A/N: Phew, got this done for the weekend! Amazingly haha. Hope you lovely lot enjoy it.
Guest: Yay, I'm glad you didn't see it coming - I'm all for surprises!
On we go!
:)
XXXVII
"I think you might be needed," Robb said, hearing the shouts and clanking of the gates being drawn up. "It can wait, I have important things to attend to," Roslin replied and he raised his brows. "Like trimming your husband's beard?" he asked her in an amused tone as she gently tilted his head to the side to begin snipping at the other side of his beard. "A king must look his best," she smiled slightly and he made no further argument, straining his ears to try and decipher any of what was happening outside. "Someone will be along once he is settled," Roslin told him, "besides, it will do him good to be kept waiting a while, let the enormity of what you have achieved sink in a little better."
"I just want to know what he wants," Robb said, moving his head slightly. "Keep still," Roslin scolded him lightly, holding his chin firm in her free hand as she continued her work. "You would be better off just shaving me," he said with a sigh. It was tedious for him to stay still while she worked, the Gods only knew how she had the patience for it. "I have never seen you clean shaven," she said, pulling back slightly and appraising her handiwork. "Are you worried you may not desire me as much without a beard to hide half my face?" he asked her with a raised brow and she smirked slightly. "I'm sure you are most handsome either way," she said, her eyes glinting mischievously, "but I like the way this feels against my skin," she rubbed her thumbs against his cheeks and he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh of satisfaction.
"Best you stop it wife, I may be recovering but I do not think I have the strength for you," he said, opening his eyes and seeing her still gazing at him. "Would a kiss kill you?" she asked, cocking her head to one side. He grinned in response and shook his head, to which she leaned in slowly and pressed her lips to his. His hands slipped around her to run up her back, clenching his fists in her soft hair before he released them and allowed his fingers to run through the soft tresses. Their tender kiss was broken in the next moment though by a knock on the door. Roslin sighed in exasperation when she pulled away, turning her head and calling for their visitor to come in. Robb tried to stay relaxed as Ser Damon entered, keeping his fingers twisting around a lock of Roslin's hair.
"What is it?" Roslin asked her guard as he closed the door behind him. "Lord Umber has sent word that Stannis has been shown to chambers in the furthest wing from your Graces," Ser Damon bowed his head and Roslin nodded slowly. "He said he will show the," Ser Damon cleared his throat slightly and Robb raised his brows, "the uhm, grumpy bastard," he went on and Robb snorted in amusement, "to the parlour in the next hallway to await your pleasure, my queen."
"Very good," Roslin nodded vaguely, "I would like you with me, Ser Damon, if you would?" Her guard nodded at that and Robb saw her smile at him. "I hate to keep you from your wife when you are newly married," she went on, and it was Ser Damon's turn to smile. "She understands my duties well enough my queen, and she has plenty of her own aiding the Maester," he said, and Roslin nodded her head, thanking him warmly. "I will wait outside for you my queen," Ser Damon went on after a pointed look from Robb. "I shan't be long," Roslin said, and he bowed his head to both of them before he made his way from the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
"What do you want me to do?" Roslin asked Robb, her eyes seeking his as soon as they were left alone again. "I want to know what he wants, whether it be an alliance or for me to bend the knee," Robb said and she nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Likely he will not be happy about having to negotiate with me," she said with a raised brow and he scowled. He would love to treat with Stannis himself, to size the man up and make it clear exactly what he would be up against should he choose a fight. Stannis wouldn't be intimidated by him the way he was now though, so he had precious little choice but to leave it to Roslin and the Greatjon. "How honest should I be with him? Should I mention our plan to split the Kingdoms?" Roslin asked him with wide eyes and he bit his lip.
"Let him lay out his cards first, then we know exactly what we are playing with," he advised her and she nodded her head in agreement. He could tell she was nervous just from the look in her eyes and the way her hands came to her rounded stomach, smoothing over it in an agitated manner. "You have managed everything perfectly since I have been laid up here," he told her firmly, his hand coming to lay on one of hers. "Don't doubt yourself now," he urged her, and she smiled weakly at him. "I have never had to negotiate with anyone from outside before," she said, "I have only had dealings with the lords who are already so firmly on your side."
