Winter is Coming

Peter Stark, second son of Robb Stark the King in the North

[peter-stark]

Midnight Strolls

[alexis-martell-blog]

Alexis’ heart raced as she listened to Peter’s declaration, her eyes never leaving his. Her hand flew to her mouth in surprise; she truly could not believe what she was hearing. “The son of a king?” Alexis laughed happily, “I dare say such a match would prove more than acceptable to my father!” She and Peter had always been close, but something had shifted in her feelings toward him this term… and now it was quite clear. Somehow, without truly realizing it, Alexis had fallen in hopelessly love with Peter. Beaming, Alexis answered, “If I’ll have you? Of course I’ll have you! Nothing in this world could possibly bring me more joy!” 

[peter-stark]

Somehow, in so little time, his mood had completely shifted. It had gone from gloomy to ecstatic, and had been simply changed by Alexis saying 'yes'. This was it, this was what he wanted, and no one could take it from him. Not even his parents or siblings. He might not even tell his brother, but rather just let him find out after everyone else. The thought of Eddard's face when he found out would be comical. His face brightened up at her response,"Brilliant, this is how it should be done, we should make our own matches, not leave it in the hands of our fathers and mothers." Peter moved closer to Alexis, breathing in her sweet aroma, "You and I, nothing else matters", he whispered as he leaned in about to meet her lips, something he had only ever dreamed about. 

[peter-stark]

Midnight Strolls

[alexis-martell-blog]

Alexis felt her heart race as Peter’s fingers fluttered lightly across her face when he brushed a lock of her hair back into place. Nervously, she wondered if he could feel her elevated heart rate where their hands remained joined. Alexis looked up into Peter’s face, suddenly noticing how close he was, “But what can you possibly mean to do to stop her?” She had certain ideas about how he could put a stop to her mother’s scheming, but she did not dare let her hopes stray in that direction. Looking down, Alexis continued dismally, “Without a suitor of my own choosing, there is nothing to stop my mother from marrying me off to whatever dreary lord she likes best.”

[peter-stark]

  Peter starred up mesmerisingly at Alexis' face, looking deep into her eyes as he had so many times before. It was all he could do not to lean in to meet her lips. Since he returned to the towers he was reminded of how much he actually loved her. And now he saw it as a chance to prove his affection. And for once he would be doing what he wanted to do, and Eddard and his parents would have no say in it. "You say your father would let you wed of your own choice, so long as it helps him politically. Would a son of a king be satisfactory enough?" He had thought long about this, most of his nights were spent pondering about Alexis. Now he was certain he wanted it, but did she? It was still  possible that she could refuse. "That is if you'll have me, it's your choice my lady."

[peter-stark]

Midnight Strolls

[alexis-martell-blog]

Peter’s sigh tugged at Alexis’ heart and she looked up at him, listening intently to what he had to say. “Oh my lord, I am sure that is not true. I do not doubt that your parents do wish Eddard to benefit from the relationships you form here, due to the charismatic and charming personality you possess that he does not. But I also believe that your family appreciates you for much more than the connections and alliances you can bring them.” Reaching out to take his arm comfortingly, Alexis continued, “You are a singularly remarkable young man and anyone who fails to see that is astonishingly simpleminded.” At his last comment Alexis smiled ruefully and shook her head right back at him, “Oh Peter, of course it is important, how you feel is always important to me and I will always worry myself over it.”

[peter-stark]

Peter blushed at Alexis' response, and a smile crept up onto his face. He would be forever grateful for the comfort she gave him, he had hardly received any from anyone else. He pressed his hand against hers, feeling the blood rushing under her skin. "I, um, thank you, Alexis. You flatter me too much. But thank you, for always being here, I appreciate it very much so." Moving closer to her, Peter lifted a hand to brush away a fallen strand of hair from her face. "You worry yourself over me, and it is only just that I do the same. I cannot allow your mother to wed you off to some petty Lord, he would do you no justice."

[peter-stark]

Midnight Strolls

[alexis-martell-blog]

Seeing Peter’s forced smile Alexis frowned slightly. She looked up at him contemplatively, biting her lip, before asking, “And what does your lady mother have to say that vexes you so?” Alexis hated to see Peter unhappy, but it seemed that here at Harrington mothers rarely sent ravens that did not bring some sort of discontent to their children’s lives.

