"Everything seems to be okay from what I can tell, but I won't be able to know until a couple of weeks when the babe has continued to show progression in growth." Maester Steel mumbled after he had wiped clean my stomach and stitched it closed with a fine thread.
"But the baby is okay?" Robb asked not caring that his concern was leaking into his voice. He was worried about his unborn child and he wasn't going to keep a strong facade on for me.
"From what I see yes, just make sure she doesn't lift anything heavy and takes it easy until we get to Riverrun." he replied getting up from his seat and leaving us on one of the make-shift beds in placed around the field.
"I don't want to travel by myself anymore Robb, I want to be with you, either riding or sitting in the carriage with you. Don't leave me Robb." I stressed out as he helped me up from the bed. I looked around the field noting all the men that had been injured and shook off the guilty feeling that was growing within my mind.
Robb turned me to face him and pushed back the stands of hair that had dropped into my face. His blue eyes looked into my green eyes and we stood there connecting the sea and forest together as we searched each-others souls.
"I will never, never leave you again." He declared running his hand into my hair and pulling me forward so our lips connected.
"What would happen if we lost the baby?" I asked him softly choking back my tears at the thought of losing part of both of us. His fingers lifted my head up so he could connect our eyes again as he spoke.
"We won't and if we do, there will be more children Evie. This may eat at us for a while but we are both strong enough to get passed it. You're strong enough to have another child." He stated as he kissed my forehead and wrapped his arms around my waist. I rested my head against his shoulder loving the way how we could be so close when something horrid was going on around us.
"I want you to send a group of twenty men into the forest to go after Bran and Rickon." I muttered thinking about the little boys, alone, scared and possible confused. "I shouldn't have left them alone."
"You did what you thought was right. I'll send your group of twenty men out to search for them. We'll leave for Riverrun in the morning, I'll keep a guard here in case the come back." He replied taking my hands in his and leading me away from the beds and to a small tent set up near the carriages.
Inside was a large bed covered in furs, nothing else, not even a tub or basin. The bed looked comfortable and I itched to lie down on it and close my eyes just to hide away from the world until morning.
"I'm going to sleep; you can join me after you send those men out to search for Bran and Rickon." I told him pecking his check before slipping out of my dress and climbing into the bed wearing just my slip, which had blood stains on the front.
GOTGOTGOTGOT
I woke to the sun streaming through the fabric of the tent and Robb's arms wrapped around me, his hands resting gently on my stomach. It was something he had done since finding out about the baby, when I questioned him about it he said it made him feel close. He might have been doing it now in hope that the baby was still growing, in hope that he would still be a father, to teach his child the ways of the Stark's.
I lie there no moving, enjoying the way he wrapped me in his arms, keeping me close even when he was sleep. I was enjoying the feeling and wished to stay, but it always seemed that what you wished for would never be. My wish was to taken away by the arrival of Catelyn Stark entering the tent looking distraught, happy and a wild mess.
Her auburn hair was out of its usual braid, leaves tangled in with the knots. Her dark blue dress was covered in mud and had that rotten, dirty look and her face was smeared with mud as well. It looked like Catelyn spent the night rolling in the dirt, a possibility if she spent the night in the forest. At her entrance to the tent I pulled out of Robb's arms and sat up to stare at her. Robb also woke as I left his arms and sat up as well.
"Catelyn, where have you been?" I asked her as she looked over at Robb before handing him a letter. Robb took the letter and Catelyn turned back to me.
"Osha hide us well, where is Bran and Rickon?" she replied inquiring about you youngest children. I looked down not being able to look her in the eyes as I admitted that I left them in the forest on their own and they've been missing all night. I just opened my mouth to tell her the news but Robb spoke before I could utter a word.
"They are at Riverrun; Uncle Edmure sent a raven explaining they turned up early his morning. Bran told him about the attack and how Evie sent them off on Shaggydog and Summer." Robb muttered reading from the letter before looking up at his mother. "They are fine and we will be joining them by the evening."
"I want to leave now Robb!" she exclaimed leaving the tent before he could reply. I looked at him as he sat in the bed, without his shirt, running his hands through his hair.
"I guess I should tell the men we'll be leaving within half an hour." He sighed climbing out of the bed and slipping on his shirt before turning back to me. "You should get dressed before she comes back demanded you leave wearing that. You know how I feel about your lack of clothing."
"Of course my king whatever you wish." I teased climbing out of the bed and bending into a deep bow. As I did so a pain shot through the area that was stitched and I gasped in pain.