"Our side," he corrected her, his hand clenching more tightly around hers. "You have already set out clear terms for Stannis even being here," he went on, "if he doesn't realise what kind of woman he is dealing with then more fool him. You can handle anything Roslin, you put up with me, don't you?" he smiled at her and her lips twitched up slightly in return. "I will do my best," she finally said, squeezing his hand for a moment before she made to move up from the bed. "And no doubt it will be extraordinary as always," he said, tugging her closer for a farewell kiss. "I love you," she whispered against his lips when she pulled back. "I love you too," he breathed back, kissing her once more before releasing her. She made for the door at once but he called her back before she could leave. "Your crown," he nodded to where it was resting, "I would have him see he is dealing with a true queen."
Roslin's stomach fluttered unbearably as she walked determinedly down the hallway with Ser Damon in her wake. She lay her hand against it, taking some encouragement from the insistent movement from the baby within her, rubbing the spot for a moment before taking a deep breath and rounding the corner. Down the next hallway they went, towards the parlour that was situated right at the end. Half way down her footsteps faltered and she stopped, tuning to face Ser Damon. "I don't know what I'm doing," she confessed to him and he raised his brows. "Have you ever?" he asked her in return and she couldn't help but laugh. "You seem most spontaneous to me, my queen, perhaps it is best that you don't think too hard about it?" he suggested, and she nodded her head in agreement. "Thank you," she said gratefully. He said nothing in return, merely moved his hands to straighten the crown that was balanced atop her head.
"Will I do now?" she asked in amusement and he grinned at her. "The perfect queen, as ever," he responded, and she smiled widely at him. "I knew there was a reason I kept you around," she said wryly and he chuckled as she turned back around and resumed her journey to the parlour. She kept her steps measured and determined as she approached, seeing the Greatjon already waiting outside with half a dozen guards. "My queen," he greeted her quietly, bowing shortly. "How long have I kept him waiting?" she asked him in return and he smiled wickedly. "Long enough that we have heard him pacing the boards," he answered, and a smile graced her own features. "Good," she said simply, "how many does he have in there?"
"Just himself, and his Hand," the Greatjon said witheringly and she nodded her head slightly. "Good," she said again, "then I will have you and Ser Damon with me. Two for two." The Greatjon inclined his head and she gestured for him to go ahead of her, taking one last deep breath as he pushed open the door. "Presenting Queen Roslin," the Greatjon introduced her in a rather smug manner as she stepped through the door, Ser Damon half a step behind her. "I was expecting Robb Stark," a cold voice greeted, and her eyes flickered to the owner, assuming he was Stannis. She could practically feel the Greatjon bristle at her side but she was pleased that he held his tongue. Roslin allowed her eyes to slowly appraise the man in front of her, seeing him do the same to her. His eyes seemed to linger on her stomach for a moment before he raised them up to her face. She stared back at him defiantly, refusing to blink first. He did. Eventually. After his companion cleared his throat slightly.
"I was expecting to speak with your husband," he said, his voice still cold, but not quite as accusing. "Did Lord Umber not inform you that his Grace is indisposed?" Roslin asked him, one of her brows raised. She could tell from the look on Stannis' face that he had been informed, but she waited patiently for him to confirm it. "He must be, to send his pregnant wife," he said dismissively and she narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you want?" she asked almost exasperatedly, bored of this conversation already. She couldn't read much from Stannis but she knew well enough that she would not be able to charm him, nor intimidate him. Perhaps being blunt would get her there faster. "I'm travelling to the Wall, I thought I would come here on my way and warn you," he answered.
