So tonight I watched Wolfwalkers on Apple TV. Fantastic movie, beautiful animation, the song Running with the Wolves by AURORA just seemed to fit this chapter perfectly.
It's surprising, how a year could pass in the blink of an eye. And yet it did. Autumn had a firm grip in the corner of the Vale they had claimed as theirs. The trees were full of color, the mornings welcomed the dawn with a light layer of frost, and the nights seemed to come sooner. Just one of the many reminders that winter was on the way. News was slow to reach them. Often brought by Griffin's lady friend, Cass. The woman was quick witted and no-nonsense sort. The first time she had met Petey she had boxed his ears and threatened to wash his mouth out with soap when he had whispered a joke to Jay about the nature of her's and Griffin's arrangement.
Apparently, Tommen had married Joffrey's widow Margery Tyrell. They seemed to be a popular couple and Tommen seemed to be doing an ok job as king. Apparently he had started taking a more religious based approach to ruling. Replacing the High Septon with a street preacher called the High Sparrow. Myrcella personally believed that religion should be separate from ruling, but as long as the realm had some semblance of peace, her little brother could rule as he wished. She was perfectly content in the woods with her friends and her lover.
Robb had vastly changed, he finally started to open up. They would spend hours talking about Talisa, his mother, the War of the Five Kings. All of the pain and hurt that he kept bottled inside himself. When he had nightmare and woke up with screams dying in his throat. Myrcella would hold him as he wept. He had also finally started to embrace his new nature. It was a slower process. The full moons were still terrible and exhausting for him and sometimes he fought the wolf within him, trying to suppress the wildness. Yet there were times when Robb was able to let go. When he was able to run through the forest, faster than any mortal man. When he could easily catch a scent and track game with ease. Robb was finally embracing the Wolf.
The day was a perfect crisp, clear autumn day. The sky was a wonderful shade of blue, and a small breeze made the colorful leaves dance through the air. Myrcella was digging for tubers and mushroom in the woods. Leaning back, she dusted the dirt off a particularly lumpy potato and tossed it in her basket with the rest of her finds. Mostly hen-of-the-woods and oyster mushrooms, and a couple of wild carrots and radishes. Myrcella had gotten quite good at recognizing plants and their uses. She'd even started drying some that could be used as medicines and such. Sighing she wiped her hand across her face. No doubt leaving a smudge of dirt, oh if her mother could see her now. Myrcella smiled to herself before going back to digging. A twig cracking behind her had her freezing, and her hand falling to the knife tucked into the belt of her trousers. Her eyes went to where she had placed her bow against an big old maple tree along with her cloak. The forest was completely silent. Where just moments before the birds had been chirping away. The only sound came from the leaves rustling the trees. Myrcella stood slowly grabbing her basket and turned towards her things. She had only taken a step or two when a blur shot through the trees and suddenly Myrcella was on her back, pinned to the ground with a familiar weight on top of her, laughter ringing out around her.
"Robb!" She yelled in indignation, trying to shove her lover off. She was no match for the former king when it came to physical strength. Light danced in his golden eyes as he finally sat up, still straddling Myrcella's waist.
"Got you." He said with a smirk. Myrcella sneered at him.
"I thought you were a Shadow cat you arse!" She growled punching him in the chest, before drawing her hand back and shaking it. "Ow." She grumbled. Robb took her hand in his, bringing it up and gently kissing her now very sore knuckles.
"How can I earn your forgiveness my Lady?" Myrcella couldn't help but smirk. Pulling her hand from his and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I can think of several ways my Lord." She whispered before claiming his lips with hers. Robb groaned, his hands running down to her waist as Myrcella leaned back. The pair losing themselves in familiar passion.
That evening everyone was sat by the fire eating a hearty stew and listening to Dacey recount a story about her younger sister.
"So, my mother takes one look and goes completely white. And Lyanna is just standing there holding this screaming bear cub asking if we can keep it!"
"What happened? You obviously didn't keep the thing." Jay asked, ladling himself another helping of the stew.
"Gods no! Literally not a second later this panicked guard rushes into the solar. Telling us that a huge sow was charging the gate, roaring and making very clear she wanted her baby back. So, my mother just grabs the cub and she and our master-at-arms have to figure out how to get the damn thing back to it's mama without anyone being maimed or killed by the pissed off bear. They finally just put the cub in a basket with some fish to try and appease the damn thing and lowered it down with a rope. Mama bear took baby and the basket, shot my mother the darkest look I have ever been privileged to see, turned around and ambled back into the woods." Everyone burst out laughing. Myrcella sat up from where she was leaning against Robb.
