A/N: I don't own GOT or ASOIAF

I would like to thank everyone that has reviewed this story. I'm sorry I couldn't reply personally but I've been terribly busy with my new baby boy. I trully appreciate all the positive remarks. They keep me on track with this story. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter 4

Nerian can't help but to stare at her husband as he lifts the heavy sacks of sugar, flour and salt into the back of their wagon. The way the muscles in his arms and shoulders move with ease seems very appealing to her and she must remind herself that this man was not interested in her in that way and to not get her hopes up. He may hold her at night but that is only practical because of the cold. He can't seem to get far enough away from her when the morning comes.

Nerian turns away quickly before Robb can catch her ogling him. Their friendship has developed quickly. Robb has even asked her thoughts about what to talk about during the upcoming meeting with the northern ranchers. Nerian is pleased that her husband values her insight and treats her like an equal but there is still a small part of her that wishes he would treat her like a real wife and not a companion.

Nerian busies herself by looking at the new hats in the milliner's window. "Hello Mrs. Stark." A soft voice from behind catches her off guard. It takes a moment for Nerian to realize that the person is referring to her.

"Oh…hello Miss Tyrell. How is your family?" Nerian greets Margery Tyrell and the honey haired beauty smiles widely. The blue of her taffeta bustled dress make her eyes pop. Her lovely mink shawl costs more than Nerian's whole wardrobe. Nerian feels self-conscious in her simple grey muslin work dress and navy blue flannel shawl.

"They are quite well. How is married life treating you? I'm rather curious since I'm to be married soon." Margery seems always to be smiling or in a happy mood. She has been that way since they were school girls.

Nerian can't help but to glance towards her husband. He's talking to Mr. Varys the mercantile owner. The bald man seems to know everyone's business in town and always likes to share his thoughts about peoples' private matters. Nerian shivers at the thought of what he might know about her and Robb.

Margery looks towards the two men and also gives Robb an approving glance. Nerian feels all the more inferior next to Margery. "It's been very different from what I imagined." Nerian tries not to let her disappointment show.

Margery has always been kind to Nerian and the two spoke to each other quite often during school recess and after church. She was one of the few girls in school that did not shun her. It's been a while since they've actually spent any time together since Nerian's father decided to keep her home more because of that meeting with Petry Baelish.

"I suppose it never really is." Margery suddenly smiles very widely. "You must come to have tea at my grandmother's today. Sansa will be there." Her exuberance is almost contagious. Nerian hesitates for a moment. She's not sure if she really wants to talk about her marriage issues in front of her sister-in-law.

Before Nerian can reply Margery is walking briskly towards Robb and the tiny brunette must practically run to catch up to her friend. "Mr. Stark…I hope you don't mind but I must insist that Nerian have tea at my grandmother's today with Sansa and I. It's been ages since I spent any time with her." Margery is naturally beguiling and it's hard to deny her anything.

Robb greets Margery politely and Nerian is suddenly jealous. She can't help but to notice how well Robb and Margery look standing together. She is graceful and elegant in her expensive store bought dress and imported leather boots. Nerian's family was in no way destitute but her father never allowed his daughters to dress in an ostentatious way.

Robb smiles a little hesitantly before grabbing Nerian by the elbow and taking her aside. "You don't have to go if you don't want to." He's so close all Nerian has to do is tilt her head up and their lips would be touching. The scent of the black licorice he favors and the sandalwood soap he uses overwhelms her. For a moment she relishes his firm but gentle touch before steeling her heart once again.

"It's fine. I haven't socialized since our wedding. It'll be nice to have some time away from the cabin." Nerian's honey eyes are filled with so many emotions that Robb feels like he'll get lost in them if he doesn't look away. The feeling is disconcerting. He releases his wife and tells Margery that he'll be by her grandmother's in an hour and a half to pick up Nerian.

