Author's Note: Hey everyone! A sincere thank you to those of you that have put out an alert or reviewed my story! I can't believe over 700 people are following this story! This chapter begins the start of season 2 and I'm excited to hear what you guys think. Special thanks to Dannylionthe1st for beta-ing this chapter!
Please read, enjoy and review!
Chapter 17: Disappointed, Again
Maliya gazed up at the sky from where she was leaning against a tree, her eyes on the streak of red that was still visible in the sky. It had hovered above them all day as if watching them and she found herself wondering just how many people could see it around the world. Could her family in Dorne see what she was seeing? Was her aunt and uncle currently watching the same red streak?
The dream or memory of Rhaegar Targaryen surfaced in her mind's eye, his violet gaze proudly staring down at his infant son as he spoke to her. 'Your brother is a very important baby, Rhaenys, and not just to us. The bleeding star that we saw on the night of his birth signaled his arrival as the prince that was promised.' Sadness swept through her as she stared up at the red streak, missing the brother that she would never get to see grow up.
She had heard many different theories around the camp about what this strange phenomenon could mean. Some said that it was Lannister red and was a sign of victories to come. Other said that it was the blood of those that had died in the war already.
But Maliya had her own interpretation. If she squinted just right, she could almost imagine it was a dragon speeding through the sky with a trail of fire behind it.
Shoving away the thoughts of dragons, Maliya's eyes fell to the dirty, smelly man sitting chained in the giant cage that Robb had ordered made for him. Robb and Lady Stark were currently in the main tent with the rest of the bannermen, discussing his peace terms with one of the Lannister prisoner's who was going to bring them to King's Landing. It was the only reason she was currently here right now. If Robb knew where she was, she would be in serious trouble… yet again.
She found herself continually drawn to the Kingslayer ever since he had been captured, and she didn't quite understand why. It didn't have anything to do with his appearance, because not only was he a disgusting mess at the moment, but Maliya apparently preferred men with auburn hair as to golden. Maybe she was drawn to him because Robb had expressly forbid anyone to talk to him. Maybe it was because he had murdered her grandfather or because he was the grandson of the man who had ordered the death of her and her family. She didn't quite comprehend the curiosity that she felt, but she found herself wanting to talk with him in an attempt understand him.
"I can feel your eyes boring into the back of my head," the Kingslayer drawled, his voice slightly hoarse from disuse. "Why don't you come out and face me like a man?"
The corner of her lips twitched; it appeared that even though he was in the worst position possible, he still maintained his dry, sarcastic attitude. Lacing her fingers together in front of her, Maliya slowly walked forward, moving around to the front of the cage. Surprise flickered in the depths of his eyes when he saw her, but before he could speak, the guard standing at the door of the cage caught sight of her and looked both alarmed and uncomfortable.
"I require five minutes alone with the Kingslayer," Maliya told him in a voice brooking no argument, her face expressionless.
He looked from her to the prisoner and back again, shifting on his feet. "I was told not to let anyone near 'im…" He trailed off at the dangerous, slightly predatory glint in her brown eyes, so similar to that of her uncle's.
Her head tilted to the side. "You're going to give me five minutes and I won't tell my husband that you fell asleep during your shift last night."
He paled, bowed his head slightly, and quickly walked away, allowing Maliya to turn her attention to the man sitting chained in front of her. "Well, well, well," Jaime Lannister drawled softly, a smirk on his face. "A visit from the Warrior Princess of Dorne. I feel lucky indeed. Though I suppose I should be calling you a Warrior Queen, now shouldn't I?" He corrected, his eyes flickering to the crown atop her head.
Maliya suppressed the urge to reach up and self consciously touch it. One of the Riverlords had made one for her and Robb soon after he was declared King in the North. It was bronze, and more feminine than Robb's, which was fashioned after the old Kings of Winter with nine iron spikes in the shape of longswords. She still hadn't quite gotten used to the idea that she was now the Queen of the entire North. It wasn't something she really wanted nor expected to ever happen to her.
"I would prefer it if you didn't call me anything at all," Maliya quipped, moving a step further to examine him closer. "Is there anything I can get you, Kingslayer? A proper chamberpot? A bar of soap, perhaps, or maybe a comb?"
