Wow! 44 favorites and 69 follows! I am so thankful for you guys! Seeing this made my day. Also thanks for the reviews. I love seeing them and reading them, it makes me so happy and I swear, I take no review for granted. The dress Ophelia wears in this chapter can be viewed on the website Armstreet. It's the Medieval Short Sleeved Dress XVI Century. So, I have a plan for this story all the way to the beginning of season 3. I might not be able to write for a while, because school is starting for me this upcoming week, with the key word in this sentence being might. I want everyone to know that this takes place roughly a year before season one, give or take a couple of months. I have some more songs for the pairings, so leave me a review on what your thoughts are for them!

RobbxOphelia: The Wolf and the Moon-Karliene

TheonxOphelia: Emotional Celtic Music-She Who Watches

JonxOphelia: Magic Fantasy Music-Precious Things Lay Hidden (emotional)

One additional thing: In the reviews give me the ship name you like for one (or all) of these pairings. I've been trying to think of one for Robb, Theon, and Jon, but nothing comes to mind. So, be creative and tell me the names of the ships for the three pairings above (for example: In OUAT Fandom they call Captain Hook and Emma Swan, Captain Swan. In the Riverdale Fandom they call Betty and Jughead, Bughead). Next chapter, I will list all of them off and you guys decide which are the best ones for each ship! May the best name win. :D

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

1st P.O.V. Winterfell

Theon released me from his embrace and I smiled at him. He chuckled and moved a loose strand of hair out of my face. He got up from the floor and helped me stand up. He clutched my hand tightly as I wiped his eyes dry.

He hugged me again and lingered close to me as he pulled away. Theon seemed content, and he looked me over a couple times from head to toe.

"It's quite early for you to be up." He muttered.

My mind went back to the kitchens and Jon. My face flared up and I coughed into my hand. "Ahem...Oh, yes early...I uhh...I was hungry, so I...I...I got some jerky to eat and I ate it...and umm" I felt myself freeze from my stuttering as I saw the warm look on Theon's square face turn to one of suspicion.

"Why are you lying to me?" Theon asked in a slow voice. His embrace became tighter with each syllable pronounced.

"I'm not!" I said trying to deny it. I was fibbing and he knew it. Theon hated it whenever I lied to him, so we kept a policy that we would be honest with each other no matter how brutal or gut-wrenching the truth was.

"You are!" Theon's voice raised to a yell and a coldness went through my body. It was like I had stepped into an ice water bath without any clothes on. The frozen tone of his voice chilled me.

My eyes widened and I yelped in pain when he came even closer to me, his grip on my waist strangling my body. His eyes went dark and fathomless, his eyebrows furrowing down into a glare, his nose twisted into a snarl.

"Theon." I called to him. He didn't answer. It was like something had taken over his body. "Theon!" I said again in a louder voice. I put my hand on his cheek and he jerked away from me. Theon snapped out of whatever was possessing him and he blinked a couple times, causing the darkness that briefly inhabited him to flee. Theon's grip on me loosened and he took a step back from me.

It was quiet, save for the crackling and pops of the fire in the fireplace. I gave out a nervous laugh and knocked on his noggin. "Are you okay up there?"

He gave me a wary smile and said, "Aye. I am a little bone-weary, I must admit." I nodded in understanding. "Well no wonder you are acting this way! " I got behind him and ushered him out of my room.

Theon turned his head and gave me an incredulous look from the side of his fsce. "What are you doing?!"

I laughed at his facial expression. "You need rest! Go get some sleep."

"But we were talking!" He protested trying to turn around.

I kept pushing him forward. "Not anymore! You are tired and it is not healthy for a person to be in a constant state of exhaustion. Go to your room and sleep!"

Theon stopped himself short of the doorknob and turned to playfully glare at me. "Are you bossing me around?"

I quirked an eyebrow at him and grinned. "Don't I always?"

He chuckled deeply and retorted the question with, "No. Not in the least. Aye, well...you get some rest as well."

Once the door shut behind him, I let out a relieved sigh. I knew that if Theon kept on badgering me, I surely would've gave in and told him what happened between Jon and I. I didn't want him to know though. It's not that I was scared of what Theon would think or that I was ashamed of Jon, I just liked having this to myself. I didn't want it to be spoiled by Theon's teasing or even him knowing about it. This was my good memory for now and, when the time is right, I would tell Theon about it.

I touched my lips as I went back to my bed and laid down.

Why did Jon kiss me?

Later on, I would talk to him. I wanted to know what was going to happen between us now, or the lack thereof.

I slipped back under my blankets and snuggled closely to Ethaesper who had fallen back to sleep. I fell asleep as well.

