CHAPTER FIVE
| return of the starks
Julina sat on her chair in front of her vanity, reading a book. Her eyes examined the book in her hands. It was a book about house Stark and their reign.
It was interesting enough to keep her reading and Julina had to keep herself from not falling off her chair while being engrossed on her reading. Reading had been Julina's favorite to entertaining herself. It was interesting of how the great houses had been made.
Brandon the Builder was the founder of house Stark who built the wall and Winterfell. Some said he even got the held of giants, something that Julina had a hard time believing.
"My Lady," Julina turned around to face her handmaiden. She sent her a gentle smile before laying the book on the vanity desk.
She arched her brow,"Yes, what is is Katya?"
Katy had a look on her face that held both excitement and uneasiness. Julina furred her brows, nodding her head to continue.
"The Starks, they are about some miles away Winterfell. The king wanted you to be there when they arrive."
The Starks. Julina had been in Casterly Rock when the Starks had arrived in King's Landing. Somehow she was relieved that she didn't go as she would've hated to see Lord Starks execution.
She had always been told that Lord Stark was an honorable man and a man whom cared for his family. She admired him as most would. When her father had gotten the news of Lord Stark's accusation, he had been furious. They had been told that he said that Joffre was a bastard of Cersei and Jaime.
She had to keep herself from puking. It was ridiculous, but at the same time she realized that Joffrey had none of the Baratheon coloring, he looked like a Lannister through and through.
Now standing beside Robb as the carriage came into the yard of Winterfell she couldn't help but feel petrified. Those girls had seen their father being executed and now they were going to see Joffrey's nephew. She was sure they weren't going to take a liking to her at first glance.
The carriage door opened to find two girls walking out of the carriage and into their mothers arms. Catelyn seemed relieved as Julina supposed any mother would be to be reunited with her daughters.
As though Robb could read her mind, he grabbed a hold of her hand tightly. Looking up she saw that Robb's eyes were glued to his sisters. She couldn't imagine how it must have felt for him. In a war not knowing whether his actions would cause harm to his sisters.
The eldest was a red headed girl and was the one who looked like their mother the most. She didn't have an ounce of Stark in her. However the smallest of them was all Stark. She had the Stark coloring and looked the most Stark compared to her siblings.
"My daughters," Catelyn cried hugging them closer to her.
Julina couldn't help but smile, thinking the scene loving. Robb walked forward hugging the smallest sister in his arms. "I missed you both so much."
Standing there, Julina couldn't help but envy the Starks. They cared for each other enough to start a war for them. Her father would only start a way if it would harm the Lannister name.
━━━
She had no idea why the Starks had wanted to throw a feast. Whether it was for their victory or the return of the Stark daughters was unknown to Julina.
Katya entered with her arms full of wine-red silk, which Julina assumed was a dress. From what she had caught glimpse off, the dress was beautiful. Julina always had a fondness for light dresses.
She allowed Katya to pull the laces of the dress tight, and brush out her gold hair. Katya's nimble fingers worked at plaiting it. She parted her hair in two and put them as braids on top of her head. It did look like she had a crown on her head. Katya fastened a crimson and gold pendant around Julina's throat.
"Is this not too much for the occasion?" Julina questioned. Even though she was fond of dressing up, she wasn't so fond of dressing up for people, much less the Starks.
She knew everyone would have their eyes on her, examining her. Julina knew they would never trust a Lannister as Joffrey cut off Ned Stark's head. Yes, they would not be content with her.
Voices carried through the halls from the dining area where many people awaited the arrival of the Lannister. Robb and his sisters were seated at the head table and she could see the discomfort of the girl's faces..
As she walked inside, the music had seemed to quiet down. All eyes were on her now and looking ahead, Robb's eyes were on her as well.
She took her seat beside Robb and held her hands on her lap. She looked uneasy and felt the distress as the Lords and Ladies glared at her with hateful eyes. She could see Robb watching her.
She sighed and put on a smile. It would be best if she looked joyful, at least she wouldn't look weak.
"Perhaps you'd do the honour of dancing with me, my lady?"
Julina was a little astonished by the offer, confused as why he would offer a dance to the aunt of a boy who killed his father. Perhaps Robb was kindly attempting to help her fit in, considering that she was going to be his wife. Either way, she saw the opportunity to interact with the northerners, and she took Robb's hand. The beat was slow but the music was sultry, and Julina wondered if the northerners took her as too meek to be dancing with their King.
Robb towered nearly a feet over her, making it hard to dance with him. But it seemed Robb was a skilled dancer and knew what to do.
Robb put one arm around her slender waist and took her hand in his. Julina noticed how much bigger his hands were than hers, but she turned her mind from the matter immediately, putting her free hand on his shoulder. Julina allowed Robb to take the lead, and she was very grateful when he valiantly attempted to take up a conversation.
"Are you enjoying yourself, my lady?"
"Call me Julina, after all I call you by your name." She assured him. If they were going to marry they could at least name each other by their names.
Robb nodded, a small smile on his face. "Julina.
They danced for what seemed like hours, and Julina could feel the stares and glared by the northerners. But Robb danced like he was taking her mind away from them.
He would surely make her fall in love with him sooner then she hoped.
✧
(warning) might be some spelling mistakes
