Chapter 38
Freya rode for the Twins that afternoon. It was a miserable trip for her, she was sick to her stomach the whole way there. She bolstered herself as the Twins came into view though. All she had to do was present herself to him and he would release Robb from his agreement. She would go back to Riverrun and she and Robb would be married.
Freya drew in a deep breath and spurred her horse forward, Robb's men flanking her as they headed forward. They were recieved warmly and immediately brought before Lord Walder Frey.
Catlyn had warned her to be careful with the old Lord Frey, he could be brash and unkind. He was also known for his anger. It would be in Freya's best interest and Robb's if she minded her tongue and kept herself in check.
"Lord Frey," Freya said warmly as she entered the great hall. "It is a honor to be here, I am sorry that we are meeting under such circumstances."
Freya dropped the hood of her cloak and revealed her golden hair. She smiled, setting her perfect white teeth on display. There was never any denying it, Freya was beautiful and she knew that Lord Frey would respond to her youthful beauty.
"Yes, rather unfortunate circumstances," Lord Frey said gruffly. "I had hoped to marry one of mine to our King. Looking at you though, I can see why he has choosen you instead."
"Robb Stark and I were engaged before he became king, before he agreed to your arragement. He thought that I had been killed, that is why he agreed. He holds you in the highest regard my Lord, as do I, and we bare you no ill will. However, we are in love, we have been since we were children. You cannot begrudge our King his happiness."
Lord Frey smiled at her, but Freya knew enough of men to know that the smile was neither sincere or warm. There was a cold there that went down to his very soul. It was then that Freya realized she could possibly be in grave danger. Lord Frey's eyes skimmed up her body, pausing for some strange reason on her stomach.
Freya ignored the instinct to touch her stomach and remained still. Lord Frey gave a slight nod and several of his men entered the room. Freya remained impassive as her own men were killed. She did not flinch or even cry out. If he expected a reaction from her, she would not give it. Freya would not beg or plead, she was going to be queen, it wouldn't do to be weak in this moment.
"You planned this all along, what exactly do you stand to gain my Lord by killing me? You must realize this will bring the wrath of your King down on you, or is it perhaps another king that you serve? The Lannister king," Freya asked.
"I serve the king with the deepest pockets my beauty, and your family will pay dearly to have you away from the Starks and back with them where you belong. Tell me, how long have you been with child? Do you even know who the father is," Lord Frey asked coldly.
Freya swallowed hard and stared at him in confusion. Yes, she had been sick lately and her clothes didn't seem to fit correctly anymore, but she couldn't be pregnant. She inhaled sharply when she realized she had not bled in some time.
"Just as I thought, I could kill you, I'm sure your family would love nothing more for me to kill you and keep them from having to deal with you themselves. The fact remains that you could be carrying a Lannister child, I know that your brother had you, more than once is the rumor. That child in your belly is as likely to be his as he is to be a Stark. So we'll keep you alive, long enough to pull the brat from you, then we'll kill you and if that child is a Stark, we'll kill it too," Lord Frey said as his men took hold of her. "Take her away."
...
The next few days were a blur for Freya, day blended into night and she lost track of how long she had been at the Twins. Her belly grew as the days passed and soon she could feel the child inside her moving about. The midwife that Lord Frey had given her was fairly certain she was carrying a boy. Freya prayed to the gods of old and new that it was Robb's child. She could not bare the idea of having Jamie's child inside her.
Escape was completely futile in her state. She knew that trying to leave would only endanger her child. As loving as Robb was, he would never forgive her for risking their child in such a manner. He would want her to wait for him to help her. That was exactly what she did.
Every morning, Freya rose, dressed, ate breakfast, and read. In the afternoons she was allowed out of her room to walk through the courtyards. In the evening she dined in her room, before going to bed. She recieved no letters, she never spoke with any of the Freys. She had no idea what was going on in the world outside of the Twins.
Routine was the only thing keeping Freya sane. She couldn't help but wonder why it was taking so long for something to happen. She had thought that Lord Frey would immediately return her to the Lannisters, but he seemed to basically be keeping her prisoner.
One afternoon after months of captivity, Freya was taking a turn through the courtyard when several Frey men rushed past her toward the gates. Her midwife took hold of her arm and began to pull her back inside, but Freya resisted, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever was going on.
"We should go inside," her midwife urged.
"I want to know what is going on," Freya snapped. She pulled away from the woman and moved toward the stairs that led up the battlements. She got far enough up to see over the walls surrounding the Twins. An army sat outside, banners flying high, Stark banners.
