"you realize the one person in the world loves you

isn't the one you thought it would be,

and you don't trust him to love in a way

you would enjoy" -Richard Siken

Chapter 17

"The Dornishman's wife was as fair as the sun, and her kisses were warmer than spring. But the Dornishman's blade was made of black steel, and its kiss was a terrible thing. The Dornishman's wife would sing as she bathed, in a voice that was sweet as a peach, But the Dornishman's blade had a song of its own, and a bite sharp and cold as a leech. As he lay on the ground with the darkness around, and the taste of his blood on his tongue, His brothers knelt by him and prayed him a prayer, and he smiled and he laughed and he sung, 'Brothers, oh brothers, my days here are done, the Dornishman's taken my life, But what does it matter, for all men must die, and I've tasted the Dornishman's wife!'"

The drunken voices reached an apex as the men from the south finished the song with a flourish. Laughter filled the Great Hall as calls for more ale and wine were made. At the center of all the commotion was Gerris Drinkwater, who effortlessly commanded the attention of the entire room. He was charming, handsome, courtly, and had enough tales to keep a room entertained for hours, and Robb Stark hated him. The rational part of his mind told him that there was no reason to hate the young knight. Aside from his earlier mishap, Gerris had been knightly and shown Robb nothing but respect. Yet nothing could stop Robb from clenching his teeth every time he heard his voice over the sounds of the other men.

"And now I dedicate a song to our lovely princess, the most beautiful woman in the seven realms." Gerris crooned as the men of the hall raised their cups to their Dornish princess. He plucked at a few strings on the lute as he began playing Seasons of My Love.

"I loved a maid as fair as summer with sunlight in her hair. I loved a maid as red as autumn with sunset in her hair. I loved a maid as white as winter

with moonglow in her hair."

He finished the song and went straight into playing Let Me Drink Your Beauty all the while he was staring at Mal, who smiled but kept her hand firmly in Robb's giving him a comforting squeeze once in a eyes narrowed, this was the reason he hated the Southern knight so much. The constant, knowing, looks he would send to Mal were enough to make Robb grab for his sword. While he had teased earlier that Gerris was his wife's paramour, to see Gerris actually flirt with his wife was driving Robb insane. He knew that the pair were old childhood friends but that did not give Gerris the right to moon over his wife like he was currently doing. And Mal made no move to stop her old friend either. She sat by his side with a smile on her face encouraging him to sing another. Robb tried to shake the feeling of jealousy off of him but it was no use. Before they were married, when Mal first arrived at Winterfell he heard tales of Dornish women. Rumors of their hot-blood and their constant need of male attention and affection, their inability to remain faithful to their husband's. For the Gods' sake they wrote countless tales and ballads about Dornish women. Most of them were being sung in Winterfell's own hall at the moment. But where Mal was concerned, Robb never believed any of that was true. Yet she sat next to him with a sweet smile on her face watching as her old paramour sang songs of love and beauty to her. It was enough to drive him mad.

Robb broke out of his revere when Gerris stood and cleared his throat, gaining the attention of everyone in the hall. "And now, with your permission, My Lord," he said with a sardonic nod to Robb. "Let us dance the night away." With a snap of his fingers, the Dornish musicians Gerris had brought with him struck up a lively tune. The men grabbed the nearest maid and began dancing to the music. Gerris skulked off to the side to watch the room with nothing but a small smirk. Robb kept his eyes trained on his would-be rival wishing the floor would open up and swallow him whole.

"You stare at him as though you wish he would catch on fire." He heard his wife whisper into his ear. Abruptly, he turned his head to look at his wife, feeling a slight blush creep up his neck in embarrassment. The angry and jealously he was feeling earlier being quelled as he stared into her eyes.

"He is a peacock." he grumbled sinking deeper into his chair.

Mal let of a light laugh, her foot tapping to the sound of the music while her hands clapped along to the beat. Pretending like she hadn't a care in the world she leaned in closer to her husband. "Play along, Robb. Gerris may not be sent by my father to spy on us but I can not say the same about his companions."

Sitting up Robb grabbed Mal's hand and gave a kiss to the back of it. He had no time for whatever Southern games his good-father was playing. "For what reason would your father send someone to spy on us."

"My father is the type who likes to sit, and wait, and watch. This is just a part of it." she shrugged.