"Wait. How did your sister even find the cub in the first place?" Dacey shrugged, grabbing the wine skin from Great Jon.
"No bloody clue! No one could figure out how a tot just past her third name day, not only got out of the keep but where she found the cub in the first place." Myrcella leaned back against Robb as he shifted against her. She had noticed that for the past couple of days he seemed restless and on edge.
"Are you ok?" Robb hummed and down at her.
"Aye, I'm fine." He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. Myrcella turned her attention back to Jay who was now telling a story about how he tried to train a skunk as a boy.
Later that night Myrcella was awoken by Robb tossing and turning on their pallet. Robb flipped onto his back, groaning, burying his face in his hands.
Myrcella blinked the sleep from her eyes.
"Robb?" She croaked. Robb turned and pulled her into a searing kiss. His hands trailing down her body playing with the hem of her shirt. Usually, Myrcella would be all for letting her wolf has his way with her. But this would be the fifth night in a row his restlessness had awakened her and she really just wanted to sleep. Not to mention her nether region was a bit sore from all the rough coupling recently. She roughly shoved Robb off of her.
"Seven Hells, I'm not in the mood Robb." Robb growled and stood up, pacing the cave chamber running his hand through his hair. Myrcella sat up. "What is wrong? You've been acting all restless… and" Myrcella waved her hand at him, "fidgety." Robb growled again.
"It's the Wolf." His voice was rough. "I can't, it won't calm itself. I need something, don't know." He muttered. Myrcella raised a brow. "Robb?" But he was stalking out of the chamber wearing only his smallclothes. Myrcella fell back amongst her bedding, and stared up at the cave ceiling.
"I could just stay here." She said to herself. "Get some sleep…" She trailed off. "Oh, Seven fucking Hells." Myrcella pushed off her furs and grabbed her boots, trousers and Robb's jerkin. Haphazardly dressing as she chased after her lover. Myrcella pulled the oversized jerkin around her as she stepped into the night. Suddenly thinking she should have grabbed a cloak instead. She pulled the worn leather to her nose and inhaled Robb's comforting scent. The night was dark, the moon little more than a sliver in the sky, she fumbled through the woods, tripping over branches and roots before finally entering the clearing Robb would go to for his change. He was there now. Once again pacing restlessly, every so often he would look up at the sky.
"Robb." He didn't acknowledge her." Robb!" He finally turned. A wild look in his golden eyes had her stop short.
"I feel like I'm about to turn." He growled. "But it's not the fucking full moon!" He grabbed a rock from the ground and spinning, hurled it at a rather large tree on the edge of the clearing. A crash and splinters filled the air as the rock went clear through the tree trunk. Myrcella gaped at the tree then looked back at Robb. Sighing she went up to him and grabbed his hands.
"Robb," His eyes slid shut as he exhaled, "What exactly are you feeling?" Robb shifted on his feet, still unable to be completely still.
"It's like it's telling me to change. It's a feeling, then there are flashes in my mind. I… it's hard to explain. It's been like this for several days. All this energy it keeps building and building inside of me and it's just too much. And nothing I do seems to help." Myrcella smirked sadly. Turning her neck to show him the bruised love bite he had left on her two days earlier. She's had to take to wearing a scarf around her neck to avoid the merciless teasing from the others. "Trust me, I've noticed." Myrcella furrowed her brow, thinking. "Robb, do you remember what the witch said when you woke up? How you would eventually be able to turn without the full moon, once you accepted, well, everything."
"Have I though?" He asked her. Myrcella shrugged.
"I think only you can really answer that." Robb pulled away from her and stepped back.
"I… I still feel guilt. For my mother, for Talisa, my men. But it doesn't hurt. I think I will always carry a bit of that with me for the rest of my life, how could I not? It's just a part of me and I accept that. I was arrogant as a King and that was my downfall, I didn't pay attention to what was really happening around me. Otherwise, I could have realized that Bolton had been plotting, that Talisa was unhappy and didn't want to be my queen, I would have listened to my council instead and maybe just maybe, the Red Wedding wouldn't have happened." Robb's voice was growing thick with emotion. Myrcella tried to subtly wipe the moister that was gathering in her own eyes. "But the Red Wedding happened and I can't dwell on the choices I made in the past." Myrcella hugged Robb, burying her face in his chest.
