Gianna held Arya by the wrist as she escorted her out of the feast. She didn't look at the young girl, for fear that she would burst out laughing. She knew she had to reprimand her for her wild behavior, but the bewildered look on Sansa's face when the pudding had hit her had been too hilarious not to enjoy.

They had barely left the hall when Robb caught up to them.

"Arya, you have to stop antagonizing your sister like that," he scolded.

"It's alright, Robb," Gianna said. "I'll handle it."

But Robb continued to keep pace with the girls.

"I'll help you walk her to her room," he insisted.

Arya snorted, and Gianna looked at the two of them quizzically.

"Alright then..."

When they reached Arya's room, Gianna instructed the maids to get her changed into her nightgown and washed up for bed immediately. Before leaving she looked at the small girl.

"You haven't heard the last of this, Arya," she reprimanded. "And you best be prepared for whatever wrath Sansa is going to unleash on you tomorrow for embarrassing her like that in front of the prince."

Arya merely shrugged as the maids began to untie her corset.

Gianna sighed and closed the door behind her. When she turned around she found Robb waiting expectantly. She could tell that there was something he wanted to say.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" she asked.

Robb's face broke out into a huge smile. "Absolutely," he said.

They walked down the dimly lit corridor. Below them they could still hear the echoes of conversation and laughter at the feast.

They made their way through the main gate and into the Godswood. It wasn't until they reached the "heart tree", a weirwood with the melancholy face of one of the old gods carved into it, that Gianna stopped and turned to her friend.

"Alright, Robb. Out with it now. What's on your mind?" Robb didn't say anything, just looked at the girl.

He took in her large caramel colored eyes framed by dark lashes. Her long brown hair with golden highlights that peeked through even in the darkness. She was strong and beautiful and all he had ever dreamed of wanting.

Gianna couldn't decipher the expression on Robb's face. His brow was furrowed as if he was confused, but his happy grin was steadily growing larger by the second.

Before she could speak, Robb crushed his lips to hers.

Gianna was so startled, she didn't move. Robb pushed her back against the weirwood tree, lips still hungrily moving against hers.

His hands moved to her waist. Finally recovering from the shock, Gianna put her hands against his chest and pushed him back hard.

They both looked at each other, panting.

"What was that?!" Gianna yelled. She couldn't quite place what she was feeling in the moment, but bewilderment and confusion were definitely prominent.

Robb didn't say anything at first. He seemed genuinely confused that she wasn't as thrilled as he was by the action.

Gianna began to storm away. She was a Targaryen AND a Baratheon for god's sake. She didn't have to wait on the explanation of a man.

Robb grabbed her arm. "Gianna, wait," he said.

She looked at him, wordless.

"I just needed you to know how I felt."

When she didn't immediately yell back at him, he continued.

"I know neither of us know what the future holds right now, but I know that I want you in mine. I haven't been able to sleep or eat or fight. All I could think about was doing what I just did. I want us to be together."

Gianna couldn't believe what she was hearing. This was Robb of all people, one of her best friends since infancy. He had practically been her brother all these years. But in the back of her mind, she knew that wasn't entirely true.

She too had noticed a change in Robb in the past year. He had grown several inches, and his shoulders had broadened. His voice had deepened. His face had angles in places where before it had not, and facial hair had sprouted around his chin. He had a man's body now, and no girl in the Seven Kingdom's would deny that he was strikingly handsome.

But still, it was Robb.

He was still waiting for her response.

She wanted to tell him that it was okay and that they could talk it out. She wanted to tell him a lot of things, but instead she merely stood there. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish on the shoreline, gasping for breath, but no words came out.

All she could manage was a gentle squeeze of his hand before she bolted from the Godswood back towards the castle.

She was fuming now and near tears. As she stormed back inside, her mind was flooded with a million thoughts.

How dare he! He knew she didn't have a choice in any of this. The king would either execute her or marry her off to some old powerless lord who wouldn't be a threat. How dare Robb put such fanciful ideas into her head.

