Chapter 40
"What do you mean they're wed," questioned Robb as he stared at his wife's kin. The woman sighed impatiently and turned to kick her feet up onto the table in front of her. Robb eyed out her boot-clad legs with a bit of disdain. She had rode into Casterly Rock, ordered the men around and walked into the meeting room as though she had conquered the castle.
"I don't know how it could get any simpler than I already stated," she took out a dagger and twirled it around in her hand. "Your sister wed that Imp, Wolf."
"It's Your Grace to you," Lord Glover grabbed her boot and threw it off the table. "And sit properly."
"Show a little decorum when you're in front of your King, my Lady," Ser Perwyn added to ease the tension.
Robb sighed and motioned for her to continue. He knew that the men didn't feel comfortable around those of House Martell - especially since they had entered the Twins with little less than a scratch on them. It was also well known that Prince Oberyn and his daughters were less than tactful when stating their mind or opinions on things.
"We received a visitor - a whore to be precise," she said before glancing around the room, "forgive my choice of words." Robb didn't miss how she rolled her eyes before turning to look back at him across the table. "She worked for Petyr Baelish."
At the mention of Baelish, half the room erupted into chaos.
"Now hold on, let the Lady finish," she held up her hand and smiled as they calmed. "As I was saying this woman worked for Petyr Baelish in profession. But as of recent, she has been spying for Lord Varys - a member of the Small Council," she added as Robb narrowed his eyes. "Both men, your wife does not trust. And therefore she almost sent the wench back to the Capital," the Sand waved her hand dismissively. "That was until the woman gave your wife a letter - a letter from your sister - explaining that by the time we receive it, she would have been wed to Lord Tyrion Lannister."
"And Lord Tywin is sending Sansa here," Greatjon turned to Robb.
"He stated she could not leave," Lady Dacey reminded him.
"And now we know why," Jory faced him. "If they've been wed for some time, it could be possible that your sister may very well be carrying a Lannister hei..."
Robb stood up causing everyone to stop. "I can still take my sister back - wed or not, with child or not!"
Obarra Sand smiled and went to stand as well. She leaned her hands on the table, staring him down. "Your wife has also given me a decree naming Lord Tyrion and Lady Sansa, Lord and Lady of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West. And in return for Tyrion's life - this is the part where you do not make your sister a widow at such an early part of her marriage - and all the titles that come with it, he will bend the knee for House Lannister and all those in the Westerlands."
A few of the Lords and guards in them were taken aback briefly before glancing towards their King.
He shook his head and looked down at the table. Had Nysa concocted this plan while she was at the Twins?
"Rhaenys believes that with Sansa here and with a Lannister being the Lord of Casterly Rock, it might make for a more willing and submissive crowd when she names her brother, Rhaegon Targaryen, as the King of the four or three reminaing Kingdoms," Obarra pushed back.
"A bold move but also dangerous," Greatjon nodded.
"Your wife is slowly becoming aware of the politics that it will take to defeat Tywin and Cersei. I don't know if you know this, your Grace," she added while winking at Lord Glover next to her who blinked in response before turning away. "You will reclaim the North - your men are well on their way there. That much is certain. Traitors will be snuffed out and dealt with. You have men from the Riverlands, Houses from the Westerlands are slowly bending the knee - one by one they're falling. You have the support of House Martell with you also," she gave a showy bow in his direction before turning to look out the window. "But you'll need to have control of all of Westeros. Your son, your son's sons," she emphasized as she stuck her hand outside and let the sunlight dance on the dagger in her palm. "They'll never know peace until the Lion has been declawed."
"My Queen," Smalljon burst into the room, followed by Lyra and Tyta. "An army approaches."
"From the South," Lady Catelyn calmly stood up, trying to keep her demeanor serene in the hopes to placate Nysa and the other young women in the room.
"Yes, my Lady," Smalljon nodded. "I have readied horses for all of you."
Gods! Robb was right, Nysa thought. If something was to happen, he said that Smalljon was under strict orders to get her, Lady Catelyn and Arya out of there and safely back to the North. But what about everyone else? She couldn't abandon the women in this castle to be subjected to whatever cruelty awaited them. And what if it wasn't cruelty? What if this was another Martell army or someone from the Riverlands?
