A/N: Hey guys! Here's a new one for you, a much shorter wait than last time ;)

Big thanks to everyone who is still reading, I was so glad to see so many of you. Thanks to all who took the time to read, and extra thanks for those who have reviewed. It is very much appreciated. Hope you enjoy the new chapter!

:)


XXIX: Truth and Timing


Myrcella


"Oh, no," Myrcella's eyes widened and she raised her hand to her mouth. "How sad."

"What's that?" Robb asked from behind her, the sound of his scratching quill slowing.

"One of the townsfolk has passed," she told him, her eyes still following the dark procession as they made their way towards the Godswood. She had been stood in the window waiting for Robb to finish penning his letter so he could accompany her to the Sept when she had spotted the small group making their way from the town. She was wondering if it was anyone she had met, perhaps someone who had been kindly to her?

"How do you know?" Robb asked, his chair scraping back.

"They're taking the poor soul to the Godswood," she said, and in the next moment his hand was on her shoulder as he joined her in the window.

"Oh," his voice was small, and she glanced up at him. His eyes seemed to be shining with emotion, and her brow creased. Robb took everything to do with his people so hard. He had been so distracted lately, and she was sure it was because of the shortage of food at Torrhen's Square. She had hoped that with the departure of a large cart of supplies this morning that his worries would abate somewhat. Now this. She wished she had not drawn his attention to it. As she watched him stare out of the window she tried to search in her mind for something to say, but nothing sounded right in her head.

"Oh!" she was saved the task of finding something comforting to say as the baby jabbed her hard in the ribs.

Robb's attention was drawn at once, his hand mirroring hers as it went to her stomach. "Are you alright?" he asked her, eyes wide with concern, and more than a trace of fear. He was fearing the baby coming more than her, she knew just by looking at him. Her own fear was still there, but anticipation at meeting her baby overwhelmed most of them. She was determined she would live to hold her healthy child in her arms. That was what kept them mostly at bay.

"A hearty kick, that's all," she assured her husband, caressing the back of his hand with her own.

"It won't be long, will it?" he met her eyes.

"Any day," she smiled, and his own mood seemed to lift for a moment.

"You have everything you need?" he raised a brow.

"And more beside it," she smiled again. "I do not think there was ever a woman so looked after."

"Well, you are a queen," he smiled widely.

"Hmm," Myrcella matched his smile, tightening her grip on his hand.

"You still think we have too many nurses, don't you?" he said knowingly, and she smiled sheepishly.

"Am I that obvious?" she asked.

"Just wait until the baby is born before you make any decision," Robb said seriously.

"I will," she promised him. "But I do wish they wouldn't fuss over me so much."

"It's to be expected with your time so close," he soothed.

"Well, at least I have escaped from them for the afternoon," she said.

"Do you still wish to go to the Sept?" he asked.

"Please," she responded. With her time coming closer and closer Myrcella found herself needing the Mother's comfort more often than before.

"Come on then," Robb slipped his hand away from her stomach and offered his arm. She took it gladly and allowed him to steer her from his study. Thankfully they didn't see the matron or any of the nurses on the way out of the keep. Myrcella still felt awkward spending time in their company, but it was becoming harder and harder to avoid them. It made her even more apprehensive about the birth, but she kept reminding herself that Lady Stark would be at her side, and that should she command it the nurses would have to leave. There was no need of them in the chamber with her, she was set on just having the Maester and Lady Stark. Not that she had told anyone of her intentions yet. She would wait until the time came, surely no one would refuse her at such a moment?

If they insisted, then she would allow Jan to come in with her. She was the only one of the nurses who seemed to have an ounce of warmth within her. Once, Myrcella had caught her on her own, and the two of them had talked, and even laughed, until footsteps approached the door and Jan had turned away and become as frosty as the others again. Perhaps she was worried the others would be cruel to her if they discovered she had struck up a friendship with Myrcella. Still, she couldn't understand it. Surely it would be better if they all got along? She shook her head, the second guessing was making it ache.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" Robb's voice drew her attention back to the now.

