BELOW ZERO: The Green Knight & The Winter Wolf VOL 3 (Cregan Stark x OC)

Chapter Fifteen (Alana)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Alana

Winterfell

Lord Cregan Stark had arranged for a welcome feast in honor of Jacerys and I arriving here in Winterfell. Although he humbles himself by claiming it was arranged by his son, Little Rickon, who is just as old as my nephew Jahaerys and perhaps even cuter. And that is a high compliment because I do believe my little nephew to be the cutest child I have ever laid my eyes upon.

Walking into the great hall of Winterfell I was in awe by the woodwork and stones that had been placed into the walls and how warm they were to the touch. At least on the inside. Outside it was a brisk cold and flakes of snow fell from the sky but would melt the moment they hit the ground.

I dragged my hand gently along the top of a long oak table that glistened in the candlelight. Musicians were settling themselves in while maids scrambled on their feet to finish setting plates and cups at each place setting.

Baskets of fresh bread sat on each table and the smell of it instantly made my mouth water. Against the wall furthest from the fireplace was a table of all sorts of easy to pick from foods like freshly cut fruits, crisped bread pieces, cheeses, and so much more I had never seen before.

I hadn't seen an arrangement like this since Helaena and Jacerys's wedding. And even that night my attention had been drawn elsewhere. If anyone were to ask me the color of the drapes in the throne room of the Red Keep on the night of Jace and Helaena's wedding I'd only be able to tell you the brightness of the stars in Gwayne's eyes.

Coming into this room earlier than I had been invited to be I wanted to take in all the sights. To remember how the room is set up and what was being served. Who was working and who was kind to me. To remember the feel of the fire coming from the hearth and the smell of the stew in the cauldron hanging inside of it.

Jacerys enters wearing a doublet of our mother's colors. Black and red with the Targaryen sigil front and center nearly taking up the entirety of his chest. My gown is simple. I did not wish to upstage anyone in the north, especially if Cregan has a betrothed or is wed since losing his first wife.

Although even just imagining him with someone else puts a sour taste in my mouth. I shouldn't be jealous at all. But... Cregan is... He's not Gwayne and I have to keep reminding myself as I stand here and walk through a place that seemingly calls my name, that I have Gwayne. That Gwayne is waiting for me and I will see him again in King's Landing and perhaps after Luke's name-day tourney we will have a wedding.

Jace struts in as though he owns the place and it makes me shake my head and laugh at him.

"How do you like Winterfell, sister?" Jacerys asks with a goofy grin on his face.

"It is far more beautiful than anyone gives credit for. Gwayne had me convinced it would be the most depressing place in this world." I counter.

Gwayne did not want me to come here. In fact, Gwayne spent that entire night that we had been stuck with Daeron in our bed convincing me that the north was nothing but a pigsty and that after one night I'd be back on Silverwing flying home to King's Landing which in all actuality is the least of places I think I'd ever want to be in this world.

"And have you been making friends?" Jace's brows were nearly touching his hairline with the goofy look he gave me. I knew what he had meant. He was clearly asking how I felt about Lord Cregan.

"Your northern lord is a lovely man." My cheeks are burning with a blush. "His son is a charmer. Gwayne may have some competition."

"With Cregan?"