A/N I know this chapter is a little shorter than the others, but I promise I'll have another chapter out tomorrow to make up for it. Thank you so much for all the generously written reviews for last chapter, I really do appreciate it a lot :) I'll try and speed things up a bit so that we get to the good (Smut) part which I'm sure 80% of you guys are here for, but for now it's all about the plot. As always let me know what you think!
That moment in the woods was the last time I had seen Rhaegar. The next morning when my family and I had woken up to start our venture home, the silver prince wasn't amongst the crowd to say their fare wells.
Standing off to the far side, me and Lord Dalton had a little privacy to ourselves as he kissed my knuckles "I hope to see you soon Lady Stark"
Smiling back at him, I thought about the long two week journey for home and the fact that I would no longer see the Lords face – or Rhaegar's for that matter. All of a sudden I found myself feeling hollow because of it, as if life wouldn't be the same.
"As do I, and I look forward to when we do" glancing down, I looked back up into his green eyes. I didn't know whether or not I should say it, but it felt right "I'm…I'm going to miss you"
Watching him break out into a smile, he leant forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead. A complete gentleman. Holding out his arm, he spoke "I think the others are waiting. Are you ready?" nodding my head, I linked my arm with his and he walked me back to the carriage.
Standing, my sister waited outside for me while mother had already gotten in. Stepping away from Lord Dalton the crowd had somewhat dispersed. Turning to look at the man, I gave him one last smile before getting into the carriage; followed shortly by Lyanna. Closing the door, mother saw my happy mood but she didn't say anything. Instead we sat in silence, my thoughts other places as the carriage soon jolted forward; the voice of my father coming from outside. It was time to go home.
Almost three weeks had passed since we arrived back home and things had slowly gone back to normal, and that included in me escaping to the Haven once again. Tugging my fur coat tighter, I trudged through the snow and breathed in the icy cold air; I could hear a wolf howling faintly in the distance.
Finding the small area just inside the Wolfswood, I pulled out the fur rug that kept my things nice and safe and unwrapped it. I wasn't going to be here for long this time, but I needed to get a book. The book about A Tales of Strange. I thought it was about time that I gave it back to the library. Taking it out of the rug, I tucked the book into my coat before shoving the rest back into the log.
Trudging back along the edge of the Wolfswood, I headed though the gates and into the court yard. Nodding my head at a few ladies as they passed, I opened the thick wooden door to the library and sighed at the warmth the tower offered "I've come to return a book" I announced as Maester Luwin looked up from his desk; a quill held paused in his left hand.
"A book? I didn't know you had borrowed any" he said with an eyebrow raised.
Blushing, I answered "I've had it for a rather long time…but it's here now" placing the book down onto a pile of many others, I went to leave before swiftly pausing. Standing, I looked toward the door "Maester Luwin…" I knew I had caught his attention, as the squiggling of his quill had stopped once again "…what are your views on love?"
A silence had filled the air before he spoke "…Love..." he muttered "well, I find love to be a fickle thing. It changes constantly in one form or another. I've found over the years that love can either ruin a person, or complete them. Sometimes it's both" replied Luwin with an honest tone "…and although as a Maester we vow never to marry, that doesn't mean we are forbidden to feel"
"Do you think love is worth it…even if it hurts? Even if, like you said, it could ruin you?" I asked while slowly turning around. Facing him, my fingers fidgeted with one another.
Looking at me, Maester didn't answer but asked another question "What is this all about my lady? Has something happened?"
"No" I said quickly, shaking my head "nothing's happened…have a good day Maester Luwin" turning around I left the library with kick feet. I shouldn't have said anything to him, it was foolish and reckless. What if he goes and tells mother or father because he thinks somethings wrong with me? Then they would ask questions.
Pressing my hands against the cold stone of the nearby well, I peered down the dark shaft and was met with a sheen of water; a distorted image of myself reflecting back up. Rubbing the back of my neck, I closed my eyes before suddenly feeling a hand rest on top of my shoulder. Jumping, I spun around ready to defend myself if necessary "It's only me…" spoke Benjin with a soft voice, his hand leaving my shoulder.
"You scared me" I heaved.
