Chapter 13

Myrcella had spent the last few days in her room to recover from her panic attack and subsequent head pains. Sansa had sat and talked to her most of the days eager to learn about her betrothed Willas. Queen Catelyn often joined her daughter and would sometimes come without Sansa being there just to talk to Myrcella. It was odd for her to receive so much attention from others after being ignored for so long but it was nice being able to talk to people outside her family. Catelyn often talked to her about how the North was run and other information she would need to know when she became Queen. Myrcella was also disappointed though because Robb had not visited her since the day that she had gotten sick. She worried that he may be rethinking marrying her. Sighing Myrcella placed her hairbrush down as she looked at herself in the mirror. Today her Uncle Renly was coming to Winterfell and while she was ecstatic that he was coming she was worried about seeing Robb. She was allowed to leave her bed chamber in order to greet her Uncle. Staring at herself, Myrcella tried to keep her eyes away from her face. She was wearing a dark blue dress with gold stitching. Myrcella had taken to adding some southern elements to the darker more practical northern dresses. She wore the golden antler choker that Renly had given to her the last time he had visited King's Landing. Slowly raising her eyes Myrcella looked at her face. The scar that marred her cheek was slightly faded but still cut a harsh line through her otherwise beautiful face. She was all to happy to leave behind the elaborate braids her mother favored, instead wearing her hair down with a few braids or sometimes pulled back with a headband. Currently her hair was arranged so it covered much of her scar and was braided on the other side to keep the hair out of her face. Wincing slightly Myrcella raised a hand to her temple where her head was pounding slightly due to the stress of the day. The maester had warned her that overdoing it would cause headaches and other symptoms and today was no exception to that. Standing up Myrcella gathered her cloak and fastened it as she walked towards the door. She was to meet the Starks at the main entrance to greet the party from the Stormlands. She straightened her spine and left the room.

Robb sighed as he stood outside next to his father as they waited for Myrcella's uncle to arrive. He had spent the last few days sparring and arguing with his father and had neglected visiting Myrcella. He knew he should of visited but his father was becoming increasingly more difficult on Myrcella's well being. His father did not want the future queen to be weak and he knew Myrcella would understand his absence when he explained he was trying to protect her. Thankfully reminding his father that without Myrcella Renly Baratheon would not be as cooperative had convinced his father to drop his argument. However the Lannisters in King's Landing were becoming increasingly more and more relentless in their search for the escapees. Northern forces had taken out several groups of soldiers and townspeople had formed militias to protect their princess. The fact that Myrcella is in Winterfell was being kept a secret until after the wedding in order to draw less attention the Northern Royalty as they hopes to protect everyone. Robb heard the door open and he watched as Myrcella walked out. His eyes widened as he took in her appearance, you could barely tell she had been ill. Other than the slight gauntness of her face Myrcella was a vision. She was wearing a dress that gave the impression that she was wrapped in gold due to the stitching, she was wearing the stag choker that she wore often and her hair was unbound and curling around her face. He frowned when he noticed that she was trying to cover her scar. He swiftly walked over before she joined his mother. She looked slightly angry when she noticed his presence but she quickly schooled her face to an inexpressive mask. He reached down and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"You have nothing to hide. You look beautiful." he whispered in her ear.

"Thank you, my prince. I have not seen much of you lately." she said courteously but with a slight edge to it.

"My father has been increasingly difficult due to the arrival of your uncle. It was up to me to make sure he made no rash decisions. I did not mean to offend you 'Cella." he notice her blush slightly at the nickname.

Before she could respond, there was a commotion as the gates opened and people poured into the courtyard. Robb noticed Myrcella's face light up as her Uncle rode in. Renly Baratheon dismounted from his horse and to everyone's surprise immediately made his way towards Myrcella. Pulling away from him Myrcella ran to her uncle and threw herself in his arms. They stood there hugging tightly as a beautiful women exited a carriage and made her way towards the pair. Robb could only assume that this was Renly's lady wife Margaery. Myrcella quickly hugged her to and then they began to walk towards the Starks. He could hear their conversation as they got closer.

"So I hear the little fawn is about to be married." Renly teased his niece.

"I thought I said not to call me that." Myrcella jokingly glared at him, when she turned to face him her hair shifted and her scar could be clearly seen. Margaery's face sobered and Renly looked murderous.

"What happened to your face. It was that little piece of shit Joffrey was it not. What else did he do to you." Myrcella looked ashamed as she quickly rearranged her hair.

