Music was buzzing in my ears and the laughter of the crowd consumed me as I took a sip of my wine. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the crowds thickened as the night grew. Sansa had left my side after finishing the small amount of food on her plate and Tyrion dropped down in her seat. He looked handsome in his dark red shirt and dark breeches, something he would have worn when he first arrived at Riverrun.
Tyrion had changed over the last few months and he was slowly becoming a man of the North and a part of the Stark family. He still drank as much as his first arrival at Winterfell according to Robb as Tyrion filled his cup with ale once again.
"You are looking rather beautiful tonight Your Grace," Tyrion teased dropping his eyes to the direwolf stitched onto my dress. "You show your house proudly." I rolled my eyes at his words and picked up a slice of cut pear as I looked down at him.
"You are just jealous that I make this dress look better than you thought." I replied throwing the pear slice at him as he smiled broadly. I had known he knew about the dress considering he was always remarking the dresses I wore before today. "Was it you that told Robb to get me a dress made?" I asked him placing a grape into my mouth as I watched him intently.
"Oh no that was all him Evie. He was trying to please you and make up for your lack of celebration." He answered honestly downing the ale in his cup before refilling it. "He knows you did not celebrate your name-day at The Twins. He wanted to make up for that." I looked over at my husband as he walked around the crowd with little Eddard in his arms. Sansa was following behind them a scowl on her face as she begged Robb to hand him back.
"He has nothing to make up for Tyrion, he has giving me more than I would wish. He gave me Eddard I don't need a feast thrown in honour of my age." I muttered keeping my eyes on Robb as I spoke; I did not need more from my husband.
"I know that and everyone else seems to know it but your husband does not think he is enough." Tyrion muttered before rising from the chair and kissing my cheek. "I have had your present delivered to your room. I also paid for the band so please abuse them with your wishes of music." He teased walking over to the seat next to Catelyn and dropping down, engaging her in conversation.
Robb had told me about the time Catelyn kidnapped Tyrion and how he was taken to the Eyrie to confess his crimes. That seemed to have been forgotten now as they laughed away in their engaged conversation. Maybe bringing Sansa back from Cersei's evil clutches built a new bridge between them; a stronger one this time. It may have also been for the care he showed Bran that touched at her heart.
I saw little Rickon standing behind Bran's chair looking frightened at the loud noise and many people cramped into the hall he had been brought up in. He had not been round many celebrations in his six years and it was starling for him to be around this many people.
I rose from my chair and stood beside Bran's chair looking down at my two god-brothers. Bran returned the smile I sent him and reached over into his cloak and pulled out a small wrapped object. I took the small present with a small smile and gave him a pointed look.
"I knew you said you did not want anything but mother said I was a loud to get you something if I so wished." He replied to my look nodding his head at the present, his way of telling me to open it. I slowly unwrapped the thin cloth to find a beautiful black feather. I looked up at Bran as I held the feather in my hand giving him a questioning look. "The feather is from a raven, mother said you could have it turned into a quill. I was going to get it done before today but the feather was hard to find." He added sheepishly as he looked away from my eyes. "I know it's not much but I wanted you to have something from me."
"Bran it is a beautiful gift." I muttered to him bending down and kissing his head gently as I ran a hand through his hair. "I will get Maester Steel to turn it into a quill in the morning. It will be my favourite quill and I will treasure it." I really did love the feather, it was beautiful and dark and the colour reminded me of Bran's dark hair. My eyes turned to Rickon as he tugged on my dress trying to get my attention.
"I did not get you a present Evie. Does that mean you won't love me any longer?" he asked his eyes pooling his unshed tears as he asked. I smiled down at the boy and clasped his hand gently in mine bringing it to my lips.
"You do not need to get me a gift Rickon," I told him but his eyes flashed tot the feather and the tears shone brightly once again. "You could do me the honour of dancing with me Rickon that would be a gift I would not forget." I asked him hoping he would accept it and dance with me. I wanted to be dancing along with the other people in the hall.
My fingers were aching with the need to be holding someone else's hand as I danced around the room. If Rickon had to be that person I would take his hand and dance with him. Rickon nodded eagerly grabbing tightly onto my hand dragging me to the centre of the hall where people were already dancing.
They moved out of their way as Rickon led me to a spot before turning to face me and looking up at me clueless. I took hold of his two hands and gently started to swing them, copy the movements of the others in the room. Once Rickon had the hang of it and he watched other people in the hall he soon started to feel the rhythm of the music and we danced together in time with the music.
