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+DUE NORTH+

THE mist hovered above the ground ever so lightly while the trees stood completely still, basking in the shelter of it. Though it was summer there seemed to be a dark overcast but it was common in the North. It was also something she would have to get use to.

As the carriage moved quickly and gracefully along the bumpy path to Winterfell, Naomi had her head leaning against the side with her dark brown eyes just staring out the window at nothing in particular. Her mind had shut down and at a quick glance she looked like a normal young 15 year old girl. At a closer stare though you would noticed the faint dark circles under eyes from nights of no sleep. Her brown eyes held a sadness in them with a far away look.

"My lady," Ella, her hand maiden patted her knee from across her. "Are you well?"

Naomi turned her head and offered her a small smile before she turned her gaze back out the window and into the surrounding forest. She could feel Ella's worried eyes on her still and she felt worse than before. Ella knew Naomi was not well, everyone did. It was no secret that Naomi wouldn't be well for some time. In fact Ella had pleaded with Naomi's father, Lord Isaac, to wait a year or two before marrying her to Robb Stark. 'She hasn't had time to grieve properly.' Ella told her father.

"Are we close?" Ryder, Naomi's younger brother, asked from beside her.

Naomi smiled and shook her head slightly. He was restless from the journey and just wanted to be free from the carriage, a feeling which she could relate to. Ryder was excited about arriving to Winterfell and being in the North in general.

Morpeth, the village that they hailed from was on the border between the North and the middle countries. Ryder had grown up with tales from their father about his time up in the North and it had excited the young 10 year old boy.

"What do you think Naomi?" Ryder looked at his older sister.

"It's another world." Naomi answered quietly.

"It's going to be yours someday. You'll be the new Lady Stark." Ryder answered.

Naomi turned to glance at her brother who offered her a smile and looked back out the window fascinated by everything. She looked over to Ella who offered her a comforting smile and placed a hand on her knee. In two days Naomi would be Lady Naomi Stark, wife of Robb Stark. She placed one of her hands on top of Ella's to which Ella responded with patting the top of her hand with her other one, a smile still on her face.

"Winterfell!" Ryder yelled and leaned closer to the window.

Naomi moved closer to her brother and looked out the window beside him up at the gates which housed the castle where the Stark family lived. Where she would now live, her new home. Suddenly Naomi didn't feel so composed and grew nervous.

Noticing the nervous look upon her face, Ella leaned forward and grabbed Naomi's arm as if to steady her. "You can do this my lady. All is well."

Naomi looked down at her lap taking deep, calming breaths. The carriage came to a halt and she knew now was the moment that would change everything. As soon as she stepped out of the carriage her new life would begin while she left her past and broken one behind.

"Ryder you go first." Ella looked at the boy. "But do not run off!"

Ryder smiled wide at being first out of the carriage. He practically lunged out of the door when it was opened for him. Ella gave Naomi's hand another squeeze before she followed the eager little boy out and stood to the left of the carriage. Naomi took another breath before she herself exited from the carriage.

The chill of the North hit her face as she stepped out, one hand holding the front of her dark purple dress so she wouldn't trip, while her other hand grasped Ella's as she helped her down the step. Naomi stopped and looked around the courtyard of Winterfell. It was breath taking and Naomi could feel every set of eyes upon her.

Ryder who had been to the right of her snapped her out of her trance when he rushed ahead to join their father's side to greet the Stark family. Naomi crossed the courtyard slowly to join her father and older brother, Talon, afraid that she might faint or trip and make a complete fool of herself.

"Ned." Her father Lord Issac smiled and embraced the man dressed in fur before her.

He wasn't a horrible looking man but rather a man shining with age and experience. You could tell a person from the North by their clothing and their faces. "How was your journey?"

"Good, good." Issac said. "We made excellent timing despite that harsh roads to get here."

Ned Stark smiled and then his eyes fell upon Naomi and he gave a sad smile. She looked away from him unable to stand the feel of his eyes. She knew that the Starks knew what had happened 8 months earlier, that she had seen her mother brutally murdered by raiders.

"Ned, Cate," Lord Issac smiled to Lady Catelyn Stark who stood beside her husband in a grayish-blue dress. "May I present my daughter and your soon to be daughter-in-law, Naomi."

Naomi placed her hand in her father's and bowed gracefully offering a small smile. Lady Stark moved forward and placed a sweet kiss on Naomi's cheek smiling. "We are happy to have you here."

"Thank you." Naomi replied quietly.

Her father pulled her slightly to the left until she was standing before a tall young man who was the spitting image of his mother, with auburn colored slightly wavy hair and bright blue orbs with a smooth face. Naomi could tell that he had shaven, most likely at the request of his mother.

"Daughter, meet your husband and heir to the House of Starks, Robb Stark." Issac said.

He was handsome she would give him that. Naomi again bowed politely her body shaking slightly. Robb bowed his head back and gave her a smile that made her knees weak. This was the man she was to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

Naomi hadn't pictured him in this way. Looking around and back to Robb she felt overwhelmed with everything. The air was becoming tight as if she was slowly being choked. It seemed Ella was the only one who noticed for she spoke up. "My lord, perhaps Lady Naomi would wish to rest after the long journey."

Lord Issac looked at his daughter when Lady Stark stepped forward. "Of course. We have a room all ready for you. I'll show you there myself."

Naomi again offered a smile before she followed after her with Ella behind her. Another deep calming breath to keep her from passing out as she looked down at the ground, the one thing that wasn't spinning in her eyes.

The hallway was long and seemed to be never ending to Naomi before Lady Stark stopped and opened a wooden door to a room. She allowed Naomi and Ella to enter before herself. The room was large and clean. There was a fireplace with a chair in front of it to the side, which she had a feeling she would spending a great amount of time at night sitting there.

"I hope the room fits to your liking." Lady Stark said.

Naomi looked at her and nodded. "It does. Thank you."

"Good, I'm glad." Lady Stark smiled.

Naomi moved over to the window and looked out of it, noticing that the drop from it was rather great. Silence filled the room and she knew that Lady Stark was thinking of something to say. What was there to say?

"Naomi," Lady Stark began as Naomi turned to face her. "I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and I know that it must be difficult for you right now but I hope that you find happiness here. Life here in the North isn't as harsh as some might think."

Naomi smiled at her kind honest words. She was glad that she could see herself getting along with her mother-in-law. "Thank you Lady Stark."

She nodded and turned, leaving Ella and Naomi in the room. "She seems nice." Ella said.

"Yes," Naomi moved to the bed, "she does."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Naomi placed both arms on either side of her and took another look around the room. She was home. In two days she would be Lady Naomi Stark. Finally everything settled and tears poured from her eyes and down her cheeks.

Ella was quick to cross the room and bring the young girl into her arms, rubbing her back, brushing her hair through her fingers, and basically allowing her to break down and cry. Naomi knew Ella would never tell.