"I'm proud of you my love." Robb wrapped his arm's around Myrcella's slim form. Burying his nose in her hair. After a moment Myrcella pulled away and Robb released her, stepping back.
"Now what?" he asked hesitantly.
"I suppose we could see if you can turn." Robb didn't look too excited at that prospect.
"When it's the full moon it just happens. The Wolf forces itself on me." Myrcella clasped her hands together and bit her lip.
"Maybe you let the Wolf in? Can you even do that?" Robb rolled his shoulders back and walked further away from Myrcella.
"I suppose we will find out." Robb closed his eyes and just stood there. He tensed and his breathing began to even out. Then it happened. During the full moons Robb's transformation was brutal and drawn out. This time it was not, a sort of loud crack filled the air, like his all his bones broke at once instead of the long-drawn-out process of breaking individually, and it seemed like Robb just slipped from human to wolf in almost the blink of an eye. The wolf stumbled in front of her, as if he too was surprised at the ease of the change. He shook his large head and tried to steady himself before finally looking over at Myrcella. Myrcella slowly approached the wolf.
Unlike the other times Myrcella had seen Robb as a wolf there was, consciousness, intelligence, no, awareness, in his golden eyes.
"Robb?" She found herself asking hesitantly. The wolf, no, Robb nodded slowly. Almost like he too was surprised. Myrcella reached out and touched his large ears. Robb closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. Myrcella sunk down to her knees. "How do you feel?" Robb opened his eyes and sat back on his haunches. In this form he was truly massive, the size of a small horse or large pony. Standing Myrcella was eye level with him, yet now sitting she had to look up to meet his gaze. Robb sat for a moment almost like he was thinking. Then he shrugged or as close as a wolf could come to shrugging. "Really? Just a shrug?" Robb shrugged again there was clear laughter in his eyes. "You are laughing at me aren't you?" Myrcella shot to her feet hands on her hips, glaring playfully at Robb. "Don't you dare shrug again Robb Stark." The Wolf grinned or at least the closest thing to a grin a wolf could do and shrugged again. Myrcella threw up her hands. "I'm going back to bed!" Before turning and stalking back towards the caves. Behind her, Robb launched to his paws and raced in front of her sliding to a rather ungraceful stop, before laying down and looking at Myrcella then his back. Myrcella furrowed her brow. "You want me to get on your back." Robb barked and wagged his tale. Myrcella couldn't help but laugh. Yet still she stepped forward and threw her leg over his side and straddled his back. Burying her hands in his thick fur. "What now my Wolf?" Robb looked back at her and with another wolfish grin sprang forward. Myrcella shrieked as they took off into the woods, fighting to stay balanced on Robb's broad back. She buried her face into the thick fur squeezing her eyes shut, silently swearing to skin him alive when this was over. Robb howled with what could only be described as glee as they ran through the forest. Finally, Robb slowed down to a smooth trot. Myrcella finally opened her eyes and slowly pulled away from his back. Robb looked back at her and chuffed in obvious amusement.
"I am going to skin you and turn you into a damned rug." Myrcella growled. Robb merely rolled his eyes and turned back to a trail only he could see. After a bit Robb started to speed up again, this time Myrcella was prepared. She buried her hand in his thick fur as they raced through the woods. The wind in her face, the shadows moving past her it had become exhilarating. Myrcella couldn't help herself she leaned back and howled into the night, Robb joining in. As the pair traveled further through the woods and Myrcella's heart rate began to slow. The autumn night came to life around them. The wind danced through the trees shaking the leaves, through the branches Myrcella could get glances of the orange crescent moon hanging in the sky. Small animals moved under the brush; no doubt aware of the predator near. Yet Robb paid them no attention, he kept moving steadily, silently through the trees, once again slowing down. Myrcella began to relax on Robb's back loosening her grip on his fur. The two fell into a comfortable silence. After a while Myrcella's eyes began to feel heavy, she slowly laid her head against Robb's shoulders and eventually the steady movement of Robb below her and the sounds of the forest around her lulled Myrcella to sleep.
