Gara

-ooo-

"Are you excited to be going down South?"

Thegane Lannister asked conversationally. Gara had to crush down her rising nervousness and smile. She nodded her head, crimson curls bouncing and looked down modestly,

"Uh, yes...Yes, my lord, I am. You must be pleased to be returning home?"

His eyes were on her. What a handsome face. He looked keen-eyed to Gara; green gems that missed nothing and saw more than one would think. His face had a hawkishness to it in that moment as he looked at her. Gara was in a terror that she'd wilt beneath the gravity of his appraisal, but he shook his blonde head and smiled. Gara saw dimples through the fairness of his closely-trimmed beard.

"No, South is where we work, little lady. I live in the West, in Casterly Rock."

"I've never been." She commented idly as he sat back, one of his long strong arms hung languidly over the back of his chair as he did.

"You will."

Even in that casual position, Thegane still had a very acute air of grace. He was like a big cat sitting there and looking curiously at Gara. She felt her chest and neck flush while he watched her. Gara sipped at her cider and tried to ignore him and his eyes. Flicking her eyes over, she could see Robb and Gifu watching her. He knew. She knew that Robb knew. The way he was looking at her, like he could just eat her in one bite. Gara felt her breath shorten. She'd have given anything to be able to get up and go to him; but she had a part to play and Gifu was watching her like a cat watches a bird. Predatory. Looking back at Thegane Lannister, Gara gave him a weak smile.

"So, you're sister, Gara? Is it? What's her story?

"Uh-"

"You're twins, that's rare, are you both alike?"

At that Gara snorted and giggled. "Me and Gi- "She stopped herself and blinked, "Gara and I are very different; Gara's...Well, I don't know. Gifu would say...I mean, I would say she's a little...dull."

"Dull?" Thegane frowned and Gara nodded, "Well, yes. She can shoot a bow, but that's about it." Thegane laughed and gently brushed her shoulder with a hand and shook his head, "Women and weapons don't mix, my lady. Men didn't get to where they are today by letting the women catch the game." Gara's brows twitched. She didn't like the sound of that.

"So then, if she is all the dull, are you all the colour?"

"I suppose I am," Nodded Gara and Thegane leaned in closer and said, "That's the least one could say, my lady. You are the most vivid jewel here." Gara blushed and looked away, "Oh? Thank you..." She trailed off and peeked back at him. He was smiling warmly and just pulling his goblet back from his lips.

"You'll bloom down South, little lady. I know it."

"Is it nice down there?"

"It's beautiful," He moved closer and picked a curl and put it back from where it had come loose and said, "And filled with a many beautiful things."

The music swelled and Thegane got to his feet. He was tall, much taller than Robb. He was about the same height as King Robert, but with a much slimmer build. He held out a big smooth hand and offered her a dance. Gara relented and gripped his hand and could feel the roughness; was it a shortsword or a longsword he fought with she wondered. She wouldn't ask, after all, women and weapons didn't mix. Gara was of a mind that was not of that opinion. Horn and Father had taught her growing up, that a woman who couldn't defend herself was a stupid woman indeed. Gara agreed, women put too many eggs in one basket in her mind and that's why they were so vulnerable.

Sweeping her into the set, Gara was at a loath when the music brought them together. She felt so wrong courting another man right in front of Robb. But she was supposed to be Gifu, she prayed that he knew or at least had any inkling about what they were doing. Then she sighed at the futility. Of course Robb would have no idea what was going on. No one could ever know, but Gara wondered just exactly how her sister thought to conceal her pregnancy. A shiver ran down Gara's spine; this was insane. This was literally the craziest thing Gara had ever done; dancing hand clasped with Thegane Lannister with his intuitive green eyes on her, missing nothing, sweat was beginning to bead on her forehead. She couldn't take another moment of it. Thegane's strong lithe body was pressed up against hers and she could feel the firmness of his chest and stomach. She flushed and pulled away, breaking the set and shook her head.

"Oh, forgive me, my lord!" Thegane frowned and held her elbow gently, "Is everything alright?" He asked and Gara waved him away and replied thinly, "Just the heat," She improvised and found she was looking for Robb. She wanted him. She wanted him to wrap his arms around her and dance with her and just not let her go. Thegane followed her distressed gaze until his eyes rested on Robb, who was standing now, jaw clenched and with Gifu at his side holding his arm in a firm bid to restrain him. Gara felt her chest heave, heat was building as she caught Robb's flinty blue glare and she suddenly felt angry. Why was he glowering at her? Didn't he understand that what Gifu wanted she always got? And if Gifu wanted Gara to impose as her, wed and bed her husband to conceal her pregnancy then Gara would do it. To kith and kin. Gara felt tears sting her eyes and she shook her head again and fled, leaving Thegane, Robb and Gifu to gape after her as she ran off with her gown swishing around her ankles like summer waves.