His smirk widened at her blasé, disinterested voice. "I'm honored that you would think of me at a time like this, Your Grace. What brings a woman like you to this humble cell of mine? Is your husband not pleasing you properly or are you in desperate need of some actual intelligent conversation?"
Maliya wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I can assure you, Kingslayer, that I am more than satisfied in all aspects of my marriage. Tell me, why would I want to touch someone who fucks his own sister? Or attempts to murder a child by pushing him out of the window?" An involuntary expression of annoyance crossed his face, giving Maliya pause. It was only for a fraction of a second and the only reason she noticed it was because she was watching him so intently. Was it because she mentioned his sexual relationship with his sister? Or was it because of the name Kingslayer?
The Kingslayer's lips tightened. "This rumor again? King Robb has already talked to me about this, and I'll ask the same thing to you as I did him – have you any proof?"
Maliya shrugged carelessly. "Your three golden haired children and your terrible family are proof enough for me. You pushed a child out of a window because he caught you fucking your twin and your son just chopped off the head of one of the most loved and powerful men of Westeros. Oh how the mighty Kingslayer has fallen," she sighed dramatically. Something definitely flickered across his face at the name and her eyes narrowed slightly. "What's wrong, Lannister? Do you not like infamous name that all of Westeros knows you by?" She asked quietly, scrutinizing him and realizing that she was right. "Then perhaps you shouldn't have stabbed your King in the back. Why did you do it? Did you want the throne for yourself? Was it your father's orders?" She continued, pressing as the anger continued to build. "What could have possibly possessed you to break your vows and stab the man you were supposed to protect – "
Something dark flashed through the Kingslayers eyes and she belatedly realized that his own irritation was building along with hers. "Since you seem to be able to pass judgement on an event that you weren't even there for, what would you have done if your king was about to burn thousands of men women and children? Tell me, would you have kept your vows while they all died screaming around you?" He snapped, glaring up at her and breathing heavily. A moment letter he abruptly shut his mouth and looked away, clenching his jaw again and again, apparently regretting his outburst.
Maliya blinked, halting her tirade as uncertainty swept through her. This was a piece of information that she had never heard before. She knew Lord Tyrion had called her grandfather the Mad King, but to threaten to burn the entire city to the ground? "What?" She asked quietly, taken aback. Half a second later her eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?" She demanded heatedly. "Explain yourself."
The Kingslayer's expression evened out, and his carefree smile was back. "Explain what, YourGgrace?" He asked, looking deceptively puzzled. "I think the lack of food and water may be messing with my head. I can assure you that I have no idea what I am saying. Or what you were saying. Who are you again?"
Maliya knew that he was just trying to provoke a reaction from her but that didn't stop her from glaring into his smug green eyes, full of frustration. As she did so, a portion of a long forgotten memory resurfaced, one that must have been from when she was only two or three years old.
She remembered standing in front of the steps leading up to the Iron Throne, clutching her father's hand anxiously as she stared up at her grandfather and grandmother. Rhaenys liked her. She smiled at her and gave nice hugs. Her grandfather never smiled.
She remembered him wrinkling his nose at the sight of her, his mean violet eyes narrowing as he stared down at her. "Did you have to bring the Dornish girl?" He complained loudly, causing her to shrink further behind her father's legs. "I was under the impression that you were presenting my grandson, who I hear is a true Targaryen."
She remembered looking away from her grandfather, scared of the look on his face, and landing on a man standing near the king, dressed all in white, with soft looking yellow hair. Sympathetic green eyes met hers and she had to fight hard to blink away the sudden tears.
Maliya blinked three times as she stared down at a man who looked drastically different than the shining Kingsguard knight he used to be. She knew that he had been part of King Aerys' Kingsguard but it was one thing to know this information and another to remember a small connection that they had when she was Rhaenys. "You," she whispered, shocked and completely thrown off balance.
He gave her a strange look, and opened his mouth to comment but something caught his eye over her shoulder and his expression turned amused instead. "Looks like someone might be in trouble," he sang in a soft voice, barely restraining his smirk.
"My lady." Maliya glanced over her shoulder to see Robb approaching. His face was mostly expressionless as he looked at the Kingslayer, but when his blue eyes met hers, she could see the icy fury in them. "I would like to speak with you, if you have a moment."