"Wait," Nysa commanded as she handed the little Prince to Marissa. "Whose banners do they have?"
"Lannister, my Queen," Lyra replied, out of breath. "They'll surround the Twins by sunrise."
"Only the Southern gates," Tyta stepped forward. "It would be best if you escape through the Northern tunnels now. The sun is setting as we speak."
"Under the cover of darkness, they won't see you," Lyra reminded her.
She gripped her chest and turned to look at her son. What about Oswell and Jeyne at Harrenhal? How did a Lannister army get past them? And more importantly where was there support from the other Riverland Houses? Surely, House Tully wouldn't have left her abandoned. Was this their plan all along? She had just sent her cousin with a small army to Casterly Rock to inform Robb of Sansa's questionable circumstances.
Seven Hells! Robb was in Casterly Rock with an army. And she had House Martell here with her. It wasn't enough. And somehow Tywin Lannister had played it well. Send Sansa to Casterly Rock to distract the King, while the Queen was unguarded back at the Twins. They weren't going to survive this time.
"I still do not understand why we are speaking of this," Smalljon marched forward and grabbed Marissa's arm roughly, pulling her forward. "Let's go! Move," he shouted.
Harrion played with the ends of her hair. Leila smiled against his chest, tracing her hand against the scarred wound that was afflicted on him nearly a moon or two ago. He wasn't handsome as Ser Jamie. But she adored the brown locks on his head, was pleased with his devilish smirk, his deep laughter, dark eyes and rugged physique. While her cousins and brothers were knights and men who danced during feasts, Harrion was a soldier - a man who would do all of his dancing on the battlefield and later with her wrapped in the furs.
"What are you thinking," he moved, pressing his lips into her hair.
The muscles and movement reminding her that this was indeed a man, not some pompous knight. She smiled again and lifted her head up look up at him. "You," she whispered.
"I sure hope so," his hand moved to caress her breast. "Or else that means I'm doing something wrong," he growled as she squirmed pleasantly out of his hold.
"Maybe you are." Leila moved to sit up, carefully to pull the sheets with her. Unfortunately, Harrion was quick.
He gripped onto the sheet, "What did you say, my fair lady? You want me to get rid of these sheets and have you stay in my room naked?"
"You wouldn't dare," she narrowed her eyes, but Harrion could see that she was playing with him.
A small tugging on her end and a playful smile on his end, and the next thing Leila knew, she was under Harrion as they wrestled playfully on the featherbed. She had never felt so alive, so dangerous, so cherished. Harrion didn't see her name, her House. All that he saw was her.
He just leaned down to brush his lips against hers when the door slammed open.
How embarrassing!
Leila pushed at his shoulder and moved to try and cover herself, but Harrion on the other hand remained still as he looked over at their intruder. Before anything could be said, she noticed that someone appeared right above them. She lifted her head to see the King of the North.
"I am glad to see that you are well, Lord Karstark."
"Lord," Leila mumbled in shock. She had forgot that Harrion was of noble birth, forgot that they were on two sides of the war, forgot that... She looked up as he glanced down at her. "Forgive me, my Lord."
Harrion didn't like the tone of her voice, it changed. It felt more reserved, more quiet. She quickly took her discarded undergarments and gown and hurried out before he could stop her. He watched her with a careful eye, knowing that his King was watching him also. He wasn't sure what he was experiencing with the young woman, but he never wanted it to end.
"She's a Lannister," the young Wolf smiled.
"How do you know," Harrion asked, although a part of him already knew her birth and circumstance.
"Because of how the servants look at her. I am trying to decipher whose daughter or sister she is."
"And you've discovered nothing as of yet," Harrion pushed away from the bed, climbing to his feet as he dressed himself. The King slowly walked around the room until he was out on the same balcony that he and Leila had been sitting at a couple days ago.
"My sister, Sansa. I had hoped to give her hand to you when she was returned to Casterly Rock."