"Warn us of what?" she asked, frowning slightly, her eyes flickering to the older man who was with him. "Winter," Stannis said simply and she folder her arms, raising her brows. "You have come to warn Starks and Northmen of winter?" she questioned incredulously, an almost laugh escaping her. She could have sworn that a hint of a smile twitched on the lips of Stannis' Hand at her words. "The Wall is in danger, I am taking my men there to ensure it doesn't fall. To ensure that the Kingdoms are not engulfed by wildlings. Since your husband claims to be a King, I thought he might be interested in what I am preventing from invading his lands," Stannis said.
"So you concede they are his lands?" Roslin raised a brow and the man bristled. She tried very hard not to smirk as the Greatjon snorted at her side. It was very childish of her, but she couldn't help but find herself enjoying winding Stannis up. She had thought Robb serious when she first came to know him, but she realised now that he had been practically jovial when compared to Stannis. She sighed heavily and rolled her eyes, gesturing to one of the seats around the fireplace. "This is all rather foolish don't you think?" she raised a brow. "Take a seat, you have journeyed far. Ser Damon would you pour some wine for our guests, and for Lord Umber if he is thirsty," she continued, moving to take a seat of her own when Stannis showed no sign of movement. "They are rather comfortable," she persuaded, "Tywin Lannister is many things but he certainly knows how to furnish his home."
She saw Stannis exchange a look with his Hand, the older man raising his brows slightly and inclining his head a fraction to the seat opposite Roslin. After a long moment he sighed in defeat and came to sit facing her. Even sat he looked stiff, and Roslin vaguely wondered if the man had ever relaxed in his entire life. "Would you introduce me?" she inclined her head towards his companion, who took a few steps forwards at her words. "My Hand," Stannis gestured to him, "Ser Davos Seaworth." Roslin smiled at Davos, thinking that he had a rather kindly look in his eye beneath his stern and weather-beaten features. "Would you sit, Ser?" she gestured to the chair next to Stannis' and he took it, inclining his head to her as he did so. "I believe you have met Lord Umber," she gestured for the Greatjon to come and sit at her side as Stannis nodded curtly. "And, this is Ser Damon Paege, head of my Queensguard," she gestured to Ser Damon as he set three glasses of wine on the table between them.
"Can I bring you anything, my queen?" Ser Damon asked her when Stannis showed no sign of acknowledging him. "No thank you," Roslin replied, and he inclined his head to her before retreating around the back of her chair and standing in her peripheral vision with his hand on the hilt of his sword. "So, the Wall?" Roslin raised her brows and looked towards Stannis. "How is it that you know it is in danger when we are in regular correspondence with the Lord Commander and have heard nothing of the sort?" she stared at him pointedly, but he did not show one flicker of unease. Either he was a very good liar or he was indeed telling the truth. But how could he know and they did not? They had received a letter from the Wall not two days previously, with the Lord Commander promising their eyes would be on the lookout for Bran, and that they would keep him safe with the agreement that they would be well compensated for their trouble. He had mentioned nothing of the Wall being under threat, nor wildlings coming.
"It has been seen," Stannis said vaguely and she narrowed her eyes. "By your priestess?" she asked coldly, seeing Davos shift uneasily in his seat. "The Lady Melisandre has seen many things in the flames, and all have proved true," Stannis told her, his eyes not leaving hers. "And you came to us with this, why?" Roslin asked, thinking she already knew the answer. "We can be of assistance to one another, my own forces are weakened as you well know. With aid from the Northern armies we will be assured of a victory against the wildlings," Stannis said.
"An alliance?" Roslin raised her brows in surprise, her eyes flickering to the Greatjon whose expression was unreadable. "I'm not a fool," Stannis met her eyes, "I know if it came to open warfare then you would easily defeat us. But you and your husband cannot deny that I am the rightful heir to the Iron Throne."
