A Northern Rose - Game of Thrones // Robb Stark

A Piece to be Played

I felt slightly dazed. Everything had happened so quickly I did not have chance to regard Robb’s farewell. I followed Ser Jory back to my chambers and he bowed and departed once we’d reached the door.

I sighed slightly, feeling rather tired after the day’s events and knowing that mother would want me to be on my best behaviour tonight and act like a real Lady – I owed her that.

I pushed open the wooden door and strode in to the complaints of mother, her ladies tending to her every need and dressing her for tonight’s feast. “Eliah!” Mother shouted, her dress a deep emerald hue common to Highgarden and the Reach. “Where have you been?” She said, quieter this time as her handmaidens scurried over to me.

They presented me with a pretty blue dress, the bodice entwined with gold threaded flowers and a real gold waste band. It looked heavy. I caressed the gold thread with my fingers, smiling at the beauty. I then looked up to mother, her face serious as she waited for my answer.

“Well… I made sure Gilly was comfortable in her new accommodation.” I began, moving to a hard wooden seat placed by the fire.

Mother began to look rather flustered as she heard the news, her ladies still pinning at her dress. “Oh that wretched horse of yours, the realm provides horse-masters for a reaso-” I stopped her, interrupting her words before she could find anything else to pick at. “And then Robb Stark provided me with a tour of Winterfell.” I spoke rather smugly, knowing mother would be pleased.

Just as I thought, a smile formed upon her gentle face. She dismissed her handmaidens away before joining me by the fire. “Did either of you mention the marriage?” She cut straight to the point without hesitation, I couldn’t help but cringe. “No.” I said with an awkward smile. “But he certainly knew of the arrangement.” Mother also smiled, but more so at my attitude towards the situation.

She stood then and her face grew serious just as it was before. “I shall converse with Lord and Lady Stark tonight. Remember, nothing is certain!” As if she had to remind me.

Back in Highgarden when I first heard of their plans I felt betrayed by my own family. But I came to realise that all a woman is in this world is a piece to be played. An alliance is needed with another house and so a daughter must forfeit. I’d heard a lot about the Starks back home, that they were cold and stern and noble, but never anything bad. That is why I agreed to take the two month journey north.

“Eliah!” Mother shouted again, she was on her feet now and looked even more frustrated than before. I jumped up quickly from my seat, eyes looking down at the cold stone floor.

She stepped towards me and lifted my chin gently. “Make sure to be on your best behaviour tonight. Lord and Lady Stark will no doubt have their decision already and they might just refuse the offer!” She said, trying to make herself look surprised. “But I’m doubtful they will refuse after we’ve trailed so far. Now, get ready!” She said with a grin.

- - -

It didn’t take long for me to bath and dress with the help of my handmaidens, and the dress fitted perfectly. I pulled the scruffy looking plait out of my hair and gently brushed it, revealing long flowing curls.

I was never an admirer of the extravagant looks from my homeland and, despite the encouragement from my sisters, I would never allow my hair to be unnaturally pinned up.

I swirled around the room in my new dress for a final time before a guard appeared at the door. “The feast is about to begin.” He said, and mother hurried me out of the room.