A Lion Loyal to Wolves

Chapter Two: Dancing With Wolves

   "Arielle, wait up!" Robb Stark called out.
I looked behind me to see Robb and his horse close behind me.
"Whoa," I commanded and sat back a little deeper in my saddle, causing my horse to stop, "good boy."
I stroked his mane while I waited for Robb to make his way over to me.
"Whoa," Robb commanded to his horse, "my Princess, you really are an excellent rider."
"I told you to call me Ari or Arielle. But I can't take any credit, it's all Apollo." I said, looking down at Apollo, the horse I was sitting on.
"I have to say, I had my doubts about you at first." Robb said.
"Let me guess, you heard about my family and assumed I was like them. I assume you figured I would be one of those princesses that would only care about my clothes and hair. I also expect that you assumed that I would throw myself at you. You're a young and attractive male with power. I expect the girls practically swoon once they see you. Or you just saw me as a bitch."
"Aye. I apologize."
"I accept your apology. Believe me, I didn't exactly give a great first impression." I winced.
"Not good, but memorable," Robb chuckled, "we've been out for a little bit longer than I planned. We should probably head back so we can both get ready for the banquet."
I nodded, "okay, but before we head back," I sat up right, "whoever is last to the stables has to sit next to Joffry!"
"Yah!" I shouted and squeezed my horse lightly with my feet. He immediately took off galloping forward, towards the stables.
"Hey!" Robb laughed.

XXX

 I walked through the courtyard, wanting a moment to myself before I had to go into the banquet. I didn't want to go to the banquet, but my father told me I had to. I already know why he wants be there, other than the fact it would be rude to not show up. I figure he wants to announce the arranged marriage between Robb and I, and Joffry and Sansa. I should warn Sansa about Joffry. The rest of the world doesn't know him the way I do.

