Capítulo 4: Chapter 4: Winterfell
Robb
Robb Stark stood perfectly still as he and his family waited for the royal family to arrive. He, Jon and Theon all had clean shaven faces in preparation for the king. Behind him Jon kept his head down so as not to attract attention. Robb turned and gave him a reassuring look.
Suddenly he notice that his own family was a member short. His mother noticed this as well.
"Where's Arya?" she turned to her eldest daughter "Sansa, where's your sister?"
Sansa merely shrugged and his mother tsked.
A few moments later, the girl in question came running across the grounds wearing a warriors helm.
"Hey, hey, hey." his father caught Arya by the arm stopping her. "What are you doing with that on?" He asked removing the helmet from her head.
Robb and Jon couldn't help but smile, Arya had always been mischievous.
"Go on now," he told her giving the Helm to Rodrick Cassel.
Arya sighed in exasperation and took her place between Sansa and Bran.
Moments afterwards the first of the royal procession arrived. First the flagbearers holding the sigils of houses Baratheon and Lannister. Behind them rode the crown prince and his younger brother.
Joffrey was a year younger than him or Jon. But he was taller than both. Roland was a year younger than Joffrey and just as tall if not taller with a more muscular built.
Robb was surprised at the difference between the brothers. If he wasn't told before, Robb would never have guessed that they were brothers. Joffrey's long golden curls and emerald green eyes clashed with Roland's short black hair and dark blue eyes.
Even their attire was different. The Crown Prince's clothes reflected the colours of House Lannister, red with gold designs and a crimson cloak with a black fur trim. His brother's clothing reflected House Baratheon, black with gold antlers and a golden cloak with black fur trim. While Joffrey had a look of disdain, Roland seemed genuinely impressed by his surroundings.
Between the princes, Robb noticed a large black dog trotting along. As the princes stopped, the dog came to a halt and sat down. It's head held high and it's body rigid.
Upon seeing the crown prince, Robb saw Sansa's face instantly lit up. He looked at the crown prince again and he was smiling back. Robb only had to take one look at him to decide that he didn't like Joffrey.
The royal carriage arrived and behind that came the king himself Robert Baratheon. Robb was shocked at Robert's appearance. He didn't look anything like the stories his father use to tell him. The king looked bigger than the steed he rode. and the beard failed to hide his multiple chins.
The king approached his father and gestured him to stand. As soon as his father stood up, everyone else followed suit.
"Your grace," he said bowing his head.
The king cocked his head to the side never taking his eyes of his father. After a moment King Robert spoke. "You got fat."
The whole yard grew silent, Robb looked nervously at his father wondering how he would reply. To his surprise Ned merely gestures towards the kings belly as if to say 'so have you.'
At this, Robert broke into a laugh and pulled Ned into a bone crushing hug.
After Robert greeted his mother, Robb saw Queen Cersei and her children Tommen and Myrcella exit the royal carriage.
"Where's the imp," Arya asked Sansa.
"Please shut up," Sansa said briskly
As the king greeted Robb and the rest of his siblings, the Queen strode gracefully towards his parents. Ned took her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles, "My queen."
"My queen," His mother repeated.
Then, Robert spoke up, "take me to your crypt, I wish to pay my respects".
"We have been riding for a whole month my love", Cersei objected. "Surely the dead can wait".
But Robert ignored her and beckoned Ned to join him.
After that most of everyone else began to disperse. While Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen followed their mother indoors, Roland had opted to remain in the yard.
Roland then approached Robb smiling. Instinctively Robb made a polite bow "my prince". He said remembering his courtesies.
The Baratheon Prince raised his hand saying, "Please, after 14 years I have grown weary of titles. We need not be that way except in the presence of our parents. My name is Roland and that is all there is to it.
Robb smiled, already starting to like him. "Then you may call me Robb in return"
"Agreed" replied Roland.
Roland's eyes then shifted towards the person behind him and his smile became wider. "You must be Jon" he said extending his hand.
Both Robb and Jon were taken aback by the friendly gesture. Not knowing what else to do, Jon shook hands with Roland.
Just then Robb noticed the large dog come along side the prince and sniff around him.
"Shadow", Roland warned half heartedly "behave yourself". He turned towards Robb and smiled, "don't worry, he's just judging your character."
Robb was surprised at the size of the animal. It stood at least 3 foot and must of weighed at least 180 pounds
"I didn't know you had a dog" Jon spoke up.
"Well Joffrey has his hound and I have mine", Roland replied. He then leaned forward, "was Arya wearing a helmet earlier?"
The question took Robb off guard, knowing that it was a great crime to lie to a royal, he nodded.
Roland's smile broadened. "I thought so, I saw her earlier as we were riding to the gate."
Robb gave the Baratheon prince a tour of Winterfell, and Roland even asked Jon to join them. This surprised Robb, he had not expected such kindness to Ned Stark's bastard to come from a Prince. In fact he treated him as an equal.
Robb had to ask, "why are you being so kind to Jon? I would think that a prince of the seven kingdoms would stay away from a bastard.
Roland merely smiled, "I see no bastard only Ned Stark's son. Being a bastard doesn't make him less of a man. In front of our parents we must act accordingly. But here we are merely three friends taking a walk. Besides I too have a few baseborn siblings and they are decent as far as I can tell.
As the three boys toured Winterfell. Robb told Roland all about his family, Sansa the lady, Bran the climber and Arya the adventurous spirit. It didn't take long for the three to become friends. Even the Starks wolves got along well with Shadow, who at least for now towered over them.
As the hour grew late, the Boys returned to their rooms to prepare for the upcoming feast. Soon it was time for the Starks and the Royal Family to make their entrance. First came Lord Eddard and Queen Cersei, then came King Robert escorting Lady Catelyn. Finally came the children, Rickon, Tommen, and Bran came first. Roland behind them escorting Arya, Robb escorted Princess Myrcella. The young girl gave him shy glances, Robb gave her a warm smile in return. Then Joffrey came in escorting Sansa. They make a radiant couple, Robb admitted. He would be better looking if he didn't have a bored expression on his face. Lastly, the queen's brother Jamie and Tyrion entered. 'And I thought the princes looked different', Robb thought to himself.
After everyone took their seats, the king called for the feast to begin. Robb was seated between Roland and Arya. The Baratheon Prince was amused at her attitude stating that he has seen few free spirited women in his years, and Arya was a refreshing change.
Through the night, Roland talked about life in King's landing. But it seemed that Roland held King's Landing to a very low regard.
"I've always thought Kings Landing was glamorous". Robb said.
"Only to those who have not seen it or know it I'm afraid", Roland replied. "Winterfell is better in every way to Kings Landing. This is what the seat of the Capitol should be like".
Robb couldn't help but feel pride when hearing that. The young prince thought his own castle was preferable to the Capitol of the Seven Kingdoms.
"How good are you with a blade?" Robb asked.
Roland shrugged, "I do alright" he said, "and yourself?"
"Same here, but I'm better with a lance. Jon is a better swordsman than I will ever be.
"Then maybe you, me and Jon can get together for a little sparring match tomorrow". Roland challenged with a smile.
Robb gave a smile of his own, "nothing would make me happier".
Well there you have it, hope you enjoyed it. I can't make promises on when chapters will come up. Life gets in the way, you know how it is. but I can promise you this, the story will continue.
Note: If you wondering what Shadow looks like, just picture a Black King Shepherd.
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