He was most of the reason for the change! The thousand kindnesses he had done for her had melted the ice that had formed around her heart. With his constant support and protection, she had been able to test her wings again - as a young woman and an adult instead of as a naive child. Each time she faltered or fell, he had caught her, brushed her off and encouraged her to try again.

The tension she always carried with her in Westeros - a habit nowadays and not wholly necessary- melted under his touch. She kept her arms firmly around his waist, unwilling to let go just in case he disappeared into the icy night.

"I will love what it used to be." she amended, "I am often lonely here and there is no guarantee for a brighter tomorrow. We must always fight; always stay wary. Must I spend my whole life defending a castle? With one battle, I could lose it."

Besides, her home was in his arms and she would never force him to stay in such a cruel world - though she knew he would for her. No, his voice was...joyful. Her eyes widened as she suddenly realized the cause of it.

"Have you been allowed to return to your family?" her cheeks flushed with happy color and she smiled tearily.