"Inside your head the sound of glass,
a car crash sound as the trucks roll over and explode in slow motion. " -Richard Siken

Chapter 11

The next month flew by for Mal. Between taking care of Torrhen and helping Lady Catelyn prepare for the King's arrival, Mal felt herself growing more and more stressed and frustrated. Once again she was aware of the differences between Sunspear and Winterfell. Lady Catelyn was a firm believer that the lady of the household should be completely in charge of every single aspect concerning the household. In Sunspear, the castellan of the house handled all the minute details, while Arianne and Mal dealt with the big picture. For Mal, it was like learning how to run a household all over again. It was grueling and tedious work, but Mal was thankful for Catelyn's tutelage and the opportunity to know her better.

The King was due to arrival at any moment which distressed Mal. She was supposed to be fitting Princess Myrcella's room with new tapestries but instead Mal was hurrying around the grounds of Winterfell looking for Robb. The newly christened Grey Wind hot on her heels, ambling after her as though this were all a big game to him. The direwolf pup had taken to her extremely well and the same went for her. Much to Robb's chagrin, Mal allowed the pup to sleep in their bed but the direwolf preferred to sleep next Torrhen's cradle. After a half an hour of searching she finally found Robb in the kitchens with Theon and Jon.

The three were laughing about something boisterously and they didn't notice when Mal showed up. She stood in the doorway of the kitchen surveying the room until Robb took note of her.

He smiled lovingly before crossing the kitchen and giving her a welcoming kiss. "It's been a while since I last saw you. Theon was just telling us a hilarious story."

"I was telling the boys about a few trips to the brothel that didn't end up as expected." Theon informed Mal.

"I suspect that's a common occurrence." She was in no mood to tangle with Theon today.

Instead of backing off Theon merely smirked at her. "Fortunately not, my lady. I have had only a few times in my life where things didn't go swimmingly. But maybe one day, Robb will join me on my adventures to the pleasure houses. Then I'll have more stories to tell... if it pleases you."

Mal did not grant Theon the pleasure of replying to his comment. She simply glared at Theon but then turned her dark expression to her husband. Robb flinched a bit when he saw his wife's expression. The past few weeks had not been easy on the couple, there were a few times that Mal's Dornish temper had gotten the best of her and it was Robb's poor luck that he would end up the the receiving end of that uncontrolled temper. It wasn't her fault, he rationalized, she hadn't been sleeping much. She'd wake up before dawn to start preparing and wouldn't have the chance to go to bed until late at night. She'd also taken it upon herself to solely take care of Torrhen. It was frustrating for Robb to watch his wife work herself half to death and refuse any of his attempts to help her.

Wishing to sooth her temper before it got out of hand Robb quickly diverted the topic while glaring at Theon to shut him up. "Did you need something, love?"

Remembering her task Mal shook away all thoughts of Theon and his comments. " You're mother wishes for you three to get a haircut. She wants us all to look our best when the King and his party arrive."

Jon frowned. "Do we have to?" It was clear from the look on his face that haircuts were the last thing he ever wanted.

Mal smiled sympathetically and nodded her head. "Lady Catelyn is urgent that you all get it done and you should shave as well."

"So she sends you like some errand boy?" Theon asked rudely. It was obvious that he was looking for a fight that day.

"Enough Theon," Robb threw his friend a dangerous look. He turned back to Mal and drew her into a corner of the kitchen to speak privately with her. "I think you should spend the rest of the day in bed." He tenderly whispered to her as he took her into her his arms.

Mal relished in the comfort she always felt when she was in Robb's arms. "Your mother needs me to help finish preparing."

"My mother has many servants and Maester Luwin to help her. You're a new mother, and you've been running yourself ragged. You need to get some rest." He watched how her eyes drooped as he soothingly rubbed her back.

