Chapter 2
Eleanah was hit instantly with the sound of people merrily laughing and the smell of cooking meat and wine, mingling together. Ele's stomach rumbled in protest, it was then she realized how dreadfully hungry she was. The room was crowded with people, who Eleanah could have only assumed, were all there to catch their first glimpse at Robb's bride to be. Ele was immediately overwhelmed and intimidated by the expectation that she felt was thrust upon her. What if she did not live up to what they expected of her? She inhaled deeply trying to push away the feelings of inadequacy, but they lingered around the edges of her being. There was now no denying that it was really happening, she wasn't dreaming and she wouldn't wake up in her warm bed at Heart's Home. Clayce had probably already moved his things into Ele's room and claimed it as his own. A small twinges of jealous and anger rose inside of her but she pushed it down, because why did it matter she would probably never see Heart's Home again. She would never again walk in the woods or dip her feet in the bay. The thing that Ele ached for the most was the view of the mountains outside of her window in the morning. Winterfell had no mountains, only large rolling hills, woods and snow.
Eleanah looked around the room for a face she knew, maybe one of the men who travelled with her or Septa Heighden but the faces around the room were all strangers. Well, at least she had Aria. Ele glanced next to her where Aria had been standing just moments before, she was no longer that; so much for Aria. Eleanah was left standing alone in a room full of people she didn't know. A room full of people who were probably upset that she was not a Northerner and many who hoped their own daughters would marry one of the Stark boys, especially Robb.
"My lady?" A voice called from behind her, Ele turned quickly; even though she knew it was Ser Duran before she turned around. She was happy he was there, it gave her a bit more strength. Duran looked as if he had cleaned up, his face was freshly shaved and no longer bared the dirt and muck from the long journey. He was dressed in a dark blue tunic and leather pants. Ser Duran couldn't help but stare at Eleanah in awe, "You look just like your mother." He said, only to have her cheeks turn a shade of pink in response.
"Thank you, Ser Duran. You, too look well." Eleanah smiled at him. Brydan had told her that a young Duran Smithe was in love with their mother; so for him to say that Ele looked her mother was a great compliment. He offered her his arm and she placed hers into his. "I sent my father and Brydan a raven. I wanted to let them know we have arrived safely." She felt safe with him as she had all of her life.
"Good, I hadn't had a chance to write to your father, so I am glad that you did." Duran smiled at Ele; she admired the crinkles near the corners of his brown eyes, which were caused by years of smiling. Eleanah couldn't remember a time while she was growing up that he wasn't smiling around her or her brothers.
They had started to make their way through the room; Eleanah hadn't even noticed until they stopped near Ned and two men. Eddard was facing them and two men who had their backs towards them. One of the men had dark auburn hair and was slightly taller than the other who was more slender and had a lighter shade of golden auburn hair. Both of the mean had similar clothing on, finely made leather tunics and dark wool pants. The shorter one was the one who turned to look at Ele first, he had piercing blue eyes that ate her up. She felt naked under his gaze; she couldn't hear anything except her heart throbbing loudly in her ears. He smiled at her before turning to look at the other man, who still had his back to her. She didn't know what to make of either of the men. Was the man who turned around Robb? If not, then who was he?
"Ah, Eleanah, you look lovely this evening." Ned smiled warmly at her. She really was a pretty girl. She looked a lot like her mother like Lyonel said; Eddard had met Nyra when she and Lord Lyonel were wed, she was a beautiful and kind woman. He was glad to see his daughter seemed to take on that nature of her. Ned was surprised that Robb hadn't turned to look at his bride to be yet, but then again the pale color of his face told him that his son was nervous. Robb, who was brave in the face of most things except women; Ned didn't blame him, women were mysterious creatures.
"Thank you, Lord Eddard." Ele said quietly as her body hummed with nervous excitement. She felt as if she was going to burst into a million pieces. This is the moment that she had dreaded and yearned for since her father told her she was to marry the eldest Stark boy.
"Robb," Ned looked towards his eldest son, his look urging him to turn. Robb complied with his father's non-verbal demand and turned around to face the stranger he was going to marry. "This is Eleanah Corbray of Heart's Home."
Ele inhaled sharply as she stared wide-eyed back at Robb, who was the taller of the two men. He had deep blue eyes and a head full of dark auburn waves. She should have realized that who he was his hair color resembled Catelyn. He was tall with a lean muscular build and a strong jaw line. Eleanah's heart beat hard and quickened under his surprised look and welcoming eyes. She would have been lying to herself if she said that she wasn't instantly attracted to Robb. But attraction could only go so far; especially if Robb wasn't a good man.
A small tentative smile passed across his freshly shaved face as he waited to see Eleanah's responded to him. Of all the things that Robb worried about, it was whether or not Eleanah would want him. He was finally resolved in the fact that his father had arranged this marriage but what of his wife. He had to trust that his father would do right by him and his future wife. Ele finally rewarded Robb with a warm smile of her own.
