Of Hemlock and Wolves
 SyntheticProduct

Longer Summary: People often forget that Hemlock is not just pretty and dainty, a small flower that is pleasing to the eye; it is poisonous, but when you plant them in abundance, it's deadly. Hemlock Grove got it's name for the deadly accuracy of their bowmen, for their trained warriors, but also known because they were almost neutral in every war. Natives of Hemlock Grove would say that it was as simple as they wanted peace, but others called them out on selfishness; berated them for it. Besides their ferocious talents, there was also a softer side to the town; they were simple lumberers and miners, crafting things from what they gathered and sold them as specialties. The Rhys family controlled Hemlock Grove, they have for more than a millennia since it was built with their own hands. From generation to generation, the land and it's keep (Bolete Keep) was passed down and handled accordingly, but now that Willard Rhys has his hands on it he plans to gain more and more for his family, even going as far as going into battle against House Targaryen. Now was the time of peace, but there is much more power to be gained. Especially through marriages of convenience.
Robb/Iona; Theon/Sansa; Jon/Gretchen (another OC)

Chapter Four: The Feast of Daggers

Iona felt her worries simply melt away, even if it was for a moment. The hot water made her pale skin pink, but it soothed her at the same time. She curled her toes into the metal tub and let the water flow between her parted fingers; dampening the ends of her hair and sinking into her skin. She was comforted by the warm rose-water, the familiar smell made her eyes droop in exhaustion.

"My Lady, let me wash your hair," Eleonora said soft and Iona only nodded before sinking down into the tub and wetting her hair, "thank you my Lady." Eleonora's fingers massaged Iona's scalp with sweet scented oils, something that smelt like wood and sweet scented flowers. Iona relaxed against the curve of the tub and sighed in contentedness. Eleonora massaged the oils in for a time, humming something softly in the back of her throat before filling up a pitcher of the warm water and pouring it over Iona's hair. Her breathing picked up slightly as water ran over her face, the sweet scented oil cascaded down her neck and over her breasts. She gladly relaxed into the tub as Eleonora's fingers left her skin, "my Lady you shouldn't soak for too long, there is to be a feast tonight and I must get you ready." Iona waved her hand dismissively before sitting up to scrub her body with another oil that Eleonora set out for her. This one smelt of clean linen and therefore it wasn't too potent. When Iona was finished, she stood in the tub as Eleonora wrapped a robe around her. Iona stepped out carefully and Eleonora helped Iona wrap a dry towel in her hair.

Iona sat down at the dressing table as Eleonora excused herself to retrieve servants to take down the tub. As Iona waited, she dried her hair with the towel; scrubbing it down and brushing it through with her fingers. Her robe clung to her skin since it was made of green silk and Iona couldn't help but tie it tighter around her waist when the servants began to come in. Eleonora instructed them to take it down so Iona could get ready for the feast.

One after another, servants filled buckets with the water and threw it out the window. The cool air made Iona's wet skin prickle, but she could breath easier. When Iona finished drying her hair, she picked up her brush and began to comb through her tangled locks. She watched carefully as the servants tossed the water out the window, watching as their eyes seemingly trained on her. They were curious, is what she brushed it off as; curious as to whom their Lordling was marrying, it had made sense in her mind.

After only a few minutes, the servants were done while Ser Byron and Ser Tern helped carry down the heavy, metal tub.

"My Lady, it is my duty to dry and brush through your hair," Eleonora said quietly as she watched Iona comb through the mess of dark curls, "I am sorry I was not quick enough."

Iona scoffed, "you were busy Eleonora, you cannot be in two places at once. Besides," Iona put down the brush and turned slightly to see Eleonora's down-trotten face, "I cannot reach the back, perhaps you will be willing to help me with that." Eleonora perked up slightly and smiled shyly, "yes my Lady." Iona turned back around, her reflection looked back at her and Iona saw that her head injury was healing nicely but a red scar still remained. She touched it tentatively as Eleonora brushed her hair. She hissed as it burnt on contact and retreated her hand to her lap. Eleonora brushed over the scar gently, "it will be hardly noticeable when it heals properly, hopefully in time for your wedding my Lady." Iona nodded her head in agreement and sat in silence while Eleonora finished brushing through her hair.

