Chapter 3
It had been a week since the encounter with the Queen on the bridge, and Avariella had barely seen any glimpse of her since then. Yes, she saw her at supper but other than that it was as though the woman simply disappeared. Not that she seemed entirely there when she was there. She always had a sorrowful look in her eyes, and barely spoke a word to anyone. You have a beautiful bridge. The words had haunted Avariella ever since she had said them, and she spent several hours of the night trying to decipher them. The words felt strange on her tongue whenever she used to whisper them in the night, as though it were a foreign language.
She had not spoken to Lady Catelyn Stark since their last conversation, thank the gods and neither had she encountered the King or Lord Edmure. The few glances she had seen of Lord Edmure was when he was with Roslin, and the relief that soared through her at the couple nearly had her falling to the floor. Not that the rest of her elder siblings shared her relief, and a lot of the time whenever she was in their company they whispered vicious words about Roslin and Edmure Tully in attempts to make themselves feel better. Not all hope was lost for some of them, however, as they all still hoped that the King would chose them to take to the North.
That thought made her blood grow cold, and her hands begin to shake. Avariella had not planned that far ahead in terms of him choosing someone else. She let out a loud sigh, looking around her chamber and buried her face in her hands. She had just risen from bed, and changed her clothing, her sheets where still tangled but she made no move to summon Arra because Max was still sleeping soundly at the foot of her bed. It was only rarely that she ever brought Max up to her chambers, and she had not done so in many moons. The last time she had brought him up was after the attack by Ser Trent. She had not felt safe on her own and for Max in the kennels himself; she was terrified that her father would have him butchered in the night, as he had made no attempt to hide his fury with the dog. One of my best knights! He had yelled at her over a year ago, as if that was supposed to make her forgive and forget. Not that Ser Trent being one of her father's best knights mattered now; no now he was fat and bulging, a far cry from the leaner, muscular man he was before when he attacked her.
Didn't change his nature though she thought to herself, rubbing at her eyes. Sleep had not come easily to her any of these past nights. Avariella always woke in the middle of the night from night terrors. Some were of Avos and those were the cruelest too her. Because some times she would dream of a happier time, of when her twin brother was alive or still alive. They would be laughing and smiling before she woke with a jolt and for a few moments she would forget that her brother was dead. And when she remembered it was as though she were losing him all over again, every single time. Other's of Avos would be of him dying in front of her, and her not being able to do anything about it. Those night she woke up drenched in sweat, with her heart pounding so painfully in her chest she would prefer to have it ripped out. But other nights, like last night, she dreamt of Ser Trent and how suffocated she had felt when he was on top of her. How his grubby hands had clutched at places no man had ever touched before and those were the nights when she woke up with a shout. He had taken something from her that night, thankfully not her virginity but a sliver of her innocence. A chunk of her hope that had snuffed out like a candle flame the moment she discovered that Avos was dead.
Bringing Max up with her had made her feel safer, more comfortable in her own skin. And whenever she woke from those nights when she dreamt of her Ser Trent, Max always nuzzled his face into her stomach and she would relax quicker than she would if he wasn't there. Max was the closest living connection she had to her dead brother that did not bring her pain and instead made her feel safe. All her other siblings, especially Olyvar, Roslin and Shirei were reminders of her loss, which would always be greater than theirs in her eyes. Not that all of her siblings had even noticed Avos was gone, their poor excuse of a family was so big they hadn't even met all of their siblings. Avariella believed she had at least two more half sisters that had left the Twins long before she was born and were either dead or simply didn't bother coming back. Not that she particularly blamed them, once she would have done anything to leave the Twins. Ah the good old days, she thought bitterly and placed her brush down, letting her long red hair tumble to her waist. Her hair was a peculiar shade of red, not like Tully red but not ginger either. That she had inherited from her mother, though she had never known her. The ghosts in her life were endless, it would seem.
Avariella puckering her lips and whistled softly, and instantly Max leapt up from the bed and came to her side. She placed a gentle hand on his head and petted it gently, before retracting her hand and walking out the door. The hall was quiet, as it was usually whenever she woke. Avariella was probably the earliest riser of any of her half sister's. But then again, a lot of them are simply walking back to their room's at this hour, instead of coming out of them.
Avariella broke her fast in the great hall, her only company being the few servants that were scrubbing the floors and dusting the tables where she was not sitting. She twirled the spoon between her fingers, watching with morbid interest as it swirled in the porridge beneath her. Food at the Twins had never been appetising, but suddenly the food felt like ashes in her mouth. She had only about two spoonfuls of porridge before letting the spoon drop into the soup like porridge with a pop. Avariella let out a sigh, which attracted Max's attention underneath the table.
She drummed her fingers on the table for a few moments, thinking hard. A crease formed between her eyes as she did so, her brow's furrowing into a frown.
"My lady?" a female voice asked, interrupting her thinking.
Avariella jumped at the sound of the voice, her hazel eyes widening and then fluttered rapidly.
"Sorry?" she asked confusedly.
The servant girl's cheeks flushed until she spoke again, "Is the food too your liking? Because if it is not I can fetch something else from the kitchens, my lady."
Avariella nodded silently, and cast a glance at the disgusting looking porridge. Her stomach clenched at the thought of trying to stomach down something else and so she shook her head and muttered politely, "No thank you, I have had enough."
The girl nodded and reached for the bowl, and hurried out of the hall. Avariella sat there for a few moments longer before finally sliding off the bench, with Max following her at her heels. She walked briskly around the castle, before she reached the open doors and walked outside of the castle. She didn't know precisely where she was going, as she had not changed into the clothes she usually wore when she swam but all she knew was that she needed some fresh air. She walked about the unusually lifeless castle, walking until she reached the area where the training pen's began and then turned back around. Without all the people, without the stench that usually clouded the air, the Twin's could have been pleasant. Yet despite it's current bareness there was still signs of the Twin's inhabitants. A few banners hung here and there, with some even crumpled on the floor. Stacks of hay and straw were randomly placed everywhere, and the ground was covered with tracks of both human and animal.
Avariella walked through the gates of the East castle, the one that led to the hills and the apple orchard and corn field and simply walked slowly, savouring the quietness. Sooner rather than later, the castle would wake and the people that came with it would reappear. Max bounded ahead of her, panting loudly, and she kept a careful eye on him as she walked down the path, though she did not stray too far from the castle. It was strange, she acknowledged, she hated most of the people who resided in the Twins yet she wanted too stay there more than anything. Avariella did not want too say for the scenery, or the people. She wanted too stay because the castle was the closest tie left she had with Avos. Avos was the horrible food, and the muddy floors, he was the apple orchard and cornfield, he was the sound of the river flowing beneath the bridge. He was the crowded rooms and the sound of Max barking. Avos was here, and he was everywhere, and as long as she stayed here a piece of her brother would always be with her. It was almost as if she was breathing back life into him, with every stone she touched on the wall, and with every step she took. Leaving would mean leaving what was left of him, and by all the gods she could not survive that. She couldn't. She wouldn't.
