A/N: Next chapter for you lovely people!
Thank you to everyone, if you hadn't guessed I am still super overwhelmed by the response this story has got!
Please give me your thoughts on this one, I always love to read them (good or bad!)
:)
Blessings & Bastards
Elissa was a vision as she walked into the Godswood, the sun was shining as she had hoped and Robb couldn't take his eyes from her as she walked slowly towards him on the arm of the Greatjon. When she lifted her eyes to his her face lit up in a wide smile and his heart pounded, she was so beautiful he could barely believe she was going to pledge her life to him again. What had he done to deserve such perfection?
"Will you say the words?" the Septon asked when she reached Robb's side.
"Gladly," she smiled and Robb's hand found hers for a moment and squeezed.
"Do you pledge yourself willingly in the sight of the Old Gods to this man?" the Septon ask.
"I pledge my life to him and him alone, willingly, in the sight of the Old Gods," she answered.
"And do you pledge yourself willingly in the sight of the Old Gods to this woman?" he asked Robb.
"I pledge my life to her and her alone, willingly, in the sight of the Old Gods," Robb said.
"You are bound for life here in sight of this weirwood tree, may you live long and happy lives together," the Septon finished.
Robb beamed then, turning to his wife and cupping her face gently in his hands before pressing his lips firmly to hers. She kissed him back eagerly and he pulled her closer, almost forgetting about the crowd of people that were surrounding them. Eventually though he had to pull away and when he did he was staring right into her beaming face. "This is the wedding we should have had," he whispered to her and her smile widened even further.
"Come now aren't we supposed to be feasting?!" the Greatjon boomed then, to much laughter.
"Aye, lead the way," Robb chuckled, taking Elissa's hand as they walked slowly towards the keep.
"I love you," she smiled up at him, her smile breath-taking.
"I love you, so much," he said back, a wide smile on his own face as he gazed down on her.
Jon watched from the widow as they returned from the Godswood, he shouldn't really be out of bed but he needed to see her. He hadn't seen her in days, not since Robb had ordered her away and she had gone without once looking back at him. The others came first and he steadied himself against the windowsill, the pain in his leg where one of the arrows had hit was making it hard to stand. He had to see her though, just one glimpse to help him through. She came eventually, hand in hand with Robb, a wide smile stretched across her beautiful face.
Robb looked equally happy at her side and he couldn't help but feel the sharp stab of jealousy in the pit of his stomach. What would he give to be the man who could put that smile on Elissa's face? Anything. He would give anything at all. She was gone then in the blink of an eye, Robb ushering her on up the steps in front of him as he looked up and locked eyes with Jon. Jon didn't bother trying to hide away, Robb had already seen him, and he had seen the look of fury cross his face when he had met his eyes.
Robb tried to enjoy the feast, he tried to keep the smile on his face as he watched the dancing. Elissa was being twirled around by the Greatjon who had already had more ale than anyone else in attendance. She was giggling madly as he forgot half the steps, stumbling into her every now and then as she tried to correct him. Robb could see she gave up in the end, she just went along with whatever steps that he was making up. He was so glad she was happy, he was happy, but there was a cloud in his previously clear sky. Jon. Why had he looked up? Why had he not just kept going into the keep? He knew why, it was because he knew Jon would be looking, he knew that he could not have forgotten his feelings for Elissa so quickly. The Gods knew no man could ever forget her.
But she was his.
His.
No one else's. She was his and that was how it would stay, for now and for always because that was what they had promised. Not just once, but twice. Hells, he would marry her a thousand times if that was what it took to show Jon, to show everyone, that she belonged with him, and he with her. They were meant to be together. They were together. And he would never let anyone tear them apart, especially not his bastard brother.
He forced a smile to his face as Elissa approached, her face flushed with all the dancing she had done, some of her beautiful golden hair tumbling out of the jewelled net she had fixed it with.
"I cannot dance anymore," she said breathlessly as she flung herself into her chair.
"You looked like you were enjoying yourself," he smiled at her.
"Yes," she agreed, "until Lord Umber stepped on my toes"
"He's drunk," Robb said simply, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"Well I hope you don't follow suit," she smiled slyly at him.
"And why is that?" he asked, catching onto her mood.
"Because, tonight I want a real wedding night," she told him seductively, her hand on his thigh.
