The Death of Winter's Princess

Chapter I

"The South has all but fallen."

Ashara pressed her ear against the door, listening to her father's muffled words through the thick wood. She had heard rumors that people who could tame dragons were conquering the Seven Kingdoms. They had taken the Stormlands, Crowlands, the Reach, and the Riverlands with minimal forces. Her brothers had become more agitated and her bastard uncle grew more and more furious when he heard that the so called Aegon the Conqueror had the audacity to try and take their home and crown.

"Ashara, move! I want to hear what Papa is saying!" Ashara's little sister, Lysandra, hissed, tugging on her sleeve. "Fine, fine." Ashara grumbled, backing away from the key hole so her sister could hear. Lysandra shuffled up to the door and squashed her face against the wood, her face scrunched up in concentration. The door swung open and Lysandra stumbled forward, slamming into their older brother, Brandon Stark. 

He frowned down at his little sister who giggled and blushed a furious red. "What were you two doing?" He questioned, crossing his arms. "Nothing, we were just passing by!" Lysandra squeaked and Ashara brushed off her skirt. "I want to know what you, Robb, and Father are going to do about the new threat." He sighed and Robb, who had squeezed through, patted Ashara's shoulder. "Everything will be fine, Sister. There is no need to worry. Father, Bran, and I are going to meet them at the Neck." She panicked and gripped his arm. "You're not going to fight them are you?" She demanded and Brandon shrugged. "That depends, we listen to Father's orders." Robb said and walked down the hall, away from them and to his room. Brandon kissed Lysandra's forehead before rushing quickly down the stairs. Their father, King Torrhen Stark, appeared, his face weary. "Ashara, Lysandra." He eyed both his daughters.

"What are you doing here?" "Ashara wanted to-humph!" Lysandra glared at her sister as her hand wrapped around her mouth. "We both wanted to know what was going to happen." He sighed. "There is nothing that concerns you two." Ashara opened her mouth, but their father was gone. Lysandra pried off Ashara's hand and glared up at her. "Don't do that!" "Be quiet, we have other things to worry about than me gagging you. When Father, Bran, and Robb all avoid the subject, then that means something is wrong."

Time Skip: Two Day Later

Winterfell's courtyard was full of people bustling back and forth. They looked like large ants, marching around, arming their garrison and loading food into carts for the journey south. The Queen of the North, Alys Stark, stood next to their father, fussing over him. His hair, his cloak, his hair again, until he caught her hands and kissed her and telling her not to worry. Ashara's older sister, Alyssa stood next to a handsome, dark haired soldier, visibly leaning towards him with worry written all across her face. Ashara, on the other hand, stood on the ramparts, watching her family prepare to say goodbye to the men of Winterfell.

"Ashara!" A voice called and she grinned, rushing down the stairs and across the courtyard. "Robb!" She cried, burying her face into the wolf fur wrapped around himself. "Stay safe, Brother." He smiled down at her. "I can't promise, but I'll keep Brandon and Father in one piece." She pulled away and called out, "Benjen, come say goodbye to your brothers before they leave."

His little pale blue eyes appeared from the horse stables and he appeared, his little cloak fluttering after him.

"How did you know I was there?" He demanded, crossing his arms as a pout crossed his lips. "You're always hiding with the horses." She said, ruffling his hair. "Now say goodbye to Robb." Benjen held his arms out. "Hug." His voice was demanding and Robb rolled his eyes before hefting up their younger brother. "Ugh, you smell like horse shit." "Robb! Language!" She boxed her brother's ear. "Ow! Ashara!" She crossed her arms and lifted her nose up into the air. "If you weren't Mother's favorite, then I'd wash your mouth with direwolf piss." "You wouldn't." She just grinned at him. "I don't know how I put up with you." He grumbled. "Because you love me." She sing-songed, kissing his cheek before leaving him and Benjen to themselves.

She walked up over to her father and tapped his shoulder. "Father," he turned to face her as Alys left. "What are you planing to do?" She questioned and he smiled down at her, hiding his uncertainty. "We will face the Targaryens and their dragons on the field with our bannermen. My men think that we could win the day if we are smart, but I still think there is another option." He trailed off and she slipped her hand through his. "You're going to bend the knee?" He nodded and she looked down. "It will save hundreds of Northern lives, but they will paint me a coward and weakling." His voice became soft and worried. "It takes courage to kneel to an enemy, only a fool would face beasts made from fire." she murmured and he smiled. "You're getting smarter by the day." He complimented and Ashara blushed. "Only thanks to you and Mother." "More of your mother than me." Her father japed, making her smile. "Take care of your mother and make sure she doesn't worry too much, alright?" "I will, Father." "Good girl." He said, kissing her forehead before pulling away and mounting his horse.

He looked at Alys and waved before calling out. The men in the courtyard let out shouts and Ashara quickly backed away to avoid being trampled. "Goodbye Father!" She called as the men flooded out into the open road. "Stay safe!" Brandon looked back at them and lifted a hand before turning forward and disappearing in the misty morning air.

"Come back home."