Rose of the North

Chapter Four

"Theon!" I squealed in delight as held unto him tightly. Robb and father had been busy with their duties so Theon thought it was a great time to take me out horse riding. He held the reigns whilst I sat in front of him, my hair no doubt tickling his chin.

He stopped my mare in a small clearing in the forest and got off before helding his hand out for me. "My lady," He exaggerated a bow.

I laughed but rolled my eyes. "Why thank you, good ser." I got off and curtsied for him. I looked around my surrounding. "Where are we?" I asked out of wonder, looking left and right at the scene before me.

"Amazing isn't it?" Theon grinned looking around.

"It's beautiful." I agreed with him. In fact, I find the North a very mystical place. Sure, Southerners complain about us, how the weather is horrid and how the people are broody, but it has a certain old charm, everywhere you go, you see pieces of history. The untouched woods forever clouded with mist, the great stone walls of the Northern castles, it has its own beauty. Something I will miss dearly for when I head down south.

"You're beautiful," Theon said, a goofy smile plastered on his face.

A small smile danced on my lips. "Oh hush, Theon Greyjoy. Don't you think I'm not familiar with the way you make the ladies of Winterfell swoon? I've spent my whole life watching you flirt with all the hand maidens and serving girls, seeing them melt at the words of admiration you spoke."

"Still, your beauty surpasses them all. Your beauty is known throughout the whole kingdom, even more so than the Queen herself. Don't you know how many guards and stable boys I have beaten for looking at you inappropriately?"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "I do hope none. I do not wish for anyone to get hurt because of me."

"Not to mention the dozens of Lords that come from all the seven Kingdoms to ask for your hand in marriage since you turned 15." Theon said as I recalled all the men that have come bearing gifts for my parents and I. "Yet you chose me, a mere hostage of your father." He said, looking proud of himself.

I rolled my eyes. "You know I do not care the least bit about titles. You're no hostage, Theon. Robb thinks of you as his friend, so does Jon Snow."

 "And what do you think of me, Maire?" He questioned.

 I bit my lip. "I don't know." I replied softly. "But I do know that I care about you more than I care about anyone before." I stroked his cheek with my right hand.

 "As do I, Maire, as do I," Theon said before closing the gap between us.

 I cannot dismiss the effect Theon had on me, every time he touch me, it sent waves of pleasure throughout my whole body. My lips tingled at the thought of kissing him and when I was without him, my body craved for his touch.

We heard hooves galloping before stopping abruptly. We broke off from our kiss and saw a baffled Robb. "What in gods name is this?" He seethed. Looking like he wanted to murder Theon.

He got off this horse and pushed Theon roughly. "What do you think are you doing with my twin sister, Theon?" He seethed, ramming the poor lad against the bark of a tree.

"Clearly, we were kissing before you interrupted us." Theon answered smartly. I cursed inside my head. Now's not the time to get all smart and cheeky, Theon.

"The hell you are. You know very well she already belongs to another man. You-" He pointed an accusing finger to me, "Don't tell me he already ruined you. Don't tell me that you-" 

"Robb, Relax." I put my hands on his shoulder. "He did no such thing. I'm still pure, as all ladies should before she weds." I answered calmly.

"I know you don't like Jaime Lannister, but to do this? You're just taking it to a whole new level. If mother or father finds out, they will have Theon's head. You know mother is already not fond of Theon, what would she do if she found out? 

"She won't. You won't tell her," I said firmly.

"I will not tell anyone as long as this thing you two have is over. It ends right here." Robb glared at Theon. "As much as you are my friend, if you hurt my sister, I will not hesitate to hurt you ten times more. Maire, this has to stop. If this continues, you're reputation will be ruined. What will Jaime think of his bride? What would Lord Tywin see?" Robb lectured.

"You can't tell us what to do. Maire is already a grown woman and can make her own decisions." Theon frowned at Robb. "And I know my reputation, but you under estimate how much I care for Maire."

"It still doesn't change the fact that you've been kissing my twin. This is not up for discussion. As your brother and twin, I forbid you to see Theon alone ever again. I know what's best for you, and Theon's not it. 

"You can't do that," Theon said furiously. 

"The hell I will." Robb said sternly. I looked at the two back and forth, slightly shaking in my winter dress.

"Then send your twin to the Kingslayer. Gods know he'll treat her worse than I ever would." Theon said walking away in anger.

"Theon where are you going?" I called out.

"To see Ros. Clearly, no matter what I do, it looks like no one is going to see me fit to be with the precious Lady Maire Stark, not even Maire Stark herself." He sneered.

I saw him walk off in fury away for us and I faced Robb with tears brimming in my eyes. "Why did you do that, Robb? I care for him. He has made me happy which I have not been in a long time. And now because of you, he's back to his old ways."

"Theon's my friend, Maire, but he's not a good enough man for you. I did nothing to spur his intentions. Theon makes his own choices. This is for your own good." He tried to reasoned.

"You're wrong." I got up on my horse ready to gallop away. "Marrying the Lannister may be good for the whole family, but would make me nothing but miserable." I said curtly, looking at my brother with a fierce stare before galloping away.

I ride in no particular direction, I just wanted to get farther and farther away from him. I thought about what my brother said, and how Theon reacted. I'm hurt and mad that he would just throw me away to some whore after what Robb has said. But I know Robb only speak the painful truth. I can never be with Theon. Father, mother, even Tywin Lannister will see to it. Maybe we both are better off without each other  

All through dinner, I could feel a pair of eyes staring deeply into me, no doubt they belong to Theon Greyjoy. Little did I know, Theon was debating whether or not to approach me to apologise. But I was too mad to notice his regretful expression.

When I looked up from my plate, I met Theon's gaze. I gave him a look with such distaste that he looked away. Now, all I could think all the words he spoke, and how they were just empty promises. 

Theon didn't know what sort of spell Maire had cast on him, but as an Ironborn, he never would've thought that a mere woman could make him so weak. Then again, Ironborn do not know what love was. He only heard stories of Ironmen raping women and making them their salt wives. However, he would never do such thing to Maire. Maire is a special woman, and she should never be treated in such way.

All I long for is to escape from the recent events that have occurred. She missed her life in Dorne. Being away from my family was hard, but in Dorne, I was able to escape the horrors and wretched tales of Westeros. Prince Oberyn had took me under his wing, and treated me like I was his own daughter. The Red Viper even allowed me to train to himself and his daughters, Elia and Nymeria Sand.

"Can I be excused, father?" I asked Ned Stark.

He looked concern. His eldest daughter has not eaten much in the past week since she learnt of her betrothal, but there was nothing he could do. He knew a war was brewing and it is best to make alliances now and the Lannisters are one of the most powerful houses in all of Westeros. 

I got up form her seat even before my father could reply and walked away. Sansa and Robb looked at my retreating figure worriedly, Bran and baby Rickon minded their own business, unknown to the events occurring

A/N: Who's excoted for the new season coming in two weeks time? I know I am. I hope you like this chapter. Please comment/like. It'll be awesome if I knew what you'd think of it. Right now, I'm just writing filler chapters. I intend to follow the main storyline from the books with several tweaks. The *spoilters* death of Jon Arryn will be where a familiar plot will come along. Probably in the new chapter or two. ANyways, I hope you enjoy the series so far.