Harrion tugged on his breeches before glancing at the King in surprise. Sansa Stark wasn't a maiden to easily throw here and there. She was a Lady, a Lady from a great House - and his King's sister. She would be highly prized as a bride. But instead of feeling honored that the King would give his sister to him, he felt a tightening deep in his gut. How would this affect Leila? And what in gods name was the reason for the sudden thoughts of Leila?
"Lord Tywin, however, has seem to have played a game on me," the King continued. "He has wed my sister to the Imp."
"He wouldn't," Harrion growled.
"He has," the King nodded and turned to glance at Harrion before looking back out over Casterly Rock's grounds. "She is Lady Sansa Lannister now, it would seem. And Nysa, forgive me, Queen Rhaenys," the King said with a smile, "has declared her the Lady of Casterly Rock. So, my intention of bringing my sister back to the North is now null and void. And you are free to wed whom you please."
"The Lannister whore and I were just having some fun," Harrion tried to clarify. Again, the tightening in his gut for calling Leila such a derogatory term. She was a Lady, she was beautiful and smart and charming and witty and vivacious and...
"Is that all that she is to you?"
"Yes, your Grace."
"Is you wish to wed her, then..."
"I barely even remember her name."
"There is no need to lie."
"What concern is it to you, my King, who shares my bed?"
Robb Stark chuckled before turning to Harrion, a serious expression on his face. "Other than Jory Cassel, you are the only other person here whom my wife cherishes as a brother, as her family. Not Prince Oberyn Martell or his daughters - who are deceiving little things," he mumbled the last part. "She has the Ladies whom she keeps close, most of it I believe is for companionship and advice. But you," Robb stepped closer, "she would want to see safe, want to see happy."
A tortured look took over the King's face and Harrion could only assume that the King was thinking of his Queen's love for Torrhen. He remembered watching her scream insults at him at Harrenhal, declaring her love for Torrhen. Nysa had told Harrion that she still thinks of Torrhen. Oh, she has love for her King. But it never erased his brother from her heart and that must be something that the King was thinking of now.
"My King, you ought to not trouble yourself with the past," Harrion began. "The Queen loves you very much."
"I know she does," his lips twitched into a smile and he nodded. "But she has often argued about House Karstark's worth - not only in the North but to House Stark as well. She got me to confess that I slighted your father because of Torrhen."
Harrion had to smile, because it sounded like something Nysa would do.
"She also reminded me that it was House Kartstark that came to my aid, you were one of the first ones to lay down your sword and declare me your King."
"And House Karstark will always be loyal to its King and the North," Harrion gave a slight bow.
"I'm sure of that," the King agreed with a nod. "I'm also sure that the Queen has thought much of how to reward your loyalty to me, to her," Robb clarified, knowing that much of House Karstark followed Nysa more than they followed him. "Harrion, at one time, you would have become her brother by law. My father wrote a letter giving her Greenhall - or any holdfast of her choosing - when she was to wed Torrhen. They were waiting for Prince Doran's approval. And I have no doubt in my mind that Nysa would have chosen him over any other Lord or Knight that her Uncle would have offered from the South. You are the only thing she has to remind her of him. And the prize of wedding the King's sister wouldn't have been enough to repay you."
"I would have been honored to accept her hand," Harrion bowed.
"But since that has been taken out of the equation," the King shook his head before glancing back at Harrion. "I think my Queen will agree when she says that you should be allowed any bride of your choosing. I would annul my sister's marriage if given the chance, but with her being the Lady of Casterly Rock..."
"You would have claim of this castle," Harrion nodded, knowing his King's intentions.
"Therefore, I will say this," Robb stepped close and glanced at the door quickly. "If you want to wed the Lannister girl, you may."
"She's a lion," Harrion gritted his teeth. "My House will never accept her."
"Is that the only thing you fear," Robb asked. "Because I'm quite sure that the Queen will support you."
"A part of me fears her thoughts as well," he admitted. "And not only that, I'm not completely certain that I want to make Leila my wife, the Lady of Karhold," he said as Robb smiled. Harrion shook his head. "And yes, I know her name," he growled before turning away.
