A/N: Oh no, I'm at it again! This little idea just came to me one day and I set out a rough plan for it. Then I started writing and the result is this first chapter. I thought I would share it with you lovely readers just to see if you think it would be worth continuing on with. I'm not posting up in the Game of Thrones section as I usually do purely because of character tags. It will be AU as my stories always tend to be and I will try and update regularly but as some of you may be aware I do have other projects on the go. I couldn't help but post this up though, any feedback would be just amazing!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, places or plots thought up by the amazing George RR Martin. I am merely borrowing his creations and spinning a little tale of my own. Any OC's the crop up are mine as are the interpretations of these fabulous characters.
Right-ho, I will let you get on and read. Any comment would be welcome.
:)
I
Robb blinked awake. Slowly. Carefully. At once he wished he could close his eyes again and pretend that the night before had been a nightmare. A nightmare that had swiftly turned into a dream, pleasure engulfing him. Her dark curls were tickling his skin and he could feel her warm, even breath against his bare chest. Her skin was pressed so tightly against his that he was unsure where one of them ended and the other began. Last night they had been as one. Last night she had put her arms around him and told him everything would be alright in the end. Through his blinding tears somehow he had managed to meet her eyes, to see the sincerity shining in the dark pools. In the next instant his mouth had been on hers. Before he had known what was happening her dress had come away in his hands and he was feeling her bare under his touch. Deep down he knew it was wrong but he had continued regardless. He had pulled her onto the bed and she had come all too willingly, her hands snatching at him as eagerly as his had snatched at her. Becoming one with her had melted his troubles away. Her sweet warmth surrounding him and her breathless voice mumbling his name as their bodies slicked against one another was enough to make him forget.
Now he remembered.
Shame flooded him. Regret. Bitterness. Anger. He had trusted him, trusted him almost as much as he trusted Jon. They were brothers in all but name but now he only felt hatred for him coursing through every vein in his body. His fists clenched of their own accord as he thought of him. Jeyne shifted in his arms then and he realised that his fingertips were digging into the smooth curve of her hip. He released his grip and she sighed heavily, her own hand clenching slightly in the muscles of his chest before her even breathing continued. Robb closed his eyes again as they began to sting. How could he have been so stupid? In his grief over his brothers and his rage over Theon's betrayal he had somehow seen fit to take an innocent girl to his bed. He cursed himself. Jeyne was sweet. Innocent. She had tended to him despite her mother's disapproval and she had been the only one who could make him stay put when the news had come about Bran and Rickon. He let his fingers twirl a lock of her hair, his heart beating a little too fast as he wound the softness around his fingers over and over. She was so beautiful. Being with her would be as easy as breathing. He paused in what he was doing.
The Frey girl.
He was already promised. His mother had made the promise so long ago and he had agreed to it because he had needed to get across that bridge. He had needed to save his father. Why was it everything he set out to do seemed destined to fail? He had promised his mother that he would get his father and sisters back. He had failed. He had been sure that an alliance with Renly would make them unstoppable. Renly had died and he had been wrong again. More failure. The Kingslayer was lost to him, his own mother had seen to that. He had promised her that the boys would be safe at Winterfell, he had ignored her uneasiness at sending Theon to Pyke. Why hadn't he listened? The Gods damn it all it was all his fault. If he ever got his hands on Theon Greyjoy he would wrap his hands around his neck and squeeze the life out of him. He would not let go until he choked every last breath from his worthless body. A choked sob almost escaped him then and he clutched Jeyne closer to him, wanting to feel her comfort the way he had the night before. He wanted to be as one with her again, lose himself in her because she was the only thing that could take the pain away.
Shame came for him again as she roused from her sleep, her head slowly lifting up from his chest, her eyes shy and uncertain as they came to meet his. He had spoiled her. Another promise broken. The Freys would desert him for this and he wouldn't blame them, but how could he just leave her spoiled? Jeyne deserved better. He would give her better, if she would have him. He moved his hand up to gently cup her cheek and she looked slightly more reassured but he could still feel the awkwardness between them. Last night it had been so easy, almost too easy. In the cold light of the morning sun though everything was so different. The consequences of their actions were fluttering around both of them and he could practically feel the tension crackling around them. He licked his lips nervously as she slowly blinked at him, gently tucking a lock of her hair back behind her ear. "I'll make this right," he breathed and a tiny frown creased her forehead; "I know I should never have dishonoured you like that but I will make it right Jeyne. I will take you as my wife, I would not have you shamed."
