I stayed in my room much longer than expected, trying to piece together my dream as well as the lineage of House Bolton. I wrote down every detail I could remember, saving it in my journal. Robb looked a few years older in my dream, so at the very least, I had time.
Just as I finished dressing, a knock came at the door.
"Come in," I called, pinning back my hair.
I turned around to find Robb standing in the doorway, his brow creased with worry. "They said you were ill."
"I feel better now." I had used a headache and chills as an excuse to my maid. However, I was able to calm myself after writing my dream.
"Good. Since you have managed to escape your lessons, would you like to go riding?"
I bit back a wry smile, realizing I would shortly begin a five-day journey on horseback. Although the idea of riding did not appeal to me in the slightest, the idea of spending the day with Robb certainly did.
"We can stay away from the woods," Robb offered, seeing the hesitation on my face.
"I think the woods would be fine, Robb. You will protect me."
"From what I have seen, you do not need much protection, my lady."
I shrugged my assent as Robb followed me out of my chambers. We stopped at the kitchen to pack something to eat before continuing onto the stables. My horse whinnied and trotted in place upon seeing me.
"Oh I missed you too!" I pet her blaze as she pushed her nose further into my hand.
"So, my lord," I turned to face Robb, his eyebrows raised, waiting for me to continue. "Will you lead?"
"Gladly, my lady."
Robb and I set off in a hurry, still trying to avoid anyone with the authority to stop us. We had managed splendidly over the past day and our luck continued. We raced through the woods and stretches of grass, taunting each other whenever one of us would pull ahead of the other.
Just after midday, we stopped in a grassy knoll to eat. I lay down on the ground, staring up at the sky, the clouds passing over us. Robb lay down next to me, his head resting against mine. He took my hand in his, lacing our fingers, and stared at the sky.
"I did this so often as a child. Now, I'm lucky to have moments like this," Robb stated.
I gazed at him; his eyes were closed, taking in the moment. "I'm sure your father tries to involve you in all he does."
Robb nodded. "I am thankful for it, but it is nice to sneak away."
He lifted my hand to his lips, softly kissing it. My eyes closed, involuntarily imagining Robb's kiss elsewhere on my body. I blushed quickly, trying to banish the thought, but almost as though he were in my mind, he sat up and looked down at me.
His auburn hair was a curly mess with blades of grass. I reached up and plucked a few out of his hair before I sat up to catch his lips and pulled him down to me.
Robb pressed himself against me, but propped himself up with one forearm to keep from crushing me while the other hand fisted my hair. He opened my mouth with his tongue as I caressed his face, trying to keep him as close to me as possible.
My body started to heat under his touch and soft ache came deep in my stomach when Robb moved his hand from my hair down the side of my body. I knew this was starting to go further than I should allow, but I didn't want him to stop touching me, and I encouraged him with a deep kiss, running my hand over his doublet.
"Well, what have we here?"
Robb pulled away quickly, sitting straight up. Meanwhile, I lay on the ground with my eyes closed, knowing what would come next.
"Mind if I join you?" Will asked. He tapped my foot with his as he sat down.
"Hello," Robb managed.
I looked over to see Robb's face completely red, which made me smirk. Had it been anyone but Willem, I would have been that red too. Somehow, I had learned to tune out my older brother's comments, so this was not quite so miserable.
"What did we bring to eat?" Will continued. I heard him rustle into the bread, so I finally sat up.
"No drink? Sister, you disappoint me."
"Had I known you would join us, Will, I obviously would have brought something."
"No, clearly you did not anticipate being interrupted."
"Nothing would have happened, Will."
"You're very welcome for that," Will said to me before looking to Robb. "And for you, my apologies."
"Did Mother send you?" I asked, trying to take the attention away from Robb, who appeared mortified.
"No, Father asked that I look after you, so as your brother, I am here to protect you."
"Splendid. Shall we return to Winterfell?"
"Please," Robb said, speaking out of relief.
"Absolutely not, I just got here. We must at least have a race of some sort," Will returned.
"Name the distance, Will," I replied.
Robb added, "And, we should make haste. It looks likely to rain."
Will smirked, "It is a race, Robb. Making haste is the essence of such activity."
"Oh, I look forward to winning this, Willem," Robb returned with a confident grin.
"First one back to Winterfell?" I asked.
"Gets what prize?" Will returned.
"You name it upon entering the gate," Robb suggested.
"Well, good luck, boys." I leapt to my feet and sprinted towards my horse.
Robb and Will were quick as well, though, and managed to get to their horses just a few seconds after I did. The race back alternately favored the three of us, but I took the advantage when the most direct opening was too small for either Robb or Will.
I shot through the brush and low hanging branches, getting a small scrape on my cheek, but I did not stop for a second, aware of the hoof beats behind me. In the final stretch, Robb and Will tore forward.
I thought Will and his stallion Chimera would win, but with surprising grace, Robb outmaneuvered Will and got through the gate by a neck just as the rains broke through the clouds.
Robb beamed with pride, walking a bit straighter with a smug smile after he dismounted. Will did not appear nearly as amused, but both of their reactions sent me into laughter.
"So what's the price, Robb?" Will asked.
Robb just looked at me, "I do not want to share you tomorrow."
My smile threatened to break my face as it tried to creep ever wider. Will was not in the least interested, shaking his head and pulling Chimera along to the stables.
"As you wish, my lord," I replied with a smile and followed my brother with Robb close behind.
