Game of Thrones: The Storm

S1E1 - Winter is Coming

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The North, so far, had served you better than King's Landing ever had. Even though you had only been back in the capitol for only a month before Jon Arryn mysteriously passed away.

The people of the North were respectful and loyal, and they actually treated you like a person. Back in King's Landing, being the King's bastard daughter that he keeps around, it made you the target of a lot of people's hate, more specifically the Lannister's. The people of King's Landing actually enjoyed you more than your pompous and annoying younger half-brother, who was one day going to be their new King.

Just because some of the common people of King's Landing liked you though, that doesn't mean the higher born people did. They always made it their mission to remind you that you were just your father's pet bastard daughter.

There was just a tiny bit more to you than just being the King's bastard though. Even though your father was a drunk, brash and hasty man at times, he was still smart when he needed to be. He was a boy turned man thanks to the rebellion, meaning war and conflict were the only thinks that he truly knew anything about. He didn't know anything about diplomacy or how to run a kingdom, that's why your uncle Renly and all the other members of the small council had practically been running the show.

Before your father decided to ride for Winterfell because of Jon Arryn's death, you had started to notice that the old Hand of the King was growing more restless and skeptical. Even up to his final hours on Earth, however, his mind clouded with fever, he still spoke as if he had a sound mind.

"The seed is strong."

Those were the last words he said to you or anyone else who had the pleasure of saying goodbye one last time. He was one of the kinder people who didn't treat you like a dog, you just hoped that Ned Stark could live up to Jon Arryn's reputation.

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You rode into Winterfell next to your father, King Robert I Baratheon, and Jamie Lannister behind the carriage that Queen Cersei, Prince Tommen, and Princess Myrcella rode in. While your half-brother, crowned Prince Joffrey rode in front of the carriage with his sworn sword, the Hound.

After your father was helped down from his horse, he turned toward you and motioned for you to follow. You hesitated, slowly lowering yourself off of your horse before walking beside him.

To anybody who didn't know you or the situation personally, it would have appeared odd for the King to have his bastard accompany him to meet the Starks. Especially since you were a 17-year-old girl wearing leathers and armor instead of a dress.

Even though you didn't want anybody to think bad of your father or his decisions, you swore your life to him and his rule. You knew better than to oppose whatever decision he had already made, especially in front of other people. 

When your father stopped in front of Ned Stark, you noticed your father was waving his fingers, signaling for him to rise, along with everyone else in Winterfell.

"Your grace," Ned greeted respectfully as your father looked down at him.

"You've gotten fat," your father said as all of the Stark children looked over at the two of them. Lady Catelyn Stark looked between the two men with an uncertain expression as averted your gaze to the ground with a slight smile.

The silence of the two men just staring at each other finally broke whenever your father let out a wheezing laugh while Ned's face immediately turned into a smile. They embraced each other for a second before your father pulled away.

"Caaat," your father exclaimed as he turned to Lady Stark while Ned looked at you. You nodded your head as a greeting as he still seemed to be studying you, trying to figure out who you were.