Jon led through the Hunters Gate and to the stables with Torrhen following closely behind. Once again, she didn't acknowledge the whispers of the small folk. Maybe they weren't talking about her possible betrothal, and instead wondering why she raced out of Winterfell so quickly? The thought gave her little comfort, but it was better than her first notions.

Robb was mounting his own horse with Theon when she rode up. They stopped and looked at her, before dismounting again. "Where were you?" her twin demanded as he led her horse into the stables.

Marrah shifted nervously as her direwolf trotted toward her happily. Quickly, she dismounted off the horse, not wanting to be kicked off instead. "Jon and I went for a ride into the Wolfswood," she told her anxious twin brother.

"Ser Rodrick said you rode so fast it was if something was chasing you," Theon informed her.

Only my responsibilities, she thought cynically. "So you were going to follow me?"

Theon shrugged. "We wanted to know what Lord Stark had said to you to make you leave in such a hurry." His mouth twisted into a smirk and he nudged Robb with an elbow. "Perhaps she's to marry and dislikes the husband Lord Stark."

Torrhen was not smiling. Neither was Jon, or Robb for that matter. "Then Lord Stark had probably suggested you," Jon bit back.

It annoyed Torrhen when he continued smirking. Her hand itched to slap the stupid smile off his face. "Oh come, now Torrhen. I'm not that bad," he defended himself with a look in his eye that Torrhen wanted to slap off more than his stupid smirk.

Instead, she ignored her fathers ward and looked toward her twin. He didn't seem as amused as he usually did during these banters. Robb's Tully blue eyes were solely trained on her, watching her intensely. Another sigh escaped her lips as she realised she had to tell him now or else he would nag her all day about it.

"Robb will you accompany me to the Godswood?" she asked him.

The searching look he was giving her didn't waver as he nodded, and took her arm. "What about me?" Theon asked after them.

"Later," both twins called out to him as they left.

Silence hung between them as they walked toward the Godswood, with their young direwolves following behind them. Robb knew it was serious if his twin sister wanted to speak alone in the Godswood. There they only spoke the truth, no matter the topic, that is what Father had taught them. There under the eyes of the heart trees of the Old Gods they were free to think and speak. It worried Robb to think that Torrhen was so anxious over whatever father had said to her that it needed to be said in the Godswood.

Perhaps it is a marriage? Robb thought to himself. Father has found someone suitable for his sister, and her new husband was going to take her away from him to have a family of their own. Theon and he always joked about Torrhen's future marriage, guessing husbands and purposely matching her with horrid men that they knew she hated just to irk her. All the jokes aside, Robb had always thought that his sister would marry Theon, that she would put aside the whatever dislike she had for him and marry him so that Theon would finally be his brother, and Torrhen would never go far. A life without his twin sister around was a life he did not want.

Once the entered the Godswood, Torrhen went to sit in front of the heart tree on the snow, her direwolf laying next to her resting its face in her lap. The cold never bothered her much, it bothered Robb a lot more but suffered in silence. The cold can wait until Torrhen has said her peace. She was silent for a while, staring at her ever-shifting hands. It was a nervous habit of hers, an annoying one too. But he would wait for her to speak. If Robb pushed her to say whatever she intends to, he'll never get an answer. They would get mad at each other and nothing either of them had wanted to say would be said. No, he had to be patient.

And then it was rewarded. "King Robert has honoured Father with a match for me," Torrhen started, still not meeting Robb's eyes. She couldn't look at him, not while saying this. "It was Jon Arryn suggested before he died and King Robert feels he should honour it as his last request. It is also beneficial to the Crown, as it gets rid of a good portion of debt that King Robert is in."

Robb's mind whirled as he absently stroked Grey Wind. "And who has he suggested?" he asked slowly, almost afraid of the answer. Who had the power to get rid of some of king's debt?

Torrhen took a deep breath of the cold, northern air as she finally looked up to meet her brother's gaze. "Jaime Lannister."

It was like time had frozen. Robb definitely had. His eyes stayed frozen on her face as he stared, not saying a word. Torrhen wasn't sure if he was breathing. She started counting the seconds before he said something, wondering what he could be thinking. Then she realised that she should've at least given her father an answer before she told Robb. Ever the protective brother, he would try and talk her out of it without realising that she had been trying not to do that all morning.

"Jaime Lannister," Robb said quietly, testing his name. "The Kingslayer," he said a little louder. "The King wants you to marry the Kingslayer."

"Yes," she answered quietly, not quite sure if he had wanted an answer.

"Because Jon Arryn wanted it so that there would be less debt."

Again. she confirmed what her brother had said. Then Robb was quiet again, which made Torrhen more nervous. He had gone blank, his face absolutely void of all emotion but she could tell he was thinking harder than ever, his blue eyes had never been so vivid in that moment. Oh, how she wished he could angry at her, at least then she would know what he's thinking. This brooding silence was making her both nervous and uncomfortable. Wasn't this the reaction she had wanted? He wasn't openly angry at her, it seemed. He certainly wasn't yelling at her, and yet it was unsettling all the same. If not, more so.