Gara's breath was laboured as she panted back to her chamber and burst in the door. She felt hot, clammy and ill. Pressing her cold hand to her warm head, she sighed and tried to gulp down air. What was she to do? Gifu was right, if her honour was sunk then people would doubt Gara's too. Her father's name and reputation would be ruined, what kind of man rears loose girls? Certainly not Whykeham Bloodhelm, not that old dog of war; and Gifu was also right about their father, he would be furious if he discovered that a stable lad had gotten a bastard on Gifu. Cyle would be a dead man. With another heavy sigh, Gara fell onto the bed and tried to arrange her thoughts. Her breath caught when she heard a tiny knock on her door. Getting to her feet, she wiped her eyes and took a steadying breath before she flung open the door to reveal Robb. Gara's eyes widened. He was breathing heavily, without his furs he looked shrunken. His shoulders were heaving up and down and he was gazing at Gara with so much intensity that she thought he might actually be looking straight through her. Gara watched Robb shake his head and grip the chamber door frame; he leaned forward and tried to regain his breath.

"Gara..." He began huskily and Gara's eyes never left him as he stood up straight and grimaced. "You can't do this, I know what Gifu's doing-"

"You do?" Gara frowned and Robb entered the chamber, standing on the threshold he gathered her up and held her tightly. Gara felt her feet come off the floor, she felt safe and warm in his embrace and breathed deeply and felt suddenly relieved. They stood like that for awhile, Gara hefted up in Robb's arms with her own arms hugged around his neck and he swayed gently as if he could rock all this unpleasantness away. It was Gara who pulled away, but Robb did not let her back down to the floor and looked up at her face as she leaned back and gazed at him fondly and softly. Running her soft knuckles along his cheek, Robb felt a pang of pity when he saw a tear slide down her pale cheek.

"Robb..." She uttered and ducked her head. He could smell her hair, it smelled of lavender and jade. He closed his eyes and swallowed a lump as she peeped back at him and whimpered, "I don't know what to do." With that, she felt him tighten his hold on her and he held her close as her little sobs racked her slight body. She heard him shush her and felt him pet her back like she was a hurt child,

"You're not going anywhere with him, Gara." Robb breathed staunchly into her hair, "I'll die before he takes you to King's Landing." At that, Gara shook her head and Robb set her down, he didn't forgo his grip on her waist, though, and watched her raptly as she waved a hand. Her face was a picture of torment,

"Gifu is with child, Robb. I have to do this for her, or...or we're both lost. Father...my father, he's old...I can't, I won't let this darken his final years! I won't!"

Robb gaped and Gara felt his grip slacken. She looked up and cocked an eyebrow, "You knew?" Gara blurted, "Y-you said you knew what Gifu was doing..." She ended weakly as Robb blinked and let go of her and walked around the room. Gara tactfully closed the door and turned as Robb was running a hand down his haggard looking face. "She's in pup?!" Robb hissed and Gara tensed,

"Don't say it like that! She's my sister-"

"She's your undoing!"

Robb rounded shortly and smartly. His temper flared and Gara stepped back. Robb felt ashamed of his tone and sighed, "I didn't know she was with child," He admitted as Gara's panic surged. "I thought she maybe didn't like her betrothed and so she was trying to make you marry him in her stead..." His shoulders were trembling and Gara went to him, her face full of concern. Robb looked at her, he was caught between intense relief and unbridled anxiety. Gara was a picture of calm as she touched his arm softly and whispered,

"Robb, I have to do this...She needs me."

"Would she do this for you, Gara?" He retorted, not shying from her touch. Gara averted her dark eyes and she heard him sigh as he cupped her cheek and stooped to look in her eyes, "You know she would not. Gara, you can't help her now and if you get caught doing what you're doing, you'll be disinherited. You'll be ruined." Gara nodded numbly,

"I know."

"You know?"

"Yes, Robb! I know!" She barked and dipped her head again; eyes closed and tried to regain her composure. Robb wasn't to back down and he gripped Gara's waist urgently,

"You ride tomorrow for King's Landing, you need to tell your sister to call off her wedding. She's lost, Gara, there's nothing you can do." Gara found herself pulling away from him and shaking her head,

"What? S-so, I should just fling my sister to the lions? Robb, our Words-"

"Oh, what about them?!" He cried irritably and Gara frowned, "We are bound by them! They aren't as obscure as yours! We have a duty to our kith and to our kin and I will honour it!"

"You will have no honour if you go to King's Landing and bed your sister's husband!" Gara was appalled. Hand on her heart, she growled darkly, "That is not what I mean to do-"

"Then what do you mean to do, Gara?!" Bellowed Robb passionately, "You haven't much time and your sister will begin to show soon and as far as anyone will be concerned; you will have taken with child!" That stopped her romantic little ballad about honour and Robb nodded patronisingly at Gara and she frowned,

"What?" It was such a pitiful little squeak, that Robb abandoned his anger and went to her. Holding her hands to his chest, he gently tucked a curl behind her ear and leaned his head against hers,

"If 'Gifu' is in King's Landing with a flat little belly and on her way to marrying Thegane Lannister. Where will 'Gara' be?" Gara trembled as Robb went on, "Aye, she'll be up here. Having her bastard and being shunned by all good-thinking nobles. Ruined and with nothing."