[peter-stark]

His problems were his own, he had to deal with them himself. There was no need for Alexis to be bothered with his troubles. And yet he was aching to tell someone. Sighing, Peter went with the truth. "It seems I don't benefit my family in any way accept that of helping Eddard for his future role as king. That's most probably the only reason they sent me here, to help my brother, not for my own sake." Frowning, Peter shook his head. "It's not important, don't worry yourself, my lady"

[peter-stark]

Midnight Strolls

[alexis-martell-blog]

Alexis was lost in her thoughts, strolling aimlessly through the grounds when she heard footsteps. She tensed, suddenly on high alert, her eyes searching through the darkness to find the source of the noise. Seeing Peter ahead of her, she relaxed and smiled softly. Alexis hastened slightly to catch up with him and noticed his sullen expression. “Is all well, Peter? You look troubled.” 

[peter-stark]

Sensing someone's presence, Peter drew to a halt. His hand reached for the hilt of the sword at his belt as he edged closer to the figure, the darkness made it almost impossible to see. At the sight of the familiar face, he immediately withdrew his hand away from the sword. "Alexis, oh it's nothing. Just a letter from my lady mother that has me irritated." He forced a smile to replace his gloomy demeanour.

[peter-stark]

Midnight Strolls

The night was eerily quiet except for the gushing of the river. Peter made his way past the Trident, returning from his brief stroll. He had been in dire need of some fresh air, that, and an escape from familial duties. The letter from his mother had irritated him, it seemed that the only reason he was here was to help his brother. He wanted to do things his own way, not the way that was convenient to others, and yet he had no choice, there were obligations.

[charlotte-thewolf-stark-deactiv]

Seven hells I hope not, there’s enough Targaryen’s in power, they don’t need extra control in the North. So how have you been brother?

[peter-stark]

Too true, sister. I've been fairing well, I suppose. How have the towers been treating you? 

[alexis-martell-blog]

Well, even if my sister insists on holding a grudge against all with the Stark name, you and your family will always have a Martell ally in me.

[peter-stark]

And for that I am ever grateful, My Lady.

[charlotte-thewolf-stark-deactiv]

I don’t know, I’ve heard he’s been making an ‘ally’ in Raegan Targaryen.

[peter-stark]

So i've heard, although it seems to me he was going for more than just 'ally'.

[collette-s-deactivated20130912]

Allies?

[peter-stark]

Always better allies than enemies.

[peter-stark]

I guess I should probably assist Eddard in making allies here, seeming as he is not so good at it himself.

[alexis-martell-blog]

A walk in the garden || Private - Alexis & Peter

[alexis-martell-blog]

Alexis nodded, “I think my father would let me choose my own suitor, he is a good man with few desires for furthering himself politically beyond his position so he has no reason to marry me off against my will. I believe it is more my mother’s machinations that have led to my situation. But in the end my father will have the final say in the matter so my hope is that his desire to see me happy will override his desire to satisfy my mother’s demands. I long to marry for something more than convenience and gold.” 

Alexis giggled delicately as Peter joked, glad that she hadn’t overstepped by touching his hair like that for she had thoroughly enjoyed it. As Peter reached for her hand she let him take it, beaming happily and blushing once again. “How about you, have your parents voiced opinions on your marriage?”

[peter-stark]

He felt relieved to hear that. She would have a chance to be happy and would be married to someone for love, and not for a political advantage. He relaxed when she let him take her hand, for a moment he thought she might pull back. Shrugging, he responded to her inquiry, "Well, my parents married for love, so I think they would be accepting of someone of my own choice. For my brother however, it's different, him being our father's heir and all. His marriage is much more important than mine, it isn't crucial for a second son to marry." He had never given much thought to the prospect of marriage, but had still always thought he would someday marry, just not sure to who.

[alexis-martell-blog]

A walk in the garden || Private - Alexis & Peter

[alexis-martell-blog]

Alexis sighed heavily and looked away from him, “Oh Peter, it was terrible. They were all absolutely horrid. The suitors were mostly stoic, boring future lords who never smiled or laughed the whole time. And there was this one lewd old lord who leered at me and made innuendo that he was under the impression I could not understand.”  Alexis bit her lip willing herself not to show how much the situation truly upset her. “Luckily my father was not impressed with the suitors either. Else, I fear I would not have been allowed to return at all. There would be too much to prepare for.”

Trying to dismiss the heavy nature of her comments Alexis laughed and continued, “And really, none of them would do because they simply could not measure up to those luscious locks of yours.” Without thinking Alexis reached up and gently brushed her hand through Peter’s hair before suddenly remembering herself and jerking her hand back and clasping it with the other in front of her.