Freya breathed a sigh of relief and moved back down the stairs carefully. She followed the midwife back inside and to her room. Freya stood in front of the windows and watched as the Starks launched the attack on the Twins. She stood strong despite the sounds of battle waging around her.
A man stumbled into her room and demanded that they come to the great hall immediately. Freya and her midwife quickly made their way there, sweeping through the doors. Freya held her high, not letting her gaze waver from Lord Frey.
"You called for me my Lord," Freya asked.
"It would seem your wolf has decided to wage war on us," Lord Frey replied.
"It would seem so."
Lord Frey stared at her for a long moment, considering his options. "Kill her, she's of no use to us any longer."
His men began to move toward her but the doors to the great hall burst open and Stark men flooded the room. One of the Frey men managed to get his hands on her though and pulled her roughly up to Lord Frey.
"Stop right there," Lord Frey shouted over the din. Every seemed to freeze when they saw Freya with a knife at her throat. Her eyes searched the crowd desperately seeking Robb, she found another familiar pair of eyes though. Ones that matched hers exactly.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Lord Frey," Jamie said as he made his way through the crowd. "Sister, it is good to see you."
"I wish I could say the same for you brother," Freya replied coldly.
"Is that anyway to greet the father of your child," Jamie asked as he stared at her. The look in his eyes told Freya that this taunt, however cruel, was something she had to go along with. It was the only thing that could spare her life, and the life of her child.
"How do you know you are the father," Lord Frey demanded.
"I was the last one to have her. Ask her, she knows who the father is."
"It's true," Freya said confidently. "Jamie is the father of this child. Killing me, would mean killing not one Lannister but two."
"Kill her anyway, the Lannisters have shown me no loyalty, I have had no reward for capturing you. Maybe your brother can get his brat out of you before you die. Kill her," Lord Frey declared.
An arrow zipped through the air, piercing Lord Frey's chest. The old man let out a ragged gasp, and hunched over in pain. Another arrow shot through him and he collapsed to the ground. Freya stood with a cold glare in her eyes as she watched the life flow out of him. She finally glanced up, looking past Jamie to see where the arrows had come from.
Robb stood in the doorway, the bow still pulled taut. Freya let out a gasp and pushed her way through the crowd to him. She realized that was something was terribly wrong though as she drew closer. Robb dropped the bow, but did not come any closer. Freya stopped feet from him, finally seeing the blood that covered his chest. She cried out as he collapsed forward, his hands reaching for her.
Freya knelt in front of him taking his face in her hands. "Robb, stay with me, don't you dare do this to me. You are going to be a father, do not leave me now," she pleaded desperately.
"Always," Robb whispered as he pressed a hand against her stomach. Freya felt the child kick hard and she knew, it had to be Robb's.
"Always," Freya replied. "We need help!"
Robb was lifted off the ground and carried to another room. Healers joined them, immediately setting about saving the king. Freya stayed out of the way, keeping an eye on him. Lord Edmure entered the room and pulled her into a tight hug.
"I am relieved to find you safe, my Lady."
"The feeling is mutual my Lord. Can you do something for me please," Freya asked.
"Anything."
"I need to speak with my brother. There is something he should know. Can you bring him to me please?"
"I will find him my Lady."
The healers did what they could for Robb, but he had lost a lot of blood. If infection set in, they would lose him for sure. Freya sat next to his bed, clutching his hand, praying for him. A knock sounded at the door and Freya glanced up from the bed.
"You asked to see me, it seemed rather important. How is our king," Jamie asked as he strolled into the room. He stood on the other side of the bed, staring at her stomach.
"He is strong, he will be fine," Freya said tensely. "Since when is he your king?"
"Glad to hear it, I would hate for you northerners losing your one hope of defeating King Joffrey. What did you wish to discuss with me?"
"What you said in the great hall, it's not true. This child is Robb's, not yours."
"How can you be so sure Freya?"
"The child reacted to Robb's voice, it doesn't do the same with you. It knows who it's father is."
"You sound awfully confident," Jamie replied as he continued to stare at her. "I suppose we shall have to wait and see what happens. When it comes out blonde, and it will, you'll see."
"Get out of my sight, you may have helped rescue me, but it is thanks to Robb that Lord Frey is dead and I am free from him. You will always live in the shadow of greater men, people will sing songs about him. What will they say about you Jamie?"
"Let them write songs about your boy king, I will outlive him," Jamie called as he left the room. "Take good care of our child Freya, don't let the stress get to you."