A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the long gap. Writer's block is a bitch.
Anyways, I think I've gotten past it. I have posted Chapter Four and edited Chapter Three as well. Not really a lot of major changes, but still suggest you reread it. I'm almost done writing Chapter Five and if you follow Bittersweet Cherries and The Tales of A Westerosi Housewife, you can expect updates for those as well.
Thank you for being so patient and I hope you enjoy it!?
Chapter Four:
Minisa hummed quietly as she walked down the halls, her eyes to the ceiling and her face blank in a lost fashion. Such a normal sight that the servants and house staff passing by pay no mind to her, nor the box she holds in her hand.
She turns across one of the empty guest chambers, looks around to make sure the coast is clear and then enters, closing the door behind her.
Jeyne is already there waiting for her with her own box in hand. She jumps at the opening door but relaxes when she see's its just Minisa.
"She didn't see you right?" Jeyne asks.
"No, I've employed Arya to distract her all day."
At that, the two girls rip open their boxes at the same time. Revealed are two pieces of dark blue lace embroidered with intricate silver stitchings. The fabrics had been imported specially and the two girls had worked on them for the better part of a year, Minisa crafting the top and Jeyne the skirts. All that was left now was to attach the two parts.
It's a present for Sansa for her sixteenth nameday. A big occasion that Minisa could hardly wait for!
Many people outside the North considered them a solemn people who had no concept of fun, but just because they didn't have melee's or tourneys didn't mean they didn't know how to celebrate. Tomorrow would be testament to that.
The girls got to work sewing the two halves together. The work came easy but the conversation was a little bit more difficult.
Minisa and Jeyne weren't that close these days, diverging further apart with age. Sansa was the only thing liking them together. If not for her, Minisa doubts the two would even consider eachother friends.
It felt like half the day had wasted away and the two still weren't finished.
"This is taking forever," Minisa sighed.
"Well, we would've had less to do if someone had showed up when they were supposed to yesterday." Jeyne shrugged, not digging at her but stating a fact.
" Sorry about that. My mother wanted to talk to me and Sansa and I couldn't get out of it."
"What did she want?"
"To discuss betrothal prospects. Benfred Tallhart for me." Minisa left out the part of Sansa's match. She didn't want to put anything into the air until it was final.
It had mentioned their father had been in talk with the King about a potential union between their houses, but they had thought it was for Robb and Myrcella. It made the most sense. So imagine her and Sansa's surprise (and excitement) when their mother told them it had been for Sansa and Joffrey. Then, she topped it off by saying that her father had been discussing a union for her as well.
The conversation had not taken Minisa by surprise. In fact, she had eagerly awaited it.
While a late bloomer, she had bloomed. Her face had thinned out more, making her features more defined. Her knobby knees and thin frame had done the opposite of her face, filling instead of thinning. She was not ignorant to the attention these changes had garnered her.
She was entering womanhood, and one of the things that came with that was marriage.
"It would be a good match. Are you excited?"
"Escatic," Minisa sighed happily.
Ever since she was little, she had dreamed of such love. The romance of being courted seemed so lovely. Walks through the gardens, stolen glances across tables, dances in the dining halls, him gifting her a flower, her gifting him a kiss.
Sure, Minisa did not know much about him besides him being very respectful. He had mostly stuck with the boys during the few times he visited Winterfell with his father. But unions had been built on less. She would remain optimistic.
"That's good. " Jeyne remarked.
Oh, Minisa guessed she had said that out loud.
"You can't truly know a person until you're in front of them, but you can get pretty close."
"What do you mean?"
"You should try to get to know more about him. His house, his family, what its like where he lives. That way you'll already be halfway there when you actually meet him."
"Oh Jeyne, that's a wonderful idea"
The young girl smiled at the praise, "So... Are your parents considering marriage prospects for the sons as well?"
"You mean Robb?" Minisa asks, but doesn't wait for answer. Of course she meant Robb, Rickon and Bran were too young to have serious marriage prospects, "Sansa says Wylla Manderly or Meera Reed is likely. Maybe Yara Greyjoy." Minisa shrugs, "Personally, I think they're going to leave the choice up to Robb."
"You think they'll let him marry who he wants?"
Minisa hummed in agreement, "It's not an urgent matter. We aren't at war and I have two more brothers in line right now. I don't see why not."
