The carriage was cold and although I was covered in furs I could still feel the chill setting in my bones; it was true 'Winter' was coming. We had left The Twins late at night the day before last; having spent two days at my old home. I wanted to be at Winterfell, I felt that if I reached Winterfell faster than planned I would feel more connected with Robb. I wanted him to be here, but he had stayed and now I didn't know when he would return to me or if he ever would. We were currently travelling on an unknown road of the Neck, leading to Greywater Watch; we wouldn't be staying there for more than a few hours. It would give us enough time to stretch or legs, eat and drink before setting off for Moat Cailin.
I sighed once again and turned my head to face out of the window; the trees surrounding the path we had taken were blowing gently in the wind; green fading into oranges and reds. Soon the leaved would fall; half of the trees were already missing their leaves. What would the world look like with everything gone? Tree wouldn't really be trees, grass would be brown and dead; rivers would even be frozen over. Winter was changing this world and I didn't know if I would be able to survive with the winter; not if it would last as long as the past summer.
I could see Gendry shuffling on the opposite bench in the carriage; he didn't want to be in here. I had asked him to sit with me as I wasn't up for any other person – family or otherwise – to sit here and ask me questions. Gendry was quiet and I enjoyed his company; having someone follow you around for weeks on end tended to start a bond.
"What happened yesterday?" I asked him knowing he knew what I was talking about. Yesterday afternoon we – me, Anne, Ayleth, Thea and Margaret – had been walking through the gardens when we stumbled upon Gendry and Arya arguing.
"It was nothing Arya; I promise." Gendry muttered giving her a look that begged for forgiveness. Having no idea what we had stumbled upon we stopped and watched the two with curiosity. Arya was glaring at the older boy and it looked like she had tears pooling within her eyes; I could have been mistaken, but Arya was one that never cried.
"You're just like every other man. You treat woman like dirt!" she spat her hands clenched in to fists by her sides. If I was going on what I saw I would say that Arya caught Gendry doing something she didn't like; maybe she was letting her feelings get to her.
"It's not like you care so why are you getting so angry?" Gendry asked peering down at the girl with interest and confusion. Arya had made it clear that she didn't care what Gendry did but now she was here shouting at him because her feelings had started to show and change the way she acted and felt about him. She glared fiercely at him and raised her hand as if she was going to hit him; the hand soon dropped and she huffed in annoyance.
"I don't care! And I'm not angry!" she spat before turning and storming off into the castle. Gendry sighed and run his hands over his face before stalking out of the garden toward the blacksmith's.
"I wonder what that was about." Ayleth muttered sounded as if she would run after one of them and question hem until she got an answer. I looked up at my elder sister and rolled my eyes at her; she didn't need to know what had happened between them.
"You leave them alone Ally." I told her sternly as I turned and walked back into the garden where the small pond was located.
"I'm not sure whether I should tell your grace." He mumbled flushing slightly at his own words; maybe it was something I was better off not knowing about. I shook my head and shifted slightly in my seat, I was still going to find out what was going on between Arya and Gendry; she had been avoiding me ever since.
"No please tell me." I pleaded with the boy hoping he would give in a tell me. Gendry shifted in his seat, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees; he was sighing deeply and running his hands over his eyes.
"Your sister Roslin I think her name is – well she was in the smithy's talking to me and then she suddenly kissed me. I was shocked, she asked me to think about bringing her to Winterfell. Arya walked in when she kissed me and well I'm sure you know where that went." He mumbled closing his eyes as he spoke; was he ashamed of what happened?
"It wasn't your fault Gendry; I know how you feel about Arya." I told him giving him a soft and warming smile. He didn't deserve to be treated the way he was by Arya; she overreacted. "Don't worry about Roslin; she's just bitter because Robb didn't marry her."
"She told me that your father had planned for her to marry Robb." Gendry muttered giving me a questioning look. His words were true; my father had planned for Roslin to marry Robb. That all changed when Catelyn saw me.
The day was like any other; except today Roslin would be made the betrothed of Robb Stark of Winterfell. Ever since Lady Stark and turned up at The Twins asking for permission to pass on the bridge to reach King's Landing my father had been planning. He wanted to attach himself onto the Stark family; he knew he would gain something from this.
It wasn't exactly Roslin that would be chosen, but father was giving Lady Stark a selection from a few of his daughters; let's just say Roslin had been pestering him for many years to find her a suitor and now he could find her one. He had grouped together five of my sisters; Roslin included. Roslin was the 'pettiest' as are father would put it out of the group. The other four sisters were mildly pretty, but they had most of the Frey features; all the unattractive parts. Mary, Eleanor, Helena and Maria all knew that they were there so that Roslin would get picked.