"Of course," Maliya agreed, putting an arm through his offered elbow. She didn't spare the Kingslayer another glance as Robb led her away, knowing that would just further increase his anger. Her heart was pounding as she berated herself for getting caught. She knew how overprotective Robb was and she knew that he would be cross with her, but she had been counting on having more time while he was in his meeting.
Robb hadn't spoken a single word the entire walk back to their tent and Maliya was inwardly bracing herself for a lecture. She had enough time to enter the tent and notice Lady Stark sitting by the table with the war map on it before Robb rounded on her, blue eyes flashing. "What in the seven hells were you doing talking to the Kingslayer?" He demanded, obviously struggling to rein in his temper. "The man is our prisoner, Maliya, you shouldn't be sneaking over to start a conversation with him!"
"I'm sorry," she murmured softly, moving to sit in one of the chairs next to Lady Stark. She looked up at her husband, his expression flickering in the candlight as she thought about how best to explain. "I was just curious, I suppose. Growing up with my uncle and my father, I've heard such terrible things about the Lannisters, and they've instilled a sense of automatic hatred of them, for good reason! Lord Tywin ordered the deaths of my aunt Elia and her children and put all the blame on the dogs that he sent to do the dirty work. I just wanted a glimpse behind the madness."
Robb sighed at her explanation, the anger leaving his shoulders. He walked over and knelt beside her, taking her hands that were resting on her lap. "I'm sorry about your aunt, Maliya, and believe me when I say that I hate the Lannisters just as much as you do. They killed part of your family and my father, pushed my brother out of a window and have my sisters as hostages. But Jaime Lannister is dangerous and I don't want you speaking to him alone. Promise me, Maliya."
Knowing that she could hardly refuse, Maliya nodded. "I promise." They all turned to look at the tent entrance as Grey Wind sauntered in, strolling over and collaspsing down next to Maliya with a world weary sigh. She reached down to scratch behind his ears while glancing from Robb to Lady Stark. "How was the meeting?"
"It could have gone better," Robb sighed, crossing his arms and leaning against the table. "Lord Karstark was openly against the peace terms as I'm sure others were as well. And part of me can hardly blame them. How can we talk about peace when the Lannisters are still ravaging the Riverlands and slaughtering it's people?"
"Perhaps because it will save thousands of lives and bring your sisters back to us," Lady Stark commented drily. Maliya glanced over at her and felt a smidge of sympathy run through her. All the poor woman wanted was her family back together again. She had worked incredibly hard to convince Robb just to agree to offer these peace terms.
"I have told you multiple times, mother, I cannot trade Jaime Lannister for the girls. My bannermen will string me up by my feet!" He snapped in frustration, before making a valiant effort to lower his voice. "I will do everything I can for the girls, you know I will. But it's more complicated now, I have to think of all of my men from both the North and the Riverlands."
"So what will be our next move?" Maliya interjected quickly, trying to diffuse an argument that she had already heard many times. Lady Stark looked as if she was ready to press her case once more. "I think we're all aware that the Lannisters are unlikely to agree to those terms."
"We've been successful in driving some of the Lannister armies away from the rest of the Riverlord's lands. Many of my men are urging me to march on Tywin Lannister at Harrenhal, but the fortress is too strong to attack directly. Besides, that would be exactly what Lord Tywin would want." He paused, and Maliya noticed not for the first time just how tired her husband looked. She was proud of him though. His men loved him and respected him because not only was he their king, but he was also a warrior who fought on the front line alongside them. "We're going to move further west. Ser Stafford Lannister is building an army at Oxcross to replace the one that they've lost."
Maliya nodded slowly, thinking out loud. "So if we attack the Lannister's home and get close enough to Casterly Rock then we can draw out Lord Tywin and his army."
"Right," Robb nodded, his brows furrowed as he began to pace back and forth in front of them, thinking out loud. "With the addition of the Riverlands in our army, it makes retreating to the North nigh on impossible at the moment. With that in mind, our last step in this war will be an attack on King's Landing and the Lannisters. I've thought of two additional plans to help us succeed in capturing the city. First, Theon will be returning to Pyke to secure the use of Lord Greyjoy's ships and his men. We will attack by land and they will attack by sea – "
"Robb, you can't be serious! Lord Greyjoy is not trustworthy, you don't want him as an ally!" Lady Stark interrupted heatedly, looking shocked that Robb would even consider such a plan. "Your father had to go to war to end his rebellion!"