Rickon's laughter mixed with the laughs of those around us and I could tell he was enjoying this just as much as I was staring to. Our dancing was not as good as those around us and was more childish than expected but we were both enjoying ourselves and it did not bother me when we caught the eye of the crowd.
When the music came to a stop loud clapping brought my eyes away from Rickon and around the hall where people stood in a tight circle. A circle they had formed while I danced away with Rickon, a circle I had no clue they had made. Smiles were on the faces of those watching and Rickon looked around at them all before dipping down into a bow, tugging on my hand to do the same. I dipped into a curtsy before looking up at the crowd and locking eyes with Robb.
His eyes were dark and I knew what he was thinking so I shook my head in warning before turning back to the little boy that clung to my hand as the crowed formed again to dance to the new song playing.
"Thank you for the wonderful dance Lord Rickon," I smiled down at him planting a kiss on his forehead before leading him back to the table next to Bran. Catelyn smiled at me gently giving me a smile only a mother could hold before turning back to her conversation with Tyrion.
I whispered my goodbyes to Bran and Rickon and wondered around the hall in search of the band. There was one song I heard Gendry talking about the other night and wished to hear it myself. A song I had heard was about Lord Tyrion, one that may offend him but will also bring a smile to his face.
I reached the band after moving through the crowd and waited patiently as they finished their song and brought their instruments to a rest. The tallest man looked to me and I gave him a soft smile as I walked to him.
"Your Grace," he muttered returning my smile and giving me a nod as he turned to look at his band members.
"I wish to request a song," I started looking at each of them before looking up at the head table to Tyrion. "Do you know 'The Halfman Song?" I asked hoping that they did as I would enjoy haring the song written about my little friend. By the large smiles on their faces I could tell that this song was known among them.
"Of course Your Grace, the song is a favourite of ours." The man replied turning to the band as they all picked up their instruments and started playing again. The heads of a few people turned to face the music; some had smiles upon their faces while others had looks of confusion. The best reaction came from Tyrion, who had turned to face the crowd upon hearing the tune of the song. He looked unsure whether he knew the song or not, but as soon as the first verse was sung he knew.
"There are some who are born distinguished
There are some who are raised in praise
But me I was always the last in line
A blot in my father's gaze" the man singing the song had a deep voice and it seemed to go with the music and bringing the crowds interest up. They were still dancing not really caring about the song they danced to and only listened to keep in time with the music. Tyrion's eyes had settled on me now and he had his eyebrows raised in a questioning stare. I gave him a simple shrug and walked back into the crowd listening to the music as I searched for Arya.
"No cheekbones chiselled on a feline face
No skill or savvy with a sword
But this game we all play is won in wily ways
And sly is this littlest lord
Cruel tricks of romance
Degraded by their spite
You snub your cub too many times
You just might feel his bite..." the crowd spread out and moved as I made my way through it in search of my god-sister hoping I would find her before the song finished as the crowd tended to get wild between song changes. A flash of dark hair braided caught my attention. That girl had been the same height as Arya and I caught a glimpse of the dark blue dress I had seen her in earlier.
"Beware, beware of the words I twist
I am small but my reach is long
And the ravens black against the winter's mist
Are whispering the half-man's song" most people in the hall were now glancing over at Tyrion trying to get a reaction from him. It was known by many that he didn't really care about being a dwarf but I knew that he disliked it a little bit as people looked down at him.
"Whispering the half man's song..." My eyes once again caught a glimpse of Arya as she rushed around the hall after someone. I lifted my gaze to a few spaces in front of her and saw that it was Gendry she was chasing. He looked to be avoiding her reaching hands quiet well, turning his dark head to her before dipping down into the maze of the crowd. I saw him slip out of the hall, Arya was unaware of his move and walked straight passed the door in search for him.
"The land is a blooming orchard
With fruits so juicy and ripe
With a clink of a coin loose the lion's loin
Play a tune on the half man's pipe
In the arms of a whore I made a promise
Sinking deeper into danger every day
Cut through all their shit with a brazen with
Molding puppets from their minds of clay" the last verse brought out laughter in the crowd but many of the women had turned red at the choice of words. It was a normal thing to talk about whores but some still felt shy when they got mentioned. I still felt shy when they were mentioned sometimes but I had grown used to it now having lived with Tyrion for a while
"I'm no man of honour
Myself is my true king
But somewhere deep within me
The bells of conscience ring
Beware of the words I twist
I am small but my reach is long
And the ravens black against the winter's mist
Are whispering the half-man's song" My eyes stayed on Arya as I made my way through the crowd reaching out and grabbing her arm as she tried to slip passed me. Her eyes shot up to me wide in fear and I knew she thought I was Gendry. She opened her mouth to speak but I held a finger over her lips as I led her back up to the head table.