"Finished my Lady," Eleonora proclaimed, "do you wish for me to braid it?" Iona reached up and fingered the damp strands, "no, I think leaving it down will suit me just fine."

"Of course my Lady." Eleonora responded before brushing through it once again. As her hair dried, the curls became similar to loose ringlets that framed her face softly. Iona applied a bit of lotion to her face, rubbing it in as Eleonora sorted through her dresses. Eleonora pulled forth a dark grey dress with a lace petticoat, "will this do my Lady?" Iona glanced over and looked over the dress. It was simple, but to compensate for that fact it had a plunging neckline that would offer ample cleavage. Her father had stopped by just before Iona had taken a bath and made her aware that she needed to look like appetizing for Lord Robb. Iona could already feel the heat rise to her cheeks and she wasn't even in the dress yet, "yes, and please get the white corset to go with it as well. I will wear the black flats with them as well."

While Eleonora found all that Iona required, she slipped off the silken robe. Eleonora hurried over to help Iona put on her corset and tied it tighter than it was on the previous days; Iona had hoped that it would push her breasts up a tad more. She slipped on her undergarments just after and the lace petticoat followed not too soon after. Afterwards, the dress was the easiest thing to put on and as Eleonora tied up the back of the dress, Iona leaned against the dressing table. Her hands were flat on the wooden surface as Eleonora yanked slightly at the ribbon that tied it together; Iona would be lucky if she didn't pass out during the feast.

"There we are my Lady, do you wish to wear any jewelry?" Eleonora's hands left Iona's back and she quickly began to pick through the jewelry that Iona had brought with her. Nothing stuck her fancy, all of the jewels that Iona had seemed too gaudy to wear with such a simple dress, "no, I think that I look put together well enough." Iona said nervously, her tongue darting out to draw in her bottom lip. She chewed on her bottom lip as she stared at herself in the seeing glass. She had left her face plain as the day she was born, with the exception of the lotion she applied to her dry skin. She didn't need coal to outline her eyes since her thick lashes did the job well enough. Iona had detested wearing anything on her lips, instead she applied a balm that made her lips appear glossy.

Eleonora was dressed in a navy blue dress with long, narrow sleeves. It had intricate designs of circles on the bodice that trailed down the sleeves and ended just before the wrist. She wore a cream colored ribbon around her waist and it was tied neatly like a bow at the small of her back. Her hair was pinned up into a braid that twisted around in a bun with tendrils of hair that framed her face. She wore no jewelry, but her lips were once again painted a rouge.
Iona insisted that if she was dressing up that Eleonora had to do the same. The difference between Eleonora's dress and her own was the fact that Eleonora had a high-collared dress on that was trimmed with lace, something that was considered fine dressing in Hemlock Grove.

"You look a vision my Lady," Eleonora stood directly behind Iona and swept a piece of hair from in front of her face, "I do believe that Lord Robb will be pleasantly surprised." Iona glared at her handmaiden, who offered only a smile to Iona. Iona cleared her throat and placed her hands on her stomach before turning to the side, "will my father approve?"

Eleonora's eye brows pulled together as her lips dropped into a frown, "my Lady, you are not dressing for your father."

Iona could only sigh, "but I am. He told me to wear something appetizing for Lord Robb to look at. Accentuate my assets, is what I believe is actual words were." Iona pulled her bodice up slightly, feeling terribly uncomfortable in such a form fitting gown. Her hands shook slightly at her sides, "this gown is terribly uncomfortable." It was a mere murmur, but Eleonora had heard it.