"They say he has two hundred ships," Robb countered, refusing to back down as he shot her a quick look. "It will be an uneasy alliance, to be sure, but our main goal is to capture King's Landing and overthrow the Lannisters. If Lord Greyjoy assists in this task, then he will be named King of the Iron Islands."
Lady Stark was still shaking her head. "Don't send Theon," she advised. "Send Jason Mallister or Tytos Blackwood, just keep Theon close to you."
"Who better to treat with Balon Greyjoy than his last surviving son?" Robb asked, trying to hide his frustration with the fact that his mother was questioning his decisions. "Theon has fought bravely for us, mother, I trust him."
"I don't," Lady Stark said bluntly, her blue Tully eyes serious as she tried to reach through to Robb. "I would sooner keep him as a hostage just to be safe."
Maliya half listened to the argument, a very vivid picture of her and Robb leading their army in an attack on King's Landing, their men breaking through their doors as they stormed the city to kill the Lannisters. On the other side of the city, Theon was leading two hundred ships in an attack on the other side, completely overwhelming the enemy. She wanted so badly for that picture to become reality that she just might do anything to make it happen. "Theon has been a Stark for the last nine years," Maliya spoke up, joining in the argument on Robb's side. "Both you and Lord Stark have helped raised him to be an honorable man, and he grew up to be like a brother to Robb. If Robb trusts him to acquire ships for our cause, then I trust him as well."
She caught Robb's grateful eye and gave him a small smile. "That brings me to my next plan," Robb continued once his mother had fallen silent, outnumbered. "If the Lannisters don't accept our peace terms, then we're going to need to side with a suitable person to sit on the Iron Throne, one who will recognize the North as an independent kingdom. Mother, I need you to ride south to the Stormlands to negotiate with Renly Baratheon."
Lady Stark's eyes widened. "Me?" She asked in disbelief. "Why on earth – "
"You know him and you know his family," Robb explained patiently, ceasing his pacing. "I trust no one more than I trust you." The was a moment of silence in the tent, and Maliya could see that despite herself, Lady Stark's expression softened. "Renly Baratheon has an army of 100,000 men. If we form an alliance with him, we'll outnumber the Lannisters two to one. When they feel the jaws beginning to shut, we'll sue for peace, get the girls back and go home, for good."
Maliya could practically feel the hope radiating from Lady Stark as she listened to her son's words. She stood, eyes shining. "You've done so well," she murmured with a small smile, and all of the sudden, Maliya felt as if she were intruding on a private moment. "Your father would be proud."
Robb swallowed harshly, walking over to his mother and pressing a grateful kiss to her forehead before pulling her into a hug. "We'll all be together again soon," Maliya heard him promise softly.
Taking a deep breath and putting a smile on her face, Lady Stark cleared her throat as she pulled back. "I'm going to prepare my things. I'll ride out at first light."
Robb waited until she left before collapsing down on the chair she had abandoned with a weary sigh. Feeling sympathetic, Maliya walked up behind him, unclasping his cloak and pulling it away before beginning to knead his shoulders. He let out a low groan, his head dropping back slightly as she worked the tension out of his muscles. "Who knew being a king would be so stressful and so difficult," Maliya murmured teasingly, smiling as he gave a low chuckle.
"Well I know one thing for sure. I couldn't possibly be a king without my queen by my side," he responded, reaching up for her right hand and pressing a kiss to the middle of her palm. She shivered slightly, constantly surprised how such a simple action could cause so much heat to run through her body. "I feel like I can only truly be myself when I'm with you. To everyone else I'm the King in the North. Even with my mother it's a difficult line between being her king and being her son." He tugged her over to him, guiding her so she sat across his lap, her arms looped around her neck and his around her waist. "Thank you," he told her sincerely, blue eyes flickering between each of her own. "Thank you for being so understanding about how this changes us."
