It was just after dawn when word came of Lord Reed's arrival. Aurelia tucked away her papers in a secure spot behind a stone in the wall, a place Robb had showed her years ago. She pulled on her outer clothes and was greeted at her door by Maege and one of Bolton's men.
The yard was abundant with lords and lordlings and soldiers. No one there had seen Lord Reed in nearly twenty years. Little had been heard of him, and word had spread of the green marsh lord's coming. Aurelia came to stand beside Ramsay, near the gate, only Roose and his plump, pregnant wife in front of them.
While Aurelia had heard Lord Reed described before, belief in those descriptions varied. Some said he was covered in moss, others that his skin had turned green, others that he was a small elfish creature, not quite a dwarf yet not quite a man. Ned Stark had been vague on his descriptions. Old Nan's had leaned toward the fantastical, as was her nature. Maester Luwin had best captured the truth of Lord Reed.
He was on the shorter side, though hardly a dwarf. Where he might once have been spindly and elf-like, he had filled out to a man of middle-age; neither skinny nor plump, with a broader chest than most might expect. His gloved fingers seemed intact, of average length, and human (Bran had once told Aurelia that Old Nan told him the Reeds had stumpy fingers like tree trunks, and rough and strong like them as well, though Aurelia suspected even Old Nan had better metaphors than that and likely Bran made it up himself). Lord Reed was wrapped in cloaks and scarves, revealing his face only after halting his mount before Lord Bolton.
From beneath his covered head, Aurelia glimpsed a tuft of pale yellow-orange hair. His eyes were green, though not emerald or even mossy. They were of a pale, light green with a touch of grey, near the color of very light olives. Certainly not glowing as Aurelia had herself been told by Old Nan. His face was rounder than she expected, his gaze intelligent, questioning, yet warm, and still Aurelia saw wariness about him. Fearful he did not appear to be, but wary for certain.
"Lord Bolton," he said in smooth tones, a voice which gave strong evidence of his breeding as a Lord. He may have hidden in the moss lands for years, but Aurelia surmised he could perform as well as any lord in King's Landing when needed.
Howland Reed gracefully dismounted his horse and bowed before Roose, who nodded in return.
"Lord Reed, thank you for joining us."
Howland gave a nod. "A request I could not deny." His gaze flickered to Ramsay, then Aurelia. "This must be your son, and his intended."
Roose gave a nod. Reed stepped past him and gave a small bow to Ramsay. "Lord Ramsay."
"You draw quite the crowd."
"I beg your forgiveness if it has interrupted your day. I did not look to have so much attention," he said, turning to Aurelia. "My lady." He took her hand and kissed it through the soft leather gloves. His touch was firm, warm, and it was only when he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze that Aurelia realized she had been trembling.
"You are cold, Lady Moors," Lord Reed looked to Ramsay. "Need we prolong my entrance? I am merely another servant of Winterfell and the North."
Roose had shifted silently up beside Howland, though the man seemed to know it. "We have a room prepared for you. Perhaps you will join myself and the other lords in the main hall once you are settled. Now everyone is here, we can toast the young couple properly."
"Of course," Howland smiled. Roose nodded to a servant who led Lord Reed into the main part of the castle.
Ramsay took Aurelia's hand. "Now that show's done, let's have a drink."
Aurelia glanced up to the parapets on her way in, where several of Roose's men stood, still gawking. Maege was up there as well and gave Aurelia a single nod as she passed, with something akin to a smile in her eyes.
Enemies all around, Aurelia thought. No turning back now-
Her thought was interrupted by Ramsay's hand shifting to her back, then lower, as they entered the corridor to the main hall. Aurelia forced herself to keep looking straight ahead.
"This flesh will soon be mine to bend to my pleasure every night," he smirked as they reached the door to the hall. "Best you keep putting on a good show for everyone."
Aurelia bit back a retort, striding ahead of him into the hall. Several of the lords who had been in the courtyard to see Lord Reed's appearance had already scuttled inside for warmth and ale. In one corner of the room, dark, away from the fires, hung the cage which held Mance Rayder. As Ramsay moved past Aurelia toward the high table in search of something stronger than ale, Aurelia risked a glance to the cage. He was tapping out some rhythm on the bars when his gaze caught hers. The words mouthed to her were startling, and Aurelia quickly averted her eyes and resumed her walk toward the high table, stopping to chat pleasantly with several lords along the way. As she took her seat at the table, Mance's face flashed in her mind.
Remember your place.
Part of her thought it was a jibe, and yet as moments passed, she felt it more of a warning. And if so, what did Mance Rayder know? She had enough mysteries in her life, now was not the time for more.
That evening, the hall was filled with more laughter and joviality than it had been in many days. Ramsay had proclaimed the need for celebration, and whether through fear or genuine desire for levity, most everyone for tonight had gone along with his proclamation. There was music, dancing, a few rowdy bouts, but nothing untoward. Aurelia found herself free to move about the room, chatting with lords and lordlings and servants, being friendly with all for the sake of finding a few more friends for the coming days. Some of the ladies seemed reticent to befriend her, and she tried not to press herself into their graces. Women were often more wary by nature, and most did not desire to lose any more of their households, nor to be the ones to take control of their houses.
Yet there were a couple who seemed emboldened. It curled off them, their desire for more autonomy and power of their own, their resentment of the world as it currently was, mingled with jealousy over Aurelia's station. She had been meant for Robb Stark, and then she wasn't. Her position as future lady of Winterfell had been lost for near a year, and now she was regaining it. Aurelia understood the frustration for other women inherent there. Understood it, but was not about to be intimidated by it. She did know her place, and it was here. It was always to be here.