The girls in the family were so used to being forgotten about or just used for gain; we were of no importance to our father. The only good thing about being Walder Frey's youngest and last bon child was that he tended to forget about me. I could live in peace until he made married off all his daughters; I knew that he was saving me for something big, something that would make him important.
I was walking in from my mother's garden when I saw Lady Stark enter the large hall where we were all meant to be gathering; I knew then that I was late. Even though we weren't there for Lady Stark to choose we still had to present ourselves to her. Upon seeing her I rushed down the corridor, ignoring the yells the maids sent me; Ladies never ran.
I burst through the large wooden doors interrupting what Lady Stark was about to say; Roslin was stepped slightly in front of the other four girls. She had a large smile in her face and when she turned to face me I was sent a glare.
"And who are you?" Lady Stark asked her eyes wandering over my appearance; I noted the way her eyes traveled over my face and hovered there. I was used to it; many people didn't believe that I was a Frey because of my appearance. I looked over to my father and waited for his order; he nodded his head allowing me to speak.
"I'm Eibhleann Frey my lady." I informed her dipping down into a small bow; I was taught to respect those higher than me. I noted the way her eyes widened at the mention of my last name before she furrowed her brows and turned to face my father.
"You hide your daughters from me Walter." She stated as her eyes sifted over to the girls standing behind his table; Miri, Petra, Nadia, Gwen, Ariana, Anne, Ayleth, Thea and Margaret. I watched as my father didn't bother to turn but simple stared at the woman as she made her statement.
"I don't hide my brats; they already have future husbands." He told her as his eyes dropped to me; he was telling me to join the others. I took a step ready to obey my father's words when Lady Stark's hand came out, resting in front of me. I looked up into her dark blue eyes and then quickly dropped my gaze. Why my father was lying I had no clue; maybe he really did want to get rid of Roslin.
"Have you a betrothed Eibhleann?" she asked peering down at me with those dark, intense eyes. I looked up to my father; he was looking frustrated as this woman kept asking questions. His eyes preyed on me for a while longer as a he thought about his next move. A small fire seemed to light within his eyes and he sat up straight in his tall chair.
"Your Robb, how old is he now?" father suddenly asked looking down at the woman he when she was a young girl. Lady Stark looked confused at his words yet she didn't hesitate to answer him.
"He's just turned ten and eight. What does this have to do within my question?" she asked the fraying old man as he leant back in his chair once again. Father's eyes looked between me and Roslin and it was as if Roslin knew what was coming because she turned to send me another glare before falling back into line with the other four girls.
"You were going to choose Roslin – a maiden of twenty and one. I will suggest you take Eibhleann here instead. She's a young girl of ten and six; a better match in my eye for your heir. She got her first moon blood at the age of ten and one; she will give your son many sons." Father told Lady Stark as he gave me a pointed look; this wasn't what I wanted. I wasn't mean to be put into an arranged marriage; I was meant to choose my own husband. "After this war is over and if your son still lives he will wed my youngest daughter; these two families will unite. Do you give your word on your son's behalf?"
"I give my word." Lady Stark replied setting her eyes on me as she spoke the words I wished she wouldn't. My whole world was about to change due to my stupidity; I couldn't have just followed Anne to the hall when she left the garden's before me. Now I was betrothed; betrothed to some man I had never met. He's only two years older than you. A voice within my head told causing me to stop in my thoughts and take in that information. Age shouldn't matter; my father was older than my mother by over thirty years.
"Then it is decided; your son will marry my youngest. Your word better be kept; I don't praise those that betray me." my father announced giving Lady Stark a look before waving a hand that directed that his children should leave him. As I turned to follow the trail of siblings my father's voice stopped me. "Eibhleann stay." I paused, taking in a deep breath and turned to face the now empty room and looked upon my father's face. "You chose her because of her looks no doubt." Lady Stark looked down at this and I knew then that she had indeed chosen me because I was better look than my sisters. "Don't blame me when you see the fire." He grumbled and waved me away without a thought. As I turned to leave he started speaking once again. "A feast will be held tonight; I expect your son to be there."
I missed the feast, I didn't want to see this Robb Stark; I didn't want to marry him. I spent the evening hidden within the small, old library hoping no would find me; I wanted to be alone away from everyone. It worked for a while and then my peace was interrupted by Roslin; she wasn't happy.
"You stole the one thing I wanted!" she screeched upon seeing me. Roslin always seemed to overreact at everything; it was her way of getting what she wanted.