Maliya shrugged his thanks away. "Your mother was right, Robb, you've done really well and we're both really proud of you. You're doing what you think is best for your army and I think you've done the right thing by sending her to negotiate with Renly Baratheon."
"I'm glad you think so. I know you're not going to be pleased with me but I've decided that you're going to accompany her," he declared in a soft voice, his face set as he inwardly steeled himself for her reaction.
Maliya froze, certain that she had heard him incorrectly. Her eyebrows furrowed as she gave a short laugh, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I could have sworn I just heard you say – "
"You did."
Maliya could have screamed. Instead, she attempted to swallow her rage and speak in a rational voice even though her entire body was stiff and her voice sounded slightly strangled. "I have done everything you've asked of me – almost everything you've asked of me," she amended, thinking of the earlier incident with the Kingslayer. "Ever since the Battle in the Whispering Wood, I haven't asked to join you in any of the recent battles. I've stayed in the tent like an obedient wife, telling myself that this was the compromise, that this was something I could do to make your life a little easier. But it's not a compromise, Robb, I gave in because I love you. And now, after all this, you're still going to send me away? Why? To continue to keep me away from the fighting?"
"Yes," Robb answered, simply and honestly. She had to give him some credit – he never dropped his gaze even in the face of her terrible anger.
"Fine," Maliya snapped, pushing his hands away and standing. "One of these days, you're going to realize that your constant need to protect me and keep me safe is not helping our relationship. All it's doing is creating a resentment towards you." She shook her head slowly, some of the anger draining out of her and a quiet disappointment taking it's place. "When are you going to start viewing me as your equal instead of as your wife?"
She glanced away, missing the flash of hurt in his eyes as she moved towards the bed, turning her back to him as she stripped out of her dress and pulled her night dress on. She heard Robb approaching her from behind, but didn't turn around to face him. He hesitantly slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer when she didn't push him away. "I'm not going to apologize for wanting to protect you and keep you safe," he began softly, thumbs tracing a pattern soothingly when he felt her stiffen. "You're my wife – "
Maliya stepped forward, pulling away from him before turning around. "I'm tired of having this same old argument, Robb," she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You say that I'm your wife and I say that I've grown up fighting and it's a part of who I am. No matter how many times you say otherwise, I'm not your partner. Not in this marriage and not as your queen."
"Maliya – " he tried, but she cut him off.
"I'll go with your lady mother because you're my king and I don't want a cage next to the Kingslayers. But I want you to know that I'm doing this against my will." She looked up at him, lost. "When I get back, I would like to fight alongside you, instead of against you. If I cannot, maybe I should just return to Winterfell. That's probably what you want, isn't it? Me safely locked away in the North?"
"Yes – no!" He gave a frustrated growl, throwing up his hands. "I don't know! I can't get past the thought that war is no place for a woman – and I know you're not an ordinary woman!" He added quickly when she opened her mouth to argue. "What if you fight beside me and I can't look out for you? What if you're fighting someone better than you or you become outnumbered? What if you die?"
"What if I trip on a root and smash my head into a rock?" Maliya countered immediately, crossing her arms. "What if I choke on a piece of fruit or get trampled by a horse? I don't know if you're right or if I'm right, but frankly I don't care. Our lives can end at any moment and I would rather die beside you, fighting."
There was a long moment of silence where they stood there, staring at each other as they digested everything the other had been saying. Robb was the first to break the silence. "You leave at first light," he murmured, watching her uncertainly. "Can we put aside our differences for the moment so we avoid going to bed angry? That was one of the few pieces of marriage advice that my father gave me while I was growing up."
"What other advice did he give you?" Maliya asked, tilting her head to the side, looking genuinely curious.
Robb felt a strange mixture of sadness and regret as he thought back to those moments with his father. If he had known how little time he had left, there would have been so much more he would have wanted to say or ask. "His first piece of advice was to share everything with each other, because a marriage cannot survive without communication. And then when you have children and your life feels as if it is consumed by them, always make time to spend together, just the two of you. His last piece of advice, and he always said this was the most important one, was to make love to your wife whenever possible, as often as possible."
Maliya heart had given a painful lurch as she was reminded yet again of all the truths that she was keeping from her husband. If what Ned Stark said was true, was her marriage doomed to fail? When she heard his last piece of advice, however, she rolled her eyes, unable to stop the amused smile from crossing her face. "Your father did not say that to you."