Harrion liked Leila, liked her enough to keep company with her. It was easy to forget that she was a Lannister when she would kiss him with such passion and whisper his name in the dark. And a part of him would argue that he should be rewarded what was due to him, that House Karstark should be repaid in kind for defending their Queen, demand that the Princess Stark be made his bride. But he didn't want Sansa Stark. A prize she most certainly was, but not to him - not to the man.
"I can see that there is much to think of," Robb acknowledged. "I came to inform you that my sister comes and if you desire it, I can - and have the power - to annul the marriage. My wife may desire Casterly Rock's fealty, but there are other ways to declaw the lion. And if you don't want my sister, it does not mean that you must take the Lannister."
"I don't even know if she would have me," Harrion looked down. "I fight against her House. At one time I would have taken a sword to her, Lady or not."
"And now," the King asked.
And now, Harrion wasn't so sure, he wanted to answer. His fist clenched before releasing. A Lannister killed his brother. And that same Lannister was at the Twins, with a missing hand and walking with a limp. The Queen had been right. Death was too easy a punishment. When his father wanted to murder those Lannister boys, she shouted that their deaths wouldn't bring Torrhen back. They were just to hurt to admit it.
Killing the Kingslayer wouldn't bring Torrhen back, wouldn't have put Rhaenys Targaryen in Torrhen's arms with a Karstark as heir to the Iron Throne. No, killing the Kingslayer would only serve one purpose - another dead Lannister. And at the time, he and Robb Stark would have been content to fill all of Westeros with slain Lannister. Watching the Kingslayer limp around and cuddle his arm close to his body, wincing with every movement made Harrion smile. The Kingslayer would suffer the same way he and Nysa would have to suffer for the loss of Torrhen.
House Bolton, however, would receive their just punishment. Lord Bolton would die for committing such an act. He conspired to murder the Queen and her unborn child - a child that at one time might have been Torrhen's. He murdered his father for choosing to defend the Queen, for staying loyal to the King and House Stark. The Lady Bolton could live, know the pain of being a widow - the same pain his mother now faced.
But Leila?
"Right now," Harrion sighed, "I like the Lady enough to spend time with her. But to make her my Lady, Lady of Karhold," Harrion shook his head. "It would take a lot of forgiveness on my part and I don't know if I have that in me."
"War often blinds us to the other duties we have in our life. You are more than just a soldier fighting for the North, you are Lord of Karhold now. It's another reason why I thought to discuss the matter with you in private before my sister comes, before I make a final decision."
Harrion nodded. It was all he could do.
"I will leave the decision up to you, Harrion. If you choose my sister as your prize, then so be it. She would gladly come back home to the North. At the same time, I know Prince Oberyn would throw a fit. He really wanted her for Prince Quentyn Martell. But your loyalty should be rewarded first. The North Remembers," Robb Stark stated. "And if you should choose the Lannister, then I'll support your decision."
He stepped closer and Harrion turned to look at him.
"You best find out where her loyalty lies," he warned.
Queen Rhaenys Targaryen sat upon her horse, standing right outside the Northern gate of the Twins. She had basically thrown a ball of fire at Smalljon before pulling her horse away to wait at the front of the Twins.
Nymeria Sand at her right and Tyta Frey at her left, while Lyra Mormont had archers at the ready behind her. She had sent Ser Barristan forward to inform whoever was in charge that she wanted to speak with them.
"Negotiate the terms of their surrender," Ser Barristan asked in confusion.
"Yes," she replied and held her head high.
"You have your father's compassion, your mother's kindness, House Martell's coloring," he stated. "But I'm afraid you also have some Targaryen madness in you."
"Excellent," she said without taking her eyes off of the campfires that lit around the Twins, "I'm going to need all the madness I can get right now. I'm about to make a deal with the devil himself."
And so they waited for Ser Barristan's return - for anybody's return. There was also a slim chance that he would be taken prisoner. Ser Barristan knew that when he argued that it should be him, instead of another guard to go and deliver the news. A few of those from the North didn't trust him to go and meet with House Lannister. Rhaenys on the other hand was confident that sending Ser Barristan would get their attention. He supported House Targaryen, supported Lord Stark's desire to place her - or possibly Jon - on the Iron Throne.