"I can see that" he replied while giving me a quick glance up and down "are you alright? You don't look well"
"I'm alright. I'm fine" I said with a nod of my head, my breaths going back to normal before he spoke again.
"Alright…well, father and mother, they want to talk to you. There over by the range watching Ned and Brandon" straightening myself out, I pushed back a lock of my hair before giving Benjin a faint smile.
"I'll go see them then, thank you" walking off without another word, I left Benjin by the well and made my way over to the small archery range we had. Heading up the stairs to the balcony overlooking my two older brothers, they stood teasing one another as they made shots toward the target. Waiting at the edge of the balcony, father watched on while mother sat down on a wooden chair. She was clutching a letter in her hand "…Benjin said you wanted to see me"
Turning to look at me, I thought something might have been wrong but that soon left my mind as mother smiled wide "We received a raven a few minutes ago from Lord Terrick" announced mother, holding out the letter for me. Taking it, she added "he's on his way to Winterfell"
Quickly glancing over the letter, I looked up at bother mother and father "Tomorrow? He's going to be here tomorrow?" this is rather unexpected. I knew Lord Dalton planned on visiting soon, but not this soon. It takes two weeks to get from Maidenpool to Winterfell. That means he would have had to of left three weeks after the tourney ended.
"Yes, so you best prepare yourself. He's going to want to spend a lot of time with you while he's here" said mother. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes at her bland approach at things, I instead smiled "we have some preparations that needs to be made before the Lord arrives. We'll be having a welcoming dinner, so I would appreciate if tomorrow you wear a nice dress…maybe the one your father and I bought you. The one for your birthday" she added.
"Of course…I'll have one of the maids have it cleaned" smiling, mother got up from her seat to stand in front of me. Placing a hand on either one of my shoulders, she kissed me lightly on the forehead.
"I'm proud of you…" I couldn't help but remember when father had said the same thing back in the tent "we both are"
Looking down at the wooden slats, the laughter of my brothers below broke the silence that had begun to grow. Peering over the edge of the balcony, I watched "Boys will be boys" I muttered with a faint smile as Brandon poked Ned in the ribs, causing him miss the shot.
Sitting down at the dinner table, I had walked in nearly fifteen minutes ago and I had yet to eat a single thing. When I had smelt the familiar scent of cooked lamb and roast vegetables, my stomach had turned into a sickening knot. Suddenly I wasn't feeling all too well and my appetite was long gone.
"Aren't you hungry?" pointed father "you haven't eaten anything since you sat down"
I tried to muster a smile, but it probably came out more as a grimace "No…I'm not feeling well this afternoon. I think I might have caught something"
Immediately mothers eyes were on me "We can't have you sick" she protested "Lord Terrick will be here tomorrow evening" trust my mother to worry more about politics than my actual health "I'll have the Maester look at you. Perhaps he can give you a remedy of some sort"
Nodding my head, I got up from the table "I think for now thought I'll be retiring early. Goodnight" feeling my stomach twist, my hand went to clutch my abdomen as I made a swift exit of the dining hall. Walking through the grand double doors and into the court yard, the moon shone bright against my skin and my warm breath came out in smoky puffs.
Staring up at the sky, I breathed in the fresh air; trying to clear the smell of food. Somewhat relieved, I headed straight towards my room. Fast paste, I made my way down the stone corridor passing several guarding soldiers and hand maidens. Quickly finding the right room I went inside before closing the door behind me.
A cold sheen of sweat had set itself all over my body, and I could tell that my cheeks were flush. Reaching behind me I tugged on the laces of my dress, trying to free myself from the fabric contraption. Finally apple to shimmy the laces enough to get out of the sleeves, I tugged off the rest of my dress; leaving me in my undergarments.
A knock had sounded on the door "My lady, may I come in?"
"…Yes" walking in after, Fillis saw me in my sickened state and immediately went to filling up the bath with hot water. Maybe that will help with my fever. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I had opened the windows of my room wide so that the cool air could come through, but I was still sweating.
Feeling my stomach churn, I quickly pulled out the empty bed pan from underneath before hunching over vomiting. Hearing me from the bathroom Fillis quickly came to myside "My lady…do you want me to get the Maester?" I could tell she was panicked.