All she wanted was the comfort of her warm bed and to forget about tonight and the bleak unclear future awaiting her.

The sound of metal swords clashing echoed loudly through the courtyard as Jon and Theon faced off in the practice arena.

"Uncle Benjen was at the feast last night," Jon said as he quickly sidestepped Theon's blade. "Your father's brother?" asked Theon. "The First Ranger of the Night's Watch?"

"Ay," Jon replied. He lunged at his friend, but he missed. "He said I can come with him back to the Wall. I'm going to take the black."

Theon halted. In the split second of shock, he had let his defenses down and Jon landed a glancing blow to his right shoulder. Theon didn't even react.

He had known someday something like this would happen. He just hadn't expected it so soon.

After his father, Lord Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, attempted rebellion and failed, Theon had come to Winterfell as a ward when he was only eight years old. Like Gianna, he had grown up with the Starks, and Jon and Robb had become his closest friends. He wasn't ready to lose one of them quite yet.

Jon thrust, and he parried the incoming blow.

"Well," Theon began with a snide smirk. "Let me thank you ahead of time for guarding us all from the perils beyond the wall. You know, saving us from the wildlings and white walkers and whatnot."

Jon could tell Theon was being sarcastic, condescension was practically dripping off his every word.

"The Night's Watch protects the realm from..."

"Ah yes, against grumpkins and snarks and all the other monsters your wet nurse warned you about," Theon interrupted.

Jon swung again angrily. If Theon didn't know better, he'd think he was actually trying to hurt him.

"And what about Arya, Bran, and Robb," Theon persisted. He threw a jab at every name he mentioned. "Lovely thing about the Watch. You discard your old family and get a whole new one."

Jon stopped and lowered his sword. Theon did the same. The two boys looked at each other solemnly from across the field.

"The Wall isn't going anywhere," said Theon.

"I'm ready to swear their oath," insisted Jon.

Theon got angry again. The Snow boy could be too stubborn for his own good.

"You don't understand what you'd be giving up! They have no families! None of them will ever father sons!"

Jon was getting upset now too. "I don't care about that," he said. But a slight crack in his voice betrayed him.

Theon saw his opening. "You might, if you knew what it meant," he said, looking pointedly up at the window of Gianna's bedroom.

Jon's words stuck in his throat, and it felt as though there was a large stone in the pit of his stomach. He was sure that the Targaryen girl was the only woman he'd ever fall in love with, but there was nothing he could do about that. He looked at Theon.

"What's my name?" he asked.

Theon could sense the trap in the question, but played along anyway.

"Jon Snow," he said.

"And why is my surname Snow?" John continued to press.

"Because you're a bastard from the North," answered Theon, still unsure of what his friend was implying.

"I can inherit no land or title," said Jon. "I would have nothing to offer a girl like her, and besides she's one of the last Targaryens and a blood relation to the king. He'll sell her off like swine to the highest bidder. A bastard like me would never stand a chance."

Theon was silent. He knew that Jon was right. Perhaps going to the Wall would be what was best for him.

"Besides," continued Jon. "We've guarded the kingdoms for 8,000 years. It's an honorable path."

Theon frowned. "Is it 'we' already? Have you taken your vows, then," he mocked.

"Soon enough," answered Jon.

Theon recognized a lost cause when he saw one.

"Well then, give my regards to the Night's Watch. I'm sure it will be thrilling to serve in such an elite force. And if not...it's only for life."

Gianna sat in her bedroom wringing her hands together over and over again. Lord Stark had sent word that he was coming to speak with her, and Gianna knew what it would be about. The King would be leaving in a few days, and besides a few angry glares in her direction, he had barely acknowledged her presence.

She tried to focus on her breathing. Her maids were sitting in such nervous silence behind her, she could almost feel the anxiety and tension coursing through the air. She wanted to scream at them to leave, but before she could there was a knock at the door.

Gianna relaxed her clenched fists. She had been expecting soldiers to charge in at any moment. If King Robert was going to execute her, he wouldn't have knocked first.

"Come in," she breathed.

