Winter's daughter

A/N: I want to grow as a writer and that is the main reason I am on this site. I also want to make sure my readers are having a blast reading my work. So if you all could give me a shout if I could make something better or what not I would be grateful. Don't be afraid to tear my work apart:) I really don't mind because readers are the best judges for stories. Enjoy !

Jane

Prolog

"I have brought fish from Cold Lake. All of Tiamas will be jealous of us, my daughter.." Inak said.

He was a tall man, pale with thick brown hair that went to his shoulders. He was clothed in the attire of all of the knights. A wool shirt, brass rings over the top, animal skin pants and then a dark wool cloak to keep the winter wind out.

"What do you mean?" Isabeth asked with a smile tugging on her lips.

She had once a good looking girl but years of toil and hard work mixed with bitterness had made her look much older then her sixteen years. Her life had been hard dealing with her father away fighting and the harshness of living as an outcast. But she was a Scott, born to lead not complain.

"It took me hours to catch such royalty."

She giggled. "Royalty? I won't go that far?" She giggled again.

"Well, if you are going to make such fun of my fish, I will eat it myself."

"Oh no you don't. I will cook them since I am the best cook."

"Maybe or maybe not. The traps were well stocked. Enough to feed you for a few days without problem. You also know how to hunt."

"But not for two of us. I swear you eat more food then a grown man should."

" I work hard fighting for the King. "

"I thought you gave that up so we could spend more time together."

"I did."

"Then we have no reason to talk about it. Lets eat." She sat by the fire near the table cleaning the fish.

"Isa, I have something I need to talk to you about."

"About the food? It will be ready in just a few moments."

"The King made a new law that anyone under one hundred has to be in the army, fighting."

"But you are wounded. How will you be able to fight?"

"I can fight. How dare you think I am unable." He stood to his feet slamming his hands on the table.

"It's the truth father."

She shifted in her seat. The floors were stone and covered in the ugly plain colored rugs. Father's shoes left wet marks on both of them. The room was not very large with a very low ceiling. The snow and wind beat against the door and three windows.

There was a moment of silence. The fire crackled and the wind quieted down.

"I am able as are you to do whatever needs to be done."

The wind began to blow again howling through the cracks.

"What do I have to do with this? You have made your choice. Leave, I have lived without your help for years now. I just thought that maybe it might be different this time. I always hope too much."

"Isa-"

Just then the door was pushed open by two knights. The wind and snow made its way into the room leaving a chilling air to the room and blowing out the two candles on the small dining table.

"We are waiting on you, Inak."

"Thank you. I will be out in just a moment."

They nodded and left the room.

He sat down. A sigh escaped his lips. "Isa, I don't want to leave our relationship like this."

"It is your fault but I don't even care now. Just leave father. I don't need your help anymore."

"Isa..."

"I said leave." A tear fell onto her cheek. She clasped the necklace her mother gave to her to her chest. A tear spilled onto it. The fish lay on the table forgotten.

Inak left the house. The ice cold wind blew down his collar bringing with it snow and rain. His breath made steam clouds on the air as he walked towards the shapes that were his fellow men. But then he turned. The snow fell gently on his shoulders.

Isabeth sat on her chair. Her face like ice and it felt just as cold. Her fingers pale like snow moved back and forth. The wind howling through the tiny room.

The door opened. She turned, a thaw beginning on her face. Her fingers stopped moving.

"I am sorry," he said standing in the doorway. "I cannot leave like this. Since Grace died you are all I have. Please, let us get along. I cannot change the law but I can change my feelings toward it."

A part of her hair fell into her face. The snow and wind whirred through the tiny room like a summer breeze. " Will you not stay?"

"I cannot love,though I want to with all that is inside of me."

She looked away from him."Then I cannot change my feelings towards you or it."

He sat down on the chair. The door slammed shut by the wind and snow.

He pocked the fire with a long steel half hearty. His eyes were a dim blue, lifeless and he looked at her. The fire crackled even louder before exploding out with a hiss. The sound filling up the lifeless room. When she understood that his mind would not be changed her heart cried out. But she bite her lip and looked away. Her limbs were stiff like ice as she stood to her feet. She placed a kiss on his cheek coldly then turned and sat back down. "You don't want to keep them waiting any longer. Good bye father."

He stood to his feet and looked at her.

"One day you will thank me for all I have done for you."

He left, the door rang out his departure. The snow continued to fall wilder then before. She sat alone once more.