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When I woke up again, the flames in my fireplace had reduced to nothing but a couple bright red embers. Even though the piping in Winterfell's walls were used to keep rooms warm, I liked mine a bit warmer than others. I threw the covers off of me and I walked to the fireplace where I threw in another log. I blew on the embers a bit and a fire roared to life.

Nodding in satisfaction, I stood in the middle of my room. I stretched my hands high above my head, and leaned down to touch my toes. I stood upright once more to feel my back 'pop' and I sat down at the end of my bed.

What was I going to do today?

I hated feeling idle, but I also did not want to see anyone. I was a bit ashamed of my actions. I felt bad that everyone had to go and search for me...but I had to leave. I could not stay within Winterfell and its imposing walls. I could not stay in a place where people whispered behind my back or looked at me with pity. I could not stay in the den of wolves that caused the deaths of my parents. Getting away allowed me to clear my head and find Ethaesper-

I suddenly stopped thinking and turned to my bed, where my sleeping bird was gone. Immediately starting to panic, I called out their name. "Ethaesper?! Where are you, Little Bird?" I went to the bed and hastily removed all the pillows and blankets. I got on my hands and knees and searched under the bed. It was bare under there, save for some dust.

I put the blanket and pillows back on my bed.

I felt like I couldn't let out a breath and the world was spinning around me. I gripped the headboard of my bed and started to breathe wildly. Where did they go?!

At that moment, my door opened and I heard an "Eep-eep!"

I turned to see Robb, standing in the middle of the doorway, holding a medium sized trunk with a fluffballed Ethaesper sitting contentedly on his shoulder. Now, I should let you know that I am no expert in birds or their mannerisms, but my chick seemed completely satisfied about something.

"Ethaesper!" I cried out, and ran over to Robb, where I cupped my chick in the palm of my hands, and nuzzled them against my cheek. "I'm so glad you're alright! You frightened me."

"Eep! Eep-eep!" I looked up at Robb, who was staring at me with an amused expression and said, "Leave it you to run off and come back with an animal." I stepped aside and let Robb come in. He set the trunk down in the middle of my room and turned back to me. He crossed his arms over his dark brown leather doublet and stared at me.

I grew a bit uncomfortable and I lowered Ethaesper down to hold them close to my chest. "Why did you take my bird?" I asked him in a quiet voice.

Robb rolled his Tully blue eyes and said, "I came in here earlier to check upon you. I found you sleeping and your bird hopping around the bed, chirping in hunger. I took them outside where-", Robb reached into his pocket and took out a couple of worms , "-I gave them some worms to eat. I squished them up though, that way it won't upset their stomach."

I looked at my chick who maintained their smug expression, and rolled my eyes. I forgot to feed them. Well, wasn't that great! I turned back to Robb and nodded at him "Thanks for feeding Ethaesper. That was really kind of you."

Robb raised a dark auburn eyebrow at me. "Ethaesper? I just called her Fluffy."

My eyes widened and I looked down at my bird in shock. "You're a girl?! All this time, I was starting to believe that you were male."

Ethaesper gave me a look that said, "What can you do about it?", and then nestled between my palms.

I looked back at Robb. "How can you tell?" I asked in an eagerness to find out how he figured it out.

Robb only smirked and cheekily answered. "Lack of male parts."

My cheeks flared up and Robb chuckled deeply at my reaction. I ended up giggling a bit, and I shook my head at his joke. I noticed the trunk he had been carrying after our laughs died down.

I gestured with my elbow to it. "What is that?"

Robb's smile from his laughter died down and his face turned to one of seriousness. "This? Ahh, yes, right." He put his hand in his other pocket and pulled out a scroll. He cleared his throat. "This is for you." Nodding, I went to put Ethaesper on the bed. She started to chirp and bounce about, mad that I put her down.

"Hush you!" I scolded lightly. "I shall hold you in a moment."

I walked over to Robb and hesitantly took the scroll from his outstretched hand. I unrolled it and read what was conscripted.

To My Little Bird,

I know that you must be angry with me, and for that I will readily accept your scorn.

But please try to understand that when I lied, I was doing as I had sworn to do.

Looking back, this was not the wisest descion, and I would take it back in a heartbeat.

I love you, my precious girl. I wanted to give this trunk to you in person, but seeing that

you are probably still angry, I will have Robb deliver it to you.

Please don't run away from this. It is apart of you.

With all my love,

Lady Catelyn Stark.

I felt my breath shudder and I gave the scroll back to Robb.

"Take it."

"Why?"

A moment of silence passed as Robb unrolled the scroll and read it.

"My mother seems repentive." He stated kindly. I shook my head.

"I don't care if she is. I want nothing to do with the Pyralis family."

"You mean your family." Robb said bluntly. I swallowed thickly, nodding in agreement with him.

I turned away from him to face the wall behind my bed and crossed my arms. I glared ahead and said, "I don't want anything to do with that trunk. If what's in there, what I think it is, I don't want it...any of it." I heard footsteps behind me and I felt a hand on my shoulder.

