Chapter 14; Shadows In The Dark

'Long live the Queen!'
'All hail the King!'
'Hooray!' People were cheering and waving as Ailith and Rowan rode through the streets of Highgarden, back to the castle. Even though the wind was blowing hard and icy cold, all the streets were filled with people. Ailith and Rowan rode close to each other and waved at them, smiling. Even though Ailith only wanted to smile at her young son and hold him close in her eyes. It suddenly appeared to her how many dark alleys Highgarden actually had. Who knew all the danger that was hidden in them? She tried not to think of it and kept on smiling and waving, but a cold fist had wrapped around her heart.

Rowan opened his eyes. A small light danced through their room. Ailith laid with her back towards him, faced to the small candle. She was awake. He knew, because when ever she slept, she laid close to him. Months had passed since their return to Highgarden. More snow had fallen and people had died of the cold. Ailith had barely slept at nights. Most of the days she was around Tristan and let barely anyone touch him. Rowan was worried, and decided he had to do something about it.
'Ailith,' he said and laid a hand on her side. A small chill went through her.
'Did I wake you?' she asked, without looking at him. Her voice was small and soft.
'I want to talk,' he said and sat up straight. Ailith now turned around and looked at him. He lifted his arm, as an invitation for her to come closer. She did. Ailith sat up and moved close to Rowan. It had been weeks since they had been so close. Rowan kissed her head.
'How are you?' he asked, whispering.
'Fine,' she said, but he heard her voice tremble.
'Fine?' he repeated, 'Ailith, you hardly sleep, you always keep a light burning, you hardly go outside, when you sleep you have nightmares. Remember what we promised each other, back in Winterfell?'
'We would always be honest,' Ailith whispered.
'How are you?' he asked again. For a moment nothing happened, then Ailith pressed her face against his chest and laid covered her face with her hands. He could hear soft sobs. Rowan wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up on his lap. With one hand on her side and one stroking her hair, Rowan kissed her forehead.
'I'm scared,' she whispered after a moment. She did not look at him, but laid her hand against his chest. Feeling his heartbeat.
'For what?' he asked, 'No-one can harm you, love.'
'I fear the shadows,' she whispered very softly, 'I fear for my son, I fear for you. I fear that what I cannot see.'
'Ailith,' Rowan took her hands and looked at her, 'You are the Queen of the Reach, daughter of North. You are a strong woman with a big heart. You have no reason to fear anything!'
'What if they come again?'
'They won't,' Rowan said, 'I let them.'
'But-'
'I won't let them,' Rowan interrupted her calmly, 'I will not allow anyone to take my wife and Queen away from me. Not again.'
'But how…' Ailith did not finish her sentence, perhaps she was afraid Rowan did not know an answer.
'You see these arms?' Rowan said, showing his arms, then he wrapped them around her, 'These will keep you safe and warm. No-one will ever harm you again, I promise.'
'I love you,' Ailith said after a moment. She laid her head against his shoulders and closed her eyes.

The next morning Ailith woke in the arms of her lord husband, and felt save and fit. It almost seemed as if the bright Summer sun had come to shine in the Winter. Ailith felt young and alive again. Rowan had been right: there was nothing she had to fear. Even though some dark alleys still seemed dangerous, Ailith now had the courage to look at them. Even though she perhaps was not in the North and Highgarden would always remain her second home, she would not be defeated by it. Shadows in the dark were things she did not know. This she did not know, were things she feared. But Rowan had showed her that not knowing things was not a reason to fear. Now that she thought back about it, she felt silly – even childish. She was a Queen, and she would act like it. she had to be the strength in the Dark Winter for her people.

'Momma,' Ailith turned her face to Tristan. Everyone in the throne room immediately turned silent. Ailith took her son from Inger and looked at him.
'What did you say?' she said smiling, 'Was that 'momma'?'
'Did he say something?' Rowan asked. Tristan looked at them with his big eyes.
'Come on, say it again. Momma,' Ailith tried.
'Yah,' Tristans face turned into a smile as he giggled.
'No, momma, say it, momma,' Ailith tried.
'Yah-hi!' Tirstan shrieked.
'Continue, councelor,' Rowan said. The fat man cleared his throat and wanted to go on.
'Momma,' Tristan said again.
'I knew it!' Ailith said loud, Tristan shrieked with joy, 'He said momma!'
'I heard it too, your Grace,' the Bear laughed at Rowan.
'I beg your pardons, sers,' Ailith smiled.
'Momma, yah,' Tristan laughed.
'Just your father,' Ailith whispered with a smile.

