"Robb Stark you keep your hands off of me!" I exclaimed slapping away his hands as they sneaked around my waist and rested on my bump. I wouldn't have any problem with this if I wasn't dressing at the time. Ever since he felt the babe move last night he had been constantly attached to my bump; waiting for another kick. "Robb just because you are touching the bump doesn't mean the babes going to move again."
"He knows I'm his father and he's letting me know he knows." Robb informed turning me around so he could face me as he spoke.
"Robb you are being ridiculous; the babe doesn't understand." I muttered wrapping my arms around his neck and giving him a kiss before turning around and slipping into my red dress.
"When our boy is old enough to talk I'm going to prove you wrong." He declared kissing my hair before turning and pulling off his shirt. I turned to watching him as I laced my dress at the front; the muscles in his back rippled as he lifted his arms in the air. He was angelic; defiantly made by the old gods. He was exquisite for a man of ten and eight; he still had time to grow into his looks. If he was going to grow into his looks he was going to be a bewitching man. Would he still want me when he grew more handsome when I grew ugly after having this child? I was going to get fat and then my body was going to stay fat.
"Why do you love me Robb?" I asked him looking down at my laces as he turned to face me. I didn't want him to see me like this; I was growing into one of those ugly Frey girls.
"What?" he asked lifting my chin so my eyes were connected with his. I closed my eyes as I spoke the words again.
"Why do you love me?" I asked again hoping he would give a reason that would make me feel better with myself. I heard from Catelyn that when women were with child they felt things about themselves that weren't necessary true. Robb wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against his bare chest.
"I love you because you are beautiful, you like to speak your mind, and you don't care how you speak to me. I love that you are carrying my son and I love that bump that you are growing. I love your personality; you have a fierce, wild temper. You are beautiful and delightful when you get angry and I love that about you." He declared peering down at me, kissing my nose after he spoke. I couldn't help but smile at his words; these were the words I needed to hear.
"You are the best husband I could ask for." I told him leaning up to kiss him passionately before pulling away and resting my eyes on the raw stitched skin where the arrow entered his chest. "Do you remember what happened?" I asked running my finger across the rise in skin as I looked up into his blue eyes. Robb sighed running a hand over his face before gracing me with a remorseful look.
"I was fighting alongside Theon and a man came up behind me; took us both by surprise." He started resting his hands on my lower back as he spoke drawing me in close against his chest as well. I loved feeling close to Robb it made me feel the love he had for me. "I was fighting him alone and he was dead within seconds, hunched on the floor blood trickling out of his wound; then a burning feeling shot through my chest." Robb stopped pulling me away from his chest to peer down at me. "It was Theon's arrow; he said he was aiming for the Lannister. I have my suspicions about him Evie; I really do think he's working against us." He explained cupping my face in his hands as his eyes connected with mine. "I don't want you near him; not alone at least."
"Theon was the one that aimed the arrow to your heart?" I uttered feeling my throat swell as he pain shot through me. My husband's closest friend was trying to kill him and I might be on the list as well. Robb pulled my face close to his kissing my lips in a way to calm me; it worked for a few seconds but the though was soon in my head again.
"He claimed it was an accident Evie. I don't believe him; the Lannister man was dead and good minutes before he released that arrow."
"You have to get rid of him Robb; I can't have him here with us. He can't be in the same place as my husband, my unborn son, my good-brothers, my good-sister or my good-mother. I won't allow it; send him to the wall, send him away from us." I declared letting the tears fall at the thought of Theon killing a member of my family.
"I'm working on it Evie; trust me I am. Lord Umber knows of our suspicions and has his own as well; he'll help us. I'm just worried about you. If Theon really wants to hurt me he'll hurt you; I want a guard to be with you at all times." Robb announced bringing me against his chest as the tears continued to fall.
"Gendry, Robb; give Gendry the job." I muttered pulling away and looking into my husband's eyes. "He doubts himself Robb; I hate that he calls himself a bastard. I don' have respect for people that follow the rules of treating bastards as bastards. Half my brothers and sisters are bastards but they still love me; your Jon is a bastard you treat him no differently. Offer him money for the job Robb; he needs to earn for his future. He wants a family like us yet he has no money to support them. If we do this for him; he will help us." I stated begging him with my eyes, hoping he would do this one thing for me.
"I hope our son doesn't master your eye tricks; he will be getting everything he asks for." Robb muttered kissing me lightly on the cheek before pulling away and pulling on his cotton shirt before pulling off his breeches. I watched in disappointment as his bare bottom was hidden under his clean breeches and removed from my sight.
"He will be spoiled by you none the less Robb." I claimed running my hands through my soft curls before leaving him to his devices in our chamber.
GOTGOTGOTGOT
"I still don't understand why Gendry has to be watching you." Arya muttered glaring at the boy as he followed us silently to the library. I gave Arya a pointed look and she looked down flushing in shame. Gendry had been guarding me for two weeks since Robb decided I needed a guard and Arya still complained about the 'guard' in question. It seemed more of an obsession than a crush she had on poor Gendry.
