Hi, guys. Sorry I wasn't able to update earlier, I was going back and forth with my story. And I was sick, Jon was contagious. Hahaha!
Anyway, I changed the rating to Mature, read this chapter to find out why! :p
This is the longest one so far. I already edited it. Can't delete stuff no more! lolz.
Thank you to all who faved, followed and reviewed. You can tell me if you have any idea you want me to insert in the story, I'll try my best to work around it if I can. As I said, I'm going back and forth here. :)
Thanks, Freedom Rose. I enjoyed our little chat! Quiet with the spoilers ok? hahahaha!
Take care everyone! I hope you like this one too, Ciao!
Robb
Robb's back was aching. They rode as fast as they could, but Maester Luwin was old and needed several stops to rest.
They arrived home as same as the sun rose. Lady Catelyn and Lady Lysa were relaxing around the lawn table, drinking their morning tea, little Rickon on her mother's lap, expecting their arrival at the garden.
"Where are the girls? And Bran?" asked Robb after greeting his mother and aunt.
"Bran and Sansa are still asleep. Arya and Koreen…" she thought for a moment, "They must be out, wandering. Theon," called Catelyn."Find the girls. They are to start lessons with Septa Mordane today."
Theon was to stand up when Robb stopped him.
"I will look for them." Robb volunteered.
Robb caught Catelyn and Lysa exchanged looks. He did not care. He excused himself and walked inside the castle.
"Good morrow, Luna." She greeted the middle aged lady when he entered through the kitchen door.
"It is a bright morning, Robb as compared to yesterday, today is better. Your mother is out in the garden for breakfast…" she informed.
"Yes, I was just there. I am looking for Koreen and Arya, have you seen them?"
"Sansa is in her room, brushing her hair a couple of hundreds more. Arya is out with Ser Jory in the stables. He is showing her the new horse Lord Arryn brought foy your father. But no Koreen yet, I have not come by her chamber. Maybe she's getting ready."
Robb picked a handful of grapes from the fruit bowl, tossed one in the air and caught it with his mouth.
Luna was staring blankly at him when he glanced at her.
"What is it?" Robb asked, intrigued at their maid's demeanor.
"Nothing." She said smiling sheepishly, fixing a tray of bread. "You just seem so… light. Considering the events from yesterday, you have no sleep from last night and you tire from being on horseback the entire evening."
"Is that true? I do not feel any different, honestly." Said Robb, smiling, while he ate another piece.
"Well, I'm glad that my young lord is feeling great today, but I have to check on your other brother." Jon's hearts skipped a bit when he was reminded of Jon. "Arya has been asking me relentlessly. I kept telling her that Jon did not want to be disturbed, you know how restless your sister can be…" the maid poured hot water into a cup with tea leaves.
"Has he gone out of bed yet?" Robb asked, concerned.
"Not that I know of, my lord. Other servants and I waited for him for supper last night at the kitchen but he did not come." Luna was worried, sad and pitiful. "He didn't touch his lunch. He must be in pain. Slept the rest of the day, your brother. Thought he needed it, so why bother him? Last time I dropped in was to bring him some fresh water for washing. I figured he went down later during the night to eat when I saw the left over soup on the table gone."
"I'll go up then." Rob offered.
"Please do, Robb. I get worried. And I have my hands full with our visitors. And oh," Luna took out something from the pantry. "Maester commends it to ease the swelling. The whole vial before breakfast, he said." The maid handed Robb a vial of clear salve.
"Have someone bring food for him then."
"Of course, my Lord." Luna smiled and walked out bringing her tray with her.
Robb walked absent mindedly, his feet felt like they knew where he wanted to go.
He tapped the pouch tied to his belt, making sure he did not misplace it.
He stopped when he reached Koreen's chamber and knocked on it. Nobody answered. He took the pouch out and checked its content. He smiled at its sight.
"Koreen?" he called again. "It's me, Robb." Still, nobody answered.
He thought that his mother was right, that she was already out and wandering the castle with Arya.
He decided to go visit Jon in his room instead. He was nervous to see him after the beating he received. He saw how he was jabbed to his forehead, got hit in his brow. He wondered how he did not end up with broken bones.
He remembered the look Theon exchanged with him during the rescue. His stomach turned when he recalled.
