Hey all, thank you for checking out my story. A couple of things before I start, this is my first fanfic on this site and I'll need time to figure everything out so please be patient with me and I'll have chapters out ASAP. Second, this is a Game of Thrones fanfic so it will include everything ugly about the world of Westeros. Lastly, my OC is the trueborn daughter of Roose Bolton who's lived at the Dreadfort her entire life so don't expect her to be nice. That being said, please enjoy!

Winterfell, the North

It was a fairly typical day for the heir to Winterfell. As with most days, he had spent it in the courtyard training with his bastard half-brother Jon Snow and his father's ward Theon Greyjoy. At the moment, he was sparring with Theon, who was proving to be a good match this day.

"You're losing your touch, Stark," the heir to the Iron Islands taunted. "Can't a wolf beat a kraken on land?"

"This particular kraken spends more time in women's beds than on land or in water anyways." Robb taunted back with a grin.

Theon merely laughed, "Maybe so, but we'll find out if it helps all the same."

They sparred for a few more minutes before Robb finally got the upper hand and disarmed the Greyjoy.

"I'll get you one of these days, Stark!" the Greyjoy cheerfully japed as he clapped his hand on the Stark heir's back.

"We'll see, Greyjoy." Robb smiled back, turning to see Maester Luwin.

"My lord," Luwin bowed his head. "Forgive me, but your father requests your presence in his solar."

Robb nodded his head, walking in the direction of the castle, the maester following closely behind.

They walked to the solar in silence, something that unnerved Robb, but he didn't say anything. As they reached the door, the maester knocked.

"Come in." Robb's father, Ned, said from behind the door.

The maester opened the door, allowing himself and Robb to step into the room. Ned looked up from his desk and smiled at Robb.

"Maester, leave us, please." Ned told Luwin.

"My lords." Luwin bowed his head slightly and exited the room.

Once the door was closed, Ned turned back to Robb and handed him a scroll, "You'll want to read this, Robb."

Robb took the scroll, noticing the now broken seal: the flayed man of House Bolton, sending a chill down his spine. The Starks and the Boltons had been enemies for thousands of years, the latter having flayed numerous Starks alive before they were defeated and forced to give up the practice.

Robb opened the scroll and read aloud:

"To Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North,

For too long have our houses been enemies, fighting numerous wars against each other when no one can even recall the reason why. With winter coming, the North must stand together if we are to survive. To that end, I suggest a match between your son Robb and my daughter Julina. She is a woman grown and would be a dutiful wife and lady of Winterfell. I hope to hear a response soon.

Signed,

Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort"

"So that's it then? I'm to marry Lady Julina?" Robb asked emotionlessly.

"Lord Bolton is right," Ned sighed. "With winter coming, the North must stand together."

"So I have no say in the matter?" Robb asked, on the verge of tears. "I must marry a daughter of our family's oldest enemy, no questions asked?"

Eddard looked at his eldest son sympathetically. This was a lot to ask of a boy who hadn't even reached his eighteenth nameday. But he also had to think about the good of the North.

"Robb, I know it's hard to understand right now and I do wish for this to be your choice but the Boltons are our most powerful bannermen. They have gone to war with us. They have shed blood for us. They have lost sons for us." Ned replied calmly.

"They also skinned our ancestors alive." Robb said bitterly.

"I know but that was thousands of years ago and flaying is now outlawed in the North." Ned said.

"But how am I supposed to marry a woman whose ancestors wore our skins as cloaks?" Robb asked. "How am I supposed to look this woman in the eyes and not see knives and crosses? How am I supposed to swear before the godswood to love someone who belongs to a family like that?"

"Robb," Ned stated kindly. "You don't know this girl nor does she you. Your mother and I also barely knew each other when we wed but we grew to love each other and I wouldn't change anything about how things have turned out. I also doubt Lady Julina has done any flaying in her lifetime. If you truly don't wish to marry her, I can write to Lord Bolton and tell him no but I truly think it would be wise to consider this carefully. Rejecting the Boltons will only lead to animosity and division, and winter is coming."

Robb was quiet, he knew his father was right. He knew this was the smartest decision but that didn't make it any easier to swallow. As horrified as he was to be marrying a Bolton, he knew that if he were to succeed his father one day, he'd need to learn to put the greater good above his own misgivings.

"I'll do it." Robb said.