"If it pleases my Lady I could get another - "

"Absolutely not. While my father is still here, he owns me. I listen to his commands without fault." Iona's words struck Eleonora oddly, "he does not own you my Lady, he is your father."

"He owns me Eleonora, he decides my fate and decides what he deems acceptable for me. There is no other word for it."

"But my Lady - "

A sudden knock at the door made the words on Eleonora's tongue die without a second thought. Iona turned away from the seeing glass and only nodded her head. Eleonora walked to the door briskly, her feet tapping on the stone floor before she swung the door open. Robb Stark stood on the other side with something of an anxious expression on his face, "I was told I would be escorting Lady Iona down to the feast." His words were strung together perfectly and Eleonora tossed a glance back at her lady, only to nod, "of course my Lord, I shall retrieve my Lady." Eleonora left the door open and whispered to Iona what was going on; she didn't miss the tremor in Iona's lips.
Iona inclined her head softly before walking towards the door where Robb awaited.

"Good eve Robb," Iona said with a small smile, "I've heard that you are to escort me to the feast then?" Robb nodded somewhat slowly as he took her figure in. Iona shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, but when she saw his gentle smile she couldn't help but return it; it was somewhat infectious.

Robb cleared his throat before offering his arm to her, which she gladly laced her own in, "you've heard correctly Iona. Your father said his foot wasn't feeling well enough to walk up the stairs to retrieve you and asked me to escort you down." Iona knew that her father had lied. While his foot had bothered him a great deal, he would never admit to not being able to do something because of it. She said nothing, but offer a smile that she hoped wasn't faltering.

"Thank you for fetching me in my father's stead," Iona mused, "I'm sure he is grateful, just like I am." While they walked down the corridor, away from her chambers, Eleonora and Ser Byron walked slowly behind them. Escorts, so that Robb and Iona were never truly alone until they were married. Iona felt the entire thing silly, but she supposed that they were making sure that they weren't doing anything perverse.

"You look," Robb said, startling Iona from her thoughts, "you look beautiful this eve, Iona." His bright blues were staring into her green ones and Iona couldn't help but look down at her feet, "thank you Robb, you are looking very handsome as well. Grey brings out your eyes even more."

"As does it to your green ones." Robb responded slowly. When Iona looked up, he was still staring straight at her. She offered him a smile and drew him somewhat closer as they descended down the steps; wouldn't that be a brilliant impression if she fell down the steps? Thankfully, they didn't have any accidents on the way down them. Robb simply held onto her arm a little tighter and she brought herself in a little closer; there was something intimate about it all that made Iona want to separate their arms, but she breathed in deeply and didn't. They walked in almost complete silence to the dinning hall, where two men opened the doors for them. Iona had little time to even appreciate the courtyard before Robb led her into the hall. She was greeted with loud chattering and the smell of wine, or was it ale? There were many tables that were filled with people and she couldn't help but smile. It was lovely to see that everyone in Winterfell knew each other and even ate with each other. She could not say the same about her parents and all of Hemlock Grove. The Rhys's dined quietly together with only a few servants waiting on them, sometimes Septa Petra dined with them when she was younger.
But here. Here, everyone laughed and drank, shared stories and sipped wine. It was relatively hotter in the hall as well, there was a roaring fire at the other end of the hall and all the bodies in the room made it almost combust with heat.

Robb led her to her seat, a table that was propped up higher than the rest of the tables. He smoothly pulled the chair out for her and pushed her in as well, "thank you Robb." He smiled kindly, "think nothing of it Iona." Iona noticed rather quickly that Robb was sitting next to her and beside him was Catelyn, who looked to be enjoying herself. The little ones were seated on the first table in front of them, playing and eating rather loudly. It calmed Iona's nerves when Arya offered her a wave which she returned.

