ARYA POV:
Winterfell:
"Chose another!"
"What's the purpose? You can mimic them all!"-
"Just say a bloody color Ramsey!"
"Ok... red, red it is!"
The whole morning had been frustrating for Arya. Why? Why did her abilities fail her in front of Prince Gendry? Her shape-shifting ways had survived even her father's piercing stare yet somehow the walls crumbled in front of the Stag without her even noticing it.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh" She yelled in frustration. Withing mere fractions of seconds her eyes changed from stormy grey to ruby red. Arya had been morphing her features for hours trying to find a logical explanation but she didn't encounter no resistance from her body.
"Why must you practice something you have clearly mastered? May I also add that you look positively wicked with red eyes... It suits you though"- Ramsey said as he lied on the blanket from their picnic in the woods.
"Because... Because... Well, I want to, that's all" She said obvious not wanting to discuss her 'uneasiness' around the Prince with Ramsay. He; on the other hand did not agree...
"What where you doing with the Crown Prince?"- Ramsay said in his sweet deceiving voice.
"Nothing... I was riding through Winter Town when they where returning back to the castle"
"Oh..."- Was all he said. Ramsay Bolton was a loner, often frowned upon because of his bastard status. Not that Arya cared. She meet him years ago when whispers of white walkers and the return of Wildlings plagued the land, she had gone on patrol with Rickon when they encountered a group of men called 'the bastard boys' who although with excessive violence were taking care of possible treats. They were lead by Ramsey; then Snow who quickly grew infatuated with Arya. It was because of their new found friendship that his father; Lord Roose, decided to legitimize him not wanting to anger Lord Stark of having a bastard running around with his daughter or so he claimed... He cared for her, everyone knew that. Ramsay often tired horses near death every day galloping between Winterfell and the Dreadfort only to see even if mere moments his Lady Arya. He had a hard, some would say cruel character but was tamed in Arya's presence. Year after year his affections grew stronger till the present day when words weren't necessary for Arya to know that Ramsay was in love with her but in return Arya only saw him as a dear friend. It was Jon who constantly told her to cut all ties with him for toying with a man's heart was worse than poking him with the pointy end.
"What do you think of him? Of Prince Gendry?..."- Ramsay said, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Just say what you want to say Ramsay, I am in no mood for your games today" She said while plopping down in the blanket with him. He flinched at her dismissal but said nothing.
"Well, I don't like him. Baratheon's have done Starks wrong, royals or not they have no business coming here"-
"So? Targaryen's started the whole war yet Jon lives with us! If your logic is to be followed not only would I have to part ways with my favorite person in the world but also Bolton's would have to be dealt with as well. I heard there a still wolf corpses hanging on the Dreadfort's walls"
"As long as I am alive house Bolton will be faithful to the Starks and I would never come between you and your cousin but... is he really? Your favorite person in the world; Jon?"- Ramsay asked doing a complete turn with his emotions. From rejection of the Prince to feeling insecure of his place. Arya closed her eyes as she felt him playing with her hair.
"Of course he is! But then again the world is so big, I have hardly had the chance to explore it and find someone I could favor more" She heard him sigh.
"Why must you? When you have everything you need right here? The people love you and your family is close, if... if you are looking to favor someone why not look who has been around you all this time?..."-
When Arya opened her eyes she was startled to see Ramsay's body and face too close hovering over her, his gaze was intense zooming on her lips and she knew he wanted to kiss her again. That she definitely didn't want! Although still a maiden; Arya knew what she could do with her body. Trips to pleasure houses in the Free Cities had though her how to seduce men but she still chose to retain her maidenhood out of respect for their parents and their family name and most importantly because of its value. Arya wasn't going to question the stupid importance of whom she shared her bed with but she was conscious that it was worth a great deal, she also knew how to play the stupid game of thrones. She could talk to Sansa and play the tomboyish part to perfection for her mother but she knew how to make men beg.
"What a strange shade of blue..." Arya absentminded said looking at Ramsay's eyes but thinking of Gendry's. His eyes were exquisite and very expressive, conveying millions of emotions at the same time. Very, very fine eyes that agreed with his handsome ruggish face. Unfortunately Ramsay though he was the one that was making Arya blush so he scooped down to kiss her when they were interrupted.