"Welcome to Winterfell. I am glad you are finally here." Robb said with some relief. When his father had told him that he was going to marry Lord Lyonel's daughter, he was upset but accepted what his father had done. He hadn't known what to expect of Eleanah so to find she was at least good looking was a start. He had thought long and hard about what he wanted in a wife, since his father told him he was going to marry Eleanah. He wanted a wife who was attractive, smart and strong; a wife who would challenge him and didn't just accept her role as a wife and a child bearer but was a fierce mother, like his own. So far he had gotten one of the things he wanted. "I hope the road here was safe and wasn't too long." Robb wanted to hear Eleanah's voice again.
Ele glanced over at Ser Duran, who smiled encouragingly at her; she then looked back at Robb, "My journey was safe but I fear I will not want to be on a horse for a while. And if I hear my Septa snore one more time, I may sleep in the stables."
Robb laughed, he liked that she was honest, maybe too honest by the look on Ser Duran's face.
Eleanah frowned, "My dear Ser, if you would have slept with us in the wagon would have agreed with me. Septa Heighden snores loudly, that is if she is not up all night reading."
Ser Duran was relieved to hear Robb laughing and the Greyjoy boy laughing. He knew Eleanah would be fine in Winterfell, "My lady, we could all hear the snores. I had just thought it was you." He teased with a laugh, hoping he hadn't overstepped his position.
Ele raised her eyebrow at Ser Duran, "Really?" She asked with a bit of humor in her indignant voice.
Robb enjoyed seeing that Eleanah had some humor and personality about her. So many times he had met daughters of other lords and they were obedient and dull; they did and said the right things like their septa's had taught them. He could see she did not or she would have held her tongue about her septa and only answered questions when they were asked of her. His sister, Sansa was very much like that but he could tell she did have a strength about her that had yet to show itself; she was a Stark after all. "Would you care to walk with me before we feast?" Robb asked Eleanah.
Ele nodded slightly and smiled back at Robb as released Ser Duran's arm. He was reluctant to see her go into Robb's arms so quickly. He had never had any children of his own; he had always considered the Corbray children like his own. He never married because his heart had only belonged to one woman and he dedicated his life to making sure her family was safe. Over the years they had become his family.
"Thank you Ser Duran, for making sure Eleanah made it here safely." Robb nodded at him. He offered Ele his arm which she took gently.
Their close proximity made Ele's stomach flip and her hands shake slightly. She had walked plenty of times with her arm interlinked with her brother but this felt so different; Robb was a complete stranger to her. Eleanah nervously walked with Robb. He led them through the crowd of people, many of who stared at Ele and whispered to each other. She was sure they were talking about her.
"Your family has been very inviting and friendly." Eleanah filled the silence between them as they walked out of the great hall and into the crisp, cool air of the evening.
"I am glad that they were able to make you feel welcome. I am sorry that I wasn't here when you arrived." He felt bad he wasn't there when Eleanah arrived. He wished he could have been there when she road in, to see the look on her face when she saw Winterfell for the first time. He couldn't wait to show her around Winterfell especially into the Gods Woods; a place where his family, well most of his family found peace. Robb finally stopped in the courtyard. He wanted to speak with Eleanah alone and not in front of all the people his mother had insisted on inviting for the feast. She wanted the people of Winterfell to get to know the newest member of the Stark family. Eleanah would be the one they would look to when she was gone, so they needed to get comfortable with her right away. Robb wished that the feast had happened after he and Eleanah were better acquainted. He wished that they could just get to know each other without eyes constantly watching them.
A soft smile crossed Eleanah's lips, "I was quite okay with you not being here, if I can be honest. I had been on the road for two long weeks; I am sure I was quite a mess when I arrived." Ele felt slightly ashamed that she seemed so vane but she really didn't want to meet Robb for the first time reeking of horse and covered in weeks of road.
"I am sure you looked just a beautiful as you do now, Eleanah." Robb said quietly as he gazed at Eleanah, whose brown hair was blowing lightly behind her as she gazed down at the ground. Robb wondered if he over stepped an unwritten boundary with Eleanah, but then again she was to be in wife in a matter of time, so why not tell her that he thinks she's beautiful.
There had been men who had told her she was beautiful before but it hadn't struck her as hard as it did when Robb told her. She felt as if her breath had been knocked out of her for a moment and she didn't quite know how to respond. She was pleased to hear that Robb found her attractive because she certainly found him handsome. Ele glanced up from the ground Robb, who was watching her intently, waiting for her response. "Thank you, Robb." She smiled shyly at him. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest. This was all new to her and in a way the feelings sort of thrilled her.
"Tell me about your family." Robb insisted as they sat down near the armory. He wanted to know more about Eleanah. When he looked over at her he instantly regretted asking her about her family because of the sad smile that had crossed her face. She looked as if tears were threatening to fall from her blue eyes. "I'm sorry, you don't need to talk about them, if it is too hard."
Ele swallowed down the lump that was building in her throat; the tell-tale sign she knew she was close to tears. She looked over at Robb, who gave her a sympathetic look. "It's fine, Robb. I miss them, especially my older brother, Brydan." They hadn't been apart more than a few days all of her life and now she didn't know when she would see her dear brother again. "My father raised my brothers and helped my Septa as much as he could with me after my mother passed away giving birth to my younger brother, Clayce. Brydan was really the one who was always there for me." Eleanah thought about Bry and how much she loved him. She missed him more than she missed all of the Vale and would have given up just as much to see him one more time. To feel he strong arms hold her close to him and tell her everything would be okay, because when he was around everything was. Ele felt lost without him.