"I didn't steal anything from you Roslin." I muttered not removing the gaze from the book I was reading; it was far more interesting than Roslin's moaning.
"You stole the heir of Winterfell you little bastard!" she spat snatching the book from my hand and attempting to hit me round the head with it. I raised my hand and caught the book before she could hit me; I was used to her attitude toward me.
"I'm not a bastard Roslin; our father marriage my mother before she fell pregnant with me." I looked up at her and attempted to keep the smile off my face. "We can't say the same about your mother can we?" I jeered standing from the chair I was in and raising my eyebrows at her. Roslin screamed out in fury and threw the book on the floor before grabbing hold of my neck and pushing me against the wall.
"If you marry Robb Stark I will make your life a living hell!" she threatened before letting go of me and rushing out of the room.
I sunk to the floor and allowed the silent tears to slip down my cheeks; if I could get out of this then I would.
A clearing of a throat brought me out of my memory and my eyes connected with the sharp blue ones of Gendry. He had been waiting for my reply but I had been too busy remembering the day that changed my life.
"She spoke the truth," I mumbled bringing my hand to my throat feeling the shadow of her hand there as I spoke. I looked away from Gendry and out into the dying forest; Roslin was a sly woman. "I'll help you with Roslin, Gendry; she isn't one you want to accustom yourself with." I told the young man as I turned back to face him; he was already in love with a woman.
"I can handle her myself your grace." He told me with a slight tint of pride within his voice. I gave him a soft smile as I brought my hand away from my neck and rested it on my bump.
"I'm sure you can Gendry, but I know my sister; she is devious and ambitious. She is going to use you." I informed him allowing the smile to slip off my face. "I don't want you to get hurt." I whispered knowing that if Roslin played this game with Gendry he wouldn't be the only one hurt.
GOTGOTGOTGOT
By nightfall a small camp had been set up outside Greywater Watch; we had travelled through the night before and everyone needed their rest. I had considered travelling through until we reached Moat Cailin, but after seeing the hundred men Robb had sent along with me I changed my mind. The needed more rest than I did; they had been walking and riding for the last two days without more than an hour's rest every other hour. A hundred men didn't sound like much, but I had declined the thousand men Robb wanted to send with me; I didn't want to take an army with me.
I was glad I had my own tent without anyone else; I didn't want any of my good-siblings to see me crying. It was all getting too much for me; I still had the feeling that I would be bringing this babe into the world without a father. Gendry had insisted he would stand guard outside my tent throughout the night, but I had sent him away to rest; he needed it just as much as the next person. I felt safe knowing that the surrounding of the tents would be guarded between the hundred men travelling to Winterfell; they would be changing every hour.
I had eventually ended up rolling a collection of furs into a large pillow hugging them to me as if they were Robb; I missed him especially during the night. I hoped that when I reached Winterfell Robb would soon follow; I wouldn't be able to sleep any more nights without him. My eyes closed and I drifted off into a light sleep as the howling of the wind sung me a sweet lullaby.
GOTGOTGOTGOT
Sweat was running down my face; I could feel tears running from my eyes as well. It won't hurt that much the maids had said when the first pain hit; they were spreading lies into my mind. The babe had been making its way out for half a day now; it was far too long for me.
All I wanted to do was sleep, I wanted to curl around Robb and dream about a world of no war and winter fading. All Robb wanted was to hold his son; so see his first born and heir. I could hear him utter stupid, unimportant things in my ear; he was trying to hurry along the birth.
A painful; scream erupted through me and I grabbed hold of Robb's hand squeezing it with every wave of pain. If I was to spend the day in pain so would my husband.
"I need you to push one more time your grace; the babe is nearly out!" Lily called helping another maid pull my legs wider apart to allow room for the babe to be pushed out. I sucked in a large breath and settled into a sitting position before clenching my eyes shut and forcing a large push. Along with my scream came that of a newborn babe, announcing its birth within the world. I saw Lily pick up the babe as she wrapped it in a fur while whipping the blood from its face. She looked up at me with a large smile before walking over to my side; the babe was transferred over into my arms. "You have a daughter your grace."
I looked down at the babe; her face was all scrunched up and red. I had a daughter; a little princess. I looked up at Robb and noticed that he was just staring at her, eyes wide with tears and mouth gapping open.
"A girl." He whispered bringing his hand up and running it over her head in a soft gesture. He was looking at her in amazement and he wouldn't take his eyes off her.
"I thought you said all first born Stark's were boys." I asked him softly resting my head against his shoulder as he moved closer and wrapped an arm around me. Robb grumbled something under his breath as we both looked down at our daughter; she had my red hair, but it was dark taking after her father's hair as well. She didn't have a lot of hair but I could already tell that it would curl out once it grew longer. With a shrill cry she opened her eyes allowing the Stark blue to shine through.
