Chapter 35 – About Honour and Fun
This chapter shows that Robb is learning from Myrcella. He is more cautious, he starts to be able to realise at least some long-term political consequences of his actions and he is less dewy-eyed.
Robb
Dinner with the Westerlings. Everyone was eating in silence, but words weren't always necessary to create a bad atmosphere. Robb could nearly grab the hate and chill in the air with his hands. Lord Rickard was staring at the Westerlings with angry fire in his eyes, the Greatjon was drinking excessively, Maege Mormont was frequently mocking the 'soft, southern chicks' and Lady Westerling didn't even try to hide her true opinion about her barbaric guests from the North.
Jeyne Westerling and her younger brother were trembling with fear, but Eleyna was enjoying the dinner. The more her mother was annoyed, the more Eleyna was grinning.
The Greatjon's and Maege's quotes about her looks didn't bother her at all, she certainly seemed to laugh at them. That girl was clearly looking forward to an approaching stir. If nobody would do anything scandalous, she would do it herself. Eleyna loved chaos, Robb thought.
Robb had promptly noticed how she was flirting and toying with the Greatjon's squire and cupbearer. Robb couldn't remember his name. The boy was the Greatjon's grandson, most likely the Smalljon's firstborn. A boy of barely fourteen years, too young to grow a beard, but already bigger than Robb and almost as strong as a bull. Eleyna's flirting was masterful. Subtle but highly erotic. The poor lad was totally falling for it, much to the Greatjon's amusement, because the young boy had recently spilled his wine for the second time. Eleyna's dress was surprisingly loose around her shoulders and that was certainly no coincidence.
The boy was wax and Eleyna was the flame.
Luckily Robb's own squire, Olyvar Frey, was as calm and dutiful as always. He would never spill wine, Robb thought amused and turned his head to him.
"Your Grace, do you need something?", Olyvar immediately asked him.
Olyvar was perfect, Robb told himself. The boy was a wonder. He was a Frey with honour and conscientiousness. Maybe the only one from Lord Walder's uncountable spawn.
"No, Olyvar, but there is something I don't need. More wine. If you want to, you can have some", Robb answered.
"That's generous, Your Grace. Thank you", Olyvar said and filled a cup for himself.
Robb turned around again and continued to watch Eleyna and her prey.
Eleyna seemed to be busy with the young Umber, but she was frequently blinking and smiling at Robb too. Maybe she was wrapping that miserable young boy around her fingers to make him feel jealous, Robb told himself.
Robb didn't know her intentions, maybe Eleyna was doing it for fun, maybe she just wanted to anger her mother, maybe she really wanted the Umber boy, but it was at least very funny to watch her.
Much less funnier to watch was Eleyna's drinking. She kept up well with the men around her. The young girl should already be intoxicated, but apparently she wasn't. Lady Sybell was observing her daughter's behaviour with stern eyes, but Eleyna didn't even glance at her mother. Not even once.
Jeyne was looking at her younger sister with a mix of disgust and admiration, Robb noticed. Sansa had always been looking at Arya in a very similar way, of course for quite different reasons. Robb missed Arya so much, especially her childish but wild arguments with Sansa. Where was Arya? Was she still alive?
"In the name of House Westerling, I welcome my guests from the North in our castle, King Robb", Lady Sybell, who was sitting to Robb's right, said with a cold smile and raised her cup.
"And I greet our prisoners in the name of House Karstark", Lord Rickard taunted her.
Lady Sybell responded with an emotionless but definitely frightening glance and Lord Rickard's grin faded.
"You have my gratitude for your hospitality, Lady Westerling", Robb answered and raised his cup as well.
He drank a tiny sip from his cup and then he gave his cup to Olyvar. His squire would let that plonk disappear in secret.
The wine was cheap and sour. Maybe it was just another sign of the Westerlings' fallen fortune, maybe it was a calculated insult from Lady Sybell.
Everything Eleyna and Jeyne had told him about their mother seemed to be true. Sybell Spicer was a cold, proud, arrogant and power-hungry woman. She would do everything to restore the lost wealth and glory of House Westerlings. Even now, as a captive in her own castle, Lady Sybell was playing her petty games. Lady Sybell was attractive, Robb would give her that, but he strongly pitied her husband. Lord Westerling wasn't the true ruler of his castle, his ambitious and cold wife was.
Maybe that witch was related to Lord Roose, Robb told himself amused and examined Lady Westerling's beautiful but pale and emotionless face. A 'Leech Lady', Robb thought.
The Leech Lord was sitting to Robb's left, as silent as always. Roose Bolton was amused, Robb thought. His colourless eyes were wandering around, resting here and there. Sometimes less than a second, sometimes a few minutes. Most likely he had already uncovered the secrets of every person in that room. Lord Roose's eyes were so cold, even Eleyna's cocky smirk had died for a few seconds after the Leech Lord had looked at her.