Avariella then halted in her steps as she reached the top of a small hill, which elevated her high enough so that she could see the Twins in all it's glory. The wind had begun too pick up, so that now her red hair was flapping around wildly, and she made a useless attempt at tucking a strained of it behind her ear. It was then that she felt something warm against her leg, and glanced down at the ground too find Max there. At first, she thought he was trying too comfort her, but when he nuzzled his head into her knee more insistently, she realised he was trying to tell her something. "Max what is it?" she asked quietly. He let out a small whine and turned so that his back was on her knee, his tail wagging so relentlessly it kept on hitting her boot. "What is it boy?" she asked again, and looked up to glance around the area, once again trying too tame her hair as the wind howled relentlessly. It was then she caught sight of it.
Her hand froze by her ear, where she was trying to tuck her hair behind it, and her heart dropped so low she thought it was now in her stomach. Avariella was suddenly not aware of the howling wind, and was now only aware of her breathing, which had grown louder and louder so that it sounded as though she were panting. The beast was only a few mere meters away from her and Max, and she briefly wondered as too how she had not noticed such a beast coming so close to her. Max began to growl at it, as though threatening him not too come closer. It was the size of a small horse, with smokey grey fur and abnormally yellow eyes. Avariella's limbs felt like stone, and she stood there, fear keeping her rooted to the spot. She felt as though if she even attempted to move she would topple over. That thing is too large to be a wolf, she realised, but before she could further inspect it, it suddenly ran off so fast it was like the wind. If the wind had colour, anyway.
Avariella could not make herself move for several moments, and when she finally managed to take a shaky step backwards she almost collapsed onto the ground. Max had stopped growling, but was still sniffing the air, as though trying to tell whether or not the beast would suddenly pounce on them. "Come on boy," Avariella urged as she began to move quickly in the direction of the front gate, "Lets go back inside." Away from whatever that was.
Avariella almost began to ran towards the gate, her heart pounding in her chest and her hands almost began too shake at her sides. Max seemed to share her desperation to go into he safety of the castle as fast as possible as he walked faithfully beside her. When they finally passed through the gates she felt such relief that she nearly sunk to the ground. Avariella had not felt such fear in a while. A long, long, while. She cast a terse glance behind her, too check whether or not the beast had followed her. It hadn't. Thank the gods, she thought, pressing a hand to her chest. Avariella was suddenly aware of all the eyes on her, and realised with a sudden jolt what it must have looked like; with her practically sprinting into the front courtyard as though she were being chased by a band of thieves and rapists, except they didn't exist. She took a few shaky steps back, and then collided into something or someone.
"Avariella are you alight?" Olyvar asked. She nearly cried out at the sound of Olyvar's voice, and was thankful that it had been him she had bumped into, and not someone else. Especially Ser Trent. Gods know what he would have done.
Avariella let out a shaky breath, her heart still hammering in her breast. "I'm fine," she whispered, and she was sure her cheeks were flushed from the event, "I-I just. . .there was this beast."
Olyvars' eyebrows rose high on his forehead, and his eyes softened with concern as he gently touched her elbow. Avariella was too bothered by what she had seen to move away from his comforting touch. "What beast?" he inquired gently, his voice soft.
"It was almost like a wolf," she told him shakily, "Except bigger. With grey fur the colour of smoke and eyes the colour of the sun. When it ran it was so fast. Almost like the wind."
Oliver smiled at her and let out a brief chuckle, "You must have met Greywind," he said, removing his elbow from her. It was now Avariellas' turn for her eyebrows to raise as she took a step away from her half-brother, bothered by his sudden relaxation and familiarity with the beast. "You know him?" she questioned, horror laced in her voice. Olyvar now looked suddenly nervous, as though he was afraid of how she might react, "He's King Robbs'. I met Greywind when I was his squire."
Avariella gaped at him in horror; not only for him somehow being unafraid of the beast but also by how familiar he was with it and his owner. But somehow, Avariella wasn't surprised by the newfound knowledge. If anything, she felt rather stupid for not realising that it was a dire wolf sooner. She could now distantly remember the rumours her elder half-brothers had spread about the King in the North when they returned home, whenever she managed to force herself out of her chambers. Which at that time was admittedly not very often. The comfort and solace she had felt moments ago in her half-brother's presence had suddenly vanished and in it's place a burning fury had crept it's way into her heart. And even though she hated to admit, there was sliver of hurt that had appeared as well. She wanted to spit in his face and scratch at it. The urge for her to scream and curse him had never been more strong. But she managed to quell it down, knowing that if she created another scene her father would not settle for a mere chastising this time.
"I suggest you tell your King that his precious pet has run out of the castle, seeing as you seem to be so acquainted and familiar with each other." Her words were venomous and burned her mouth when she said them. Olyvar seemingly deflated at her words, and just as he began to talk, she brushed past him, her shoulder knocking against his as she did so, with Max behind her all the way.
There were very few places within the Twins where one could find solace. Where she could be just a little bit more comfortable than she would anywhere else. Those three places were her chamber, the sept (which Avariella rarely went to anymore because her faith in the gods had diminished to a pile of dust) and the library. Typically, Avariella went to the library, grabbed a book she had not read and whisked herself into her chamber and did not emerge until hours later. Avariellas' trips to the library had only been frequent for a few moons. At least, her trips to the library before her brother had died was too search for books about tales of princes and princesses and songs. Not that Avariella had been a good singer, though she had once known many songs. Now, all the songs which she had once spent hours memorising in her classes with her Septa and in her own free time now blended together into one muddled mess.
Except for the one. But that one had been Avos's favourite song for her too sing, and Shirei's as well. Avariella shook her head at that thought, and glanced throughout the library. Not many of the Frey's ever expressed interest in reading, so over the years the library had grown more and more dilapidated. The shelves were dusty and old, and the books whenever opened let out so much dust Avariella spent at least a few minutes coughing. As usual, the library was empty at this time of day, and so she took her time walking through aisles, her eyes flickering across all the titles until one book caught her interest. Once she had settled on a book, she gently took it from the shelf and hugged it close to her chest when the door opened.
Avariella froze where she stood and was grateful for the fact that she was a couple of rows down away from the door, so that the shelves shielded her from view. She could hear the intruder take a few more steps into the room and she sucked in a breath and stiffened. She took a few, quiet steps to the side, and careful to still keep herself hidden from view. She heard the person stop in their movements, and so she halted as well. Avariella closed her eyes tightly, her one hand gripping onto the edge of the wooden shelf while the other held on tightly to the person moved again. Avariella quickly stuck her head out to catch a glimpse of the person, and was surprised to find Lady Catelyn there, with her back to her. Why can't she leave me alone? Avariella thought, before her mind argued, what if she isn't even here to see you? Avariella scowled at herself and took a step back so that she was no longer visible to Lady Catelyn. As if she's here because she's interested in what the Frey library has too offer.
