Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or A Song of Ice and Fire. Any similarities in storyline or dialogue originated with the show or books.
Loss
The silence was deafening.
Since the moment the words had left Aegon's mouth, Cassana hadn't moved or spoken. But the look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know. He had just ensured the death of his parents. He would do whatever it took to save them, but he did not regret his decision to tell Cassana the truth. She had the right to know. She needed to know. And Aegon needed to be the one to tell her. Nothing could change that now.
Eventually, Cassana stood from his bed and stared at him for a moment. She didn't look angry or sad as she walked towards him slowly. Aegon clenched his jaw when leaned past him to pick up one of the carved wooden dragons off the map. She also took hold of a stag and wolf figurine. He watched Cassana as she turned the figurines over in her hands, staring at them intently with her green eyes.
"Shireen was a Baratheon," Cassana said. "I am no longer a Baratheon, but I was raised as one. I loved Shireen like I would a sister and her death was said to be brutal. But I am not a Baratheon." She paused for a long moment, inhaling and exhaling silently. "The conspirators that caused Shireen's death will be judged by the people who served House Baratheon. Your parents' fate will be decided by the Baratheons."
"My father is the last living member of House Baratheon. They will never—"
"He was disowned by King Robert and his brothers. It was a formal decree," Cassana explained. "He is no longer a Baratheon."
"Who exactly will make the judgment?" Aegon asked as he tried to process what Cassana just said.
"I will choose a group of men from the Stormlands who have shown the utmost loyalty to me when I reigned as a Baratheon," Cassana decided. She added quickly, "I will make the choice after I announce my true parentage at the war council."
"Do you want me there?" Aegon asked.
"You are one of my commanders," Cassana answered. "You need to be there."
"Of course, Cass—Your Grace," Aegon said as he bowed stiffly.
"Is there anything else you need from me, Cassana?" He asked.
"Prepare your parents for what is in store," Cassana advised. "This will not be easy for them."
"Yes, Your Grace." Aegon nodded.
"You may call me Cassana, if you wish," She told him and walked to the door after putting the wooden figurines back on the map. She faced him again. "And thank you for the truth. I know it wasn't easy."
Cassana left after she spoke, leaving Aegon alone in his room.
Cassana went straight to her husband.
Robb was still in bed, unmoving, as always. She went straight to his side and took his hand as she sat down. The young Stark pursed her lips as she leaned over the bed, placing her forehead on top of his hand.
"My true name is Ashara Stark and Jon Snow's true name is Arthur Stark. He is my twin brother. Our parents were Ashara Dayne and Brandon Stark. They were married the night before he died and Jon and I were conceived," She told him quietly as the tears finally broke free and ran down her cheeks. "I am your first cousin on your father's side, which makes us family not just in name, but in blood." Cassana turned her head so she could look at Robb's face. "Do you hate me? Are you going to want to annul our marriage?
"I wouldn't blame you if you did, but I will still love you. No matter what, I will always love you. I need you to know that," Cassana cried. She choked back a sob as she continued. "And if you must die, my love, die knowing your life was my life's best part."
A sob erupted from her mouth and Cassana placed a hand over her mouth as she continued to cry against her husband's unmoving hand. Minutes of silence passed, the only thing obscuring it were the soft cries coming from Cassana. In due course, she wiped her face and sat up. She stood from the chair and took a few steps to the front of the bed. The young Stark leaned over Robb and placed a soft kiss against his lips then on his forehead. She kept a hand on the side of his face as she pulled away.
"I love you, my young wolf," Cassana murmured softly.
She walked across the room to the door swiftly. She grabbed the knob and began to pull the—
"And I you, my young stark." Robb's voice reached her ears.
Cassana whipped her head around and laid eyes on her husband. She ran to his bedside, scanning his face quickly. Cassana's face broke out into a wide, uncontrollable grin as her eyes met his. Robb smiled as she looked down at him. She cupped one side of his face and kissed him on the lips softly. He lifted his hand and caressed her tear-stained cheek. Cassana let out a strangled sob that quickly turned into a sad laugh. She pulled up the chair and sat down. Once she was comfortable, sitting as close to Robb as she could, she called out to the guards outside. The young queen ordered them to find the maester, Robb's sisters, and the Blackfish. They were all that remained of their family aside from Jon Snow at the Wall.