"Something wrong boy? That you felt the necessity of laying on the floor next to a Lady?"- Said Syrio Forell; who never turned down the chance of picking on Ramsay. 'No brains and no patience' he used to say of the Bolton Heir.
"I'm not a lady / Everything is perfectly fine" They both said in unison as they stood up from their improper position. Ramsey annoyed for being interrupted and Arya trying to shake the Prince out of her head.
"Yet again I am being sent to fetch you child. This time it is your mother that want's you back at the castle so you can start preparing for Lady Shireen's bridal shower. You are also requested Lord Bolton, I believe the King himself asked for you. You have spent far too much time alone in the woods, your absence has been more than noticed..."- Syrio said giving Arya a pointed look. She just rolled her eyes at him.
"Thank you Forel"- Ramsay said dismissing Syrio off just like Arya did to him once he offered her his hand.
"Take Cold Breeze with you. I will walk back to the castle" She needed to clear her head before tonight's festivities started, she was going to have a good dose of pampering from her mother if they where to dine with the Queen and the other ladies today.
"I could never teach you the womanly ways but I cannot help but think you are doing a poor job of reminding that boy what his place is"- Syrio said walking side by side with her.
"He knows his place Syrio"
"Does he? Because considering his place to be on top of you when you are being considered to be the Queen of Westeros isn't quite correct"- That made her laugh
"Who in their right mind would consider me queen material?"
"Stop spending too much time with Lord Ramsay child, you are becoming dense like him... Prince Gendry of course! And it would be unwise to play with a Kings heart..."-
"What do you think of him?" She asked. Without Jon she would rely on her dancing teacher for guidance.
"It doesn't matter what I think of him, for I am not the one whom he is waiting inconspicuously by the stables"-
"Something happened today... with the Prince" Syrio raised his eyebrows.
"I slipped. I broke into my own self, that has never happened to me!" Arya went on explain with great detail to Syrio her morning with the Crown Prince, every word exchanged to the T. When she finished he said nothing but continued to walk toward the castle.
"So?..."
"So what?"-
"Why did it happen? Is there some kind of spell that can weaken my mind making me lose my focus?" Syrio laughed making her angry but her senses made her look over to the stables. It was far and no one seemed to be there but she felt watched. Sansa's birds; she thought as she warged into one of her sister's many birds that roamed free in Winterfell. It wasn't that difficult; you can't be six feet tall and try to hide behind a small haystack. Prince Gendry was debating whether letting himself be known or running away not wanting her to know he had been waiting for her. It was somewhat... endearing. She snapped back to her body when Syrio laughed out laud.
"It's a spell alright... that not even the best Maegis have been able to figure out"- He said. In the end Prince Gendry decided to greet her.
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CATELYN POV:
Winterfell:
Everything went smoothly. The music was festive, the food was fresh, guest were talking freely and no swords where drawn between sides. The only thing that was missing was her younger daughter Arya.
Catelyn wandered the great hall as they celebrated the upcoming wedding between her forever baby boy Rickon and the sweet Shireen. Normally the last night would be spent apart but neither groom nor bride wanted to follow traditions and opted for a small get together with strictly family before the big day. At first Catelyn was worried; not because of Shireen for she was liked the minute she stepped foot on the castle but worried about Rickon's connection to the Baratheons but that was quickly tossed aside. It was clear that other than his bride to be Rickon only talked to her father Stannis ignoring the King altogether. None of them where still comfortable with the King and his court, the possibility of them leaving taking Arya along with them had everyone on their toes. Catelyn worried for both the kingdom and her daughter if she where to marry the Prince and one day become Queen.
As if sensing her mother's thoughts Arya finally came down. She was dressed in a plain but pretty pale yellow gown and had actually made an effort with her hair pinning it up somewhat southern style although Catelyn would bet that was Sansa's doing since they walked into the room laughing hand in hand.
Once inside Sansa was greeted by her betrothed Theon while Arya flew across the room into the person you would least suspect of; Stannis Baratheon! Catelyn very discretely hided her laugh as she saw Ramsey Bolton purse his lips as he grabbed yet another cup of ale and Prince Gendry looked like a little lost boy. If they where out for Arya's heart neither of them where a match for Jon Targaryen, well at least of one of his letters since Stannis had brought Arya news from her dearest cousin at the Wall. Arya was jumping up and down squealing with joy going up to her tip toes to kiss Stannis on the cheek, even the all mighty Stannis Baratheon blushed under her daughter's charm. Seeing that she was planning to bolt out of the feast to read as soon as possible Jon's letter Eddard came and asked her to dance.
