The Stag Queen (on hiatus)

Winter Is Coming: Part I

It's been six months since Jon Arryn's death, and they left Kings Landing for Winterfell. They're less than a day's ride from Winterfell, and Cassana is anxious to get there. Cassana can't remember when she last saw Winterfell, and it's been six years since seeing her Uncle Ned and longer for her Aunt Cat; letters don't bridge the gap. She's been riding next to her Father for most of the ride, talking about his youth and hearing stories, some of which she has heard before, but she doesn't mind. Of course, her Mother was not a fan of her riding on horseback most of the way, but Cassana conceded to riding in the carriage from now on, which is how she finds herself squished between her siblings. Tommen had gotten sick from all the bumps in the roads, so he clung to her arm for comfort as Myrcella played with her free hand and talked about all the snow and how cold it was while Joffrey took his turn riding with their Father. Cersei sat across from her children and read while looking up every so often at them and smiling at how close they were. "How much longer do you think it will be Cass?" Cassana squeezes her little sister's hand and kisses her head, which is on her shoulder. "Two hours at most. Why?" Myrcella beams up at her sister with a mischievous smile. "I want to play in the snow."

Cassana looks at her sister and raises her brow. "That's all you want to do?" Myrcella looks at Tommen, and they both laugh. "Maybe throw snow at you and Joffrey too." Cassana gasps and puts her hand on her heart in fake hurt. "You would betray your only sister! And here I thought I was your favorite." She pokes at both their stomachs, making them break into fits of laughter. Cersei smiled at the sight of her eldest with her youngest. Seeing all four's close bond, especially Cassana with her littlest brother and sister, made her happy. They continue to play and talk until the carriage hits a more significant bump than usual, and they hear a call for them to stop. Cassana looks at her Mother, who shares the same look of confusion, before looking out the window to see what is happening.

Cassana takes that moment to untangle herself from her siblings, open the door, and step out quickly before she hears her Mother protest. She shut the door behind just as fast as she opened it. She walks past the carriage and pets the horses before seeing her Father and brother. She walks toward them while holding the skirt to her dress as she trudges through the snow. "Why did we stop?" Her Father and brother turn at her voice, and her Father smiles at her. "Ah, good Cass, I was just telling your brother that we were close, then I saw it." Cassana looks from her Father to her brother, who smiles at her before she breaks the silence. "It?" Robert holds his arm to his daughter and points to a small hill. She takes it, and they walk up before they reach the crest, and she finally sees what he is talking about Winterfell. The castle that holds thousands of stories and has seen hundreds of kings; finally, they were within reach.

"It's beautiful!" Robert smiles at his daughter's awe and squeezes her arm to get her attention. "Tell your Mother and siblings that you will be there in a few; knowing your Mother, she'll want to prepare." Cassana smiles and runs back to the carriage with a massive smile. She opens the door and jumps in next to her Mother, who is surprised by the enthusiasm. "Well, what was it that made you flee the carriage?" "We are nearly there. Only a few minutes, maybe an hour, before we reach Winterfell, and I see Uncle Ned and Aunt Cat!" Cersei smiles at her giddiness and takes her hand in hers. "Then we need to freshen up and fix ourselves."