" 'Felia...you need to look in there." Robb's voice left no room for objection. I hunched over and sighed.

Turning around, I said, "If you think I should...then I will." I sighed in defeat and walked over to the trunk. I knelt down on the stone floor in front of it. My fingers grazed the deep ornate engravings on it, tracing the dark brown wood. They went from it's round top to the front, where leather straps were holding it in place.

I looked up at Robb, who seemed uncomfortable. "I will take my leave." He started to walk away, but once he was near the door I felt my heart still in terror.

"Wait! Robb, please..." Robb turned to look at me with a quizzical countenance. I pleaded with my eyes and asked, "Will you stay with me...I can't face this alone."

He widened his Tully blue eyes in surprise for a mere second, then he gave me a small smile.

"Alright." He leisurely strolled over to where I was and knelt down next to me. Robb cocked his head to the side, removing my hand from the left leather strap that helped keep the trunk shut.

Robb held my hand for a moment. His palms were rough and he squeezed my hand right before letting it go.

"We'll open it when I count to the number three. Agree?" He asked me this in permission in order to ready myself for what we would find.

No matter how many times he asked me that, I knew I would not be ready.

But sometimes, when the waters to life are rough, you can't just lower yourself in-you need to dive head first.

I let out a shuddering breath and hesitantly nodded.

"Agreed."

Robb held a serious face and focused on his strap while I focused on mine.

"One." He counted.

"Two." I continued.

"Three." We both whispered. We unstrapped the buckles and lifted up the trunk lid.

I gasped when I looked into it and Robb muttered, "Holy shit."

I furrowed my eyebrows and my mouth gaped open. I looked at Robb, who chuckled in disbelief.

I reached into the trunk to pull out a hook shaped leather wrapping. I handed it to Robb who, after a brief moment, took it from me. He looked at me for permission and I nodded. He untied the leather strings that held the wrapping together, and opened it up on the floor.

"Oh my..." Was all I could say. Robb kept looking down at the weapons he unwrapped in a speechless surprise.

What was in the leather wrapping was an usual type of sword. They came in a pair, dual swords, if you will. They had big leather grips in the middle, and at the end, the swords were shaped into a point like a small dagger. The tops of the swords were shaped as hooks, looking even more formidable with jagged edges of the inward curve of the swords. On each sword, was an engraving in the metal, of a Phoenix taking flight leaving behind a trail of fire.

Robb picked one up, and it stretched from his ribs to the top of his head. He examined the sword and whistled in admiration. "These are Valyrian steel dual hook swords...I've never seen hook swords before. No one ever uses them, not even in Essos, or so I read."

I snorted, poking his side. "You read?"

He rolled his eyes and grinned a bit. "Oh shut it." His fingers traced the engraving.

"Wow...these are remarkable." I nodded in agreement, because I could not say anything. A pit of dread started to form in my stomach.

'Breathe.' I told myself. 'You need to just breathe.' Nodding assuredly, I went back to the trunk and pulled out a leather pouch with drawstrings.

I gripped it and looked at Robb who was still admiring the swords.

'I can do this.' I told myself. 'They are just objects. Nothing more, nothing less.' Even I couldn't believe that. These things represented people and places that were connected to me. A connection I never asked for.

I looked my grip and put two fingers in the pouch. I spread them, and opened it up. I tipped the bag over the palm of my other hand, and out came several hair pins. Hair pins made of gold and that had a pearl decorating the top of it.

I dropped it as if it had burned my palm and I wiped my hand against the side of my robe. I scooted away from the fallen pouch and scattered hair pins.

"Robb!" I exclaimed. He looked up from the swords and put the one he was holding down. Robb scrunched up his eyebrows at the sight of the expensive hair pins. He crawled over to where I threw them, and picked one up. He traced it with his thumb and muttered something to himself. Robb ran a hand through his thick, curly, auburn hair and asked, "Who were these people?"

I shook my head and shrugged.

Robb picked up the pouch from off of the floor and held it close to his eye, peering inside of it.

"OH GODS!" He exclaimed holding it away from him

I clutched my hands together in immense worry.

"What is it?!" I asked

Robb pulled a mess of stings from the pouch. "It's a hair net!" He answered sarcastically. Robb looked over at me with a twinkle in his eyes, and started to chortle at my glare.

I smacked him on the shoulder. "That's not funny!" I ground out.

He wiped his eyes and smiled at me. "Oh lighten up. Of course it is."

I huffed and glared away as he contined to chuckle.

Eventually, I stopped my pouting and crawled over next to him. I brang out the next item from the trunk as Robb picked up the hair pins and hair net, and put them back in the pouch.

I lifted up a bracelet next, one made up of pearls and rubies. I handed it to Robb who set it down next to the swords.