"Torrhen-" she started to argue but Robb interrupted her. "I'll take care of Pup, I'm his father I can take care of him you know? You're not in this alone, let me take care of my son. I will spend the rest of the day with him while you get some much needed sleep and if the King arrives I'll send a of couple maids to wake you and get you ready."

Mal sighed and sank further into Robb's warm and comforting form. "I will go find the barber so you three can get ready and then I'll got to bed." She compromised with him

"We'll be waiting here. Send a nursemaid down with Pup and we'll watch him while I send her to inform my mother of where you are." He promised her as her rubbed her arms in a reassuring manner.

"Okay, but promise me the moment the King arrives you send for me." She looked deep into his eyes with a serious expression.

"Don't worry, you'll be the first to know. Now get some sleep, we don't want the king to think that I married a sad-looking little drab." He teased. Since marrying Mal, Rob found that her teasing nature was rubbing off on him.

For the first time in weeks Mal let out small chuckle before gently pushing Robb away. "Take care of what you say, Stark. I'm still the one who shares your bed at night... for now." She lightly teased him before kissing him on the lips and bidding farewell to both Theon and Jon.

Mal felt herself coming back to consciousness by the feeling of soft lips leaving hungry kisses along her neck and shoulders. Mal moaned softly and turned on her stomach. She felt the bed dip as someone climbed on and then a warm body covered hers and continued to kiss her neck and upper back.

"How long have I been asleep?" She asked softly as she nuzzled deeper into her pillow.

The kisses stopped as a hand started brushing her hair. "For a few hours, I would've let you sleep for a little longer, but the king's party has been spotted."

Mal opened her eyes and smiled at Robb. She giggled a tiny bit and turned over so she could rest her hand on his freshly-shaven cheek. "You look a lot like Torrhen now," she gave his face a little tap. "Like a babe's bum." she giggled some more when Robb tickled her in retaliation.

"I should hope that I resemble Torrhen in some way, I am his father." He kissed the palm of her hand that lay upon his cheek.

The couple enjoyed the quiet moment for awhile until Mal remembered what he said. "You said the party has been spotted." She asked him as she attempted to sit up.

Robb moved out of the way and helped her up. "They should be here in a half an hour or so."

Mal groaned before stretching her arms above her head and rubbing the sleep away from her eyes. She looked around the room. "Where's Torrhen?" she asked cocking her head to look at Robb.

"Sansa wanted to spend time with him." There was a knock at the door and Robb shouted that they could enter. Maids arrived with buckets full of hot water for Mal's bath. When the maids finished, Robb sent them out of the room.

"I thought you were going to take care of him yourself?" she told him as she lifted her nightgown over her head and stepped into the steaming bath.

Robb quickly went to her side and took the soap and washcloth from her hands and began washing her. "That was the plan but Sansa came upon me while I was coming up here to wake you and all but stole Pup from my arms." he laughed fondly as he began to remove his clothes and step into the tub with her. He moved behind her and began to wash her dark locks.

Mal relaxed under Robb's careful ministrations. "She's very good with children, she'll make a wonderful mother one day." she observed absentmindedly as she sank further into the sweet-smelling water. Robb's hands stiffened in her hair. "Not any day soon, I hope." he said darkly.

Mal turned around to addressed her now gloomy husband. "It's admirable that you want to take care of her, but she'll be married one day and lady of her own keep. Are you going to be this way when we have a daughter."

"When we have a daughter she will never be married." He told her with a serious expression on his face. She laughed loudly before kissing him.

When the two pulled away Robb looked down at her with a serious expression on his face. "Why wouldn't you let me take care of Torrhen when I offered?"

Mal guiltily diverted her eyes from his face. "You have to remember that this whole thing is new to me. Growing up, my mother was never around much. I haven't seen her since she left Dorne for Norvos when I was Sansa's age. My brother Trystane doesn't even remember her. I don't want Torrhen to ever experience that. I want him to remember me, to know that I love him. I think that's why I've been hogging him all to myself. I'm sorry."