"Not unless you want to," she smiled.

"I'll help you up the steps, then take a turn about the town," he smiled back.

"I'll say a prayer for that poor soul while I am here," Myrcella said. "I don't suppose you have any idea who it could have been?"

"I'm not sure," he didn't sound entirely truthful. "But doubtless I will soon find out."

"Doubtless," she agreed. "I won't be long."

"Then I won't be either," he pressed a kiss to her forehead as they reached the top of the steps. She smiled in response and watched him make his way down the steps and across the courtyard. There was something strange about his behaviour. Perhaps the news of a death in the town had shaken him. It didn't seem that likely though, several inhabitants had died during the winter so far. While Robb was always sympathetic, he had never been mournful. This though…well, there was something different about him. She determined to get to the bottom of it when he returned to collect her.

With a sigh she turned and made her way into the Sept. She started slightly when she realised she was not alone, but a small smile graced her face when she recognised her good-mother's bowed head. As quietly as she could she made her way to the altar, kneeling down at Lady Stark's side. Her good-mother did not turn her head, and so Myrcella bowed her own head and began her prayers.

They were the same as always, that her baby would be born strong and healthy, and that the Mother would show mercy and allow Myrcella to survive. She thought the words slowly and calmly, promising to raise her child to be good and honest, a boy in the image of his father. A girl to be virtuous and kind, as she had always tried to be herself, at the behest of her Septa. When her back began to ache from the weight of the baby she thanked the Mother and raised her head.

"Do you need a hand?" Lady Stark's soft tones came from behind her at the action.

"I would be foolish to refuse," she replied. "Sometimes I wonder that I may kneel down and never get back up again."

"I'm surprised you're here alone," her good-mother sounded concerned as she helped her to her feet.

"Robb brought me, but then he took a turn about the town. No doubt he will be back soon," she said.

"I'll wait with you until he comes back," Lady Stark said, taking a seat.

"You don't have to do that," Myrcella said, lowering herself down and rearranging her skirts.

"Oh, I do," she smiled. "You ought not to be out of the keep alone when the baby could come at any time. I'm surprised Robb left you here by yourself, given how near to term you are."

"Robb seems…distracted," Myrcella said carefully.

"In what way?" her good-mother asked in concern.

"I don't know, there is just…something," she shook her head.

"Likely it's worry about you and the baby," Lady Stark said soothingly.

"You think that would make him more attentive, not less," Myrcella said.

"Myrcella…" her good-mother started, but seemed at a loss for what to say.

"Do you know something?" Myrcella asked. "Do you know what is troubling him?"

"A great many things, I don't doubt," she said. "You know how testing the winter has been."

"It's more than that, I know it," Myrcella said.

"You ought not to fret, it's not good for you in your condition," Lady Stark cautioned.

"I cannot help but fret, he is my husband and it feels as though he is missing," she shook her head.

"Then you ought to talk to him, tell him how you're feeling," her good-mother told her. Myrcella knew from that that if indeed Lady Stark did know what was wrong with Robb – she would not be telling her what it was.

"Yes," she agreed, somewhat downheartedly.

"Myrcella," Lady Stark lay her hand on top of hers. "Robb loves you, whatever is troubling him, that is a fact that will not have changed."

"Thank you," Myrcella managed a smile as footsteps sounded from behind. She turned her head and saw her husband approaching. A frown pinched at her forehead at once, his eyes seemed bloodshot. Had he been crying?

"I'll leave you to it," Lady Stark murmured to her softly, squeezing her hand before rising up. She squeezed Robb's upper arm and said something to him that Myrcella couldn't catch as she left. It wasn't until her good-mother's footsteps faded away that Myrcella looked up at her husband again.

"Are you ready to come back to the keep?" he asked her, his voice slightly cracked.

"No," she said. "I'd like to stay here a moment. I'd like you to sit with me a while, away from prying eyes and ears."

"As you wish," Robb said. He sounded slightly apprehensive about her request, but he came and sat by her side all the same. Myrcella was distracted from deciding how best to question him by the baby moving rather insistently. It was getting almost painful now, and she knew well enough that the little creature must be running out of room. Not long now.