Iona also noticed that the hall had begun to die down in volume and that's when she noticed that Lord Stark was standing from his chair. Beside him, her father sat with a cheerful smile, "we feast tonight in honor of Lord Rhys and his daughter Lady Iona Rhys who have graced us with their presence," there were loud whoops to be heard around the hall, "we also celebrate the engagement of Lady Iona to my eldest, Robb! Now eat, drink, and be merry!" The hall erupted in loud words of congratulations and suddenly music had began which offered more noise to the restless hall. Iona felt her face flush in embarrassment as more than a few leers were tossed at her by people in the hall.

She was served a plate laden with fruits and meat, greens placed in a bowl to the side. Rose wine poured into her goblet and a napkin was placed in her lap by a servant with brown eyes. She wondered for a moment where Eleonora was, but her search was short lived when she saw her speaking to Ser Byron in hushed voices. Eleonora wore a smile, one that showed her pearly white teeth, and Iona grew to feel quite small again. She lifted her goblet to her lips and sipped down some of the wine, careful to control how much she drank at a time. She picked at her food, eating the sweet fruit, but avoiding the bleeding meat.

What she hadn't seen was Catelyn elbowing Robb softly and then inclining her head towards Iona.

Iona had been too busy watching everyone chat and eat; something that brought a smile to her lips as she drank her wine.

"How do you find Winterfell Iona?" She nearly choked on the wine, but calmed herself and glanced over towards Robb. He was grinning and Iona felt herself become embarrassed; hopefully, he hadn't seen her nearly choke, but he probably did. Iona sipped on her wine once again, to heal her parched throat, "I haven't seen much of Winterfell, but it seems... warm."

"Warm?" Robb laughed as he sipped his wine as well, "that's not something most people say when they come here. It's usually 'it's bloody cold'." Robb mimicked a low-pitched voice, one that made Iona chuckle under her breath.

"Oh, I don't mean the physical feel of it, I meant more that the people here are warm. It reminds me of Hemlock Grove, the townsfolk were always bustling but they were also always smiling. Your family takes good care of everyone here."

Robb looked like he was pondering something for a moment as he sipped his wine, "that makes perfect sense and thank you for the compliment."

The conversation died out and Iona felt glad in one sense. She was nervous enough that people were staring at her and when Robb had spoke to her, she was sure that she would've started stuttering; however, that wasn't the case. The silence between her and Robb shook her a little bit, more than she'd like to admit. She could practically feel her father's gaze burning into her as she requested for her goblet to be refilled. Iona had never been a big drinker, but perhaps she needed a little courage from the wine.

"How is everything tasting, Iona?" The feminine voice drew her from her goblet. Catelyn was staring at her, or through her; Iona couldn't differentiate between the two. Catelyn had this certain gaze to her, like she need all your secrets before she even knew you. Iona swallowed the mouthful of wine that she hadn't realized she had taken, "it is delicious Catelyn, the cook did splendidly." Catelyn's eyes diverted down to the piece of meat that was hardly touched, "do you not like meat?" It was a simple question, but when Iona glanced down at the bleeding piece it made her stomach tighten, "I'm not a fan of blood." Iona didn't elaborate, not that Catelyn asked her to.

"Queasy stomach?"

"Aye," Iona's voice shook, "it might be from the tedious ride over here." It was then she noticed that Robb had disappeared and that's why Catelyn was even talking to her. Iona inconspicuously looked around the room for the auburn haired man, "my son is dancing with my eldest daughter, Sansa." Iona winced, not too inconspicuously if Catelyn had caught her looking around the room. Catelyn nodded her head towards the crowd and Iona looked over to where she was glancing, and indeed the Stark siblings were dancing together. Robb had this look on his face, like he'd rather be anywhere but where he was and it made Iona feel slightly less nervous; it was rather adorable in fact, she chuckled quietly as he twirled his sister around.