"They're whispering the half man's song...
Whispering the half man's song..." the song ended just as we reached my seat and Arya sank down into Sansa's spare one frowning at me deeply in annoyance. I gave her a pointed look turning my head as a hand rested on my shoulder. Tyrion was stood there looking taller than I remembered him being giving me the same pointed look I had just given Arya.
"Hello Tyrion, are you enjoying the feast?" I asked him lifting my cup up lightly as I kept my eyes settled on him waiting for his reply.
"I am enjoying the feast tremendously Your Grace," he teased leaning against Robb's chair as he looked up into my eyes his hand holding his cup of ale. "I like your choice of song." He muttered sipping his ale in big gulps before taking it away from his lips and staring intently at me. His eyes seemed to flicker violet and I frowned at him before looking over to Arya. I gave her a small smile and a little wink and then turned back to Tyrion and set my face straight.
"You told me to abuse the band and I did just that," I told him raising my cup to my lips taking a sip of the wine. "I wanted to hear the song I have heard a lot about." I gave him a smirk, turning back to Arya only to be meet by an empty chair. I sighed deeply at her ability to run away when I wanted to talk to her and went to face Tyrion only to find that he had disappeared as well.
I sighed once again and sat there staring out at the crowd watching as Robb laughed in happiness while he chatted with Lord Umber. They both seemed involved in the conversation ignoring the looks and tried conversation people around them attempted to engage them in.
"Evie, I think your son needs to be fed." Sansa muttered startling me out of my gaze. I turned to face her taking in the red face of my son and the hands he was chewing on. Sansa was right he was hungry and if I didn't feed him now he would be groggy all night. I stood from my chair and took Eddard from his aunt's arms and cradled him to my chest as I made my way to his father.
I tapped Robb on the shoulder lightly only to be ignored and frowned at his reaction to me. If I was not holding our son I would be crossing my arms against my chest, tapping my foot on the floor waiting for him to turn around. Lord Umber had seen me over Robb's shoulder and was smiling broadly and my husband's ignorance toward me.
"It seems your wife is not so happy with you." I chuckled to Robb patting him on the shoulder as he walked off into the crowd calling out for another cup of ale. Robb turned around this time and I gave him a pointed look and got a sheepish smile in return.
"I have to go feed Eddard, will you be able to live without me for a few moments" I asked him leaning up to accept the kiss he leant down to give me. He looked at me with worry for a few seconds, running his hand through his hair as he looked around the room. "I will not bother Gendry to assist me to our chambers Robb. Let him enjoy the feast, I will be fine, I'll go down into the kitchens and feed him there. The cooks won't mind I have done it before." I told him leaning up and kissing his cheek before leaving the hall and headed for the kitchens.
GOTGOTGOTGOT
Eddard had long finished his feed long ago and I was now walking back up to the hall ready to return to the feast. I walked past the open doors leading out to the courtyard eager to return to the feast as I had become a bit peckish but stopped when I saw a familiar person sitting on the wooden fence outlining the courtyard.
I walked through the doors clutching Eddard tightly to my chest as a cool breeze blew over us, making my hair dance with the wind. I was sure it was Jon now as he leaning hunched over the fence staring in the North direction deep in thought.
"Jon?" I called out confirming it was him when he looked up at my call for his name. "What are you doing out here?" I walked over to him giving him a soft smile as he looked up at me. He looked lost and confused and he also looked cold. How he was cold after living at The Wall?
"I needed some air, clear my head." He answered climbing off the fence and resting by my side. "You should go back to your feast; it would be a shame to miss it."
"You should return with me Jon." I told him giving him a pointed look as he looked down at his feet. Robb had told me about the time the King visited Winterfell to make his father Hand of the King. Jon had not joined the feast because he was a bastard and did not want to offend anyone. I actually think that had more to do with Catelyn not wanting him to be there then. "You are welcome to join us."