"Maybe not," he agreed, looking encouraged by the sight of her smile. "But I believe it's sound advice. In fact, if anyone asks for my opinion, that's the first thing I'll tell them."
"You are such a typical man," Maliya snorted, shaking her head. "Thinking with your cock instead of your head."
"I have to disagree with you on that," he grinned, blue eyes twinkling as he took a step toward her, grabbing her hands and pulling her closer to him. "Both my cock and my head happen to agree wholeheartedly on this point."
She couldn't help but laugh, wondering how he had pulled her out of her bad mood so quickly. She didn't forget her anger towards him by any means, but yelling and arguing had proved useless in the past. She looked up at him as he ran the back of his fingers down her cheek. "You're lucky I love you," she teased.
His eyes shone with warmth and affection. "I'm the luckiest man in the world," he whispered, before bending down and pressing his lips against hers.
The next morning, Maliya found herself standing with her hands on her hips, staring down at her bag on the bed. She had shoved the egg and Moon Tea ingredients into the bag with her two spare dresses and under clothes. It was risky to take them with her, but she felt it was an even bigger risk to leave it here where Robb or someone else could find them.
"Your Grace?" A voice sounded just outside the tent, causing Maliya to frown for different reasons. Even with all the time that has passed since his men had crowned Robb King in the North, Maliya was still unused to being called 'Your Grace' or being referred to as a queen. For another, the voice that had spoken was distinctly female and as far as Maliya knew, the only other woman she had met was Lady Stark.
"You may come in," Maliya called, hiding her surprise when a pretty young woman entered, carrying a small bag. Her eyes flickered over to Maliya for a moment before training on the floor as she curtsied. "And you are?"
"My name is Talisa, Your Grace," the woman told her with a polite smile. "King Robb sent for a healer to check your wound before your journey."
"His over-protectiveness knows no bounds," Maliya muttered with a sigh. "Well, alright, let's get this over with. The Seven knows he'll check later to make sure it was done. If you'll give me a moment, I'll call you back in when I'm situated."
Talisa bowed her head and stepped back outside while Maliya shrugged out of one sleeve of her riding dress, making sure she was appropriately covered as she sat at the table and called her back in. Talisa took the chair next to her and began to unwrap the bandages around her left bicep. She gently turned Maliya's arm to see the entire wound. "This has healed nicely. No swelling or signs of pus around the stitches," Talisa informed her, glancing up to meet her gaze. "Have you had any abnormal pain or signs of fever?" Maliya shook her head. "Good. Then I'm going to go ahead and remove these stitches." Talisa reached into her bag and began to clean the stitches and her supplies before she began to remove them. She was silent for a while as she worked. "The men in this camp gossip more than any woman I've ever met. Is it true that you got this wound because you disguised yourself as a man so you could fight in your husband's army?"
Maliya slowly quirked an eyebrow at her. "Well, that was very bold of you," she proclaimed in a dry voice.
Talisa lowered her gaze to her work again, though Maliya noticed she didn't flush or look embarrassed. "My apologies, Your Grace, that was – "
"Yes, it's true," Maliya interrupted, surveying her with interest now. "Where are you from, Lady Talisa? I can't quite place your accent."
"Volantis," Talisa answered, pausing to look over at Maliya quizzically. "I thought women weren't allowed to fight in Westeros. I'm still learning the customs here, but it is uncommon, is it not?"
"I was raised in Dorne, the customs there are different. It's not common anywhere north of Dorne, hence why I had to disguise myself," she responded distractedly. "Do highborn ladies from Volantis typically leave home, become healers and follow the army from battle to battle?"
"Highborn?" Talisa repeated, frowning. "I'm afraid I'm not – "
"It's alright, Lady Talisa, you don't have to pretend around me," Maliya assured her with a smile, patting her hand. "But I've been through enough years of rigorous training in how to be a proper lady to recognize the signs. Your posture is impeccable, you speak more clearly and efficiently than three quarters of the people here and you are more bold and outspoken then you have any right to be when speaking to a queen."