Within these thoughts, Aurelia risked another glance to Mance Rayder. He was slumped in his cage, feigning sleep, yet she saw a servant slip a plate of bread and meat into the food slot at the base of the cage and Mance snuck a piece of meat to his mouth. He listened, she knew, and would remember what he heard. In that moment, Aurelia decided to take another risk.
She sought out Maege, at a table near the rear of the hall, opposite side from Mance's cage. She sat with a group of lordlings and squires, regaling them in gruff tones with tales of war. She spoke not of battles, but of war camps, of times spent on the roads and in the forests, of living a life outside the warmth and security of any holdfast. Most of these boys had been left home during the war of the five kings, saw no battles, and were eager for word of the life, of what may await them in the days to come should Stannis or another enemy close in. Maege was just reaching a description of siege tactics when Aurelia approached.
"Ah, milady," one of the young squires said as she came up alongside Maege. "Congratulations on your nuptials."
"Impending nuptials," a lordling from House Glover corrected. "My lady," he said, bowing his head.
"It is good to see young men interested in hearing tales of war from the perspective of women, women of the field no less. However, if I may, I need a word with lady Mormont."
There was a murmur of 'of course's and nods. Maege rose and followed Aurelia without a word. Aurelia walked slowly toward the head table, pretending to take in the room overall as Maege came up alongside her.
"What is it, my lady?"
"Mance Rayder. He's been listening all night, and ever since he was put in that cage, I think."
Maege gave a nod. "What do you want me to do about it?"
"Find out what he knows. What he plans to do with that knowledge. He's used to strong women, so do not be afraid to be assertive."
"Trusting a wildling-"
"The King Beyond the Wall, Maege. A former man of the Night's Watch. Wilding he is, but do not mistake that for pure savagery or lack of intelligence. He once agreed to come here to help Jon, sort of. We need to know where his loyalty lies now."
"He is in a cage."
Aurelia gave her a look, Maege processed, then nodded.
"I need to know if he would help our cause or harm it," Aurelia said. "It may influence how long he stays in that cage."
Maege's gaze turned across the room to where Ramsay sat at a low table, laughing with two of his men. "That one. I don't like leaving you alone with him."
"I don't like being alone with him. But needs must."
The older woman took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "You should speak to Lord Reed. He wishes to speak with you."
Aurelia nodded. "I did not want to seem too eager."
"Time enough has passed. See him now."
Lord Reed sat at the head table, Hother Umber and Talbert Glover beside him, chatting. Aurelia steered herself toward them as Maege made for the center of the room to put herself between Ramsay and her charge. Roose sat at the far end of the head table, his wife sheepish beside him as he conversed with one of the Freys. Aurelia walked in front of the long table, giving Walda a small smile, which was shyly returned, then continuing to the other end.
Aurelia approached the men, being a few steps down from them on the main floor.
"My lady," Hother barked. "Will you take a drink with us?"
"It would be my pleasure," she returned. As she made her way up, Talbert stood and gave her a small bow.
"Pardon, my lady, but I need a moment to myself." He tapped his nose, and Aurelia gave him a dismissive smile.
She looked back to Hother who grinned. "Too much ale. Makes us all need a moment to ourselves," he laughed.
Aurelia took Glover's place at the table, beside Lord Reed.
"Maybe you can get the quiet green ghost to speak more," Hother said, lowering his voice. "He seems as mysterious in person as in his absence."
"Perhaps he is simply more guarded than the rest of us," Aurelia replied.
Hother chortled, then took another swig of ale from his tankard.
"I hope my lady does not take offense to my quiet manner. I should have come and spoken to you sooner, congratulated you on your engagement."
"I appreciate it now, my lord. And I understand the desire for quiet, solitude. It is not something I get much of these days. I envy those who are able to keep it for themselves."
"Those who hide so they can keep it," Hother grumbled.
Aurelia shot him a look and he quieted himself with another swig of ale. "If you'll pardon me, I must take a moment of my own," he said, rising, and left Aurelia with Howland Reed.
"My lady-" He began, but Aurelia cut him off.
"There is not much time. The usual courtesies may be bypassed in favor of frank conversation."
"Your letter was cryptic, almost indecipherable."
"Almost?" He gave her a small, enigmatic smile. "And your response?"
"The time for tales will come, as there is much I have to tell you. But know this: my loyalty to your house, to the Starks, is complete. Ultimate. I would be honoured to give you away at your wedding, and more honoured to perform any service you might request of me. I only beg you answer me one question."
Aurelia took a sip of ale, giving a subtle nod as she did.
"How long do you intend for the Boltons to remain lords of Winterfell?" Aurelia swallowed, and Lord Reed interjected before her reply. "Your breathing gives you away. Then it is soon."
He placed his hand over hers. "Does my lady pray at the Weirwood?"
"Yes," she managed a whisper.
"Alone?"
"Yes."
"Tomorrow I will meet you there and we may speak freely."
"After breakfast. That is my usual time."
Reed nodded. "Lord Bolton watches you, you know."
"Both do," she said. "Almost always."
He brought her hand to his lips. "A strong woman who must hide her strength is a dangerous being, and one who brings danger to herself in order to save others from it. Rest assured, my lady, there are those who would and will protect you when the dangers close in."
Aurelia looked at him and saw such sympathy and admiration in his expression she could not help her smile. "Thank you, my lord."