Robb's hand came to her stomach at her distraction and she took a deep breath before lifting her eyes to meet his. "Would you tell me what it is?" she asked softly. "And please don't say that it's winter, or the baby, or worry for me…I know it isn't. I know there is something. Would you please be honest with me, Robb, I cannot stop imagining the worst."

"It was Ada," he said in a small voice after several moments of quiet.

"What was Ada?" she asked with a frown.

"She died," he said, his voice cracking.

"Oh," her eyes welled with tears before she could stop them. Ada had been kind to her, truly kind, long before she had found herself with child and found the other townsfolk softening. Thom, too, they had both been so kind. Myrcella imagined they had been the closest thing she had to friends here at Winterfell that were not kin to her. Ada had only just had her third baby a few months ago, and now she was gone. Her poor son would never know her, her older boys would likely be distraught without her.

"I'm sorry, I know you were friendly with her," Robb said, his voice thick. It was as though he was fighting back his own emotions. That pierced through her own upset. Robb had never expressed any special fondness for Ada. That had her frowning, and she lifted her head again to look him in the eyes.

"I didn't know you were," she said.

"I -," he seemed to falter, his eyes flickering away from hers. Guilt radiated from him.

"Oh," she said, her voice catching in her throat.

"No," he grabbed her hand. "No…not since you have come here. Not since long before."

"But you and she…?" Myrcella asked him, eyes wide.

"After the wars were over and I returned here I confess I had dark times, and during that darkness I craved comfort, affection. Can you understand that?" he asked pleadingly.

She nodded, her voice seemed to have deserted her. Of course she could understand it. She wasn't stupid. She had never expected Robb to have never laid with any other woman. When she had first come here she had imagined that while she was his wife, he would more than likely take a mistress. More than one, perhaps. He had pledged to be faithful to her, and she believed him. Ada must have meant something to him, though, for him to be so upset about her death. She could tell he was holding back most of his grief for her sake, but the emotion was still obvious to her.

"I knew I was not the first woman to share your bed," Myrcella said. "I never expected to be."

"You are the last woman," he said fiercely, and she nodded.

"She must have meant a lot to you," she voiced her inner feelings, and he visibly took a deep breath.

"During our time together, yes," he said after a moment. "That all finished when she married Thom though. She was meant to be with him, though at the time I confess I did miss her in my life. But then you came, and I know that I am meant to be with you, as she was with him."

"Did you love her?" she asked, barely managing to get the words out.

"No," Robb shook his head, his eyes holding hers. She nodded. She believed him.

"She was a good woman," Myrcella said.

"She was," he agreed with her.

"You will miss her," she continued.

"As a friend, I confess, yes, I will," he nodded, and she bit her lip.

"We ought to make sure her older boys are taken further under Arya's wing," she said after a moment. "Likely they will need an escape from their grief. Besides, if they work hard in the tiltyard then one or both of them may reach a high enough level to become a squire. Perhaps a knight, one day."

"Perhaps," Robb nodded, looking at her rather strangely.

"What is it?" she asked fearfully, worried she had said something wrong.

"You," he shook his head, his hand coming to brush some of her hair back behind her ear. "Your compassion…even after near a year together, it still takes me aback. You are so good, and kind, Myrcella. I don't know what I ever did to deserve you."

"Well, you impressed my grandfather enough that he felt pressed to make a pact with you. That is no mean feat, I think you have done plenty to deserve me," she smiled and he returned it, some of the usual light returning to his eyes.

"I'm sorry I wasn't honest with you about Ada," he said sincerely.

"You didn't want to hurt me," Myrcella said, nodding her understanding. "It was in the past, long before you and I had met again. Long before our marriage, before this," she placed her hands on her stomach.

"I thought about it, on occasion," Robb said. "Telling you, I mean. I wanted to be honest with you. But then, I saw how you were becoming friendly with her, and I knew how much it meant to you to have someone kindly to talk to. I didn't want to spoil that for you, make it awkward."