He had expected her to smile, lean into him, press her lips to his again so they could lose themselves in one another as they had the night before. What he hadn't expected was the look of fury to cross her face, for her to push away from him and snatch at a blanket, pulling it up around her to hide her nakedness. "You're betrothed," Jeyne stated coldly and the two words stung him like a slap in the face. "A promise made to a woman I don't even have a name for," he retorted, pulling himself up furiously to face her as she shook her head. "But a promise nonetheless," she said quietly and he frowned at her, reaching his hand out to take one of hers but she was not receptive to his advances. "I don't want her, I want you," Robb said softly, not understanding why she was being like this. "And you had me," she said softly, her eyes flickering to the sheets which were spotted with blood. "I came willingly, you didn't force me," she continued, "but you are well healed now and you must continue south, forget about me…we were not meant for one another. Honour your promises like a good king should," she whispered, her hand coming to cup his cheek, "I will never forget you…I'm glad I could bring you some comfort at such a dark time."
"Jeyne -," he started to protest but she leant in and pressed her lips ever so lightly against his. She was so sweet. So very sweet. When she pulled away she shook her head, her finger coming to his lips and he obeyed her gesture of silence even though all he wanted to do was scream at her to reconsider. She shifted away from the bed then, holding the blanket firmly around her as she set about finding her discarded clothes. He got himself up and hunted for his breeches, pulling them on furiously before he turned to look at her again, seeing her tying the laces of her dress with shaking fingers. He crossed to her and placed his hands over hers, feeling her jump slightly at his touch. Robb allowed his hands to caress her own, meeting her eyes which were so beautiful he imagined he could lose himself in them forever. "Won't you reconsider?" he asked her quietly and she smiled regretfully, shaking her head slightly. "You know it wouldn't be right…you have honour, just as your father did."
"And look where it got him," he said bitterly and she laced her fingers with his, squeezing hard. "I know how much you love and miss him and I cannot allow you to do this, to break this promise when I know it is the wrong thing," she told him and he tugged on her hands, pulling her into his arms. "I'm sorry Jeyne," he whispered and she held him closer, rubbing her hands up and down his back. "I don't regret it," she whispered back, "I could never regret giving myself to you…you're so gentle, so wonderful, I could never -," he cut her off by bending his head to kiss her lips, coaxing her own apart so he could slide his tongue with hers. He knew it would be better to let her go, to let her walk out of that door and never look back but he needed her. She was intoxicating, headier than the strongest ale or the fruitiest wine. She consumed him so entirely that it scared him. Terrifying him and thrilling him in equal measure, desire swelling him again as he pulled her even closer, his tongue exploring every crevice of her mouth.
She pulled away gasping and he instantly wanted to pull her back but she manoeuvred her way out of his arms and took a few steps back from him. "Once might be excusable, but I think I'd best go your Grace before I make things worse," she said, her hand coming to toss her hair over her shoulder before she made her way to the door. "Jeyne," he said and she paused, her hand on the doorknob; "I can't let you go like this." She shook her head and when she turned to him he could see the un-spilled tears in her eyes and it made his own sting. "We can't always have what we want your Grace," she said quietly, her eyes not leaving his; "you of all people should know that best of all."
He had no answer for that and she seemed to know it, a sad little smile coming to play at her lips before she wrenched open the door. It slammed in the next moment and Robb didn't think he had ever heard anything so final in his life. He sank down into a chair and put his head in his hands, wishing a thousand different things at once but still, shamefully, not regretting that fact that he had taken her to his bed.
Jeyne made it halfway back to her own chambers before her knees gave out. She clutched at the rough stone wall, blinded by the tears she had determinedly held back when she was still in his presence. Wracking sobs shook her body so hard she wondered how she would ever be able to still it again. Her heart felt as though it was breaking and it was screaming at her to go back, to fling open the door of his chambers and tell him she had reconsidered. She would let him fold her into his arms and kiss her until her head spun and she would tell him over and over that she wanted to be his above all things. His wife. His queen. But it was not her place and it never would be. She may have warmed his bed for a night but she could never be responsible for him breaking a promise, for destroying his honourable reputation. The Freys would desert him if he broke his marriage pact, she may not know many things about the war but she knew that. It would be seen as a sleight. She couldn't let him do it, she cared too much about him.
She thought of her mother then and had the strangest desire to laugh through her tears. It had been all her mother had wanted since he had arrived injured in the keep after his army had brought the Crag to its knees. She would delight to hear from the maids that there was blood on the King's sheets. Her delight wouldn't last when she discovered Jeyne had refused him though and thinking of her reaction sobered her at once. She straightened up and brushed her hands over her cheeks to rid them of her shed tears. No more tears. She would have to be stronger than this if she were to resist the urge to go back to him. Her mother would no doubt be furious with her and she didn't want to think about her father. He had only just returned to the Crag after being the prisoner of the King in the North…if he discovered what she had done…She shuddered again. None of it bore thinking about. Hopefully Robb would see that the sheets were got rid of discreetly and no one would ever have to find out what she had done. He would leave soon, she was sure of that. Somehow she would have to resist caving in and agreeing to become his wife.
