Riverrun

Boudicca Baratheon

The entirety of Riverrun had erupted into chaos after the attempted assassination. The word had spread that an assassin was hired to try and kill her, they now had him wounded and in their custody, thanks to Ser Barristan. Boudicca's eyes remained on the assassin as the dim candlelight and torches had lit up his petrified face and she couldn't help but feel satisfaction. It was now nightfall since the incident and she grew more paranoid, though no one dared ask her why she kept her siblings close and her lion at her feet, with her hands possessively clutching her belly as she eyed everyone in suspicion. Ser Davos told her that they had interrogated him and when the man finally broke, the news chilled her to the bone.

"Why would this man want to kill me?" Boudicca demanded. "Who is he?"

"You may not take this news lightly-" Ser Davos informed her. "The assassin is known as the Dancer of Silence. He is apparently renowned for his skill with blades. It appears he works with his son but his son is yet to be found...I doubt his son will stay here after his father's capture. The boy would be a fool to do so. The man claims that he was hired by King Joffrey on the behalf of Petyr Baelish. He was not hired to kill you...it was Myrcella and Tommen he truly was after. The Dancer said he was hired on behalf of Lord Baelish."

"He was after my siblings..." Boudicca repeats, her voice echoing his words as she stares wildly at the man and seethes. "My siblings."

"I know Joffrey and I know the Lannister's. I know he will do anything to get to you. That assassin will be the first of many attempts on your life and the lives of your siblings, my Queen," Ser Barristan answered, turning to face her and stares at her intently. "I doubt he will ever give in or give up. He will never do that. Joffrey has a powerful Small Council. He has the Spider and Littlefinger by his side, he will have them send spies wherever you go. He will not stop until you, your siblings and your child are dead."

"Joffrey will not have my siblings or child," She swore fiercely. "I will burn the Seven Kingdoms to the ground before I let that happen."

"He will not have you either," Ser Davos responded, speaking familiar words as their eyes met and they both held a fierceness.

"Icca," Tommen began quietly, drawing her attention to the small boy in front of her. "What will happen to that man?"

"I do not know," Boudicca replied, clutching her brother and sister tighter to her side.

In truth, she did not know what she nor Robb would do to that bastard. Boudicca was furious and had to allow herself to be held back from him, in case she caused harm to herself or the babe. She let her jaw clench and her teeth grind together as everything in the hall fell eerily silent. The doors to the hall were swung open and Blackfish was first to enter the hall, holding a torch. He came to a stop in front of the man and his lips pursed into a snarl before he spat at his feet before moving on with Lady Catelyn following shortly after him. Various Lords and Ladies filled the vast space of the hall, some were holding torches while others held swords.

All she could hear was the fierce fire burning and her own soft breath, her breath hitched when the last person entered the great hall of Riverrun. Robb. His face looked as if it were made of stone and his eyes were cold as ice itself. Behind Robb, Grey Wind stalked into the hall and approached the man tied to a post, growling and baring his teeth at the shaking man. Boudicca looked on with uncertainty, giving Robb a gentle nod of her head, to assure him she was fine but he looked too angered to respond. Robb slowed the pace until he stood face to face with the assassin, looming over him like a shadow as he advanced on him like a wolf would do its prey. The assassin shakes even harder than he did before, his knees knocking together and he averts his eyes, unable to look anything or anyone but the ground in the eye. Her wolf continued to stare at the man in a seething silence before he turned and walked towards her within two or three strides.

"Boudicca," He murmured, cupping her face in his hands and kissed her fiercely but she pulled away from him with a gentle tug. "Are you hurt?"

"I've suffered worse," She remarked, shaking her head as her fingers trailed subconsciously to her belly. Robb let out a loud breath, resting his own hand against her stomach, rubbing her small barely noticeable bump with his thumb. He kissed the corner of her lip, though his eyes still held wariness, panic and fear. "We're fine, Robb. I promise."

"Are you alright, Myrcella?" Robb asked, looking down at her sister who nodded slowly before he moved on. "You saved her life. You saved my child's life-" He started, turning his attention towards Ser Barristan. He reached over and clasped a hand on the ageing man's shoulder. "Thank you. I owe you. I will give you anything that you wish, if it is within my power, I will give it to you."

Robb patted Ser Davos' shoulder firmly as a sign of gratitude before he stepped back to her, resting both of his hands on her stomach. She could not help but look on at him in hesitance, all she could see was darkness and a lust for war and vengeance in his blue eyes. "I also have a gift for my wife and child!" Robb proclaimed, taking a step back from her. "I will gift my wife the Iron Throne that her father once sat upon!" Boudicca stiffened, as all eyes turned to focus on both her and Robb. "And my son...we will gift him the world! We will kill them, every one of them. We will bow to no lions or any other beast that dares cross us!"