"My Queen," Tyta moved on her horse.
Ser Donnel Locke motioned from the trees with Arya, Gendry and Nymeria - the direwolf, and of course a small group of men. On the opposite side, Corgan Blackwood had another group of men. They would close in whomever came to discuss terms.
Rhaenys was shocked when Tyta pointed out Lord Tywin Lannister himself coming through the fields astride his horse and some of his bannermen. She turned to Nymeria Sand who nodded in reply and motioned for Ser Donnel and his group to move forward. Rhaenys walked forward to meet Lord Tywin, glancing over her shoulder at Lyra. An angry Smalljon made his presence known by riding on his horse behind Tyta.
She smiled as he shook his head in disapproval, before kicking her horse into a gallop.
"My Queen Rhaenys," Lord Tywin dipped his head in a short bow as his horse - and only his - came forward to meet her. "You are rather brave to face me out here - alone and unguarded."
"Why is that, my Lord? Are you going to command your knights to sneak into the castle to rape and murder me," she questioned. "Oh wait, you already did that to my mother," she smiled before letting out a laugh. "And I forgot, I already killed those two knights."
His smile only became more pronounced. And despite how dark it was, she could see the gleam in the Lion's eye.
"Very bold, my Queen, to speak to me in such a manner."
"I think it is about time that someone has. Which reminds me, forgive me, if you will not be receiving the hospitality of the Twins at this moment," she commented.
"I understand my son is there."
"Perhaps."
Lord Tywin smiled as his horse slowly circled Rhaenys'. She tried not to let it show that she was frightened. Lord Tywin was impressive. She remembered being scared in his presence before. It did no good to show fear then and it would do no good to her now.
"I understand that you've had a son also."
Rhaenys turned her head sharply at him, her eyes narrowing at the mention of her little Ned.
"I will make a trade, a son for a son," Lord Tywin commented.
"You do not have my son to bargain with."
"Oh but I do hold his life at my fingertips."
"And how do you figure that?"
Lord Tywin's horse stopped right in front of Rhaenys. "Because with one snap of my fingers, my men will march forward, destroy the Twins and everyone in it. If I don't, then your son gets to live. But that all depends on you, and of course returning my son to me."
"Your son is on his way to Casterly Rock. And I believe his wife will soon become Lady of Casterly Rock."
"My child," he chuckled. "I've been doing this for far longer than you have. Believe me when I say that I have destroyed your House once before. I will do it again."
"I'd like to see you try," Rhaenys dared him. She felt the flames from where Ser Donnel and Corgan had started in the woods, felt them heat up her veins, her blood and realized that this is what the words of her House meant. "Fire and Blood," she whispered as she closed her eyes and felt the burn spread through her.
When her eyes opened, the flames shot up in the sky and burned brightly, causing Lord Tywin's horse to startle, taking a few trots backwards. The men he had brought with him rushed forward, swords drawn. Rhaenys slowly lifted in the air, her arms outstretched as she felt the tug of the flames and released a screech. She remembered the pain of seeing Lord Karstark die and added that to the grief of never knowing her mother and father, the fear of standing in front of the man who orchestrated her mother and brother's deaths.
Lyra gasped when seeing the flames light up the sky, giving sight as to how vast the Lannister army was. She pushed away from her post and gestured for the guards to aim to the left.
"Archers at your ready," Lyra lifted her bow as the first wave of guards came through the woods.
Nymeria Sand also turned her horse to the left and cheered the fighters of House Martell forward as they launched towards the Lannister guards.
From the gate, Smalljon and Tyta - along with the guards under their command - trotted forward towards their Queen. Tyta's role was to capture Lord Tywin. Proud that her Queen had entrusted her with such a goal, she smiled as the guards moved to protect their Lord. She always loved a challenge.
"Prince," Pyp choked a laugh. "And so you've been pardoned from your service at the Wall? I didn't think that could be done."
Jon sighed heavily and looked down at the table. "Apparently the Queen declared it so."
"Queen," Pyp chuckled again, "the same maiden who wrote you love letters."
"They weren't love letters."
