A Night at Winterfell

As Rosaline descended to the great hall, she felt a sense of excitement wash over her. The warm light of the fire pit and the candelabras cast a golden glow over the room, making the long tables and benches seem almost festive. The sound of laughter and conversation filled the air, accompanied by the clinking of silverware and glasses. Lady Catelyn, resplendent in a gown of rich blue, beckoned Rosaline to join the family at the high table. As she took her seat, a gentle voice whispered in her ear, "Welcome, Lady Rosaline. I'm Sansa Stark. I've been looking forward to meeting you." Sansa's smile was radiant, and her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Rosaline returned the smile, feeling a little shy but pleased by Sansa's warmth. "It's lovely to meet you too, Lady Sansa." She glanced around the table, taking in the familiar faces. Her parents, Lord and Lady Harcourt, sat to the right of Lord Stark, engaged in conversation with him. To her left, Arya Stark, with her wild hair and mischievous grin, was chattering animatedly to Robb, who was listening with a patient smile. Rosaline caught his eye, and he nodded in greeting. Arya, noticing her gaze, turned to her and said, "I'm Arya. I love to play in the courtyard. Do you like to ride horses?" Rosaline laughed. "Yes, I do. Although I haven't had much chance to ride lately." Arya nodded vigorously. "You must try my pony, Lady Luck. She's the best pony in all the Seven Kingdoms." Bran, sitting across from Rosaline, spoke up in his quiet, measured tone, "I have a pony too. His name is Dancer. He's very fast." Rickon, the youngest of the Stark children, looked up from his plate, his eyes wide with excitement. "I have a wolf, a real wolf! His name is Shaggydog." The conversation continued, with Robb asking Rosaline about her journey to Winterfell and her experiences traveling through the North. Rosaline found herself feeling at ease with the Stark children, despite their differences. Arya's energy was infectious, and Sansa's kindness put her at ease. As dinner progressed, Sansa made a point of drawing Rosaline into the conversation, asking her about her interests and hobbies. Rosaline noticed that Robb seemed to be watching her, his eyes lingering on her face. She felt a flutter in her chest, and Sansa, noticing it, smiled to herself. At one point, as Robb was pouring her a cup of wine, their hands touched, and he kissed her hand, his lips brushing against her skin. Sansa's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she leaned in to whisper, "I think you two would make a lovely couple." Rosaline's cheeks flushed, and she glanced around the table, but no one seemed to have noticed. Except for Arya, who raised an eyebrow and whispered to Bran, "Do you think they're in love?" Bran's expression was thoughtful. "I don't know, but I think Robb likes her." Rickon, who had been quiet until then, spoke up, "I like her too. She's nice." As the evening drew to a close, Rosaline felt grateful for the warm welcome she had received from the Stark family. She knew that she had a lot to learn about them and their way of life, but she was eager to try. And as she caught Robb's eye across the table, she couldn't help but wonder what the future might hold for them.