She heard the older woman let out a small, frustrated sigh before walking towards the door, which opened and closed with a small sound. Avariella let out a sigh of relief and sunk to the ground, resting her head against the shelf. She stayed down there for a while, before finally getting up and making her way out of her room to go to her chamber. She moved quickly through the halls, and was surprised to find the hallway of their chambers being once more abnormally quiet, except for the loud voices coming from one room. As she walked closer and closer to her chamber the voices grew louder. Avariella stopped before the partially opened door when she heard the voices of some of her sisters echo out from the door.
"I can't believe he has already decided. . ." one of them was saying. It was one of the Waldra's the nastiest one. Avariella frowned in distaste at the sound of her voice, and at the knowledge that her elder sisters little 'group' were gathered together. Her elder half-sisters
Waldra, the other slightly nicely Waldra, Gerna and Marianne had formed a little band like how she, Roslin, Olyvar, Avos and Shirei had once been. Her eldest half sister Wyona disappeared off to seven knows where everyday, though she had never struck Avariella as a woman who would sleep around with the men. But then again, Avariella could count on her one hand the amount of time's she could remember having a conversation alone with the woman.
"I can't believe so either," Marianne admitted, her voice sounding slightly squeakish. Avariella frowned at what she was hearing, and edged just a little bit closer, "One of us will be Lady of Riverrun."
Avariella felt as though a bucket of ice was poured over her head and she took a hesitant step back, her head snapping back to look at Roslin's chambers. She practically ran to the shut door and knocked on it, barely managing too keep a grip on the book in her left hand.
"Come in!" Roslin called out, and Avariella barely processed how. . .giggly she sounded. She opened the door quickly and barged in, feeling breathless.
"Roslin—" Avariella's voice drifted off as she caught eye of Shirei sitting across from Roslin on the bed, a smile painted on her youthful face. They both looked up at her, their smiles still painted on their faces. Roslin rose from her chair, her skin flushed a pretty red from giggling no doubt, and her honey coloured hair pulled into a simple braid. She looked happily surprised as she walked towards a frozen Avariella.
"Avariella!" Roslin cried out, "It's a pleasure too see you here after—" There was an awkward silence when Roslin realised what she was saying. Avariella cleared her throat loudly and said, "I heard that Lord Edmure was announcing his choice today, I wanted to find out whether or not you—"
"Yes!" Roslin interrupted cheerfully, sharing a happy glance with Shirei, "Isn't it exciting?" Avariella watched her, careful to hide her. . .discomfort at the idea of marrying a Tully, "Yes," Avariella said, "Very exciting." Roslin walked back to her chair and sat, humming a soft tune under her breath, not detecting Avariellas' sarcasm. "He's going to announce his choice later on tonight at supper. We were just deciding on styles to do our hair and the dresses we should wear." Avariella tried to ignore the pull inside of her that urged her too look at Shirei. She swallowed in an attempt to rid herself of the lump in her throat, but it was useless.
"Would you like to join us?"
Avariella snapped her head up to look at Roslin and couldn't help but glance at Shirei as well, who was staring at her hopefully, her blue eyes bright. Avariella opened her mouth to decline when her heart squeezed painfully in her chest, and suddenly she couldn't bring herself to douse the light in her little half-sisters eyes. "Alright," she said gently, the word heavy on her tongue but then Shirei's face brightened so considerably it almost felt worth it. She ran up to Avariella and hugged her mid-section tightly, and buried her head into her chest. "It'll be like old time's Ava," Shirei said, her voice muffled against her chest, "You''ll see." Avariella hesitantly lifted her hand to Shirei's head, her heart throbbing in her chest. Shirei pulled away from her after a moment, her eyes gentle and she tugged at Avariella's hand and pulled her towards the bed, where they both sat down. Ava, her sister had called her as though the past year had not even happened. As though she had not banned anyone from calling her that ever again. Ava. That girl was a different person to who she was now. That girl still had her hope and innocence despite everything. That girl no longer exist. But Avariella simply watched her half-sisters giggle and talk to each other and giggled when she was supposed too and spoke when spoken too, even though the pit in her stomach grew with each passing moment.
"Could I put flowers in your hair?" Shirei asked her excitedly, "I don't have any right now, but I can go looking. I haven't practised doing it in over a year, Ava because with Roslin the flowers don't stick in her hair and Olyvar always runs away whenever I attempt to do it with him."
Avariella felt her heart clench and she forced herself to smile at her, "Perhaps for the wedding Shirei, I must bathe today since I have not already done so and it won't look as good with wet hair." Shirei's smile dimmed a bit at that, before she nodded understandingly and Avariella suddenly felt so guilty she wanted to cry. Shirei turned to talk with Roslin and Avariella felt the smile slide right off her face as she stared at her.
"Shirei," Roslin said suddenly, grabbing Avariella's attention, "Don't you have lessons with your Septa in the afternoon today?"
Shirei pouted at her elder sister and pleaded, "Please can I stay? Septa Oona is so boring and we haven't decided what to do with Avariella—"
"Don't worry Shirei," Avariella cut in softly, her eyes gentle, "I'll be fine, I promise." Shirei nodded at that, though she didn't look particularly happy about it. She rose from the bed and took two steps forward before turning back around and throwing her arms around Avariella. Shock made her limbs stick to her sides as Shirei whispered in her ear, "I'm glad your back, I missed you," before she pressed a quick kiss to her cheek and hurried out of the room. Avariella sat there for a moment, ice spreading across her skin like wildfire. her throat was bumpy with emotion, and she hurriedly cleared her throat to try rid herself of it, suddenly aware of Roslin's eyes on her.
Avariella shifted uncomfortably where she sat and started, "Well—"
Roslin reached across the space between them and gripped Avariella shoulders so tightly it was almost painful and forced her too look into her eyes. Avariella was too startled to say anything and sat there gobsmacked as Roslin smoke with a fierceness Avariella never knew she had.
"You can't disappear again, do you hear me?" Roslin demanded ferociously, "You can't hide back in your chambers and stare at the wall for days on end, leaving Shirei all alone. I'm not going to be here next time to pick up the pieces, and neither is Olyvar. You can't, alright? You can't let her down again. She needs you. She needs a mother. You decided all those years ago to become one for her, you can't change your mind just like that. You're not the only one who lost something when Avos died—"
"I won't," Avariella snapped crossly, shaking off her half-sisters grip. Roslin didn't look convinced as she looked at her, her blue eyes narrowed as she leaned back into her chair. ]
"Did Lord Edmure tell you he would chose you?" Avariella asked after a while, still in slight shock by her sisters confidence.
Roslin's mouth twisted before she said quietly and her tone was suddenly a lot meeker, "I may be shy but I am not stupid Avariella."