"He's on the Kingsguard, they aren't allowed to marry," Robb finally said, still in a quiet and calm voice that unsettled Torrhen.

"King Robert is releasing him for a third of the Crown's debt," Torrhen answered slowly.

"You're going to refuse, right?"

An involuntary sigh escaped her. Torrhen was afraid of this happening, almost as much as Robb being angry at her. She'd rather he just last out at her and have it over with. "Robb -" she started.

"You have to! You can't marry the Kingslayer!" Robb started to protest.

"I have no choice, Robb!"

"Yes, you do-"

"No, I don't! If I refuse, Tywin Lannister would take it as a slight against him, like he did to King Aerys! And we can't afford to have the Lannister's as an enemy!" She exclaimed exasperated. She hoped Robb would see things her way, she wanted him to understand.

"She's right, Robb," the grave voice of their father said. Both twins turned to look at their father who approached them. He sat in front of his children, facing the heart tree of his Gods. "It is important for the Starks and Lannisters to get along, and Torrhen shall secure peace between us with her marriage to Jaime Lannister."

"I have my own responsibilities as you have yours, brother," Torrhen told him quietly, linking her arm in his in what she hoped would be a comforting gesture.

"So you're going through with it?" Robb asked, in a defeated tone that made Torrhen inwardly cringe. Her lord father looked at her expectantly as well.

nwardly sighing, she clutched at her brothers arm a little tighter. "Yes, I have to. I will marry Jaime Lannister."

Being betrothed should feel different in Torrhen's mind. Although, she didn't know what to expect when she did become betrothed, it sure wasn't this. In all her life, she had never felt more alone now than she did when her marriage was announced to the people of Winterfell. Never before had her brothers prevented her from sparring with them, not since they were children. Instead, she was forced to attend with her sisters and Princess Myrcella with their Septa. It seemed like everyone was treating her differently now, they were treating her like a proper lady. Even Theon Greyjoy had seemed more reserved now that she was set to marry Ser Jaime. Silently, she cursed everyone that had forced her into this damned arrangement, including herself for agreeing to it.

The only things she was allowed to do anymore was go out riding. Hodor was nice enough company at least, but he didn't have particularly invigorating conversation considering he could only say his own name. It had been entirely two days since the announcement and Torrhen already missed her brothers, and she still saw them at meal times and infrequently during the day. How was she supposed to go to Kingslanding, and then move on to Casterly Rock if she can't be without their constant company for more than two day? She hoped that they would come to the capital for her wedding at least.

Torrhen was standing, brushing down her horse Marrah after another ride. She'd left the Septa's lessons early despite Arya begging her to stay. Torrhen couldn't sit there stitching stupid patterns after the Septa made that comment of giving it as a gift to her betrothed and Sansa babbling about their marriages. The Septa let her go after she told her that she wasn't feeling well, which was partly true. She wasn't feeling well, she was feeling like she was going to stab someone in the eye with the needle in her hand.

"Planning to run away, are you?" an arrogant voice that Torrhen was all too familiar with called out to her.

Paying him no mind, Torrhen continued methodically brushing the horse. "No," she answered curtly. "Aren't you supposed to be swatting at royal princelings?"

The gate opened behind her, and Torrhen assumed that her fathers ward had stepped inside the stable with her. "No. Only Stark's get that honour. I'd love a shot at that little prick, though."

She scoffed at Theon, after deciding that Marrah was properly brushed. "The Hound will beat you for Prince Joffrey, he doesn't care enough about you to do it himself."

That may have been a little harsh to say but Torrhen was in no mood to deal with Greyjoy, now or ever. He didn't miss a beat. "What about your lord husband, then? Would he care enough to duel with me?"/

"He isn't my lord husband." Not yet. "And no, he wouldn't. He doesn't care about anything."

Planning to walk away from Theon and his wretched words, Torrhen tried to get past him to get out of the stall. Theon had other ideas, however. He grabbed her arm, and tightened his grip almost painfully. Immediately, Torrhen began to try and pull her arm out of his iron grip. It wasn't working, Theon was too strong for her.

"Then why did you decide to marry him? Because he's handsome?" he began to question in low, threatening tones.

"What- No!" she protested, desperately trying to pull her arm back.

The iron-born boy was relentless. "Because he's wealthy, then? Or because you think he's good."

"Good at what? Theon let me go!"

"Good at bedding girls," Theon said mockingly, as the grip his hand had got tighter and began to hurt Torrhen. "I've heard the Kingslayer is just as good with his sword in bed than he is in the yard."

"You think- ?! No! I don't care about that, let me go!" Pulling at her arm wasn't enough. If Theon refused to let her go soon, she would forced to hurt him.

His voice became low and menacing now, dropping down to a tone that she's never heard from him. Theon stepped closer to her now, and Torrhen stepped back. She didn't want to be in this situation, not again. Not with someone she knew. Her protests became feeble as she tried to repress the memories.