The dinner went on and luckily nothing terrible happened. It was just extremely boring. It was boring until Eleyna Westerling sat down on the laughing Umber boy's lap and wrapped an arm around his muscular shoulders. That was too much for Lady Sybell. The expression on her face was terrifying, Robb thought. Eleyna's mother got up to discipline her daughter, but the Greatjon was in her way and the colossal man accidentally stepped on her foot. Well, it looked like an accident, but Robb was convinced the Greatjon had done that on purpose.
For a second, Robb could see pain on Lady Sybell's face, but she quickly suppressed it. Her self-control was almost perfect.
The Greatjon promptly apologised with surprisingly kind and polite words, sometimes he could be a very charming gentleman, but he was still blocking her path.
Lady Sybell returned to her seat, embarrassed, but not defeated. She sat down again, her eyes menacingly focused on her younger daughter.
In Lady Sybell's defence, Robb had to admit that Eleyna's behaviour was indeed totally unacceptable and that is own mother would have reacted in a very similar way.
Eleyna's cocky sneer was wider than ever before. She blatantly laughed at her mother and then she gave the Umber boy a big kiss on his cheek, both of her arms wrapped around his neck. The Greatjon promptly burst into a thundering laughter and patted his grandson on the shoulder and the Northerners were cheering and toasting to Eleyna. Jeyne was baffled. She was staring at her younger sister with wide open eyes and red cheeks.
Robb had predicted it correctly: If nobody would do anything scandalous, Eleyna would do it herself.
The brawny boy blushed like a young maid and Eleyna was grinning triumphantly. Like a predator that had just managed to snatch a very big piece of flesh.
Her mother was humiliated and the handsome lad was hers. Eleyna was queen of the castle now and she was fully aware of that. Eleyna was a born conqueror, Robb thought. She was conquering boys. Eleyna kissed the boy's other cheek and he put his hand on her slender hips. Eleyna placed several kisses on his neck, then she gave the crowd another victorious smirk.
Now it wasn't funny any more to watch them, she had gone too far. She hadn't crossed the line, she had crossed all lines.
Robb again looked at Lady Sybell. Eleyna's mother looked like the Stranger himself. Eleyna's behaviour would have severe consequences, Robb thought. He was a little worried about the girl now, but apparently Eleyna wasn't worried about anything, she was enjoying the situation to the full. She pressed more kisses on the boy's cheeks.
Robb suddenly started to dislike Eleyna. In his eyes, there was nothing worse than irresponsibility and egoism. Eleyna was toying with the boy, she was publicly embarrassing not just herself but her entire family for her own personal pleasure. And that was something Robb couldn't understand. That kind of behaviour was totally out of character for a highborn girl. It was against her honour and her duties. That behaviour was against Eleyna's duty to protect her family, partially the honour of her family. Even a seemingly dysfunctional family like the Westerlings had to stand together in front of another house, especially in times of war.
People would talk about Eleyna's behaviour. His lords would talk, the soldiers would talk and the servants would talk. In a few weeks, Eleyna would be known as a brazen hussy, even if it wasn't true, and that would make it harder for her parents to arrange a good betrothal for her. Her behaviour would lead to real damage.
That disgusting scene was too much for him and Robb finally managed to look away.
Robb strongly desired to leave the great hall, but he forced himself to stay. He couldn't simply leave the feast earlier, he would enrage his lords and humiliate the already defeated Westerlings. Something a true king shouldn't do. Robb even started to eat a few pieces from Lady Sybell's food to distract himself. The bread was hard and the meat of cheap quality, but the oysters were really tasty.
Robb remembered something he wanted to ask Roose Bolton. He didn't want to hear his whispering voice, but the matter was important. And it would help him not to watch Eleyna's scene again.
"Lord Roose, has your son assembled enough men to confront the Ironborn?", Robb asked him.
"Domeric gathered an army of 2000 men and marched west. He passed Winterfell a few days ago. I received a raven from him right before dinner. I wanted to show it to you after we have finished eating, Your Grace", Lord Roose said.
"Any news from Winterfell? How are my brothers?", Robb asked him exited.
"Rickon is fine, but Brandon Stark disappeared. Together with two servants called Osha and Hodor. Ser Rodrick is looking for him in the woods near Winterfell", Roose Bolton told him.
"What? Why didn't Maester Luwin send any ravens?", Robb almost yelled.
"Maester Luwin did send several birds, but they apparently never arrived at Riverrun. The area south of Winterfell is controlled by Ironborns under the command of Theon Greyjoy. Domeric send a raven on a different route and that bird made it, King Robb", Roose Bolton explained.