"It will be all night I promise you," he replied, leaning in to brush his lips across her neck.
Jon pressed the pillow so far against his face that he almost thought he might smother himself but still he could hear them. It was as if they grew louder on purpose the harder he pushed it against him. Damn it! Was Robb doing this on purpose? Was he deliberately making her scream out his name and beg him for more? Was this the Gods idea of some sort of sick joke? If it was he definitely wasn't laughing. He threw the pillow away then, it was doing him no good; he could still hear everything. He heard so much he could almost imagine it in his mind, only in his mind Robb faded away and it was him on top of her, thrusting himself inside her over and over as her hands grabbed at him, screaming his name.
"Again?" Robb questioned as Elissa pulled herself astride him.
"Has the sun risen?" she asked him as she ran her hands firmly across his shoulders.
"No," he said, feeling his body respond underneath her.
"Then it is still night," she said, bringing her lips down to kiss along his sweat drenched chest.
"You will be the death of me," he breathed as she teased at his hardness.
"And what a death," she whispered in his ear as she slid down onto him.
She rocked perfectly and he couldn't take his eyes off the way her body moved as she drove pleasure right through his body. He didn't have words to describe her, the way the beads of sweat formed perfectly between her full breasts, just aching for his tongue to brush them up. The way she tossed her golden hair over her shoulder as she quickened her pace. The way she moaned his name so perfectly as she climbed higher and higher. The way she slapped her hands to his chest as she came to the edge, tightening perfectly around him and screaming out that she loved him. He growled out his own release moments later and she moved so he slid out of her, collapsing against his chest, her lips going for his neck.
"Dawn's breaking," he said, glancing towards the window.
"We did it," she said breathlessly.
"Yes," he agreed with a grin, "this should have been our wedding night"
"This was our wedding night," she replied.
A messenger approached the next day while they were sat eating breakfast together, both still utterly exhausted from their nights activities but in a blissful state.
"What is it?" Robb asked.
"Word from the villages, the bastard from the Dreadfort has grown more bold," he was told.
"Bolton's bastard?" Robb asked.
"Aye your Grace," the messenger nodded, "raids, rapes … even murder"
"Gather the men," he said wearily, "this stops now"
"Yes your Grace," the messenger agreed at once, bowing before hurrying away.
"Now Robb?" Elissa questioned.
"Now," he confirmed, "I'm sorry Lissy, but this can't go on"
"No," she agreed grudgingly, "no, I know that"
"We will make short work of him I promise you," he smiled reassuringly.
"You'll not be gone long?" she questioned.
"You'll barely have time to recover from last night," he told her lowly and she smiled widely.
"You come back alive do you hear me?" she said firmly.
"Knowing I have you waiting for me, how could I not?" he countered, pecking her lips lightly.
Robb went out into the courtyard then to find the men assembling, he hoped that Bolton's bastard wouldn't be hard to find as he headed towards the armoury. He felt uneasy about leaving, especially as he was leaving Elissa alone with Jon still in the keep. He didn't think his wife would do anything, hells, he knew she wouldn't, but he wouldn't put it passed Jon to try something with him out of the way. That had always been Jon's problem, he never knew when to give up. His mother would keep an eye on things he knew that, that was what he tried to focus on as a squire began helping him into his armour. It wouldn't be long and then he'd be home, then perhaps he and Elissa could finally focus on just being happy.
"Elissa said you would be riding out," his mother's voice sounded then.
"Yes," he said as his breastplate was strapped to him.
"I'm sure I don't need to tell you to be careful," she smiled and he turned to face her.
"No," he said, "can you leave us?" he added to the squire who bowed and fled at once.
"What is it?" his mother asked, she always knew.
"Keep an eye on Elissa," he said lowly, "and the other on Jon"
"Robb she wouldn't!" she protested at once.
"No she wouldn't," he agreed, "but I wouldn't put anything passed him anymore."
Jon again watched from the window as Elissa made her way down the steps, Torrhen clamped securely in her arms as she made her way to where Robb was stood by his horse. Robb took the baby at once from her, holding him tightly for a moment and kissing the top of his head. He shifted him to one side then and pulled Elissa against him with his other arm. She clung to him for a moment before she pulled slightly away and they said words to one another that Jon could only imagine. They kissed then and he had to look away, turning from the window he felt the pain in his leg shooting through him and his knee buckled, before he knew it he was on the floor, grasping desperately at anything around him so he could pull himself up. It was to no avail, he didn't have the strength; he blinked furiously as his vision swam. What in the name of the Gods was happening? He had felt fine before.