"It's dangerous times Arya; people want the Stark family dead. I'm carrying to heir of the Stark family; I'll be the first to go." I reminded her running a hand over the larger, yet still small bump hidden under my dress.
"But why did he have to protect you?" she grumbled flicking her eyes behind us and over to the boy. I smiled hiding it from her and rolled my eyes; always the same questions.
"I trust him Arya and he is trained well. If I was to rest my life in someone's hands I would allow Gendry to watch over me; Robb first of course. But your husband doesn't count when it's your husband that insists on the guard." I told her giving a smile to Gendry as he opened the large oak doors of the library allowing us to enter.
Arya muttered about something about the gods hating her before going off in search for Osha. I rolled my eyes at Gendry, receiving a chuckle and went in search for Bran. This room had become Bran's since arrive at Riverrun; he had been in here every day. Bran was sat in the same seat he was always in; the window seat. I walked over to him and gesturing to an open chair for Gendry to sit in while I joined Bran on the window seat.
"Bran, your mother wishes you wouldn't sit in here all day." I commented perching on the edge of the seat peering down at his book about dreams. That's all he had been reading in the library; books about dreams and their definitions.
"Mother used to complain about me spending too much time outside and now she wishes for me to stop spending time inside." He grumbled flicking the page as he glanced up at me before glancing over at Gendry. "That's the one Arya likes?" he asked loud enough for Gendry to hear as he seemed to choke on air and turn red. I chuckled at Bran's words knowing he used them on purpose to spite Arya; he missed being able to venture outside.
"It may be possible but you know how Arya is; she would never admit to liking some boy." I stated running my hand through his hair before pushing myself onto my feet; a hand resting on the bump. Bran's eyes studied my bump with captivation before focusing on me.
"How long do you have left?" he asked nodding towards my abdomen. I looked down as well, noting that I was looking a lot bigger than I should; maybe it was this dress.
"Nearing four months and then he will be here." I told him rubbing the bump; feeling a series of fluttering inside. He hadn't kicked like that night with Robb, maybe I had been a one of considering Catelyn said you normally don't feel the babe kicking until the seventh month."
"So you're about five months into carrying the babe?" he inquired looking up at me curious. Why was Bran so interested in the babe? I know he's the babe's uncle but he seems far too interested.
"Nearly just a two more days before I enter the fifth month and then it will be four months left." I corrected looking down at him my own thoughts curious because of him. I looked over at Gendry; who was looking into the distance, watching Arya. "I should be going Bran; your mother is waiting for me."
"Tell her I'll go into the Godswood tomorrow; for air." He added turning back down to his book as I smiled softly. I tapped Gendry in the shoulder receiving his attention; taking it for an uninterested girl.
"Are you staying her to mope about her or are you coming with me?" I asked smiling as a blush crossed his face as he stood.
"I'm not mopping about Lady Stark; I was just watching." He grumbled, correcting me as I made a statement. His face was darkening to a deep red as he spoke; he was being untruthful. I pulled onto his shoulder turning him to a stop as I frowned at him.
"Why do you speak untruthful words Gendry? It is obvious that you both contain the same feelings. Arya loves you; you love Arya. She's fighting her feelings; you hide behind yours." I announced resting my hand on his heart. "The feelings you receive in here don't come around every day," I moved my hand onto his head tapping it lightly. "You try to cover it with thoughts in here." I removed my hand back down to his heart looking into his blue eyes as I shared honest words with the troubled boy. "You think you aren't good enough for her? Gendry you are what she needs; don't question yourself. You may be a bastard but she doesn't care; I don't care, Robb doesn't care. Do you forget she has a bastard brother?" I expressed removing my hand and gabbing his own covering his heart with his palm. "Act on your feelings; you may not get the chance one day. Tell her you love her before you leave her. I'm not saying you're going to, but we're in a war; nothing can be stopped. I nearly lost my husband, the man I love; don't be foolish and lose the one you love." I held onto his hand removing my eyes, settling on the contrast of the colors; his tanned and mine creamy and white.
"She does not feel for me the way I do for her." he stated simple turning his hand in mine, grasping it slightly before letting go and taking a step back. I smiled at his words and looked him in the eye letting him see my acceptance.
"You both remind me of Robb and me." I started nodding my head as we walked down the hallway. "Would you believe that the first two weeks I turned up at his camp we argued? It may not have seemed like it, but whenever we were alone we bickered constantly. It was love growing Gendry; something you and Arya share. You two are more like us than imaginable." I stated darting my eyes round the hall as a few maids scurried around.
"I thank you, your grace; your words have been inspiring. I never noticed anything you said before; I knew I had feelings. I just never thought they were in a romantic way; just a family, sibling love." He mumbled shuffling along beside me as he spoke.
"Don't thank me Gendry; just give me a few nieces and nephews on day." I replied chuckling at the wide-eyed shock plastered on his face.