Lord Stark entered the room. Even though he was moving normally, Gianna could have sworn he was going slower than molasses on a hot summer afternoon.

She stood and curtseyed, and he gestured for her to sit down before pulling up a sit across from her. When he didn't say anything, Gianna felt her heart jump from her chest. Perhaps the King had decided to kill her after all.

Lord Stark cleared his throat before speaking, and Gianna noticed that he wouldn't look her in the eye.

She felt if she waited another moment, her heart would burst. Despite the impropriety, she spoke first.

"News from the King, my lord?" she asked. She had started wringing her hands again. Lord Stark nodded, finally looking her in the eyes.

"I'll be honest with you, little dove," he said. "He wanted to kill you. His hatred for the Targaryens has not diminished these past sixteen years."

Gianna held her breath.

"But," continued Lord Stark. "The South needs allies in the North. We are as vast as we are wild, and there's no better way to form an alliance than through a noble marriage."

Gianna nodded. It would be a betrothal then, and one in the North too. She hoped the it would be to one of the lords close to Winterfell and the family who had become her own.

"Gianna..."

She could throttle the man for speaking so slowly. "How would you like to stay in Winterfell?"

A million thoughts raced through her head at once. Stay in Winterfell? What on earth was he talking about? He had said there would be a marriage alliance. She couldn't very well bring her husband here.

"With Sansa betrothed to Joffrey, the King agreed to the further uniting of our houses. I know it might feel strange having grown up together, but I think over time you and Robb could make each other quite happy."

It finally hit her then. Robb. Had he put his father up to this? She was thrilled to be keeping her head, and even more ecstatic at the prospect of staying in Winterfell of course. But she had always assumed she would be sent to marry a stranger; one whom she would never love, but hopefully would be able to tolerate. But Robb?

She felt the same swirling emotions in her stomach that she had the night before when he had kissed her. She might have feelings for him sure, but everything was moving so fast. Her head began to spin. It was only then that she realized she still hadn't responded to Lord Stark, who was sitting there with a look of great concern on his face.

"...Gianna?" He lightly tapped her shoulder.

Gianna managed to ground herself enough to produce a small smile.

"Of course, my lord," she breathed. "That would be most wonderful."

It clearly wasn't the reaction he had been hoping for. He had expected tears of joy or for her to jump into his arms shouting with gratitude.

He stood to leave. When he was at the door, Gianna stopped him.

"My lord," she began. "You said the king wanted to execute me. You persuaded him otherwise?"

Ned Stark nodded. "Ay."

"What exactly did he say then, when he agreed to let me live?"

Lord Stark chuckled darkly before grinning at her. "He said you'd end up killing us all."

Gianna let out a weak laugh and watched Lord Stark leave. The door closed softly behind him.

Now that he was gone, she had a moment to think. She had to try and clear her head. She needed to talk to Robb.

Robb sat in his chambers with his head in his hands. He was replaying the events from the night before in a continuous loop in his mind. The way Gianna's lips had felt on his and how angrily she had pushed him away.

How could he have been so stupid? Of course she didn't feel the same, and now he had made everything worse.

A soft knock interrupted his miserable thoughts. "Come in," he mumbled through his hands.

His mother entered the room. Robb stood up slowly to greet her, but she quickly motioned for him to sit back down.

"Something on your mind?" she asked. Robb shook his head. It certainly wasn't something he was going to discuss with her, regardless of how close they were.

"There's something I need to talk to you about." Robb nodded for her to continue.

"I have always believed that you would be able to choose your own path in life. I wanted you to marry a woman you loved and have a beautiful family."

Robb stared at her, confused.

"But there's been a change of plans, dear," said Lady Stark.

Robb felt the breath leave his body. This was not the conversation he had been expecting when his mother had entered the room.

"The King has made a decision on Gianna's fate."

Robb clenched his fist in anticipation, not yet having made the connection his mother was implying.

She paused, clearly nervous about his reaction.

"Well, as long as he was here making alliances in the North, he has decided that it would be safest for her to stay here in Winterfell where we can keep a close eye on her."