'Rowan, I've been thinking,' Ailith said as she crawled into bed.
'Of what?' he asked.
'About your sister Alyna,' she said.
'What about her?'
'I think she should get married,' Ailith said with a small smile.
'With who?'
'My brother Eddard,' Ailith smiled, 'I think they could use a warm heart like her in the North.'
'I don't know,' Rowan shrugged.
'Well, to what other prince would you marry her? Carlisle of the Vale and Dean of the Stormlands are even older than you are. The prince of the other Ironisland, please don't do that to Alyna. And the other princes are already betrothed. Or you should marry her to the 9 year old of King Terry.'
'What about some lord?' Rowan tried. Ailith rolled her eyes.
'Alyna should not marry a lord, Rowan! She should marry a prince and become a Queen. She does not deserve any less.'
'You want me to arrange the marriage of my sister?'
'I want us to arrange the marriage for Alyna, yes.'
'But why?'
'Rowan, she can make someone happy, and someone can make her very happy. Who are-'
'But is it Eddard?'
'Do you doubt my judgment?'
'No?' Rowan looked at her as if he was guessing the answer.
'Rowan, I'm serious,' Ailith sighed.
'Fine, I'll talk to her.'
'And you better bring it like it's a good thing, ser,' Ailith warned him, pointing a finger at him.
'Yes, my Queen.'
'Good, then I'll send a raven to my father.'
'But we haven't even talked with Alyna about it, yet!'
'No, you have not talked with her about it yet.'
'You did not,' Rowan gasped.
'I did,' Ailith winked. Rowan sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
'So, we're having a wedding soon?'
'I hope so, I still have to ask my father and my brother.'
'Women,' Rowan said and sighed, 'I will never understand you.'

Alyna was indeed betrothed to Eddard, the second son of King Benjen. Ailith prepared her for the ways of the North, the sometimes harsh men, the traditions, the feasts and the habits. Just as Alyna had helped Ailith with her wedding, so did Ailith help her sister-in-law. Again Saya made the dress. But this time, it was not lace she used, but thick white fur. Winter was even colder in the North. Even though Alyna and Eddard hardly knew each other, Alyna was looking forward. Probably also because everyone still thought of her as a small girl, and this way she would become a woman.
Yet the day she was too leave with her party for the North, Ailith walked up to her as Alyna was already on her horse. Alyna looked surprised. Ailith was to go with her and Rowan would stay behind. But she was not on her horse.
'Are you well, my Queen?' Alyna asked.
'Very well,' Ailith said with a big smile, 'But I'm afraid I cannot come with you.'
'Why not?' Alyna came of her horse and took the hands of the smiling Ailith.
'I'm with child,' Ailith smiled. And to travel that far on a horse was too risky. There were robbers and smugglers everywhere. Alyna gave a shriek of joy and hugged Ailith.
'That's incredible news!' she laughed, but still looked a bit sad. Ailith cupped her face.
'Alyna, you will do great,' Ailith assured her, 'I know you will.'
'I know, its just…'
'Saya will still go with you and Inger will stay with you in Winterfell,' Ailith looked Alyna in her eyes, 'Eddard is a loyal and kind man, sister. He will love you and keep you safe. He is a good husband'
'As Rowan is a good husband to you?'
'As Rowan is a good husband to me,' Ailith assured her.
'Alright,' Alyna said. Ailith took Alyna in her arms and embraced her fiercely. Who know how much time would pass before they would see each other again. When Ailith looked at Alynas face again, there were tears crossing her cheeks. Ailiths tears were burning, but she did not show them.
'Don't cry,' she smiled and wiped the tears from Alnynas face.
'I'll miss you.'
'I'll miss you too,' Ailith smiled, 'But you will be the light and the warmth that the cold hearts in Winterfell need.'
'I know,' Alyna took a deep breath and smiled.
'May the gods bless you,' Ailith said.
'And you,' Alyna said and climbed on her horse.
'Ride safe,' Ailith said.
'Promise me one thing, my Queen,' Alyna said.
'What is it?'
'You will live until Summer comes again,' she said, 'It will give me hope and strength.'
'I will do my best,' Ailith said.
'Good.'
'Now you must promise me something, my lady.'
'Yes, my Queen?'
'Fight the shadows in the dark, and bring light to the darkness,' Ailith said.
'I promise,' Alyna said. She turned and rode away.
'And a light you shall be,' Ailith whispered.

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