"Tell your son to command every man and woman in the North to look for Bran. I'll generously reward the person who finds my brother. Wasn't Theon defeated by Ser Rodrick in the Wolf's Wood? I want to hear more about your son's campaign against the Greyjoys, Lord Bolton", Robb said.
"A wise decision, your Grace. Theon escaped after Ser Rodrick had ambushed his men in the Wolf's Wood and he was able to regroup his few remaining pirates. Then he was reinforced by new forces from the Iron Islands. Now he is ravaging the lands south of Winterfell, but he stays in save distance. Ser Rodrick didn't manage to attack him again. As I told you, my son arrived at Winterfell a few days ago. He left 400 Bolton soldiers at Winterfell to reinforce Ser Rodrick's skeleton garrison. A force of that size is able to defend the castle against any army", Lord Bolton said.
And they could easily sack the castle and hold it against anyone who would try to take it, Ironborn, Lannisters or other Northerners, Robb thought. He suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable.
400 Bolton soldiers at Winterfell. A force more than three times larger than Ser Rodrick's garrison. He had trusted the Bolton's far too much. He had allowed the fox to guard the chickens.
Myrcella would freak out, should he tell her. He should have asked her first. She would have warned him. Now he had to rely on the Bolton's unstable loyalty. Robb cursed himself for this blunder. Only Sansa was ensuring the Bolton's loyalty.
"Is Sansa all right, My Lord? And what about the Manderlys? I ordered them to support your son", Robb asked him.
"Your sister is travelling with Domeric, her beloved husband. She is always at his side, Your Grace", Lord Bolton answered.
As a possible hostage, should it be necessary, Robb thought and examined Lord Bolton's face, but as usual, his face told nothing about his true feelings or intentions.
"1000 soldiers of House Manderly joined the ranks of my son. Domeric ordered them to secure the south-western coast of the North", Lord Bolton said.
Very far away from Winterfell, Robb thought. Lord Wyman wouldn't have allowed that, but unfortunately, Lord-too-fat-to-ride was unable to lead his men in the field. Robb had to send a raven to White Harbour. Lord Wyman had to know about this.
"My son departed Winterfell with his remaining men, bolstered his numbers with men from lesser houses and purged the Wolf's Wood of Ironborn marauders. Now he has turned south to confront Theon's group.
Don't worry, Your Grace, my son is now commanding an army of almost 3000 men. Enough men to defeat Theon, to retake Deepwood Motte from Asha Greyjoy and to defend the North against Victarion Greyjoy's approaching armada.
Domeric will take Theon captive and present him to you, wrapped in the skins of his fellow bandits", Roose Bolton said and filled his cup with hippocras.
Now the Leech Lord was almost smiling, Robb noticed. It was terrifying.
"To your son, Lord Bolton. May the Old Gods be with him", Robb said and raised his cup.
Luckily Olyvar had secretly taken care of Sybell Westerling's plonk. His cup had been filled with fresh water.
May the Old Gods save me from my stupidity, Robb secretly prayed.
"To my son and his wife, My King", Roose Bolton answered and raised his own cup.
Myrcella
"Get up, Myrcella. It's almost midday. King Renly is waiting for you and I have to prepare for the tournament. I want to beat that giant woman", Dacey said and touched her cheek.
Myrcella had never slept so well. She just wanted to stay here for a few more minutes, in that tent, in Dacey's arms. They hadn't made love to each other, they had simply fallen asleep in each other's arms after a few more kisses.
"One more kiss, please", Myrcella answered and opened her eyes.
Dacey softly put her hands on Myrcella's cheeks. But Myrcella quickly grabbed her head and pressed her lips on Dacey's mouth. Her lips were so warm. Surprised, Dacey wrapped her strong arms around Myrcella. For a short time, they just staid like this.
Myrcella broke the kiss and took a strand of Dacey's hair. She had so beautiful hair. Thick, dark and short curls.
"You haven't been on your guard and you were slow. Haven't you foreseen this attack, my beautiful shieldmaiden? You have to be quicker if you want to win against Brienne", Myrcella teased her.
"You are confusing me. I feel like I'm in a dream. And you are like a young goddess from a fairy tell", Dacey said and took Myrcella's hands.
She was so sweet, Myrcella thought.
"But you aren't in a dream. This is real. I'm not some figure from a myth. I'm here, with you", Myrcella answered and kissed Dacey's forehead.
"I still can't believe it, Myrcella. When you kissed me yesterday, my heart stopped beating for a while. I've never felt something so beautiful, so pure and unspoiled", Dacey spoke and fondled with Myrcella's golden hair.
What we are doing isn't innocent, my dear, Myrcella thought.
But she wouldn't say it. She wouldn't destroy Dacey's romantic dream.
"Have you done this before?", Myrcella asked her and she finally got up.
"What? Of course. I know how to kiss", Dacey said grinning.