"Why?" Roslin asked him and he blinked at her. "Why?" he repeated, a frown creasing his brow. "Why are you the rightful heir?" she elaborated and he stared at her as though she were mad. "I am Robert Baratheon's brother, his only living heir. He died without children, Cersei Lannister's bastards were born of incest with her own twin!" his temper was flaring now but she didn't show any flicker of surprise nor upset. "And that makes you heir because your brother took the throne from the Targaryens?" Roslin inquired lightly and his nostrils flared. "Obviously," he said through clearly gritted teeth. "The throne that was forged by Aegon Targaryen when he forced the Seven Kingdoms to kneel before the dragons?" she continued on and he nodded curtly. "What is your point?" he snapped.
"My point is, there are no longer dragons. So why should the kingdoms be united and ruled as one?" she asked him, hearing the Greatjon take in a sharp intake of breath at her side. This hadn't been exactly how she had planned on doing this but it was too late now. Stannis seemed at a loss for words and so Roslin continued to plough on. "The North has already broken free, the Riverlands too. The Lannisters are in disarray and the Tyrells are fickle enough to abandon them for a price. Dorne has no love for the Kingdoms, I imagine they would jump at the chance of independence. What say you, Stannis Baratheon? Seven Kings for Seven Kingdoms? You said yourself that you could not defeat us in open war, and do you really think the realm will tolerate your new religious ideology? If you took the Iron Throne there would be rebellion and you would be dead before the snows fell."
"Are you threatening me?" Stannis asked her, narrowing his eyes. "I don't need to threaten you," Roslin replied, "you know what I am saying is true. You know why I asked you to leave your priestess behind, why they whisper up and down the lands that you used witchcraft to murder your brother. You may think you have a right to the Iron Throne, but you know damn well you could never hope to keep it. Be content with the Stormlands and a crown atop your head. Ally with us and we can defeat the Lannisters. We can all win."
"You really think that you can split the Kingdoms? That doing so would achieve peace? There would be an uprising every other week, one King getting too greedy and wanting to extend his borders. It will never work, the Kingdoms must be united under one King," Stannis said, shaking his head at her. "The North is split," she snapped at him, "and it will remain so. One Kingdom has already broken away, so what is to stop others from following? We do this now and we take away the need for war. We negotiate terms and a treaty of peace. One King rebels the other six put him down. Any violation of the treaty is treason, dealt with at the central council at King's Landing. Any rebel is put down, his house exiled and stripped of all lands and titles. Tell me, who would risk that fate? You? We certainly would not."
Stannis stared at her for a long moment, and she longed to know what was going through his head. "You are as mad as Aerys," he finally said, though he did not say it with venom. His tone was the softest she had heard it so far. "Tell me you are not thinking about it," Roslin challenged, arching one of her brows and leaning forward slightly in her seat. "It could be folly, the number of people who would have to agree, the number of things that would have to be agreed upon…" he tailed off, leaning back in his own seat and shaking his head at her incredulously. "But you are thinking about it," she said softly, and he finally nodded his head. "Do not feel too triumphant," he warned her, "I am only thinking about it, and I will have questions for your husband."
"You want our aid with the Wall, you can have it," Roslin said, "I shall see to it that five thousand men will join your fleet." She could feel the Greatjon frowning but she refused to look at him. "In exchange you must agree to a peace, to attend a meeting of all the Lord Paramount's of Westeros," Roslin continued, and she saw Stannis sigh heavily. "You think Tywin Lannister will attend your meeting?" he asked her mockingly and she smiled sweetly at him. "I shouldn't think so, I imagine he will be too preoccupied preparing for a coming assault on the Capitol," she said lightly, and Stannis' lips finally twitched up into a half smile. "Do we have a deal?" she asked him, meeting his eyes. He exchanged a glance with Davos and Roslin saw the older man nod slightly. "Five thousand?" Stannis inquired of her, shifting forward in his seat slightly. "Five thousand," she confirmed, and he stood up. She followed suit and he held out his hand to her. She took his, feeling it enclose around hers for a moment. "Deal," he agreed.