Jeyne nodded, going back to work. Minisa notes that she doesn't seem as annoyed as before, and her smile is one of contentment.
"This news pleases you?" Minisa questions.
Jeyne shrugs tense shoulders, her needlework suddenly becoming more interesting to her. Unusual, Jeyne does not give halfway answers and is not one to hold her tongue. She's nervous. Then, it dawns on Minisa.
"You like Robb."
It's a weird realization but not a surprising one. Robb was the heir to the North, far from ugly, and one of the best people Minisa knew.
Jeyne looks up abruptly, "No, I do not."
The behavior is the same as when Bran tells their mother he wasn't climbing, or Arya denies "borrowing" Bran's training sword. It's not convincing at all.
"Yes you do," Minisa says evenly, leaving no room for argument though Jeyne still argues it.
She allows herself to consider the idea of Robb and Jeyne. Jeyne is a good person. A little judgmental and she had the tendency to let her jealousy overcome her at times, but she was loyal. And caring. And nurturing. She had been a part of many of the same lessons as Minisa and her sister, and did well in them. She could run a household. She would treat Robb well, and he her.
She stares at Jeyne and she see's it: the brown-haired girl stands in the snows of Winterfell, her arms linked with some man as she is marched to her awaiting betrothed. Around her is a cloak with a direwolf on it.
"It is alright Jeyne," Minisa interrupts the girls ramblings, "I quite think the two of you would make a good match. "
This takes the girl aback. After a few seconds she speaks up, her voice small, "...Really?"
Minisa smiles, placing a hand on Jeyne's shoulder. "Really."
Minisa sits outside in the courtyard, Nori curled up into her side like a little puppy. Her dark brown fur had been growing longer (as all the direwolves were. A sign of it getting colder) and Minisa loved just loved to melt into the soft, warm hair. It was even more comfterable than her bed.
On her lap she held some paper. Lately, she had gotten into the habit of writing down her imaginings. In front of her, she had written the vision she had of Jeyne and Robb. It wasn't great, and all you could really make out were two cloaked figures holding hands under the wierwood tree.
"Sister!"
Looking up, she saw Robb and Theon stalking across to her. Greywind was hot on Robb's trail, a permanent shadow. Clad in their cloaks and riding shoes, they must've just returned from somewhere.
"Robb," she greeted, then added on, "Theon."
The ward inclined his head but otherwise said nothing. He barely did these days. He was neither mean nor friendly but simply was removed. She had mourned the loss of their friendship but had still yet to get used to it.
Nori peaked her head up at their arrival and arose from Minisa's side, wandering off to greet her own brother.
"What are you writing?"Robb asked, peaking over at her book. Minisa turned it around, showing him the page.
"A wedding." He observed, "A little eager, aren't we? Nothing's even final yet."
Oh, he thought the photo was about her. Good. She wouldn't have to explain why she was drawing pictures of him and Jeyne.
"What are you two talking about?" Theon questioned, a confused look on his face.
"Benfred Tallhart," Robb rolled his eyes.
"Big-Neck Ben?"
Minisa almost laughed at the jape but felt it would not be proper to laugh at such a jape about her future husband. She settled for a small smile and warned teasingly, "I'd watch myself Theon, that is my betrothed you're talking about."
Theon's jaw ticked at that, probably annoyed at the reprimand. Unusual, considering he got chastised almost ten times a day and usually just let it roll off his back.
"Almost betrothed," Robb reminded her.
"Same difference." She waved him off, "Anyway, I think father is looking for you. Something about 'Lordly duties'."
"Right, I'll see you later at dinner."
Robb stalked off with Greywind on his heels. When she didn't see the back of Theon's figure following Robb she turned to find him staring at her intensely with a look she couldn't quite decipher.
Before she could say anything, the Ironborn tore his eyes away from her and stomped off in the same direction Robb had gone. Not so much as saying goodbye.
Minisa stared after him in frustration. She was not used to dealing with rudeness or being ignored, especially since she had not said anything out of the way to him.
As if feeling her mood, Nori stalked towards Minisa and laid her head on her shoulder. Minisa hadn't known her face was scrunched up until she felt it soften. She moved her arm, making room for Nori to lay back down.