"That wasn't what I asked. Have you kissed a girl before? And you're right, you know how to kiss", Myrcella said and blinked at her.
"I've been with men, but never with a woman", Dacey answered.
"I sometimes dreamed about it and I sometimes felt attracted to boys and girls. Mostly boys, but sometimes girls too. But I never actually did it. Then we kissed each other.", Myrcella said and put her hand on Dacey's shoulder.
"Being with men was always enjoyable, but it never fully pleased me. Your kiss, yesterday in this tent, it enchanted me", Dacey said happily.
"What's happening with us? Have we both lost our mind?", Myrcella said.
At least, I have certainly lost my mind. I'm dragging both of us into the abyss, Myrcella thought.
"I don't know. I don't know what's happening with us. But I know I want you and you want me. You wanted me from the very beginning, Myrcella and now you got me. And I know you bewitched me", Dacey answered with a smirk and got up as well.
"I'm not a witch, Dacey. I don't have magical powers", Myrcella said laughing and put her right hand on Dacey's chest.
Dacey shuddered. Myrcella could hear her heartbeat and the blood rushing through her veins. Myrcella took Dacey's head with her other hand and kissed her neck, while she was slowly moving down her right hand on Dacey's breasts. Myrcella started to untie Dacey's gown, but then she gently took Myrcella's hand and removed it from her chest.
"No, Myrcella. I want it, but I'm not ready. It's happening too fast", Dacey said and softly pressed Myrcella's hand.
"I understand, Dacey. We don't have to do it", Myrcella said and kissed Dacey's cheek.
"Myrcella, I don't want to disappoint you, but I can't. Not yet", Dacey spoke with a sad smile.
"It's all right, maybe it's better this way", Myrcella answered and laced up Dacey's nightgown again.
"I have to leave now, Myrcella. I'll return after I got dressed", Dacey said and took her cloak.
"Dacey, before you go, I have to say something very important: Inside this tent, we can be whatever we want, but outside, I'm your Queen and you are my guard", Myrcella told her.
"Of course, Your Grace", Dacey answered laughing and kissed Myrcella's hand.
"Don't stay away for too long", Myrcella answered.
After Dacey had left, Myrcella took a hot bath and tried to choose a dress. But this time, Myrcella couldn't decide what to wear. White and silver, the colours of House Stark, would be a good choice, but she had already worn that yesterday and the dress somehow didn't suit her today. Myrcella couldn't explain it. She had always liked that dress, but not today.
Then Myrcella took a crimson dress with decorative elements of gold, but she promptly decided not to wear that. The crimson dress would suit her very well, but she didn't want to wear it for other reasons. The dress was extremely aggressive and that were the colours of House Lannister, her true colours. She wouldn't show her true colours, not here, not now.
Myrcella put on a pink dress, but the result was just ridiculous. She looked like a ten-year-old.
The next dress was a dark blue one. Myrcella put it on and again the colour didn't suit her, but it was much better than the pink dress and so she decided to wear it.
Then Myrcella sat down and took a small, gilded mirror. She applied powder to her face and blackened her eyelashes. When she was done with it, she promptly realised that it was too much make-up. It made her look much older than she was, something she didn't want, because it was a sign of immaturity and self-doubt. But she had already wasted enough time and King Renly was waiting for her. One last meeting with her 'uncle' to seal the alliance. After lunch, she would attend Renly's tournament to watch Dacey fighting.
Tomorrow they would leave again. Something that made Myrcella feel uncomfortable. She would see Robb again and she didn't know what to do. She loved him more than anyone else, she had his child inside her, but now there was Dacey. She had kissed Dacey and she was in love with her, but she still loved her husband. Was it possible to love more than one person? Or would that tear her apart? Myrcella knew she would soon face some serious problems, but she didn't want to think about it. Not now, not today. It was so beautiful to be with Dacey.
Myrcella again looked at her painted face in the mirror and again she wasn't pleased with her appearance. Frustrated, she put the gilded mirror on a nearby table.
Dacey returned after an hour, wearing full armour. She looked impressive in her heavy plate armour and with her mace at her right hip, her sword at her left hip and a large, wooden shield on her back. Impressive and beautiful.
"Now I understand why some people say beauty is deadly", Myrcella said with a smirk.
"I could say the same about you. By the way, I've never seen you wearing blue", Dacey answered.
"It doesn't suit me", Myrcella said.
"Every colour suits you, Myrcella. Especially this colour", Dacey said and touched Myrcella's hair.
Myrcella didn't answer, she just gave her a grin.
"What's this, Myrcella?", Dacey suddenly said and pointed at Myrcella's gilded mirror on the table.
"It's just a mirror", Myrcella said and gave it to Dacey.
"I had a mirror like this, almost ten years ago", Dacey said and took it.
Why is she so sad?, Myrcella asked herself.