Avariella resisted the urge to snap could've fooled me. She still felt slightly stung by her words, but knew that Roslin was right, deep, deep down. Without them, Shirei would be eaten alive by the rest of the Frey's, and the innocence and kindness that made Shirei, Shirei would be sucked out of her like a leech. Avariella rose from where she sat, and cast Roslin a glance before asking softly, "Do you need my help now?"
"No," Roslin said, not quite meeting her eyes, "No, I'll call for you when Shirei comes back from her lesson."
Avariella nodded solemnly and moved towards the door and stopped in her steps when Roslin called after her, "Don't do it for me," her voice sounded tired as she spoke, but there was a obvious plea in her voice, "Don't do it for Shirei if she's not enough for you. Do it for Avos. Do it because he loved her."
I loved her too, Avariella wanted to say, but knew she had no right. Not after what she did. And so she only nodded in response, and quietly slipped out of the room.
Shirei was bouncing excitedly next to her, and Avariella was careful to hide her amusement. Interacting with her half-sisters— fully interacting with her sisters for a long period of time unlike the interactions she had with him when she was too slow in running the other direction, felt. . slightly awkward. It was as though she had been injured and bedridden for months, and was now suddenly getting used to walking on her feet again, getting used to the same routine she once had. Shirei did not seem to notice her discomfort, or her frequent moments of spacing out and even Roslin seemed happy to have her there as they prepared for the evening. All signs of animosity from Roslin had vanished, it would seem, and Avariella still had a difficult time believing the moment had ever occurred.
Avariella glanced towards her elder half sister, who had a nervous expression on her face. Her hair had been braided and then was carefully twisted around her head by Shirei, so that now on either side of her shoulder a braid lay. She was wearing a beautiful embroidered gown, which complimented her skin. She looked very pretty, Avariella admitted to herself. She then glanced at Shirei, who was eating a piece of lamb and yet still managed to look at happy. How her younger half-sister managed it she did not know. Especially in a place like this, for an occasion such as this. Shirei hadn't noticed her awkwardness and discomfort, and had simply adjusted to things, as though this was like old times. As though Avos was still alive.
The thought made her heart twist and she glanced down at her plate, a contemplative look appearing on her features. His absence had never seemed so final too her. Of course she had known he was gone, and that he was never coming back. She struggled with that knowledge everyday but it was only now that she realised how. . she couldn't even find the words to describe it. Avos was there with every joke Shirei made, and with every smile she and Roslin shared. Avos was there in the way that Shirei steadily brushed her long locks hours before, and how she gently braided two chunks of hair from the upper half of her head and pinned it to each side. Avos was there with Shirei kindness and willingness too forgive her. Avos was there, because if Avariella had been like a mother too her Avos had been like a father. And the sudden rush of shame and guilt that boiled in her stomach was as strong as the winds of winter but the desire to simply curl up in her room and be alone nearly outmatched it.
Music was playing in the background, and she could feel Shirei tap her foot underneath the table and could hear Roslin hum to the beat. Very few people were dancing, and though the music was lively there was a nervous aura in the air, and bucket loads of bitterness coming off from her other half-sisters. They sent Roslin dirty glances every now and then that were so blatant Avariella had to stare at them for several minutes just to get them to stop. Not that her other half-sisters were the only ones staring at Roslin; when Roslin had entered the room, Edmure Tully's jaw had practically dropped to the floor. Avariella generally avoided looking at the group of the leading members of the Stark/Tully household, out of fear of her bitterness and grief overtaking her and seeing that smile on Shirei's face sliding right off.
Avariella had barely eaten anything, not that she was missing out on much. Like usual, the food was dull and undercooked. Avariella briefly wondered as too why her father had never bothered getting new cooks before quickly remembering that her father was not one to actual care as too how his food tasted. Soon enough, the food on Shirei's plate disappeared and a few more bites of food went down Roslin's throat. It was then that Avariella choose to spoke, glancing at Roslin who looked characteristically pale and spoke with a concerned tone, "Roslin, you look as though you are a few moments from fainting." Roslin winced at that, and muttered in reply, "Do I really?"
Avariella shared a glance with Shirei, who then cast a kind look over to Roslin and said, "It's not that bad, I promise. You just look . . you just look—"
"Why don't the both of you go for a spin," Avariella cut in, gesturing towards the dancers. Roslin's eyes widened with concern, her features twisting into an expression of unsureness. "I don't know Avariella," Roslin said warily, "It wouldn't be proper. . ." Avariella rose one eyebrow at her, and her mouth twisted amusedly when she asked, "Since when have we Frey's ever been proper?" Roslin laughed at that; a melodic sound, before standing up and gently tugging at Shirei's hands. Avariella watched as they moved towards the other dancing people in a fit of giggles and smiles, and her chest tightened painfully. She grabbed a hold of her wine and then gulped down half of it quickly and clumsily set it back down onto the table.
"I never knew you drank," Olyvar murmured beside her, sliding into the spot where Shirei was sitting moments before. Avariella cast him a side-wards glance before looking forward at her view of drunken Northern lords. She had not been introduced to any of them, and it occurred to her as whether or not she was the only sister who hadn't. "Well what can I say?" She retorted sarcastically, "I looked at them and got inspired." Olyvar let out an amused sigh, before telling her almost soothingly, "You can't hate them forever."
"It's not a matter of them, " she gestured towards the drinking Lords, "It's more of the matter of who they follow. Him and his family. Well, lets just say I have enough hate for them for all the people in this room." Olyvar's eyes flashed at her in frustration, and she could tell her elder half-brother was trying to keep calm. It was a rare occasion that Olyvar ever managed to lose his temper, but when he lost it. . . Avariella refused the urge to wince, and instead stared into his eyes defiantly, as if daring him to tell her otherwise. "You can't hate him either, there's no reason—"
"No reason?" Avariella interrupted, her voice harsh with anger, "That man denied my brother— our brother an honourable death. He made his death mean nothing for a life with a prettier wife." Her voice was scornful now as she glared at her brother. When he opened his mouth to retort she spoke quickly before he could, "Your not here to give me a sermon about forgiveness so get around to why you actually are sitting here beside me Olyvar before I smash my cup of wine into your face." Olyvar's jaw tightened before he told her grudgingly, "Lady Catelyn asked me to send for you." It was almost at the same time that they twisted in their seats to get a good view of the closest table to her father's where sure enough, Catelyn Tully sat along with her brother, son, uncle and good-sister. "Why in the seven hells would the mother of the King wish to speak with me—"
"Perhaps you made a good impression," Olyvar offered, his voice filled with amusement. Avariella glowered at him before rising quickly, which Olyvar hastily did as well. A scowl was now formed on Avariellas' face and she bitterly began to retort, "Perhaps I can—"
"My lady," a unfamiliar voice said to her. Avariella stopped in the middle of her sentence, her back straightening like a log. Her expression was a startled one, and she turned towards the unfamiliar voice, and curtsied at the man it came from. "My lord," she returned, unsuccessful in keeping her surprise out of her voice. The man was of average height, with pale skin that was taunt with lines on his forehead, Avariella could only assume came from frowning too much. The man had short hair that was trimmed to the back of his neck and kept close to his head, and which was brown if not for his greying scalp. The man was dressed in fine clothes—Northern clothes, that suited his form quite well. His nose was long but had no bumps like so many of her brothers and his lips were thin and a dull shade of pink. He was clean shaven for the most part, though there was some stubble beginning to form on his cheeks. Something about him was off too her however, and when he reached for her hand and kissed it she struggled to not snatch it away from his grasp. Ice spread throughout her body like wildfire at his mere touch— but his eyes; his eyes were the most terrible thing. They were neither warm nor cold. They showed no signs of laughter or disapproval and were simply blank and wide-eyed, as though she was looking at blue wall.