"But I'm better," he hissed. "I'll make it so whenever the Kingslayer touches you, all you'll think of is me. I'll do things to you-"

"If I were you," a bored voice called out. "I'd let the lady go."

Theon twisted around to see the golden Kingslayer standing at the gate of the stall. He was in his Kingsguard armour, with his hand perched casually on his sword and the slightest hint of a smirk on his face. Although he made it seem like his hand just happened to rest nonchalantly on his hilt of his sword, Torrhen knew that it was the vaguest hint of a threat. She had never been more grateful to see Ser Jaime than she was in that moment. Theon, however, refused to back down to the likes of the Kingslayer.

"This doesn't concern you, Kingslayer," the kraken spat the last work, tightening his grip on Torrhen.

Whatever amusement Ser Jaime held vanished. Torrhen expected him to glare heatedly at Theon for his choice of words, but as she had just met the golden lion, her expectations were wrong. Instead, his smirk widened into a malicious smile that held a promise of blood; Theon's blood. He took a step forward into the stall, and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.

"On the contrary, Greyjoy. Lady Torrhen is now my betrothed, everything she does concerns me. And I do believe that my bride-to-be does not wish to speak to you anymore. So let her go."

The last words said by Ser Jaime had more of an edge to them than anything she'd heard him say thus far. Even Theon was stunned into silence. There was a tense moment of silence between the three of them. Theon didn't budge with his tight grip of her arm, Ser Jaime stood casually gripping at the hilt of his sword, and Torrhen watched, wishing she could be anywhere else than standing in the stall with them.

Finally, Greyjoy released her arm and Torrhen almost cried out in relief as she cradled her throbbing arm against her. He didn't even look at her as he stormed out of the stables, brushing past Hodor who was standing at the door to the stables, patiently waiting outside. Ser Jaime stared at Greyjoy until he was out of his sight before he turned to Torrhen to see her staring after Theon as well.

Ser Jaime noticed how cold her grey eyes were as she stared after Greyjoy. He actually noticed more than the colour of eyes this time. Since he had arrived at Winterfell with the king's court, Jaime had only dared to watch her from afar. At first he felt ashamed for watching her like he did, he felt like he was betraying Cersei. But he reminded himself that he was supposed to marry this girl and they'd do more than just staring at each other, so looking wasn't as bad as it felt. From afar, he only saw the colour of her eyes, the curls of her hair and the curve of her smile. Standing this close to her, he could see so much more. That her eyes weren't the same as her father's. A stormy grey filled with amusement replaced the stony seriousness of Ned Stark. Of course, that's not what he saw now. It was a cold grey, filled with hurt and hatred for the iron boy that had just left their presence.

"Are you alright, my lady?" he asked, more out of politeness than anything else. It was true, she was his bride-to-be which is the only reason he intervened. He never cared about what anyone thought of him, but his father would have his head if he heard that Jaime was letting some kraken abuse his betrothed. And no doubt Cersei would have a field day, just listing reasons why he would make an incompetent husband like Robert. His twin was upset with him for his forced marriage, and had become both irresistible and exasperating as of late.

Torrhen's eyes flicked to him and where he expected disgust from an honourable Stark, he saw relief and shame. "I'm fine, thank you for making him let go, my lord."

He eyed for a moment, wanting to find a fault in her words, but she seemed genuine. The only thing she was lying about was being fine. Torrhen still cradled her arm close to her and Jaime could tell by the awkwardness in the action that it pained her more than she was letting on.

"You should probably see your Maester about your arm, it may be sore for a few days."

She looked surprised and glanced down at her arm, rubbing it lightly. "You're right, I shall go now."

With a nod, he stepped out of the way and let her bustle past. She seemed like she couldn't get out of the stable fast enough, and it amused Jaime greatly. He was going to have fun pushing her past her comfort limits.

Before she could fully escape, though, Jaime spoke up again. "You know, it was rather strange that he attack you in the middle of the day."/

Torrhen paused in her footsteps, wondering where he was going with this. "Perhaps he was drunk," she suggested quietly. Or desperate.

"He didn't stink of wine," Jaime observed as he turned to her. He noticed that she had her back towards him, facing toward the simple stable boy who guarded the stable doors. "No, he seemed desperate. Almost like... a rejected lover."/

A smirk crossed Jaime's face as the Stark girl whipped around and stared at him in horror. The golden knight knew that that wasn't true, he had overheard most of their conversation and knew the girl was a maiden. The Stark's were too honourable to be otherwise, and this girl was more Stark than her brother was. Still, it amused him to see his betrothed so horrified at his suggestion.

"What? No! I would never -!" she sputtered, and Jaime watched as her face heated in shame.

He chuckled at her shame and embarrassment. "I know, my lady. I was jesting."

Her horrified expression faded. Now, she just seemed embarrassed. "Oh," Torrhen said simply, not knowing what to say next. "I have- I have to go see the Maester."

With that, Torrhen turned and walked toward the castle, Jaime staring after her with a smirk on his face. Maybe this marriage won't be bad after all, Jaime thought to himself. Indeed, he was going to have fun corrupting Ned Stark's innocent daughter.