A WINTER ROSE ⊳ g. of thrones [1]

CHAPTER TWO | The Dead & the Wolf

THE NEXT MORNING, Ellena woke to the dawn touching her skin, early and bright as ever. Her brown eyes fluttered open, and she stared at the purple clouds lining the morning sun as it arose with a smile. She curled a little closer into her bed, fingers clenching tighter onto the furs around her.

She arched her back like a cat, quickly stretching before getting up and hurrying on some clothes. She glanced through her wardrobe and picked out a delicate blue dress, threw it over her shoulders, and attempted to lace its bodice by herself. Normally, Ellena had her handmaiden, Deliah, help her with such things, but she was up earlier than normal today, and thought she might wander about the castle. Most likely to the crypts, she assumed. There was a strange, comforting solitude about it that she craved and when she was alone — or wanted to be alone — she would find herself wandering to its dark depths.

Her mother however, was just coming in to wake her daughter early, as there were.. matters to be discussed. "Ellena, I —" She paused when she saw her daughter struggling to tie her bodice together. Catelyn laughed, causing her daughter to turn and laugh at herself as well. "Turn around," she motioned with her hand, and began to work at the laces of the bodice. "What are you doing in here so early, mother?"

Catelyn Stark sighed. "A raven has come from King's Landing." "Oh?" "And your fathers dear friend, Jon Arryn, your uncle, has recently passed. You remember your uncle?" Ellena nodded. Several years ago, a very pregnant Lysa Arryn and her husband had visited Winterfell to see their family. All Ellena could remember was their visit ending in a huge fight between her aunt and her mother, and the Arryn's left Winterfell. Jon kept in touch with her father, but Lysa... well, Ellena remembered not liking Lysa one bit in the first place. The woman was strange, like an ugly cat that had drank too much sour milk.

"There was other news as well. The king and queen and their whole company will be arriving in Winterfell within the month." Catelyn finished tying the bodice of the dress together, and Ellena turned to stare at her mother. "You can't be serious." Catelyn turned to sit on the bed, patting the seat beside her. "I'm afraid I am, darling. I'm also afraid that your father is going to be asked to take Jon Arryn's former position as Hand of the King.."

Ellena nodded. It was perfectly reasonable. Her father had been the King's best friend and fought nobly beside him during the war.. It all made sense. Ellena had wondered why he hadn't been the Hand earlier, but then always was reminded of the duty that was Winterfell.

"Ellena, if your father does choose to become the Hand, I want you to go to King's landing with him." Well, she wasn't expecting to hear that. "King's Landing?" Then, realization hit her like a truck... Of course she'd go to King's Landing. All the noble houses were passing through everyday, it seemed. It would be the best way for her father to find the perfect suitor, wed her off and be done with the matter. "You want to sell me off like some brood mare."

Catelyn rubbed her temple before throwing her head back and laughing. "You always make it so difficult, Ellena. You're going to have to grow up eventually. Nearly every noble girl is wed off by your age, even younger. You can't keep refusing the men we put before you. I know your father finds it amusing, but I do not and I will not tolerate it any longer." The older woman sighed, before placing her hands over her daughters. Ellena could barley look her mother in the eye.