Not Just A Serving Girl

Katrina sighed contently as mornings first rays spilled across her bed chambers, enveloping her in warmth as she knew the bitter northern winds would be biting outside. Mornings in Winterfell were so tranquil and delicate, and made it almost impossible to fall out of bed each morning. Nearly impossible.

"KATRINA!"

There it was. Her ever so independent Lady.

After a long stretch bathing in the morning light, she crawled out of bed allowed her bare feet to land upon cold stone floor.

"KATRINA!"

She began to rush around her room still half asleep, fumbling around the chest of drawers at the end of her bed until finally digging out her usual white cotton shirt and brown leggings, then grabbing the belt which she always left draped over her bed frame.

Her Lady would be getting more impatient by the second, yet Katrina still took a brief moment to run a comb through her hair and check her appearance.

Hair, curled and dark as oak hung loosely down her back and hugged her porcelain face. And despite there being slight bags under her eyes they still managed to be the best feature of her face, piercing blue like a frozen lake, covered with flecks of grey.

"You look like one of us" Lord Eddard once told her, "A Stark of Winterfell"

She smiled to herself, finally rushing from her chambers and heading across the hall.

"M'lady?", knocking on her Lady's door she opened it slowly, hoping she wouldn't be too angry.

"Kat! You slept in again?" Lady Sansa furrows her brows in utter confusion, "I must get ready, I have an early lesson today, remember?"

"Sorry m'lady, yes of course", Katrina apologised at Sansa who was still in bed, her red hair a mess and her pretty face folded into a scowl.

"It's fine" she shrugged, "Bring me my blue dress today please"

"A fine choice m'lady"

"Didn't sleep well then Kat?" asked Sansa, now more relaxed that her handmaiden was here.

"I was up late m'lady, reading a book. When I finished I had no idea how late it had gotten", she perched herself on the edge of Sansa's bed, and began to plait her soft red hair.

"You like your books don't you? Tales of knights and dragons"

"Don't we all m'lady? I love the thought of charging into battle on horseback."

"I hope you do not!" Sansa quickly grasped Katrina's arm, "You're a lady, not a warrior. You serve me remember?"

"I haven't forgotten" Kat replies, teeth gritted.

"Gods, don't turn out like Arya. There is nothing I hate more than having to call her sister when she rolls around in the dirt with swords. Promise me you'll never do that!"

Katrina bit down on her tongue, knowing already she'd broken this promise a thousand times. "Of course m'lady"

"Good"

After helping Sansa into her dress, they both left for the great hall for breakfast, where the rest of Sansa's family would be waiting.

This family were the Starks of Winterfell, one of the most honourable houses of Westeros. Katrina was forever grateful to them all, Lord Eddard especially.

"I'll fetch your breakfast" She smiled, leaving Sansa to join her brothers and sisters at the table before heading for the kitchens.

"Mmmmm" she sighed, the scent of fresh bread welcoming her into the kitchen. Her stomach rumbled, begging for food.