Chapter Eight

My dear sister,

I am sorry. If I was there I would like to think I would be able to say the right thing and explain things to you so they made more sense and you would stop hurting. I do not know Robb's mind; I only know that he is a good person and he would not hurt you intentionally. I believe Robb has a temper just like you, and arguing brings out the worst in people. If it brings out the best then they are not people to trifle with in the first place.

Be patient. I am sure there is some reasoning behind his words. I know he hurt you, although you probably will not admit it out loud, even to me. For all of the show you put on, I know that deep down you are shaken from this. Have faith, dear sister. Robb is smart enough to know that he has found himself a partner who will not just bow and scrape and agree with him, but one who can match him in every respect (surpassing him in quite almost all, in my opinion) and will challenge him when he needs to be challenged, as well as support him when he needs to be supported. He will come around, I know it.

When he does, Zora, you will need to be clear-headed. Do not hold one of your grudges. I am not saying do not be angry, for we both know he deserves that, but do not shut him out forever. You are not children anymore. Give him a chance to make it up to you. He is your husband and I know you care for him more than you are willing to admit.

Father has made a decision that I think will make you happy. He is sending me to Winterfell to welcome the King. I know you would not have been unhappy with seeing Father, and I know he misses you more than he will say, but he believes this is best. With all of the raids and uncertainty in the air, Father would prefer to let me come and greet the King and he stay behind. In his words, "Sod the King, the old drunkard." All this means is that I will soon be at Winterfell with you.

Keep your head up, sister. I will see you soon.

Love,

Zerryn

The letter was clutched in Zora's hand as the wind whipped around her, but Zora did not feel the cold. Her cheeks were red from the wind and her braid was coming undone, but Zora did not notice. Her eyes were intent on the horizon and nothing was shifting her focus.

She was in the broken tower. She had taken to watching the King's Road as often as she could, ever since she had received Zerryn's letter. Other places in Winterfell were growing crowded. As King Robert's approach drew nearer, more people poured in. Children were everywhere, scampering about and looking for King Robert's banner in the distance. Scouts said he should arrive any day. But there was only one banner Zora was interested in seeing.

Robb had told her of the King's journey to Winterfell, but the information did not affect her much. Her conversations with Robb were now terse, having lost all of the ease they had previously had. When she had returned to their room that night, when he had said those things that tore at her heart, he had apologized. His words had come out thick and mournful, but Zora could not wholly believe him. He had said those things; some part of him meant them. However, Zora knew that she had to move past this. She tried to remind herself that people could not always be judged on what they say when they were angry. If this were true, Zora herself would have been in many more difficult positions throughout her life.

And yet.

And yet she could not bring herself to fully forgive him. When she closed her eyes, she still saw him before her in the midst of his anger. When the night was quiet, or when she was training, or when Robb tried to put his arm around her in their bed, she heard his words echo in her head. Really, she never stopped hearing them.

But she was trying. She had smiled and said she accepted his apology, but the both of them had felt something shift in their relationship. Things had been said, on both sides, that had changed things. It would take more than one apology to change things back, but at this point Zora could not bring herself to do anything else. And it did not seem as though Robb was willing, either.

They orbited around each other, going through the motions of the married life they had become accustomed to. But it was not the same. Their conversation no longer had any spark. Silences between them were strained and tense rather than comfortable. They did not make love anymore.

Zora closed her eyes and shook her head. This won't do, She thought to herself. She knew that she needed to be helping Lady Catelyn. All of her free moments were now devoted to helping prepare for the King's arrival. She didn't mind. Zora found that she enjoyed arranging the household and helping where she could. But she couldn't stop her eyes from being drawn to the horizon…

And then she saw it.

Her breath caught and her heart began pounding. The snow-white Snow Bear stood out on the field of green, even from this distance. A smile, one more real than the others she had been showing around the keep, grew on her face. Zora began running down the tower, her hair whipping behind her.