"Mother could you please hold this for me?"- Arya asked her reluctant to part ways with the piece of paper.
"Of course my dear, I will guard it will my life" She said as father and daughter went to the dance-floor.
To my moon and stars... the letter was addressed. Seeing Ramsay Bolton follow every twist and turn Arya made while Gendry was doing his best to win the rest of the Stark siblings made Catelyn think about her daughter's various suitors, alternatives dare you say of ways of living and a conversation she had with her husband Eddard soon after they received word that the King was to return to Winterfell...
"My love I want to speak to you about Jon"
"I know, I know... I am already writing to Bejen so we can send him to The Wall. I don't even want to give that man a chance of trying something towards my nephew"-
"I trust you will do what is right but I wasn't referring to his living arrangements but more about his prospects and connections" Eddard squared his shoulders. Talking about Jon's matches was even worse than talking about Arya's. He was the last in line of one of, if not the oldest dynasty in Westeros. It didn't matter that the Targaryens went mad in the end, their blood was still royal, direct descendants of Old Valyria. It was just last month when Maege Mormont herself proposed a match with one of her daughters.
"Cat... it is not as easy as it sounds. I promised my sister I would take care of her son. A marriage with a Targaryen is an alliance, a deal that will ensure a family pure blooded children...pure blooded children with claim to the throne"-
"And what will you have? Jon alone till the rest of his days? The children, our children aren't babes anymore. He is more than capable of finding a suitable young girl to marry"
"Jon wont marry a suitable young girl, he will marry a house while his name will bring power. What will you have? Have him marry the Karstark girl and give them preference over us as their overlords? Or do you think he is better suited for the Umbers or the Thenn's? Because if you are looking for political strategy I would marry the boy to the Wilding Princess so I can take those bloody savages off my back!"-
"Ned... it doesn't have to reach the extremes. You forget that I adore that boy like he was one of my own! Come, come see" It was a cold rainy day in Winterfell as Lady Stark very quietly directed her Lord Husband to their library to find their daughter sound asleep while her cousin Jon read to her. A shiver went to Eddard's body as Catelyn knew what he was thinking; Rhaegar and Lyanna reincarnated. Arya was safely tucked in Jon's arms while he read out loud playing with her hair.
"It's not like that Cat... their love is not of passion but one of brother and sister. They won't marry for love"-
"But they are not brother and sister but cousins and I think you and I know better than to oppose a union because there is no love, one can learn to love" She spoke a brief remainder of how they came to wed in the first place.
"Must it be him?... Must it be her?..."- Eddard asked. More than often Catelyn caught her husband looking at their daughter run around with their nephew playing the 'what if' game. What if Rhaegar had lived? More importantly what if Lyanna had lived? Would she have opposed a such union?
"They are not star crossed lovers Eddard and if neither of them is interested in marriage why not be uninterested together? They can live here in Winterfell, that way Jon doesn't go anywhere south and we'll manage to keep an eye on Arya, that girl disappears far too much doing God knows what"
"Can we just focus on one problem at a time? Right now our main priority would be the King and his son."-
"Fine! But we'll end up the same place eventually. By the way how are you going to manage to drag Ramsay away from Arya during the Kings stay?"
"By all the Gods"- Eddard said running his hands trough his hair. "I liked it better when she could barely walk and Jon still hated girls"-
...
"See? Who said dressing up and feasts were boring? I think you look very happy to be here" Catelyn told Arya who had returned from dancing with her father and was greedily eyeing Jon's letter in her mother's hand.
"Mother pleeeeeeeeease hand me my letter! I have done everthing you asked and said that was worthy of a lady"- Arya said pouting up a storm.
"Arya..."
"Mother..."-
"Must you really go and read Jon's letter at this instant? It's Rickon's night, you should stay and keep him company!"
"Mother what if something is wrong with Jon? What if he's sick? What if he needs my help?"-
"If that where the case then Stannis would have said so my little wolf" Catelyn said looking with the corner of her eye at Prince Gendry who was trying his best to look as normal as possible while standing not so far away hopping to get Arya's attention. Ramsay chose to make his appearance.