"You don't have to explain, Robb, you really don't," she assured him, reached her hand up to cup around his cheek.

He turned his head and pressed a kiss to her palm at the action, and she smiled. It already felt as though she had her husband back. The distance between them that she had felt so clearly over the past week had closed up. He was with her again, truly with her. It was almost enough to make her laugh, though the shock over Ada's passing prevented her from doing so.

Robb leaned closer and pressed his lips to her forehead for a lingering moment before he folded her into his arms and held her as close as possible. She let out a breath, leaning her head against his chest and breathing him in. It was a blissful moment and she wanted to savour it for as long as possible. Apparently the baby had other ideas, as it was only a moment before she felt a sharp pain in her stomach and had to pull away from her husband's embrace.

"What is it?" Robb asked as she massaged her stomach.

"I'm not sure," she said in a pained manner, as another twinge panged in her stomach.

"The baby?" he asked.

She could do nothing but nod, the realisation slowly dawning on her. All day she had assumed that the baby was just more lively than usual, that the pains she was feeling were because her little prince or princess was running out of room. Now she thought back though, were they not just duller, lesser pains? Now they were heightened, almost painful enough for her to want to cry out. Certainly painful enough for her to grip Robb's hand hard.

"Myrcella?" he was sounding urgent now, and she forced herself to speak.

"I think – ouch," she cut off as another pain came. "Robb, I think it's coming…"

"Oh…Gods…" his eyes were wide, and he looked around, as though expecting help to suddenly appear out of nowhere. It didn't. They were completely alone here in the Sept, there were not even guards at the doors. Myrcella had been glad of the isolation earlier, wanting time alone with her husband. Now though she was cursing herself for not allowing him to take her back to the keep.

"Come on, let me help you up," Robb said gently, his calm voice not quite masking the panic beneath.

Myrcella allowed him to wrap his strong arms around her, trying to get her legs to cooperate with what her mind wanted to do. She wanted to get back to the keep. She wanted to be in her own bed, surrounded by people who could help her. Her body didn't seem to want to cooperate though, and her knees seemed to buckle after only a few steps.

"Perhaps I could carry you," Robb said, though he sounded worried. She knew he would be apprehensive about carrying her across the snow and ice. What if he stumbled and dropped her? What if he fell and she landed awkwardly? It could hurt them. Worse, it could hurt the baby. She shook her head, trying to force her feet to take some more steps.

She managed three, and then she felt the warm water trickling from between her thighs, soaking part of her dress and her stockings. Without thinking about propriety or modesty she grasped her skirts and pulled them up. The water was tinged with blood, and for a moment her stomach lurched in horror. Robb gasped, and she knew that he too must have seen it. "It's normal," she told herself, and him. "It's normal," she repeated, remembering the Maester's words.

"Are you sure?!" Robb demanded.

"Yes," she managed in a soothing tone before the biggest pain yet rushed through her. This time she couldn't help but moan out in pain, almost bending double as Robb did his best to keep her supported. "Robb, I don't think I can get to the keep," she moaned.

"No," he agreed in a resigned manner, and she managed to peek up at him. He looked pale and distracted, his teeth worrying at his bottom lip.

"Robb," she said. "I've never done this before, and I doubt you have any more experience than I do. You need to go and get the Maester…and your mother."

"I can't leave you here on your own!" he looked scandalised.

"What if something happens?!" she demanded. "We need the Maester!"

"I know," he almost hissed, his head turning between her and the door of the Sept.

"Just…set me down," she gasped out. "I'll be alright for a moment, it won't take you long to find someone. Just…just be – careful on the…ice."

"I will," he promised her, already pulling off his cloak and laying it down on the floor next to one of the benches. Myrcella shifted until she was stood on the cloak and he helped her kneel down. She knelt on the cloak, her arms coming to rest on the bench. When another pain came she moaned out again and rested her head against her arms, rocking back and forth. The action was vaguely soothing.

"Myrcella -," Robb started.

"Just go! Robb, please!" she managed to get out through gritted teeth.

