Dear Diary,

My name is Jayne Darlington. I'm currently fourteen years of age, and as you can guess, i belong to house Darlington.

We are wealthy and we have strong alliances with the Starks, Baratheons, and Tyrells. Of course, to strengthen the alliances, i would eventually have to wed a member of one of those families. What can i say in defence? Nothing. I am a girl and it is not a girl's place to argue. Every highborn girl is obliged and expected to carry out the same duty. That's just life i suppose.

***

"Jayne!" I heard my father yell from the castle bridge. "The carriage has arrived!"

I cursed to myself as my handmaiden was braiding my hair tightly. Of course! Today was the day.
My father had recieved an invitation a few days ago, the sigil of the Stark House visible on the scroll of parchment. Apparently we are spending a few weeks with the Starks for whatever reason, not that i have ever had the pleasure of meeting them of course.

I had no issue with meeting the Stark family, I've just never experienced bitterly cold temperatures that northerners experience daily. I live in Lakethrinn, the castle my Lord Father rightfully owns. Where we are situated, more near south than the north, we have always had pleasantly warm weather, depending on the seasons.
The things I've heard about Winterfell though, the place is supposed to be as cold as ice colder than I've ever been in my life!

Making my way carefully down the grand staircase, i gave my father a fleeting glance as i awkwardly made my way into the carriage along with my elder sister,  Lucina.
I get on with Lucina very well. We are very close, but neither of us can say the same as far as our relationship with our Father stands.

He barely ever manages to smile and sometimes gives people the deadliest of expressions for no reason at all. I live in fear of him, but most of the time he keeps himself to himself, which doesn't bother me.
So as far as my family goes, most of them are either dead, at the wall, or married off.

So this visit to Winterfell must mean something of sorts. Father had never taken me as far as the north in my life and there must be a reason for this visit. I couldn't help thinking I was the reason, as Father mounted his horse in front of us, leaving me and Lucina in our carriage.

***

After the three of us had been travelling for several weeks, i was beginning to get bored of just staring, glassy-eyed, at endless fields and hillsides and mountains and grasslands. Everything was so plain and i just wish there was something to do other than stare out of a window with a neutral expression on my face. Why can't i just fly?! Travelling by carriage by slow. Even Steeds are faster than this piece of junk we're confined to.

"How long left?" i asked Lucina.

"I have no idea," she remarked, also sounding tired and beaten, "Not too long i hope."

Giving up, i nodded whilst yawning, and rested my head against the window, opposite my sister and eventually fell into a deep slumber...

***

"Jayne?" i heard a voice whisper from above me.

I didn't say or move anything. I felt too groggy.

"Jayne!" the voice spoke again, sounding considerably more shrill than last time.

Groaning, i hoisted myself from my sleeping position. I must've rested my head on my arm for however long i was asleep as i ended up with severe cramp for a few minutes before my sister decided to explain why she abruptly woke me from my peaceful sleep.

"We've just approached Winterfell, sister"

My eyes widened with joy at hearing this! Needless to say that for once, i didn't care about the freezing temperatures Winterfell is commonly known to have. I was more interested in getting out of this dreaded carriage to stretch my legs that haven't seen daylight in about a week at least.

As the carriage fimally stopped, both me and Lucina breathed a huge sigh of relief. But as we both stood up, waiting to be dismissed from the carriage, Lucina clutched her elegant gown with nerves. I didn't blame her, it only just dawned on me that I'm about to meet the Starks for the first time! Not only that, but apparently Lord Stark has a son around my age. That is sure to raise some questions after about two days of being there.

Finally, our Father clambered off his horse and signaled to the footman to open the carriage door and helping us both out of the carriage.

I immediately recieved a faceful of blasting icy wind which turned out to be the best motive of waking me up, as my eyes were still hurting from the sleep beforehand. But Father wasn't wrong, the north was freezing and i had to stifle a laugh at the pained look on my sister's pretty face as she tried her best not to grit her teeth.

As we walked towards our Father, he in turn was walking towards Lord Stark and the rest of his family and household servants.
Lord Stark immediately let out a loud chuckle and fondly rushed forward to embrace my Father.

"Old friend! It's been too long!" he exclaimed, as the two friends broke away from each other.

"Seventeen years to be exact, i think, My Lord?" Father replied, happier than I've seen him for a long time.

"Aye!" Lord Stark clapped my Father on the shoulder. "Those were the days, eh? Oh and Arthur, this my wife. Catelyn, this is Lord Darlington" he gestured to the sharp red-haired woman beside him. She looked very kind and maternal, but firm at the same time. But looks aren't everything i guess.

Father was introduced to all of their children, as was my sister, until it was time for clumsy old me to make an introduction.

"Eddard, this is my daughter, Jayne Darlington," Father stated, for once seeming proud to call me his daughter. But i know only too well this was for the benefit of the Starks. Lord Stark himself seemed like a loving father.

Lord Stark smiled down at me as he rested his knarled hand on my cheek briefly.
"You can call me Ned, my dear."

"But My Lord-" i began in astonishment.

"Forget the formalities," another man beside Ned spoke up, smiling broadly. I could only assume that he was Ned's eldest son, Robb.

"Robb Stark, m'lady," he introduced, shaking my hand as Ned did.

After smiling and nodding at the others, I move across to the other side of Ned. His wife, Lady Catelyn Stark, the red-haired serious-looking woman shook my hand and gave me a quick smile and the boy next to her looked around my age. So I'm guessing this was him.

Though to be honest, he was rather good-looking! All the Starks are and it made me envious as i feel so inadequate and insecure about how i look and my presentation to others. Especially families of high rank like the Starks.

"Hi there," he smiled shyly. "My name is Remus. It's an honour."

I smiled at him widely as he did the same in a most welcoming manner.
His hair followed the Stark genes instead of the Tully's - a fawn coloured brown instead of Red. And he had warm chocolate brown eyes that had a nysterious charm about them. Since he is my age, maybe i will grow to like it here. Maybe I'll enjoy his company too. At least I'll have more company than before anyway.

A/N

Hey guys! First chapter! What do you think? I made up the Darlington House. It's another family that helped the Starks and Baratheons during Robert's rebellion that only exists in this fanfic. And yes, the Starks also have an extra child. He is the second eldest Stark child (as Jon Snow is a bastard) so yeah. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. There's more to come!

Grace xxx