"And here I was thinking that I was a good liar," Lady Talisa grimaced, looking down again as she finished removing the last of the stitches. "I'm sorry if I've overstepped my bounds and offended you, I truly meant no harm."
"It's… oddly refreshing," Maliya told her honestly, waving her apologies away.
Maliya got the hint that the other woman didn't want to talk about herself any further when she changed the subject. "Well, my job here is done. Is there anything else I can do for you, Your Grace?"
Maliya shook her head as Lady Talisa packed her bags and stood. "I appreciate your assistance, my lady. Be careful out there. An army isn't the safest place for a woman all alone."
Lady Talisa inclined her head in acknowledgement before leaving the tent. Maliya absentmindedly fixed her dress, wondering if she should have Bennar or Colrin attempt to keep an eye on Lady Talisa just in case. Not all men were as honorable as the Stark men, she knew. She also knew that many men were missing their wives or the comforts of women. Most men were idiots to begin with, but lonely, horny men could turn into dangerous idiots for the few women that were in this camp.
Maliya grabbed the bag from her bed along with her sword and left the tent, heading to where the horses were kept. One of Robb's men came up to her immediately to take her bag and tie it to Shadow's saddle. Maliya looked around and locked eyes with Lady Stark who gave her a sympathetic smile from where she was seated atop her own horse. Robb turned to see who had caught his mother's attention and his face softened when he saw her. Theon, standing a few feet away from them with his own bags, surreptitiously winked at her.
Maliya's gaze turned defiant when Robb's blue eyes dropped to the sheathed sword in her hand and he frowned. "You may try to keep me from the fighting, Robb, but I'm not going to walk into a potential enemy's camp without any protection."
Robb held his hands up defensively. "I wasn't going to say anything!"
"Liar," Maliya chided halfheartedly, not wanting to start yet another argument.
He walked closer to her, putting his hands on her waist. "All I was going to do, my dear wife, is wish you a safe journey. Help my mother out as best you can and give my regards to Lord – King Renly," he amended reluctantly.
Maliya wanted to point out that if he wasn't sending her away then they wouldn't have to say goodbye at all. She didn't want her resentment and bitterness to ruin their farewell, though. Because if she was being honest with herself, there was a strong under current of fear beneath all her other emotions. She was about to leave for she didn't know how long and she was afraid that something might happen to Robb while she was gone. "Promise me you'll be careful," Maliya whispered heatedly, dropping her voice so the others wouldn't hear her. "Don't do anything rash or stupid."
Robb couldn't help but smile. "I promise," he told her, before bending down and pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was far too brief for her liking, but both of them were conscious of their audience and the unresolved issues between them. "I love you," he murmured in her ear. "Even if you are still furious with me."
"I wouldn't be furious with you if you actually believed that we were equals in every way," Maliya reminded him without thinking. She sighed in the next moment, shaking her head. "…I love you too, you big stubborn idiot."
He reluctantly let her go as she pulled back and stepped around him, walking up to Theon. "Safe travels, Theon. I look forward to seeing the infamous iron fleet that you've boasted about so much. Especially when they're sailing to help us destroy the Lannisters."
He had his self-assured smirk on his face. "It will be a sight that you can tell your children and grandchildren about."
Something cold and wet touched her hand, making her jumping slightly. She looked down to see that Grey Wind had padded over to her side, gazing up at her with what she imagined to be sad eyes. "Keep looking after him, Grey," she whispered, scratching behind his ears after crouching down to his level. "Never leave his side." There was a level of understanding in his yellow eyes that showed an intelligence unlike any normal animal, and it comforted Maliya more than anything else would have. Grey Wind was the deadliest weapon to keep by her husband's side, more so than any of his other guards combined.
Maliya stood once more, moving to Shadow's side so she could tie her sword onto the saddle so it would be in easy reach if need be. Grabbing the reins from the man who had helped her with her bags, Maliya swung herself up onto the saddle and nodded at Lady Stark, who wheeled her horse around and followed their guards out of the camp. Maliya, after sharing one last lingering look with Robb, turned Shadow around and pressed her heels into his side.
Robb watched his mother and wife ride off into the sunrise with a troubled expression. Maliya was acting polite and cordial with him, but he could see the frustration and and resentment brewing behind her brown eyes. He had expected her to rage and shout at him like she usually did when she thought he was being an overprotective ass. What happened instead, however, was somehow worse. She was disappointed in him, and he knew exactly why.