Grey Wind was absent as well, but Cassana knew that the direwolf would be found with Sansa and Arya on their daily walk around the castle. Cassana never worried about the girls since they arrived back in Riverrun. The people in the Riverlands would die to protect the Starks since both Lady Catelyn and Lord Edmure Tully were both lost at the Red Wedding. The Stark children were the natural heirs to Riverrun. If Bran and Rickon were truly dead, then the right would pass to Sansa since Robb was to inherit Winterfell. But that was before Cassana learned the truth about herself and her twin brother Jon Snow.
She asked the guards to find the girls and the maester as quickly as they could. The change in Robb's condition gave Cassana hope, but she didn't allow it to go too far. She needed to hear from the maesters that this was not just some short-lived recovery. Cassana wished for Robb to have a full recovery, but she truly wanted him to be alive, even if he was in a bed or walking with a cane for the rest of his life. She would learn to handle anything if it meant he was no longer dying. But she wasn't sure Robb would feel the same way. Some men would rather die than be a cripple.
Her thoughts quickly turned back to Robb when she remembered what he'd called her. Cassana took his hand as she looked at him. "You heard me?"
"Yes," he murmured just above a whisper. His voice was hoarse. Cassana gave him some water. "I heard it all."
"And you don't hate me? You don't want our marriage annulled?" Cassana asked.
"I have loved you since the day I met you, Cassana, and nothing comes close to the way that I need you," Robb said quietly and slowly. "I will continue to love and need you no matter what your name is and who your parents are."
"We're cousins, Robb," Cassana reminded him. "Some people might not approve."
"Cousins marry all the time," Robb argued gently. "And even if people don't approve, it will not matter to me. It will not change the way I feel about you. It won't matter at all."
"It might, eventually."
"Maybe, but we'll face that together," Robb said with a feeble smile.
A long pause ensued until Robb spoke again.
"What happened to my mother?" He asked. "And our men?"
"I'm so sorry, Robb, but your mother—she—" Cassana swallowed hard "—your mother was killed by the Freys. Her brother was murdered as well—in his wedding bed."
"And the Freys?" Robb asked. Cassana could see he was bothered by the news of his mother, but he was trying to hide it by continuing to ask questions.
"Most have been executed or imprisoned. A large faction of the footmen that were not involved in the massacre has come over to our side."
"What of Lord Frey? And Lord Bolton?"
"Lord Bolton was killed before he could kill you and Lord Frey is still being held in the dungeons until we can determine the proper punishment for him," Cassana explained.
"We have to go to the Wall," Robb mumbled as his eyes started to droop.
"I agree," Cassana nodded. "We need to go and tell Jon in person."
"You know that this makes him the heir to Winterfell."
"I know."
"And if my uncle Edmure is truly dead, that means that I am the heir to Riverrun," Robb murmured as his eyes closed.
"I know."
"House Dayne just lost their last Lord and there is no one to take his place except you and Jon," Robb went on.
"I know."
"But since Jon will most likely wish to become the Lord of Winterfell, you will become the Lady of Starfall."
"I know."
"And our children—well, they will inherit both Riverrun and Starfall."
"Robb," Cassana stopped him and grabbed his face gently. His eyes opened and he smiled, causing Cassana to smile in response. "I'm pregnant. I am about two months along."
Robb's face lit up. "Little Ned."
"Or Cat," Cassana smiled.
Robb looked down at her stomach. "You're growing fast. Is there any chance it might be twins?"
Cassana laughed. "There is always a possibility, but don't get your hopes up, my love."
While they waited for the others, they talked about the letters and Aegon and Cassana's adoptive parents. Robb was happy to hear that they had progressed in the war more than anyone could have ever expected. He also requested to meet Aegon and thank him for everything he had done. Cassana was in the middle of reading the second letter when a knock came at the door. She kissed her husband one last time before allowing them all to enter.
Sansa, Arya, and the Blackfish were anxious to see Robb, but they waited until the Maester Vyman finished his examination. Once the man was finished, the others hurried around Robb. Cassana lingered by the door until the maester approached her.
"Your Grace," the maester greeted her formally.
"Maester Vyman," Cassana responded. "What can you tell me of Robb's condition?"
"If I may have your permission to speak freely," the maester started.