Margery smiles triumphantly and laces her arm with Nerian's and all but drags the brunette down the plank walkway towards the nicer part of town. Robb can't help but notice how different the two woman are. Margery is more like Talisa with her elegant words and fancy dresses. Nerian however grows prettier each passing day with her simple beauty like a field of wildflowers in the summer or the sparkling first snow of winter.

"Mr. Stark you almost forgot this." Varys hands Robb a parcel from Boston. Bran has been corresponding with an old professor studying ways to correct his condition. He didn't like the idea but his mother didn't seem to mind.

"Thank you." Robb turns to place the package in the wagon when the bald man looks as if he has something to say. Robb looks skeptically at the mercantile owner.

"Your wife is quite different. She's certainly a one of a kind lady in these parts." Varys folds his hands in front of his round belly and his silky words have Robb narrowing his eyes. "It's just that someone with her type of beauty can be very desirable for some…if you know what I mean."

"What are you getting at?" Robb's voice rumbles like thunder before a storm. Something about what this man is saying does not sit well with the young wolf.

"You know Mr. Baelish was very put out that he could not acquire the girl from her father. She would have fetched quite the pretty penny working for him. Men around here don't always want what they can get at home." Varys is very good at getting into the middle of all the goings on in the territory. "Alas Walder Frey may be many things but he is not stupid. Marrying her to you was the best thing for his family."

"Why are you telling me this?" Robb clenches his fists trying to ease the tension in his body.

"Like I said Mr. Stark, Baelish was very upset about losing the girl. He owns many brothels in this territory. It would be very easy for a girl to go missing in these parts. I suggest you keep a good eye on your pretty little wife." With that statement the bald man retreats to his mercantile to conduct his business and discover more town gossip.

Robb stares after the man and his warning chills him down to the bone. The fact that Varys was telling him this meant that others were talking about his wife. Robb hops into his wagon and heads for his Aunt Lysa's boarding house. He promised his mother he would check in on her while he was in town. Robb has a feeling that little finger will be there as well.

Nerian laughs softly as Mrs. Olenna Tyrell talks about some of the other ladies in town. The old woman says whatever is on her mind and doesn't care who she offends. Sansa nibbles on a second lemon cake while Margery sips her tea. Nerian feels light and carefree for the first time in weeks. It's been a while since she's enjoyed the company of females. Roslyn is so busy with Eddmure and his courting her that Nerian has barely seen her sister.

The Tyrell home is large and beautifully decorated. The formal sitting room where they are having tea is decorated in several shades of green. The walls are covered with moss green damask and the dark glossy wood floors add warmth to the room. The couches and chairs are upholstered in a dark green velvet. There are crystal vases of deep red roses all over the room and the scent of the flowers hangs heavy in the air. The large curved windows lets in all the natural light and the massive fireplace with the white mantel is the focal point of the room.

Nerian has never felt so out of place but very welcomed at the same time. Margery is a wealthy young woman but she has never let that define who she is. She is ambitious but very kind and clever. She is not afraid to go after what she wants. Nerian has always admired that about her.

"Now tell me Mrs. Stark how is that husband of yours treating you? I tell you if I was fifty years younger I'd snatch him up for myself." Nerian's eyes go wide and she gives Sansa a quick glance. The young red head just smiles softly as if she is use to such outbursts.

"Oh…um…he's very kind to me. He treats me well." Nerian sips her tea from the dainty white china cup to keep from having to say anything else. There isn't really anything else she can say. Though Robb is nice with her and is always respectful there is no passion in their marriage. It is more of a business arrangement. The older woman eyes her carefully.

"Well, my dear those are hardly words a newlywed women should be using to describe her husband. What about the passion or the romance? Does he make you want to never leave the bedroom again or is he lacking in that capacity?" Nerian can feel her cheeks burn and she stares at her hands to keep from looking at anyone for fear they will see the pain in her eyes.

"Grandmother!" Margery scolds the older woman but Mrs. Tyrell ignores her granddaughter's admonishing looks.

