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Ned Stark walked into the gardens. He sighed after the meeting looking for Robert. He walked into the gardens. He was not looking around him.
"Problems, Lord Stark?" Raena asked coming from an outcropping of gardens.
Starlight was by her side. Ned turned and looked at his son would-be wife if he agreed to the match. He still did know what to make of her. She was a beauty there was no question of that. She had intelligence behind her eyes as she looked at world around her. She eyes always seemed so guarded. She was hiding something Ned just didn't know what.
"Nothing that you can help me with Lady Arryn;" Ned answered.
"You can call me Raena, Lord Stark. And I wouldn't be so sure of that. You are looking for King Robert." Raena stated as she moved closer to Ned.
Her eyes looked around garden. She noticed a few people all servants of castle. They were all spy to someone. It was just the matter of who they were spies for. Her eyes landed once again on Ned. Ned took in her as she watched the people in the garden. She was right he was looking for Robert.
"How..." Ned asked slight shocked.
"I don't pretend to know what goes on in the small council meeting. And truthfully I don't want to know. I know the crown is in debt. My father told me that much." Raenera started. Ned looked at her with wide eyes. She was not the simple courtly lady she was much more than that. He saw that now. She did in a way remind him of Lyanna. She tilted her head looking at him. She quickly decided to take pity on Lord Stark. "His grace is out whoring or drinking or hunting not necessary in that order; most likely more than one of them. I don't know which one but that is where he is. Queen Cersei is with her precious boy Joffery. Tommen and Myrcella are as with their nurse. Myrcella and Tommen are playing with kittens most likely. He has fondness for them. And Myrcella is sweet girl. Queen Cersei does not much time with other children other than Joffery."
"Joffery was injured on our journey Lady Raena" Ned tried to justify.
"By a wolf I hear" Raena said softly.
"I was order by to kill my daughter's wolf because it. A wolf that looks remarkably like your pet Lady Arryn" Ned admitted
His eyes landed on Starlight as Starlight moved closer to Raenera. She looked down at Starlight. Starlight seemed to like Lord Stark more so then Jaime. Starlight eyes looked up at her mistress with tilt of her head.
"Starlight is a dog Lord Stark. She is gift from my name day. I received her two days before my name day. Two days later my father was dead leaving me alone. So Starlight is my constant companion. I never had been farther than outside gates of king landing. How do think I got a wolf. Oh no, not a wolf. She is a dog. A dog, that King Robert knows about. And he allows me to keep here at castle." Raena countered.
Ned and Raenera both regarded each other. She looked around the gardens. Her hand sank into the silky fur of Starlight's head. They met eyes again. Her purple eyes peer deep into his grey eyes.
"I know you are hiding something Lady Arryn." Ned stated.
"You will quickly learn Lord Stark. Most people here are. I admit that there is more to me than meets the eye. But Starlight is not it."Raenera admitted.
Raenera walked away with Starlight on her tail. She paused for a moment looking over her shoulder.
"Christor Fyshe, he is best toy maker in Kings Landing. He makes all of Princess Myrcella toys. He made a most of mine as well. I don't think it will fix your relationship with your daughter but it could be a start" Raena started. She truly started to like Lord Stark. He in many ways reminded her of her father. She regarded him he looked slight lost in this world. Her purple eyes landed on his. She bowed her head slightly before she spoke looking around to who was here once again. "And Lord Stark, do me a favor; don't trust anyone." Raenera finished.
Before she turned and walked away. Ned watched her leave. She was something else. He wondered if that included her. That was the least guarded he had seen her eyes. He was going to find out what she was hiding he quickly determine before he decided if she would wed Robb or not.
Raena sat in her room the two days. A knocked sounded at the door. Starlight looked up from her spot. Ser Jaime stood outside her door. She could hear Starlight sub vocal growl. She looked over to Starlight then back to Jaime. She tilted her head
"The King requests your presence." Jaime stated.
Starlight made the move closer to her mistress baring her teeth to him. She looked down at Starlight running her hand through her fur. Before, she lifted her eyes to look at Jaime. The look reminded him a look the Cersei wore at times. He looked up and down her body. Hell, she was beautiful nearly as breath taking as Cersei. She was dressed in sky blue gown made of silk and Myrish lace lined in satin with bird embroidered on the bodice in silver tread.
"Starlight, it is alright. Stay here." Raenera ordered.
Jaime offered her his arm. She politely declined walking in pace with him instead. She really looked nothing like Lord Arryn. It made him question her parentage. But, the rest of the Royal family accepted her parentage. He swore he saw those features before…but he could not place them. As they passed through the throne room he noticed the way her eyes travel still around the room.
"It not as grand as it once was with all the dragon skulls gone;" Jaime stated.
"I imagine it was grander but knew that already Ser Jaime." Raena said.
They came to Robert's study. He knocked on the door. Ser Barrison opened the door. His eyes landed on Lady Arryn. She smiled up at him. Ser Barrison allowed her to enter. He made her feel more at ease. Robert looked up from his table. Lancel Lannister stood in the corner. He was serving as squire to King Robert. His eyes landed on Lady Arryn. She tried not the cringed as his eyes linger on her chest. She subtly moved closer to Ser Barrison. Ser Barrison nodded his at her. She tilted her head at him before she moved forward dropping down into deep bow. Her head nearly rest on her knees.
"Lady Arryn, please rise; take a seat" Robert said.
Raenera took the pre offered seat across from him. He motion for Lancel to fill another goblet with wine. She took a drink of the wine.
"Your grace" Raena started.
