Reagan Hill couldn't understand why she, of all people, was being forced to endure the journey to the North with the entire court of King's Landing. It had to be her aunt's twisted form of more torture for the sixteen year old's crime of being born.

Robert Baratheon, ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, had decided it was time to visit his good friend Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, after a sixteen-year span of time. With such a decision made, the whole court was in a tither with preparations when Cersei Lannister, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, had summoned Reagan Hill to her rooms with the intent of demanding her accompanying them as well. No reason was given, just that demand, and later in her Uncle's chambers when the question had been posed to him, a length of silence was all the answer was given. Cersei couldn't stand the site of the bastard child who now rode the grey palfrey outside of the Royal Family's litter, but wouldn't let the girl retire to the safety and privacy of Septa's Houses either.

Reagan huffed, watching her breath become like smoke in the air. She giggled to herself as she compared her breath to a dragon's flame. She briefly wished that indeed she were a dragon. A dragon would never be forced to accompany a court with a Queen who despised her, to yet another location to be whispered and pointed at, to be humiliated because of the circumstances surrounding her birth. A dragon would never be just "the Bastard of the notorious Kingslayer."

They had been riding for, at the very least, a month. She had lost count of the days. They'd all become the same anyway, days of growing cold and avoiding gazes and ignoring gossip and hiding from those who would mock and hurt her. She often took refuge with Tyrion Lannister, her one family member who didn't loathe or treat her like the unwanted stray cats that skulked around the Red Keep. He would read to her from his collection of books and test her knowledge with riddles. He made her laugh after she hadn't smiled for days.

Winterfell couldn't be far now, she sighed, feeling her seat becoming numb.

They arrived at nightfall the next day. And she had never been happier to see a stone keep before in her life. She would never be an accomplished rider. It was another fault of her that set her apart from the Lannisters, who all looked perfectly content to sit upon the large animals who could quite possibly, in Reagan's mind, lead them straight to death or, even worse, crippling. Winterfell wasn't the beautiful High Gardens or the imposing Castlerly Rock. It was… intimidating, that was the word, a lone fortress in the depths of snow and ice. It was also really fucking cold.

The Starks of Winterfell were all there to greet the Court. Eddard Stark was every bit serious and tall as she'd heard from the gossip, but Catelyn Tully, Lady Stark now, was light where Eddard was dark. Her brilliant red hair and bright blue eyes was the contrast to her Lord Husband and her children were the odd mixture of the two. She sincerely doubted she would need to know the Stark offspring names, but dutifully repeated them to herself, as they were each introduced to the King. Robb, Sansa, Aryan, Bran, and Rickon. The one she was interested in wasn't around, though bastards were never displayed before the world so Jon Snow's lacking in appearance wasn't odd.

Prince Joffery, Myrcella, and Tommen were introduced as well, all of the children sizing each other up instantly. The elder Stark girl looked at Joffery with definite interest and Reagan stopped herself from rolling her eyes in disgust. Joffery would be sickenly charming to this poor girl, and she would never know the twisted creature that took exacting lessons from his mother underneath his fair façade. King Baratheon and Lord Stark disappeared after a reproach from Cersei, something about being tired and such. Reagan smirked slightly, knowing the Queen's blood was boiling at being slighted in front of so many. Lyanna Stark was a tale often whispered in the Red Keep's quietest chambers.

Lady Stark began to motion for the party to follow her inside, finally, and out of the cold. She dismounted and handed her reigns to the pageboy who attended her with a smile. Drawing her cloak more closely around her, she walked towards the entrance. Myrcella caught up with her.

"Have you ever been colder, Reagan?" She asked, shivering.

"Just think, Myr, it's summer here. This is summer in the North. Actual Winter has to be devastating."

"I'll be glad when we go home." Her teeth were chattering now.

Reagan gave a small laugh and put on arm around her cousin, "It'll only be a week or so. I'm sure it'll be warmer inside."

She loved her cousin dearly. Joffery took after his mother's attitude and never missed a chance to ridicule and torment her, while Tommen was too young to understand her status and subsequent shame. But Myrcella, beautiful and kind Myrcella, knew and understood yet loved and accepted her anyway. And Reagan could never repay that debt in her own mind.

They entered the Great Hall of Winterfell and Reagan first noticed all the Wolf pelts. Not at all disconcerting, she thought to herself. Cersei reappeared and took Myrcella from her and left Reagan to her own devices, which suited her fine. She walked down one of the halls that led out of the grand room and touched the cold stonewalls. How in the Seven Gods' names did they keep warm in this winter home?

There was a growling noise behind her and she turned startled, coming face to face with a huge wolf. The bright yellow eyes and jagged teeth were enough to make her heart stop in her chest, but it was the immense size of the wolf that made her want to scream aloud. She resisted the urge though, and stood very still, not sure if she should run like a mad man or stay and pray to whoever was listening.