"He's…he's already coming" I managed to choke out after I vomited again. Sitting on my knees I leant back with a slight pant before calming myself. I was feeling much better now. The cramping twist in my stomach was starting to fade away and quickly, but a light headache had started to set in. Wiping the back of my hand over my forehead, I turned to face Fillis "is the bath ready?"
"Yes my lady. Would you like me to help you?"
"No, thank you" I said with a shake of my head "I'll be alright for a few hours. You may leave" nodding Fillis got up from the floor beside me and made her exit. Once my arms and legs weren't so shaky I got up from the floor and walked into the adjoining bathroom. Undressing out of the rest of my clothes, I tested the water before climbing in and settling down with a relieved sigh.
After soaking for a minute or two, I grabbed a sponge in order to wring some water along my chest and behind my neck. Lifting a leg up out of the water, it skimmed just above the surface as the cool night air blew cold along my skin. Placing my leg back down under the water, I continued to wash along my body and arms until my hand stilled just below belly button. I didn't know why, but it had all come quite unexpected. I could feel my legs closing as a light tingle had stirred in my groin, they were trying to rub together; seeking some kind of friction.
Slowly my eyes closed and my hand had let go of the sponge to creep further down my stomach. I could almost imagine it was his, if it wasn't for the fact my hands were much smaller and less calloused. Not to mention I was less experienced. Blushing at the realisation, my eyes snapped open and my hand pulled away before it could brush over the sensitive bundle of nerves. Somehow it felt wrong and embracing for me to do it.
Letting out a small cough, I sat up straighter and grabbed the sponge I had dropped. Foaming it up with some soap, I proceeded to wash my body and hair. Once I was satisfied and the water had turned cold, I got out and wrapped my body with a towel. Drying myself, I got changed into one of my long cotton gowns before sitting down at the vanity. Combing my hair, a decent knock sounded at the door "My lady, it's Maester Luwin. May I come in?"
"One moment please" I answered. Putting down the comb, I plaited my hair to the side over my shoulder before covering myself with a robe "you can come in…" pausing the Maester opened the door.
"Your mother sent me out of concern" started Maester Luwin as he shut the door behind him "she said you weren't feeling well at dinner…can you tell me your symptoms?" he asked while walking over to me.
Nodding my head, I replied "I felt ill after I walked into the hall…after I smelt the food. My stomach curdled and I felt as if I were going to be sick. After father asked what was wrong I left and came back up here. I was sweating and I…vomited shortly after…I've felt fine ever since"
Nodding his head, I then noticed the Maester had bought with him a small bag. No doubt it consisted of various remedies and tools "Have you eaten anything out of the ordinary recently?" he asked while setting down the bag at my feet "May I?" he gestured with his hands.
"Of course and no, I haven't" pressing with his fingertips, he prodded around my neck before listening to my breathing.
After looking into my mouth and ears, he asked "Have you felt sick like this before?"
Shaking my head "No, this is the first"
"Well…" he spoke while leaning back to reach into his bag of mysteries "I'm guessing it's just a common ailment…I'd like you take to take this. Half a spoon at breakfast and dinner" he instructed while holding out a small glass bottle with sea green liquid inside. Nodding my head, I took it from him "keep a close eye on yourself. And if this continues after a week or gets worse, I'd like you to tell me right away"
"Alright. Thank you Maester Luwin" I said with a kind smile on my lips.
"You're very welcome" collecting the bag off of the floor, he gave me curt nod before leaving me in peace and quiet. Looking back down at the bottle that I held in my hand, the liquid was something I had seen before, when I was younger. I remember I use to get sick sometimes as a child and I would be forced to take the disgusting remedy, but like mother had said in the dining hall – I can't afford to be bed ridden when Lord Dalton arrives tomorrow. I need to look prim and proper.
Placing the bottle down on the vanity, I got up to blow out the few lit candles around my room. Heading over to my bed once it was nice and dark, I quickly tucked myself underneath the covers. For some reason, tonight didn't feel like when I was child. I felt as if this was a different kind of sickness. Maybe I was over thinking it – worried and nervous about meeting Lord Dalton again, but maybe I'm not. Maybe the gut feeling I have is something that shouldn't be ignored.