When Jeyne arrived back in her chambers they were empty. She was not entirely surprised, with the arrival of Stannis she imagined that Damon would be spending even more time at the queen's side. Not that she was grudging of it, it meant that she herself had more time to spend with the Maester. The injured men were making good progress now, and needed less and less of their time during the day. That meant that the Maester had more free time to better train her in the art of healing. They had been going through herbs and flowers that were used to make medicines, and she had practically glowed with praise when he had declared her skilled indeed at identifying them. Tomorrow she was tasked with heading out into the Rock's gardens and gathering what was needed to make dream wine. If she managed that then they would move on to stitching. She was good with her needlework, but the thought of stitching someone's skin together made her stomach churn uneasily. Still, she would have to get over that if she wanted to be a proper healer with a clinic of her own one day.
She wandered to the side table and poured a measure of wine into one of the goblets that the queen had gifted her and Damon. It was such a thoughtful thing to do, and while Jeyne was sure that the gift had been made with Damon in mind rather than her, it still touched her that anything had been given at all. She had just filled her cup when the door opened to reveal her husband and she sent him a swift smile, seeing him grin at her in return. "You have impeccable timing," she said, "did you hear me pouring the wine all the way from the queen's side?"
He chuckled at that, and she moved to fill the other goblet to the brim before picking the pair of them up and moving towards where he had settled in one of the armchairs. "Good day?" she inquired when he took his drink with thanks. He nodded, taking a long drink from his wine as she settled down in the chair opposite him. "She got Stannis. Stannis," he repeated incredulously, "to agree to a temporary peace and come to her planned meet of all the Lord Paramount's. Stannis!"
"You seem impressed," Jeyne said in an amused tone, seeing him shake his head with an almost look of wonder in his eyes. "If she were a man, she would be unstoppable," he continued shaking his head, "by the Gods…the King will be nigh unstoppable if he continues to allow her to conduct his affairs." Jeyne laughed at that, shaking her head at him before she took a sip from her own cup. "What have you done with your day?" Damon asked her when she lowered it again. "Learning more from the Maester," she reported to him, "if I manage dream wine tomorrow then he said we can move on to stitching."
"Well your stitching is perfection, just look at those cushions," Damon gestured to the pair she had stitched for them in preparation for their future home. "I think it is a slightly different skill to stitch up a person," Jeyne rolled her eyes, "I confess I felt rather nauseous watching the Maester remove Robb's the other day."
"You'll get used to it," Damon smiled, "you cannot let a little fear stop you achieving your dream. You are so close Jeyne, and with this new development we could be one step close to going north." She nodded her agreement, touched by his words and hopeful that they would indeed soon have the opportunity to move north and settle in a permanent home. "Why did Stannis come in the first place?" she asked with a slight frown, realising he hadn't told her. "According to his witch the Wall is under threat, the queen pledged five thousand in exchange for his cooperation. The Greatjon didn't seem happy about it but I can't see what else she could have done. The Wall protects us all, and if it really is in danger then it is the duty of all the Kingdoms to aid the Watch."
"I imagine the Greatjon is unhappy because Robb will likely not choose him to lead the five thousand, he needs him too much here," Jeyne said and Damon chuckled, nodding his agreement. "Likely you're right, the man does seem hungry for another fight," he said, and she smiled slightly. "At least I can assume that you won't be going," she said, and he leaned forwards in his chair and reached for her hand. "My place is with the queen, she is certainly not going to the Wall, though…I wouldn't put it passed her," he said, and Jeyne laughed, shaking her head.
"So long as I am in her service I will not have to leave your side," Damon continued, his eyes meeting hers and holding them fast. "And I am forever thankful for that," she said, "I cannot imagine going through what the queen did with Robb. I can't stand the thought of you being hurt." Damon hushed her, leaning further forward in his chair and pressing his lips to hers for a long moment. "Nothing is going to happen to me," he promised her, "and if it did…I'd know I had the most skilled healer looking after me." She couldn't help but smile at that and he kissed the corner of her mouth tenderly. "Now drink up wife," he said teasingly, "I require your attention beneath the sheets."
A/N: Well, I think we can all agree that Roslin is a queen who can ;)
Hope you enjoyed, more soon, hopefully!
:)