"You had a shiny, fancy, golden mirror?", Myrcella asked her with a smile.
"Well, I only had it for one day", Dacey said and gave the mirror a fond look.
Myrcella realised that there was a story behind Dacey's mirror.
"Tell me the whole story", Myrcella said.
"It's a long story", Dacey said.
"Come", Myrcella replied and led Dacey to her bed. Then they both sat down and Myrcella rested her head on Dacey's shoulder. Dacey was still holding the gilded mirror.
"I think I was eleven years old, maybe even younger. There is a small market town next to our keep. The goods aren't special, just basic food and weapons. Bear Island isn't rich and most merchants don't travel to our lonely isle.
But someday, a merchant from Lannisport visited Bear Island. His ship had been caught by a storm and driven away from its original course. He had to dock on our island to restock his supplies and he tried to sell a few wares. He had a lot of fancy things. Golden jewellery, rings, necklaces, circlets and other things from the mines of House Lannister. Things the people of Bear Island had never seen before, things I had never seen before.
I visited the merchant's booth and examined his wares. I didn't want to buy something, I was just curious. But a small, golden mirror caught my attention. It looked exactly like your mirror. I don't know why I was so fond of that mirror. The mirror wasn't special, it was just a mirror, but I wanted to have it. It was such a beautiful little thing. I believe I loved it how the mirror was reflecting the light of the sun. I run back to our keep and took my entire pocket money. When I returned to the merchant's booth, totally out of breath, the mirror was still there. It was expensive, but I bought it. I spend my entire money to buy the mirror, but it was mine. The golden mirror was more beautiful than anything I possessed.
There was a lion engraved into the mirror's back, together with the motto of House Lannister: Hear me roar.
That fascinated me. I had heard stories about the fabulously rich Lannisters, about Casterly Rock, their impregnable fortress, built upon a mountain of pure gold and about the Rains of Castamere. Back then, the Lannister were more like exotic figures from ancient legends in my eyes, not like humans. The mirror was shining like the sun itself.
I returned home with my new treasure and examined my own face in the mirror. For the first time, I liked my appearance, especially my short curls.
At the age of eleven, I was able to defeat boys much stronger than me and I already had a reputation on Bear Island, but with that golden mirror, I felt like a real girl. I was so happy.
Later, my mother entered my room and saw the mirror. I have never seen her so angry. She took it away from me and asked me how I got It. I told her I bought it from a merchant, with my own money. That made her even angrier. She asked me why I wasted my money to buy it and I told her I bought the mirror, because it was beautiful.
My mother was holding the golden mirror for a few seconds, then she threw it on the ground and smashed it with her foot. I guess I have never felt so hurt. I couldn't say a word, I was just crying.
"My daughters don't need shiny trash like this", my mother spoke.
"It was just a golden mirror, why did you destroy it?! It was mine!", I answered crying.
"Stop crying! You're not a baby, you're a warrior. If you buy something like this again, I will marry you off to an old, southern lord. Surely he will give you all the jewellery you desire", my mother said and left without another word.
The next day, my mother was as kind as usual, but she never apologised for destroying my golden mirror", Dacey told Myrcella.
Myrcella was baffled. She had never expected a story like this from Dacey.
"My own mother did something like this more than once, but I can't believe your mother really did that. I know she's a fearsome warrior, but also a loving mother. That was extremely cruel. Why?", Myrcella asked her.
"To teach me a lesson. Mormont women aren't like other women. We don't need silk and gold, all we need is steel", Dacey said.
"That sounds like you understand what your mother did", Myrcella said a bit confused.
"I can understand her now. My mother doesn't want her daughters to be soft and girly, she wants them to be strong and hardened", Dacey spoke.
"It's possible to have both. It's possible to have female beauty and strength. Gold and steel", Myrcella answered and kissed her cheek.
"Do you want to hear a secret? You have indeed both. You are gold and steel, Dacey", Myrcella whispered in her ear.
"My mother doesn't think so. Here is your golden mirror", Dacey said and put it on the bed.
"Keep it", Myrcella said and gave it to Dacey again.
In response, Dacey said nothing, she just kissed Myrcella on her mouth.
"Are we finally ready to meet with King Renly?", Myrcella said laughing after Dacey had released her from her kiss.
"Yes, now we can leave. But first, I have to safely stow my new golden mirror. No one will destroy that one", Dacey answered smiling happily.
Robb
Tired and exhausted, Robb returned to his chambers after Lady Westerling's feast. The news about Bran's disappearance, Bolton soldiers at Winterfell to 'protect' the castle and Myrcella miles away from him. Sometimes, it was simply too much. Robb just wanted to sleep for a few hours. He passed the last hallway and opened the door to his room. He immediately spotted Eleyna Westerling, sitting on his bed. What in seven hells was she doing here. Maybe he should just call for his guards and have her locked away.
