As the trip to King's landing drew on, as did the pull of the bond of Ararbella Stark and Jaime Lannister. Both were never far from the other unless Jaime had to watch the King, or Bella had to manage her sisters. Both were oblivious to what was going on across the Narrow Sea, with a person neither knew existed. They were also oblivious to the man trapped in tree who knew what was to happen between the pair who would later stand on opposite sides of a pointless war. Today however they were Arabella Alys Stark and Jaime Michael Lannister, the couple who were hoped for their future to be bright. A couple who did not see the daggers from a jealous lover, or glare from a protective uncle.

As the company reached the Inn, for all to rest, and whore around with locals. Jaime helped Bella to set up her tent and unload some of her belongs. Jaime had this time off from that afternoon but would later have to watch the king, which would leave Bella to her sisters. Jaime had worked out to take the young woman out to a lunch away from the prying eyes of his sister and her spies. He knew how his sister was when she felt something being taken away from her. He almost feared for the young wolf, but as he grew to know the woman he began to bond with he learned better. She was quick witted, and never one to back down from a challenge which he had earned a few bruises for. He admired the stark with her unStarkly appearance. Like her eyes, they were not stark brown or tully blue, but a rare blue color of something he could not place, but ultimately seemed familiar to him. He loved to stare into them, and see the emotions that crossed them. He had seen her angry once, and could almost swear he saw a steel purple within them. He felt that she was the black sheep to her true siblings, matching her bastard of a brother's expressions when provoked. Jaime may have been an oathbreaker and kingslayer, but when she looked at him, he was just Jaime. A man, who had lost so much to a mad man. A man who did try to protect the kingdom from his madness, and a mother and her children. The later of the two he failed at. He swore to the new and the old gods, that no matter who or what tried to harm Arabella Stark he would be quicker and save her. Even his own family if he had to.

Arabella had grown use being around Jaime and his sharp tongue. Sometimes he would tell her tales of his youth, others stories of far away kingdoms that he had once been privileged to see. Places she had only read about. Jaime was not how she envisioned him. Yes, he was handsome, and full of himself, but he was also kind and considerate towards her. If he wanted to know something about her, and she didn't wish to tell him, he would simply move on to another topic. She loved his blue eyes that looked like the clear skies of Winterfell. The blonde hair that reminded her of the straw she would hide from her Septa from when it was time for her lessons. She loved that he challenged her mentally and physically. Yes he was nearly twice her senior, but she respected him and could almost say fallen in love with the man. Though she would never dare to tell anyone. Bella could almost claim he felt the same towards her. She would often catch him looking at her when she smiled or laughed with a look of love. Never lust.

Jaime had told her that upon her unpacking that he would like to take her somewhere to eat, with her Septa to monitor them of course. They were not officially courting and he did not wish dishonor her in any way. He knew that the plan to court her would be placed into effect upon their arrival to King's Landing, but he still needed Ned's approval, along with the King's. The pair went along to a secret spot for them to eat their meal. Septa and Mystic with them. The wolf had grown close to the Lannister, and would even protect him when someone got to close the man's side. Jaime respected the wolf, and had grown attached to it.

As the pair dined and made small talk the world around them seemed to erupt into chaos. When a knight reached the pair to bring them into help with the search of Bella's youngest sister and her wolf. Jaime looked back at Bella with a frightened look on his face.

"Lady Arabella. I would like to give you some quick advice prior to our leave," he tells her holding her right hand in his.

"What may that be, Ser Jaime," she asked deeply concerned for what was to come.

"Set your wolf free. I fear my sister will not rest until every wolf south of the wall is dead by her wish. I would hate to see Mystic's life end so viciously, I have grown to like him, and not even I can protect your wolf from her," Jaime tells her. He presses his lips to her forehead, before patting the head of the wolf beside her and walking away to help search for the missing child.