"Sure they weren't."
The two of them chuckled before the doors slammed open. A few of the guards jumped at attention when Osric came rushing inside.
"What is it?"
"The young Lord Reed is stating that there is an army approaching from the North and also from the East and the South," Osric answered.
"The same army," Pyp questioned.
Osric shook his head as he turned to pull a man - tied up and beaten. Osric threw the man in front of him and spat on the ground. "Our scouts found him. He's from House Bolton. It seems that they have attack Karhold, Last Hearth and are on their way to Winterfell."
At mention of the other Houses coming under attack, Jon walked over to Osric. "Any word about..."
"No casualties," Osric gritted through his teeth, "at least none of our end. House Bolton, however," he looked down and kicked the man. "They've come for Winterfell, come to finish the job that their Lord has done in the Riverlands."
"Traitors," one of the nearby guards shouted and spat on the ground as well.
"You're a traitor for abandoning your post," the man looked at Jon. "You're no Prince of the North. A true Northerner would have stand his guard at the Wall, would never have left if the North needed him. Your responsibility..."
"Do not talk to me of responsibility, traitor," Jon stated. "My father would have had..."
"Your father fucked your mother of a whore. You're only half Northerner, the other half of you is a bastard. Always has been, always will be."
"He's a Prince now," Osric grabbed his shirt.
"Declared by whom? A traitor to the Iron Throne? A Queen who is a bastard herself?"
"Get him out of here," Jon instructed. "Silence him down in the dungeons. I don't want to hear any more of the filth that spews out of his mouth."
Jon marched outside just as Osric was picking up the man and carrying him off. He looked around to see a few guards - a small scouting party - were patting their horses and catching their breath from riding and fighting - defending the North form traitors and Ironborn. He nodded towards Ronnel Woods as the man dismounted his horse. Ronnel looked warily at the other guards before giving Jon a slight bow.
"You've met our prisoner, my Prince," Ronnel asked.
"Aye," Jon bristled before looking around.
"It's a weak challenge," he shook his head. "We'll put them in their place."
"No, I should be the one to do it."
"Will all due respect, my Prince," one of the guards spoke up, "we are here to serve House Stark, serve our King and Queen, protect the North. And that is why we follow you. We are under your command because they have placed you there. To listen to such speech would mean that we stand with traitors. And we are not the dishonorable sort."
"I need to show House Bolton that I'm not afraid of them," Jon responded. "Bran and Rickon are back," he glanced at the Keep. "There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. And now there is. I should be out there fighting."
Lady Catelyn kept her grandson close to her, wrapped tightly as they hid in the guarded room. It wasn't heavily guarded because Catelyn demanded that all the guards protect the Queen. She had a few Ladies and maidens in there with her. They offered up their prayers to the Mother, the Maiden - even the Warrior. She turned her head towards the door as she heard shouts.
The door was locked from the inside and they were given instructions to exit through the waterway should they hear anyone get through the gate.
She always thought that Robb would be the one they would attack. She should have known. They all should have known.
"Robb," Sansa whispered with a smile as she entered the yard. And despite her soft voice, her joy could be seen from him as he stood at the top of the steps.
She had grown, Robb thought. She looked an awful lot like their mother, beautiful and ever the Lady. She donned a red gown, something that he quite couldn't wrap his mind around at the moment. At least she was here, at least she was safe. He nodded towards Jory next to him as the man disappeared and went to retrieve Sansa's wedding gift.
The night before they had arrived, Harrion had confirmed that he would not be asking for Sansa's hand. Casterly Rock was important to the King and Queen. If Sansa stayed wed to the Imp, she would be Lady of the castle and therefore a trusted ally. Harrion, however, still had not thought of what to do with Leila. She could always reject him, they were after all, on opposite ends of the war. And this was a war, men often lost themselves during war.
Leila was a highborn, a Lannister at that, and therefore should have been treated with respect. Harrion had not thought nothing about her maiden's blood until now. He would split the man in two who dared to take his sister to bed and not wed her in the morning to protect her honor. But what did he care about Leila's honor? She was a Lannister. At least that's what he told himself when she had not made her presence known since Robb had walked in on them.