"And is sending him along a part of your father's plan as well?" he motioned with his head over to where Gerris stood against the wall, drinking out his cup while surveying the room.

"Gerris was a loyal friend to me in my youth. I don't doubt that his intentions are pure. He simple does this to get a rise out of you."

"Well he's succeeding." Robb growled.

"Forget him, he'll be gone by morning's light." Mal answered placidly.

"We will still be stuck with over 200 soldiers, where do you suppose I put them all?"

"I do not disagree that Torrhen deserves extra protection, being that he is your heir and after what happened with Bran, a little more men on watch would be a good thing."

"But 200?"

Mal shrugged. "I'm sure there are other strongholds in the North that could use their help."

Robb sat quietly as he mulled over his wife's words. "That is true, but wouldn't your father feel slighted that we sent some of his men away."

"You're doing it for the betterment of the North. While your father is away it's your responsibility to watch over and protect the North. My father will have to deal with that."

Gerris took that moment to move away from the wall and walked over to the dais where Mal and Robb were seated. "My lord, I humbly ask for your permission to grant me the honor of dancing with your lady wife." he bowed lowly.

A growl was caught in Robb's throat. A part of him wanted to send Gerris to the dungeons for even asking him with such a request. But the rational side of him told him that he had to play along lest word reached back to Mal's father. I married a Southern bride and now I'm having to deal with men the Southern way. Turning to Mal he merely nodded and watched as she rose from the dais to join Gerris on the dance floor.

With a quick snap of his fingers the musicians changed songs mid tune. The new tune was unfamiliar to Robb but by the way the Dornishmen were acting it seemed to be a favorite of theirs. The melody was seductive and warm, pure Dornish, Robb thought. The other men on the floor moved close to their partners. Gerris and Mal were no exceptions, the two moved close together as the maneuvered through dance. Robb was torn between feeling lust at seeing Mal move with such fire and passion, and feeling like choking Gerris with his bare hands for being so close to his wife.

As the dance came to an end Gerris gently led Mal towards the back of the hall where it was less populated into a small alcove. Robb, it seemed, didn't witness anything due to him being indisposed by a ruckus Rickon had started.

Once they were away from prying eyes Gerris smiled at his old playmate. "Any word for your family you'd like me to deliver? I plan on leaving during first light so this will be your last chance."

Mal was quiet for a few moments. It struck her to know that Gerris was leaving and this was most likely the last time she would ever see him again. He was the last link to her old life in Dorne and the moment he left Dorne would become nothing more than an old memory. A rush of emotions overcame Mal that were so intense she couldn't make heads or tails of what was happening. The only thing she could understand was the fact that she was crying and couldn't seem to stop.

Gerris looked alarmed as he saw the tears falling down her cheek. He gently brushed them away while cooing. "Hey now, why the tears, little princess?"

"It-It just hit me that you're leaving me." She tugged him to her to hug him and inhaled. He smelled like the blood oranges that hung off the trees at the Water Gardens. He smelt of the spices her Uncle Oberyn used to buy at markets in Lemonwood. He smelt of the sea salt that clung to cliffs near Sunspear. He smelt of home.

As the pair conversed Robb was in the main hall, eyes searching everywhere for his wife. Theon, who had ingested his fair share of wine throughout the night strolled to where was sitting. "So where's your Dornish wife?"

Robb rolled his eyes as he smelled the wine radiating off of his best friend. "I don't have the slightest idea. One second she was dancing and the next she was gone."

Theon nodded half-listening to what was being said before taking another slug out the wine-skin in his hand. "That blond Dornish twat is gone too." he said while offering Robb a drink.

Declining the offer Robb raised a brow. Theon scoffed. "Well it's obvious isn't it?"

"No, it isn't so why don't you tell me, Theon." Robb asked

"Listen," Theon leaned down to get right in Robb's face. "I've been watching those two all night. That blond fuck of a knight has been trying to weasel his way under your wife's dress since he got here. From the looks of things it seems like he's succeeded."

A wave of anger rushed through Robb's body. "Mal would never do something so lewd. Go to bed, Theon. The wine has gone to your head and has you spouting nonsense." he pushed Theon away from him.

Theon stumbled back but managed to catch himself and let out a small chuckle. "Okay, okay fine. I'll leave, but remember what I told you about women from Dorne. They're too hot-blooded for their own good." With that Theon left Robb alone to stew in his thoughts and wait for his missing wife.

