Cats And Roses

News From Winterfell

You entered the Great hall which was lighted by dim candle light and looked across the room at a long engraved wooden table. Your parents were sitting in the middle, your family's sigil - a greeneyed black cat on a blue and red background - on the wall behind them. You made your way to them.
Just a few steps away from them you turned your head to the right and to your surprise you saw Clara and her brother Tom sitting at the end of the table.
"You didn't tell me that we'd have guests Father" you said to Lord Bane.  Your Mother was obviously not happy with the way you were behaving. She was a foreigner and even if she lived with your family since she got married to your Father she still didn't understand that the manners here weren't so harsh on people's behavior. No one ever blinked an eye if you forgot to call someone Lady or Lord or if you dressed  a certain way or if you were a bastard or a lowerborn.
Your Father on the other hand could often be found visiting peasants or cracking jokes and singing in the taverns. He notised you looking somewhere in the distance.

"Stay on this world darling you have a dinner to eat and guests to entertain" he chuckled slightly.
You made your way away from your parents to sit with Clara.

You leaned in closer to her "Did you hear anything new about the news from Winterfell?"
"No," she shook her head "but I don't think the proposal was meant for me considering WE came her to dine with your family and not the opposite."

You felt bad for her. After all, if it was true that you were to leave the Mistfort you probably wouldn't be able to see her again.
For the second time in that day you had to lie to her. It was really hard for you but you couldn't stand seeing her sad.

"It's almost certanly nothing of that importance. You were probably just invited here because Lady Sangstern is the only person my Mother can talk to. You know, as always."

"Awcourse, you're probably right" She smiled and that made you happy. It was quite common for your families to host this types of dinners. You thought of Clara and Tom as your siblings and so it was quite odd when your Father promised you to Clara's older brother.
But at the time you thought ... well you could do worse. At least you got to stay with your family and get to visit Clara. And maybe since Tom would some day become the Lord of the Snow Castle he could take you with him on his political trips. But now apparently you got to marry Robb Stark. You didn't hate the thought of it and your Father told you that Robb was quite nice, but you weren't sure if the life of Lady Stark from Winterfell was the life you'd like to live. As always you just wanted to be free but other Northerners  were all quiet and cold and distant. You were also pretty sure that you wouldn't be allowed to ride in the woods or fight with boys as you did here at home. No, you'd have to be a proper lady so it would be expected of you to keep quiet and listen to your husband. At least that was what your Mother told you. She could've been lying  to you to get you to listen but then again that wasn't like her at all.
You got lost in your thoughts again when your Father stood up and walked straight to you.

"Me and your Mother have something to tell you dear" he said. You looked at Clara for a second. She didn't seem  happy.
Your Father noticed the look. "And we have something to ask you to Clara" her eyes widened as she gave your Father a big smile.
"As I was informed  someone  had already heard about a certain 'offer' that we recieved from Lord Stark."

Clara's face went red and she seemed to suddenly be very interested in her feet.
"Clara, I 've been meaning to ask you if you'd like to escort my daughter on her way to Winterfell" Lord Bane asked with a big smile on his face.
You could see your friend's emotions battling on her face.
She was obviously happy that she could leave the Forest with you, but also dissapointed because she knew she'd have to come back. You'd switch places with her anytime. She was your little sister. Not by blood not by law but by spirit.
Your Father turned to you now.
"We will be riding for Winterfell in two weeks. Make sure you'll both be prepared by then."
"But Father, why do I have to go? Am I going to marry Robb Stark? Is Mother comming with us?" You had so many questions.

"I'll tell you everything that you need to know. But not right now. Enjoy the feast my dear" he kissed you on the forehead and went back to your Mother and Lady Sangstern.

You turned to Clara. She looked at you with sadness in her eyes and a smile on her face.
"Well I gues you will be Lady Stark in a few years" she said "I know you lied to me" she suddenly turned her head and you felt yourself blush.
"I knew the Starks wouldn't send for me. I just hoped that ... you know ... you are Lady Bane" she started "your family has army and supplies and everything. I'm a Sangstern. We have books. You can't win a war with books."
Your face was now even more red. You never knew she was aware of what was said of her and her family behind their back.
"But I don't blame you for that" she continued "you just wanted to protect me. As you do always. But now more than ever I need to start taking care of myself."
You now realised Clara has grown up a lot. You weren't some five year old girls who tried to take a few apples from the kitchen and trembled at the thought of getting cought anymore. No. It was time for you to become Ladies and do your duty to your families.
You finished your meal, constantly talking to Clara and thinking of what might lie ahead of you.