"I know, Gloria," Narcissa sighed as they walked together through the narrow corridors at the Twins. "We're leaving as soon as I figure out the safest path to the Narrow Sea," the lady promised.
"But, my lady," Gloria blurted out, stepping in front of Narcissa and making her stop in her tracks. "There is war. It isn't safe to be travelling in these uncertain times, my lady."
Narcissa smiled at her formality though she had often reminded her handmaiden it wasn't necessary. She put on a look that she hoped was reassuring and placed her hands upon the taller girl's shoulders. "War or no war, I'm not staying in this mess a second longer than is necessary. My grandfather is a foul man and I want myself out of his sight as soon as possible. I'll find ourselves a safe path and we'll be back in Essos in no time, Gloria. I promise."
The blonde girl nodded at her lady's words before leaving. Narcissa wasn't sure she'd be able to uphold that promise but there was no chance she'd ever admit that to Gloria and scare her even further.
Just then, two equally ill-favored girls walked past Narcissa, chatting excitedly and paying her no mind. She was thankful for that. Yes, she had hoped to find out more about her mother's past but she had found most of the Frey girls still at the Twins were far too young to have known her mother, and Walder Frey, well, he was the embodiment of all that was wrong in the world. The mere thought of knowing that his current wife was more than a few younger than herself made the brunette sick to her stomach.
"Narcissa, think. That's the only thing you actually excel at," Narcissa murmured under her breath as she paced around the castle, hoping a plan would make its way into her mind.
The longer she thought about it, the clearer it became that there was no way she'd make it to King's Landing unharmed. The Northerners were at their door. If they went South, they'd encounter the King's army and their reputation wasn't a kind one. Her only hope would be to head North, catch a ship at the Fingers in direction of Braavos and then ride South to Florence.
"All this for a sword and now I'm going home without even setting foot in King's Landing," Narcissa sighed as she walked down the hazardous staircase. She was sure, however, that her father would be far happier to see her get home safely than die for a sword. It'd just mean she'd have to admit her mistake.
Suddenly, Narcissa felt a cold hand on her shoulder and jumped with fright, turning around at once. Before she could say anything, the ginger haired lady beat her to it.
"I'm sorry if I've scared you, my lady," the woman apologized with a sad smile between her defined cheekbones. "I was wondering if you'd show me out. This castle is a maze."
"Most certainly, my lady. Though I must warn you, I'm not perfectly acquainted with the treacherous ways around this place, either," Narcissa said, before turning a sharp right, the red-haired lady at her side.
"Thank you," the woman smiled once again and for a split second, Narcissa wondered if she'd ever see her own mother smile again. "I suppose you're one of Walder's many daughters?"
Narcissa cringed at the mere thought of that guess being true. "No, my lady. I'm Narcissa, one of Walder Frey's equally numerous granddaughters," she chuckled. "Forgive me, but who are you, my lady?" Narcissa dared asking, taking another quick look at the older woman but she didn't appear offended by her question.
"I'm Lady Catelyn Stark, wife of Lord Eddard Stark."
"And mother of Lord Robb Stark whose army surrounds us," Narcissa commented in a tone she hoped didn't show her bitterness at the situation. "I'm sorry for the misfortune that currently befalls your family but I'm certain your son will soon sort this out." Next to her, Lady Stark nodded silently as if in deep thought.
"Do you know anything about war, Lady Narcissa?" The red-haired woman asked and at first, Narcissa thought it was a joke but the serious tone quickly led her to believe otherwise.
"I like to think I know how to talk myself out of a war, my lady." Catelyn Stark chuckled at the young woman's words though it wasn't with amusement. "I mean no offense, but I believe war is merely an argument between two powerful men that escalates and ends up ruining the lives of many men."
"I used to think the same way," Catelyn admitted heavily before exhaling. "But now King Joffrey holds my husband captive and my daughters are at his mercy. One word from his mouth and they are dead."
Silence fell upon the two women and Narcissa didn't know what to reply to these words. She wasn't a wife nor a mother, but she could imagine the great stress Lady Stark was under. "Then I recommend you have King Joffrey's tongue cut out," Narcissa joked, hoping to diffuse the tension and Catelyn's pure laugh filled her ears.
"It was a pleasure walking with you, Lady Narcissa," Catelyn said once they had reached the gates.
-/-/-/-
Narcissa was sitting at her desk, writing a letter to her father when Gloria entered the bedchambers with clean dresses in her hands. Narcissa paid her no attention at first, being too preoccupied at finding a way of letting her father know they were in the premises of war without worrying him all too much, apologizing for losing his sword and telling him what a disappointing man her grandfather was, all in the same letter and in less than twenty lines. It was a difficult task but after a couple of tries, Narcissa knew this was as good as it would get and proceeded to roll it up.
"I'll take a bath now and send a raven to my father before dinner," Narcissa told Gloria, getting up from the chair and stretching out her full body. She didn't find herself to be particularly beautiful but Gloria had seen her in her most simple apparel numerous times, and Narcissa no longer minded undressing in front of her.
