The Dragon and The Viper

Chapter 1

"Ela, Ela. Wake up" I heard the little Stark yell as he jumped on my bed. I groaned and turned lying flat on my stomach. I heard someone chuckle.

"Naelarys, sweetheart" I heard the gentle voice of the woman who has been like my mother practically my whole life Lady Catelyn. I rubbed my eyes as she soothed my hair "time to get up".

"I hate mornings" I said and looked up at her.

"I can never get used to those eyes of yours" she said with a smile shaking her head. "Many suitors have asked for your hand because of those eyes and your beauty".

"Lady Ca-"I started to but she said "What did I tell you?"

With a smile and a small sigh, I said, "Mother, you know that I am not ready for marriage"

"I think they won't even survive a week being married to the Dragon of the North" Robb teased entering my room. I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him but he reacted quickly and ducked making the pillow hit Jon in the face. Rickon who was beside me started to laugh.

"okay, you know I love you all but is there a reason why you all are here?" I asked as Jon left noticing mothers glare in him.

"In four days, it will be you nameday" L. Catelyn announced and I groaned knowing where this will go. Robbs smile went down a bit knowing what his mother was thinking.

"Mother I know where this is going. There isn't a suitor for me here. Either they want me for my so-called beauty everyone claims me to and my eyes or they just want to say that they laid with the ex-princess" I told her. She looked down knowing that I was right.

"All right no suitors" she said "but we are still celebrating". I playfully rolled my eyes and started to tickle Rickon who cried out in laughter.

"Aright let's leave Naela to get dressed so we can break our fast" Robb said as he picked up Rickon and left the room.

"I will have the maids bring in water so you can bathe" L. Catelyn said as she walked out.

"Thank you"

After I was washed up and I put on my dress (pic above) and walked down to meet up with my family.

I walked into the dinning room to see the entire Stark family eating but then I noticed Jon was missing.

"Where's Jon?" I asked and they all looked towards Lady Catelyn. I shook my head and went to look for him.

"Naela" I heard mother yell. I ignored her and left the dining hall. I walked around the grounds and found Jon near the walls of Winterfell looking out. I walked up the steps and stood by his side. We stood there in silence for a while.

"Naela, have you ever wondered what your life would be like if your family was still alive?" Jon asked me breaking the silence.

"Every night" I responded without looking at him. I saw him turn to face me in shock that I responded. "I dream of them every night. I see them in dreams of the times when we were together. My brothers and sister, my .... cousins...my father". Jon keeps looking at me while I just stare hard at the view ahead of me.

"Let's ride" Jon said as he walked past me and I smiled following after him. We walked down the steps and into the stables to prepare our horses. Once everything was done we rode of into Winterfell and then out of the gates. I swear being out of the castle is like being free, there's so many lands. We rode our horses for 10 minutes until we reached a small creek in the woods. I got off and Jon sat down against a tree while I laid head on his lap. He started to play with my hair and I closed my eyes. Jon and I have a special type of relationship. Its not romantic but more than siblings. We feel like we only have each other because of our statuses.

"Jon" I said and he hummed in response "Will I have more nightmares this week?"

"You probably will" he said as he threaded his hands through my black dyed hair. He stayed there enjoying the sounds of nature. "Naela, you do know that your going to have to marry someone, right?" he asked.

"I know but there aren't any men here in the North that catch my attention. Or men that will actually care about me and not like some prize" I responded. He laughed a bit and nodded. We stayed there for a bit until we saw the sun was going down. We mounted on our horses and rode back to Winterfell.

Once we got back in Winterfell and inside the Stark ground we were stopped by Robb whose face held am emotion that I couldn't describe.

"Robb what's wrong?" I ask with worry clear in my voice as I got off my horse.

"A raven came from Kings Landing" he informed. Jon came to side and put his arms around my waist and I gripped his arm tightly. I always feared for my life every time a raven came from my former home. My home from which I was ripped away from. We looked up as a servant handed the letter to Lord Stark. He read once and shock was written clearly on his voice.

"What's going on?" Theon asked as he appeared from behind us and then he followed our gaze and asked, "Is it from where I think it is?". I just nodded in response. He got in front of me quickly in a defense stance as Lord Stark walked down from the second floor of the training ground hut. Theon has always been protective of me since his family house was fighting for my family during the rebellion. Instead of walking towards us he looked up at me with something in his eyes that I couldn't recognized and walked into household. My grip on Jon loosened a little but he put his arm around me and I noticed I was shaking. Robb turned around to face me and his face fell when his eyes landed on mine.

"Naela, I promise you nothing will happen to you" Robb promised, he cupped me with his hands "Nothing will, sister". He then walked inside to follow his father.

"Nothing defiantly won't" Theon said with a nod towards me.

"But what could the letter have said?" I asked "Lord Stark looked really.... shocked".

"He will reveal it to us later" Jon said "lets head inside".

I decided to leave the boys and head towards the library. A good book always keeps my mind off things. I walked up the stairs of the library tower and opened the door. There I saw Bran and Rickon sitting at the table having their reading lesson. I slowly sat down without them noticing but Maester Luwin saw me. I smiled and nodded. For a bit, they didn't notice me until Rickons little mind went else where and he started to look around. When he saw, me he ran towards me and sat on my lap. Maester Lewin and I chuckled.

"I swear he is like more your son than he is to Lady Catelyn" Maester Lewin laughed. Bran smiled and sat down next to me.

"She has been always with them since their births. And let's not start with the girls" Robb said as he appeared out of nowhere at the door. "Naela, Theon needs you at his quarters said to be at his quarters after supper". He had a look of wonder about why Theon wanted me at his quarters. I nodded and looked at the boys.

"Go wash up for supper" I told them and they ran off. "Robb could you leave for a moment I need to have a word Maester Lewin". He nodded hesitantly and left.

"My lady, a letter has come from the other side of the Narrow Sea" he told me and passed a rolled-up envelope had had a strange stamped sigil on it.

"Thank you Maester" I told him and he smiled with a nod and I left.

I walked down towards the dinning hall and saw everyone at the table. As always Sansa saved a spot for me next to her. I smiled and sat down. We started to eat and talk about different things. Then Lord Stark cleared his throat and looked at me.

"Today I received a letter from the king it's about you Naelarys". I stiffened and my hands clenched. Theon stood behind me and pit a hand on my shoulder. "I-I... I'm sorry Naelarys it's too late to stop anything but the king has ordered me to marry you off to...Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne".

Silence.