The Jewel of Winter *Game of Thrones Romance*

Chapter 3 - The King's Feast

Joy bustled through the great hall, alive with servants preparing fo rthe King's arrival. Heavy wax candles were stuck onto large iron chandeliers that were hoisted to the ceiling. Round platters of meats and vegetables were lained upon long wooden tables ready to be taken to the busy kitchen. Maids organized boquets of fine flowers and branches that they had found in the godswood. Carissi lapped at Joy's feet, her tounge out and her blue eyes shining. Her white direwolf was wreckless and fierce; she loved to play fight with Grey Wind, Robb's direwolf, and Jon's Ghost. But, she was also loving and tender to the other pups. Her soft left ear still drooped at halfway but thaht did not stop her sensitive hearing. Joy named the ceature after her mother, Lady Carissia, believing that the Old Gods sent her spirt in the animal to watch over her daughter. Where is Lady Catelyn?  Joy looked around the hall. Catelyn appeared walking down the steps, accompanied by maester Luwin. They were most like discussing the arrangements. Joy hurried over to them. When Lady Catelyn she smiled, as did Maester Luwin. "What is it, my dear?" She asked politely.

"The King and his procession is near, my lady. Around five to six miles from Winterfell." Joy curtsied. Catelyn looked tiredly at Maester Luwin.

"Tell the servants." She said and the old maester hurried away. "How do you know this?" Joy bit her lip. Bran's not going to like this! 

"Bran told me." Lady Catelyn sighed then hurried from the hall, Joy quickly following. Then walked out into the courtyard. Carissi ran ahead and leaped on Summer, Bran's direwolf, who was whining and pacing around the base of the Old Tower. Joy looked up. The shaggy haired boy was climbing down the rickety stone building. Catelyn saw the two direwolves.

"Gods, they grow fast." She muttered, then spied Bran clinging to the footholds on the grey stones."Brandon!" 

"I saw the King!" Bran exclaimed. "He's got hundreds of people-"

"How many times have I told you," Catelyn scolded as the boy plopped down to the ground. "no climbing!'

"He's coming right now! Down our road!" He panted. His mother bent over to look him in the eye.

"I want you to promise me," She said. "No more climbing." Joy smirked. He promises, but he won't keep them. Bran loved to climb, and he was good at it too. Not once in his life had he slipped or even lost his footing. The young Stark was like a long haired squirrel, eager to scale an oak. Bran looked to the ground.

"I promise." He said softly.

"Do you know what?" Catelyn straightened.

"What?"

"You always look at your feet before you lie." Bran smiled. 

"Run and find your father. Tell him the King is close!" Bran ran off, Summer at his heels. Lady Catelyn smiled after him then turned to Joy. "See to Sansa, make sure she is ready for the greeting." Joy nodded and went off in search of the auburn girl.

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Joy stood in line in front of Winterfell's doors, along with the rest of the Starks. She was behind the family, between Theon and Jon. She noticed that both the boys had been shaved and their hair clean cut, Jon's no longer at his shoulders but combed neatly as was Robb's. She noticed how handsome they both looked. Joy had been pampered too, dressed in Lady Catelyn's gift and her raven hair pulled out of her face by a pearl studded headress. The blue gown was a little tight at the chest, which resulted in a couple stares form men but Joy tightened her cloak so her clevage was not as noticable. The family progressed in a line of order.  Lord Stark stood in the middle, next to his lady wife and Robb. Next to Catelyn was little Rickon and next to Robb was Sansa and Bran. "Where's Arya?" Lady Catelyn hissed. "Sansa where's your sister?" Sansa shrugged shaking her head. Joy could her the procession coming, the clatter of hooves and whinnies from the horses. Arya appeared, running to then panting, wearing a helmet on her head. Joy hid her laughter, only Jon heard it and smild at his half-sister.