"Hello, Young Wolf, did you expect me?", she said with a familiar grin and toyed with her messy curls.
"I didn't expect you to be here, I'm sure about this. How did you get in there?", Robb answered annoyed.
"Your door is guarded well, your window isn't", Eleyna said and jumped from his bed.
"And what do you want here?", Robb asked.
He didn't know why, but he couldn't be angry at her. Her smirk was too winsome.
"Maybe I just want to talk to someone, maybe I want something else. Why don't you find out?", she said and blinked.
"Maybe you should return to that giant Umber boy. He seems to be fond of you", Robb answered.
"He was good enough to anger my mother and to entertain me during that boring dinner", she said and threw her curls behind her shoulders.
"Why are you doing this?", Robb asked her.
"Doing what?", Eleyna answered with a challenging sneer.
"Acting like this. Acting like a...", Robb said, but he didn't finish his sentence. It would have been rude and Eleyna was still a lady.
"A what? A whore?", she said grinning.
"You are not a whore", Robb answered with an uneasy smile.
"But you wanted to say it. Didn't you?", she teased him.
"I apologise, My Lady", Robb said.
"Why should you apologise? You have done nothing to offend me, Your Grace", Eleyna continued to tease him.
Why can't she just shut up, Robb thought.
"Why are you embarrassing your family? Partially your mother and your sister", Robb said.
"Because mother is a cruel bitch and Jeyne a dull sheep", Eleyna said giggling.
"They are your family. They love you", Robb said.
"My mother loves no one but herself. Additionally, she sentenced me to room arrest after the feast was over. One more reason to dislike her", Eleyna said.
"Well, you gave your mother plenty of reasons to do that", Robb answered.
"Perhaps I should give her a reason to exile me from this castle", Eleyna answered and started to untie her dress.
No, don't do that. Please, no, Robb thought. But Eleyna's dress dropped to the ground and she was standing naked right in front of him. Round and firm breasts, slender hips. Eleyna's body was very appealing. But he already had Myrcella and he would not desire another woman.
Robb forced himself to look away.
"Are you afraid of naked girls?", she said and stepped closer.
Eleyna put her hands on his chest and pressed a kiss on his neck. His skin was prickling. A part of Robb wanted to grab her by her hips, throw her on his bed, cover her body with kisses and fuck her the entire night, but another part of him could only think about Myrcella and their unborn child. He loved Myrcella more than anyone else. He would not dishonour his wife, his unborn child and himself.
"I'm married and I love my wife. I won't cheat on Myrcella. I'm unable to do that", Robb said and put his hands on Eleyna's shoulders to keep her at a distance.
"Oh, by the gods, it's true what they say about the Starks and their infamous honour. You live up to your family's reputation, Robb Stark", Eleyna Westerling answered puzzled and stepped back.
"You should get dressed again. It's cold", Robb said.
Eleyna took her dress and put it on again. She didn't seem to be disappointed or angry, she seemed to admire him, Robb thought.
"Don't you want an answer?", she said.
"What answer?", Robb asked a bit surprised.
"Why I'm doing this. Do you want to hear the story?", she answered.
"Yes, if you don't get naked again", Robb answered.
"Don't worry, I know when I've lost", Eleyna said and sat down on his bed.
"And what is the answer? By the way, you're freezing. Take my cloak", Robb asked her and offered her his heavy wolf pelt.
"You're indeed an extraordinary man. You reject my body, but you give me your own cloak to keep me warm", Eleyna said and wrapped the fur around herself.
"I'm listening. You should start talking", Robb said.
"The answer is: I'm a bitch", Eleyna said laughing.
"I don't believe that. That's not the answer", Robb said.
"Well, I'm at least behaving like a bitch. I only care about myself. Not love, not duty, not honour, just short-term fun", Eleyna answered.
"Why? I can't believe you have always been like this", Robb asked Eleyna.
Now she was nervously staring at her feet, Robb noticed.
"I believe I should finally tell someone. You will keep my dirty secret, won't you?", Eleyna said.
"I won't tell anyone. But why me? Why not your sister or your brothers? Why not someone from your family?", Robb said.
"Jeyne couldn't understand me and I don't want to bother my brothers with my problems. Father is a prisoner at Riverrun and mother...Well, mother said I'm going to be Walder Frey's next wife if I embarrass the family too much. You are a stranger, but you're kind and something is telling me I can trust you, Robb Stark", Eleyna spoke.
"And what is your dirty secret?", Robb asked.
Somehow he already knew the answer.
"I'm not a virgin any more. I had a secret lover", Eleyna said.
She was almost whispering and she wrapped the fur closer around herself.
"You had a lover? Did he leave you?", Robb asked her.
"He's dead", Eleyna answered.
