The Welcoming Feast

Opening a side door that led into the great hall Griffith sneaked inside.

A pleasant chatter had already filled it but when he looked up at the head table he noticed that his family and the royals hadn't arrived yet.

Striding down one of the isles he sat next to Jon, who for a few seconds didn't notice him.

"By the gods, what took you so long?" he asked, ruffling his brother's hair.

Smacking his hand away Griffith scowled at him, "I told you to stop doing that!"

Jon's laughter grew even louder and people turned in confusion only to join in when they saw Griffith's dishevelled hair.

He sniffed, turned away from Jon and started righting his hair.

"Oh, come now, stop sulking." he heard his brother say from behind him.

Turning back to him, Griffith stared Jon dead in the eyes, "We are hosting the Royal family, I can not be seen with dishevelled hair.

Jon rolled his eyes, "We won't be sitting at the head table anyway, so what does it matter?"

Griffith was about to retort when he saw the front doors to the great hall slowly swing open.

Jon turned around and sighing watched the nobles enter.

His father had come in first, escorting the queen Cercei.

She was as beautiful as men said.

A jewelled tiara gleamed amidst her long golden hair, its emeralds a perfect match for the green of her eyes.

Eddard helped her up the steps to the dais and led her to her seat, but the queen never so much as looked at him.

Griffith might have only been fourteen but he could still see right through her smile.

Next came King Robert himself, with Lady Catelyn, Robb's mother, on his arm.

The king disgusted Griffith, he walked like a drunkard and as he passed by he smelt the strong perfume that lingered on him.

After them came the children. Little Rickon first, managing the long walk with all the dignity a three-year-old could muster.

Jon had to urge him on when he stopped to visit them.

Close behind came Robb, in grey wool trimmed with white, the Stark colours.

He had Princess Myrcella on his arm.

She was a wisp of a girl, not quite eight, her hair a cascade of golden curls under a jewelled net.

Griffith noticed the shy looks she gave Robb as they passed between the tables and the timid way she smiled at him.

But as the duo passed the Snow brothers, the Princess's attention switched from Robb to Griffith, and she didn't remove her eyes from him until she reached the dais.

His half-sisters escorted the royal princes.

Arya was paired with plump young Tommen, whose white-blond hair was longer than hers.

Sansa, two years older, drew the crown prince, Joffrey Baratheon.

He was twelve, younger than both his eldest brothers, but taller than both of them.

Prince Joffrey had his sister's hair and his mother's deep green eyes.

A thick tangle of blond curls dripped down past his golden choker and high velvet collar.

Sansa looked radiant as she walked beside him, similarly to how she acted around Griffith.

He gladly removed his eyes from Prince Joffrey as the next pair walked into the hall, the queen's brothers, the Lannisters of Casterly Rock.

The Lion and the Imp; there was no mistaking which was which.

Ser Jaime Lannister was Queen Cersei's twin, tall and golden, with flashing green eyes and a smile that cut like a knife.

He wore crimson silk, high black boots, a black satin cloak. On the breast of his tunic, the lion of his House was embroidered in gold thread, roaring its defiance.

They called him the Lion of Lannister to his face and whispered "Kingslayer" behind his back.

Griffith glared at him, at that moment he wanted nothing more than to drive his diner knife right through Jaime Lannister's throat.

That man was the reason his family was wiped out, that man was the reason King's Landing fell.

Griffith saw Jaime turn towards him, and not wanting the Kingslayer to see him glaring at him, he looked at the man waddling along beside him.

Tyrion Lannister, the youngest of Lord Tywin's brood and by far the ugliest.

All that the gods had given to Cersei and Jaime, they had denied Tyrion.

He was a dwarf, half his brother's height, struggling to keep pace on stunted legs.

His head was too large for his body, with a brute's squashed-in face beneath a swollen shelf of brow.

One green eye and one black one peered out from under a lank fall of hair so blond it seemed white.

Griffith watched him with fascination, not for the man's form, but for the glint of malice he had seen in the dwarf's eyes.

The last of the high lords to enter were his uncle, Benjen Stark of the Night's Watch, and his father's ward, young Theon Greyjoy.

Benjen gave him and his brother a warm smile as he went by.

Theon ignored them utterly, but there was nothing new in that.

After all, had been seated, toasts were made, thanks were given and returned, and then the feasting began.

Grabbing the wine flagon he poured some for Jon and himself, "To the Royal family… or whatever!"

Jon chuckled and they tapped their cups together.

Griffith felt something rub up against his leg, he thought it was one of the dogs that roamed the hall but when he looked down he saw a pair of red eyes staring up at him.

"You took him with you?"

Jon nodded while pushing a piece of chicken under the table, "Yes, why wouldn't I, the only reason the others aren't allowed to is because of the guests."

Griffith nodded in understanding, "Good point.'' He then took a swig of the summer wine.

Turning to the head table he watched as his father said something to the King, who then slammed his hand on the table laughing his head off.

His eyes then wandered to Arya, she was leaning her head on the table while gazing out onto the hall.

He smiled and she grinned back a mischievous look in her eyes.

Suddenly he felt a gaze on him and looking around, his eyes locked with those of Princess Myrcella.

She blushed and smiled shyly, her face as red as the dress she wore.

Winking at her Griffith turned away and grabbed himself a piece of chicken, all the while a plan slowly formed in his head.

***

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please tell me if you see any mistakes.

What do you think of the Direwolf's name?

If you have a better suggestion please tell me.

I'll be changing the prologue slightly so if you want to see that change go check it out in a few hours since I'll be changing it then.

Then I hope you have a nice day or night depending on where you are, goodbye ;)