Robb leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "There's nothing to forgive. I understand why you did it, but Mal, you and I are in this together. Torrhen needs to learn that he has a mother and a father that love him very much. We are partners in this. I don't want you straining yourself trying to take too much on."

Mal cuddled closer to Robb and put her arms around his neck. "You are a wonderful husband and father. And I promise I will try harder to strain myself." She kissed him deeply on the mouth.

Robb eagerly kissed back. Their kissing became more passionate and hands started to wander all over each others' bodies. Mal pulled away before they got too far. "We have to get ready for the king." she told him as Robb's hand teased her nipple.

His hand stilled as he let out a loud sigh. Mal kissed his neck in forgiveness. It had been a long time since they were last together intimately. Maester Luwin had given her the OK to continue her wifely duties, but due to all the work she was doing to prepare for the king's arrival and taking care of Torrhen the pair never had any time alone together. She understood Robb's frustration because she felt it too. Continuing to kiss his neck Mal's lips made their way up to Robb's ear. "Tonight" she whispered promisingly into his ear. Robb kissed her hard on the neck in reply. They broke away and continued to wash themselves and get ready for the king's arrival.

The entire Stark household stood outside in the courtyard waiting for the king. Mal had Torrhen in her arms wrapped up in furs and soft silks from Dorne as a subtle reminder of his heritage. She stood between Robb and Sansa in the Stark's line-up. Jon stood directly behind her, she turned her head and saw the anxious look on his face, when Jon met her eyes she gave him a friendly wink. Arya came bounding out of nowhere with a helmet on causing Mal and Jon to share a laugh. Turning back she heard the horns signaling that the king was approaching. A number of Red Cloaks came through the gates parading Lannister banners. The sight of the banners made Mal feel a bit uneasy. After them came the crown prince Joffrey. A smarmy little worm, Mal thought to herself as she watched him and Sansa make eye contact. It was clear to Mal that Sansa thought very differently than she did about the prince. Glancing up at Robb she noticed the hard set of his jaw and knew that he witnessed the same thing she did. Mal lightly bumped her shoulder into his to grab his attention and nodded at Joffrey's direction with a raised eyebrow. Robb scoffed lightly and rolled his eyes at her insulation.

A giant wheelhouse made its way into the courtyard with King Robert riding beside it. From what Mal could tell the man was dangerously fat and felt sorry for the poor horse that had to carry him. When Robert dismounted she knelt down along with everyone else. The King commanded them to stand and looked over Lord Eddard.

As the two exchanged pleasantries Mal's attention remained on the wheelhouse, The little prince and princess got out with several handmaidens. Mal watched with wary eyes as the Lannister queen exited the wheelhouse and surveyed her surroundings with a sour look on her face.

"And who's this?" Mal's attention returned to the king who was standing right in front of her. Blushing a bit in embarrassment, Mal dipped down into a small curtsey. "Mal, Your Grace. Formally of House Martell."

Robert looked confused for a moment as he looked between Mal and Robb. He turned to look at Eddard. "How'd you get a Dornish princess as a good-daughter?" he laughed before turning back to Mal. "I tried to get this one for Joff, but Doran would have none of it. Is it cold enough for you girl?"

Mal thanked her lucky stars that she escaped a marriage with Joffrey before answering. "I've grown used to the cold, your grace. In fact I find it very comforting," she looked up at Robb with a loving smile. "I can't imagine living anywhere else."

Robert let out a bark of laughter before addressing the bundle in her arms. "And what do we have here?" he pushed back the furs to look at Torrhen's bright face.

Robb took the initiative and moved closer to Mal. "Torrhen, Your Grace. Our firstborn." Robb proudly stated.

Robert looked fondly down on the boy and lay his hand over Torrhen's head for a royal blessing. After that he moved down the line to the rest of the Stark children. Mal looked up from Torrhen's face to see the queen glaring at her. Mal smiled kindly at the lion queen and curtsied when she came to greet lord and lady Stark.