Robb

Robb couldn't help but fall for the doe eyes that Sansa gave him. When the conversation between him and Iona had fallen, Sansa was quick to ask him to dance with her. His mother just nodded her head and muttered something to herself. Now, he was stuck dancing with his sister. The song was fast and their footsteps were even quicker; Sansa was a great dancer and he could match her step for step, but his heart wasn't into it. The way that Iona had trailed off and began indulging in their wine made him feel like he had said something wrong.

When the song had ended, Sansa departed from his grasp and started dancing with someone else. Robb paid no attention because at that moment, someone tapped him on the shoulder. His mother stood just behind him in all her radiant glory, "can a mother dance with her son without looking like a den mother protecting her cubs?" His mother had not lost all her quick tongue and he was all too glad to accept her for a dance. She clasped her hands in his and pulled him into the swing of the slower-paced song, "so how goes talks with Iona?"

Of course his mother was already on a first-name basis with the Rhys girl. Robb had contemplated lying to his mother and telling her everything was okay, but the look in her eye made him think better, "as I'm sure you're aware mother, the conversation that I struck up didn't last long." Robb's own eyes widened when the words left his mouth; a little too spiteful than he actually meant. He didn't want to wait for her reaction, but she just smiled and laughed, "you have to realize that she is nervous about being in a den of wolves, don't you?" His mother was elegant in her moves, twisting her dress up into her hands slightly so that she could move with more grace, "she is anxious, Robb. It was the same when I met your father for the first time, in fact I had gotten sick the night of the feast."

"You? Anxious?" Robb teased as he spun them around, "I can hardly imagine it, mother."

His mother bounced her head, "well, imagine it well then. I almost refused to even go to the feast if it hadn't been for my father, he was very strict in saying so. I cannot imagine that it is much different from Iona." They danced and danced, the silence between them was not unpleasant and it gave Robb time to think. He was right in assuming that he wasn't the only one anxious for this arranged marriage, maybe even dreading it. Iona Rhys was not unpleasant to look at, she was quite beautiful; her face would screw up when she smiled and small lines appeared around her mouth, encapsulating her freckles. It was the fact that he didn't know her, the fact that one of the biggest life choices was made for him. When his father had told him about the marriage, he told Robb that he could easily send another raven explaining that his son simply declined the idea, but Robb honored his father's decision; he knew best after all.
Robb felt a bit lighter then. Perhaps, Iona felt the same way.

"It looks like you've thought of something," his mother remarked slyly, "why don't you go ask your betrothed for a dance? That's what made me feel accepted by your father oh-so-long-ago." His mother's hands left his and she curtsied while he bowed. He was abandoned by his mother in the middle of people dancing, but he quickly escaped. He found himself walking towards Iona, his eyes firmly placed on her. She was sitting quietly at the head table, her fingers playing with the rim of her goblet as her lips parted. The mere motion made Robb feel his nerves spark beneath his fingers, feeling them twitch as he rounded up the steps towards her. Perhaps he was going about this the wrong way, perhaps love wasn't need right now... Perhaps all they both needed was a sense that they belonged. Robb numbly accepted the fact that more than a dozen eyes were trained on him as he tapped Iona's shoulder. He could feel her jump slightly underneath his fingertips. She offered a small smile, "Robb?" His name was simply a breeze caught in her throat, husky and laden with confusion.

"Would you care for a dance?" The words had not left his mouth in a jumbled confusion, but they echoed in his head. While her cheeks were already red with drink, he saw them deepen as she nodded her head shyly, "I would like that."

Robb pulled her chair back for her as she stood from her chair, taking the grey material of her skirts into her hands as she inclined her head, "you honor me with this request." She was a dutiful lady, but her words were almost hollow. Robb felt a pinch against his cheeks, causing him to share a fake smile with her. He escorted her down to where people were dancing and he noticed that her fingers bit down into his forearm slightly. It didn't hurt him, but it had surprised him. She was nervous, quite nervous if the shaky smile she sent him was true. This time when he smiled, it was much wider and genuine, "I'm glad you'd pleasure us with your presence on the floor Iona." Robb wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her in closely and he prayed she hadn't seen his eyes dart down to where her breasts pressed against his chest. She laughed, not a small giggle or a breathy chuckled, but laughed loudly and it was heard over the music. Her head darted down as soon as it parted her lips, "apologizes."