Zora tore through the courtyard, pushing past the throngs of people that now populated it. Heads turned and followed her as she ran, but she did not care. She soon reached the gate to Winterfell and watched as the familiar banners of her house came closer and closer. A bubble of joy began to build in her chest. It felt as if she was coming home, although really home was coming to her.

She stood there, watching, almost bouncing on the balls of her feet as the horses drew nearer. She could begin to make out the shapes of the men approaching and her eyes strained to see the one silhouette that was dearest to her.

Then she saw him.

In the middle of the company, her brother was riding proudly. The sun glinted off of his honey-colored hair, although if truth be told she could barely make it out at this distance. But she knew his face better than anyone's. In her mind's eye Zora could see Zerryn riding in the fields around Myrewood, his energetic and lively stride always managing to stay ahead of her own. On their feet, however, Zora always managed to beat him.

Soon they were closer and Zora could not hold herself back anymore. She began running out onto the road, closing the distance between herself and her brother, the one person in the world who understood her better than anyone. These past few weeks had been almost torture for her; the distance between her and Robb had seemed to create a distance between her and the other people of Winterfell. As her feet pounded the road in front of her, Zora could see the half-hidden stares from the people in the Great Hall, somehow knowing that she and Robb had argued; she could feel the wall that had risen up between herself and everyone else; worst of all, she could hear Robb's words in her ears.

"Maybe I do have a problem with this."

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but Zora forced them away and sprinted faster towards her brother, the safe place she desperately needed.

Now she was almost upon them. The men in the company called out to her, laughing and cheering as she grew closer. But, one man stopped and swung down from his horse. He ran out in front of the men and finally, finally, Zora threw her arms around her brother.

He smells the same, Zora thought as she held tightly to him. Now the other men were catching up, but they kept on, calling a greeting to her as they passed. She nodded to them as they went by, but all she really saw was Zerryn.

She pulled away, tears again springing in her eyes, and saw that Zerryn's eyes were filling with tears as well. Two months had passed since the Blackmyre siblings had seen each other, but to both it felt like a lifetime.

Zora's eyes scoured Zerryn's face as he took the reigns of his horse and started leading them into Winterfell. Neither one spoke for a while, walking slowly, relishing the time they had alone before they entered Winterfell.

She looked at him again, and saw that a slight stubble had begun appearing around her brother's jaw. She laughed and reached out a hand, stroking the whiskers.

"I see you are trying to look as intimidating as Father." She said. He knocked her hand away playfully, grinning at her.

"Thought I would try it out." He said, "How does it look?" He stroked the meager whiskers with what he seemed to think was an intimidating expression on his face. She could barely contain her laughter as she replied:

"Still have some work to do, dear brother."

He rolled his eyes and pushed her away, but she came right back and looped her arm through his. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they approached Winterfell, the busy sounds reaching their ears. Zora could already feel the stares meeting her.

"I am so happy you are here." She said softly. Zerryn turned his head and kissed the top of hers.

"So am I, dear sister."

They entered the courtyard and Zora began the business of getting Zerryn and his men settled. Because of the crowded nature of Winterfell these days, it had been difficult to arrange everything but Zora had been determined to make them comfortable. Lady Catelyn had allowed her to give them better situations than some of the other visiting houses, but given that they were the new Lady Stark's family, exceptions had been made.

After greeting the men, Zora called over servants and had them begin unloading their things, showing the men to their rooms, and taking care of the horses. Zerryn had stood off and watched as Zora did all of this, not saying anything. Soon, the business was at an end and Zora took Zerryn up to his room.

Once the door was closed, the siblings visibly relaxed, once again at ease with each other.

Zerryn turned to Zora. "That was quite something." He said, a bemused expression on his face.

"What do you mean?" Zora's brow furrowed at her brother, who had begun rifling through one of the trunks brought up to his room.

"The way you are already able to take control here. It's only been two months, and already they respect you. It's quite something."

