The Princess and The Bastard [Jon Snow]

Chapter 1: The Arrival

"Do I have to marry him, mother?" I question, my voice cracking at the end. I cling on to the only safety i have ever known. As she holds me closer to her heart a tear escapes, dripping down onto my book. I never want to leave her grip or fathers, or even Joffrey for that matter. Kings Landing is my home, it's all I have ever known.

My future husband is Robb Stark. The eldest son of Eddard Stark and Catelyn Tully, the future heir of the north. Mother and father says it will be a great alliance. However, in all of my sixteen years of living I have only ever met my future husband once. Father says we use to crawl together but I feel he only said that to comfort me. Eddard Stark and father had already chosen our fate before we were talking, so it's not up for discussion.

"Yes my sweet child, you will be the future queen of the north!" Mother whispers in my ear which makes me shiver. She slowly runs her fingers up and down the side of my face, wiping the single tear away. Me, Rosanna the future queen of the north?! I can't even get myself ready without my maid Marriana, how can I possible guard the north? As my worries become reality, more tears begin to escape.

"Rosanna my cub, you have to be strong! You can't let the north see that you are weak-" mother pauses scooping my round face in both of her cold hands. " My sweet daughter, my first seed, mothers always protect their cubs until the day is no more. But now that you will be married off, my protection has to change. My protection is to teach you to be strong, powerful and smart!" Her voice is thick with passion while looking into my brown doe-eyes searching for a powerful soul.

I slowly nod, mother wipes the remaining tears with a half-smile.

My mothers words were right as they sunk into my heart. I have to be brave for my people, my family, my self. I am Princess Rosanna Baratheon, of house Baratheon.The eldest daughter of King Robert I Baratheon and Queen Cersei Lannister. And the future queen of the north. I swallow the lump in my throat that has been with me throughout our travels north.

"Now Rosanna! Put that book away, we have arrived!" Her voice rings as the carriage makes a dramatic stop. Mother begins to smooth down her pink silk gown with a powerful look across her face, that I hope I can master one day. I place the northern book that I had been reading to the side. At a slow pace I stand, preparing myself of why lies ahead of the other side of the carriage door.

Grey clouds appeared down onto Winterfell creating a dull atmosphere. The castle appears  to be of smaller scale compared to the pictures in the book. The smell of fresh cut wood lingers in the air and fills my nostrils. Fathers raucous laugh grabs my attention, I assume the smiling man in-front of father is Neddard Stark. He looks a kind man, a honourable man - like father had said.

"Ned, let me introduce my greatest gift of all time my daughter: Princess Rosanna!" Father calls, striking fear into my heart. The wind begins to tug at my dark curls as I slowly walk towards father.

"Your grace, you have grown up to be a true beauty!" Ned responds, his thick northern accent overpowers fathers. His lips press a gentle kiss on-top of my hand, which makes me blush.

"Thank you, your grace" I reply, my voice is gentle against the wind. Ned Starks cheshire smile calms my nerves in the pit of my stomach. Ned turns to his left to introduce his wife, Catelyn Stark who greets me with a soft nod which I copy. One of the Stark boys standing next to Catelyn gives me a cheeky grin that makes me giggle.

"My first born son, Robb Stark!" Ned introduces, turning his body to face him.
Our eyes connect right away, brown stones staring back at me. His thick red curls that mirrored his mothers, drip down the side of his sharp face that leads me to his gentle smile.

"Princess Rosanna,I hope your travels were safe!" His gravelly voice spoke. An anxious feeling filled my stomach as my future husband said my name.

"Prince Robb, thank you!" I spoke softly, tilting my head. I want to say more, complement his home or thank him for this warm welcome, but I don't.

"My first born daughter, Sansa!" Ned shouts down the line of starks, which makes Sansa glare towards her father.

"Princess, I love your dress!" Sansa's voice is quiet as she twirlers with her red curls. I look down to my dress, that mother had got specifically designed for this moment. It was a deep red with a lion and a stag embroidered at the side- my favourite part.

"Thank you Sansa, I admire yours too" I reply with a soft smile. Ned goes on to introduce Ayra Stark who has mischievous grin on and Brandon Stark who shows me his muscles.

"Take me to your crypt. I want to pay my respects!" Father demands

"We've been riding for a month, my love. Surely the dead can wait" Mothers voice is flat as she replies to father with an emotionless face.

"Ned!" Father shouts, tilting his head. Ned steps forward giving mother and I sympathetic look. By Ned leaving a gap in the line of Starks my eyes lead to a boy, perhaps the same age of me with the saddest face in all of the seven kingdoms.