"It was not that bad, Jaime protected me." she muttered looking at the ground. Renly looked like he wanted to say more but they had reached the Starks. Margaery looked the most composed out of the three, Renly looking like he wanted to kill someone and Myrcella looking down at the ground as she fidgeted with her hair. Margaery greeted his family graciously thanking them for inviting them and his father led them inside. Robb offered Myrcella his arm which she took with little hesitation.

Myrcella could feel Renly's eyes boring holes into her as he stared at her face from across the table. After they arrived the Starks had a small feast to welcome Renly and his men to Winterfell. She refused to look at him instead she maintained a light conversation with Sansa who kept shooting confused looks at Margaery and Renly who kept staring. When the feast ended everyone began to exit except for the King and Queen, Robb and Sansa along with Renly, Margaery and herself. She was definitely not looking forward to this conversation. Robb's father led them to his solar in order to get to the reason of the visit and allow Renly to ask questions. Robb led her and Sansa over to a smaller couch and the Starks sat on either side of her. Robb squeezed her hand gently and Sansa grasped her hand in her own. Renly forgo sitting altogether and was standing in front of Myrcella.

"How long has this been going on?" Renly burst out as soon as everyone was settled.

"Since I was two and ten." Myrcella responded looking at her hands.

"And you did not think to tell me? I could have helped you!"

"No one could of helped me. Joffrey was to be the king, he is the king. Nothing would of stopped him. Uncle Jaime helped the best he could but mother knew and never stopped him and father was too drunk to notice when he was alive. I could not disobey or he would've killed me. I did what I had to survive." Myrcella was practically yelling and if it were not for Sansas tight grip on her hand she would of stood.

"I could have brought you to Storm's End, you would of been safe there. At least you could of fought back I would have helped you. The Fawn I know would not give up."

"Do you not think I thought of that. Jaime helped me learn to fight and use a dagger but the one time I tried to fight back Joffrey threw me into a wall and I was unconscious for almost an entire day before Jaime found me. No one else looked for me. Uncle Tyrion was away and my father was dead and mother did not even notice. She convinced the maester that helped me to pass it off as me falling, she had the entire court believing that I was dim witted due to all the injuries I got 'falling'! Do not tell me what I should have done. I am six and ten uncle, I love you but your Fawn in gone I am a stag now and I did what I had to to survive. " she had heard several reactions from the people in the room as she told her story but she refused to move her eyes off Renly's face.

After her speech Myrcella finally saw the defeat and regret in Renly's face. She stood up slowly and walked over until she was right in front of him. He promptly pulled her into his arms and whispered,

"I am so sorry. I should have protected you."

"There was nothing you could have done, I did not tell you for a reason. I did not want anyone else to get hurt."

Once Renly had calmed down both Myrcella and him sat down, King Stark pulled out many documents. A few were for the alliance between the Stormlands and the North and the others were for Renly to verify the marriage between Myrcella and Robb. Throughout this Myrcella sat staring down at her hands that both Robb and Sansa held tightly offering her silent support. She knew they all wanted to ask questions but they did not want to push her. Looking up she noticed Margaery looking at her shocked. Myrcella quickly looked back down, Robb moved closer to her and held her hand tighter. She looked up at him and he smiled gently at her. His father called him over and he stood up walking over to the desk. Myrcella missed the comfort he offered her immediately and she moved closer to Sansa clutching to her arm. After everything was signed the King dismissed everyone from the room. Catelyn and Sansa immediately surrounded Myrcella and ushered her out the door knowing she was not ready to talk to her family. They brought her to her room and once they were inside Myrcella collapsed in a chair near the fire.

"I cannot talk to them right now. They have too many questions and they expect me to have answers. I do not know why Joffrey did it, I do not know why I did not tell anyone, I do not know why my mother is horrible, and I do not know why I did not try harder to fight back."

"You do not have to talk to anyone right now Myrcella, do you want us to leave?" Sansa asked her softly.

"No, if I am alone Margaery will just take that as an invitation to talk to me. I do not want to hear her disapproval of what I did to survive."

"If I may ask why do they call you fawn?" Catelyn questioned.

