~Arrival of the King's Company~

~Arabella's Point of View~

Today was the day the King and his company would arrive. I was getting tired of working with mother, there is only so much time a child can spend with her mother before tiring. Father wanted us all down in the court yard, mother wanted us all clean, groomed, and dressed in best attire. She also wanted the wolves picked up in their kennels, or in our rooms as we welcomed the royal family.

I chuckled as Arya was forced clean and dressed in proper attire. I knew it wouldn't be long before she was dirty again, and needing a new dress. Before leaving the room I warned Arya about what mother will say if she gets dirty prior to meeting the royal family. She informed me that she knew, and that she will try her hardest not to get dirty, but she didn't want to wear any dresses. I gave her a look, before smiling.

"Wear trouser underneath the dress then. Have I taught you nothing young one," I tell her with a wink before walking out of the room. My next stop was Sansa's room. I took in a deep breath before entering knowing that my self-absorbed sister will drive me mad. Not saying I didn't love her less, but she needed to get her head out of the clouds. She was already dressed and ready to go when I walked in. I informed her where mother was and asked if she wanted to join me on the way to see her. Sansa was quick to hop off her bed and join to make sure mother didn't require any assistance with getting things ready. On the way to the great hall we ran in to father.

"Wow, you two look so beautiful," he tells us both smiling down at us, "Sansa can you help your mother get the last minute items set up, I need to speak with Bella alone".

"Of course father. See you later, Arabella," Sansa said as she walked off to join mother in what ever task still needed to be done.

"Bella, lets take a walk," he tells me placing his hand on the small of my back leading me away to the God's Wood.

"What is it father," I asked as we stopped looking around the secrete place.

"Arabella, I have a feeling that with the king coming things are going to change," he tells me an grave look on his face.

"Like what father," I pry.

"Like I will not be here to protect you, and since you and Sansa are of marrying age the king may want to marry you off to either his family or might make arrangements to marry you two to marry another house. I need you to always remember the best person to protect you and your sisters is you. Arabella, winter is coming, and I need you to be the strongest in the pack. Help your sisters as best as you can, and remember a family of wolves is better than a lone wolf," He tells me.

"I will father, before we go and things change. Can I ask one question," I look over at father waiting for his answer.

"If it is about why I have lied to Jon and you? The answer is no. I made a promise to someone to protect you, and if I tell you two the truth, more than you already know then I can't promise you two will be protected for much longer. I know you two figured out that you two are twins, you two are not the best at keeping things to yourselves," he finishes with a chuckle. I smile up at my father, knowing this this was as close to any form of truth I might get from him.

"Okay. Any ideas of who he plans to make me marry," I question.

"Maybe one of the Queen's brothers. Sansa will be a good match for Jeffory. The kings is tired of the distrust of Lions and wolves, he will most likely try to force us to get along. But remember little one, that you are stronger than any man believes that you can be. You can fight a lion and I very sure you can win," he tells me walking towards me and wrapping his arms around me, "Come let us go back, before your mother starts to want both of our heads".

"She'll have mine before yours and you know it, father," I tell him chuckling to myself.

When we got back mother was barking orders left and right as Bran came running up into the courtyard to inform us that the royal party was upon our gates. Mother than had all of the children placed up front with the exception of Jon, who was forced to the back.

The order was as follows, Father, Mother, Robb, Me, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickson, and Theon on the end. When the king and his company arrived we all stood there and looked upon the family. I immediately felt the energy of him, Jaime Lannister, before he even took of his helmet. My eyes met where his form was and watched as he took off his helmet and shook his hair free from its confines of the helmet. Our eyes briefly met, before I looked away towards the king, who was stepping off of his horse. We all bowed to show him our respect before he started insulting my father who in turn looked him over and insulted him back. The king moved down to my mother whom he complimented, then to Robb saying he looked strong. When he got to me he stopped and did a double take, he face almost pale like he had seen a ghost.

"Ah, young Arabella Stark, the rumors have not done you any justice," he tells me looking me over.

"Thank you, your grace," I tell him smiling at compliment.

"You look like your aunt except you seem to have looks about you that make you your own person," He continues, "Ned we will have much to discuss later. I think I know the answers to my questions".

"Of course your grace," father tells him before the king moves down the rest of the pack before stating he wants to see the crypt. The queen then argues that it has been a long journey. Which he quickly dismisses before grabbing my father and walking off. I quickly look over to the queen and offer to give her a tour of the castle and show her to her quarters. She looks me over with annoyance before he looks changes to one of tenderness. She thanks me and accepts the offer, then walks to her twin and tells him something before he rides off.

This is will be an interesting encounter.