"Of course," she told him with a short nod of her head.
The maester hesitated to begin. "While it may seem that he's recovered, it appears to me that he has not."
"What do you mean?" Cassana asked, concerned.
"What I mean to say is that he will never fully recover in some parts of his body," the maester explained.
"What parts?" Cassana asked sternly.
"His right leg, his left knee, and his left wrist and right shoulder will not regain full mobility. There is nothing I can do to repair the damage to his chest, but it might heal on its own over time. His lungs will not, though. He will need to be on bed rest for as long as he needs and then undergo a lot of physical therapy in order to be able to function day to day," the maester said as politely as he could.
"Will he be able to ride a horse? Or carry a sword? Or a child?" Cassana questioned.
"He might be able to do each of those things after a time, but not now."
"But he will live?" Cassana asked.
"He will live," the maester said. "That I am sure of."
"Thank you, Maester Vyman," Cassana said sadly before facing her husband.
Sansa, Arya, and the Blackfish were standing around his bed, and Robb was smiling at them as they took turns speaking to him. Cassana clenched her jaw when she heard Robb tell Arya he wanted to help her train with the sword she had brought to show him. Then they started talking about Robb's future child and how they would be able to teach it how to fight and ride horses when it was old enough.
Cassana pressed her lips together in sorrow as she continued to listen to their hopeful conversation. She knew she would have to be the one to tell Robb what the maester said. Cassana would have to explain that he may never be able to do some of the things he dreamed of doing with his child. The young queen also knew that he was strong enough to carry on despite his injuries, but it would break his heart nonetheless. And if his heart was broken, so was hers.
She pressed a hand over her mouth and hurried out of the room.
Robb Stark had woken up.
He was on his way to his parents' bedchamber when he heard the news. The entire castle was celebrating and thanking the Gods but all Aegon could think about was Cassana. She had begun to plague his thoughts. And he knew why.
Now that Robb had woken up, there was no reason for Cassana to even think about marrying Aegon.
His parents were furious that he told Cassana the truth about Shireen, but Aegon never considered apologizing. He told them everything they needed to know about Cassana and her decision before leaving them alone to prepare for whatever was in store for them.
The young Targaryen went straight back to his room to prepare to meet Robb Stark for the first time, but stopped short when he saw Cassana sitting on the wooden trunk at the end of his bed. She had been crying.
Cassana tried to force a smile when Aegon entered, but it was a sad attempt. He could see that she was struggling to hold back the tears. Her cheeks were already moist, telling him that she had been waiting for him a while. But he had no idea why.
"Your Gra—" Aegon stopped himself "—I mean Cassana."
She looked up at him determinedly. "Aegon, are you truly my friend?"
Aegon didn't hesitate to answer. "Truly."
"So, I can trust you?" Cassana questioned seriously.
"You can trust me with anything, my queen," Aegon said, nodding reverently.
"Robb's awake," Cassana started, "but he's not okay. He's so far from okay."
"What do you mean?" Aegon asked. He pulled a chair in front of her and sat down.
"His injuries," Cassana clarified. "His injuries are severe."
"But he's alive?" Aegon asked Cassana, hiding his eagerness.
"He's alive, but he'll never be the man he used to be," she answered. She continued after a moment. "The maester told me his diagnosis and I have to be the one to tell him, but I don't know how to do that. I don't know how to tell him that he's… that he's… broken."
Aegon followed his heart and took her hands in his. Her green eyes met his violet ones. "You won't be able to do any more damage than what was already done to him."
Cassana nodded solemnly. "I know, but it will still hurt him and I hate causing him pain."
"Everyone knows that he loves you, Cassana," Aegon told her. "He loves you and there's nothing you could do that would make him stop loving you."
"I know, but I don't want to be the one that has to tell him," Cassana wept. The tears that she was holding back began to fall upon her cheeks. "I wish I didn't have to cause him any more pain."
When Aegon gave her a confused look, she explained, "I told him that his mother and uncle had been murdered."
"That pain was caused by the Freys and their allies," Aegon retorted. "Besides, you must have given him some joy when you told him you are carrying his child."
"He asked if it were twins," Cassana said, laughing sadly.
"Do you think it could be?"
"It's possible. I am getting big pretty fast." She shrugged.
