to do with you as you just promised Father that you would spent time with the Prince! Now you have the chance to do just that without having all the courts eyes; both north and south upon you! You can act and look anyway you chose around him"-

Bran was always the smartest one; she thought as she went quickly to her room. Who should she be today? Mercedene was too pretty while Cat was too dangerous but the Blind Girl would be perfect. Off to Winter Town to meet the Prince.

Thank you to the reviewer who wrote about the ages. You my friend are very nice :) as for everyone one else? You are awesome and I cannot be more grateful with your reviews so keep them coming. One guest also wanted to know more about Rob and Asha so I hope you liked this one.

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