"Avariella," Olyvar said quietly, "This is Lord Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort. He was married to one of our nieces a little over a year ago." Avariella gave him a small smile that she was sure did not match her eyes, and he smiled; it was a horrible thing, without hint of warmth or amusement. "She is a pleasant girl my wife," he told her, his voice was as detached as his features. "May I ask as to which niece this may be?" she questioned politely, bile rising in her throat. "Lady Waldra," he supplied, watching her closely. Avariella's memories of her niece were very vague but she did remember that she was older than Avariella was now. She was a big girl too, and a crude one but with a decent heart, she supposed. "I hope she makes you very happy," she told him formally, her hazel eyes tightening. His lips turned upward at that and he commented, "Lady Catelyn told me the same thing." Avariella felt a shot of animosity form in her chest, and her lips strained to keep her smile in tact, "Well you know the saying," she said lightly, "Great minds think a like." Something appeared in his blue eyes for a moment— a flash of some emotion that was gone before she had even fully registered it was there. "Excuse me my lady," he said stiffly and she gave him a cordial smile which faded from her face the moment Lord Bolton turned his back.
Olyavr did not look particularly happy as he stared at the man as well, and something in his gaze hardened. Avariella frowned at Olyvar before telling him rather harshly, "If all your Northern Lords are so charming I can't see how any of us will be able to contain ourselves." Olyvar shot her a dark look before admitting to her quietly, "I never liked the man much myself. There is something. . .off about him. Something I can't quite put my finger on." Avariella let him contemplate his words for a few more moments before she interrupted his thinking, "I believe you were supposed to escort me to Catelyn Stark?" Olyvar jumped as though she had pinched him and then nodded sheepishly, though his eyes still had that far-away distant look. They walked towards the table and Avariella felt her insides tighten at the sight of King Robb and Queen Talisa, as long as a smiling Edmure and less-stern looking Catelyn Stark. She forced herself to plant a tight smile on her face, and curtsied accordingly when they grabbed their attention.
"Your grace," she told the King, and then turned to the Queen, "Your grace." She then turned to look at Catelyn Stark and said with as much false courtesy as she could muster, "My brother told me that you wished to speak with me, my lady. I apologize for the delay, for I just had the great honour of making the acquaintance of Lord Bolton." Lady Catelyn's lips rose at that, and her usually stern blue eyes suddenly looked very appraising, as though Avariella was a passage she could not quite decipher. "So we saw." Avariella did not like the look in her eyes, and liked even less the mention of the word we. Of the mere implication that they had been watching her like some sort of prey. Her lips twitched from how hard she was trying to keep her smile in tact. Lady Catelyn then rose from her chair, and walked over towards her.
"Shall we go talk now?" Catelyn offered. It was then Avariella noticed the woman—Brienne of Tarth she thought her name was, standing in front of the wall far behind Lady Catelyn, and that she had taken a few steps in their direction when she saw her standing up. Avariella did not glance at the rest of the people on her table but she somehow got the feeling that Catelyn Stark doing something like this was very rare, and with a quick glance at the Queen who had a somewhat rejected expression on her face Avariella guessed she didn't do this with her. The thought made her stomach clench and bile climb up her throat but still she smiled politely and nodded and so the two of the walked on down the room, leaving them in their wake.
"You were right," Catelyn admitted to her quietly, as they stood watching the dancers. Avariella's gaze had landed on Shirei and Roslin, who were holding each others hands and twirling, giggling without a care in the world. The sight made Avariella's heart ache in her breast but she was careful to hide her inner turmoil from the Stark. "About what, my lady?" Avariella asked, feigning confusion. The look the older woman sent her told her she was not fooled. "My brother is quite taken with your sister." They stood there, watching her sisters and it occurred to Avariella how odd they might seem. One woman with red hair and the other with auburn but both with lines of grief on their face that would never fade away. Avariella did not like Catelyn Stark, but she recognised a grieving woman when she saw one, partially because she saw one every time she looked in the mirror. "You said your sister would grow to be a strong woman." Avariella considered this for a moment, and she was quite surprised at the shame she felt form within her when she realised that sometime within the past year her elder half-sister had already become strong, and she had done her a grievance by not recognising it sooner. "She already is," Avariella told her, meaning it. She could feel Catelyn Stark's gaze on her now, but she made no move to drag her eyes away from her half-siblings.
"As you know, we will also be taking another Frey with us to the North. Your brother Olyvar has been reappointed as Robb's squire—" Surprise shot through Avariella as she glanced at the woman, and suddenly a bucket of realisation washed over as she realised why Olyvar would no longer be there to help her with Shirei. "I am also helping my son decide who that girl should be." Amidst her shock Avariella realised the woman was implying that they would might choose her. The mere thought of it made Avariella almost flinch in disgust and throw up all over Catelyn Stark's boots. "Shirei," Avariella blurted out, her hazel eyes wide, "Shirei has a gentle heart and possesses more kindness in her little finger than half of my father's other children possess in their entire bodies." She was then somber for a moment, her features etched into one of sorrow someone as young as she should never know, "If anyone deserves to have their sons and daughters wed to a King or a princess it's her."
Catelyn nodded as though she were seriously taking into account everything she had just said. Avariella didn't bother to try and convince the auburn-haired woman once more. She let out a small sigh and clasped her hands together in front of her. She remembered then what Olyvar had described her as to Catelyn Stark. How he had said that she was like fire and how she could warm up a room and burn those who came too close. Avariella felt more like some sort of a illness in that moment, a deadly illness that slowly killed everything good it came across until nothing was left but grey and darkness. That is the life you will have if you say here a voice reminded her, you knew that once. She was suddenly jolted from her thoughts by Shirei tugging at her arm and she wondered when everyone had stopped dancing and went back to their seats except for them.