Elissa was taking Torrhen back up to his day nursery when she heard the low moans of pain coming from Jon's room. She hesitated for a moment, perhaps she should call for the Maester? After a second she continued on, quickly leaving Torrhen with the nursery maids and walking back towards Jon's room. She paused at the door, thinking his moans had stopped but then she heard them again; he sounded desperate. Again she hesitated, Robb wouldn't want her in there, Robb wouldn't want her anywhere near there, but if Jon was in pain he would need treatment. She couldn't just leave him, what kind of person would that make her?
She made up her mind then, pushing open the door and tentatively stepping into the room, she was confused when she didn't see him in bed but then her eyes found him collapsed on the floor. He looked in a near state of unconsciousness and she went to his side at once, trying to sit him up she found it impossible. He was too heavy and too weak to help himself. She saw the beads of sweat forming across his brow then and she placed a shaking hand to it, feeling his skin almost aflame beneath her touch. "Oh Gods," she whispered, "I'm going to get the Maester," she told him, "don't close your eyes Jon!" she insisted and he let out a low groan in response. With that she stood up from his side and ran from the room towards the Maester's tower.
Elissa stood uncertainly in the doorway as two guards helped Jon back onto the bed, Maester Luwin stepping forward to examine him as soon as he was settled again. His face was grave and Elissa's heart pounded, she hated what Jon had done, how it had made her feel and how it had hurt Robb so much. But she never wanted this, she never wanted to see him so weak, he didn't deserve to die. He was a bloody fool but he didn't deserve to die.
"It is lucky you found him when you did your Grace," the Maester told her then.
"What's wrong with him?" she asked.
"His wound has festered, that's what has caused the fever," he explained.
"Can you fix it?" she questioned, her eyes wide and hopeful.
"I believe so, but you may want to step out your Grace … it won't be pretty," he grimaced.
"Do your best," she managed a faint smile and he nodded before she turned from the room.
Catelyn watched Elissa as she twisted her hands together, her face pale and worried as they waited for news of Jon. She had come to her in near tears and told her what had happened and now they sat waiting to hear if the Maester's efforts were going to be enough. Elissa looked almost guilty and Catelyn didn't like that, the girl shouldn't be blaming herself, she had done nothing but be kind. She couldn't have known that Jon would fall in love with her, she never would have dreamed it.
"This isn't your fault," Catelyn finally said, unable to stand her expression any longer.
"Are you sure about that?" Elissa whispered, tears welling in her eyes again.
"Did you shoot him with that arrow?" she questioned.
"I wanted him gone," Elissa said.
"Dead?" Catelyn asked.
"No not dead," she said, shaking her head, "just gone, away from here, away from me and Robb"
"That's normal," Catelyn soothed, "you couldn't have known what would happen"
"Why did he have to kiss me?!" she burst out furiously.
"Jon has always gravitated to those who are kind to him," Catelyn told her.
"Of course I was kind to him! I knew how much he meant to Robb!" Elissa exclaimed.
"I don't expect he meant to fall for you, but you're kind and beautiful, the very thing a man like Jon wouldn't be able to resist," she sighed.
"And look where it's got him," Elissa said bitterly.
"Yes indeed," Catelyn agreed heavily, silently praying that Jon would pull through.
It was another few hours before the Maester came with news. He had cleaned Jon's wound and cut away the infected flesh before redressing it with fresh bandages. The fever would be upon him for a few days at the least, he told them, as the toxins needed time to drain from his body. He would likely survive but be incredibly weakened, his strength would come back slowly after such a violent fever. In all likelihood he would need months to recover fully. Elissa hadn't known what to think of that, she was pleased he was going to be alright but the thought of Robb's reaction when he found out how long Jon would have to stay had her cringing.
She painted a smile on her face for dinner, she knew that Catelyn could see through it but she hoped that Roslin and Ana would be fooled. They would be leaving soon and the last thing she wanted was to have them worrying about her on their way back to Riverrun. That was the one good thing about Robb leaving she supposed, she could spend all her time with her sisters before they went back. Roslin turned to her then and she kept the smile on her face as she opened her mouth to speak.
