After the heartbreaking conversation between Theon and Sansa dooming their relationship, Robb and Yara begin their journey back to Winterfell. Having ended Jon's life to keep her secret, Yara is finding it hard to face Robb. Robb, on the other hand, is looking for answers too...
It did not take long for the rumours to spread about the Boltons taking over Winterfell. After mourning his brother, Robb began the long journey home to try to figure out what role ruling Winterfell would give him. Having reached terms with Queen Cersei, he had found it wise not to start a war against King's Landing, and even though sorrow was deep inside his heart after losing both his brother and father, he knew that he had to step up and place his concern with the people of Winterfell and be the best ruler for his people. Yara had stood by his side all the time, and he found it relieving to have such a great rock in his life, even if she did not seem nearly as affected by the two deaths as Robb did himself.
A couple of weeks' ride outside King's Landing, before the devastating news had reached them, they found a cozy inn to stay for the night. Robb had had time to come to terms with the situation, and having Yara there certainly made it easier for him, even if she was not the most talkative person in the world. A search party had set out to find Arya and Bran, and Robb was confident they would be found soon unharmed.
The night was not chilly, but the temperature in general had started dropping as they went further up North. It was a clear night too with a large, shining moon. Robb had just finished a drink with his men, and he decided to go outside to get some air. Next to the inn was a small lake with a boat bridge and a small boat too. As a silhouette, he saw Yara's body sitting by the lake. He looked around, a bit aroused from the drink, and went to her. He knew that he had always liked her, but being here with her alone on this quest had made them become closer. She had risked her life for him more than once, and he felt certain of her loyalty. With Yara, emotions and feelings were always locked away and she did not give away much – at least not with words, so Robb had never been sure how she felt about him. He smiled as he approached her. He was sure that she had already detected him and that she knew it was him since she had not drawn her sword.
"Good evening, Robb", she then said, confirming his theory. She did not turn her head but looked straight into the water. The moon reflected its light in the surface of the calm water, which was only disturbed by a couple of fish coming up to see the beautiful moonlight. Her hair was loose this night, reaching her shoulders and she was still wearing her light armor.
"Hey, Yara. Can I join you?", he then asked and sat down before she had even answered. She smiled a bit and pointed to where he was sitting:
"Of course, you are the Lord. How can I deny your request?" There was a loving mocking tone in her voice, but Robb was serious.
"Come on, Yara, it is not like that, you know that", he said, regarding her with his ever concerned eyes. She still looked into the water and smiled another smile while nodding. Then she faced him. "I know, Robb".
He nodded too and placed his hand in a friendly way on her knee. "I hope that you really do know that?", he continued.
"What?", she asked, looking at his hand. Ned had done the same. She clearly remembered that.
"That you are more than my father's ward here. You have a life here", he said, not avoiding the usual sorrow in his voice. She gave him a funny look.
"I know that. Actually, I am well aware of that. Your father, he came to me before he died and gave me something", she began and she could not help but think of other things she could have wanted from Ned. His son looked at her in a serious way. That look reminded her so much of Ned that she felt a strong longing inside her body. She could not help but to touch Robb's hand like Ned had touched hers.
"What did he give you?", Robb asked with curiosity and was surprised by her touch. She never showed physical affection towards anyone.
"He granted me my freedom. He told me that I could return to the Iron Islands if I wanted to. Without any repercussions", Yara told Robb. Robb's eyes went large and his lips parted, unable to cover up just how surprised and maybe a little disappointed he felt.
"Don't give me that look, please", she then continued, pushing his hand gently away from her knee.
"No, Yara, I didn't mean to", he said very seriously, just like his father. Her heart started racing every time she saw Ned in his face.
"I know you don't, but don't worry, I am not planning to leave if you still want my services?", she then said, easing his pain. Relief was painted across his entire face. She smiled as she saw it.
"Really? That would mean a lot, Yara", he said and finally his lips curled into a smile again. "I very much need you here", he continued and felt that this was the moment. Maybe it was the wine talking, but he felt more connected to her than ever. He grabbed her shoulders gently and pulled her close to him. With their faces inches from each other, he looked straight into her grey eyes:
"I want you so much here, Yara. I want you to rule with me", he said, his warm breath caressing her skin. She looked at him too, hearing Ned's voice again. She closed her eyes for a moment and pulled him closer. Then she kissed him, and soon the kiss became more passionate. Lust overpowered her, and she pushed him down on the grass by the edge of the lake and touched his body all over. He was surprised by her affection but he did not mind.
