A/N- This imagine is based on the song Alejandro by Lady Gaga, but mostly I was inspired by the line "She's not broken; she's just a baby, and her boyfriend's like a dad, just like a dad," which I've always loved. This is only the start of the story, and isn't very fleshed out hense why it ends rather suddenly. I wanted to post something as soon as possible, but I hope you all enjoy it anyway.
You had been engaged to marry some southern lord since the day you were born. Your father had told you so more times than you could even begin to count. "It is the life of a Princess," he had uttered when you had attempted to argue, "the price of being born to royalty." You had been less accepting of such a curse.
"I do not see why he has to be a southern lord," you protested, keeping your voice as gentle as you could manage.
But your father simply shrugged, "Doran has requested it," he started, watching as your lips turned into a small snarl. "Believe me, I am not pleased with the agreement either, but we have been having the same argument since you were born, my sweet, and nothing I say or do will change your fate."
You continued to frown, your eyes falling to the table. "The least he could do was allow me to choose my own husband, if I am forced to marry outside of Dorne." You father smiled at your words.
"Spoken like a true dornish woman," he murmured softly, drawing your eyes back to him and causing a smile to grace your lips, despite your annoyance.
You sat back slightly, bringing your hand up to your chin as you thought, one finger tapping lightly against the skin. "May I be given permission to travel before I marry?" you hummed, lowering your hand slightly to watch for your father's response, one of your eyebrows quirked as you waited.
Oberyn Martell was not one to cling to tradition, nor was he the type of man to coddle his children. He pursed his lips as he considered the question. "I will grant you three months, but you will take guards to guarantee your safe return."
"You believe I will run away," you spoke, more of a statement than a question, as you watched him with a deep intensity in your eyes that he had never seen before.
"If I had been forced to marry someone I did not love, I would have considered it." His answer caused you to released a small laugh, and you quickly climbed to your feet. "Where will you go?"
You shrugged slightly, "who knows?" you told him, smiling sweetly before sweeping out of the room and into the halls.
*Time Skip*
You smiled as you stared out of the window of the carriage, watching as the landscape turned from green, to grey, and then finally to pure, untouched white. When people spoke of the north you had believed they had all been exagerating. There was no way that one land could have blazing hot sun in one part, and carpets of snow in another. But now you could see it for yourself, and you were not disappointed by what you saw.
You had never seen snow before. Never experienced what it was to truly be cold. Never even considered what it would be like to feel the ice under your feet, crunching with each step. When you had reached the first telling bite of snow you had order the carriaged to stop, climbing out and taking a few tentative steps. You don't know what came over you, for in that moment, tears began to form in your eyes, stinging as they hit your cold skin. "I love it," you declared to the guard closest to you, who simply smiled and gave you a short nod. "What do northerners do in all this white?" you asked him, and he cleared his throat slightly before taking a few steps closer to you.
"I am unsure, M'lady, I grew up in Dorne." You shook your head slightly as a chuckle escaped your lips.
"Of course," you told him gently, glancing at him for a moment before returning your eyes to the icy landscape. "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"
"I can't say I have, M'Lady."
It was enough to send you into a happy daze, climbing back into the carriage and continuing your journey with your head poking out of the window, watching the world flying past.
When you finally arrived at Winterfell you were still considering your earlier question. Where there special shoes they must wear to keep their feet dry and warm? Did northern children play outside when it had been snowing? How does one go to war when they were likely to die from the cold? You would have to ask the Stark children.
You were greeted at the gate by a tall thin woman, and you quickly drew the conclusion that Lady Stark had come to meet you. Beside her was a younger girl, who fidgeted like there was a bug under her dress, wriggling in a rather unladylike fashion. "Good evening," you started softly, "I'm Y/N, I believe you were expecting me."
"Of course," Lady Stark began, taking a few steps forward and gripping your cold hand in her warm one. "Catelyn Stark, and this is my youngest daughter, Arya." She glanced back at her daughter, shooting her a warning glance which caused her to fall still.
You held back a chuckle, "thank you for allowing me to stay in your home," you told her, following as she began walking towards the castle.
"Well, we were rather surprised to hear that you would be travelling alone," she started, glancing at you from the corner of her eyes. "Usually an unmarried woman of your age and standing would be accompanied by her father."
This time you couldn't hold back your peel of laughter. "My father is not like most," you answered, and Catelyn nodded her silent agreement, though you could already tell she didn't approve.
*Time Skip*
Winterfell had been more accepting than you had expected. The Stark children had been kind and warm, even when they were first meeting you, but you had found yourself rather interested in Lord Stark's eldest son. Catelyn had believed that Jon should be kept away from you, that he would be a bad influence were he to be in your presence. But Jon was enticing, though he may never admit it.
You found yourself sneaking around his home, searching for him whenever you could find time. You were mid-stroll when you first properly met him. "Good evening, Jon," you started softly, though he was still at the other end of the hallway.
He smiled slightly, "Good evening, My Lady," he answered you, both of you still continuing your journeys, getting closer and closer until you were standing only a few feet apart. You suddenly stopped, and he copied your action.
"Where are you going?" He seemed almost confused by your friendly chattering, you intrigue was new to him, and when someone as powerful as you are showed an interest in someone so much lower it was rarely a good thing.
He shifted on the spot for a moment, "to my bed chambers, My Lady," he started, "I have an early morning tomorrow."
"Training?" He nodded, and you felt a small smirk come to your lips. "You train too often, even my sisters don't work every day."
"Your sisters?" his brows were furrowed, his eyes finally lifting to look at your face.
You hummed, "well, half-sisters," you paused for a moment, "they are warriors in Dorne, some of the most well-trained and fearless women in the world." The hall remained quiet, but Jon was smiling, something you had not seen since you had come to Winterfell. "You would like Dorne, Jon; it is not good for a man to spend his entire life in the snow."
His smile faded slightly as he considered your words. "I ought to be leaving, My Lady," he finally uttered, and he gave you a short bow before hurrying down the hallway towards his chambers.
*Time Skip*
It had taken you a long time to coerce Jon into a friendship. There was a lot at stake. Were you to be caught, Jon would be at an even worse standing with Lady Stark than he already was, though it didn't seem possible; and you would likely lose your engagement if the information left Winterfell, not that you would mind all too much.
You don't know how it had happened, but you had convinced him to visit your chambers, and to spend time with you. He had been wary, but you had been rather brave, and something about it had drawn him in. And so he found himself sitting at a table in your chambers with a cup of dornish red, and you sitting opposite him. He could not ignore the fact that you were beautiful. You could ask anyone from the Seven Kingdoms and they would agree that you were perfectly stunning. But most did not see the kindness and the confidense that was hidden beneath that eye-catching exterior.
Please consider supporting me for just £3 using Ko-Fi. This money gives me the ability to continue writing in my spare time without having to worry about extra funds and will eventually help me to begin publishing my own works outside of my fanfiction. Follow the link: Ko-fi.com/S6S075KP to pledge money. The link is also available on my profile page and in the comments down below. If you have any questions about Ko-Fi please feel free to private message me. Thank you. L x