Slowly she pulled away from him after she managed to calm down a bit and wiped her face of any remaining tears. "Forgive me, I lost myself for a moment. "

"There's nothing to forgive. I understand." he said as he stared intently at her face

"Will you tell them that I Love them. All of them- even Arianne." She finished with a light chuckle.

"I'll tell them, I promise you I will." She nodded before hugging him again.

"Take care of yourself, Gerris Drinkwater."

"Same to you, little princess. Now, wipe your face or else your wolf husband will have my head."

Gathering herself the pair made it back to the main hall without anybody noticing. Pulling away from Gerris, Mal made her way back to her seat.

Robb grabbed her hand and laid a kiss to the back of it. "Everything all right" He asked in an odd voice as he looked her over top to bottom

Giving him a sweet smile she replied. "Yes, A rare case of homesickness. I'm better now." Robb stared at her intently before nodding.

When the feast was concluded Mal chatted lightly with some of the men who traveled with Gerris thanking them for traveling the way and to wish them well on the journey home. Robb had left the main hall as quickly as he possibly could so Mal felt the need to make up for her husband's rude Northern ways.

She returned to her chambers when she finished thanking all the men and prepared herself for bed. She tended to Torrhen for a while and settled him down for bed all the while waiting for Robb to return to their chambers. Hours later she gave up on waiting for him and began getting ready for bed. She was changing to her sleeping gown Robb entered the room without a word to her. She could feel the tension radiating off of him. Throughout the night she noticed him getting more and more agitated but she had hoped that she was able to calm him down during the feast. It seem though, that there was no such luck. He still seemed on edge over something.

As she pair settled into bed Robb turned to her and addressed her "If given the option would you return to Dorne?"

Mal scoffed as she moved to get out of the bed. "I don't understand how you could say that to me. I am your wife. Don't you think if you had to leave your childhood home behind forever you would feel homesick too." His question irked to no end and she could feel her own agitation towards him growing. For weeks it's been like this: fighting and making up.

"Is it Dorne you miss or is it Gerris you missed? I noticed you to leaving the main hall and did not return for some time."

Mal looked at him exasperated "Gerris? Again with Gerris. How many times do I have to tell you that Gerris Drinkwater is nothing more than an old friend."

"Then what were the two of you doing?" Robb asked as he got out of bed raising his voice slightly, his chest rising and lowering at a quick rate. Mal watched as his blue eyes started to darken with fury and his face became taut as if he was steeling himself for what she would say next.

"Nothing, we talked of Dorne and we said our good-byes. I didn't fuck him if that is what you're asking." Robb looked taken aback as though Mal had struck him. Mal shook her head disappointed at the entire argument.

"I've heard the rumors about women from Dorne. That we're all hot-blooded sluts that will lay with any man that looks our way. I've heard it all my life,even here in Winterfell. I've even heard it from the lips of your best friend. But never did I once believe that you thought the same." She made her way towards the door as Robb tried to follow after her, bare-chested and bare-footed.

"Where are you going?" He called out into the hall.

"I'll sleep in Torrhen's room tonight, or maybe I'll go down to the stables to meet on the lads for a nice fuck in the hay, since i'm such a shameless slut." She rushed towards Torrhen's rooms with Robb hot on her heels.

"Mal.. Mal wait. You need to understand-" he said as they entered Torrhen's room.

"What is there left for me to understand," she lowered her voice but it was still laced with venom "My husband of almost two years is accusing me of fucking someone in the very castle where I gave birth to our son. Do you really think so lowly of me? Am I just a Dornish whore to be used and tossed aside whenever you feel like it, Robb Stark."

Robb could feel his rage brimming below the surface of his skin, were it lighter in the room Mal would probably see his entire torso slowly turn pink from anger. But still he said nothing. His eyes moved from her to Torrhen's cradle thanking the Gods Torrhen was still housed in their chambers so he would not witness his parents bickering

"Well."she bit out. Her arms were crossed over her chest, seconds away from tapping her foot like some petulant child. Is this what my marriage has come to, resorting to throwing a tantrum like a child?

Robb was still for a few moments. He made a motion to move towards her but thought better of it and turned away from her and left the room without saying a word to her. He at least had the courtesy to not slam the door.