The Death of Winter's Princess

Chapter VII

"For the last time, I fell into the mud and my horse ran off," Ashara said, turning in her chair to look at Alyssa who was grinning like a cat and combing her hair.

"Yes, but you came back riding with Aegon Targaryen and your arms wrapped around his waist," Alyssa pointed out and Ashara threw a hairpin at her older sister. "Shut up," she snapped as her sister ducked and the pin clattered against the wall before falling harmlessly to the bed.

"Well if you won't have a king, I'll take him," her sister said teasingly as the door was opened, revealing their brother. "Ah, Rickard! The wandering sheep comes home!"

"More like a lustful wolf," Ashara muttered and he laughed, leaning against the wall. "A tip for our little Dragon King, in order for the Queen of Ice's heart to melt one must look into her eyes with the most soulful gaze," he pushed off the wall and knelt down in front of Ashara and leaned close to her. "And then-"

"Alright stop it you crazy dog," Ashara said, laughing as she pushed him away from her, "I shall not be seduced by any man, including my own brother."

"But I thought you loved me!" He protested and Alyssa snorted. "Who wouldn't love the most charming Stark in this family?" She crowed and Rickard made a face at her before it was replaced by a smile as he turned to Ashara.

"He didn't try anything did he?" Rickard questioned and she rolled her eyes.

"For a womanizer, you seem to care a lot about women and their consent," Ashara said, scoffing as she shook out her hair. Rickard shrugged and said, "Well I don't force myself on women and you're my sister. I will always be protective of my siblings, no matter how annoying they are."

The last part of his comment was aimed at Alyssa, who glared at him.

"You're asking for a bed made of snow and horse dung in your pillow," she growled, making him smirk.

"I'd like to see you try, Sister. You have yet to succeed," Rickard said and she crossed her arms. "Only because you go and whine to Mother."

"I do not!" He protested and Ashara mimicked him, crying out in a high voice, "'Mother, Alyssa is being mean to me!'"

"I do not sound like that," Rickard snapped, making Ashara snicker.

"Be honest, Sister. Are you sure you want to open this door?" Rickard asked, changing the subject which caused Ashara to pause.

"I...A part of me does want him, but the other half knows exactly what could happen. He's already got two wives, Rickard! Two! They'll call me a seductress and a villain!" She cried and Rickard snorted.

"Who gives two shits about what the rest of Westeros thinks?" He questioned, standing and taking her hand, "As long as you know who you are and where your roots are, no one can hurt you."

"Not even a dragon?" Ashara asked in a meek voice. "Not even a dragon," Rickard swore, patting her on the head. "Hmph, dragons can melt ice," she muttered still unsure and Alyssa placed her comb down.

"Well if you marry Aegon and if you have a son, then you'll be the most important wife and you'll have time to get the lords of Westeros on your side so that you can secure the throne for him," Alyssa said and Ashara smiled wryly. "You're a much more cunning woman than I am, Sister. Are you sure you don't want to go down south instead?" She asked.

"Oh no, they'd all hate me down there," Alyssa said with a chuckle, "You're so petite and delicate, everyone would adore you, especially the smallfolk."

"Delicate?! I am not delicate!" Protested Ashara, her voice rising in indignation. "Anyways," her older sister continued as if she had never spoken, "Father will probably find you some Northern Lord to marry. I'm already betrothed to that Bolton boy and Robb is going to get married to the Karstark girl and Lysandra will marry that little child, Ronnel Arryn. You might as well place yourself next to Aegon. He's not that bad looking and he seems kind enough."