"There is no need to be embarrassed. We're all women here and no one will ever tell what you say here." Olenna can be bold but she is genuinely concerned.

"You must tell her or she'll never let it go. Believe me, she has gotten me to admit many things that I have kept to myself." Sansa gives Nerian a meaningful look. Her mother has voiced her concern for her brother's marriage the last time they had visited with each other.

Nerian blinks away her tears. "It's not a real marriage. We're more like business partners I suppose. At least that's how it feels." Nerian sighs with relief and sinks back into the soft plush chair as if all the tension has melted from her body. Saying the words to someone else has lifted a weight she has been carrying with her for the last few weeks.

Sansa squeezes her hand with sisterly affection and Nerian lets everything spill from her heart. All the confusion and anger just flies out of her mouth as she describes the awkward relationship she has with her husband. The only thing she keeps to herself is the memory of her disastrous wedding night. That is something she just can't share with anyone.

Margery tries to give her advice but she has never had a problem attracting the opposite sex. Olenna gives her a long hard stare. "What you need to do is stop feeling sorry for yourself. Do you want more from your marriage?" All Nerian can do is nod her head.

"Then I suggest you have your husband thinking of you all day and not pinning after another woman." Olenna looks at each girl and gets ready to dispense some womanly knowledge. "I'm going to give you advice my mother gave me and I'll have you know it served me well in my marriage. A woman must be a lady in all things except in the marital bed. It's there you must be as wonton as a soiled dove." Nerian and Sansa both blush furiously and even Margery looks a little pink in the cheeks.

"Men are simple creatures, girls. You fill their bellies and warm their beds and they will never stray. When I was younger and heard that my sister was to marry the man I wanted, I made sure that man could only think of me and not my sister. You must seduce a man in order to keep a man." The older woman sips her tea and continues to instruct Nerian on how to make her husband think only of her.

By the time Robb picks Nerian up from the Tyrells she can barely look him in the eye. There is no way she can do the things that Mrs. Tyrell told her to do. Robb is not sure why Nerian blushes and avoids his eyes every time he tries to talk to her. He leaves her to her thoughts and thinks back to his encounter with Petry Baelish at his aunt's boarding house.

Robb can't stand that smug little man and the thought of him coming near any of the women in his family makes his blood boil. It took two of his hired thugs to keep him from knocking that smug smirk from his face. He knew he'd have to talk to his mom about how little finger is trying to get the boarding house from his Aunt Lysa to turn it into another brothel.

Once they reach Winterfell Robb feels more at ease. From now on he's going to make sure Grey Wind stays with Nerian when he's not around. Shaggy dog and Nymeria will have to tend to the herd for now. Nerian climbs down from the wagon before Robb can help her. She's not sure she can take the feel of his large hands on her waist at the moment.

Robb doesn't say anything but he can tell something is on her mind. If it's important he knows she will tell him eventually. The rest of the day is uneventful. Robb works the fields and takes care of the herd with his ranch hands. Nerian does the laundry, cooks dinner and does some mending after they share a quiet meal. Robb watches Nerian go to their shared room and he gives her time to get ready for bed.

Once he notices she turns the oil lamp light low he makes his way to the bedroom. He washes up quickly at the washstand and pulls on his nightshirt. He usually sleeps in only his linen drawers but since he's sharing a bed he uses the uncomfortable garment. He climbs into his warm bed and lies on his back next to Nerian.

He usually waits for Nerian to fall into a deep sleep before pulling her into his arms. He won't admit to himself that he enjoys the feel of her soft body. Instead he tells himself it's just for the extra warmth on these cold nights. In the morning he practically jumps out of bed because he doesn't want his wife to know just how much she affects him.

This night however is not like the others. As soon as he reaches for his wife he can feel nothing but smooth warm skin. His gasp of surprise causes Nerian to sit up quickly and the thick quilt falls from her shoulders leaving her completely exposed. Robb can't stop staring at her and for a moment all thoughts escape his mind.