The great hall erupted into roars of approval for their King but she found herself unable to speak. All Boudicca could do was stare at him in shock, she has never heard him speak with such ferocity, with such blood thirst. Boudicca's heart clenched as she looked on in awe at Robb. In this hall, he was not the playful, loyal and loving man that she had grown to love with a burning passion. No, he was no longer a man...he was a wolf. A wolf of winter and he would help her bring a storm to the South. Boudicca placed her hands on her sibling's shoulders as Robb finished his speech, his voice was barely heard above the riled people, he glanced at her and she gave him an encouraging nod. Do it.

"I swear by the Old Gods and the New. The South will know what winter truly is when we are done with them!" Robb roared.

Grey Wind prowled around the hall, snarling and snapping his jaws viciously. All that filled Boudicca's ears were the roars of the men and women alike. Her world was filled that night with shouts and cries of 'Stark', 'The Young Wolf' and 'The King in the North'. Her eyes widened, taken aback by the events that unfolded in front of her eyes. A large smile appeared on her face as a prideful feeling swelled within her chest. Grey Wind stalked towards her, throwing his large head back and howled loudly. Her lion began to roar out his own approvals and she briefly wondered if they could sense the thirst for blood and vengeance and the promise in the air like she could.

"Tomorrow we march for the Twins!" Robb announced, turning slightly on his feet to look at his men. "Eat hearty for it shall be a long night!"

Boudicca could not help but smile as the riled up people in the hall continued. It did not help when he strode over to her and placed his hands around her waist and hoisted her into the air, spinning her around slowly before setting her down next to the fire pit. I won't let anything like this happen again, his eyes swore as he placed a glove bound hand on her cheek, gently stroking her face with his thumb. Boudicca reached up and firm placed her hand on the back of his neck, pulling him into a fierce kiss.

Robb Stark

The night had grown colder, so Robb decided to retire for the night and head for his shared chambers after he held a meeting with the war council. He entered the warm chambers, his eyes landing on the sleeping woman in the furs. He tore off his armour, his eyes never leaving her peaceful face. Robb's head was pounding and sweat was beading along his brows, making dampened curls stick to his face. Grey Wind shook himself, panting heavily as he approached the bed and jumped up onto the furs, taking his place beside Boudicca. Grey Wind's eyes looked mournful as he whined and howled low. He knows something is wrong, Robb thinks to himself.

"Hush, Grey Wind," Robb ordered, his voice barely a whisper causing Grey Wind's ears to perk up and twitch as he listened. "You will wake her. Let her sleep."

Robb pulled his chest plate over his head and lay it gently on the rack, every moment he made, he did so with caution, careful not to wake his wife. His muscles were screaming in pain, his shoulders, back and legs aching and throbbing. His blue eyes flickered down to his tunic soaked with both sweat and blood and he pulled it over his head, gritting his teeth and grunting softly as he pulled his grey tunic off, letting it drop to the stone floor. He ran his fingers down the recent scar he gained on his shoulder and his lips quirked into a smile, as his eyes found his wife once more. The scars match.

It has been at least two moon's since the last battle was fought, since the death of Renly Baratheon and since his wife's first war of many. And there has not been a battle since then, though he could see his wife was growing restless each passing day from the wait. Now, Robb was unsure if he would ever let Boudicca out of his sight again, he clenched his fists and eyes closed, sucking in a sharp breath as he thought on the assassin and how he screamed. His wild wife was almost killed along with his babe and that made him feel more wrathful than ever before. In fact, he could not recall the last time he felt such fury. It felt as if something had taken over him, especially when he confronted the man who had attacked and attempted to kill her.

Boudicca and Robb ended up in a fight after he refused to let her leave their chambers. Their arguments were nothing new, she would roar and scream at him and he would yell and shout back but their fights always ended the same way, with her pinning him to the ground and their lips pressed in a fierce and passionate kiss. He approached the bed, crawling across the furs, minding both Boudicca and Grey Wind before he lay down next to her, pulling her into his side. Robb leant back and let his eyes drift down to stare at Boudicca, thinking on their last spat. We fight like cat and dog, he thought to himself and upon thinking that, he laughed at the irony.

"Stop staring," A hoarse and tired voice murmured, as green eyes met his own. "I can feel you staring, wolf."

"I'm not staring," He denied, a soft smirk appearing on his face as he looked down at the bleary woman. "I am merely admiring."

"Admiring?" Boudicca repeated, sitting up and let the furs fall down her body. "What were you laughing at?"

"That we fight like cat and dog. A lion and a wolf," Robb replied truthfully, chuckling at the face she pulled. "Come on, Icca. You know it is true."

"Aye, it is about as funny as a boil on the tip of my nose," His dark haired wife snorted before turning slowly so that she was now lying with her back to him as she huffed. He laughed louder, causing her to let out a laugh too but it was a sarcastic, forced one. He could tell that she irritated, though that only made his smile widen. Boudicca threw her head back and moaned mournfully thought it was a playful jest, "By the Gods! Why did I agree?"