A loud noise drew me away from my thoughts. I looked around and saw someone attacking a dummy. I walked over towards the person, cautious, so not to startle them. Once I got close enough I noticed that the person was a teenage boy.
"What are you doing?" I asked aloud.
The boy immediately stopped what he was doing and turned around. He had black curly hair and dark brown eyes.
He got on his knees, "my Princess."
"Rise," I commanded, "there's no need to do that. What are you doing and why aren't you at the banquet?"
"I was just practicing on the fencing dummy." he replied.
"And the banquet?"
"Lady Stark thought it might insult the royal family to seat a bastard in their midst." he said looking annoyed.
I frowned, "Oh, so you are Jon Snow. Well, I highly doubt my family would care. My father has fathered so many bastards, it's unbelievable. Why don't you escort me to the banquet?"
He shook his head, "I wouldn't want to upset Lady Catelyn."
"Fair enough," I said, "well, since I'm out here why don't I practice my fencing skills?"
"You know how to fence?" Jon asked, shocked.
"Oh course, every woman should know how to defend themselves." I retorted.
I walked over and grabbed the sword from Jon's hands. I held it steady in my hands and proceeded to attack the dummy. Once I was satisfied, I turned and gave the sword back to Jon.
He shook his head in disbelief, "you're not bad."
"Thanks," I smiled, "now, will you escort me to the banquet?"
"I told you-"
"Just escort me to the door." I interrupted.
After a minute, Jon extended his arm to me. Once we linked arms, we started to walk.
"So, what's it like to live in Winterfell?" I asked, after a couple minutes of silence.
"Cold." he responded.
I laughed, "that's true. It's definitely warmer down in King's Landing."
"How do you like it up here." Jon asked.
"Other than it being cold, it's very nice. I love that up here everything isn't crowded. It's so peaceful and beautiful. I also enjoyed the woods on my ride."
Our conversation stopped once we reached the door. We could hear music and laughter coming out from the other side. I turned over to Jon and un linked arms.
"Are you sure you don't want to go in?" I asked.
"No, but thanks for asking."
"I'm assuming not many people ask you what you want?" I asked.
Jon shook his head, "good luck Doe."
I smiled, "I like that, Doe. It's so much better than being called Princess."
Jon laughed and started to walk away.
"Jon, wait!" I shouted.
He turned around and faced me.
"Can you teach me to fight?" I asked.
"Why would you need to know how to fight?"
"You haven't been Kingslanding. If the city decides to revolt against the royal family, I will need to know how to fight them off."
"What about the Kingsguard? You would be fine."
"What happens if they are killed? It's just myself and a sword." I retorted back.
He thought for a moment and then spoke, "Aye. I'll teach you how to fight. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning."
I nodded and headed to the door. I was serious about the fighting, but it was also an excuse to talk to him more. It was nice to talk to someone who didn't care that I was a princess.
Another round of cheering came from behind the door. I took a deep breath and opened the door. There were dozens of tables with everyone sitting together. Sitting higher up and away from everyone else were Lady Catelyn and my mother. I noticed my mother looking stiff. I followed her eyes and noticed my father getting pretty close with a wench. Lady Catelyn looked uncomfortable with the scene as well. They seemed to speak for a minute until my mother turned her head over to where I was. Her entire face lit up once she laid her eyes on me.
I knew my mother wished for my presence. I started to walk over. I dodged a couple of drunk men and a couple of the girls my age that my mother wants me to be friendly with.
"Arielle, you are simply radiating with beauty." Catelyn said, with a smile.
"Thank you Lady Catelyn. You look beautiful yourself. As do your daughters," I looked behind me staring at Sansa and Arya, "Sansa looks just like how many people described you when you were Sansa's age."
"To tell you the truth, I think she is going to be prettier." Lady Catelyn replied.
"Is that your eldest?" Cersei interrupted.
Catelyn looked over to where Cersei was looking, "yes."
I looked behind me to see Robb staring back at me. Once we eye contact, he smiled and waved. I laughed and waved. He motioned me over with his hand.
"Excuse me. Someone requires my presence." I said. I gave Lady Catelyn and my mother a quick curtsy and walked over to Robb.
He sat a table with a couple of other boys around our age. When I approached they all grew silent expect for Robb. He got out of his seat and scooted over to the side for me.
I nodded my thanks and sat. I looked around the table studying their facial expressions. Judging by the look on the other boys' faces, I interrupted something.
"You can continue your conversation." I said.
"Excuse me," the boy on the other ride of me said. He got up and left.
A couple of the other boys did the same but three of us were left.
The third boy reached his arm across the table and extended his hand to me, "Theon Greyjoy, my Princess."
I shook his hand, "please, call me Arielle or Ari."
He nodded and dug back into his food.
"I'm assuming from the other boys leaving, that your conversation was about me." I asked.
"Of course not." Robb replied.
"You're really going to lie to the Princess?" Theon laughed, "don't worry, he was defending you."
"And I'm assuming you were the one he was defending me from." I raised an eyebrow towards Theon.
"Aye." He nodded.
I laughed, "that's seriously why they left? What a bunch of fucking cowards."
Theon smiled and turned to Robb, "I like her."
I smiled and grabbed Theon's beer. I took a large gulp and gave it back to him.
"If I'm going to stay here might and deal with people like you, I might as well be drunk." 

XXX 

 Once I woke up the next morning, I threw my hair into a simple braid down my back and put on a blouse and leggings. I searched through my trunk until I found a yellow cloak my father gave to me as a gift on my 13th name day. I put the cloak on and snuck out of my room.

I was about to cross over into the courtyard when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Immediately I swing my fist around and made contact with a man's stomach. The man fell to the ground.
"Name yourself!" I demanded.
"Robb of House Stark." he croaked out.
"Robb!" I gasped.
"I was just trying to scare you." Robb said.
"Well you succeeded." I replied. I bent down and extended my arm to Robb, who took it and thanked me.
"Arielle, what's going on?" a voice asked.
I turned around and saw Jon walking towards us. Jon looked at Robb and laughed, "looks like I won't have to teach you much."