"When I was younger my mother made a big deal about me being a Lannister, she never did it around my father so no one ever corrected her with the fact that I am a Baratheon. Renly is much younger than my father so when I was born Renly was still very young. He visited often because of that and when he did he was surprised to find that I thought I was fully Lannister because of my mother. He decided that it was his job to teach me to be a Baratheon and it helped that he hated my mother. He started calling me a Fawn because it is a baby deer and it caught on with some of the family but every time my mother or Joffrey heard it they scream about me dishonoring my family. I loved it for that reason when I was younger but when Joffrey started beating me he would sometimes call me that to insult me. Called me a traitor to the Lannisters and how he would beat the stag out of me. I miss when things were easier not perfect but when my father was alive things were better." Sansa reached out and squeezed her hand. They all turned when they heard a knock on the door and the Queen walked over to answer it.

Robb was walking down the hallway towards Myrcella's room when he noticed Lady Margaery outside of the room. She looked to be arguing with someone who he could not see due to them being inside the doorway. When he drew closer he recognized his mother's voice.

"She does not wish to speak to anyone right now." His mother insisted.

"You will not keep me from seeing my niece." Lady Margaery argued.

"I am the Queen of this Castle and if I tell you to leave my future daughter in law alone you will."

Robb rarely heard his mother pull rank with people but he was glad that she was trying to protect Myrcella. By then he had approached the door.

"Is something the matter Lady Margaery?"

"Nothing that concerns you." Margaery replied haughtily.

"Well you see the person you are insisting on seeing is my betrothed so it does concern me. I ask that you come back another time when she wishes to see you." Margaery glared at him before turning on her heel and stalked down the hallway.

He turned his head to look at his mother who smiled slightly at him before opening the door wider and allowing him to enter. He saw Myrcella curled up in a chair with Sansa sitting right next to her. He nodded towards them before looking at his mother.

"Father has finalized everything, the Stormlands have sworn allegiance to the North." his mother smiled brightly at that, "He also finalized the papers for the wedding. Renly and father agreed it should take place as quickly as possible. They want it to be in two days." he added quietly.

"Two days? We cannot possibly arrange a wedding in that little time. She needs a dress and we would have to arrange a feast." his mother replied shocked.

"Father said that Myrcella does not need an elaborate dress and Lord Renly brought a Baratheon maiden cloak with him. They want the wedding to be as soon as possible to protect the North. The South cannot claim her if we are married."

"The South might fight harder in response though."

"Father brought up the point that they have not tried very hard at all. They have sent out small groups of soldiers who were fought off quickly and they have made no demands."

"That is true but there is still so much to do. I am going to go talk to the seamstress and cooks so we can arrange this." with that his mother left the room, Myrcella and Sansa watching her go questioningly.

Robb approached the two of them and sat in a chair across from them. He explained what he had told his mother and the shock on Myrcella's face was apparent. For a moment he was scared she was rethinking marrying him before she locked eyes with him and he could see the anticipation and uncertainty in her gaze. He turned to Sansa and she nodded and left the room so he could talk to Myrcella.

"You have nothing to fear with this marriage Myrcella. I will not hurt you."

"I know that, I believe that I will be very happy in this marriage, my prince." she said softly.

"If you have any questions about marriage do not hesitate to talk to my mother or I. When you start talking to you Uncle and Aunt again I am sure that they would be willing to talk to you also."

"I should talk to them. I just do not know how to face them, I feel like I failed them in some way." Myrcella was looking at him with tears in her eyes. Robb stood and walked over to her chair. He motioned for her to stand and when she did he pulled her into his arms. Burying his face into her hair and hugged her tightly. He could feel the wetness on his shoulder as Myrcella finally broke down. Gently he lowered them into the chair with her in his lap. She curled into him as he stroked her hair.

"You are the strongest person I know Myrcella." He told her firmly. She survived what little people could survive and she never wavered. He had met soldiers with less strength and he had no doubt that Myrcella would survive this. She clung to him tightly seeking comfort which he knew she had lacked for most of her life. He knew Renly cared for her but was blaming himself for not protecting her. Robb was happy she had someone that cared so much for her. She spoke highly of her Uncles but he was horrified how little her parents did to protect her. The one thing Robb was certain of was he would never let Myrcella suffer again. He would kill Joffrey Baratheon if it was the last thing he did. Robb promised himself that he would take the South and then Myrcella would not have to live in fear of her own brother. Robb would not rest until she felt safe and it was the least he could do as her soon to be husband.

I hope everyone likes this chapter. Thank you for the reviews and follows I really appreciate it. You may have noticed that I switch between Robb and Myrcella and I think I will continue the story like that while occasionally throwing in other people. If anyone has any POV requests I would love to hear them. Sorry this chapter took so long I have been busy with school. Continue reviewing I love to hear from everyone. Thank you!