"the best way to hide a wolf is to make people believe they are nothing more than a well-trained dog."
Arrelle Stark was a wolf wrapped in fine silk and those who threatened her family would risk her claws on their necks.
jacaerys velaryon x oc
HOTD...
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chapter two, a promise
THE KING'S ROAD was worse than she remembered. When she was younger, she spent everyday during the journey in awe, observing the south. Now, she just felt tired, long gone was her childlike amusement and enthusiasm.
Her mother was in the carriage behind her, shielded by the sun and the journey, but she rode her horse alongside Cregan, preferring the fresh air to the cramped carriage. Around them, there was a company of a few northmen that served as their guards, ready to protect the Stark's from thieves if needed.
As if they needed the help. Even without his longsword strapped to his back, Cregan loomed large, and the sigil of the Stark house proudly displayed their horses would scare away any sensible criminal.
Her brother was wearing a light tunic and she almost laughed as she saw a drop of sweat pour down his head. Just as she thought many years ago, her brother was melting under this heat, if one could even call it that.
She was fine, in her light dress, one of her mother's old southern dresses. Purple was a good color on the northern girl, the house color of the Danye's highlighting her subtly tanned skin and dark hair. She imagined how beautiful her mother must have looked in this dress, her brown hair and purple eyes shining in her youth.
She loved her mother's eyes, but she was glad she inherited the brown eyes of her father, it was one of the only things she had left of him. One she hoped she could pass down to her own children one day.
As the day grew long and the sun hung directly above them in the sky, Arrelle knew that they were not far from their destination. The walls of King's Landing were within sight, her future within reach. She had months to think about her future and accept it and for the first time, as she stared at the gate separating her family from her soon to be family, she felt indifferent.
In fact, she felt nothing.
No worry or anxiety, no excitement or elation, she just was. And that was okay. It was better than the alternative.
As they neared the gate, her brother drew closer to her. Drawing his horse near her in an attempt to comfort her, as he expected her to be afraid. His comfort was appreciated and she always accepted her brother's way of showing his love for her. Even though today, she may not need it.
The guards around them came closer, almost pressing against the carriage and the Stark's as they began to make their way through the capital.
The streets were as crowded as she remembered, but this time, the smallfolk did turn and stare. Everyone in the realm knew about her upcoming wedding, people from all over traveling in to attend the marriage of the king's eldest grandson. It was more of an event than the King's own children's wedding. The last wedding to inspire this much gossip was the wedding of the crown princess, to her late husband Laenor Velaryon.