"A few minutes is all!" he returned, and she could hear his hurried footsteps retreating away from her. Within seconds she was left with only the sound of her own deep breathing. Despite being alone and in labour she felt strangely calm. Even with the pain rolling its way through her on an almost constant basis she was not panicked. Now that the moment was here she finally came to the realisation that she could do this.

"I can do this," she whispered to herself. "I can. I can do this. I can -"

It was near burning agony in the next moment, a cry of surprised pain leaving her as everything seemed to intensify. It was like fire between her legs, the overwhelming urge to push coming over her. Her next cry was strangled as she lifted her head and looked desperately towards the doors. They remained firmly closed and her stomach contracted again, the need to push now too great to ignore.

"Oh Gods…I can't do this," she shook her head desperately. "Oh…Gods…" she moaned, giving in and pushing down hard with everything she had, her hands gripping so hard against the bench that she could feel the wood splintering under her fingernails.

Tears were coming from her eyes now as the pain intensified even more. She could feel it. There was more than pain between her legs now, she could feel the baby. Before that realisation could overwhelm her she felt the urge to push again and she did as her body was demanding. It was all she could do in the absence of the Maester or anyone else. Oh, Gods. Where were they?

She had little time to think as she pushed down hard again, screaming through gritted teeth. She could definitely feel it now, the baby was coming from her. The head may even be born. She knew she should check, feel with her hands, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Looking down she could see the blood on the grey of Robb's cloak. Would it be ruined? She almost laughed at the absurd thought, but then the pain swiftly took over again.

Obeying her body she pushed again as the doors of the Sept banged open. She didn't even have the strength to look up and see who had come as she continued to push, her teeth mashed so hard together that she was adding more pain to her ordeal. The doors banged shut again, and footsteps approached. Her head swam.

"Myrcella?" it was Robb, and he sounded utterly dazed.

"It's coming," she panted. "It's coming now, you need to catch it, Robb!"

Before he could even half-stutter a reply she was pushing again. Somewhere she was aware that he had knelt down at her side. She felt his hands shift her skirts up and about her waist. "Oh…Gods…" he sounded almost faint.

"Is it coming?!" she demanded hysterically when she could push no more.

"Yes," Robb sounded stunned. "By the Gods, he is almost here."

"He?" Myrcella asked him in a dazed manner.

"He," Robb confirmed, and she turned her head to see his eyes as wide as plates.

"Catch him," she said as the urge to push returned. She knew this would be the last one, that her son would be fully born if she could just summon her strength and do it one last time. Robb moved closer, she felt his hands brushing against her damp thighs as she pushed for the final time. She felt the baby come free from her and looked down.

He was slimy, coated in blood, his red face scrunched up in confusion and upset. His tiny little mouth opened and closed a few times as his tiny fists clenched. In the next moment he let out an almighty wail that echoed around the vast stone Sept, and he kicked and wriggled in Robb's hands.

"Give him to me," Myrcella managed to gasp out, shifting carefully back and reaching down to take the baby from Robb. He shifted back as she cradled the impossibly small creature in her arms, pulling him up against her chest. Her lips pressed to his head despite the blood still coating him. She was shaking with emotion and disbelief. This was not how she had expected her baby to come into the world, but he was here. He was here and he was squalling and perfect.

Somehow she managed to look up at Robb. He looked stunned, but as she met his eyes he seemed to spring into action. Hurriedly he unfastened his doublet before pulling it off and kneeling at her side. Ever so gently he moved so he could wrap his doublet around the uncovered baby. "They'll be here soon," he murmured. "The Maester and my mother, doubtless they will bring something for him. Something proper."

"Never mind that," Myrcella laughed shakily. "You have a son."

"We," Robb returned, a huge spreading across his own face. "We have a son," he corrected her, his hand coming to gently cradle the back of the baby's head. "Thank you. I cannot quite believe it," he continued, pressing his lips against her clammy forehead. "We have a son."


A/N: The wait for baby Stark is over - but there's still plenty to come. Hope you enjoyed. I'll get another to you when it's ready!

:)