"A feast is no place for a bastard," he muttered weakly turning his head back to the North as he avoided my gaze. I snorted at his word and received a frown as Jon turned back to face me.
"I don't know if you got the message or not Jon, but when Robb legitimized you last week it didn't really leave you as a bastard by name." I told him placing Eddard in his arms without his consent. "You are a Stark now and it may seem weird but you have to live with it."
"I don't know if I feel like a Stark, Evie." He mumbled weakly looking down at his nephew with a frown. Did he still compared himself with his siblings and all those around him?
"Well you are," I told him slipping my arm through the arm that had Eddard's feet resting against it. "Come take me back to the feast and join us as well, your nephew requests your presence." I muttered leading him to the hall instead of him leading me.
"I wonder how Robb puts up with you." He teased earning a smack from me as I led him into the noisy hall where the music was loud and competing with the laughter and chatter of the crowd. There were many people dancing and those that were not were gathered around the tables engaged in deep conversation.
Robb was standing with his mother and Tyrion and looked up as I walked into the room meeting my gaze. He gave me a wolfish smile before leaning down and kissing mother on the head and excusing himself. I turned to Jon noticing that he had seen the exchange between us; he had a soft smirk on his face as he raised his eyebrows at me.
"Take your nephew over to his grandmother before I decided to do something that will hurt you deeply and you will be having nightmares about it until your dying day." I teased him pushing him away from me and toward Catelyn as I watched my husband make his way toward me.
"Still wonder how my brother puts up with you." He mumbled under his breath as he walked toward Catelyn. I gave a smile at his back and turned to face the direction that I had last seen Robb walking in only to come face to face with him.
I went to open my mouth to say hello to him only to have his lips covering mine as he ravished me with his feirce kiss. His hands wound round my waist pulling my closer to his body as he deepened the kiss and showed me exactly what was on his mind. I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer to me just like he had done earlier; I needed to be closer to him. I sighed deeply as he pulled away from me dropping a kiss on my forehead and rested his own on mine.
"Hello to you too dear," I whispered leaning forward and pecking his lips lightly. "If you greet me like that every time you see me I would love you forever."
"If that is what my darling wife wishes then she will receive it," he mumbled pressing his lips back against mine and giving me another kiss like the one before. He pulled away quicker this time and ran his hand through my hair and giving me a sweet smile. "Tyrion told me that we had to abuse the band so perhaps we should request a song." I nodded my head along with his words and looked over at the band before turning back to Robb.
"I have a request but I don't think you would like it," I mumbled looking up into his eyes through my lashes biting my lips lightly knowing he would give in. he nodded his head for me to continue as his eyes dropped down to my lip. "I rather enjoy 'The Rains of Castamere' and I know it's a Lannister song but I would love to hear it." I told him rolling my lip in my teeth watching as his eyes darkened before bending down and capturing my lips against his. When he pulled away he rubbed his hand over my cheek.
"With you being so beautiful it's a wonder I manage to leave you in the mornings," he whispered sighing as he looked over at the band before looking over to me. "You are one strange woman Eibhleann Stark," he brought my hand up to his lips kissing my palm before walking over to the band and giving them my request. Before the music started Robb cleared his throat and called out to the crowd drawing their attention. It didn't take long to get everyone attention of everyone seeing as the music had stopped. "The next song may not seem suitable for us Northerners but my wife choose it so you will have to forgive her taste." Robb announced looking over to the band as they started the song and Robb walked back over to me and took hold of my hand once again. His lips brushed against my hand as he led me to the dance floor and held me to his chest as the words of the song filled my ears.
"This isn't really a song you can dance to Robb," I whispered to him as the musical introduction came to an end and the band begun to sing. Robb shrugged and pulled me closer just as the man started to sing the song.
"And who are you, the proud lord said that I must bow so low?
Only a cat of a different coat that's all the truth I know,
In a coat of gold or a coat of red a lion still has claws,
And mine are long and sharp, My Lord as long and sharp as yours." Robb arms were resting on my lower back as we swayed to the music and I forget that I had just told him that this was not a song to dance to. That didn't matter now as I was held in my husband's arm as we danced our first dance together.
"And so he spoke, and so he spoke, that Lord of Castamere
But now the rains weep o'er his hall with no one there to hear.
Yes, now the rains weep o'er his hall and not a soul to hear." I smiled as I heard Robb uttering the words under his breathe. There he was apologizing for my taste in music yet he knew the song just as well as I did.
