Rose of the North

Chapter Five

I hit the target on the bull's eye and grinned, facing Jon Snow's face cloaked in disbelief. "You hit all 5 target in the bull's eye. I think you've might be the best archer in all of Winterfell."

"Well I made sure my time in Dorne was not for nothing. I've learned the tricks of their trade." I said proudly.

"Father should consider enlisting you as a soldier." Jon stated. "You'll make a good banner woman,"

"Do you honestly think he will let me? Mother will have a heart attack! Besides, it's not like we are going to war anytime soon."

"I'm not sure, Maire," Jon whispered as we stared out at the horizons. "You know you could feel something brewing out there,"

"Winter is coming," I replied solemnly, the words of House Stark.

"Jon!" Bran cried out from the broken tower, for a second I thought he was falling.

"Be careful, Bran," Jon cried out, worried for his half brother.

"I'm the best climber in all of the North." Bran cried out proudly.

"Aye, but let us not test the gods!" Jon looked at me, and I motioned him to go to Bran. He ran towards the tower, urging Bran to go down. I shook my head and laugh, there's no getting Bran to stop climbing anything. He started climbing things the moment he took his first steps.

"Maire," my body grew rigid at the sound of his voice.

"What do you want Theon?" I said ruefully, walking away from the Ironborn and heading inside. 

"I need to talk to you," He said.

"There's nothing to talk about, Theon."

"Yes, there is," He insisted trying to catch up with me.

"Fine. What do you want to talk about? Are you going to boast about your nights in the brothel? Cause please do share, I would love to know what you did with those harlots." I gritted my teeth.

"I did not bed a harlot," He said firmly.

"Your words hold no truth to me, Theon Greyjoy." I made a mistake when I trusted Theon to never go to the brothel. I turned around and starting walking hastily away form him.

"Maire, stop!" Theon said with such command that it stopped me in my tracks. "You want me to speak of the truth?" I stared at him, daring him to go on. Theon looked conflicted, but groaned before answering. "I'm terrified, alright! There! I've said it. I am terrified at the power you have over me."

I can't help but softened at his confession.

"I am an Ironborn. More off, I am Theon Greyjoy, only living son of Balon Greyjoy. No one holds nothing over me." He started out. "Especially not a mere woman." I glared at him. I wanted to walk away but he held a firm grip on my wrist. "But you are different. The more I grew closer to you, the more I realize you are no ordinary woman. You are special to me, Maire. Seven hells, you were the only person who can make me stay out of a brothel," a small chuckle can't help but escape my lips. "So I'm not going to throw you away just like that. I'm not letting you go that easily," He admitted with such conviction my heart soared.

"Then don't let me," I whispered. He closed the gap between us and lifted my chin with a finger, kissing me with such intensity that sent ripples of pleasure down my body. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him as close as possible, not wanting to let this moment pass.

"Do you love him?" Robb asked me. We were laying down on a bed of green grass right by the godswood, staring at the pale Northern sky.

"I can't say," I answered softly. "I am still young, how am I suppose to know what love feels like."

 "For your sake, I hope you won't ever love him," Robb said, which was quite horrible thing to say, but I understood him. "I don't want you to get hurt, I really don't." My twin turned and looked at me in the eyes. Robb would surely feel it if I get hurt, call it twin intuition 

"I hope so too," I murmured.

"Do you think our parents will wed me off to some noble girl soon?" He changed the topic of our conversion, which I was glad for.

"I already have my death sentence, I'm sure yours will follow," I tried to crack a joke and succeeded in bringing a small smile to my normally broody brother.

"I hope that she'll a wonderful woman." He had a dreamlike look in his eyes. Robb wouldn't admit it, but my twin is a hopeless romantic at times. He's even worse than Jon sometimes. "It's funny how not long soon, I'll be Lord of Winterfell, and you Lady of Casterly Rock."

 I shook my head and chuckled bitterly. "We'll be worlds away," Casterly Rock is in the Westerlands, a good months worth of travel away from Winterfell.

"Can you imagine yourself as a Southern lady?" Robb asked, laughing at the thought of it. "Sitting with other Southern ladies, gossiping over the silliest of things, sporting the most ridiculous of hairstyles. My twin sister, I dare say you belong with the men more."

I hit Robb in the chest. "Just because I can fight better than you, doesn't make me more of a man,"

"You think you fight better than me?" Robb got up from where he laid down and genuinely looked offended.

I smirked, "I only speak the truth,"

Robb furrowed his eyebrows for quite a long time before answering. "We both are equally good. Let us settle at that," Robb said pragmatically. "To be fair, you are indeed a far better archer and strategist than I am, but I'm better at sword fighting and hand combat than you are."

Robb always has a way to be the more sensible one. I may be the older twin, but he was always the more mature and practical one.

"Fine," I huffed. I was about to lay back down but was stopped by the rumbling in my stomach.

It sent Robb laughing hysterically. "There you have it, the Rose of the North in all her grace and elegance,"

I made a face at Robb but stood up and offered him a hand. "I propose we sneak in the kitchens and stuff as much honey cakes in our mouth before the cooks notice us."

Robb shook his head but let me drag him along. I think the only time I see Robb break the rules, is when he's with me. If only he were to influence me more instead of having it the other way around.  

A/N: Chapter Five out! I must be on a roll this week. Anyways, if you liked it please comment/like. If you realised, I have updated and edited my first four chapters. I didn't change the main plot, only tried to change the appearance and character of Maire. I felt that she wasn't as strong and independent than I would've like. I hope you liked the edited previous chapters. Next chapter for sure, I'll finally come to the part in Game of Thrones where King Robert comes to Winterfell to make Ned the hand of King. Until then, enjoy the picture of Theon Greyjoy. ;D