She wasn't crying, most likely she didn't have any tears left, Robb told himself.
"How?", Robb asked.
"He was my father's personal squire. His name was Lann, like the legendary ancestor of House Lannister. A very popular name in the Westerlands, but I always called him 'little fox'. A jape about his hair. He had long red hair and green eyes. He looked a bit like you, Robb Stark. I gave my maidenhood to him the night before he left the Crag.
Together with my father and his soldiers, my little fox joined Jaime Lannister's army. They invaded the Riverlands and won many glorious victories. My father sent letters to me and he always mentioned Lann in his letters. I think he knew about us. But then Jaime Lannister rode into the Whispering Wood, where he met you, Robb Stark. Jaime Lannister was defeated and taken captive, together with my father, Gawen Westerling.
But my little fox never returned from the Whispering Wood. The Starks allowed my father to write a letter to his family to inform them about his survival. My father wrote a second, private letter to me. He bribed his Northern jailers and they smuggled the letter for him. In the envelope was a single strand of red hair and I knew my lover had been taken from me", Eleyna told him.
By the Others, maybe he had killed that young boy personally, Robb thought.
"I don't know what to say, Eleyna. This is horrible. You have my sympathy", Robb answered.
"Do you know who killed him?", Robb asked her.
"I'm not sure. Some of our soldiers managed to escape from the slaughter in the Whispering Wood and they returned to the Crag, humiliated and exhausted. I asked them about my father's squire and they told me a woman had killed him. A tall and beautiful young shieldmaiden, displaying a bear on her shield, armed with a spiked mace. But this doesn't matter. She just slew an enemy soldier on the battlefield to save her own life. His death isn't her fault", Eleyna told him.
Luckily that woman was at Renly's camp, together with Myrcella, far away from the Crag, Robb thought.
"After my lover's death, I felt so empty. Just dead inside. And I had no one to talk about it. So I started drinking, but it didn't help. Then a very young hedge knight visited the village next to our castle. I spotted him in he tavern. I often visit the tavern in the village, disguised as a commoner. He was not much older than me, but he had already some scars in his face.
He was attractive and kind, much kinder than most of my father's knights and I decided to join him. We played a drinking game and I managed to beat him. When he left for his room, I followed him.
I fucked him and for a short moment, the emptiness inside me disappeared", Eleyna spoke.
"How many? How many men to let the emptiness disappear?", Robb asked.
Her story was heartbreaking, Robb thought.
"Three, including the handsome hedge knight. Three men and one girl", Eleyna said.
"A girl?", Robb said surprised.
"Yes, Robb Stark. Women can please each other. We don't always need men. I'm not attracted to girls, but I just wanted to try it. She was a peasant girl. Black hair and suntanned skin. I met her on a field, where I was looking for flowers. She was angry, because I had trampled on the wheat. To compensate her, I offered her the wine I had stolen from my mother's personal stock. She took the wine, but she didn't want to drink it alone. Well, I don't think I have to continue. It was very enjoyable", Eleyna answered smirking.
"But there is something more I have to tell. My little fox gave me a ring. It was a cheap ring of brass. It's stone was just a coral, but the ring was from him. That cheap ring was more valuable to me than anything else. It was everything I had left from him. When your army sacked this castle, a Northern soldier spotted the shining ring on my finger. He wanted to have it, but I refused. He just ripped it from my finger. Luckily he didn't rape me, but he took that ring. My ring. The ring my little fox had given to me", Eleyna said and shuddered.
"Can you describe the soldier? When I find the thief, I will take the ring and return it to you, I promise", Robb said.
"You would do that?! For me?!", Eleyna said baffled and with tears in her eyes.
"That ring is a memory. Your memory. No one else should have it", Robb said.
"I remember the soldier well. A short man, still half a boy. Baby-faced but muscular. Brown hair and blue eyes. On his shield was a white sun and he had many, many rings on his fingers. Maybe he's collecting them", Eleyna said.
"I'll find that soldier", Robb answered.
"If you do that, I owe you a favour. You don't want my body, but maybe I can give you something else", Eleyna said.
"One hand washes the other", Robb answered.
Domeric
Domeric was waiting for the outriders he had send to scout the hills south of Winterfell, called the Barrowlands. Theon Greyjoy was hiding in those forested hills, together with his fellow Ironborn marauders. Domeric couldn't just march into those hills. The Ironborn didn't know the area, but Theon Greyjoy did. Maybe better than Domeric. Theon had grown up in those lands. The hills were perfect for an ambush and Domeric wouldn't risk that.
His army of almost 3000 men vastly outnumbered Theon's small force, but in those hills, his superior numbers wouldn't be an advantage.
The road before them was narrow and treacherous, winding through the densely forested hills.