"You have nothing to apologize for," Robb muttered happily as he pulled her other hand to his, guiding her with the right footsteps of the dance, "did I say something humorous?" She shook her head and Robb began to notice that she was looking everywhere except at him. The thought made his chest rumble in a low chuckle, "I hope I don't frighten you then?"

Her head snapped up and her eyes locked with his, "certainly not!" Her voice died down as several questioning eyes peered at them, "you've been only kind to me since my arrival. You do not scare me, I..." Her voice trailed off. Robb nodded his head along with the music, "then you are nervous?"

Her face resembled one of a rabbit caught in a trap, "I, of course not, I mean, no of course not." Robb felt slightly more courageous at the new information as he drew her closer and dropped his head down so it leveled with her ear, "I am nervous as well." He brought his head back up and pretended like he hadn't said anything. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth then closed it a second later. This repeated several times until she smiled, her dimples imprinting on her skin, "thank you."

They danced in silence for another two songs. Robb found Iona to be a wondrous dancer when she wasn't constantly looking down at her feet. They simply stared at each other with smiles on their faces like they had just shared a joke between them. Robb felt his stomach twist in knots when her face would flush, her eyes darting around the room before they landed on his, again.

The spell was undone when Robb felt another hand clasp his shoulder, enveloping her smaller one. Robb dropped his arms and turned around. Willard Rhys was standing just behind him with the biggest grin he had seen on the older man since he arrived early this noon, "may I interrupt and have this dance with my daughter?"

"Of course Lord Rhys," Robb bowed towards Lord Rhys before turning around to bow towards Iona, "thank you for gracing me with your presence, Lady Iona." She looked hurt for a moment, but a smile spread across her lips in another, "thank you as well Lord Robb, you are an amazing dancer." She curtsied before Lord Rhys took over for Robb. He left them there as they began to whisper, Iona's smile simply vanished when her father started to speak. Robb had half a mind to whisk her back into another dance, but thought better of it. Instead, he made his way towards Theon who was making eyes at a serving girl.

Robb stole Theon's tankard and guzzled down at least half of the fowl-tasting piss water, "thirsty are you?" Theon all but slurred. Robb glanced up from the tankard rim and watched as Theon's eyes crinkled with his smile, "done making eyes at your betrothed then?" Robb set the tankard down heavily, "shut up Theon."

Iona

She had gotten used to dancing with her father and was able to compensate for the fact that he danced with a cane. She simply laid her free hand over the one that clasped the wooden, walking stick and followed his lead. Her eyes drifted over to Robb, who was walking away, "I see that you're making more of an effort now." Her father spoke. Her smile vanished and replaced it was a deep-set frown.

"I'm sorry father - "

He shushed her quietly, "no apologizes, the young Lord could hardly take his eyes off you while you two danced. Lord Stark even commented about it; he started to reminisce about his younger days with his Tully wife." Iona noted that the song had changed, but instead of keeping pace like Robb had done, her father simply danced at his own speed.

"Lady Stark is a wondrous dancer," Iona said softly, "she glides while dancing." Her father snorted as the face placed on her waist squeezed, "something you must work on, don't think I didn't see you step on his feet at least twice."

Iona hung her head in embarrassment, "I apologize."

"It isn't me who you should apologize to girl. Your dancing partner bore the brunt of it all; you're too nervous and fluttery like your mother." Her father's hand squeezed her waist again, but softened after Iona flinched back slightly. They danced in silence for a moment or two before her father spoke again, "Lord Stark and I have made arrangements for your marriage ceremony to happen within the fortnight. He spoke something of getting food prepared and I tried to push it up another week; he'd had none of that, I personally think that he wants you and his son to become closer."