"Well, twins or any number of children would be something to be happy about," Aegon said.
"He will not be able to hold it," said Cassana sorrowfully. "His arms aren't—they will never be strong enough to hold his own child on his own."
Aegon scooted closer to Cassana and gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. "From what I've heard, Robb is strong. He'll find a way."
Cassana nodded slowly, but Aegon could tell that she did not believe what he said. He slid one of his hands up her arm and transferred his other hand so they were both grasping one of her wrists. She instinctively wrapped that hand around the inside of his wrist.
"It will be okay," Aegon told her comfortingly.
Cassana shook her head as she kept her eyes on their hands. He could hear her sniffle quietly and he could see that she was still crying. "I don't know if it will."
A sob rocked her body and she hunched over more as she let go of his hands to bury her face in her hands. Aegon acted before he could think by wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Cassana leaned against him, burrowing her head into the nook of his neck as another sob shook her shoulders.
Aegon held her like that until she stopped crying.
Aegon Targaryen was not just an ally to Cassana. She thought of him as her closest friend.
There was Davos and Willem, but they were family. Just like the Starks.
But Aegon, he was a true friend and she knew that she could trust him with any secret. And it was true.
Once Cassana had finished crying, she sat up and wiped her face until most of the tears were gone. She relaxed in her seat and met Aegon's eyes. She could tell he pitied her, and while she wouldn't usually be okay with it, she knew she had been in a pitiful situation just moments prior.
"Thank you for this," Cassana sniffled as she gestured to herself.
"It was no trouble," Aegon assured her.
"Yes it was," Cassana nodded. "That's why I appreciate it so much. You're a good friend."
"I am, aren't I?" Aegon teased with a quirk of his eyebrow.
"Hilarious," Cassana murmured wearing a smirk.
"If you ever need someone to talk to I will always be here for you," Aegon said.
They sat in a comfortable silence until Cassana said, "I should go."
"Of course," Aegon said, nodding shortly.
"Thank you for all of this," Cassana sniffled as she gestured to herself. She knew she probably looked pretty pathetic.
"It was no trouble," Aegon assured her.
"Yes, it was. That's why I appreciate it so much," Cassana told him.
Aegon sighed silently. "You're welcome."
Cassana wiped her face one last time and stood up. Aegon stood as well and led her to the door.
"Do you want me to escort you back to Robb's room?" Aegon asked as he held onto the doorknob.
"Yes, please," Cassana said, nodding slowly. Aegon offered his arm in response and she looped her arm through it.
Aegon led Cassana out of the room and they started down the hall together. They upheld a conversation on the way to the room. They spoke mostly of innocent things, like parts of their childhood and times before the war. They did this until they reached Robb's room. Cassana let go of Aegon's arm when she saw Davos Seaworth standing by the door.
The older man narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Aegon as Cassana approached him. The young queen hugged the knight and kissed him on the cheek. She asked him why he was there.
"I came to check on you, but you were not in your room or in your husband's," Davos explained.
"I was with Aegon," Cassana told him with a gentle smile.
"Aegon?" Davos questioned.
"He's been a good friend to me and I needed one today," Cassana said. She glanced over her shoulder at Aegon and smiled.
"Of course, Your Grace," Davos nodded. "It is a good thing he was there for you."
"It was," Cassana said as she turned back to Davos. "Now, if you would excuse me. I need to speak to my husband."
Davos bowed his head as he opened the door for her. "His visitors have left and he was resting when I last checked, but I'm sure that he would be okay with being woken by you."
"Thank you, Davos," Cassana told him before looking back at Aegon. She didn't need to say anything. He knew how grateful she was. So, she nodded in his direction and walked into the room.
Aegon stayed in his spot until Cassana was out of view and Davos shut the door.
"Good day, ser," Aegon said to the older knight before turning to leave.
"Aegon," Davos called out. The younger man stopped and faced the knight.
Davos approached him. "You and Cassana have been spending a lot of time together lately."
"We are friends and that is what friends do," Aegon argued politely.
"I see the way you watch her—the way you look at her," Davos told him. "There's no use denying it."
"Denying what?" Aegon questioned.
"Your affections for Queen Cassana," Davos said. "You love her."
Aegon didn't bother denying it. He said a quick farewell and left before Davos could say anything else.