"Be gentle to me", he then whispered with a smile in a joking way, and she smiled too, putting her lips to his ears:
"Of course, Lord Stark", she called him, picturing him a little older and a little broader. She had wanted that for so long after the few times she had been alone with Ned, and unable to ever get the real deal, second best seemed alright to her.
As they physically expressed their affection towards each other, Yara was careful not to call him Ned. Then she would have silenced Jon for nothing...
Yara quickly found out that Robb was a real gentleman. First of all, he was a gentle lover, thinking about her needs too, which had seemed a little too much for her, as she was into a more aggressive expression of desire, but she had put up with his tenderness. She knew that he was a tender man, and a part of her liked that too. She knew that he was a strong man and would be a good ruler of Winterfell, but he was not strong the way Ned had been. Maybe he was also too slender and thin compared to Ned's weight. She smiled as she thought about this, lying by the lake with Robb, and he perceived it as a smile addressed to him.
Second of all, he was a really cuddly person who wanted to lie together in the soft grass long after they had both enjoyed the climax of their intimacy. She had wanted to get some sleep in her bed to be ready for tomorrow, but his arms did not let go of her.
"Why do you like me, Robb?", she then asked him, facing the dark sky above them. He chuckled and touched her hair gently.
"Because you are loyal, strong and great to have around", he said with a smile. She smiled too.
"I mean, why do you like me like that? There are a million beautiful, ladylike women out there, who probably have a less complicated heritage than I do". He turned around to lie on his side resting his head on his hand, looking at her. She still watched the sky.
"Because I just do. I have always known it, I guess, but you never seemed to be interested at all. I tried to make you jealous once. Or at least I made a very bad attempt of it", he replied with another smile. She turned her head. "I never noticed", she answered in a compassionate mocking tone.
"I know you didn't", he laughed. "It was a year ago at my mother's birthday. I danced a lot with Jeyne Poole and every time we were dancing, I held her tight. I kept looking around for you, but you weren't dancing. You had claimed my chair next to my father, and the two of you were sitting there, making plans or something. You barely even looked my way", he told her. She put on a forced smile; yes, she remembered Catelyn's last birthday, mostly because Catelyn was busy with other people, leaving her husband all alone. She had been close to Ned that day, and in every way, she had felt. She laughed lightly at Robb, touching his bearded cheek: "I am sorry for your efforts".
"Well, I did win after all, didn't I?", he then concluded, taking her hands and kissing them. She smiled and nodded.
After a while, they got dressed and Yara was ready to get some sleep. As she was about to leave, Robb took her hand.
"By the way, Jon told me something before he died". Yara's body went stiff, and her heart almost stopped. Fortunately for her, these violent emotions were only visible on the inside. She knew that her surface always remained calm when she got surprised, angry or scared. She swallowed the spit that tried to guilt her into telling the truth.
"What did he say?", she asked casually and looked at him – this time with more trouble. He reached down for his boots.
"Well, he said that my father was keeping a secret from us. An important one that would question his character if the truth came out. He never got to tell me what it was, but the thought alone has kept me up for nights. I mean, what on earth could it be? An unknown alliance with somebody or a plan to seize the Iron Throne? I don't know. I simply can't find out what it could be", Robb told Yara, clearly affected by this burden of not knowing, which Jon had put on his shoulders.
"Why didn't Jon tell you then?", Yara asked to be completely certain that Robb did not know the secret.
Robb shook his head: "I don't know. He said he needed proof. I don't know, he said it one day when he was angry. He was angry about my mother treating him poorly and your brother reminding him that he was no real Stark. You know Jon, he could get very moody sometimes". Yara nodded.
"I know, he was like that every now and then. I am sorry I can't help you, Robb, but maybe it is better to let go of it. From where I see it, your father was the most honorable man in the Seven Kingdoms, and I don't believe he would ever do something that bad. I mean, everybody makes mistakes, but I can't imagine it can be anything worse than that", she tried to console the accused man's son while knowing the truth herself. Robb looked at her again with happiness in his eyes.
"Well, I just wanted to ask you, but I do know that it does not concern you and me right now", he said and then he leaned in close to her again, kissing her mouth. She hugged him closely too, closing her eyes and pretending he was right.