She forced herself to keep moving down the hallways and to her chambers, slipping her dress away from her when she entered. What she needed was water for a bath to soothe away the ache between her thighs. After a moment she rang the bell for a maid to come to her and wrapped her robe about her as she waited. A knock came after a few minutes and she called for them to come in, the maid curtseying for her before looking to her expectantly; "milady?"
"I'd like water brought for a bath," Jeyne said at once and the girl agreed, curtseying again before she made her way from the room. Jeyne just sat and waited, chewing on her nails in a distracted manner and trying not to remember the events of the previous night. It was hard not to. So hard. She closed her eyes and could almost see him looming over her in the half darkness. She could almost feel his calloused hands against her skin, feel him moving her legs apart as he nestled his hard, muscled body between them. She could feel the coarseness of the hair on his chest, feel his mouth on her skin and taste his perfection in her mouth. She could feel him between her thighs, relieving that ache. Bringing her pleasure and pain all at once. She snapped her eyes open as the door opened, forcing a smile for the troupe of maids that were bringing in her bath water. They were gone quickly, leaving her with a steaming bath and her heart racing for Robb Stark. Gods she wished it would stop. Each beat was telling her to go back to him, to change her mind. She ignored it, standing up and slipping her robe from her shoulders before tugging her shift up over her head. When she sank into the water she let out a relieved sigh. The warmth was soothing away the ache between her legs and she reclined back against the tub and closed her eyes, wishing the water could wash away her ache for Robb just as easily.
They would leave in the morning. It had been decided with the men now that he was fully recovered and he had been able to do nothing but agree. His bronze crown felt heavy on his head as he sat in council with them in one of the unfamiliar chambers of the Crag. He had come here to gain a foothold in the Westerlands, knowing that they would surrender to him as he held their lord captive. He had not expected to come here and lose his heart. The thought of leaving Jeyne behind made him feel sick to his stomach but she had made her position clear. She would not marry him. As much as it stung he could not argue with her reasoning. He wished for a moment that she was not so level-headed, that she would throw caution to the wind and agree to become his wife. What is a king without a queen? He would get a queen, he remembered bitterly as he raised his cup to his lips and took a deep draught from it. He would get a Frey wife and that was final. Sometimes he cursed his mother for her deal. He remembered Bran and Rickon then and guilt engulfed him. His mother would be in pieces and all he could think about was the fact that he had to enter into a marriage that he didn't want. At least he still had his life. That was more than his poor brothers could boast.
He sighed heavily. Guilt was something he already lived with, what was a little more? Who was he trying to fool? His father's fate had been out of his hands, all of it so far had been out of his hands. Jeyne though…he couldn't leave her like this, not when it was all his fault. He had to find some way of making it better for her and a thought struck him. "Olyvar!" he called out of the door for his squire and he came in at once, bowing shortly to him. "Yes your Grace?" Olyvar asked and Robb rolled his eyes slightly at him. "How many times must I tell you to call me Robb?" he asked with a raised brow and his squire smiled sheepishly at him. "Sorry Robb, can I help you with something?" Olyvar asked him and Robb nodded slowly. "I'd like to see the lady Jeyne," he said, "she tended me well and I would like to thank her properly." Olyvar didn't seem suspicious of him as he nodded his head, another smile coming to his face. "Of course, I'll bring her to you at once," he said, bowing his head towards him before departing his presence.
Robb could only drum his fingers lightly against the wood of the table as he tried not to count the minutes it took for Olyvar to return with Jeyne. After what seemed like forever they finally appeared and Robb thanked his squire, waiting until he was completely certain Olyvar had gone before he turned his attention to Jeyne. She wasn't looking at him, her head bowed as her hands toyed with the silks of her dress. Robb stood slowly, moving towards her, her head only raising when her was stood mere inches from her. "You wanted to see me your Grace," she said politely and he swallowed hard. "You've made your position clear," he said quietly, moving his hand to toy with a lock of her hair, twisting the curl around his fingers, "but I cannot leave you dishonoured, it wouldn't be right."
"We have been through this," she said almost impatiently but he hushed her and she fell silent at once, her eyes still dancing with suspicion. "I know you won't marry me," he said, swallowing hard, "but I cannot leave you like this. I disgraced you and I will make it right, there are several young men in my service who are unmarried…I wouldn't force any of them on you but I urge you to at least consider marriage to one of them." Her eyes widened at that and he would have given anything to know what she was thinking in that moment. "You think you can make it right by tossing your spoils to your men?!" she burst out furiously, shoving away from him, the anger evident in her eyes. "No!" he protested, "Gods no! I didn't mean it like that Jeyne…I just don't think you should be shamed for what we did, you deserve a future with a good man who can take care of you!"