Iona's ears perked up at this as her eyes searched the crowd for Robb. He was drinking with the Greyjoy ward, he even punched him in the shoulder which made the other man wince, "poppycock I say, but we are but guests in his home until you two are bound together," her father stopped dancing and inclined his head slightly, "I'm going to go speak to Lord Stark some more, make yourself comfortable." Her father left with no more words and she stood still in the midst of everyone dancing before pardoning herself to the side of the hall. Iona watched as the room moved with the music and the chattering became louder; it was then that Iona felt her head pounding. She excused herself from the hall and when she went towards the doors, a guard stopped her, "my Lady?" His voice was stern and her eyes flickered up to catch his. She smiled easily, "I'm just going to take a breath of fresh air really quick, the air is stifling in here." The guard nodded his head, "then I insist that I escort you outside then. A Lady shouldn't be by herself."

Iona shivered at his words, her mind reeling from the ambush just a few days ago. She thought for a moment before nodding her head, "that would be lovely, thank you Ser..."

"Ser Reese, my Lady."

"Then I shall ask for you to escort me outside Ser Reese, just for a breath of fresh air. Only a moment I can assure you." She offered him a small smile, one that he returned before opening the doors to the brisk cold. When she entered into the cool air, she knew that the rumors had been true in a way about Winterfell; it was colder than Hemlock Grove and a small flurry of snow was parting on the ground. Iona wondered for a moment whether or not it was snowing in Hemlock Grove as well, but the thought made her mood sour so she brushed it off.

"Are you cold my Lady? Perhaps we should head back inside..." his voice trailed off in the northern air and Iona only shook her head, "another moment if you will." Although gooseflesh had started to appear on her skin, she brushed it off for a time so she could inhale the cold air. Ser Reese placed a man on her shoulder, "I'm truly sorry my Lady."

"Whatever for Ser Reese?"

When she turned, her eyes widened in shock. The young guard had brandished a small dagger that glinted sinisterly in the moonlight. Iona choked back on her breath, "Ser Reese?" She took a small step away from him, fear ebbing into her system as he followed her movements. He looked concerned for a moment, "it'll be but a second my Lady, nothing more. You'll feel little pain."

She thought to scream, but didn't want to anger the man, "if I am to die, then can-can you tell me who has sent you?" The man chuckled, almost sadly if Iona heard correctly, "a man with a sinister smile, my Lady." His hand moved so quickly that Iona had little time to react; she threw herself to the side, crashing into the murky snow as his momentum carried him a little ways away. She scurried to her feet and before she could think, her feet carried her away from him. Her breath was caught in her throat as she lifted her skirts and ran. She didn't know where she was running to and for a short time, she didn't care. Fear tranquilized her as she tripped and crashed into the snow, the wounds on her palms of her hands reopened at the impact.

Her hair was yanked back and for the first time, she let out a wild scream; it stung her throat and made her shake even before he had pressed the dagger to her throat, "I apologize my Lady, I have no qualms with you or your family." She waited as the dagger drew into her skin before yanking her head back, crashing it into something hard. The dagger was pulled back as the man made a yelp of surprised; this was her chance. She felt her knees protest as she scrambled off of the ground, the cold etching into her skin before she took off running again. She screamed for help, her voice nearly catching in her throat when she realized no one would hear her. No one would come because the music and the chattering in the hall was probably blinding them all, silencing her to her death. She was afraid, so deeply and truly that she was going to die. Hot tears streamed down her face as she rounded a corner, the snow had begun to fall harder; it was like the Old Gods were crying with her. The frosted crystals made her skin burn before she felt herself being pulled back. She screamed again, feeling her body fight against the person holding her. More tears, more screams before a dull pain ached her head. Her head was pulled back by her hair once again and she could see the anger on his face, "I thought I'd have to wait until just before the wedding to strike, but it seems you are just to naive for the world my Lady."