Nerian doesn't move to cover herself. She bites her bottom lip and tries to not feel embarrassed. His silence is unnerving. "What are you doing?" Robb finally manages to say.

Heat rises into her cheeks. So much for not feeling embarrassed. Forcing her voice to remain steady, she answers him. "I thought you might want to come together again. You know as man and wife…?"

He shifts away from her and Nerian grabs the quilt and covers herself while willing her tears not to fall. She scolds herself for ever listening to that old woman. This man clearly wants nothing to do with her and he's told her that on more than one occasion. She has never felt as foolish in her life as she does now.

Robb's face is blank and she cannot read what his expression means. If she could she might be able to tell what he is thinking, but as it is, she has no clue what his thoughts are. Nerian holds her breath and waits for him to say something.

Robb avoids looking directly at her and runs his hand through his dark auburn curls causing them to become unruly. "I don't know what to say. I…think we should wait a little longer. I just need more time." More time to stop thinking of Talisa. Robb didn't think he could take Nerian again and not let Talisa's name slip from his lips. "Please but on your nightgown before you get cold."

Though his tone is gentle his words pierce Nerian's heart. She mutely climbs out of bed and pulls on her nightgown. Returning to bed, she turns away from Robb, unable to face him. Try as she might the traitorous tears slip down her round cheeks.

"I don't want to hurt you." He whispers. You are hurting me, she thinks. "I'm sorry." Robb sighs not sure if it matters anymore how many times he says the words. He doesn't say anything else the rest of the night.

Robb pats Grey Wind and gives him strict orders not to leave Nerian's side this morning. He couldn't feel worse if he tried. He knew it took a lot of courage for Nerian to do what she did the night before. He knows he made her cry and he hates himself for it. She didn't voice a single complaint this morning. She simply went about her morning chores as if nothing happened the night before.

Her actions reminded him of the day after their wedding. The way she managed to collect herself and be strong made him all the more ashamed of himself. He didn't deserve her. The truth of the matter is he wanted nothing more than to have his way with her when he saw just how tempting she looked naked in their bed.

Desire for Nerian wars with the love he still clings to for Talisa. He had made a vow to Talisa to love only her and that they would be a family one day and apart of him still can't let that go. Nerian emerges from the cabin looking sad but pretty. A silver pail hangs from her finger tips as she pulls her wool shawl tighter around her shoulders. The air is a bit nippy but still pleasant enough to enjoy being outdoors. The sky is grey and a bit cloudy, there might be rain.

"What do you plan on doing today?" Robb's hoping to ease the pain he's caused her by trying to sound upbeat and friendly. He watches her walk down the stairs of the porch and femininity flows naturally from her creating an awareness deep within him. Why hadn't he noticed it before?

She stops just in front of him and she smells like orange blossoms and cinnamon and a few strands of black hair escapes the bun at the nape of her neck. Nerian pushes the wayward strands behind her ears and gives him a forced smile. "I'm going to pick the last of the blackberries and raspberries. I plan on canning them later for winter."

"Grey Wind will go with you. You shouldn't be alone." Robb doesn't know how to fix this mess he's made but he'll do everything he can to bring back some of the pleasantness they've shared the past few weeks.

She nods but refuses to look in his direction. The rift between them is growing wider by the minute as guilt, fear, and regret seeps into their marriage. Grey Wind hurries after Nerian as she walks past the pond and down towards the tree lined pasture where there are plenty of blackberry and raspberry bushes waiting to be picked. Robb leaves for the main house to take care of some business and to go over the books with his mother.

The day stretches on and Robb is longing for a hot meal and a soft bed. The rain started a few hours ago and Robb needs to head back to the cabin to check on Nerian. She hasn't come to the main house all day and he knows it's because he is here. Catelyn doesn't say a word. The two of them need to work out their problems on their own just like her and Ned had to.