"Then Gifu will go down there and supplant me as herself...And I will have nothing?" Gara continued on the thought as Robb nodded his curly head. "She'll be ruining me and at the same time be setting herself up...Actually; I'll be setting her up!" She looked up at Robb and he clicked his tongue as more tears rolled down her face,

"Robb, I don't want to marry him," She shook her head and looked down at her feet, "I don't want to bed him; I want nothing more to do with any of them." She went on wildly and blinked up at him through bleary red-rimmed eyes, "I want..." She stopped herself and tried to step back, but Robb held her there and uttered, "What, Gara? What is it that you want?" She garbled and felt herself blush.

"I-I..." She stuttered and flicked her eyes back up to look at him. Robb was searching her face, his eyes blazing and his throat contracting. Finally Gara sighed heavily and gently caressed his face,

"I want you."

She said simply and she was surprised to see his shoulders sag with, was it relief? She had no idea and found herself smiling and he returned her smile with one of his own. He kissed her softly on the forehead and took a shuddering breath as he pulled away,

"I know...I want you too, but-"

"But?" Gara prompted him and saw his wince. "What, Robb? Tell me, what is it?" Gara frowned as Robb looked up to speak, but his eyes looked past her and to the now-open door. Gara turned and saw Gifu standing in the threshold. Her expression was thunderous and she eyed Robb with something akin to utter disdain and said dangerously,

"Leave us." Gara was about to protest but Robb stepped forward and met her challenge. "I know, Gifu," He stated simply and Gara saw Gifu's dark eyes flick from him to her and then stay on Robb,

"You traitorous little-"

"No, Gifu, you did this to yourself." Interjected Robb firmly and Gara found herself reaching out and holding his arm to steady herself as her sister drew herself up and eyed them both grandly. Even in Gara's dowdy cotton dress she still looked exquisite. Undeniably beautiful, was Gifu. Cocking an arched eyebrow, she hissed, "Gara has work she has to do for her Family, Robb. You're no kin to us."

She smiled a feral little smile and stalked over to them and Gara unknowingly backed away while Robb stood his ground and watched her approach, "She'll never be kin to you, Robbie. Or did you not tell her?"

"Gifu..." Gara heard the warning chime in Robb's tone, but Gifu carried on nonetheless and smirked, "Did you not tell my sister what you told me, just down in the hall?"

"Gifu, I mean it-"

"You like stringing my sister along, don't you, Robb Stark? So much for your fabled honour," She was right in front of him now, preening up she sneered, "Are you going to wait until you've had your cock up and then tell her?"

"Gifu!" Shrieked Gara and she barged by Robb. "Enough! What in Seven Hells are you two going on about?" Gifu looked at Robb and smiled smugly, "By all means, maybe you should tell her, Robb."

Gara turned to Robb, "Tell me what? Robb," He glanced at her and Gara searched his face, "Robb...what have you done?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all, it's...your father," Gara's brow knotted, "Your father was talking of your marriage," Gara shook her head, "My marriage?" He nodded and said, "Aye, he...he was thinking of sending you as a ward t-to...Riverrun." Gara was agape as Robb peaked at her and uttered, "You're maybe to marry one of my cousins there..."

They both watched Gara as she took a breath; Robb's hand went out to her shoulder and rested there. She was too numb to even register his touch. She blinked over to Gifu and the older twin nodded in confirmation with a smirk on her face.

"It's true," She chimed and looked at Robb who was shaking his head and glaring at her. She ignored him and said, "I asked Father in the hall and he said as much. You'll go to Riverrun as soon as the settlements are made. Father mentioned that even the King commented on it. So that's something to hold on to I suppose." Gifu ended gleefully. Gara began to shake, and turned on her sister; her face was uncharacteristically dark and shrouded as she hissed in a vicious undertone, spitting out the words she felt Robb's hand leave her shoulder,

"'Something to hold on to'? You fool. You slack-legged fool!"

Gifu yelped as Gara started for her and growled coldly, "This is your entire fault, Gifu! It always is and always will be!" She grunted as Robb gripped her around the waist and pulled her away from her sister. Gifu watched hatefully as Robb herded Gara out of the room. The younger twin was raining down curses and ill wishes on her sister as Robb ignored her vehemence and kept her at bay. When they were finally half-out the door, Robb heard Gifu sneer,

"Oh look! And there's Ser Gallant to the rescue again!" He turned to her as she spat through cold lips, "You take her and you keep her, Robb Stark! Get her out of my sight!"