She rolled her eyes and sat in the chair by his desk. "You said that already. And I don't know if they really respect me. Not yet, anyway." She couldn't help the bit of hurt and frustration that came out when she said that.

Zerryn turned to her. "Trust me. They do. I could see it." He turned back to his trunk, still digging through it.

"If you say so." Zora muttered. "Seven hells, what are you doing?"

Ignoring her, Zerryn kept digging in the trunk, now throwing the items he was not searching for onto the floor around him. A growing puddle of shirts had grown around him. Then finally he stopped and turned to her, a long, thin object in his hands.

Seeing it, Zora rose and walked over to him.

She spoke softly. "What's this?"

Zerryn grinned. "A gift from Father. We found it in the catacombs."

Zora took the sword out of his hands and held it. It felt heavier than she had imagined. The sheath was a faded green, the etching of a snow bear visible but faint. She drew the sword out of the sheath and the bright black blade sparkled.

Zora's breath caught in her lungs. "Frostfang" she breathed.

Stories had been told for many centuries in the Blackmyre family about the legendary sword, Frostfang. It was wielded by Zaefyre Blackmyre during the Long Night. She helped lead the people of the Myrewood against the White Walkers, journeying far into the North to protect her people. Legend had it that Zaefyre had become separated from her men for months, many of them fearing her dead. Most turned back and returned to Myrewood, but some remained and searched for her. They finally found her crossing the Frostfang mountains, completely alone, having survived in the Lands of Always Winter. How she survived she never said, but she had in her possession a strange black-bladed sword, which she called Frostfang. With this sword, her and her men came down the mountains and helped defeat the White Walkers, her blade one of the few weapons able to strike them down. But after her return, she was never quite the same. Under duress, she would tell strange stories about what she had seen in the Land of Always Winter, but the stories had been so changed and inflated over the centuries that what she had really seen was lost to time. Not long after Zaefyre died, people discovered that the famous black-bladed sword had disappeared. And in the centuries that had passed, no one had been able to find it. A new legend began that, when it was needed most, Frostfang would be found again.

Zora had been fascinated with the stories of Zaefyre Blackmyre as a child, the amazing warrior with the magical weapon being a hero she had dreamt of. She and Zerryn had often played at being Zaefyre and the White Walkers as children, a stick or wooden sword in place of the real Frostfang. But now it was in her hands and it was quite real.

Zora looked at Zerryn, amazement all over her face. He grinned at her. "I know." He said. "I never really believed it was real. I thought it was just some story. But here it is."

She held the blade in front of her, looking at it closely. It was black blade seemed to both reflect and absorb the light. It looked slightly warped, not as straight as other swords are. She lightly touched the edge with the pad of her thumb and immediately hissed, blood bubbling up.

"Careful." Zerryn laughed. She threw him a look and began testing the weight of the sword.

"What is the blade made of? I've never seen anything like it." She asked as she whisked the sword around. It was incredible. It fit perfectly into her hand. The weight was perfectly balanced. It was heavy in her hands, but not so heavy that she could not wield it for a long time.

"Maester Korren thinks it's dragonglass."

Zora froze and turned to Zerryn. She had heard stories of the Children of the Forest using dragonglass as weapons, but she had never heard of a blade being made of the substance before.

She sheathed Frostfang and tried to hand it back to Zerryn, but he shook his head.

"Father said it was for you. He said it was only right that the fiercest warrior of House Blackmyre carries this sword now."

Looking down on the snow bear etched into the sheath, Zora felt overwhelmed. She couldn't help but voice her doubts. "I am no longer a part of House Blackmyre. I'm a Stark now."

Zerryn laughed, although this laugh was more bitter. "We both know as Father does, that in your heart you will always be a Blackmyre."

For the third time that day, tears sprung in Zora's eyes, but again she blinked them away. She smiled at her brother and sat down again, the two talking for several hours. But soon she knew that Lady Catelyn would need her. She left Zerryn to settle in, her heart feeling more full than it had in weeks.