"My Ladies..."- He said bowing to them. If Catelyn could describe Ramsay in one word it would be: consistent. He was good looking, made girls turn around but ignored them with uninterested favoring Arya. At first it was sweet but Catelyn had seen Ramsay's feelings grow over the years. Yes, he adored her daughter but he also had an air of possessiveness and entitlement that didn't sit well with her and that it would definitely not work on Arya, they would kill each other first.
"Would you do me the honor of granting me a dance my Lady?"- He said looking fondly at Arya who was in turn looking at the Prince. Catelyn acted fast.
"My daughter has something to do for me Ramsay but there a still many suitable young girls you can dance with. Jeyne! Come over dear! Why don't you dance with Lord Bolton?" Jeyne Poole was friends with Sansa and Catelyn had not missed the longing glances she took at Ramsay.
Ramsay seemed annoyed but said nothing, you didn't deny Catelyn Stark so he mumbled a faint 'my pleasure' while walking to the dance floor ahead of Jeyne not even holding her hand. It was the Prince's turn.
"My Ladies..."- Tonight the Prince was dressed in all black making it impossible to miss him. He looked like the villain everyone loved to hate in the stories making him look dangerously handsome but he's eyes held the kindness of his character as they where warm, inviting and right now focused on Arya who was dressed in yellow. Black and yellow; Baratheon colors; Catelyn thought...
"It is a happy evening Lady Catelyn. Thank so much for caring for my cousin, I shall forever be in your debt"-
"No need to thank me your Grace, Shireen is a sweet girl that deserves the best"
"It surprised me at first when I learned the news of her engagement but as I got to know your son I was glad they found each other. I think they make a perfect couple together, I hope one day I am lucky enough to find a similar match as well"- Both the Prince and Arya blushed at his words. Arya coughed and straitened her back.
"Mother?"- She said looking at her letter. God she was stubborn, that was a Stark trait, not Tully!
"Forgive I am clearly interrupting something"- Said the Prince.
"Not at all it's just that I received a letter from my cousin Jon and I'd very much would like to read it"- Replied Arya.
"So you are excusing yourself for the night? But you just got here!"- The Prince looked crestfallen and Arya out of place. Interesting...
"Here..." Catelyn said handing Arya the letter "BUT you have one hour to read it and then you have to come right back to the feast"
"Of course Mother"-
"AND you will not leave the castle grounds. In fact why not go read the letter in the library? I have heard you are an avid reader your Grace, you should go and look at my husband's vast book collection"
"I wouldn't want to impose"- He replied with grace.
"Not at all, the library is big enough for the both of us. You can come if you like..."- Arya said unsure of her words but the fact that she extended the invitation spoke volumes. The Prince was ecstatic.
"Then lead the way My Lady"- He said offering his arm to her. Whispers filled the room as the young couple left, Ramsay had abandoned Jeyne on the dance floor and was going to follow them but Bran stopped him for conversation.
"What are you doing my Love?"- Eddard spoke as he took her hand and kissed it.
"Nothing...just exploring different alternatives my Dear"
"Is it safe to leave then alone?"-
"You of all people worry for Arya's ability to defend herself?"
"I do not worry for Arya... I worry for the Prince; he has too much to handle with Arya"-
"I do not share the feeling, in fact... I think we should leave them alone for the time being and let them get to know each other. The faster they do that, the faster the royal court will leave, wasn't that what you said this morning?"
"Aye... I did, it's just seeing them together... Spirits walking around my head haunt me"- Catelyn wasn't present to see the whole love triangle between Rhaegar, Robert and Lyanna but she was tho the day of the Tourney at Harrenhal and she had seen how Lyanna; the most beautiful girl she had seen in her life was dotted upon by then Lord Baratheon. Anyone who saw that would definitely see the uncanny resemblance with Arya and Gendry.
"Then clear your head my Husband and dance with me!" She said leading them to the dance floor to dance the night away not before instructing one of the guards to steer everyone away from the library.
Hello FanFic Friends!
What there anything such as a 'ye'old bridal shower'? I don't know but I put it in there anyway lol
Give a round of applause to my boyfriend who gave me his laptop to write chapters for all of my stories, I think he's a keeper ;)
Hope you liked this one, already waiting for your reviews.
Remember to follow / favorite and I have to remind you yet again of my computer woes, since I have no computer.
Read ya next time and have a nice day :)