His army had made camp in front of the dark and menacing hills. His men were frightened, the Barrowlands had a fearsome reputation. According to ancient legends, those old barrows were haunted, still inhabited by the ghosts of the old Barrowmen. Stupid and foolish superstition, but Domeric knew he had to pay attention to the atmosphere in his army. The camp had been surrounded with a palisade and a moat. That would prevent unpleasant surprises and it would make his soldiers feel safe.
Domeric had personally supervised his soldiers' work. Now he was standing in his tent, in front of his maps, planning their next moves. He intended to split his forces into three smaller groups. One group would enter the Barrowlands from the west, another group from the east and the last group, led by Domeric, from the North. They would systematically comb through the hills. Step by step, they would drive Theon and his men south, were the Manderlys were waiting for him. Theon would have no chance to escape again.
Domeric would succeed, where Ser Rodrick had failed. The old knight's ambush in the Wolf's Wood had decimated Theon's men, but Ser Rodrick had lacked the numbers to pursuit the fleeing Ironborn, additionally Ser Rodrick didn't want to get too far away from Winterfell. I wise decision, because the garrison had been dangerously small back then. Domeric had reinforced Ser Rodrick's skeleton garrison with 400 Bolton soldiers. The old knight had been very reluctant to open the castle gates for Domeric's men, but Ser Rodrick had been in no position to refuse. The situation in the North was too unstable and Winterfell was the Heart of the North. It had to be protected properly. It had to be protected by men Domeric could trust. Men that would follow his orders without any doubt.
But securing Winterfell had been just one step on a long road. A road that would lead the Boltons to victory and glory, as his father had planned it.
The next step would be Theon's final defeat. Theon was an obstacle on Domeric's road and Domeric would remove that obstacle. Sansa had begged him to kill Theon, the turncloak, who had betrayed the family that had raised him, but Domeric wouldn't kill the foolish Greyjoy. Theon had a role to play in his plans.
Domeric could hear Sansa's quiet and graceful feet. She was finally coming back from her stroll through the camp. Domeric had wanted to accompany her, but unfortunately he hadn't been finished with the maps. He would have to make up for that.
"Domeric, my love, your scouts have returned. Well, some of them", Sansa spoke.
Finally, Domeric thought. Hopefully he hadn't lost too much men.
"Come my love, let's hear what they have to say", Domeric answered and took her hands.
Together, they left his tent. The scouts were waiting for him outside, dirty and exhausted, some of them with blood on their cloths. They were men of House Hornwood and House Cerwyn. Domeric never wasted his own Bolton soldiers for such dangerous but ordinary tasks like scouting. He had to save his own soldiers for later. They had to be spared for more important tasks.
"Soldiers, what news do you have?", Domeric asked them.
"The Ironborn are few, but their position is well-fortified. They saw us coming long before we found them. They are shattered across the hills, every position is well-chosen. If we march into those hills, they will have the high ground and there are so many places where they could ambush our army, Lord Domeric", the leader of the scouts told him.
"You have done well, soldiers. Eat and rest. We are going to march into the hills tomorrow", Domeric said.
After the scouts had left, Sansa took his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. Domeric wrapped an arm around his wife.
"Are you sure, Domeric? Will it work?", Sansa asked him a bit worried.
"It will work. My plans always work. When we march into those hills, Theon Greyjoy is doomed. We will slaughter his filthy marauders and make a cloak from their skins for Theon. We have to keep him warm when he is our prisoner", Domeric spoke smiling.
"Theon will be a great gift for Robb", Sansa said.
"Theon is just an obstacle on our road to glory and victory, Sansa. We'll remove him. We'll remove everything in our way. We'll make father proud", Domeric said.
I know that some readers are worried about Myrcella's behaviour and I can understand that. I frankly admit that it's a bit out of character for her, because it was supposed to be like this. She is drifting and she is totally confused. Her behaviour reflects this. She already realised that she can't actually be in a relationship with Dacey, but she can't just simply end it, because she is in love. We'll see her struggling to do the right thing in the next chapter. I created her as a highly intelligent, logical and calculating character, but that's just one trait of her complex personality. She's not her mother, Myrcella is a sane person, but sometimes she's acting Cersei-like (just doing what pleases her at the moment and utterly ignoring the long-term consequences).
Myrcella was acting Cersei-like when she kissed Dacey, but unlike her mother she realised it was a grave mistake. Keep also in mind that Myrcella is just 15 years old. While a logical and shrewd person, she is still half a child and exploring her own sexuality.
Myrcella will get back to Robb's side, I promise, but it won't be easy for her and she won't manage that without help. Keep in mind that Dacey refused to make love (she refused for a reason and her answer was just an excuse).
Should Myrcella actually have sex with another person (something that didn't happen at this point), Robb won't just be mad at her and simply forgive her a few days later. In that case, Myrcella won't get away with it that easy, but we'll see if that happens.