Robb ruffles Arya's hair as he passes her on her way to the kitchen. He hugs Rickon and reminds him to be a good boy. Bran and he already had a long talk after he gave him his parcel from Boston. Catelyn hugs her son and reminds him to tell Nerian she is needed at the main house tomorrow to work on getting ready for the upcoming winter.

Robb pulls the collar of his coat up and pulls his Stetson down to keep the rain from falling in his face. The rain is really coming down by the time he reaches the cabin. He notices immediately that there is no light coming from the cabin and there is no smoke from the chimney. A chill runs down his spine that has nothing to do with the rain.

He burst through the door and no trace of his wife can be found. The house is exactly as it was since he left that afternoon. By his calculations she's been gone five to six hours. Grey Wind is missing too and he's not sure if that's a good thing or not. Robb grabs his trusty colt .45 and stuffs some bullets into his pocket as he runs out the door. The last he saw her was when she was headed towards the Forrest past the south pasture. The trees are thick and it's easy for a person to get lost if they're not paying attention to where they're going.

Robb refuses to entertain the thought that someone has taken her like Varys has suggested. Why didn't he just tell her to stay home? He knew there could be rain and the storms can go from mild to fierce in a matter of moments out here on the vast prairie.

The rain is heavy and cold as ice. He's soak through by the time he makes it to the edge of the woods. His denim pants stick to his legs and his coat feels ten pounds heavier but he knows he has to get to Nerian before the night comes and the temperature drops drastically. Robb curses himself for not getting some of the hands to help look for her but there is no time to go back to the main house to get help.

Robb desperately shouts her name against the loud roar of the rainfall. He trudges through the water soaked earth and continues to yell out her name. Finally after what feels like an eternity a loud howl from the left of him catches his attention. He can barely make out the large grey lump huddled under a massive tree. Robb's legs are burning but he forces his way towards the two soaked figures.

Grey Wind has curled himself around Nerian's shaking form to try and keep her warm. Robb has never been so relieved to see the dierwolf. He bends down as Grey Wind gets up from his protective embrace. His heart aches at the sight of his wife soaked and barely conscious. He could never live with himself if she didn't survive this. "I need you to stand up. Can you do that?"

Nerian can barely nod her head. She tries to get up but the weight of her dress and petticoats makes it difficult. The rain has soak through every layer of clothing making it hard for her to move. She barely made it to the tree with how heavy the dress has become. Robb reaches under her dress and rips at her petticoats hoping to remove the sopping wet fabric. He manages to free her from the offending garments and lifts her tiny shaking body.

Grey wind has kept a steady pace with them and makes sure they don't get lost on the way to the cabin. By the time they reach the cabin Nerian is barely conscious and her lips have turned blue. As soon as they are through the door Robb hastily throws some logs into the fireplace to make a fire and soon the living room warms up. He quickly gathers the quilts from his bed.

Nerian violently shakes as Robb practically rips the dress from her body. He cuts the strings of her corset and quickly removes every piece of wet clothing from her and then himself. Soon he has them both under the quilts and as close to the fireplace they can safely be. Nerian shivers uncontrollably and Robb pulls her closer trying to warm them both up.

He pulls the pins from her drenched hair and lets the tangled mass of black curls free to dry. Robb rubs her back and arms as her tremors lessen. Nerian looks up at him with blurry eyes and her head lolls to the side as if it's taking all her energy to stay awake. "SSSo ttthis is wwhat I hhhave to dddo to ggget yyyou to bbbe nnnaked wwwith mmee." Her teeth chatter as she tries to speak.

Robb chuckles lowly at how that is what she chooses to say at a time like this. "What am I going to do with you?" Robb pulls the quilts tighter around them and Nerain lets her head rest on his bare chest as he hums a soothing song to help her fall asleep.

"You could love me." Nerain mumbles softly as she drifts off.