I'm sorry, I forgot to add answers to your questions in the previous chapter. You can find some of the answers in this chapter, like how Talisa died. No, Jon didn't go to the Wall and High Lord is Robb's title because the North has autonomy and he is practically the king.

Chapter 8

Unfortunate accident

"…and they have requested your verdict as soon as possible," one of Robb's scribes said. "How do you wish to respond? My lord?"

"Yes…" Robb murmured absentmindedly. "Yes, I will take care of that as soon as I can."

"Shall I send them a raven or…?"

"I will let you know as soon as I can," Robb stated tensely, trying to hide his annoyance.

"Yes, my lord."

Robb gritted his teeth; he desperately needed some fresh air. He had barely slept at all last night after meeting Lady Minea. His wife. A Lannister. A woman who he had hurt. It didn't matter that she was a Lannister and he had been forced to wed her. None of that justified his behavior. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to face her again. She probably hated and perhaps even feared him. That wasn't a very good ground for a marriage.

Things had been very different with Talisa. She had loved Robb just as much as he had loved her. He would have given his life for her and if he could have taken her place, he would have. She had been an innocent, kindhearted woman who was dead now because he had wed her. He missed her every single day, but he also felt endless guilt for her death.

The assassin had been sent to kill him, not her and their unborn child. At least so Tywin Lannister had assured. Talisa's death had been "an unfortunate accident". Robb hadn't believed that, not for a second. All he would have wanted was to kill every single Lannister, but instead he had been forced to make peace with them. For his family and his people.

The North had the autonomy now, although Robb couldn't call himself the king. Not that he really cared about titles; he had lost what he had held most dear. He could have perhaps handled marrying a daughter of some northern lord, but a Lannister… No, that didn't matter. The girl was his wife now and she would be the mother of his children. He needed to find a way to get along with her. Tiredly he climbed the stairs up to the wall.

"My lord," the guards greeted him and bowed.

"Everything in order here?" he asked.

"Yes, my lord."

"Good."

He often climbed up the wall and took a walk when he needed a moment to clear his thoughts. Suddenly he noticed Jon behind the wall. He was walking with Lady Minea and few guards. Robb frowned, what was Jon doing with her? They were just heading back to Winterfell, Lady Minea was smiling at Jon. And apparently she was wearing his cloak. Robb returned to his study after telling a guard to inform Jon that he wanted to see him. It didn't take long before Jon arrived.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes," Robb stated tensely. "What were you doing with Lady Minea?"

Jon raised an eyebrow.

"She wanted to get to know her new home, so I offered to escort her."

"Why?" Robb asked sharply.

"Do you want to hear the truth?" Jon replied. "I felt sorry for the girl and I am not completely heartless."

Robb pressed his lips together.

"I thought we agreed to find out who she really is…"

"I believe I did that," Jon cut in. "As far as I can tell, there is nothing deceitful about her. She has lived quite a sheltered life in Casterly Rock and spent most of her time in the library. Her dream was to continue her studies and become a scribe."

"She told you all that?"

"Yes, she did."

"And you believe her?"

"Yes, I do," Jon replied. His tone of voice sounded harsher. "I have every reason to believe that she is as innocent as she seems to be."

"She is a Lannister," Robb stated, unwilling to believe his brother.

"She is your wife, Robb. I doubt that she wanted to wed you any more than you wanted to wed her, but you still are a husband and wife. Perhaps you should at least try to show her some kindness."

Robb didn't reply, he really didn't know what to say. His mind was a mess; he didn't even know where to start. Guilt, anger, pain, bitterness… He had a wife who he had never wanted, but she was still his wife. She had been untouched before their wedding night and he had caused her unnecessary pain and distress. A Lannister or not, but he had to admit that she hadn't deserved that. It was his duty as her lord and husband to take care of her welfare. Maybe he would never be able to genuinely care about her, but that didn't really matter.

"So… You spoke with her," Robb stated after a moment of silence.

"Yes," Jon replied.

"What else did she say?"

"Not much. I told her about Winterfell and she told me about Casterly Rock. I'm guessing that it will take a while before she will get used to the cold."

"Hmm. Well, I suppose I should thank you for escorting her."

Jon raised an eyebrow.

"No need to thank me. But if you want to do something for me, talk to your wife. I don't think that would hurt either of you."

Robb stared at the fireplace for a long while after Jon had left. His brother was right; he should at least try to have a civilized conversation with his wife. After a moment of hesitation, he called for a servant.

"Tell Lady Minea that I request her company for the dinner tonight."

"Yes, my lord."

Alright, surely he could do this. Just few polite words. How difficult could that be?