After the introductions were over Robert and Lord Eddard went down into the crypts so Robert could pay respects to Lyanna Stark. A part of Mal was curious to see what she looked like, this woman who caused her nuncle to forsake his wife and kidnap her to do gods knows what. She had never been down in the crypts before, Robb thought it was too grim a place for her and she respected his wishes. She really had no desire to see the tombs of long-dead Starks and the idea that one day Robb and Torrhen would be in those tombs was enough to keep her out of there.

Mal helped show the young prince and princess the rooms that they would be staying in. After making sure they were comfortable she made the long walk back to the room she shared with Robb. Upon entering the room she found Robb rocking Torrhen to sleep cooing to him and a low tender voice. Smiling brightly, she made her way over to her little family. "He had a big day today."

"I'm surprised he didn't start bawling with all that commotion." Robb greeted Mal with a kiss she gladly returned.

Taking Torrhen from Robb she carefully placed him into his cradle. "He's a good baby. Although had the Lannister woman tried to touch I would hope he'd start crying his eyes out."

Robb chuckled softly and rested on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "She's not the warmest woman is she?"

Mal walked over to the bed and laid down beside him with a sigh. " I think she's even colder than you Starks." she rebelliously replied.

"I think with a husband like King Robert, you wouldn't find much to be warm about." He wisely told her.

"Don't you go trying to make me feel sorry for a Lannister, Robb Stark," she jokingly warned him. "But it is true that Robert will fuck anything with tits. My father refused to send Arianne to King's Landing for that exact reason."

Robb made a disgusted face. His newly shaven face made him look like such a boy it caused Mal to laugh softly so she wouldn't wake Torrhen. "I don't like to imagine it either, but I suppose being the King allows you to fuck whoever you want. I assume some woman find a crown very appealing no matter who's head It rests on. I'm sure even the Mad King had mistresses."

"Let's not talk about Kings fucking, or else I'll lose my appetite for the feast tonight." Robb told her as he sat up. Grey Wind took this chance to jump on the bed and start nuzzling Robb looking for affection.

"The direwolves frighten the prince and princess, Grey Wind will either have to stay locked up here or in the kennels." She informed him lazily as she propped her head up with her hand.

Robb scratched Grey Wind behind the ear as he looked down at his wife. "He'll be fine in here. We might have to tie up Rickon's wolf."

Mal rubbed at her eyes tiredly, shaggydog was the wildest of the bunch tying him up was going to be a difficult task. "Let's deal with that tomorrow. We still have to get ready for the feast."

Robb kissed her on the cheek. "Shall we take another bath?" He whispered huskily in her ear.

"Wait until tonight you cur." she playfully pushed him away. Robb grinned wolfishly and kissed her head, while playing with Grey Wind on the bed. "I can't wait."

A/N: Wasn't last week's episode amazing?! That scene with Catelyn and Talisa gave me so many feels. Ugh, I just love Cat's character, and I'm so happy the writers are starting to delving deeper into her character. I could just gush about that scene for the rest of my life. It really made me look at Catelyn (and the Catelyn/Jon dynamic) in a different way. My favorite scenes are always the ones including her and Robb and now I wish we had more scenes with her and Jon.

There's not much I wanted to say this chapter, except for the usual thank yous. So thank you for all the support. It really does mean so much to me, and I hope you all enjoy Sunday's new episode.

PS- I finally bought that Iron Throne Ale the other day and I'm excited to try it out tomorrow. I also splurged and bought Kraken rum in honor of Theon/The Greyjoys (I have such a love/hate relationship with Theon but I love how Alfie plays him). Anyway enough drunken ramblings. Thank you again so much, and I hope you all have a wonderful week. Until next time, SS

PPS- I started a twitter to keep everyone updated on the story. You can follow at EMTML