Important note! The events in canon won't start until about 6 years later here. It's more of a personal preference to me, as I prefer to not write children in such adult situations.

Also! In case you were wondering, here are the ages of Alysanne and the Stark children (and Theon) at this point:

Theon - 13

Robb - 9

Jon - 9

Alysanne - 6

Sansa - 6

Arya - 3

Bran - 2

Rickon - negative years, he is still a sperm. maybe not even that.

292 AC

Alysanne had been on a boat before. Lots of times. Her Uncle Gerion had often taken her out on a small boat and they had gone just off shore. Not too far, never far enough to lose sight of Casterly Rock, but enough to where she could imagine he was taking her on one of his grand adventures. I wonder if he's returned with Brightroar! Perhaps the next time I visit he'll let me see it. I hope he won't be too mad that I left without telling him where I was going, without saying goodbye. Perhaps Lord Stark will let me write to him.

She didn't think that Ser Addam had spent much time on boats, as he had been sick the first few days aboard.

Whenever Uncle Gerion took her out on his small boat, they would spend the day swimming in the waters and watching the colorful fish swimming around them. He always found a small cove to pull the boat into, quiet and secluded with Casterly Rock looming overhead. Uncle Gerion always packed her favorites for lunch, sweet meats and fruits and honey cakes. Before long they would trudge back up to the Rock, and if she was lucky her father would have time to teach her to use her little wooden sword. Father's always so busy being a lord. What do lords do anyway? It must be awfully boring.

This ship wasn't the small boat with Uncle Gerion, and this certainly wasn't the Sunset Sea. This boat was large, and she even had her own room. The sailboat had only enough room for Uncle Gerion and I. I wonder how many rooms his big ship has? Ser Addam had a room as well, right next to hers. "To scare off any sea monsters,"he had told her, but Alysanne suspected it had more to do with the members of the crew, who had more than once been on the receiving end of Ser Addams scowl.

The Sunset Sea had been warm and blue and clear right down to the floor, and did she ever miss it. The White Knife was nothing like that, and Alysanne didn't know that rivers this horrid existed anywhere. It was grey and murky and cold. The wind was biting and left her nose cold and dry, and the water was even worse. She had learned that the hard way when they arrived in White Harbor and she had tried to wade into the river. Wynafred and Wylla had yanked her back, lamenting how foolish she was to try and go in, and Ser Addam had been quite cross with her.

When she left King's Landing, they had taken the Kingsroad all the way up to Moat Cailin. An old, abandoned keep that had scared Alysanne. She dreamt of ghosts and death the night they spent there and she was glad to see the back of it. From there they had traveled to White Harbor, a suggestion from her grandfather. Something about "seeing the lands you'll one day rule", whatever that was supposed to mean.

White Harbor was a small city, much smaller than Lannisport, and when she asked Lord Wyman about the city surrounding Winterfell he had merely laughed, his great belly shaking with him. "This is the largest city in the North, Lady Alys." He had said. He insisted on calling me Lady Alys for our entire stay, no matter how much I scowled. Only my father gets to call me Alys.

Aside from the fat Lord Manderly, she had quite liked White Harbor and New Castle. She found friends in Wynafred and Wylla, and had enjoyed hiding around the keep and exploring the market stalls with them. They had pointed out Seal Rock to her, and laughed when she had asked what a seal was.

She was glad to be done with the Kingsroad, as she had grown tired of the same thing day after day. It had been fun at first, riding on her pony next to Ser Addam without her father there to tell her to slow down, or her grandfather to tell her that "ladies should ride in the wheelhouse". Ser Addam and her raced, although his horse was faster than her pony, and he won every time.

She had named her pony Silverwing, after the Good Queen Alysanne's dragon. Her Uncle Tyrion had told her about how her mother had named her for Queen Alysanne, and how her mother had loved the stories of her and King Jaehaerys reign more than anything. Uncle Tyrion had thought the name brilliant, as did Uncle Gerion, but her father had just gotten a queer look on his face when she told him. Her grandfather hadn't been much impressed, but he wasn't much impressed by anything.

The King hadn't seemed to like it at all. He had come to Casterly Rock for a tournament, and after seeing her riding around the small yard had asked her about the pony and her name. He had only grunted and walked away after she told him, but perhaps he was only in a bad mood, as later she heard him yelling at her grandfather in his solar. "Too much dragonblood in that one! Figure something out, Tywin, or I'll do it for you!" Her grandfather had started to reply, but Tyrion had found her and led her away before she could hear the rest, promising to tell her more of Queen Alysanne. The king and her grandfather all but forgotten. Tyrion hadn't known what the King meant by "dragonblood" when I asked him. I hope Tyrion isn't too lonely without me. Perhaps he can take care of Silverwing until I return.

Silverwing. Another thing she would miss dearly. She had been forced to leave her behind in White Harbor, Ser Addam telling her that she would need a sturdier horse once they reached where they were going. That her little pony wouldn't be able to handle the colder weather and rough terrain. "Silverwing is good! She won't cause any trouble, I promise!" She had cried and argued, and when Lord Manderly saw her tears he had promised to ensure she arrived safely back at Casterly Rock. "Anything for the future Lady Stark," he had said, much to her confusion.

