Weeping Thorns

Chapter 6: A Welcoming Party

~Kasondra~

"This looks absolutely perfect!" Sansa gasped at the gray and black gown adoring my body. It slide down to expose my shoulders and dipped down just above my cleavage line. My neck would be graced with a fine necklace with gems.

Mother insisted I wear something a little more mature since I had already became a woman a few weeks ago. Mother was ecstatic over this news but my father was saddened deeply. It was now time to find a suitable husband.

I smiled slightly at my younger sister and began to strip of the gown. My handmaids would figure out a hairstyle and jewelry that would best suit this outfit. I shrugged on my usual loose red dress and turned towards Sansa who was adding the finishing touches on her dress.

"This looks wonderful, Sansa. You will be the prettiest girl at the party." I watched her cheeks rise with a light pink that sent my heart soaring. She was so innocent in knew nothing of the horrors of the outside world.

"Not prettier than you though. You always receive attention from the guards and men. No one wants to talk with a young girl who hasn't even bled yet ." I caught her chin with a firm grip and flared into her frightened orbs.

Sansa was by far the most beautiful girl I have seen. Arya was beautiful as well, but in a completely different aspect. I truly believed Sansa thought herself as ugly.

"Do not belittle yourself like that. Just because you aren't able to bear children does not make you hideous. Many men find you pure and innocent, a perfect flower ready to be plucked out of Winterfell." Her face split in a grin and she wrapped her arms around my neck. I kissed the side of her head and buried my nose into her similar red locks.

"Thank you, Kasondra." I nodded and lipped my old boots back on. Sansa was chatting with one of the maids as I slipped out to find mother. She was busy setting up the party for the King.

I wondered how she took the news of father having to leave if he took this opportunity. I can imagine she had trust issues after father returned home with a bastard child.

I could smell the alcohol before I even reached the main hall. Mother and Maester Luwin were walking around the area, making sure everything was set for the King's arrival.

The passing chef rolled by a tray of pig leftovers. More bone than fat but I knew a certain animal or animals who craved it. Poor things were probably starving by now!

"Excuse me. Do you think I could have the scraps?" The chef looked bewildered for a split second but passed off the food with a nod. As he walked off I piled as many scraps as I could into my dress and cloak.

Mother and Maester Luwin were steadily approaching and I panicked. I scooped what was left with the tablecloth underneath and tied it like a sack.

"Ah, Kasondra!" Mother called, motioning me over. "Can you fetch Bran for his lessons?" She asked as I bowed to Maester Luwin. He eyed the bag conspicuously and raised an eyebrow. I begged him silently not to tell and I barely caught the smile he shot me.

"Of course." I quickly left the rotten room in hopes of fresh air. Swinging past the guards and out through the doorway, the cold air hit me like a stone to the face. I sighed and heard the familiar whine of a certain pup.

Not a pup anymore though. Mahala was level to my thigh and more fierce looking than ever. But all knew she was just a gentle beast with a love for meat.

Mahala was encaged with her siblings near the courtyard. All the direwolves held sad expressions and pitiful eyes. Mother had instructed they be kept locked up until the King had came and went. The Stark children reluctantly obeyed and locked away our precious companions.

Although when the canines caught scent of the pig, loud howls and barks could be heard from miles away. I hushed the direwolves and began to distribute an equal amount to each. Although Nymeria was trying very hard to steal Lady's portion which ended in a rather harsh exchange of jaws. The males silently ate away with Mahala crouched in the corner with a bone between her teeth.

I stroked her fur and passed the sack off to a guard, instructing him to return it to the kitchen. As I turned back around to face Mahala, I caught sight of a little boy with brown hair once again scaling the castle walls.

"Bran!" I cried and rushed off to meet my young brother as he slid down the walls. My face was red with heat and anger. I had seen my brother claim these wall hundreds of times but each time brought fear to my very being.

"I told you not to climb anymore! Your lucky it was me and not mother." I chastised calmly. Bran looked down and I could sense he was truly sorry.

"I'm sorry, Kassy. I just keep looking out for the King." I laughed and ruffled his thick brown mane. He shrugged me away with a laugh and flipped his hair back into place.

"I know you can climb well, but the wrong weather and you could take a bad fall. Ice and rain could mean you're death, Bran." The boy nodded and swallowed thickly. It would absolutely kill me if something bad were to happen to my family, or brother.

"Now go take your lessons. You can't just be able to climb wall." Bran scurried off to find his tutor as I decided to pick on Jon while I was out and about. I found my half-brother sparring with a young guard who looked ready to fall. Jon brought his sword down seconds later and the boy fell to the ground in an unconscious heap. The other guards dragged him away for medical treatment as Jon wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Is it my turn?" I teased and flexed my "muscles". Jon rolled his eyes and placed the training sword back on the rack. He walked over to me and tugged on the ends of my hair.

"I heard the men were reviving a haircut later tonight. How is Princess Jon going to survive without his luscious locks?" My brother growled and wrapped me up in a headlock. We wrestled around for a bit until I managed to slip away with my hands held up in defeat.

How I wish things could stay like this forever.

~Chapter End~

I'm beginning to fit my format better into Wattpad. I'm really liking this story so far and I hope y'all do to!