Slowly, she stepped inside the iron bathtub filled with warm water and let her body relax as Gloria washed her hair. "I forgot to tell you earlier, my lady, but Lord Frey wishes to speak to you. Before dinner." Gloria informed her as she lathered Narcissa's shoulder length hair with shampoo.
"He'll have to wait until I muster up the patience to speak with him again," Narcissa sneered. They had arrived at the Twins a fortnight ago and old Walder hadn't been exactly welcoming to his granddaughter. First, he couldn't even remember his daughter Amara. And then, he asked she pay for her and her companion's accommodation.
"It did seem to be rather urgent, my lady," Gloria insisted, her skinny fingers massaging her lady's scalp.
"To an old man on the brink of death, everything seems urgent," Narcissa laughed but much to her surprise Gloria didn't do the same and instead, went completely still and silent. And then she realized her handmaiden was afraid of Walder Frey. He may have been an old man, but he wasn't exactly known for kindness, especially when it came to servants. "You send the raven and I will talk to Walder after this bath."
-/-/-/-
Just like she had expected, Walder Frey was sitting on his small, brittle throne in the grand hall. He looked ridiculous but Narcissa doubted he'd care to hear her opinion. "Grandfather," Narcissa announced arrogantly, suddenly appearing in front of him and not bothering with a curtesy.
"Your mother didn't manage to teach you any manners before falling ill, did she?" Walder Frey sneered before trying to sit up straight and failing miserably. Narcissa looked at him with curiosity, wondering how such an ugly man could have been blessed with such a beautiful daughter as her mother. She thought long and hard about it, yet she could not come up with an answer.
"And yet, somehow, you still asked to be graced with my unmannered presence. Curious man you are, grandfather." Narcissa said, almost spitting out the last word before reconsidering. He might have been an old man, but she couldn't deny that he was intimating when he sat there on the stage towering over her short height.
"I'm afraid I will not be cursed with your presence for long, my child," Walder Frey spoke confidently and Narcissa frowned at his words. "I'm marrying you off tomorrow."
All of a sudden, laughter filled the room and tears threatened to spill out of Narcissa's brown eyes. "You're funny, old man," Narcissa managed to say as she tried to calm down but Walder didn't appear amused. "Sorry to disappoint you, but you have no right to make such arrangements for me. You're not my father."
"I am your grandfather and you are my granddaughter. You will do as I say." Narcissa thought about his words for a couple of seconds. He did have a point, she conceded. Cosimo de Medici being from Essos, Walder Frey held the power to marry her off in Westeros.
"Or what?" Narcissa dared the old man, cocking her eyebrows and calling out his bluff. She had money, she could easily take her horses and ride out of the Twins in less than an hour.
"Or little Gloria and little Piero will find themselves without a head." Walder Frey said firmly before getting up from the ridiculous throne and walking past Narcissa, straight to the door. "I'm sure you'll be on your best behavior as you meet Lord Stark at dinner tonight."
Narcissa stood there in the middle of large room, blankly staring at the weirdly decorated chair Walder had just vacated. Cursed be the day she decided to come to Westeros, Narcissa thought, angry at herself. If she had known what was going on, she would never have been so polite with Lady Stark this morning.
Seething, Narcissa walked into her bedroom and started throwing her belongings into her trunk. Tears threatened her eyes but she had always been too proud to cry with anything but laughter. Speaking with a guard on her way there, Narcissa had discovered Gloria and Piero had been locked in a cell and were only to be released once the wedding took place the following day.
Soon enough, a girl Narcissa had never met walked into her bedchambers and started getting her ready for dinner. She tried to pin up her hair and then braid it, but Narcissa's hair was too short for any of that. "Which dress will you wear tonight, my lady?" The young girl asked hesitantly, not knowing Narcissa would never strike a servant.
"Whichever one you pick."
The girl picked out an olive green dress with golden ornaments and Narcissa put it on without comment. At this point, she was beyond caring and when she walked down the steep staircase to the grand hall, she didn't bother paying attention to her steps. Falling down and breaking her neck didn't seem like a bad predicament anymore.
"Finally, she blesses us with her presence," Walder Frey announced theatrically as Narcissa walked into the room which hosted a lot more men than she had thought physically possible. At once, everyone stood up and although she found that utterly ridiculous, she didn't say a word as she walked up to Walder Frey's elevated table.
"Lady Narcissa, I'm happy to see you again," Catelyn Stark greeted her warmly before kissing her cheek. "Let me introduce you to my son, Lord Robb Stark," she said as a tall man with broad shoulders suddenly appeared next to her.
Due to their height difference, Narcissa had to raise her head to look at him and when she did, she found that he was already looking at her. He had sparking blue eyes, topped with wild curls on his head and a short beard surrounding his lips. She had to admit that had she met him under different circumstances, she might have been tempted to flirt with him and attempted to find out more about him. But the circumstances were these and she would wed him tomorrow, whether she wanted it or not.
"My lady," Lodd Stark said coarsely before bending to kiss the hand she had held out for him.
"My lord," Narcissa whispered back. They stood facing each other in awkward silence until Walder declared it was time to eat.