Jon's chamber was on the top floor of the south wing. He blamed himself when he was transferred to that room across the stock room. They shared a room when they were younger. They were ten and three when he demanded that they should have separate chambers when they both reached adolescence. And Jon was the one who was forced to move. Lady Catelyn made him choose, either Jon sleeps in the attic or in the stables.
Jon assured him that he was alright with his new room on the top floor. He said he could almost see King's Landing from up there, and he could play pretend, that he was Uncle Benjen, watching the wall. He felt his stomach lurched when he reminisced.
"I know my place, Robb. It's a lesson I should have learned a long time ago, and you should recognize that, too. The same way I have recognized yours."
It was for his own good, he thought. Jon went through a great deal of punishments each time Robb refused to treat him as half born, or at least Jon treated his as the future house lord, not as a brother.
He still found it odd each time Jon called him his title. He felt strange giving him orders he usually give to the wards. He loved his brother. But it was for the best.
It was just for the meantime, until the time comes that he will be officially the Lord of Winterfell and Guardian on the North. It will get better, he promised.
He dreamed of great thing for all his brothers and sisters, including his half-brother, even Theon and Koreen.
He knocked on Jon's door. It pushed open a little when he did. He knocked again and called his name.
When no one answered he decided to push it wide.
The room was dark, the dresser blocked the window, he noticed. Jon must have been too cold. He opted not to close the door, welcoming a little light coming from the hall.
He entered the room, careful not to make too much sound.
Robb held out the vial Luna gave him for Jon as he approached his bed.
"Jon?" he stepped on some clothing left on the floor.
He picked it up and noticed the smooth and soft fabric. A robe. A woman's robe. His guts turned.
Jon still fast asleep, shifted, startling Robb. He came near his brother, he didn't dare wake him up.
His heart sank the moment he saw red locks lying against the head board when he came closer. He saw Koreen's peaceful face sleeping, resting her head on Jon's shoulder.
He stepped behind. His heart raced, almost ached.
He moved backward unwillingly, bumping the table behind him, dropping the bowl of food onto the floor.
"R-robb?"
He was stunned when she saw Koreen who sat up.
He did not know what to say. Thoughts scrambling through his brain, but rendered him speechless.
He raced to the open door, ignoring Koreen's call.
He couldn't remember how he got to his chamber. He suddenly felt tired, nauseated.
Has it been going on long? Was that why Koreen invited Jon yesterday when they were to roam around the grounds? And she cried so hard each time Jon was kicked and jabbed…
A knock on the door distracted him.
"Lord Robb? Are you here?" it was Luna. He thought it was Koreen, or he was expecting that it was Koreen.
"I'm not well, Luna. Please leave me be." he said coldly.
"Lady Catelyn calls for you, Robb. Your tea is getting cold."
"Throw the tea out then. I just need a couple of hours of sleep…" he said behind the closed door.
"I can bring you your breakfast here, if you—"
"I said I need to rest!" he shouted.
He felt guilty after the outburst, Luna has been their maid since he was a tot. He never heard his parents raised their voice towards the woman, but the first time was from him.
"Sleep fast, child. I hope you feel better." She said, obviously offended. He heard her footsteps stepping away.
His aching back now radiates through his body. He felt his hands tremble, his breathing heavy.
He felt betrayed, blindsided by his brother whom he trusted.
He stared at the vial he forgot he was holding. And threw it against the wall, breaking the bottle into pieces
He barely noticed the knock on his door.
"Leave me be!" he roared.
"Robb?"
He recognized Koreen's voice, though faint and gentle.
He was not sure if he could face her, if he could look her in the eyes, speak to her.
But for some reason, he missed her.
"Robb, please." She pleaded. His insides fought, but his heart won.
He was dumbstruck when he opened the door, Koreen standing in front of him.
Her wine red hair tousled, her eyes slightly swollen but still endearing. He noticed her feet were bare and she wasn't wearing the robe, he had to shake his head to get his eyes off the sheer garments. She must have raced to him.
He reminded himself that he was mad, that Koreen spent the night beside Jon, fuming with undeclared jealousy.
Robb looked around to check that the hall is clear of anyone who might see them.
"Do you want Jon?" he asked, controlling his anger.
"What?" Koreen was perplexed at his blunt question.
Robb took her arm and pulled her inside his chamber. Locking the door behind him.
"I was asking if you wanted Jon." He repeated when he faced the girl.
Koreen stared at him, fury brewing.
"So what if I do? What is wrong with that? Why does it matter to you?" she asked, challenging his wits.