"It's starting," Shirei whispered and they made their way to sit beside Roslin. Avariella glanced up at her father, who had risen from his chair though he was still clutching his cup of wine in his left hand. "My honoured guests," he announced, the room instantly quieting, "It is time for Frey and Tully to join their houses together in an alliance that will last until the end of time." he coughed loudly then and directed his gaze towards Edmure Tully, who looked rather pale from Avariella could see— even from a distance. "I have given you meat—" cough "Wine and my hospitality. It is time for you too make your choice." A nervous hush came over the room then and Lord Walder gestured randomly at the crown and commanded, "Get up and stand over 'ere."
Avariella kept her eyes on her father as all her female half-siblings rose from their chairs and bustled to the front of the room, and stood there in one long line. She stood between Shirei and Roslin, and could feel the latter begin to tremble. Whether it was with nerves or fear she did not know, and though it pained her she leaned over and whispered in her ear, "You'll be fine, Roslin. There is nothing to be afraid of." But in truth Avariella, was afraid herself. Afraid of becoming Lady of Riverrun despite Lady Catelyn's assurances and Lord Edmure's appearances. The Starks had never kept their promises when it came to her family and that gnawing fear that had been building inside of her since they arrived had suddenly increased ten-fold. Avariella swallowed loudly but kept her gaze directly in front of her. She could hear Edmure Tully rise from his chair and could see him approach the line out of the corner of her eye.
"You all are lovely women," her voice caught, and not out of admiration but more of fear, "And you all deserve all the happiness in the world, and I wish the rest of you good fortune." If a piece of straw had dropped in the room they all would have been able to hear it. Breathe in, Avariella thought to herself, breathe out. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she wondered whether or not they all could hear it. She was sure they could because how could they not when it was beating so ferociously. Edmure Tully walked from the beginning of the line towards the end of it, his stride slow—painfully slow. She could practically feel the waves of disappointment from the sisters who he had passed; leaving them to spend their days wandering around the Twins and marrying a drunken night with a horrible stench. Avariella almost felt bad for them in those moments. Truly she did. She could feel Shirei stiffen on her left and she glanced down at her litter half-sister and her heart squeezed for a whole other reason this time around. She placed a gentle hand on the twelve year old girl's shoulder and watched as Shirei shot her a thankful glance, her blue eyes— so like Avos's in many ways— bright.
Edmure Tully stopped in front of them— in between them. Avariella's heart began to pound and she suddenly felt very light headed. Choose her you fool. Damn you choose her! And slowly— and much too Avariella's eternal relief, he knelt in front of Roslin, took hold of her right hand gently and asked, "Lady Roslin Frey, will you do me the honour of becoming my most beloved wife?" Not that she has much of a choice. Avariella regarded her sister and realised that even if Roslin did have the choice not to marry Edmure, she would, if the look on her face said anything. Her sister's eyes had widened and her cheeks had flushed but slowly a warm smile spread across her face as she began to nod in earnest.
"I will," she told him and he smiled at her and rose from his kneeling position, though he still kept his grasp on her hand. Avariella could almost feel Shirei's smile and when she glanced at her younger half-sister she looked happier than she had ever seen her. The guilt that suddenly came over Avariella was overwhelming and she turned to glance at her father quickly, and retracted her hand from Shirei's shoulder. He's rotting in an unmarked grave somewhere in the Westerlands, she thought, a lump forming in her throat as the room erupted with happy cheers, and here we are celebrating the—
"They shall be married within a fortnight!" Her father cried out and then he glanced at the King meaningfully, who had risen from his chair along with his mother, great-uncle and wife. "Recent experience has made me wary of long engagements." If the King was very insulted by what her father said, he didn't show it. His eyes tightened but he nodded accordingly and returned, "You have every right to be." Even her father looked disappointed by his reaction. And so it was official, Roslin Frey would marry Edmure Tully within a fortnight.
The next week passed in a series of blurs and raised voices of frustration and high pitched giggles of excitement. Not from Avariella anyway, but from all the females around her it would seem. Avariella had barely any time alone in that week and she felt so suffocated—as though there was a pillow pressing down on her face. She stood there silent for most of the week, except for the obligatory smiles and laughter. The only slightly redeemable factor was Shirei; who stood next to her the whole time, either clutching at her hand or practically jumping with excitement when she spoke with Roslin. Roslin had been a mixture of nervous laughter and excitement throughout the week, and Avariella could guess as to what had her so nervous, and it wasn't something she knew her half-sister would be comfortable talking about in front of Shirei.
Not that Avariella was particularly equipped to school her sister on what precisely 'happened' between a man and wife on their wedding night; no, that job was much better suited for one of elder half-sisters or nieces. It was in moments such as those throughout the years where Avariella actually missed her mother. Or rather the idea of a mother. When they were younger her and Avos used to sneak into each others chambers when they couldn't sleep and make up stories as to how their mother was like. She had red hair, freckles and hazel eyes they knew that. Avariella was apparently identical to her but they didn't know what her nature was like. Was she kind and brave? Or was she cruel and vindictive? When they were old enough to realise how exactly them and Roslin were so close in age they had stopped the game. And then her mother was nothing more than a name without a face— a ghost whose absence she noticed rarely. Lady Marie was her name, a daughter of some minor lord that was sworn to her father. Some nights when she was still a child she used to whisper that name into the darkness, when Avos had fallen asleep.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Shirei giggling, and she kept a careful eye on her half-sister as she bent down to pluck a daisy from the ground. This was one of several and Avariella could see the basket in Shirei's other arm was full with daisies. They were not far outside the castle and Avariella had Max accompany them, for she felt guilty for not taking him out of the kennels for two days straight. She kept herself alert for any sign of the beast— the dire wolf . She could only imagine Shirei's reaction to such a thing. Avos had told Shirei stories of dire wolves and bears years ago, and she wondered if Shirei remembered any of them she had been so young. I can't do this, Avariella thought to herself, Not again. They were all wrong about her, both Roslin and Olyvar. She had not taken it upon herself to become like a mother to Shirei after Shirei's mother had died out of the kindness of her heart. She had done it because of the sympathetic look in Avos's eye— the look of understanding he had whenever he looked at the three year old child with no mother. She had done it because he had asked her too, even if he hadn't used words. She loved her half-sister dearly but now that was all she was; a half sister. Avos had been her brother, her full brother. He had been her other half and now there was this gaping whole in her chest that no one but her seemed to notice; a gaping hole where all the good and kindness she possessed was now gone.
"Shirei!" Avariella called out, struggling to hide the shakiness in her voice, "It is time for us to head back." It was the day of the wedding, and Shirei had been adamant about putting flowers in her hair. The ceremony would start later on in the evening Avariella knew, and the sun was still high in the sky but with all the guests at the Twins as well as its original inhabitants getting ready would be difficult. Shirei pouted at her from where she stood but quickly ran over to her. Avariella still had difficulty believing that Shirei was twelve. "Must we Ava?" Shirei asked, "The wedding isn't going to start for a long while. . ."