"Nymeria!" A voice rang down the hall and the wolf instantly changed demeanor from fierce to chastised. The wolf sat down on its haunches and looked towards the voice. The brunette Stark appeared and glanced from her wolf to Reagan, "I'm sorry. She's still being trained properly."

"She's a direwolf, isn't she? They haven't been seen this far south in a thousand years." Reagan's voice raised in excitement, she realized late and dropped it to a more lady-like volume, "I'm sorry."

The girl who Reagan remembered was called Arya smiled, "She is a direwolf, the Stark sigil. I'm surprised a Southerner like you recognized it. I'm Arya Stark."

Reagan inclined her head respectfully, "I'm Reagan, my lady."

"You're the Lannister Bastard," it was Arya's voice that was now raised in excitement.

"Arya!" A male's reproachful voice made both girls whirl and face the eldest Stark son who was coming down the hall behind Reagan.

Arya looked at her brother irritated, "Well, she is, isn't she?"

"I apologize for my sister's manners. She's still being trained as well." Robb half-smiled and shrugged. Arya stuck her tongue out at him.

Reagan shrugged back, "she's right though," here she turned back to Arya, "I am Reagan Hill, the Lannister bastard."

Arya grinned, "I told you so, Robb. I told you they would bring her. The letter said -," here Robb reached for his youngest sister and clapped a hand over her mouth.

Reagan cocked her head to the side, "What letter?"

"My sister speaks before she thinks sometimes, it is no concern. Young children, you know?"

Arya scowled and pushed away from Robb, "Fine, but don't say I didn't tell you so. Come on, Nymeria." They two retreated quickly and without a glance backwards. Reagan made as if to follow them, curious about what the young girl knew about her, but Robb stopped her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady."

Reagan raised an eyebrow, "I had no idea the Northern humor included mockery of guests. Save your chivalric charm for an actual lady, Lord Stark." She gave a mock curtsey and swept from the hall, having no idea where she was actually going, but not letting the minor detail impede her exit.

She managed to stumble across her Uncle, who helped her stumble across her room shared with Myrcella. Reagan knew that Cersei had meant for it to appear as a punishment, that for this trip she would appear as Myrcella's handmaiden, but Reagan saw it as a gift, for sharing a room meant safety from unwanted visitors. No one would mock her with an audience in tow. Myrcella was already asleep and Reagan followed suit quickly. Her nightmares came and left quickly. Luckily, her audience stayed sound asleep through both beginning and end.

Robb hadn't meant to offend the chit of a girl. Did she act so irrationally because she was a Southern woman? Northern women certainly didn't cause such problems. He called all women "lady" even the whores he spent nights with. They'd all simpered and cooed and loved every minute of being flattered by Robb Stark. He'd steer clear of the mad Southern females now. That'd be the safest route, he concluded. He went out to the stables where Jon had been hiding for a few hours now. His half-brother was indeed grooming his favorite stallion, quietly talking to him all the while.

"Father wondered where you were," he startled Jon, leaning against the stall door.

Jon looked at his brother impassively, "I didn't care to be underfoot at such a time."

"It'll be interesting tomorrow night. The king is known for drinking and whoring, the two things Father intensely disapproves of. I wonder how they ever stayed friends."

"War changes people, Maester Clymore says." Jon set down the brush and patted the horse one last time before walking past Robb and sat on the windowsill that faced the courtyard.

"Aye, yes, Maester Clymore would know much about war and battle, seeing as he is a Maester and all," Robb rolled his eyes, "I think it is simply because they're the last ones left from the final war."

"The king loved Aunt Lyanna," Jon pointed out, "And there are others, like the Kingslayer. I met him when he was caring for the Gray Palfrey," he gestured with his head towards another stall.

"Speaking of the Kingslayer, I met his daughter," Robb pushed off the doorway and stood closer to Jon, "She has all the looks of a Lannister, but the attitude of Arya."

Jon chuckled, "Arya said she met the girl when Nymeria tried to eat her. She gave her credit at least, said at least she didn't run away screaming, like the silly maids from the Queen's entourage."

"Arya is gloating about the fact that the King did bring Reagan Hill here. Her letter prediction came true. I don't think the girl herself knows however. I stopped Arya before she caused any damage."

Jon stared out the window, "I feel sorry for her. Her father claimed her, but remained in the Kingsguard. At least I was raised in a home. She's getting tossed away like a rag."

"I'd reserve pity. I did say she was like Arya, did I not? I doubt she needs anyone's sympathy. Anyway, Theon and I are going hunting on the morrow. Care to join us? It's better than sitting here continually grooming the same horses over and over."

"I happen to like grooming horses," Jon said half-indignant.

Robb laughed, "Come out with us. It'll help with getting rid of some of your pent up anger. Maybe even make the feast tomorrow easier if you're exhausted from chasing stag all day?"

Jon nodded finally and Robb clapped him on the back, "Well, I'm off. See you before the sun rises, eh?"