Next, I pulled out a piece of cloth. I kept pulling and pulling until I stood up and shook the dust off of it.

It was an orange silk gown, the color of a rare Northern sunset, and it had black embroidery on the front and the trim. The sleeves had black ribbons to tighten it and black silk proofs on the elbows. I stood and put the dress on my bed. I walked over to the trunk and peered in. There were only dresses left. The rest of the dresses were made up of cotton, linen, velvet, or muslin. I was surprised to see so many packed into such a tight trunk.

Each dress I took out was fashionable and well-made. I would take one dress out, shake the dust off, and lay it on my bed.

A total of eighteen dresses were inside that trunk.

After shaking off the last one, I laid it one the bed and put my hands on my hips, looking at all of them in disbelief.

"I am guessing that House Pyralis was not a destitute house." Said Robb. I heard him standing up.

"Where did your parents get these possessions?" I inquired. Robb walked next to me and felt the silk gown. He shook his head. "I have no answer for that. But I know who does."

I became confused and I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

"Who?"

"Father." He answered. I looked at him and sighed.

I didn't want to know about my family, but I was curious as to where Lord Stark maintained these things. If I didn't ask him about it, it would itch at the back of my mind relentlessly...

It would be difficult, but if it was the only way to get some answers, I would speak with him.

Folding up my arms, I reluctantly nodded. "I will talk to him."

Robb put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it tightly. "Everything will be alright, Ophelia. If it is not alright, then you have yet to finish the end of the story."

I smiled in gratitude at him.

"Thank you, Robb...for everything."

Robb flashed me his charming grin and said, "That's what friends are for."

I looked behind me to the bath tub from last night and saw my only casual dress left, all wrinkled and covered in mud.

"I have nothing to wear." I mumbled.

Robb walked over to the side of my bed and pulled up one of the dresses.

"Of course you do." He handed one to me.

I shook my head at him. "I don't want to wear it."

Robb let out an annoyed sigh. " 'Felia, it's just a dress. A material object. You're wearing it, not marrying it. Nothing more, nothing less. It'd be a shame to let a dress this nice collect dust, when you could be showing it off." Blushing, I slowly grabbed it.

Robb gave me an approving smile and started to walk out of the room.

"I'll let you get dressed. When you're ready, I will escort you to Father's Solar." He left the room, making to sure to shut the door behind him.

I gripped the dress I was holding in my hand, and let out a breath of determination.

It was just a dress. Nothing more, nothing less.

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The dress Robb picked out was an intricate one, to say the least. Nothing like my simple yellow dress that I would wear when doing chores or the simple green one that I wore when I ran off.

To start with, this dress was technically two dresses. The first dress was a dark red, nearly brown, and had a shift attached to the interior of it. The shift was long and glared out from the cuffs of the sleeves. The sleeves buttoned up on the top of the forearms, being fastened with round brass buttons. The tops of the sleeves were detachable from the shoulders, so I had to lace them in place. I struggled to lace up the back, doing my best to tighten it, since it was so loose on the sides and the torso area.

The second part of the dress was a bright yellow, where it was low enough to reveal the high circle neckline of my shift. The short sleeves of this dress bunched up in the middle and the length of this dress was short in the front, but long in the back. Where it cut off in the front, the red dress flowed beneath it reaching to the floor.

I slipped on my flats and looked into the mirror. Even though this was a nice outfit, I hated how unfamiliar I looked. It was too complicated...too aristocratic...it wasn't me. Still, it was better than nothing. I re-did my hair into a braided bun. I nodded at myself and looked over at Ethaesper.

"Well...I'm off. Don't have any friends over while I'm gone." Ethaesper nibbled under her wing in response and I rolled my eyes.

I walked to the door, bucked up, and then exited out of the room, shutting the door behind me.

Robb was leaning against the opposite wall in the hallway. He had one foot against the wall and the other on the floor. Robb's arms were crossed and his eyes were closed in thought.

He opened his eyes when he heard my door shut and stared at me.

I started to scratch my arm in nervousness and I chuckled awkwardly.

"Do...I uhh...Do I look presentable?" Robb's eyes raked me over and he made a noise in his throat as he nodded in satisfaction.

"You look nice."

I stopped scratching my arm and smiled a tiny bit. "Really?"

Robb replied as he walked over to stand in front of me. "You'd give Cersei Lannister a run for her money."

My cheeks flared up and I looked away in embarrassment at his statement. "Thanks." I mumbled quietly.

I looked up to Robb who smiled at me and bent down. He lifted up my skirt, but before I could protest about his wandering hands, he started to lace up my shoes.

"I saw the laces sticking put from the hem of your dress." Robb stated as he moved onto the right shoes, lacing it up quickly. He finished, patting me on the ankle and lowered my skirts down as he stood up to face me.