"Evie?" Robb fired out rushing to my side his hand going for my stomach.
"I'm fine, it just stings. You are going to have to stop worry. We'll never make it through this pregnancy if you keep checking up on me." I muttered pushing his hand away and stepping into my dress and turning to face him as I laced it up. "I love you Robb, but you can be too much sometimes."
"I understand, but this isn't easy for me either Evie, I want this baby. The thought of losing him tears me apart and I'm afraid." He admitted rubbing his hands across his face and he looked away from me. He didn't want me to see him like this, but this was what a marriage was. I was there for him when he needed comfort and he would be there for me.
"Hey, I know you Robb. You already love him. I want you to know we will get through this." I cupped my hands around his face and forced him to look at me. "You told me the same thing last night and I believed you so now you have to believe me." I gave him a soft smile before taking one of his hands in mine and pulling him out of the tent. "Go give your orders king; I'll calm your mother down."
Robb's lips took me by surprise as he took me into a passionate kiss. I had to pull away and stop the kiss from going further before it because too personal for the public.
GOTGOTGOTGOT
The carriage ride was hot, long and tiring I was glad when Robb announced we had arrived in Riverrun. Like he had promised Robb travelled with me in my carriage with his mother; Lily, Osha and Hodor where travelling behind us in the other carriage.
We arrived at Riverrun just as it started to get dark, dinner time according to my rumbling stomach, Robb chucked when he heard the calls for food. The carriage came to a jolting stop and Robb stood opening the door and jumping out, quick to hold out his hand for his mother as she rushed to leave the tight space. I stood slowly noting the clenching of my stomach and the sudden urge to be sick.
"Robb I need to eat." I muttered to him as he helped me down form the carriage and took hold of my hand as he led me towards the man that Catelyn was talking to. From the same auburn hair I gathered that this was Robb's uncle Edmure.
"Uncle Edmure, I'd like to introduce you to my wife Evie Stark." Robb announced as his uncle turned to face us. As his eyes focused on me, they seemed to widen as he took in my appearance. He stepped forward lifting the hand that wasn't holding Robb's and lifted it to his lips.
"It's a pleasure to meet the wife of Robb Stark. Ned and I had money on whether he would marry; it seems I have lost." He chuckled as he spoke to me for the first time. He turned to Robb as he released my hand and took Robb's into a strong handshake. "I suppose I owe you money now Robb."
"You can keep it Edmure in return for a place to stay while we are here." Robb replied bringing his uncle into a hug after the handshake. Catelyn cried out as a small blur crashed into her; the small blur Rickon was laughing dramatically.
"Mother they have a Godswood here. I feel like father is with me when I go near." He told her as she wrapped him in her arms as if he would disappear within a second.
"Your grandfather had something made for you and Evie, Robb; he had them done before he got ill." Edmure stated taking our attention away from Rickon and leading us into the castle walls of Riverrun. "Bran is in the dining hall waiting for your arrival."
GOTGOTGOTGOT
Crowns, his dying grandfather had gotten someone to make us crowns. They were both made out of dark wood; Robb's was surrounded by tall swords and a direwolf central of the whole piece. It was simple yet brought out every detail, each sword was different the blades styled uniquely. The direwolf was perfected and reminded me of Greywind; each strand of fur standing out, and making it so real. It was breath-taking and all Robb did was grimace when he saw it.
The crown I was blessed with was smaller than his, built up of a collection of flowers and ivy leaves. The wood it was made out of held tints of red through it reminding me of my hair. This crown was made for me and the detail of the flowers brought a smile to my face, roses. My mother was named after a rose, her mother thought her hair was that of a rose and therefore called her Rose after 'Rose Red'.
"They're beautiful Robb; outstandingly beautiful." I whispered running my fingers over the roses noting the tears blurring my vision. If Robb didn't except these crowns I would never speak to him again and I would make our marriage a misery. Robb's hand found mine gently squeezing my fingers as he turned to face his uncle.
"They are of a grand design; when did grandfather have them made?" Robb asked running his thumb over my hand in a soothing, romantic way. Edmure looked pained before he spoke his next words and flicked his eyes over to Catelyn as she stared out of the large window that over looked river.
"He had them made when he knew he wasn't going to get any better; a few weeks after you were named king. Evie's was made after the announcement of the marriage was made." Edmure replied looking down at the floor as he spoke. It looked to be a painful subject for him to speak about; I understood where he was coming from, I only had a day to understand that my mother was dying. It's heard news to hear when the woman or man that has brought you up was going to be leaving you in the world alone. "He knows he doesn't have long, he wishes to see you wearing the crowns before he dies."