That had been several weeks ago now, and they had long since left the ship and Silverwing behind. She still couldn't figure out what the fat Lord Manderly meant by the "future Lady Stark". They were to reach Winterfell within the day, and Alysanne decided that now was as good a time as any to figure it out. If anyone were to know, it would be Ser Addam. He always had answers to her questions.

She urged her horse forward towards Ser Addam, easily identifiable by his coppery hair. The cold stung at her face and numbed her ears, exposed due to the braid pulling her hair back. She had complained to her Septa that braiding her hair back left her ears cold, but all she had had to say in return was that "better cold ears than knotted hair". Alysanne didn't agree, and thought Septa Elswyth was stupid.

Ser Addam turned to her as she approached. "Lady Alysanne." He said stiffly.

"Ser Marbrand." She said, just as formally as he had, before breaking out into giggles. A smile lit up his face. They always greeted each other that way, a game they had started back at the beginning of their journey.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, little lion?" He asked her.

She scrunched her eyebrows. "What did Lord Manderly mean when he called me the future Lady Stark?"

Ser Addam cursed under his breath, something about Lannisters and their fucking debts, she giggled when she heard the words leave his mouth. Ser Addam looked embarrassed that he had cursed in front of her, but she didn't mind it. Her father often cursed when he would come back from Lannisport late at night, and she thought it quite funny.

"Did your father and grandfather not explain why we were going north?"

She nodded. "They did. They told me that I was going North to foster, and that I would marry Robb Stark when I'm older."

This only made him look more confused. "Aye, that's correct. You'll marry Robb Stark, who will be Lord of Winterfell, which will make you the Lady of Winterfell."

She furrowed her brows again. "But that means I'll have to live in Winterfell forever."

"Yes, most like. That's what marriage means, you'll go and live with your Lord Husband."

"But then when will I return home? To Casterly Rock?"

Ser Addams face softened, and he looked at her sadly. "I imagine you'll be able to visit someday, if Lord Robb permits it."

She was still confused, but when will I go home for good? She asked him just that.

"To live?," he paused, his next words coming gently, with a sympathetic tone. "It's likely you never will. Marriage is forever."

That only confused her more. "But father and grandfather were both married once, and they're not anymore."

Ser Addam sighed. "That's because your grandmother and mother died, little lion."

Her shoulders slumped, and she didn't respond to him. She knew better than to ask about her mother. It always made her father sad or cross, and all grandfather had to say about her was that she had been pretty and a true lady.

They were silent for a while, until Ser Addam got her attention again. "Look, there," he said, pointing a finger towards the horizon. "That's Winterfell."

She smiled. It wasn't near as grand as Casterly Rock, but it was certainly bigger than the Red Keep. Movement caught her eye, and she saw two men riding their way, the banner they carried showing a grey direwolf running across a field of white.

"Who are they?" She asked Ser Addam, pointing them out.

"Stark men it looks like. Come to welcome you and escort us to Winterfell." They had sent men for her! To greet her! She had never felt more important in her life.

The men approach, the furs around their shoulders making them look larger and more menacing. The large man with white hair and whiskers on the sides of his face spoke first. "Allow me to welcome you to Winterfell, Lady Alysanne. And you must be Ser Marbrand."

She's thankful that Ser Addam responded, because she is taken about by his northern accent. I've never heard anything like it before! I almost can't understand what he's saying! Not even Lord Manderly had such a thick accent. She missed what Ser Addam said to him, but she heard him make introductions.

"I'm Ser Rodrick Cassel, and this here is my nephew, Jory." He gestured to the man holding what she assumed to be the Stark banner. He's handsome, with a clean shaven face and brown hair.

She nodded at the both of them. "Well met", she said.

They bid them to follow and so they urge their horses after them. She turned to Ser Addam as she rode and he gave her a reassuring smile and a nod of his head. As they rode towards Winterfell, she began to feel more unsteady and nervous. She was worried that they wouldn't like her, or that she would do something to grievously offend them and they would send her home and she would shame her whole family.

She had never been this far north before, she had never even left Casterly Rock and Lannisport until she traveled to King's Landing. She hears Aunt Cersei's voice in her head, words echoing from when she had invited her for tea before they left. "The northmen are savages. They know no courtesy and will likely despise you for being southron. Expect nothing, and keep your guard close."

She thought back to the Manderlys. They had been nothing but courteous to her, but then again, Ser Addam had said they were the most southron-like of the northern houses. Perhaps it was all an act, perhaps they just didn't want to scare you away.

So lost in her worries she is, that she didn't notice they had arrived outside of Winterfell until they came to a stop. They rode slowly through the gates, and she looked around wildly, trying to take everything in. The walls were a grey stone, and the courtyard was wide and sprawling. It wasn't green and flowery like the one in the Red Keep or at home, instead it was all dirt and stone paths. There were covered walkways that overlooked the yard, and pathways that looked to lead to other parts of the keep. It's all too much, and she didn't know where to look first.