[peter-stark]

Peter crooked his head to the side as he listened intently to what Alexis was saying. Nodding, he frowned when he noticed she was becoming upset. "Your father is a nice man, so i've heard. Would he by any chance let you choose a suitor?" 

Blushing, the smile returned to Peter's face. "I'n not surprised that those suitors were horrid, any man without hair like mine would be a disappointment," Chuckling, he watched as she ran a hand through his hair, enjoying the proximity between them. The  abrupt retraction of her hand surprised him. "Hey, it's alright, most women love to touch my hair, even some men." He grinned, reaching for her hand.

[alexis-martell-blog]

A walk in the garden || Private - Alexis & Peter

[alexis-martell-blog]

Nudging Peter playfully with her shoulder Alexis replied, “Oh, you know I’m always pleased to see you.” Alexis beamed at his suggestion, “I should very much like to take you up on that offer. Be careful though, I may grow to like it so much that you may never get me to leave.” She laughed lightly as she joked with him. Alexis turned to meet Peter’s gaze as she felt his eyes upon her while they walked, “It has been quite some time… I missed you.”

Alexis shook herself slightly trying to lose her train of thought as she looked at Peter, “Of course my time away from the Twins extended by my mother’s insistence that I stay behind after Gabrielle made her return in order to meet with several suitors she had hoped to marry me off to.”

[peter-stark]

He laughed at her playful nudge, glad to know that their relationship hadn't changed. "I pray you do, my lady is welcome to stay forever if she pleases, and it would please me." Glancing into her eyes, Peter nodded. "I have missed you dearly too."

"Oh, and how did you like those suitors?" He said frowning at the thought that her marriage was already being decided, and most likely not to him. "Surely none of them have hair as wonderful as mine", his grin returned as he made the jest.

[alexis-martell-blog]

A walk in the garden || Private - Alexis & Peter

[alexis-martell-blog]

Alexis startled and whipped around when she heard Peter calling out to her.

“Peter! I didn’t hear you coming, you scared me.” Despite the initial shock his sudden approach caused Alexis quickly felt a blush raising to her cheeks as a smile spread across her face. “I suppose I miss it… it is home. I find the colder weather refreshing though, makes for a nice change. But I know what I deem cool here must be nothing compared to Winterfell. The snowfall there must be beautiful.” Alexis felt a flutter in her stomach as a gust of wind mussed Peter’s hair. “I have not seen you since I returned to the Twins, how was your time home?”

[peter-stark]

Jogging up to Alexis, Peter joined the girl at her side. He chuckled at the her response, "Nice to see you too," He grinned, "You are one of the first southerners to respond positively to the cold. Oh, it is, it makes a very pretty sight. I'd love for you to visit someday, the change will be quite different, but you'll grow to like it." Turning his head, he faced Alexis, "Great, home is home, but I am glad to be here and see you again. It's been a while has it not?"

[alexis-martell-blog]

A walk in the garden || Private - Alexis & Peter

Alexis sighed and stood up from her writing table. It was absolutely awful being cooped up all day inside trying to compose a clam, rational response to her mother’s letter. Deciding she needed a break, Alexis fastened her cloak, exited the girls’ dormitories, and made her way out into the grounds. A walk around one of the scenic garden paths would do nicely to ease her feelings of confinement. 

[peter-stark]

The clouds had cleared up as Peter made his way around the grounds. He had often enjoyed strolling through Winterfell, the snow and cold, however irritating he found it, was still apart of him. He missed the North, but the Twins weren't the worst replacement, he still had friends here and people that made good company. A grin creeped up on his face as he recognised the blonde haired girl. "Hey, Martell. Missing the Dornish Sun?" 

[eddardstarkrp]

"I’ve got to enjoy the chaos now, once I’m king it’ll be order all the time." He’d laugh before continuing. “I know you can take care of yourself Peter, you wouldn’t get away with half of your pranks if you couldn’t. But this isn’t home, so know that I’ve got your back. And I’m trying to be nice, you are my only little brother after all." 

"Well one day you’ll be my bannerman, and you know I only like the finest things." He’d laugh despite himself, knowing he probably could have worded that better.

[peter-stark]

"Very well, if you're so determined to have my back, the honour is yours. And I guess I can't hate you for trying, just don't get too friendly and all, I'm not sure I could deal with the big change."

"Is that what I am to you, Eddard? A thing for you mould into your liking to use to your advantage. It's my duty to carry your banners and I will, but don't expect any more from me." He finished sharply, anger once again flaring up at his brother's words.