"Lady Arryn I called you here. More wine boy" Robert started as he finished his goblet of wine. Lancel quickly filled it. His blue eyes landed on her purple eyes. She in some ways felt sorry for him. "I regret that Lord Stark has not yet agreed to have you marry Robb."
"I understand your grace. He is more of match that I could ever hope for." Raenera said smoothly like it was nothing.
"He has not said no either Lady Arryn; but in case he does say no. I have invited Loras Tyrell and Lancel here has express interest in you my lady." King Robert said
Raenera looked down. Inside her mind was screaming neither of them were the best choice. Lancel was Lannister. She was pretty sure a Lannister had killed her father. He looked at her like she was piece of meat and made her skin crawl. Loras was attracted to King Robert's younger brother Renly. Renly was also attracted to Loras. Hell, Renly would be a better choice but she dare not say that.
"I will wed whomever my king commands" Raena answered.
King Robert nodded his head please with her answer. Ser Barrison could hear a slight off-ness to her voice. Something was not right with her. She bowed her head and wore a fake smile. The hard guarded look returned full force.
"No decision will be made until I hear Lord Stark yea or nay my dear."
Raena nodded her head. King Robert dismissed her. She rose graceful from the chair. She passed Ser Barrison on her way. Her purple eyes met his as he opened the door. He wanted to comfort the young girl before him like he was able to do when the king was not here. She read that in his eyes. She nodded her head taking deep breath as she walked out of the room with her head held high. She passed through the Throne room Sansa was walking through with Septa Mordane. Sansa eyes were caught as she passed through room. Septa Mordane followed her graze.
"Who is she?" Sansa asked.
"I don't know."
"I bet Joffery rather marry her than me" Sansa said.
"Joffery never like me. He hates everyone" Raena said as she passed them.
"Who are you child?" Septa Mordane asked.
"Lady Raena Arryn, excuse me" Raena answered.
Raena made her way to the Godswoods of King's Landing. It was one place she found peace that she could always come to. She bowed her head and knelt down before the Weirwood tree. She lost track of the time. Let all her fear fade away. It was not until she heard footsteps approach did she move to stand.
"Lady Arryn, I must say I shocked to see you here" Lord Stark stated.
"I came here to pray"
"You pray to old gods"
"I pray to whoever will listen. The faith of seven did not help me when I was child wanting to be free of this place. I came here one afternoon to escape Joffery. I had so many questions in my head. They seemed to answer me more than seven do. What brings you here Lord Stark?"
"I came to pray. Much of this place is not to my liking. I am sorry about your father Lady Arryn. He was great man"
"He was. I don't trust what they say about his death. He was strong two day before. Had I known that would have been one last time I would saw him alive…" Raena started her eyes filling with tears.
Tears fell from her eyes. It was the first time she let herself cry in presence of anyone other than her nurse. Ned laid a comforting hand on her back looking at the Weirwood tree before them.
"I was shocked to hear that you were ward of crown and not returning to Vale."
"Lady Lysa never liked me. I beyond here more so than I do there"
"My wife, Catelyn was the same way with Jon"
"Because he was bastard, My lord hand. I am not offended by that term. It's what am. No amount of titles can change that."
"There more to you then just your parentage, Lady Arryn"
"Thank you Lord Stark. I know you do agree with the king's wishes to see your son wed me. And truthfully I don't blame you. It was wrong of me and selfish to think I would be free of this place. You are great man like my father. I hope in time you can come trust me." Raena said truthfully as she turned to walk away heading back towards the keep.
"Allow me my lady" Lord Stark said.
It was getting close to nightfall and as much as he still didn't trust Lady Arryn. He would hate for something to happen to her with increase of traveler for the tourney. Evan with her guarded eyes there was still a spark behind them. It too reminded him of his sweet sister. Raenera turned and looked at him slightly shocked at his offer. He had just came into clearing by the Weirwood tree why would offer to walk her back. Other than the fact that she was daughter of Lord Arryn who was second father figure to Lord Stark she could not fathom why he would offer to walk her back. It made no sense to her. Nevertheless Ned came over to her offering his arm to her. Raenera looked at him oddly for a time. Before, she placed her hand in crock of his arm.
Ned and Raena walked back to the keep in silence. Neither of them wanted to be one to break the silence. It was truce in way. Lord Stark looked at her as they walked. Evan more so now that he had seen her in person did she look more Umber and Targaryen then Arryn and Dayne. As they passed blacksmith shop on the way back to the keep Anthor came out. He saw her with Lord Stark. Anthor walked back inside then exited again heading over to the pair.
"Lady Arryn the necklace you requested." Anthor offered.
"Thank you Anthor."Raena said taking the velvet pouch.
Ned and Raena continued their walk back to keep. Ned eyes landed on the pouch.
"You had necklace commissioned Lady Arryn" Ned asked.
"I did. I plan to wear it to your tourney"
"The king tourney the hand wants nothing to do with it."
"I always found them a waste of money." Raena laughed as they reached the main keep.
"Real honor is not something that is won at tourney" Ned started.
"It's something about a person character. Good Night Lord Stark" Raena finished.
"And you Lady Arryn" Ned replied.
Ned watched her make her way down one of many hall ways of the Red keep. Her words shocked in a way that not thought possible. Maybe she was Jon Arryn daughter after all. Something she said in Godswoods did not sit well with him. She did not trust what they about her father's death. He was even more determined to get to the bottom of mystery of Jon Arryn death more so than ever.
A quick author note: I have a poll out for later in this story. I want your opinion. Should Raenera get a dragon egg and Dragon later in story or not? You can leave it review or on the poll page. I can go either way.