She didn't stop looking around until she heard Ser Addam clear his throat. He was standing by her horse with his hand outstretched, waiting to help her down. When did we come to a stop? When did Ser Addam get off his horse? Everyone is looking at me, I've already made a fool of myself. Her face reddened as she took his outstretched hand and slipped off her horse. She looked back towards her Septa, who was emerging sleepily from the wheelhouse. Septa Elswyth made eye contact with her and gently motioned her forward.

A long faced man walked forward to meet her, a serious but not unkind look on his face. "Lady Alysanne, I'm Lord Stark. A pleasure to finally meet you."

She gave him a curtsy and bowed her head. "Well met, Lord Stark."

He offered her his arm and she took it as he led her towards his family, all lined up and waiting for her.

He guided her to the lady with hair like Ser Addams first, introducing her as the Lady Stark. She offered a kind, warm smile that Alysanne couldn't help but return.

Lady Stark took her hands and bid her to call her Lady Catelyn. "Welcome to Winterfell, Lady Alysanne. We're most pleased to have you."

"Thank you, Lady Catelyn."

Next is the boy with hair like Lady Catelyn's, and Lord Stark introduced him as his son and heir, and her betrothed, Robb Stark.

Oh! Her heart jumped. This is my betrothed then! The word betrothed felt weird to her, felt weird to hear aloud, and her face heated up and her words got stuck in her throat.

Neither of them said anything, and all she could do is offer him a shy smile. He only offered a half-hearted smile back, and she felt her heart sink. Have I already offended him? Do I displease him? Is it because I'm too southron, like Aunt Cersei said?

Next is his daughter Sansa, who looked to be around her age and was almost bouncing in excitement, and then little Arya and Bran, who stood hand in hand and gave her bright grins.

Lord Stark turned to her. "My lady wife will see you to your chambers, if you'll excuse me."

He gave a small nod of the head and turned to talk to Ser Addam, and the yard erupted into chaos. Stablehands came to take their horses, servants rushed to grab their luggage, Ser Addam yelled commands to the small retinue of guards her grandfather had sent with them, and she felt quite lost in the flurry of activity.

"Lady Alysanne." She turned around and found Lady Catelyn walking towards her, Sansa trailing after her.

She looked around and saw that Robb had run off with two boys who must have been standing with the rest of the household. They appeared to be teasing him, shoving him and ruffling his hair.

She turned back to Lady Catelyn. "My Lady," She said and then paused, trying to remember what else her Septa had instructed her to say. "Thank you for welcoming me into your home!" She added on hurriedly, hoping she hadn't offended Lady Catelyn.

Lady Catelyn smiled at her again. "Follow me, I'll show you to your rooms."

Alysanne followed after her, Sansa falling into step beside her.

"Mother says that you're a Lannister, that you're from the south." Sansa said excitedly.

Lady Catelyn gave Sansa a chiding look, and her face reddened.

"What is the south like? Is it just like the songs?" Sansa asked, shyly and more subdued than before.

Alysanne thought for a moment. "I suppose. We have tourneys, and there's knights, but Kings Landing isn't as fun as they make it sound."

Sansa let out a gasp, and her face lit up. "You've been to King's Landing?"

Alysanne gave her a slight smile and a nod. "I was just there, it's where we left from. We were there for Prince Joffrey's nameday tourney."

Sansa clasped her hands together. "What is the Red Keep like? What about the King and Queen? Oh! Tell me about the Prince! Is he very handsome?"

"Cousin Joffrey?" Sansa nodded. "He's handsome I guess." She thought about how Joffrey had pulled her hair when he visited the Rock last, how he had teased her and called her names in King's Landing. "He's not very nice, though."

Sansa frowned at this. "But he's the Prince, he's supposed to be nice."

Alysanne shrugged her shoulders, and Lady Catelyn came to a stop and opened the door in front of her. Sansa looked at her excitedly, the prince all but forgotten, and pulled her by her hand into the room.

"I chose your room myself! It's the closest to my room, and Arya's is right next to mine!"

Lady Catelyn looked at them fondly before offering her another welcome and excusing herself to settle the rest of the household. Sansa gave her a tour of her room, showing her where to find extra furs, and what part of the yard her window looks down on.

Her rooms were smaller than the ones she had at Casterly Rock, but they are by no means small. There was a four poster bed with wolves carved along it, thick furs draped over the end. A desk on one side of the room and a window with a cushioned seat on the other. There was a fireplace with a fur rug, bearskin, Sansa answered when Alysanne asked what kind of fur. She smiled when Alysanne said she's never seen a bear, and explained that she hadn't either. Alongside the rug was a small chair, and next to the fireplace was a chest for her things and an armoire for her dresses.

As the servants started to enter with her belongings, Sansa asked if she wanted to come and play in the godswood with Robb, Jon, Arya and her. Alysanne began to think that perhaps, just maybe, her Aunt Cersei was wrong.