"You and Brydan were close than?" Robb hadn't really thought about how much Eleanah had given up and lost when she came to Winterfell. She was uprooted from her home and her family; from everything that she held dear to her. Robb felt for her, he wanted to make her happy again, to make her feel like Winterfell had always been her home.
"We were close. I had wished that he would have made the journey to Winterfell with me but our father needed him in Heart's Home. I sent my raven to let him know I arrived safely." Ele said quietly as she listened for Evin's voice but he was too far away to hear. She prayed to the Gods that he would make his journey to Heart's Home safely and swiftly.
Eleanah smiled over at Robb. That was when he was hit was an idea that he knew would make his bride to be happy. A surprise for their wedding. Robb would send a raven later that evening or early in the morning and get things moving along. He didn't know what his parents plan was for their wedding. He knew that most of the time arrangements like this moved very quickly and many times the couple were married within hours, if not minutes of meeting. He would have to make it a point to speak to his father about his surprise and what the plan was. Robb hoped they would have some time to get to know each other before they were wed.
"I am sure that your family will be glad to hear you made it here safely. By the way my sisters seem to like you; both of them seem thrilled to have you here." Robb thought about how Arya gloated that she had already met Eleanah. He hadn't expected her to be in Winterfell so soon; it was as if his life had suddenly been flipped upside down when he heard that Eleanah was already there. Jon and Theon hadn't help matters when he found out, they wouldn't let him live down that his father betrothed him to a complete stranger who wasn't even from the North. The whole time they had been hunting, Theon kept telling Robb that there had to be something wrong with Eleanah or she would have been married already. He told Robb that he thought she was probably a fat ogre. Well now Robb could gloat because Eleanah was nothing of the sorts.
"Your sisters are both darlings. I have a feeling I will get along with them both quite well, especially Arya." Ele smiled.
"Why Arya?" Robb asked out of curiosity. What did the girl in front of him find some endearing about Arya to make her say that?
Ele shook her head, "Would you believe me if I told you she reminds me of a younger version of myself?"
Robb laughed, the woman standing in front of him was nothing like his younger sister, Arya. She liked to tag along with her brothers and tried to do many of the same things they did. His sister liked to play pranks on Sansa and much to their mother's dismay she did not act very lady-like at times. She would rather be in the King's Guard or Night's Watch than be married. "I don't believe it."
Eleanah raised her eyebrows at Robb and searched his humor filled blue eyes. "You find it hard to believe but you forget, I have an older brother that I, too looked up to as I was growing up. When I was Arya's age, I climbed trees, swam naked in the bay with the boys and came home with ripped dresses. If you don't believe me you can ask Ser Duran." Ele stopped for a minute remembering how carefree she felt when she was younger. She was quite unlady like and spent many hours with her father lecturing her about how poorly she was acting. How her mother would be so disappointed in her. It was Ser Duran who comforted Eleanah in those instances, telling her stories about her mother when she was younger. She was not very lady like when she was younger.
"I would never allow Arya to swim naked with boys." Robb said protectively. As much as he would have liked to see Eleanah swimming naked, he certainly would not allow any other boy or man to see his sisters that way. He didn't like that other boys had seen Eleanah naked, it made him feel a twinge of jealousy.
Ele liked seeing the protective nature in Robb, it made her feel safe; even if it wasn't directed towards her. Eleanah wrapped her arms around herself to fight off the chill she was beginning to feel, this was something was going to have to get used to in her new home. Heart's Home wasn't always warm but there certainly wasn't the constant chill. "I am sure that Arya is smart enough not to swim naked around here, it is far too cold. She would catch her death before you could do anything to her."
Robb let out a chuckle. "You're right, and it would serve her right if she did." He smiled at Eleanah; so far he was happy with his father's match. "We should get you back in before you freeze. We must really get you a fur line cloak to wear around here." He hadn't thought about how she wasn't accustom to the chill of Winterfell. As much as Robb liked it the dress that Eleanah was wearing was not made with Winterfell in mind. Robb couldn't stop his eyes from following the neckline of the dress which landed just above her breasts. Robb was unaccustomed with the low neck line of Eleanah's dress; most of the women in Winterfell wore dresses that went up to their necks. The only ones who had low cut dresses were the whores and they left nothing to the imagination. "I do not want you to catch your death before we are wed."
Robb offered Ele his arm again, she smiled at him as she graciously accepted. His body was so warm next to hers, she snuggled in a bit closer searching for some way to take the chill from her bones. Eleanah felt like for the first time since her father told her she was going to marry Robb Stark that everything was actually going to be alright.
A/N: Thank you all for being so patient, this chapter has been done for several weeks but I moved into my new house and have been without internet for the past 3 weeks. I hope you all enjoy this chapter where Ele and Robb first meet. Thanks to my beta: Queen Preference for reading through my story and making sure it makes sense. You're the best! Cheers and let me know what you think.