She went back to her own room to put Frostfang away. She barely noticed anyone else as she ame her way through the hallways of Winterfell, distracted by both the sword and the joy she felt at having her brother back. She was so preoccupied that she couldn't help but be surprised when she opened the door to her room and found Robb there.

He was placing something on the bed. He turned quickly at the sound of the door, just as surprised as she was. She had stopped when she saw him, but she recovered herself and shut the door behind her. Zora smiled politely at her husband, tension immediately filling the air. He smiled back at her, his smile just as forced as hers.

She moved to set the sword down, but found she couldn't decide on where. Robb was still standing near the bed, so she moved towards the desk, but it didn't feel right to place such an important sword on a desk. So she went to the wardrobe, but it felt even more wrong to hide it away. She could feel Robb's eyes on her as she quickly dug through her things and found a sword belt. She placed it over her dress, her hands trembling slightly as she tightened it across her waist. I wish he would just stop looking at me, she thought.

She slid the sword and sheath into the belt, deciding that the best place for it was with her, and turned towards Robb. He was still looking at her. They both blinked, awkwardly looking away from each other, but neither one moving. Maybe I should just leave, she thought, turning towards the door, when Robb's voice stopped her.

"What's that?" She turned back to him, discomfort all over his face. He nodded at the sword on her hip.

"A-a gift from my father." She said, hesitating slightly. How she wanted to tell him all about it, that this was Frostfang, the amazing black-bladed sword that had defeated so many White Walkers, hidden for centuries and now it was here, in her hands-

But no. Not now, with how things were.

He nodded slightly. "Yes, I saw your brother arrived."

"Yes. He did."

Silence.

"Did he have a good journey?"

"Yes, I believe so."

"Good."

Silence again.

When it seemed as though neither would speak again, Zora curtseyed awkwardly at him and turned again for the door.

"Wait."

She stopped and turned back to him, unable to read the expression on his face as he looked at her now. Why won't he just say something?

He took a breath but didn't say anything, but she didn't move. They stood there in silence a moment more when it was broken by a knock at the door.

They turned and Bancey came in, stopping when she saw the couple in their awkward stances. She curtseyed at both of them.

"I'm sorry, m'lord, m'lady, but Lady Stark wished me to tell you that the King was seen on the King's Road. He should be here shortly."

"Thank you, Bancey." Zora said. Bancey nodded and left. Zora turned again to Robb, who hadn't moved. He looked at her again, but this time seemed to find the ability to speak.

"Zora I-," He broke off, taking a deep breath before seeming to change his mind. "I had this dress made for you. I thought you could wear it to the feast when King Robert arrives. Which would be tonight." He moved out of the way and gestured to what he had laid on the bed. Zora moved forward to look at it more closely. It was beautiful. It was a dark green, with a high neckline and flowing sleeves. Gold thread weaved its way through the dress in small flower shapes, making it sparkle. It was more feminine than she normally wore, but she could tell that it would suit her very well.

She turned to Robb and gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you, Robb. I would be happy to wear it." She stood on her toes and quickly kissed him on the cheek. He looked surprised, but returned her smile warmly.

Then the two quickly changed for King Robert's arrival. Bancey came in and replated Zora's hair. As she sat there and Bancey's nimble fingers quickly fixed her hair, Zora couldn't help but watch Robb as he dressed. She was scared to admit how much she had grown to care about him, how much she wanted things to be better between them. It felt as though there was too big a divide between them now for things to ever change, but still, she hoped…

As they left their room, Zora put on her Stark cloak, the one Robb had given her at their wedding. They walked down to the courtyard together, although not as closely as they once had.

The entirety of Winterfell was gathered in the courtyard, waiting for King Robert's arrival. In the distance, the caravan leading the King of the Seven Kingdoms was growing closer. The Stark family stood at attention. Robb took his place next to his father, Zora next to him and Sansa. She quickly glanced and saw that Arya was nowhere to be found.

As the caravan entered Winterfell, she turned and looked at Jon Snow behind her.