Much to her dismay, she found herself squeezed between her grandfather and her soon-to-be husband. The table was obviously much too small for the amount of people sitting around it. Robb Stark started talking to the young man sitting in front of him, and Narcissa let herself relax. She looked around the room and found that there weren't nearly enough servants for the amount of diners, and decided to help herself.
She had merely stretched out her arms over the table, when Robb Stark grabbed the tray she was trying to reach and silently started pilling food in her plate. She turned her head to face him, her eyebrows cocked but Robb Stark replied with a small smile. "My men are hungry. Within minutes, these trays will be empty and you would be left to starve, my lady."
"That is very thoughtful of you, my lord. But I happen not to eat meat," Narcissa explained as she moved the chicken in her plate to Robb Stark's.
"She sounds like a bore, Robb," the young man in front of Robb Stark scoffed impolitely, staring at her. "She may be easy on the eyes but I'd choose another Frey if I were you." He said, smirking at Narcissa.
"Theon!" Both Lady Catelyn and Lord Robb Stark indignantly shouted at once but the Theon guy kept the smug look on his face.
"Dear Theon, I hope my words do not offend you, but I believe the most carnivorous lady in the world would refuse your meat, even if it meant starving." Narcissa said before eating her vegetables. Next to her, Lord Stark chuckled.
Once most had finished eating, music was played and a handful of people started dancing on the other end of the room. Others, gathered around in small groups to chatter away.
"Would you dance with me, my lady?" Robb Stark whispered into Narcissa's ear, hoping to be heard through the noise. For a split second, she was tempted to agree but she quickly came back to her senses.
"I apologize, my Lord, but I have some packing to do," Narcissa politely declined before standing up abruptly. She wasn't looking forward to the tedious task, but it needed to be done and without Gloria's help, it would take her longer. It's not like she was enthusiastic about leaving under these circumstances.
"Then at least allow me to accompany you to your chambers, Lady Narcissa," Robb Stark offered, but she knew better than to say no. Silently, she linked her arm with his and together they exited the room. She wondered if they ought to have a chaperone but it seemed ridiculous to appoint one now, considering they would be wed in a few hours.
"My mother told me of your quick wit," Robb Stark admitted once the noise from the great hall faded away. They had been walking in silence and Narcissa had been figuring out the quickest way to her chambers.
"I do hope that's not the reason you chose me, my lord," Narcissa said absentmindedly as they entered a corridor she had never been in before and realized she was actually lost.
"And why not, my lady?" Lord Stark asked with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
"It gets old rather quickly and soon you will resent me for it, my lord," Narcissa admitted. That's what Lorenzo always said, a snarky line a day was okay, but any more and it became a bore. However, next to her, Robb Stark chuckled even though she hadn't intended to be funny.
"I'd much rather have an annoying wife, than a dull one, my lady," Robb Stark confessed, squeezing her arm a little tighter before going silent, hoping Narcissa would pick up the conversation. But she didn't and silence surrounded them.
Robb looked down at his betrothed though from this angle, he could only see the top of her brown head. She seemed to have forgotten the way to her chambers but he didn't wish to offend her by pointing it out, so he let himself follow her all the while memorizing their steps.
"Why do you wear your hair so short, Narcissa?" Her name slipped before he could take it back and call her 'my lady'. For a moment, he thought to correct it but he reminded himself that by this time tomorrow she would be his wife and he'd like to address his wife by her given name.
"I'd rather be cold, than warm," The small woman next to him explained, looking straight ahead before sighing in relief, most likely finally recognizing where they were. "And there is very little I dislike more than a warm neck, my lord."
Somehow, he was disappointed she hadn't followed suit and called him by his name. Maybe she needed his permission to do so? "You do seem to be rather pragmatic," Robb chuckled. "And please, you may call me Robb."
Narcissa stopped by a door, most likely her bedchambers. "If you take no offense, I'd rather call you by your title, my lord," Narcissa said before untangling their arms and moving away to face him. While she was more than petite in height, her body was a curvy one and Robb Stark had to admit his mother was right, she would have no trouble bearing his children.
"No offense taken," Robb Stark said reassuringly though it wasn't exactly true. Why was she so keen on keeping this distance between them? She looked up at him expectantly, most likely waiting for him to bid her goodnight and let her be. And yet he was left wondering if her skin always appeared so golden, or if it was only due to the dim light. "My mother found a Godswood nearby, but if you prefer a Sept, I won't mind."
Narcissa frowned at his words, desperately trying to remember the time her father had spoken them too. And then it came to her. She finally remembered that while most Westerosi men worshipped the Seven, the Northerners prayed to the Old Gods. Narcissa hadn't been brought up according to any specific faith. She remembered Cosimo saying once that if there was a God, then he'd done a very poor job. "The Godswood's fine, my lord. I shall respect your faith."
"You do not seem very eager to marry me?" Robb Stark asked hesitantly. He knew the girl would have no choice in the matter, but he had expected her to at least be happy to leave the Twins and marry into a noble family. And yet, in front of him, Narcissa only mastered a meager smile.
"I am not," she admitted, upholding his gaze. "But worry not, my lord. I shall do as is expected of me."