"I know we've not always been close but I know a forced smile when I see one," she said quietly.
"Not here Ros," Elissa said, knowing her sister was too stubborn to let it go.
"Walk with me then," Roslin said and she sighed heavily and nodded, getting up to leave.
"Are you going somewhere?" Ana asked.
"Just for a short walk, my back is aching in that chair," Roslin lied.
"Go round the gardens Ros, they're beautiful," Ana smiled.
"Good idea," she smiled back, linking her arm with Elissa's as they stepped off the high table.
They walked in silence for a while until they were sure that no one was in earshot of them. Roslin steered them to a bench then and they sat down, Elissa glancing around again to make sure there was definitely no one around.
"Well?" Roslin questioned.
"Jon," Elissa said simply.
"I heard, but he will live won't he?" she said.
"Yes," Elissa nodded, "but it's not about that"
"What then?" Roslin frowned.
"He has feelings for me," she said quietly.
"What kind of feelings?" Roslin questioned, thinking she already knew the answer.
"The worst kind," Elissa whispered, tears stinging her eyes.
"And you, do you have feelings for him?" she asked.
"I thought of him as a brother, until he tried to kiss me," Elissa said bitterly.
"Oh Gods," Roslin almost moaned.
"And Robb heard it all," she went on, "he is going to be so furious"
"No doubt," Roslin agreed.
"He thought it would be a few weeks and then he would be gone … only now …" Elissa said.
"Months," Roslin finished for her, "what a mess"
"We were so happy when we arrived here," she said sadly.
"And now?" her sister questioned.
"And now it is like a dark cloud looming over us that we're trying so hard to ignore. Only the more we ignore it the bigger it grows … it will rain down on us all in the end, and when it does I have no idea what we're going to do," she confessed.
Roslin had no words then, she just turned and pulled Elissa into a tight embrace, stroking her hand through her little sisters hair as she felt wetness against her neck, knowing that Elissa had succumbed to tears.
Ana watched from the other side of the garden as Roslin did her best to comfort Elissa. She felt pained that her sister was upset, she also felt pained that it was Roslin she had gone to and not her. In a way it didn't surprise her, Elissa and Roslin had more in common now, they were both married and when Roslin had her baby they would both be mothers. If Elissa was having troubles in her marriage then Roslin could counsel her much better than she ever could. She doubted she would ever be a wife, not now. Even if she hadn't been repeatedly dishonoured she would still be from a disgraced house, her pure sisters and nieces back at the Twins were having trouble enough finding matches.
Ana had never really thought of being married, she had hoped that one day her father would find her a nice husband who she could live contentedly with and bear sons for. She never dreamed of love and Lords as her other sisters had, her expectations were far more realistic. Never could she imagine being as passionately and deeply in love as Roslin and Elissa were with their husbands. She could never imagine herself surrendering completely to such feelings. Perhaps if things had been different she could have had a chance to find such happiness, such love. But things weren't different, she was spoiled, and no man would want a spoiled woman from a poisoned house.
"I expect we'll leave before Robb returns," Edmure commented as Roslin brushed her hair through.
"No doubt," she said, her mind elsewhere as she placed the brush down.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"No," she shook her head and he frowned, the look on her face said otherwise.
"Ros … you would tell me if there was?" he checked.
"I'm fine, honestly … I'm just worried for Elissa," she admitted.
"Why?" he asked.
"What do you know of Jon Snow?" she questioned, turning to face him.
"Ned Stark's bastard, man of the Night's Watch, I've never actually met him," he shrugged.
"He's after Lissy," she told him after a moment.
"What? That's ridiculous, she's a Queen! Is he mad?!" Edmure exclaimed.
"She's terrified Edmure, terrified of Jon's feelings, of Robb's reaction … I don't want to go home yet," she said, her eyes pleading.
"Ros … the baby is due soon," he said, shaking his head.
"I know, I know that!" Roslin said desperately, "But we have never been so close, and she needs me, I can't let her down!"
"Fine," he sighed in defeat, he could only ever give her what she wanted; "we'll stay a while"
"Thank you!" she said meaningfully, stepping forward so she could embrace him.
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed that, a bit of a heart to heart between Elissa and Roslin there which I hope you liked!
I've missed writing Ana and Roslin so I hope you're all as happy as I am that they're back in the picture!
More tomorrow.
:)