"We will see him tonight before the feast is held. First I have to speak with Lord Umber about the escape of Jamie Lannister." Robb stated flicking his eyes between Edmure and me. He glanced over at his mother and anger shoot through his blue eyes making him look cruel and un-noticeable. Was he blaming Catelyn for Jamie's escape? I never found out how he escaped but it must have been at the hands of someone.
"I understand, meet me here after you have spoken with Lord Umber and I will lead you to my father's chambers." Edmure told us before dipping his head and leaving the hall. Robb turned to face me giving me a soft smile as his lips touched mine sending a shock through me. It was unexpected and made me gasp out in surprise; Robb taking the advantage of my open mouth slipped in his tongue.
"Robb!" I exclaimed pushing him away, a look of disapproval on my face. My eyes shot towards Catelyn who was watching us with a soft smile on her face. "Your mother is here." I whispered hoping she wouldn't be able to hear me. I was embarrassed enough with him kissing me like that in front of his mother; I didn't need her to hear me as well.
"I love you," he muttered kissing me again before pulling away and turning to leave in the same direction that Edmure did. As he was walking away I remembered he was going to talk to Lord Umber about Jamie Lannister.
"Robb, I have to tell you something." I called out softly hoping Catelyn wouldn't be able to hear me. I walked after him, placing my hand on his arm to stop him from walking away. Robb turned his head to face me and it looked like he wanted to argue. "It's about Jamie Lannister." I added to prevent him from asking if it could wait till later.
"What about him?" he asked frowning at my words. He looked unsure of what I was talking about and I knew that if I told him he would be mad, but if I didn't tell him it would be worse when he found out.
"In private Robb, I was told not to say anything." I muttered dragging him off into the hallway and down until we reached our chambers. I looked around the hallway once again before closing the door and facing my husband. "What I'm about to tell can't be repeated, I was told not to mention it and if he finds out I'm sure my life will be ended."
"What are you talking about? Has someone threatened you?" he asked concern and anger leaking out of his voice as he gripped my arms in his hands.
"Last night when that man attacked me, I only survived because Jamie Lannister killed his own man and led me back to the road. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here right now and you would be alone." I rushed out hoping if he didn't hear me correctly he would forget what I was talking about.
"He did what!" he exclaimed gripping tighter onto my arms as the fury in his eyes grew until he looked like Greywind when he was angry.
"He saved my life. Don't go after him Robb, he didn't hurt me he helped me; helped you." I said grabbing hold of his hands and pulling them off of my arms but keeping them in my hands.
"How did he help me? He was the only chance for me to get my sisters back!" he growled throwing his arms in the air as he tore them out of my hands. This wasn't my Robb; this was the Robb being controlled by the stupidity called being a man. He was being blinded by rivalry and it wasn't only taking over him but it was hurting me.
"He helped you by saving me; your wife. He saved your child! That's the only reason he helped me, because I'm carrying your son!" I cried covering my face as he tears rolled down my cheeks and the sobs echoed out into out chamber. "I understand that you love your sisters Robb, but I should still count in your life Robb. It's not all about fighting and getting one up on the Lannister's. I nearly died; your child was nearly killed; just think about that." I muttered to him as I wiped away the tears before they could fall and join the others on my cheeks.
Robb looked guilty as my words sunk into his brain. He knew he wasn't thinking when he spoke, but he should have thought about his words before uttering them. He seemed to realize this at the same moment it went through my mind as he took a step towards me his hand reaching out.
"Evie." He begged his voice tense with regret as he stepped closer begging me with his eyes as well. I closed my eyes shaking my head at him; I wasn't ready to forgive him yet.
"Just leave Robb." I whispered knowing he heard me because I heard him stop moving towards me and hover in the same place. His breathing was ragged and heavy sounding like he was about to cry as well. If he cried I wouldn't be able to handle it; I needed time away from him before I could be with him again. "Please Robb." I cried out louder this time hoping he got the message. I heard him taking in a shaky sigh before shuffling on his feet.
"I do love you, I think you know that." he stated before leaving me alone in the room the door shutting behind him as he left.
The closing of the door brought me to tears and I couldn't stop the tears as the feel and I sunk to my knees hugging them to me as I let everything out. And I love you Robb Stark.