GOTGOTGOTGOT
I woke with a start as a warmth surround me; my hands ran over the bed and I found the rough fur. I sat up and looked down at the direwolf as it rest upon my bed; his breathing was shaky. I stared down at Greywind before frowning in confusion. What was Robb's direwolf doing here? Greywind usually followed Robb everywhere so why was he here now?
"Where is your master Greywind?" I asked the wolf knowing I wouldn't receive a reply because he was a wolf and couldn't speak. I watched in fascination as Greywind lifted his head and nodded in the direction of the exit. I quickly shuffled out of the furs, not bothering to put on my boots or a cloak before leaving the tent in search for my husband.
I had made it three steps before I spotted him; he was peering into the tent that his mother and Rickon were sharing. From this distance he looked tired and drained of energy; had he spent no time resting? Had he travelled the seven day journey with no rest? I would doubt that even Robb would be that stupid, plus I had a feeling my father wouldn't let his good-son leave The Twins without having to share his feelings. I could remember the words he shared with me when I turned up without the King of the North.
"You daughters are worthless! You marry a King yet you leave him; what thoughts were running around in that stupid head of yours? You carry the heir of the North and Winterfell; the future King. You carry that bastard yet you leave the King. If you weren't securing me my wealth and position in Westeros I would have you killed you stupid bitch."
"Robb?" I whispered hoping he wouldn't be able to hear me; if I was wrong the disappointment would be horrid. The man turned at I focused on his face; it was Robb, it was my Robb. His face washed over with relief and he let go of the tent flap, rushing over to me.
"Evie." He sighed just before his lips crashed onto my own. Before I could help myself my arms wrapped around his neck and I clung to him as if I was drowning in water. My husband was here; he was actually here with me. Robb's arms wrapped around my waist as he brought me closer to him; my bump pressed against his stomach. A hard kick separated us and we pulled apart keeping only our foreheads connected and our arms wrapped around the other. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Evie." He whispered bringing tears to my eyes as he continued to apologize.
"No, I should apologize. You did nothing wrong; you were being a King. I was being selfish; it's my duty to stand by you whatever the choice. I've been so stupid." I cried pulling away so I could look up into his eyes; eyes that I had missed for the last seven days.
"You're shivering." He stated pulling away and looking down at me; I knew I had down something wrong when he frowned as he looked over my clothes. "What have I told you about walking around in your nightdress?" I smiled at his words but rolled my eyes as he looked up at me with a questioning look.
"Robb do you really think anyone is going to stare? I'm so heavy with child; it would disgust most men." I asked him releasing from his shoulders and rested them on my large bump.
"You are not disgusting; I find you very beautiful." Robb stated cupping my cheeks and leaning to kiss my lightly on the lips; I smiled into the kiss.
"I'm carrying your child; of course you would find me beautiful." I mumbled against his lips before pulling away, taking his hand and leading him to my tent.
GOTGOTGOTGOT
The heat within the tent was boiling; too hot for a winter's night. I glanced over at Robb watching as his chest glistened against the fires flame. We had just rejoiced his return in the most intimate way we could think of; making love was wonderful. It appeared apparent that making love was even better after a long drawn-out argument. This was an expected thing and it had been overdue; it was bound to happen sometime in our marriage and possible a few more times.
"I love you, don't ever forget that." Robb whispered pressing his lips to my forehead as his fingers ran over my bump stopping ever now-and-then when he received a kick.
"I love you to." I mumbled grabbing his hand and pressing my lips against his fingers. Robb's eyes connected with mine for a few seconds before he quickly looked down; he was hiding something. I turned on my side and pushed myself up into a sitting position as I looked down at him. He wouldn't meet my eyes even though he knew I was waiting for him to. "What are you keeping from me?" his eyes flickered up to meet mine for a second and I caught a glimpse of guilt and horror. What did he have to feel guilty about? "Robb!"
"I shouldn't tell you now; you look tired." He muttered running his hands through the furs avoiding my eyes once again. Being annoyed with his behavior I grabbed hold of his chin and forced him to look up at me.
"I am your Queen! If you do not answer me I will leave you again!" I snapped feeling a fire build up within my stomach; a fire that had nothing to do with our babe. Robb's eyes flashed with fear and he pulled himself into a sitting position as well. He rested his arms on his legs and buried his face within his hands; he mumbled something to himself before looking up into my eyes.
"Something happened between me and Lady Talisa." He muttered breaking my heart as he uttered the words I wished to never hear.