"Is something wrong, Your Grace?" Theon asked from beside him. He had been watching Robb's expression change instead of watching the women leave.
Robb sighed, wiping his hand across his face wearily. "My wife is unhappy with me, once again," Robb told him, glancing at him. "And you don't have to call me 'Your Grace' when we're alone."
"It's not so bad once you get used to it," Theon shrugged. "What have you done this time?"
"It's the same old argument that we've been having for months. She wants to ride beside me into every battle and I just want to keep her safe and away from the fighting. I just want her to live and yet she's so intent on throwing herself into danger," Robb vented with frustration. "Why couldn't I have a normal, obedient wife who likes planning dances and making dresses?"
Theon grinned at him. "Because you would be so bored that you would probably rather pluck out your own eyeballs. Think of it this way. You would rather be married to someone who challenges you like Maliya rather than someone like, say, Sansa." Robb made a disgusted face and Theon laughed. "I said someone like Sansa! She likes making dresses and dances and she dreams of her handsome knight that would marry her. You love your sister but you would hate that in your wife."
"Yeah," Robb admitted grudgingly, sighing again. "Yeah, I probably would."
"Personally I don't know why you're so against this," Theon continued. "Maliya is a damn good fighter, Robb. She helped save our asses against the wildlings when we were coming back from the Umber wedding. You've seen her train and you saw how she held her own against the Kingslayer! I mean, truthfully, she was barely holding her own and I don't know if she would have lasted much longer, but he is one of the best fighters in Westeros and not many men could have lasted as long as she did."
"What's your point?" Robb ground out, annoyed that Theon wasn't taking his side.
Theon, ever so blunt, turned to face him head on. "My point, Your Grace, is that your fear of losing her is pushing her away anyway."
"So what am I supposed to do?" Robb inquired. "Women in the North don't – "
"Is that what this is about?" Theon interrupted incredulously. "This is all because of what the men are saying?"
"How can I control an army when I can't even control my wife?" Robb questioned in a soft voice. "She disobeyed a direct order and my men all know it."
"So then let her fight," Theon answered, shrugging at the alarmed look on Robb's face. "It will be your decision this time around, you can place her in the back of the army if you wish and surround her with guards if you have to. You can keep her as safe as possible during a battle and she gets her wish to fight."
Robb considered what he was saying and knew it wasn't a terrible idea. "It could work. Thanks, Theon." He clapped a hand on his friends shoulder gratefully. "I have to admit, I just might miss having you around."
"Of course you will," Theon smirked.
"I'm being serious, you ass," Robb chuckled, rolling his eyes. "You've been like an older brother to me for years now, Theon, and I don't trust anyone more than you to convince your father to help us in our fight against the Lannisters."
Theon's smirk faded as he nodded, his face determined and serious. "I won't let you down, Robb. I have my horse saddled and ready to go and I'll write you when I have succeeded and we're leading the iron fleet to destroy the Lannisters."
Author's Note: This chapter was a pain in the ass to write and I hope I've done it justice. What did you guys think of the scenes with Jaime and Talisa? Those were the trickiest for me to write. A little bit of a filler but definitely necessary to set up where everyone's going from here.
So I think I might require help from you guys for the next few chapters. As I've said before I'm not the best with politics and I do as much research as I can, but it can still be pretty confusing! Any descriptions of the war would be helpful at this point. Also, what are your takes on Littlefinger, Margaery Tyrell and Melisandre? Maliya will be meeting them all shortly and they're all a bit mysterious! As always, if there's something you want to see or if you have any ideas to help me out I always appreciate it!
Don't forget to review! :)
Boramir - thank you for reviewing! Your idea is definitely an interesting one and I think I will be able to incorporate part of it in future chapters so thanks for that! I love when you guys suggest something that I can use!
Guest 1 - I'm glad you can understand Maliya's hesitation to reveal who she is. She's being ruled by her fear but we'll learn more about this in the upcoming chapters! Thanks for reviewing!
Guest 2 - Thanks for your review! So much drama and they haven't even started their family yet! I'm so glad you're loving the story so far!