"I'm so sorry, my wolf," Cassana murmured as Robb thought about what she had just said.
"Do not apologize, my love," Robb said weakly. "This is not your fault."
"I know," Cassana whispered. "But I am still sorry this is happening to you."
"I'm alive," Robb said tiredly. "I get to see you and love you another day. I have a chance of seeing my daughter or son being born. And I get to do so many other things that I wouldn't have if I had died."
"That is very true, my young wolf," Cassana said.
"Help me up," Robb commanded the guards standing by door. "I wish to dance with my wife."
The men obeyed him despite Cassana's objections. They got him standing upright on his own and Cassana took over from there. She stood as close to him as she could and wrapped her arms around him while Robb did the same. She took his hand with the other. There was no music but they began to sway lightly to the imaginary song.
"Are you okay?" Cassana asked.
"We're together. We're happy," Robb said and smiled down at his wife. "I'm perfect."
"I'm talking about your legs," Cassana scolded gently.
"My legs are fine, my love," Robb assured her.
"You're lying," Cassana said, smirking.
"All that matters is that I love you," Robb said, smiling wide. "I love you, I love you, I love you."
"I love you too, my wolf," Cassana responded sincerely.
"You're a wolf, too, you know," Robb noted aloud. "You're my wolf and I am yours."
"No one knows that yet so must be careful with calling me that."
Robb disregarded her. "Have you gone shooting lately?"
"I've been giving Arya lessons," Cassana answered. "She's become very good."
"She'll be a warrior some day," Robb said with utmost certainty.
"She will," Cassana nodded. "Maybe a knight even."
"She would love that, but others may not," Robb said as he leaned his head against Cassana's and tightened his hold on her. "But we'll command them not to care—to accept her."
"We will," Cassana said, letting out a breathless laugh.
"And you will teach our children to shoot and hunt," he said.
"I will," Cassana said. "They will know how to protect themselves."
"And we'll go riding as a family at least once a week," said Robb.
"We will," Cassana said, smiling to herself. "I promise."
"And we'll name the first boy Eddard, like we wanted, and the first girl Catelynn, but the second boy we'll name Brandon after your father and the second girl we'll name Ashara after your mother," Robb explained in a hushed tone.
"My name is Ashara," Cassana smiled. "My name is not Cassana, it is Ashara."
"Are you going to want to be called that after you come out with the truth?" Robb asked.
"I think I will," she answered.
"Ashara Stark," Robb said, testing the name on his tongue.
"Ashara and Robb Stark," Cassana responded.
"And we'll have to make sure our sons always protect our daughters," Robb said. "My father always told Jon and myself to protect Sansa and Arya."
"I want two girls and three boys, Robb," Cassana admitted.
"That would be perfect," he responded.
"I love you," Cassana sighed.
"And I you, my wolf," Robb said softly.
Cassana smiled to herself. "Is it bad that I believe our children will be the luckiest kids—"
She stopped when Robb went limp in her arms. She was barely strong enough to hold him up on her own so she lowered him to the floor as slowly as she could.
"Robb?" She asked hurriedly as she placed him down. She grasped his head in her hands frantically when she saw blood coming out of his nose. "Robb! Robb, stay awake! Stay awake!"
"Guards! Guards!" The young queen called out and the men came running in. "Find Maester Vyman! Now!"
"Robb, my love, please open your eyes. Please," Cassana said as she began to cry. She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him lightly as hot tears spilled down her cheek. "Robb! Robb, you can't leave me! You need to wake up! Wake up so we can be together! Please, wake up!"
She moved her hands back to his face. "Robb, I need you. I need you to help me raise this child. Please! You have to open your eyes!"
Cassana gasped when Robb inhaled sharply and opened his eyes. She leaned over him. "You cannot die. We were given a second chance. We have to take it. Do you hear me? You cannot die."
"I'm sorry, my love, but this is it," Robb said in a low, weak voice.
"No," Cassana exhaled.
"Make sure my child knows that their father loved them," Robb continued before Cassana could get anything else out. "Promise me that you will not give up this cause when I'm gone."
"Please," she whimpered. "Robb don't leave me."
"Cass, promise me," Robb murmured. "Promise me you won't give up."