There was a musical chorus were the band played to their fullest and the crowd danced as appropriately as they could to a song that wasn't made for dancing. Robb held me close to him as we continued to sway to the music and I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes. Somehow I felt closer to Robb just by dancing with him now than I would if we made love. Although we had not made love in a long time so I don't really remember what that feels like.
"And so he spoke, and so he spoke, that Lord of Castamere
But now the rains weep o'er his hall with no one there to hear.
Yes, now the rains weep o'er his hall and not a soul to hear." Robb pressed his lips against my forehead and I snuggled closer to him even though the music had finished and we were just swaying to an instrumental ballad that was about the lost summer and the consummation of winter. The song brought my mind to Robb and the war we had just finished; it reminded me of how the wolves had taken over the lions.
As my mind drifted to the war I felt that it wasn't over, it felt like there was something more to come. Just because the wolves had killed most of the lions it didn't mean the war had ended. Joffre was still alive, Cersei was still alive and with them alive I couldn't feel relaxed.
"What is on your mind?" Robb asked his voice a near whisper as he led me away from the center of the room and to the side close to where the head table was looking down at the rest of the hall.
"The war and how it doesn't feel over yet." I replied to him running my fingers over his cheek and leaning up to press my lips lightly against his. I pulled away and gave him a small smile resting my hand against this cheek and looking out at the crowd in our home. They would never expect another war after the one that had taken many of their men but I could feel it coming and maybe we wouldn't be prepared.
"I promise that if this war isn't finished I will do anything to protect Eddard and you." He told me capturing my face in his hands and looking my in the eye. He wanted me to know that he was serious about his words. How could I not believe him? There was this nagging that told me I had to learn to protect myself.
"I trust you Robb but I want to learn how to protect myself in case something happens to you," I looked at the raised eyebrows I received from my husband at my words. "Not that anything is going to happen to you Robb, but I want to be prepared." I added giving him a small smile when I realised my words could have hurt him. It's not like I wanted anything to happen to him but it could and then were would that leave me?
"If I agree to this you must not tell my mother," Robb sighed looking over at his mother as he spoke before looking back at me. "I will let you practice your archery but that is it." He mumbled pressing his lips to mine and pulling back to wave Sansa over as she passed with Eddard in her arms. Sansa joined us and Robb took his son from his sister and placed a kiss on her head. "I'm going to escort my wife and son back to our chambers Sansa, tell mother we won't be returning." He told her receiving a nod from his sister as he took my hand and led me out of the hall ignoring the people that tried to converse with him.
GOTGOTGOTGOT
Robb's plan to not let his mother know about my archery lessons didn't go well considering he thought teaching me in the courtyard would somehow hide the fact that he was teaching me. Four days after convincing him to teach me and I had spent the last three days practicing my aim.
It had been the third day when Catelyn walked across the courtyard and stopped when she saw me with a bow in my hands. She gave me a pointed look and Robb chuckled as I stuttered my way through an explanation at what I was doing. My stumbled words seemed to please her and she was now spending today watching me practice.
Actually the whole Stark family was watching me as my husband guided me through the same technique he first taught me. Relaxing my bow arm I sighed deeply and released the arrow, watching as it hit the off to the left of the target.
"You're not relaxed," Robb stressed coming to stand next to me as he adjusted my arms and pulled another arrow from the quiver. "Relax and you will be able to aim." I rolled my eyes at my husband's words and turned to face him.
"If I didn't have a husband that constantly told me what to do while I'm trying to do it I might be able to succeed." I spat pushing him away from me and taking aim. Just as I was about to release the arrow Gendry rushed up to us and gave us a funny look.
"I have a man here wanting to see you and Evie." He called out giving Robb a serious look as he turned his gaze to me. "He said it was important." Robb nodded at his words and started in the direction Gendry pointed in. I leant the bow against the fence and followed after my husband as he walked into the entrance hall.
Standing there with his back slightly hunched was an old man sporting graying hair and a tiered expression. He reminded me of my father yet he was not as old as him but there was something familiar about this man. His eyes turned to us as we walked through the door and they rested on me as Robb stood in front of him.
"Who are you and what is it you want?" Robb asked sounding cold and defensive towards this man. I couldn't blame him; you couldn't trust anyone during these times.
"My name is Victor Stone, my daughter was Rose Frey," his eyes stayed on me as he uttered his next words freezing the blood in my veins. "Your mother."