"Ready to go?" He asked me.

"Yes. We'd best get on with it." I stated firmly and linked my arm through his.

He squeezed my arm tightly and led me towards the Solar. I gripped Robb's arm as we passed by the kitchens.

And it was just my luck that I saw the one person who was on my mind all morning...

"Jon!" Robb called out. Jon was in front of us by several feet and was going towards the way we came. Jon saw us and started to walk towards us. I started to breathe heavily.

My eyes widened and I jerked Robb to look at me. He gave me a quizzical appearance and I shook my head.

"I don't want to talk to him!"

Robb leaned into me and asked , "Why not? He's here, just get it over with." Oh...right. Robb still thought Jon and I were not speaking, due to my comments about his baseborn status a couple days ago.

I started to panic and my heart began beating wildly. "Robb, please! No!"

Robb stood there and gave me, for lack of better words, a shit eating grin. "Time to slay your dragons, Ophelia."

"What?! No! I can't. I need- Oh! Hello Jon!" I said putting on a cheery voice and a sunny smile. I stood up straight and looked Jon in the eyes.

He looked me over and, for a moment, time stopped. His Stark grey eyes met mine and he gave me a once over. Jon's eyes started to develop the look that he had when he kissed me in the kitchens. My knees went weak and my breath got caught in my throat. Jon cut the tethered connection between us when he closed his eyes, and opened them to look away from me.

"Robb, Ophelia." Jon acknowledged stiffly keeping his gaze solely on his brother.

"How is your morning?" Robb asked. Jon glanced to see our linked arms and answered casually, "It could be better."

Before I could put my say in, Jon crossed his arms and furrowed his ever-so-worried eyebrows at us. "Since when do the two of you walk together...or even speak to one another?"

"Since I decided that I wanted to renew our friendship." I stated, gripping onto Robb's arm.

Jon's eyes narrowed and I mentally slapped myself. Why couldn't I just talk right?! 'Stop being so awkward!' I scolded myself internally.

It was silent. I stared ahead at the curly-haired baseborn son of Eddard Stark and he stared back at me.

Finally, Robb saved us all from the tense air of this confrontation when he said, "Well, it's not that this isn't fun, but I have to escort 'Felia here to Father. I'll will see you later on today in the tilt yard. Eh, Snow?"

Jon's eyes flickered between the pair of us, and stood up straight. He nodded and replied, "Aye. See you soon, Stark." Jon bumped shoulders with Robb and stalked off. Robb and I looked at Jon's retreating back.

"Perhaps he is still sore from your comments." Robb suggested as we went on our way.

I fiddled with the side of my dress and said, "Yes...I suppose he is." It was a lie, Robb would never know that. Like I said earlier, I needed to keep what happened between Jon and I secret.I was selfish in that way.

We walked to the base of stairs that led up to Solar.

Robb removed his arm from mine and stood to face in front of me.

"Wait...aren't you going to come up with me? I thought you were escorting me to the Solar." I asked Robb in confusion.

"You are at the Solar." Robb pointed out. My palms started to sweat as I looked at the staircase, then back at Robb. "Please come up with me!" I blurted out nervously.

He shook his head and held both of my hands. "Slay your dragons, Ophelia. One at a time." He squeezed them and walked away. I looked up the stairs and exhaled deeply.

"I can do this." I whispered to myself.

Gently, I lifted up the hem of my skirts and slowly treaded up the stone steps. I came to that familiar corridor, with the window at the end.

I shivered at the memory of the last time I was here. I pushed it to the back of my mind and stood in front of the door. Balling my right hand up into a fist, I knocked on the thick wooden door.

No answer. Before I knocked again, I took my hair down in a self-conscious fret. Feeling more protected, I knocked again. After a brief pause, I heard Lord Stark say, "Come in."

I twisted the doorknob and opened the door. I peered my head in and looked around the room. Everything was a mess. Papers were strewn about everywhere, maps were strung up throughout the room, and a dying fire was dwindling down in the fireplace.

My eyes widened at the state of disarray in this room. It was so messy and my fingers twitched involuntarily at the sudden compulsion to tidy everything up.

I looked at a sitting Lord Stark, and clutched onto the side of the open door. "May I come in?" I asked him, surprised that my voice came out so softly. My hair started to fall in front of my face, making a curtain of wavy locks as I peeked at Lord Stark.

He was tired-looking, which made me feel a pang of guilt. It was my fault he was so tired...yet that did not diminish the fact that he lied to me. I felt my anger rise up again, but I pushed it down with all my might. This was not the time for petty emotions.

Lord Stark gave me a world-weary smile and replied, "Of course. We have many things to discuss."

Bowing my head, I entered into the room and shut the door. I walked over to the chair in front of Lord Stark's desk, smoothed out my dress, and sat down.