"You know how chaotic it gets when all of us attempt to get ready at the same time," Avariella told her, moving forward with Max running ahead of them, though not very far. "Besides," she added, "We need to help Roslin get ready." Shirei nodded at that and stayed quiet for the rest of their walk back into the castle. The castle itself was chaotic itself, with servants and guards running around everywhere with trays of food and candles and pieces of fine fabric that Avariella never knew the Twins possessed. "Ava," Shirei started quietly, her voice small, "Do you ever wonder who you're going to marry?" Avariella glanced down at her sharply and her brows furrowed together. "I used too," she admitted, a small lump appearing in her throat, "I used to dream of marrying knights and Lords and that I would be whisked away into a castle like one of the songs. Do you remember?" Shirei giggled at that before her features quickly grew serious once more, "Why did you stop?" Avariella halted in her steps and was suddenly unsure as to how she would explain that when Avos died, she simply hadn't cared about anything anymore but she couldn't say that to Shirei. She couldn't.
So instead she crouched down so that she was closer to Shirei's height— and Shirei was small for a girl her age. "I. . ." Avariella cleared her throat and tried again, "I changed." It was a pathetic reasoning she knew, but she couldn't find it within herself to try explain herself more. To try and make her understand how empty she felt and how guilty for having survived a war she had not even participated in. She rose back to her full height and gestured towards the open castle doors, "Go on Shirei, find your handmaiden and have her run you a bath. I have things I need to attend to." That was partially a lie, but Avariella desired a few moments alone. Shirei nodded, a thoughtful expression etched out onto her face as she walked forward, with Avariella staring at her retreating figure.
It was then that she became aware of someones eyes on her and she nearly shivered at the feeling. She glanced away from Shirei, her eyes flickering around the courtyard which was full with people and yet she did not find the person. Her frown deepened but she look away towards Max and whistled softly, grabbing his attention. "Come on boy," she called out, and began walking towards the kennels— or at least to find someone who would take Max to the Kennels. She was walking slowly in that direction when she felt that feeling again, of someones' eyes on her. And when she turned around this time she saw who it was, and it made her blood run cold. The King and Olyvar were standing near the training pen and they both seemed to be engaged in conversation. Perhaps she was wrong, and she had merely sensed the King's presence and not someones eyes on her. Still, it made her skin crawl and she ducked away quickly, and her strides grew quicker and she searched the yard helplessly for someone with a spare hand.
It was then that she felt something digging into her hip and she absentmindedly petted Max and said, "Calm down boy we are going too-" She stopped talking as she realised that the head that she just touched was far too furry for it to be Max's. She dropped her hand so fast it was as though she had just touched hot coals and stopped moving, fear slamming into her. She let out a shaky breath and slowly—so very slowly, she glanced down. The dire wolf was bumping it's head into her stomach as though he was trying to access something. Let's hope he doesn't use his teeth to try and open my stomach Avariella thought in horror. It then began to sniff at her suspiciously as though it could smell her fear. Her fists had clenched at her sides so tight Avariella thought they were beginning to draw blood. She could hear Max begin to growl now and he began to bark frantically. Avariella then glanced around and saw that everyone else had not noticed what was happening. She swallowed loudly and glanced back down at the dire wolf and carefully took a hesitant step back.
"Greywind!" A voice commanded from surprisingly nearby and Avariella swiftly turned around to face the King, whose blue eyes were stormy. The die wolf— Greywind— sniffed at her suspiciously once more before moving over to its master, and Max immediately ran towards her, his familiar heat a welcome source of comfort. "My lady I am so sorry for his lack of restraint," the King told her, glancing up at her from where he was looking at the beast. Avariella was sure her eyes were narrowed into a glare, and she took a small step back but if the King noticed her apprehension it did not show. "If you are going to let a beast such as that run free your grace you should have him on a tight leash." Her words were bold she knew and the King knew it as well if the way his eyes narrowed slightly said anything. Olyvar appeared next to her and gently grasped her arm, "Avariella are you alright?" She cast him a small look before smoothly removing her arm from his grip. "Fine," she replied shortly, his touch burning through her skin and into her bones.
"Just a little shaken," she added, and she could hear Max began to growl at the King. Everyone was glancing at them now, however their eyes wide with curiosity. Notice something amiss now? She wanted to yell at the lot of them, but forcefully—and wisely— kept her mouth shut. Max began to growl louder. The King glanced down at Max, and something changed in his eyes then, though they still looked solemn and unreadable, he almost looked as though he were fascinated. Is this what King's in the North find interesting? Avariella asked herself a dog growling at them? As though all the beasts should bow to them without question. The urge to hurt him grew massively after that. "Your dog is protective of you," he commented. Avariella could feel Olyvar watch her as though she were a wild animal about to pounce, and it made her anger grow. She forced a false smile onto her face, and her eyes grew cold, "Only to those who have hurt me your grace or those who plan to." She curtsied and quickly muttered before he could reply, "Forgive me, your grace but I must get to my sister, she will need my help. Olyvar if you could please take Max to the kennels I would be eternally grateful. Good day to the both of you."
And then she fled, because fleeing was what she did best.
"I'm almost done!" Shirei exclaimed excitedly, and Avariella could feel her carefully place another flower in her hair. This was hours after the incident with the King, and Avariella had kept the incident to herself. She had bathed and dressed, and Shirei had insisted upon doing her hair, and so Avariella sat there for what felt like a century as her little half sister braided and brushed and twisted. Roslin was being bathed and powdered by a group of handmaidens much to Shirei's dismay, who had wanted to be there to help her sister with every detail, except the bathing of course. So Shirei had come to Avariella's chambers, thankfully after she had finished bathing and helped her pick out a dress from the elder days. Her favourite gown. Shirei had already dressed herself, and her handmaiden Lia had done her hair, which was now braided and twisted into a bun at the top of her head. She looked pretty, her younger half-sister, more so than usual.
"I'm done!" Shirei said excitedly and jumped off the bed to rush in front of her. "Careful," Avariella warned, "You don't want to get wrinkles on your gown." Shirei giggled at that, barely containing her excitement to show Avariella her masterpiece. Avariella let out a sigh and stood from the bed, making her way to the mirror and was suddenly overcome with emotion at what she saw. Not by her 'beauty' but because of how she looked. She looked like the girl she was a year ago. She looked like a girl with her twin brother. Her long braid cascaded down her side and almost reached her right hip. It was a complicated braid that she had taught herself long ago and Shirei had managed to place the flowers of the daisies in random parts of it from where the braid began on the left side of her head all the way down to where it reached her hip. Her breath caught in her throat but she still managed to whisper, 'Thank you, Shirei."