"I—I won't give up. I won't. I prom—I promise I won't," Cassana said as the tears started to spill from her face onto Robb's shirt.
"I love you so much, Cassana Baratheon," Robb said. He wrapped a hand around one of her wrists. "I love you, Ashara Stark."
"An—And I you, Robb St—Stark," Cassana responded between shallow breaths.
"You must wed another," Robb said as he looked into her eyes. "You must learn to love again."
"I can't," Cassana expressed between soft sobs. "I will never—I will never love anyone the way I loved you."
"I pray to the Seven and the Old Gods that you do," Robb responded quietly. Cassana squeezed her eyes shut when he lifted his hand to his face, brushing away a stream of tears. He could see the pain in her face, but he always thought her beautiful.
"Robb?" Cassana whispered when his hand dropped from her face and his eyelids started to droop slowly. "No, Robb."
When his eyes shut for the last time, Cassana let out a sob that shook her entire body. She curled her fingers into his shirt and lay across his chest while she cried uncontrollably and murmured his name under her breath repeatedly.
She had yet to separate herself from his body when the maester came. When the guards tried to get her to let the maester examine the body, she refused to let go of Robb. She stayed curled up by his side, crying, until Davos, Willem, and Aegon came in.
"Prince Aegon, Ser Davos, Ser Willem," one of the guards greeted them. "We—"
Aegon held up a hand, stopping the man from trying to explain what was happening. They already knew. But Davos and Willem had no idea what to say to her to make her feel like she could let him go.
Aegon stepped forward and kneeled across from Cassana. "Cass…"
"He's gone," she murmured.
"I know," Aegon told her as he looked at Robb Stark's face. "I know."
"He's gone," Cassana sniffled. It was as if it was the only thing she could say. "He's gone."
"He's not here anymore, in his body, but a part of him will live on in your heart and in the child you are carrying," Aegon said comfortingly.
"That's not enough," Cassana whispered. She turned her head and looked up at Aegon. He felt a pang in his chest when he saw the tears on her cheeks and in her eyes. "I want him here. I need him here."
"I know, but… he's gone," Aegon said, shrugging weakly.
Cassana clenched her jaw as she looked back at her husband's face. "I know I need to let go… but I—I can't. I can't let go of him."
"Here," Aegon said as he put out one of his hands. Cassana turned her head to look at it. "Take my hand. Just take my hand, okay?"
Cassana clenched her jaw as she stared at it for a few moments. Eventually, she lifted one hand and placed it on Aegon's.
"That's good," Aegon stated quietly. He wrapped his fingers around her palm so he had a better hold on her hand. Then he offered his other hand. "Can you take this one too?"
Cassana shook her head and tightened her hold on Robb's shirt. "No. I can't let go of him. I won't."
"It's just a hand, Cassana," Aegon urged.
"I can't," Cassana wept.
"Do you trust me?" Aegon questioned as he looked down at her. She nodded immediately. "Then trust me when I say that I'm sorry."
He moved quickly, forcing open her hand that was still clutching Robb's shirt. He held onto her hands as she struggled against him and stepped over Robb's body. Aegon wrapped one hand under her knees and the other around the middle of her back and scooped her up in his arms swiftly. Cassana struggled against him for a moment longer before she started to cry. He held her closer when she buried her head into the nook of his neck and continued to weep quietly. Davos and Willem led the way back to her room and helped Aegon put her to bed.
The three men kept watch over her until she stopped crying.
When the maester came, she sat up in the bed. Her eyes were still red and puffy and her cheeks were tear-stained from all the crying. She looked almost ghostly as she listened to what Maester Vyman had to say.
He ended his diagnosis with, "I'm sorry to say Your Grace, but your husband, our king, was murdered with the poison Essence of Nightshade."
Cassana thanked him for his service and dismissed him quietly. She looked at Aegon, Davos, and Willem.
"I need you to do whatever it takes to find the murderer and when you do I need you to bring them straight to me," Cassana commanded.
"May I ask what you intend to do with them if we do find them?" Willem asked from his spot beside Davos.
"I intend to deliver justice," Cassana answered darkly.
A/N: I apologize for any mistakes! I wanted to get this up in a week. Please give me some feedback on this chapter in a review or PM. And favorite or follow this story if you haven't already.
Question: Who do you think murdered Robb?
Thank you for reading!