The Imp was the first to dismount and nodded towards one of the guards that had accompanied them to carry his wife down. Robb saw the little man looking about the yard, taking in the scene of Northern, Riverland and Martell guards scattered about Casterly Rock.
It was a beautiful sight to Robb.
"Brother," Sansa shouted in glee, picking up the bottom of her dress and running forward towards him.
He smiled and opened his arms as she launched herself into them. It wasn't but a second later that she quickly withdrew - the Lady in her always ready to be presentable.
"Forgive me," she said, flushed and breathless. "It is my King now," Sansa added with a curtsy.
"King or not, we are kin, my Lady," he nodded to her. "And there is no need for formality with kin."
Her bottom lip trembled slightly before she threw her arms around his shoulders again. He held his sister close and wish with everything in him that he could take away her pain - the pain she had to go through all alone, when Arya and Nysa had escaped and left her at the hands of Joffrey and Cersei. No one could have known what she had gone through when they made her watch their father's trial, when they had discarded her, cast her aside for House Tyrell. What had his beloved sister gone through? They were by no means close when growing up, but for some reason the time apart had drawn them closer.
"I missed you," Sansa whispered as Robb felt her tears wet his neck. "I missed all of you, even Arya," she said as they both laughed.
Sansa pulled back and Robb took in the sight of his sister's tears. Their mother should have been here. But he couldn't risk it.
"How is she?"
"Arya is her usual self. There is talk of betrothing her to House Martell."
"Prince Quentyn," Sansa seemed surprised and also slightly jealous. But before Robb could comment on the matter, Sansa smiled. "I fear he would not live to his wedding night."
"I fear the same," Robb chuckled. "And therefore all talk of that has been null and void. Although, she does have her eye on a smith."
"House Smyth," Sansa questioned. "I've never heard of..."
"A smith, a blacksmith," Robb clarified for her.
"I'm sure they share a love of swords," she rolled her eyes, causing Robb to laugh. Yes, his sisters may have missed one another, may also love one another. But there were in no way, best of companions. "And what of your Queen," Sansa posed this time. "There is talk at the Capital that she is a..."
"Targaryen," Robb finished as his eyes shifted towards the Imp who slowly made his way to the front as the two siblings reunited with one another. "I wonder what sort of talk there truly is about my Queen."
"Word of her lineage and claim to the Iron Throne, young Wolf," Tyrion Lannister answered. "I believe the last time we met, I was requesting to be shown the hospitality of your home. And now it seems that you're still to show me hospitality. But this time it is my own home."
Robb smirked and nodded. "We are under strict orders from the Queen that not a hair on your head or a nail on your toe is to be harmed."
"Ah, well," Tyrion Lannister smiled, "since it is the Queen who offers her hospitality then I will accept."
Robb narrowed his eyes at Tyrion before turning towards Sansa. "If you wish for me to annul this marriage, if you are not with child then..."
"I am not with child," Sansa blushed and looked down at her feet.
"Forgive me, sister, for being too forward and in such company as my Lords," he looked to Harrion Karstark and a few others who stood beside him, eyeing Tyrion Lannister with contempt.
"Nonsense," she linked her arm with Robb's and then turned to Tyrion, a pained look on his brow. Did Robb truly mean it? With his word, could she be free of House Lannister, free to wed a Knight or Lord of her choosing? Then again, it would not be of her choosing now would it? "We will talk of matters, later."
"Of course," Robb nodded and lifted his arm, ready to guide her and the Imp inside. "But first," he paused and turned behind them as Jory Cassel came out from a door.
"Jory," Sansa smiled and was ready to go to hug him. Before she could, her eyes turned to see who walked in behind Jory. She covered her mouth in shock. Her watery eyes turned to her brother, who nodded and slowly released her hand. She took a slow step forward before falling to her knees. "Lady!"
Lady yelped excitedly and bounded towards her.
Robb smiled as Lady licked Sansa's face and nudged her body with her snouth, all the while Sansa laughed and wept happily. Behind him, Grey Wind, came to stand at his side. A wolfish grin present on the wolf as well as he witness his sister.