Lord Stark looked me over and said, "I see you've received the trunk."

"I have."

It was quiet. I fiddled my thumbs together, then I put my hands on both armrests. It was time for one of us to speak, so I decided to go first.

"My Lord...I wanted to say thank you. I realize that I had never properly given my regards when acknowledging those who helped persecute my assailants in Wintertown, so thank you for helping with that whole ordeal." Lord Stark looked surprised. "Aye. Honor called me to help, and I have done so."

Nodding, I continued to speak, "I would also like to apologize. I realize that running off was something that I should not have done. I don't know what came over me..." My voice trailed off and I looked at Lord Stark staring at me. He crossed his arms and a rare smile twitched at the corner of his lips.

"I...uhh..." I was starting lose my lucky stroke of confidence and I started to scratch my arm in nervousness.

"I umm...I...I understand that you went through so much, trying to find me. I...I am so sorry for running off. What I was told..." I paused to let out a deep breath "It was a lot of information to absorb. All I wanted to do in that moment was run and keep running. Anywhere, really...as long as I didn't have to face the facts I had been given here. I hope you can accept my apology."

Lord Stark rubbed the back of his head, near his tied up bun and he breathed out. He began to talk.

"Child, I am aware of the situation you've been put into. I know that all of this can be so difficult, it muddles up the head. If it were my choice, you would never have been placed under such hard circumstances. I accept your apology...if you accept mine."

My mouth opened into an 'O' and I closed it. Lord Stark wanted to...apologize?

He shook his head and stood up. Lord Stark walked around to sit on the front edge of his desk. "Ever since you were born, your safety was placed into my hands. I accepted the weight of that descion willingly. I am thankful that you grew up happy and healthy...but I realize that one cannot run away from the pains of the past."

My breath shuddered and tears stung my eyes. 'Don't cry', I told myself as Lord Stark got down on his knees in front of me and spoke in a very remorseful voice, "I promised to protect you, but I have hurt you by keeping secrets. I have caused you pain by the actions that I have taken to ensure your safety. I have caused irreparable grief by causing the death of your parents...of a mother and father you will never meet, because of me. So I ask that you forgive me, Eddard of House Stark, for these trespasses I have committed against you and House Pyralis. I swear by the Old Gods and the New that I will do my best to no longer hurt you more than I have already. On my honor, as a Stark, you will no longer be hurt by my hand, voice, or actions."

The resolve I was saying to myself broke upon hearing the words he was speaking.

My anger at him extinguished.

I covered my face to hide that I was crying.

Now, I know that a rational person would not forgive the murderer of their parents. But I have never met my birth mother or birth father. They were gone, the memory of them like ashes scattered in the wind. But Lord Stark...he was my father in every way that counted. He raised me and loved my alongside his other children. He never made me feel less than, even if his children sometimes did, he always made sure I felt accepted. All this grief and anger and confliction that I felt...it was because he lied to me. Yes, he killed my parents and, while some part of me will always be angry at him for that, all I needed to hear was a sincere apology.

And Lord Stark is not an insincere person.

I kept my face covered with my hands as the hot tears trailed down my cheeks and dripped off of my chin. Slowly, I removed them and I wiped my face. Nodding, I whispered, "I forgive you."

Lord Stark stood up and pulled me into a hug as I cried. Everything came spilling out. "I am so sorry for everything! I am sorry for being here...for being a burden. I'm sorry for putting you through so much...I just was so angry and I didn't know how to handle any of it. I'm sorry."

I will never know what compelled me to say those words. I will never, in my life, fully understand the complexity of the relationship between me and the Starks. Everything between us is contradictory. I loved them for raising me, but I hated them for causing the deaths of my parents. I was happy for them and their picturesque family, but I was occasionally unhappy that their family excluded me. I admired their love for me, but sometimes detested their unorthodox ways of raising me.

Still, after everything, if I had to choose one emotion out of the six that I described, I would say that Love is the most prevalent. I wanted the pain to be over, and if forgiveness was the only way to release myself from those hurtful binds, then I would forgive...for most of what happened at least.

Lord Stark pulled me away from him and he looked at me with the eyes that Jon inherited. "You were never a burden." He said quietly.

I was speechless. Lord Stark let me go and gave me a fatherly smile. I gave him a small smile back and wiped my wet cheeks.

"Now...", Lord Stark began, walking around to sit behind his desk, "I think you may have some questions that need answers."

It was like he read my mind and I nodded. Lord Stark leaned back and made a "go forth' gesture with his left hand and said, "Ask what you please."

Feeling unsure of myself, I didn't know where to begin. "I...uh...who does the trunk belong to?"

"It belongs to you." Lord Stark stated this with a bluntness eerily similar to Robb. That made a smile play at the left corner of my mouth.

