Rose of the North

Chapter Three

"You know this is very risky." I looked up and met Theon's eyes. We were sitting under a shade of an oak tree, the scene of the old godswood infront of us. I leaned against him and sighed contently. Caving in to my feelings has brought a sense of relief but at the same time a greater sense of fear.

"You know this feels right," Theon kissed my neck and smiled inwardly.

"It does." I answered meekly before turning my head towards him and capturing my lips in his. Theon groaned when I let go of our compromising position.

"You're going to be the death of me, Maire." He joked half heartedly.

"I sure hope not." I gave him a toothy smile. I touched his face and watched his eyes close in contentment. "I'm not yours Theon, and I can't satisfy you the way a woman should. But at the same time, it pains me knowing you are with a harlot most nights." I bit my lip, voicing my insecurities.

Theon opened his eyes and held my cheeks, making me look at him. "Gods know I have my needs, Maire. But ever since I kissed you, the thought of bedding a common whore displeases me. I will respect you like any and should. I promise you, as long as we're together, I would never touch another woman."

"Don't promise something you can't keep, Theon." I smiled sadly. "I wouldn't call this being together. No one can ever know the existence of what we have. I already belong to another."

Theon grew tense. "Your father seems so keen to marry you to a noble born. Can't he see that I am as well? I am the only living heir of my father. No matter what I am still a Greyjoy by blood. Once my father passes, I will rule over the Iron Islands. You could be my wife instead. 

"You know father won't allow that." I said not looking at him 

He got up, pushing me in the way. "You know, sometimes I feel that you actually want to marry Jaime Lannister. I bet you just want me there in the shadows to warm your bed when he's away on his Lordly duties. Because clearly he doesn't even want to see you, much less touch you in any way." he spitted out before walking away.

I gritted my teeth. Why does Theon take everything I say the wrong way? Theon is always too quick to judge and too hot-tempered. I guess you can take away the sea from the Ironman but the Iron blood in him will always be inside.

 "How do you like Winterfell so far, Lord Jaime?" I asked politely. Our parents have forced us to take on a walk together. I guess they realized that we both were avoiding each other. It is Jaime's last day here and I was so close to getting away with it 

"The North is a cold and harsh place who breed equally cold and harsh people." He commented.

"Truth to be told, you Southerners can't handle our bluntness. You people are two busy whispering in the background, backstabbing and deceiving your way to the top." I couldn't help but response.

Jaime widened his eyes, the young girl catching him by surprise. He recovered, flashing me a lopsided grin many girls fall for, but not me. "I see you are very protective over your fellow Northerners. Which I can't say the same for me, all those things you said about the Southerners are nothing but the truth." We continued out walk before he asked me a question, after realising I wasn't planning on responding. "Tell me, why would a proud Northerner like yourself head down to Dorne? Much less sword fight. Last time I check, no lady fights in the battlefield."

I rolled my eyes. "You're just like other men. Please don't undermine my martial skills just because I am a mere woman in your eyes. Ladylike activities do not engage me as sparring a knight does."

"There's only three men in the whole Kingdom that could win in a sword fight with me. You do not include." Jaime said arrogantly.

"If you wanted a fight, then you've got it. I am not afraid to go against the Kingslayer." I could tell me didn't like me calling him that when he cringed slightly at the word.

"You think you're a match for me? Tell me girl, have you ever killed a man?" I hated how Jaime talked down on me like I am a little girl.

My eyes flashed in anger. "I do not wish to discuss such things to you," I walked away but Jaime grabbed my hand, forcing me to stay beside him. He just stared at me, trying to read my face. He won't admit that this girl is something he never seen before. Never did he meet a lady so strong-willed and opinionated.

"Why?" I asked simply.

"Why what?" Jaime looked confused.

"Why did you kill him, the Mad King? Many songs and stories were made after the infamous Kingslayer but they all failed to mention the reason of his act of treachery." 

Once more, Jaime was caught off guard. No one did ever ask him that question. He hated them for it. They were all too quick to judge him, even the girl's father himself. "He was going to burn the whole city down. He had been making a stock of wildfire and had pyromancers ready to lit them on his behalf. He was truly mad. When he turned around to head to the dungeons to meet the pyromancer, I made up my mind that he was not going away with it. I stabbed him in the back." Jaime recalled. He never did tell anyone the story, only cause no one have asked until now.

"People should deserve to know. You did a great thing. I apologise for thinking you've done it because you spite him." I said.

Jaime shook his head. "You are not who I thought you would be." 

"So do you, Jaime Lannister. May be there's something more to your arrogant, prideful façade." I realized we've circled the whole palace and is now back in the courtyard. I saw my sisters waving at me to join their lessons. "Safe trip on your journey home, Kingslayer." I still referred him as so just to spite him. Before he could comment, I walked away calling after Jon who I saw just walked passed.

Jaime balled his hands into fists. How dare she still call him that after what he told her? He watched her go to her sisters and laughed at something they said. He remembered coming to Winterfell hell bent on hating his bride to be, but truth to be told, she was not who he thought she was. He expected a boring prim and proper lady, groomed to be obedient to her husband, but Jaime could tell she would not conform to this belief. He shook his head. He still hated her, for she will come in between him and the only love of his life, his twin sister, Cersei.  

I stood in the courtyard as we bid goodbye to the Lannisters. I have yet to see the infamous Tyrion Lannister for it seem that he much rather prefer the company of harlots.

"I bid you a safe journey, Lord Jaime." I curtsied. I could feel Lord's Tywin stare burning a hole through me.

"I have enjoyed my time here, Lady Maire. I look forward to spending the rest of my days with you. I look forward for your arrival in Casterly Rock for our wedding," Jaime sounded like he was reciting something his father told him to. He kissed my cheek and I stiffened at the action.

He got up on his horse and I could see Tywin giving him a small nod, looking like he was pleased at what Jaime did. We watch the whole cavalry leave our gates until the Lannister's banners cannot be seen in the horizon.

"God he's annoying." Robb muttered.

"Robb," my father warned.

"He spent the whole week ignoring Maire. And he had the decency to speak those words to her?" Robb said incredulously before walking off in a fit of annoyance. 

I was a little happy that at least I had my twin on my side. I looked to my right and saw Theon staring at me. He had his lips pursed. I guessed he saw Jaime kissed my cheek. But what was I supposed to do? Stop him? Tywin and Jaime himself would have my head. I'm sure that I am the only woman in the whole of Westeros to have not fall head over heels for the handsome Lannister man.