Chapter 9

Catelyn POV

This is the day of Arya's name day so I am currently checking to ensure that everything is in order for the feast this evening.

"Thank you. Everything should go perfectly tonight," I told the maids, then left the hall.

On my way back I passed through the training yard and saw Arya holding a small sword in her hand. I walked closer to investigate thinking a young lady shouldn't involve herself in such matters. I saw Jon beside her, leaning over her to show Arya how to hold it, Arya's cheeks turning a light scarlet as a result.

They both continued to swing their swords at each other playfully for a while. "Arya!" I shouted, startling her so much that she fell over.

"Yes mother," Arya replied as she quickly stood up.

"You should go get ready for the feast tonight!" I shouted in response.

"Just a minute, mother!" Arya yelled while grabbing her sword.

"Now, Arya," I said quickly, getting tired of this usual arguing I have with her.

"Bye Jon. I will see you tonight," Arya said with a bright smile on her face.

"Run along, little wolf. You don't want to cause any more trouble," Jon replied with a big smile of his own.

"Fine, but only because you said so nicely," Arya retorted with a pout then she ran inside the castle.

I followed my daughter inside after a brief nod of the head to Jon. He might be the one to tame my wild daughter yet.

Jon POV

I saw Arya sprinting towards the castle at her mother's instructions. I knew Lady Catelyn would disapprove of her daughter having a sword, so her actions didn't surprise me. The training session was brief but it will be worth all of her mother's raff to see Arya this excited. The look of wonder in her eyes, and to make some memories that I will treasure till the end of my days. Just as I was about to leave I ran into Robb walking towards me with a serious expression on his face.

"Jon you need to come with me. It's Father," Robb said in a tired tone. He lately has started to take on more lordly responsibilities.

"Sure. May I ask what it may be?" I questioned Robb.

"Knowing Father it has something to do with the war preparation.

I followed Robb into his father's solar where he was looking at various letters that were scattered across his desk.

"Father what is all of this?" Robb questioned him.

"Look for yourself," Eddard replied. I picked up one of the letters. It stated some account of an unknown massacre, villages being raised and people killed.

"Uncle, how? I asked straight after reading the letter.

"This is what they do boys. If we don't stop these Wildlings and fast, who knows what they might do," uncle Eddard said in a tired tone.

"So, how long do we have?" Robb questioned his father slowly.

"One month at the most…we still need to prepare, son," Uncle Eddard answered his son and went back to studying the various letters in front of him.

"Well, if that is all then I shall leave," I said while walking towards the door.

"Don't forget about the oh-so-important evening Jon," Robb responded with a smirk on his face.

"Oh, I would never forget about my bride's birthday.

I opened the huge oak door and continued to casually walk down the hall to get ready for my little wolf's name day.

Arya POV

Well here I am, stuck in a room with my darling sister for the past hour deciding what dress will make me look like a 'perfect lady'. No dress in the world will make me look pretty anyway, I am just a horse face like Sansa and her friends always tell me.

"Arya are you listening to me?" Sansa squeaked with her hands placed firmly on her hips.

"I was just distracted for a moment, Sansa," I apologised to my sister moving to stand beside her and the mountain of my clothes.

Sansa sighed and said,

"Look Arya, honestly you don't seem to care about being a laughing stock especially at a ball in your name of all places."

"What is the point, Sansa! I will look ugly anyway!" I snapped angrily.

Sansa stared at me for what seemed like forever likely processing what I have just said, as if it was some big revelation.

"Oh, Arya you can be pretty" Sansa said in a semi-caring voice. She then picked out a long grey dress and handed it to me.

"I will see you in the Great Hall," I replied quickly and Sansa awkwardly exited the room.

I grabbed the dress that Sansa had placed on my bed to examine it. Well it is quite tight fitting. I wonder why my mother would get a dress like this made for me.

I decided I had stalled enough, and if I wait any longer I will never hear the end of it from Sansa and my mother. The dress- after a great deal of effort to put on- clung to my body in certain places like a second skin. I turned around to look at myself in the mirror. I looked like a totally different person. This person is far cry from the usual horse face.

I am now standing in front of the large oak doors of the Great Hall and all I could hear was the amused voices coming from the many happy people inside. I know I am usually full of confidence but in occasions where I have to act like a lady, I feel like a frightened deer. I was just about to turn around and escape this situation before the embarrassment even started, but just my luck the large doors started to creek open thus taking away my other options.

Seeing no other option, I walked into the Great Hall. Sansa had a massive grin on her face as she quickly walked over to me.

"Oh, Arya," squealed Sansa and gave me a quick hug.

"Hey,wolf," Lydia shouted as she made her way over to me with her silky brown hair in a long plait.

"Lydia," I replied, shaking her hand.

"You look like such a lady," Sansa retorted with the grin still on her face.

"You definitely do look like one of those fancy ladies in the castles," Lydia commented after she gazed at me up and down. I felt very uncomfortable under their gazes that never seemed to leave me.

"Arya, the dance is starting," Sansa yelled as she scooted over to the middle of the floor with an unfamiliar man to join in the dance. The other girls were one by one joining my sister. I took the chance to move to a corner of the room as to not have to dance. Dancing usually results in me making a fool of myself.

Jon POV

I saw Arya hiding in the corner of the Hall. Finally I will get the chance to talk to her. The minute she entered the Hall, she was surrounded my Sansa. In that dress she was the scrawny girl no longer.

"Jon" Arya said timidly as she walked over to me. She was obviously overwhelmed by the amount of people.

"Arya would you do me the honour?" I replied with a smile.

"Jon, I don't know... I mean dancing, I would just make a fool out of myself," Arya whispered quickly, her face gaining a slight shade of red.

"Come on, Arya. Don't think about them. Just think about me and you," I retorted taking her hand and slowly leading her towards the other people dancing gracefully around the Hall.

"Okay, but only one dance Jon," Arya whispered in my ear in defeat.

"Sure," I whispered back. We began to dance slowly. I could feel her heart racing with every step we took. The other couples rushed past us with bright smiles and I could see Sansa giggling with a man, clearly loving every minute of it. I chuckled at the spectacle of it all.

"What is so funny?" Arya questioned me.

"Nothing," I replied Arya raised her eyebrow at me in response.

"It's just that you dance like a little baby bird," I responded quickly. Arya responded by giving me a playful nudge. That night continued on much the same with Arya beside me throughout, ignoring the stares from other people in the room.

The next chapter should be the all-important wedding. Thank you for all of your support in this story so far.