"Where's Arya?" She whispered to him. His eyes darted around the courtyard quickly, panic filling them, but then he relaxed and nodded slightly in front of her. She turned and saw Arya scurrying in front of them, a battle helmet on her head. She had to stifle her laughter as Lord Stark pulled it off of Arya's head and Arya got in line. But then all of their attention shifted.

On sight alone, the people of the South were different. Zora could always see the difference, even in Lady Catelyn. These Southerners seemed to stick out against the stark landscape of Winterfell. The first member of the royal family Zora could see was Prince Joffrey. He rode in, his eyes instantly drawn to Sansa, who Zora saw straighten and smile when Prince Joffrey came into view. Zora found she didn't like the prince on sight. His golden hair and self-satisfied smirk putting Zora's teeth on edge.

Then came the carriage, carrying the Queen and her other children, and then came the King.

Zora's father knew King Robert. He had fought in the Rebellion alongside Lord Stark and King Robert. He had defended Robert's cause and helped him gain the throne. Zora knew her father's opinion of people to be true and honorable, that he did not make quick judgements and evaluated people honestly and fairly.

Lord Zeckery thought King Robert to be a fool and a drunk.

He said that Robert Baratheon was a fierce fighter, that no one could claim a battlefield like he could. Robert held fast to his beliefs and would defend them to the end, even if that end meant death. But he also said that Robert Baratheon made a far better warrior than he did a king.

Zora tried to push her father's views out of her head when the king approached, although from sight alone it seemed that her father was right. King Robert had the look of a warrior gone to seed. Although now he was soft and round, Zora could see underneath the remnants of the fiercest fighter in the realm.

When he approached Lord Stark knelt, and Zora and everyone else followed suit. She scoffed a little as men appeared to bring steps for the king to descend his horse, but she saw Robb quickly glance at her and she stifled it. The King approached Lord Stark, his step full of the vitality that his form lacked. He gestured for Lord Stark to stand, which he did and everyone else followed.

The two men stared at each other a moment, the silence filling the courtyard as Lord Stark said, all politeness and decorum, "Your Grace."

Then, to Zora's surprise, the King's response was, "You've got fat."

Again, Zora had to stifle herself as a laugh almost escaped her, but again she felt Robb's eyes flicker to her and she composed herself. She almost lost it again as she saw Lord Stark's subtle look at King Robert's wide middle, but then the two men began laughing, their booming laughs echoing around the courtyard as they embraced. Zora took a breath, determined to not embarrass Robb in this meeting.

King Robert greeted each member of the Stark family, his greeting to Lady Catelyn warm on his side and simply polite on hers. As King Robert talked with Lord Stark, the Queen descended from her carriage. Before Zora could get a good look at her, though, she focused her attention on the King, who now stood before her and Robb.

"Well, who have we here? You must be Robb." The King said, his voice loud and warm, reminding Zora of her father's voice. The King shook Robb's hand before turning his attention to her.

"You must be the newest Lady Stark." He said, his eyes appraising her.

"Yes, your grace." Zora said, curtseying before him. She found she was not as scared as she thought she should be at facing the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms.

"You're Blackmyre's girl, aren't you?" The King continued.

"Yes, your grace."

The King's eyes glanced around the courtyard. "Where the devil is he, then? I looked forward to seeing old Zeckery again."

"He is at Myrewood, your grace. My brother is here in his stead to welcome you to the North." She knew that Zerryn was somewhere behind her, but this did not seem to sit well with the King.

"What? One of my lords sending his son rather than coming himself? Why in the seven hells did he think that was a good idea?" King Robert addressed these words more at Lord Stark, but Zora found that she could not help but bite out a response.

"He sends his apologies, your grace." She said, her voice steady although her hands were balled into fists. She saw Robb tense out of the corner of her eye, but she ignored him. "I'm sure he would be happy to hear you arrived safely at Winterfell. He's had a devil of a time keeping the King's Road free of wildlings for your arrival. Not all of your lords get to sit idly by as you do, your grace."