"I...I know that, but who was the previous owner of it?"

Lord Stark started to explain about the trunk. "The trunk was Lady Stark's. It arrived here when she did. The possessions in the trunk, however-", Lord Stark took a deep breath and continued, "-they are what is left of your parents, and by extension, your family." He gestured to the dress I was wearing. "I can see you familiarised yourself with some of the items in the chest." I straightened out the skirt of my mother's dress in nervousnes and started to fumble with my thumbs.

"My family..." I parroted. I stopped fumbling my thumbs and clasped them tightly. "My Lord...I forgive you for your lies and the hurt that was inflicted upon my person. But I don't want anything to do with my family...at least not yet. My parents though..." My voice trailed off as I thought about the ghostly memory of my mother and father, "little by little...I would like to know every day."

To me, my parents and my family were separate. My family was one she group of people. They were myy cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. They were a whole category of strangers that I would have to memorize, in order to know about. My parents, they were only two people. But there was probably so much about them, that I needed to learn about them exclusively. I decided to stick with only learning about them for the time being, and when I was ready, I would ask about my family.

Lord Stark sat up straight and made a 'go forth' gesture with his left hand. "On this day, what would you like to know."

Deciding to steer clear of anything involving death, I asked questions about the items in the trunk. I also decided to stick with one parent. I chose my father. Any questions about my mother I would ask My Lady, since she claimed that she knew her intimately. I made a mental note to apologize to My Lady eventually. Anyways, this way of getting to know my mother and father was better...it was a way for me to ease in.

"Did those swords...the hook ones...did they belong to Rowan, to my father?" I asked while twiddling my thumbs again.

Lord Stark rubbed his hand in his beard and chuckled deeply. "His name was Rowtag-" "Rowtag." I whispered to myself, making sure I would remember it next time. "-and yes, they are his. He obtained them one year in Volantis."

I perked up upon hearing this. My father went to Essos?

"My father went to Volantis?" I asked in astonishment.

"Aye. He was a traveller, that one. Rowtag loved to travel. He hated the idea of settling in one place. He was always moving, always on a journey to some faraway land. The longest he stayed in one location was only two years, but anywhere else he never stayed long. The only exception to this was his first nine years of life. The Wall, Dorne, Volantis, even the Shadowlands of Asshai. Your father has visited them all." My heart swelled upon hearing this. I was taken aback by my reaction upon hearing this. It was like each fact Lord Stark listed off, made me fulfilled and put a pebble to fill the hole in my heart. Maybe...just maybe...hearing about my father wasn't so bad...

"Where else did he go?" I questioned in eagerness. I leaned forward in my chair, placing each hand on an armrest.

Lord Stark leaned back and smiled as he spoke. "The better question is where didn't he go. Your father visited nearly every corner of this world. No matter the danger a place or city posed, he always had a certain wanderlust to explore. From the mere age of ten, he started his travels."

Something about this statement caught my attention. "My Lord, you said my father started his journeys at ten...did this mean you knew him when he was that age?"

Lord Stark's gaze twinkled with fondness as they lit up in remembrance, the corners of his eyes wrinkling into crow's feet. "Aye. I did. I met your father at that age. Winterfell was the first place he ever visited. He came with your grandfather. He was older than me by six years, older than your mother by seven. I was still a small child, only four, but I can still remember the boy with oddly colored hair arriving through the gates."

I grinned widely at this. "What did he look like?"

Lord Stark looked thoughtful for a moment before he answered. "When he was a child, he was chubby. Much like you were. He had those dark crimson-eyes that you have. His hair was wavy and was so black, that it shined blue in the light. When he became a man, he became lean and strong...very strong. His body had many scars...your father, he loved to fight. He studied all sorts of styles of fighting...Westorsi, Dorthraki, even Water Dancing. Rowtag had many scars from it all, but he never minded."

Subconsciously, I touched the scars on my back from the whipping. 'Why didn't he mind?" I asked softly as I traced the places on the fabric of my dress where the raised criss-crossed lines on my skin were hiding underneath.

Noticing my actions, Lord Stark gave me a soft smile. "Because he said each scar was a story he could tell. He was optimistic in that sense. He was never sad about it. He simply stood up and moved on."

I was astonished. "Wow! That's amazing. Did you go anywhere with my father?"

Lord Stark nodded. "We both went to Skagos together, but that was it. He had a travelling companion who was my brother, Brandon's, age. His name was Gellian and he was younger than your father. You could never find one without the other. Gellian travelled with him for years, until Rowtag was twenty-two. Gellian decided to become a knight and stopped travelling in order to pursue a knighthood."

"Why did my father like to travel?"

