This is one shot for now, set before season 1.


Stannis Baratheon had always been a dour man who didn't show his thoughts or feelings. That however didn't mean that he wouldn't have feelings. He was a father and he loved his only daughter dearly. Her appearance made no difference to him and unlike many people thought, he wasn't ashamed of her. He had kept her hidden because he had wanted to protect her from the cruelty of the world. She was a kind and gentle soul; he never wanted her to suffer.

Right now he wanted nothing more than to take her back to Dragonstone where she would be safe. Instead they were on their way to Winterfell. All because of the whims of his drunkard brother. Robert had thought that Stannis had become too arrogant and of course he had wanted to demonstrate his power. Stannis would never forgive him for this. Giving his daughter to a bastard…

Shireen was only 15 and she had spent her whole life in Dragonstone. Selyse hadn't really cared when Stannis had told her the news. To his wife, their daughter was nothing more than a constant reminder of her failure. She hadn't been able to give him sons, only one sick daughter. Of course Stannis had hoped for a son, but that didn't mean he wouldn't love his daughter. Shireen didn't deserve this. Stannis would have given anything if he could have saved her from this fate.


"I heard that she's hideous," Theon Greyjoy said, clearly enjoying this. "Disfigured."

Jon pretended that he didn't hear anything and continued shooting arrows at the target. Usually he never missed, but now he couldn't concentrate. He didn't want to get married, he wasn't ready. This felt nothing but unfair, he had never even met Shireen Baratheon. All he knew that she was King Robert's niece and, as Theon had so kindly pointed out, she was somehow disfigured.

"I slept with this whore once who had only one breast," Theon continued. "It was something new. Think of this positively, Snow, you can try something different…"

"Alright, that's enough, Theon," Robb huffed.

"Come on, I was just teasing him," Theon protested. "I'm sure his bride is lovely."

Jon still didn't say anything, but he felt the need to punch Theon on the face.

"Never mind him," Robb said when they were alone.

"Why me?" Jon muttered. "I mean, she's royalty and I'm a bastard. Shouldn't she marry you?"

"King wanted it to be you," Robb reminded him. "Father suspects that Stannis has somehow angered his brother."

"And this is King Robert's way to get back at him?"

"Something like that, yes."

Jon sighed and shook his head.

"I don't want this, Robb."

"I know, brother."

"What if I can't stand her?"

Robb was quiet for a brief moment before replying.

"Arranged marriages can be complicated sometimes, but I believe you will learn to at least tolerate her."

Tolerate her? That was what he had looking forward to? Once again he considered running away and riding to the Wall.

"Father is counting on you," Robb said, like he would have known what Jon was thinking. "This marriage is a good thing to our family."

Of course Jon knew that, but he also wanted to point out that he wasn't really a part of this family. He wasn't a Stark. He huffed in annoyance as he missed the target again. He really couldn't concentrate. What he wanted was to make his own decisions. Marrying Shireen Baratheon certainly wouldn't be one of them.


Shireen Baratheoan was very nervous as she arrived at Winterfell. She had never been away from Dragonstone before and she missed her tower. It had been her safe haven ever since she had been a child. Some people would have maybe called it a prison, but to her it had always been a place where she had felt safe. Safe from her mother's wrath and the mockery of others.

Now she was scared. The last thing she wanted was to bring her father shame. He had been more than tense their whole journey. She was afraid of what would happen now. Would people stare at her? Laugh at her? Would her betrothed be repulsed by her? She swallowed when the carriage door opened and her father gave her his hand. The courtyard was full of people and her first thought was to hide.

"Lord Stannis," someone greeted her father. "Welcome."

"Thank you, Lord Stark."

Shireen looked at this lord and smiled at him.

"And this must be your daughter."

"Yes," her father replied rigidly.

Lord Stark took her hand and kissed it.

"Nice to meet you, my lady."

"You too, my lord."

From the corner of her eye she noticed a young man who was staring at her. She smiled at him too. He continued staring at her until Lord Stark introduced him as his son.

"My lady," he murmured as he kissed her hand. He didn't turn his eyes away from her and she was starting to feel shy. But he didn't seem repulsed, more like…mesmerized. She couldn't quite understand it, but something about him made her feel safe. Like she would have known him her whole life. It was a strange feeling. She kept smiling and finally he smiled back at her. In that moment she believed that everything would be alright.