Silence filled the courtyard again. Not one person breathed as it stretched out. Zora forced herself to keep looking at the King, although inside she was cursing her temper. But to hear him talk like that about her father-

The silence was broken by another booming laugh. The King's face grew red as he chortled, soon joined by Lord Stark. A few others laughed as well, although much more timidly.

King Robert took her hands and quickly kissed them, then looked at Robb. "You're going to have quite the handful. She's fiery, this one." He said, and Robb nodded stiffly, a forced smile on his face. "My lady," the King said to Zora, dropping her hands, before turning to Sansa.

Zora could feel Robb's eyes on her, and her face burned as she imagined what Robb must think of her now. Curse her stupid, overwhelming anger-

Then everyone was leaving. Lord Stark was walking with the King towards the crypts, Lady Catelyn attending to the Queen, and all Zora could think of was to get out of there. She walked quickly to her rooms, ignoring everyone, knowing they all would be staring and whispering again. She couldn't even stop to look for Zerryn.

In her rooms, Grey Wind was curled on her pillow. The direwolf was getting bigger everyday. He looked up as she came in and threw herself on the bed next to him, nuzzling her head with his.

"Oh, Grey Wind. I've messed up again." She whispered to him as the door opened again behind her. She turned her head and saw Robb standing there, softly closing the door behind him. He just looked at her, the now familiar silence settling between them. This time, though, she couldn't let it sit there for too long.

"Robb, I'm sorry." She said, her voice now shaking, from embarrassment and, although she hated to admit it, fear. Robb just looked at her, another unreadable expression on his face. "I know I embarrassed you. Any other girl wouldn't have spoken like that to the king. I will try harder from now on to reign in my temper so I stop embarrassing you, I promise-,"

He cut off her words by crossing the room and kissing her, hard. The kiss took her breath away. It had been over a month since he had kissed her. She had been afraid he would never kiss her like this again.

They broke apart and looked at each other. Zora's eyes searched his, trying to understand. He sat next to her on the bed, smiling slightly.

"You don't need to apologize." He said softly. Grey Wind crawled up between them and nestled next to Zora's legs. She pet him absentmindedly as Robb continued. "I'm the one who needs to apologize. For all I said a month ago." She looked away from him at that, focusing instead on Grey Wind's soft ears.

"You've already apologized." She said.

"I need to apologize again. I knew who you were before we were married. You have always been yourself, even when we were children. What I said in anger I never really meant." He reached over and held her hands in his. She looked up at him. She didn't know if she believed him, even though her heart was telling her that she should. When she didn't say anything, Robb continued.

"After our argument I hated myself. I couldn't believe I had said those things, that I made you believe that I regretted marrying you. When the truth was the exact opposite." He squeezed her hands and took a breath. "I realized that, even though I didn't show it, I had fallen in love with you."

All the air in Zora's lungs left her. Her heart leaped at Robb's words, but she couldn't bring herself to say them back. Robb didn't even seem to notice her silence.

"I don't expect you to respond. How I have treated you the last month has been abominable. I feel as though I have failed you. Again. I am going to try and make up for that. I never want to fail you again, not as long as both of us are alive."

Zora couldn't find the words she needed. She couldn't bring herself to admit how she felt about him, and her brain was not finding the words she needed to express how she felt. All she knew, though, was that she had, finally, forgiven him. So, she leaned forward and kissed him like he had kissed her.

Grey Wind whined impatiently and jumped down from their bed, curling into his with a huff. Zora and Robb broke apart, laughing at the direwolf. Zora looked back at Robb, smiling, the joy and weightlessness of forgiving him finally hitting her. He raised her hands to his lips and kissed them softly, then placed his hands on her neck, his thumbs tracing her jaw gently, and pulled her into him again.


A/N Sorry it's been so long since I've posted! To make up for it, I've given you an extra long chapter. Things should start getting good from here! Thank you so much for reading!