"You've got to be careful," the young girl informed her matter-of-factly, "The daisies may fall out." Avariella let out a breathy laugh and thanked her younger sister, despite the pain in her chest. "Come on," Avariella said, "Lets go find Roslin." They left her chambers and made their way to Roslin's and Avariella had knocked only once when one of the handmaidens opened the door. She looked startled at the sight of them— or more started at the sight of her. Avariella had not made an effort in her appearance for over a year, and for people to know see her with her hair twisted into some complicated once more must have been like a ghost rising from the grave. "We're here to see Roslin." The handmaiden nodded and stepped aside so that they could enter the room and Shirei almost immediately bounded off towards Roslin, who stood up at the sight of them. Avariella stepped into the room and took the moment to look at her sister. She was wearing a dress with a golden base but it had green embroidered vines and flowers all over it. It clung to her like a coat of second skin, hiding no curves from anyones sight. Her under dress rose higher above the golden gown so that it covered the skin immodestly cut dress would have revealed. There was a small brooch attached to the dress right under Roslin's dress, and it looked like an oddly shaped rose. She already wore her maiden's cloak but her hair was still left untouched. Regardless, her sister looked beautiful and so Avariella told her so, watching as Roslin fidgeted nervously under her gaze. It was then that Avariella realised that she wanted to speak with you.
She cleared her throat loudly and announced, "If you all could give me a moment with Roslin." The handmaidens' in the room, Arra being once of them, quickly cleared the room. Shirei stood there, a disappointed look on her face, "Avariella do I have to go? I want to help with her hair—" Avariella interrupted her firmly, "Shirei, go downstairs and find Olyvar. I'll find you later, I promise but Roslin and I need to talk. Alone." Shirei let out a loud sigh and hurried out of the room, though by the way the door slammed a little too loudly Avariella knew she did not like it. The room was silent for a moment, and Avariella was busy debating whether or not it was an awkward silence when Roslin spoke up, a flush rising to her cheeks, "Thank you," she said shyly, visibly gulping. "You look beautiful as well, if I did not mention it before," Roslin added, and she sat back down in her chair, her skirts swaying as she did so. Avariella moved closer towards her and nodded her thanks, waiting for Roslin to tell her what was bothering her.
"What if I disappoint him?" Roslin asked so quietly Avariella thought she had imagined it. She breathed in heavily, and leaned against the bedpost, looking at Roslin intently. "The first time is never enjoyable," she told her, "Remember what our Septa taught us. In time it will become more easier and pleasurable I expect." Roslin shook her head gently, her hair moving with her as she did so, "I didn't mean. . . I meant what if he doesn't like me? What if he decides I'm unbearable and fills Riverrun with his mistresses and his bastards? What if I'm barren?" She asked Avariella desperately, as though she had all the answers to her questions. Avariella could tell her that Edmure Tully would never do such a thing, that he would love her with everything in him, that he would never lay with another woman but those were words that she could not say truthfully. She did not know Edmure Tully but she did know Roslin and so Avariella moved towards her elder half-sister and told her, "Barren? You Rosby stock?" She raised an eyebrow at her, "Your mother gave father how many children? Five, six?" Roslin laughed at that, though her eyes were still tight with worry.
"Five," Roslin confirmed, her smile quickly dying. Avariella kneeled in front of her sister, her knees hitting the cold stone beneath her. "I can't promise that he'll love you," Avariella told her, looking into Roslin's eyes, "but I can tell you that you will be Lady of Riverrun. I can promise you that you will survive this night, however painful it may be. And if what they say about the Tully's is true, he won't ever lay a hand on you." She smiled at her in an attempt to lighten the mood, "Besides, what man could ever be worse than father? If you can survive him for a little over seventeen years you can survive Edmure Tully." Roslin laughed at that, and finally the worry in her eyes disappeared.
Avariella rose from her kneeling position, and brushed her hands down the front of her skirts before clasping her hands together and telling Roslin, "Come now, let me summon your handmaiden so that she may do your hair." She turned around to do just that before Roslin's voice stopped her. "No," she said, "Can you do it for me?" There was a tense silence before Roslin spoke again. "Please." Avariella stared at her for a few long moments, and something inside her melted. Something inside of her dulled her grief for just a moment. "Sure," she said, and moved towards Roslin, who turned to give her her back. Avariella gathered Roslin's hair behind her back and grabbed a hold of the nearby brush, and gently began to comb Roslin's hair. It occurred to her as she touched Roslin's soft hair and with each passing stroke of the brush how much she hadn't known she missed this. It hit her with a sudden pang and she stopped momentarily, emotion making her throat constrict. "Is everything alright?" Roslin asked, interrupting her thoughts. Avariella's grip on the brush tightened as she replied, "No, nothing's wrong."
It was eerily quiet as Roslin Frey walked down the aisle to marry Edmure Tully. The Sept was not particularly big, but somehow they all managed to fit in the candle lit room, though they were admittedly slightly cramped. Avariella watched in reluctant silence as her father, old bitter man that he was escort Roslin down the aisle at an unbearably slow pace. Is the walk to hell always so slow? She wondered, her jaw tightening as she glanced at Edmure Tully, who looked as nervous as Roslin did an hour or so ago. Shirei and Olyvar stood on either side of her as they watched their sibling be married. They were standing in the front row of the left side of the room, with the King, Queen, Lady Catelyn and the Blackfish standing in the front row of the right side of the room. Avariella only glanced once in their direction before promising herself never to do so again.
Her father and Roslin reached the Septon and Edmure and Lord Walder Frey deposited his daughter there with a quick, wet kiss on her cheek and a dark look towards Edure, before walking shakily down the steps, to the row of people behind Avariella. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, and could hear Olyvar do the same. Avariella cast her elder half-brother a look, and he glanced at her and something very akin to understanding passed between them. The moment was broken when the Septon called out in a loud voice, "You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection." They both turned to look at the front of the room then, and Avariella found that Roslin was glancing at her nervously. She shot her a soft smile, and then saw her cast another nervous glance towards her right. Avariella followed her gaze and saw it land on the King, who looked as solemn as he usually did. And then it struck her how this could have been a very different wedding. How it could have been her marrying him instead of Roslin marrying Edmure. The thought made her insides squirm with disgust but before she could look away he sensed her gaze on him and turned to catch her eye. Avos isn't here because of you! She wanted to scream at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She was the one to finally break their gaze and she watched in silence, biting down on her tongue.
The Septon instructed the couple in front of him to lace their hands together and wrapped a string around their interlaced hands that would bind them together forever. "Look upon each other and say the words." Avariella could see them glance at each other nervously, a flush rising upon both of their cheeks. "Father, Smith, Warrior," they said simultaneously, "Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger. I am his and he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days."
And with those words, her family was bound to the Tully's.
A/N Sorry this chapter took so long to update guys, but this chapter was long. Very long. I hope you guys like Avariella, despite her vices. I tried— am trying to make her a fully fleshed out character. Hopefully, to you guys I am succeeding. I've finally managed to outline the entire plot of this series for the most part, and I am going to warn you from now that there will be more OC's in this story. AND OMG THE RESPONSE TO THIS STORY HAS BEEN SO GREAT GUYS! Thank you so much. Feel free to review and tell me your thoughts! Until next time,
Fionakevin073