His voice was a mere whisper in the wind and she felt the energy edging away from her body, "please, please d-don't do this." A hiccup arose in her throat as she spoke. He looked truly saddened by her begging, but the pressing of the dagger against her throat told her he wasn't listening to her, "they have my family. I have to."

Iona closed her eyes, tightening them as her hands scratching as his forearm, "no! Let me go, I don't want to die!" Pain erupted against her throat which made her cry out again: "please!" Sobbing and crying, her fingers scratched at the skin that his bracers shown, but nothing deterred him. Then all at once, the tightness against her had disappeared and she dropped to the floor like a crumpled doll. She gasped for breath as her hand went to her throat before shakily staring at it when she pulled it away. Smearing in her own blood, her hand was painted a bright red. She clasped her hand back to her throat and curled into a ball, sobbing loudly.

A gentle hand was placed on her shoulder before she screamed again, "no please! Don't kill me!"

"My Lady," the voice was soft but hoarse as they spoke, "my Lady you are safe now." Iona looked up through the blurriness of her tears before leaping up to wrap her arms around her savior's neck. Jon hardly knew what to do with himself with Iona wrapped tightly around his neck, sobbing into it, "my Lady," he tried again as he soothed her, "my Lady I must get my father - "

"No!" She cried out, tightening her hold around him before whispering, "don't leave me with him." Jon's breath caught in his throat at her pleads before gently unwrapping her arms from around his neck. She did so willingly before staring up at him; blood ran down her clavicle and pooled in her cleavage while her eyes pooled with tears, "he's dead my Lady." Iona could barely believe it, but with one glance back she had seen that he had definitely dead. His throat was slashed, blood pooled beneath him and Iona barely recognized that the dagger she had gifted Jon, laying haphazardly in the snow next to the body.

AN: AND THERE WE GO. I thought I wouldn't end it on a cliffhanger because I'm not that mean, but don't hold me to that for the later chapters! I hope you've enjoyed because the plot against Iona is only starting to unravel! I bet a lot of you thought Robb would save her, but I have special plans for Jon ;)

Just a quick side note, I will be gone for a week from February 8th until February 16th, tentatively. I'll try to update a few more times until then however! I'll also stick a little note on the end of each chapter following this until I leave so people are reminded (if they even read this!)

Lisa: Thank you! I tried to do just that and explain the feelings of how it must be to be in an arranged marriage, I'm glad you approve! And don't worry about missing out on the publication of Chapter Two because now you have Chapter Four to look forward to reading ;-)

jafcbutterfly: I'm glad it lived up to your expectations as well as everyone else's! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter as well and I'll be updating ASAP.

scarlettsoldier: Angsty relationships are fun to read, but so hard to write! It makes me want to cry sometimes when I think about a horrible scenario that I'll eventually write into the story to further it. I am so happy that people are enjoying this story! Especially since it was written half-heartedly at first, but I've come to really love the characters I've created; it's fantastic seeing people fall in love with them too! The assassination plot is just unfolding and I can't wait to see how people react when they find out who's behind it ;)
I'm glad you approve of Robb's POV, so have some more in this chapter! Robb and Iona are both ridiculously nervous cinnamon rolls, aren't they? I love getting reviews, so I don't mind if a few of them are from you *heart*

Reader: Thank you for reading and I'm glad you've enjoyed it so far! Hopefully you'll come back to read some more!

RHatch89: I'm glad you think so! We'll be delving deeper into the intriguing aspects of relationships, wars, and assassination as we go along!

Please review, favorite, or follow this story! Also, please excuse any mistakes in this chapter (or any previous chapters) I'm the only one reading through and looking for mistakes, so sometimes I tend to read over some after reading it three or four times! Thank you all and I hope you to see you in the next chapter! xx