"Gods, why did I agree?" Robb mocked, causing her to turn back to face him with narrowed eyes. She sat up fully giving him a rough shove that rivalled Arya's, despite trying to keep her face in a frown, her lips uncontrollably twitched, forcing her to smile at him. He grinned at her, giving her a gentle nudge on the shoulder before he pulled a face; crossing his eyes, scrunching up his nose and smiled with his teeth bared that he could compare himself to Grey Wind then. "Us Stark's aren't really that interesting but at least I am pretty enough for a wolf, no?"

"Ha!" Boudicca laughed dryly and looked at him pointedly, her dark brow raised. "You call that a pretty face? I will show you what a true pretty face looks like!"

Robb tilted his head, watching with interest as she covered her face in her hands and once she pulled away, his mouth fell agape in shock. He had never seen a woman, much less a woman who was once a Princess and now a Queen, make a face like that. Her mouth was opened wide and her lips were pursed back, her chin was tucked into her neck and her eyes were crossed like his once were and were also rolled to the back of her head with furrowed brows and a scrunched nose. Boudicca was a sight to behold.

"Gods!" Robb proclaimed his face serious but he could tell that she heard the jesting tone. "You'd frighten an army with that face!"

"I don't care," Boudicca replied simply before her face relaxed and she rubbed her jaw.

They both kept their faces stoic and serious, not a word was shared between them as they kept up the act but their facade had broken down quickly as they tried to hold their laughter before they erupted into roars. Robb had to clutch his sore side as he laughed, watching her throw her head back and roared with laughter. He couldn't help but unfortunately compare her laughter to that of a pig, as he listened to snort and squeal with booming laughter.

"Y-You win!" He relented, holding his sides as tears welled up in his eyes. "Your laugh is awful!"

"A-Awful?" Boudicca gasped, chuckling as she came down, her breaths were laboured as she straddled his legs and reached over with her hands, wiping the tears away from her face. She smiled coyly, threading her fingers through his curls. "I thought I was attractive, Robb Stark."

"You are," Robb answered breathlessly as he cupped her cheeks, their gazing never breaking. "...Despite that laugh and that face you can make, how can you even do that with your neck and chin? I know I certainly cannot. And now that you mention it...you can be quite hairy and sometimes you stink, really badly-"

"Fuck off Stark," Boudicca huffed, slapping his arm with the back of her hand as he began to chortle.

"I was merely jesting," He hummed, taking in her features. "You are beautiful."

"You're beautiful too, Stark," She responded, causing him to chuckle. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer until their chests were touching and their foreheads were resting against each other. Boudicca stared at him with such a strange intensity that he had seen no woman other than his mother hold. She cupped his cheek with her hand and brushed her thumb against his cheek, her brows furrowing. "You're scared. Why?"

"You know why," Robb said, thinking on the assassin. I have never been more terrified, he thinks to himself. "You were almost killed."

"Almost being the choice of word," His wife retorted, clutching the back of his neck and brought him closer until her lips were on his own and his blue eyes held her gaze. "It will take more than an assassin to kill me, Robb Stark. You won't be getting rid of me anytime soon. Can the same be said for you, Robb?"

"I will not leave this word without you," He swore fiercely. "I made a promise to conquer the world with you, for our son. And we will, together."

"Forever-" Boudicca began.

"Always," Robb finished.

Boudicca leans forward, closing the distance between them and presses a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. His hands cup the sides of her face, his fingertips gently caressing her jawline. Her eyes were fiery as they flickered over him before her warm lips met his own and she pulled him into a kiss. He closed his eyes and dove further into the kiss he smiled against her lips before a question came to mind, causing him to hesitantly pull away from her embrace.

"Do you love me?" Robb inquired, cocking his head to the side.

"The moment I open my eyes in the morn, I see you." Boudicca began, placing her hands on his shoulders.

His wife was no mere woman, to him, when he listened to some of his men compare her to a star. He denied it, she was not a star, she was the whole entire night's sky. A stormy night's sky. Robb found his wild woman beautiful to look at, though that is not the reason he found her beautiful. He found her beautiful in the way she says things, in the way she is. He found her beautiful every time she inspired their people. He found her beautiful when the light of moon lit up her wildfire eyes. He found her beautiful because she was Boudicca. She was his best friend, his lover, his wife, his Queen and now, the mother of their child.

Robb remembered the stories Old Nan used to tell him about the First Men, about how they became a husband and wife. The lovers during the times of the First Men believed a mere kiss would mate them for life, that it would unite their souls and bound them for all eternity. Nan was right, Robb thought awe filled. All Sansa ever wanted was to hear that story when they were younger and that story stayed in his mind. It was said that to kiss another allowed them to share their souls with the other and that is how lovers came to be. They couldn't be more right.

"You love me, don't you?" Robb inquired, cocking his head to the side.

"The moment I open my eyes in the morn, I see you," Boudicca told him, placing her hands on his shoulders. "And the moment I close them, I think of only you. The moment I am asleep, I dream of you. I have done and said many things in my life, loving you is one of them. I do not deserve your love but you have given it to me anyway. You have made me strong. Your smile is worth more to me than any war."