Robb's laugh bellowed across the room, and a bright smile lit up his face. The earlier portion of their conversation completely forgotten, he reached over and picked his mother up into a bear hug.

"She's staying," he repeated. "He's letting her live, and she's staying!"

Upon seeing her son's joy, Lady Stark finally relaxed. When he put her down, she smiled back at her son.

"That's not everything, Robb."

He stopped. What else could there possibly be?

"The King has decided that the two of you will wed. Gianna will become Lady Stark of Winterfell someday, and you will be her husband."

Robb froze. He searched his mother's eyes for any sign of jest or deceit. He found none. "I have to go see her," he practically yelled.

"Robb!" Lady Stark shouted, but it was too late. He was already at the door.

Immediately, she commanded the guards to grab him. Robb struggled against their arms. "Robb, you cannot go charging in there like a madman," his mother chastised. "Give her time to process the news, and when she's ready..."

She trailed off. Just down the hall stood Gianna, staring at the two men holding Robb back.

Their eyes locked, and in that second the emotion on Robb's face was all Gianna needed to see. She knew now, that this was the only man she wanted to marry. Realizing what she was thinking almost immediately, the joyful smile returned to Robb's face. He pushed the two soldiers out of the way and ran toward the girl at the end of the hall.

Sweeping her up in his arms, he spun her around in a great circle before pulling her towards him for a kiss.

"Alright, that is enough," scolded Lady Stark. She was moving toward them quickly now. "You are not married yet!"

Kahlan was currently sitting on her favorite terrace in Winterfell. Every time she came to visit her cousins she would sit there and read whatever tomes she could convince the maester to lend her. Today however, she had been asked by her father to meet at the special spot. She had already been waiting for several minutes, and was debating whether or not to go and look for him, when he finally appeared.

She stood and curtseyed, and he waved for her to sit back down. The large, gaunt man pulled up a chair across from her.

He didn't say anything at first. Finally, he reached across the table and grabbed her hand in his own. Kahlan's heart immediately began to race. This wasn't like her father at all. The man she knew never hesitated for words or lingered on tender gestures. Instead, he preferred blunt discussion and decisive action.

After what felt like a millenia, he spoke.

"Kahlan, as you know your cousin Sansa will be leaving with her father for King's Landing in a few days. She is promised to Prince Joffrey, and will one day be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms."

Kahlan nodded, unsure of where he was leading.

"Ned has also decided to bring Arya along with him as well, in order to raise her as a proper noble lady in the country's capital."

This was a surprise to Kahlan. She had expected Arya to stay at Winterfell with her mother. Regardless, she couldn't see why her father had felt the need to tell her this now. Luckily, he continued.

"Kahlan, your mother and I have decided that it would be in the best interest for your future if you went South with your cousins as one of Sansa's ladies-in-waiting."

He stopped there, looking to Kahlan for a response.

She let the information sink in for a moment. On one hand, going to King's Landing would be a grand adventure just like the ones she read in the old stories. On the other, she would have to leave her family and the comforts of home. She would have to leave Artemis and Gianna.

Kahlan's brow furrowed, and then she thought of him. Jaime Lannister. A shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold northern wind.

She knew it was stupid to think anything would ever develop between her and the Queen's brother. Even if he wasn't a member of the Kingsguard, thus forbidden from taking a wife or fathering a child, there was no reason to believe he'd ever look twice at her.

But even if that was the case, she was sure to find a suitable husband at Court. Certainly the prospects would be a lot better than if she stayed in Winterfell. If there was one thing Kahlan was positive of, it was that she fully intended on marrying well.

All in all, going to the capital felt right.

So she took a deep breath to try and calm the churning butterflies in her stomach, and she answered her father.

"Well, then I best go and pack."

On her way back to her room, Kahlan decided to see if she could find Artemis out in the stables. She wanted to tell her friend the news before she heard it from someone else.

As she crossed the courtyard, she heard a shout. Moments later Bran Stark's body landed in front of her.