Lord Stark smiled a great big grin at this question. "Asides from hating the idea of settling down, or 'becoming part of the mundane' as he liked to call it, your father loved people. Rowtag thought meeting new people and learning about different cultures was a better way to educate a person than through books and politics. He would say that if you knew someone else's wisdom, you were less likely to make a mistake in the future."

I sat back. I never knew what to think when I learned about my parents. I thought they were going to be the same as most Lords and Ladies...but I was wrong. My father...he sounded like a fantastical man...someone I probably would've loved very much.

"Did he ever settle?" I asked Lord Stark in curiosity.

Lord Stark nodded and rubbed the back of his head. "He did. For two years he remained in one place."

"Where?" I was amazed. What was the one place that he stayed for two years? What about it held a charm to captivate this wanderer of the world?

Lord Stark's smile died down a notch when he answered, "Highgarden."

My family home...I remembered the sorry My Lady told me. Highgarden was the seat of House Pyralis.

"Highgarden? He went home? That doesn't sound like him." I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

Lord Stark nodded in agreement. "You're right. It wasn't him. A piece of him died when he returned home. He missed the travels and adventures."

"Why did he go home?" I inquired, sad for my father and his lost years abroad.

Lord Stark sighed before answering. "Your grandfather, the Warden of the South and Lord of Highgarden, died. Rowtag had a duty to fulfill, and even though it killed him to set aside his wanderlust ways, he stepped up to become Lord, just as what was expected from him. He was sad, or so I heard. It was as though the light had snuffed out of him. But in the end he found his happiness again."

My heart jumped a little. "How did he find his happiness?"

Lord Stark gave me a wide grin and said, "He fell in love with your mother." My jaw-dropped and I let out a singular laugh in disbelief. He fell in love...with my mother. He found his light in her.

"My Lord...", I asked slowly, making sure I was right about my upcoming statement, "are you saying that my parents did not have an arranged marriage? That they married for love?"

Lord Stark actually blushed a light hint of red as he rubbed his head again. "Yes, they loved each other very much. Funny enough though..", He coughed into his hand and looked away from me, "I was nearly betrothed to your mother."

My jaw-dropped to the floor and my eyes buldged out of my head. In another life, Lord Stark and my mother could've married. I would've been his daughter...Holy Mother of Sardines.

My arms flailed wildly as I asked him about what he just said. "You...my mother...you almost married my mother?!"

He let out a boisterous laugh. "I almost did. But she wouldn't have me. I was not the only one she rejected either. At least four others came before she laid me flat." Lord Stark said this with admiration and amusement.

I sat back in silence. I think Robb had the right question earlier: Who were these people?

Smiling, I stood up and looked at Lord Stark. "Thank you", I said.., "for sharing about my father and my mother. I am grateful." Lord Stark nodded and stood up. "It was my pleasure, Ophelia. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask." My heart and soul was on it's way to being healed, I gave Lord Stark one more grateful look before I left the room. I closed the door softly and I leaned against it in breathless wonder.

My parents...they were amazing. What was I scared of? My family...that I was still weary learning about for some reason. My parents though...I wanted to learn all that I could. It was right then that I knew that learning about them a little every day wouldn't do it for me. I wanted...no... I NEEDED more information on them. I came to the realization of something. I immediately ran to the end of the corridor and down the stairs. I passed many people and ran up some steps into a hall, when I got the the door I wanted to.

I had been given a taste of intoxicating knowledge and I yearned for more. I knew I could handle it.

My knuckles rapted on the door and when it opened I smiled through my happy tears at the fire-haired women, who stood shocked at seeing me.

I launched myself towards her, and hugged her middle tightly. She didn't hug me back, as she was still shocked at seeing me in my mother's dress and sudden appearance.

"Ophelia?" She asked surprised at seeing me.

"Will you tell me about my mother?" I asked, my heart skipping at the thought of her saying no.

This was my way of making things right, I was sure of it. I could see her immediate willingness delve into her past with my mother.

My Lady's face lit up as she hugged me back tightly. She pulled away and put her forehead to mine. Her eyes watered in happiness and she kissed my forehead. I hugged her tightly, and pulled away again. My Lady had one arm around my shoulders as she led me into her room. "Of course. I will tell you anything you wish to know." She shut the door behind us, and we began to talk.

So, Ophelia is starting to embrace who her parents were lol Little Bird is coming around. She was a bit apprehensive at first, but after the initial shock wore off, her curiosity about them became insatiable after talking with Ned. She's forgiven the Starks for their lies and is willing to look ahead! :) After all, she's not the type to hold grudges...unless your name is Robb haha. And surprise, Ethaesper is a girl and Ophelia got a trunk full of (kinda) new things! Yay! Next Chapter: Ophelia learns a bit about her mother, gets some news from Cat, and speaks with Jon about their encounter in the kitchens. If we could get this up to 53 reviews, that would be awesome! Anyways Read, Review, and Rest Easy! :)