"And what would they get in return for a spoiled bride?" she demanded, "Money? Lands? Or just the honour of knowing she is approved by their king?!" she almost spat the last words and he flinched despite himself, wishing he could take the words back but knowing it was far too late. "I didn't mean to offend you, I just want to make it right," he shook his head desperately and she snorted. "And you think being married to one of you men would make it right?" she raised her brows, "You think seeing you every day wouldn't be like torture to me, knowing that it could have been you instead? Knowing I could have been yours…resenting him forever because he would never be you. That's cruel Robb…I never knew you could be that cruel…"
"If you want me so badly I'm right here!" he snapped at her and it was her turn to flinch. "I am sorry if I offended you my lady, I am only concerned for your honour…you know I would take you as my wife with just one word from you. Just say the word Jeyne and neither of us will have to live with the regret!" He was almost shouting by the end and, his body trembling slightly as his gaze met hers, her eyes wide as she seemed to consider his words. In the next moment her arms were flung around his neck and her mouth was on his, her lips ravishing his own as he parted them to grant her access to him. The heat between them was unbearable and he pushed his hips against hers before he could help himself and she released a moan into his mouth at his action. Hearing that blinded him to everything else but the fact that she was melting in his arms and he trailed his hands down to her hips and shoved her up against the table.
Her hands clenched around his shoulders as he picked her up and sat her on the edge of the table, his hands coming to furiously tug up her skirts. He needed to feel her again, he needed to be with her again. He needed to push them both into a state of bliss. He wanted her coming in his arms, trembling and weak and willing to agree to anything. Perhaps then she would say yes. He had to make her say yes. Her own hands trailed down his chest and came to rest on the waistband of his breeches. He groaned into her mouth, his hands travelling up her thighs now and pulled her skirts up with them. She broke the kiss then, shaking her head as he moved his lips down her jawline and down towards her neck. "We can't," she gasped out, "we can't do this again…we can't." Despite her protestations her hands were sneaking under his breeches, her soft touch making him unbearably hard. "I can't not have you…I need you," he groaned, nibbling at her earlobe and coaxing a wanton moan from her.
"We can't," she said weakly, her hands coming back from beneath his breeches and coming instead to his laces. "We have to," he breathed against the skin of her neck, one of his hands coming to cup between her legs, her back arching into him. "I need you," he continued, rubbing his fingers against her, her breathing ragged in his ear as her fingers continued playing with his laces. "Marry me," he urged her and she gasped, leaning into him for a moment before she pulled back, her hands coming to find his and push them away from her. He stared at her, her chest rising and falling rapidly and her eyes glazed over with want as she breathed just as quickly as him. "I can't," she said firmly, "I won't," she added and he wished there was some way of convincing her. "Jeyne…you know how much I want you," he almost moaned as she tugged her skirts back down. "I know," she agreed, "and I know how much I want you and it scares me Robb."
"You don't think I'm afraid?" he asked her, "You don't think I know what having you would cost me? It could cost me everything but I don't care so long as I have you." She was shaking her head again, her soft hand coming up to cup around his cheek. "If you were free I would say yes in a heartbeat," she whispered and he exhaled deeply. "But you are not free…when the time comes you will marry your Frey girl." He opened his mouth to protest but she pressed her finger to his lips before he had the chance to say anything, much as she had that morning. "But I think I'm too selfish and too foolish to just let you go," she continued and he frowned, "I may never be your wife Robb but I want to be at your side until such time we have to part."
"What are you saying?" he breathed, needing her to say it out loud as he was afraid his own assumption would be wrong and he didn't want to offend her again. "I'm saying I want to come with you," she said, "I will no longer be welcome here when they find out what I did anyway," she smiled slightly sadly, her thumb brushing down against his cheek. "You want to be my mistress?" he asked her incredulously, his eyes widening. "I would never share your bed once you marry," she told him, holding his eyes, "but until that day comes…" she tailed off and he continued staring at her. "Jeyne…" he breathed, shaking his head, not even sure he had the right words for her. This was wrong. What she was suggesting was so wrong, he knew that, but already he was imagining being with her night and day. It wouldn't be forever, but at least he could keep her a little longer. Perhaps with more time he could persuade her to become his wife?
"Just say yes Robb," she urged him quietly and he swallowed hard. This would likely be the most selfish and dishonourable thing he would ever do in his life but one look into her eyes gave him the courage to speak that one word. "Yes," he breathed and she smiled, her eyes lighting up as he bent his head to capture her smiling lips with his once again.
A/N: So there we have the first chapter. Hope you enjoyed it, I'll post another up later in the week with a bit of luck!
:)