Myrcella woke to the sound of birds chirping and the sun shining down on her face. Groaning, she buried her face into the nice furry pillow only to have said pillow shift under her. Myrcella shot up and turned to see the massive wolf who was Robb Stark curled up around her. His head resting on his massive paws. One golden eye lazily slid open, then slid back shut. Robb chuffed, as if telling her to go back to sleep. Myrcella could only stare in amazement at the creature before her. Seeing Robb as a wolf in broad daylight was very different from seeing him cloaked in the darkness of night. In the light of day Robb's fur was almost the same shade of brown as his hair, but there were flecks of silver and black as well. He was magnificent. Myrcella reached out and ran her hand along his back, stopping at the base of his tail. Myrcella couldn't help but grin to herself as she grabbed the tail and gently tugged it. Robb's head shot up and turned to her looking indignant. She couldn't help it and burst out laughing.
"Oh, Robb." Once again, Myrcella suddenly found herself pinned underneath a very human and very naked Robb Stark.
"Now you want to have some fun is that it Ella?" He grinned baring his fangs at her.
"It appears that your smallclothes didn't survive the night my Wolf." Myrcella giggled. Robb rolled his eyes and leaned down to kiss the woman beneath him. Chuckling, Robb moved off of Myrcella and sat down next to her, brushing a stray curl from her face.
"Last night. Seven Hells Ella. It was amazing." Robb gazed into the woods. "It felt like everything was finally making sense to me. The Wolf and I we had equal ground."
"It certainly looked less painful." Myrcella said, leaning against Robb's shoulder.
"No, trust me it was still excruciating. But only for a moment." Robb looked down at himself then turned to Myrcella. "The only thing I'm really starting to dislike about turning is the fact my bloody clothes get destroyed. It's so damn inconvenient." Myrcella laughed.
"I don't know I'm quite fond of this view." Robb playfully knocked her shoulder with his and stood up. "And I am very, very fond of this view. You have a very fine arse Robb Stark." She swore Robb blushed as he pulled her to her feet.
"You need to stop spending so much time with Jay and Toby. They are a bad influence on you Your Grace."
"Are you sure I'm not the bad influence on them?" Robb rolled his eyes. Myrcella smiled cheekily at him she reached out and playfully tweaked his nipple. She raced off into the woods as Robb tried to grab her. She heard him growl and the race was on. Risking a glance over her shoulder, she didn't see Robb anywhere. Then, she came to a crashing halt when she slid into a furry wall. Robb had shifted and was now stood in front of her wagging his tale. He cocked his head and raised a brow at her. Clearly asking if she was done with her mischief. Myrcella huffed and stood up.
"Right, I'm done I swear." Robb turned and began walking through the woods, "Wait, aren't you going to offer me a ride?" Robb looked back at her and chuffed and started trotting off. Myrcella groaned and chased after her Wolf.
They reached the cave clearing by mid-morning. Myrcella glared at Robb, trying to catch her breath having had to run to keep up with him. Robb just smirked his wolf smile at her. Before stepping out of the tree line Myrcella right behind him. Everyone was sat around the cook fire and promptly dropped whatever they were doing at the sight of the massive wolf stepping out of the trees with Myrcella next to him.
"Bloody fuckin hells…" Toby whispered. "That's new isn't it?" Jay nodded at his brother.
"King Robb?" Petey asked, his voice cracking, as it had been prone to do recently. Robb nodded then shifted before their eyes.
"Aye, seems like I can turn whenever I wish now." Everyone was still staring as he walked up into the caves to find his clothes. Myrcella sat down next to Dacey and wordlessly took her mug of tea from her loose hand and drank it.
"It was a rather interesting and enlightening night." Myrcella said reaching for the kettle to pour another cup.
Dacey turned to her friend, finally finding her voice.
"You don't bloody say?!"
It's mostly fluff! I hope you guys enjoyed it. I drew on Robb's emotional healing from personal experience. When my father got cancer and subsequently died a very slow agonizing death three years later, it was an EXPERIENCE, I mean I was just a kid. Ten when diagnosed, thirteen when he died. And honestly, I had PTSD from it. I had a lot of anger, a lot of hate for my father, even though it wasn't his fault. It took years for me to even acknowledge my anger and hate and the fact that what had happened had seriously traumatized me mentally. But I finally started healing and getting help. Finally, about a year or two ago I was just sitting one day and just sort of realized that I wasn't angry anymore. It wasn't this big moment it was just this really subtle change and I went about my day afterwards.
Now I know not everyone processes trauma in the same way and everyone is valid in their journey. But it feels damn good when you reach that point. It's been ten years now since my dad died and I choose to remember the good times now. Not the bad.
WOW. That was heavy. I literally just word vomited all of that. It's three in the morning, but we all know at this point I will never write my fics at a reasonable hour of the day. Till next time!
AND GET YOUR COVID SHOTS!