He fell silent.
"Am I your woman? Are you mine?" she probed.
"You want Jon, don't you?" he asked, ignoring her questions, "We kissed, Koreen. Did that not matter? I made it visible how I care for you…"
"You've known me for a short time, your feelings may be deceiving you."
"Do not dictate me what to feel, Koreen!"
"Of course, because nobody dictates a future lord, especially by a tamed wildling girl!"
Robb released a sigh of frustration, trying hard to control his temper.
"The kiss… we kissed and I called you a princess. That bothered you. Didn't it?" it was more of a statement than a question.
Koreen shook her head, frustrated and defeated.
"Look at us, Robb. If it was just the two of us, we're equal. But the moment we step out of this chamber, people will be looking down at me and up at you. Did you think we would have a chance?" she surrendered. Tears were welling from her eyes but she breathed in to stop it.
"And did you think you'd have a chance with my half-brother? Folks whisper of him, calling him bastard instead of his name, and even his name bare his label! What future do you think is ahead of him?!" The words hurt him as well. But with his rage, he did not care.
"Stop saying that! Jon has nothing to do with you and me. Do you not understand? You'll be betrothed to marry some noble girl of some noble house that builds majestic forts and mines valuable gold. Even a wildling brain like mine can grasp it!" she argued.
He did not think that Koreen was thinking that fact that he many times chose to ignore.
"You're not a wilding in my eyes anymore, Koreen."
"I'm a Lastliv, Robb Stark. A name I gave myself because I did not have home. My blood is never meant to be woven with yours." Koreen moved, strutted towards the door.
"No!" Robb followed her, held her hand on the knob to stop her. "I will not be dictated by anyone, especially by a wildling girl."
Robb put his lips to hers. Holding her waist with one hand, the back of head with the other. His kiss was so eager and yearning.
Koreen's fight was futile. He pushed Robb away, but his kiss was dizzying, clouding all her right judgement. Her hands were unwilling, holding Robb's neck.
Robb's kiss went from all the corners of her lips to her neck.
Koreen let out a meek moan, her hands combing Robb's brown hair. She closed her eyes, forgetting why she was there in the room in the first place. She just wanted to be there with him. She would trade anything for that moment. She shut her own mind and finally… let herself be lost with the moment.
His hands seemed like they were trained to touch with pleasure. He was kissing her neck when he removed the undershirt, the only thing she was wearing, through its neck hole, exposing her bare chest, supple and hard.
He looked on her with so much awe, salivating, swallowing.
Koreen blushed. The air was cold to her skin, goose bumps made her skin more sensitive to his touch.
Robb wanted to ask, but he was too afraid of the answer. He gave up thinking for a while.
Koreen touched the leather he was wearing, toying with it. She wanted to seduce him, but was afraid to look foolish.
He craftily removed his clothing, how he removed it that swift, he did not know.
Koreen gently touched his skin. Tracing his training scars lightly with her fingers.
He kissed her mouth again, his hands caressing her smoothness and softness.
He brought her to his bed, laid her as gently as he could. His excitement heightened when he took off her underpants. The sight of her naked body on his fur covers driving him mad.
Robb removed his, too. He was hard, ready. He looked at Koreen, seeking approval. Koreen gave a smile, he kissed her forehead.
Koreen chose to close her eyes, fought all the shame and worries. But her body betrayed her. Her back arches and her skin burned at his every touch.
He laid on top of her, controlling his weight on her, resting his knees between her legs.
"Look at me, my love…" he whispered, his voice raspy, his breath warm.
She hesitated, but then she obeyed.
Robb stared deeply into her eyes, assuring and securing her.
He touched her face, trying to take in all its details to the last freckle.
Robb searched for her hand, holding it, weaving her fingers with his. And when they both can no longer hold the anticipation, he entered.
There was pain, Koreen winced. She was soft and wet. But she fixed her senses to his fullness inside of her. When she grew accustomed to the feeling, he thrusted, slowly, feeling all her depth and narrowness.
He kissed her, embraced her, and touched, felt, filled…
Her moans were uncontrollable, she bit her lip which was swollen from his ravage kisses, to at least restrain her own sound.
His breathing was warm and heavy, synched to his moves. Until he craved speed, and it drove her mad with pleasure, all the pain gone, she closed her eyes and dove into great ecstasy.
She couldn't contain the sensation pulsing through her body, the tingling vibrates, waking all her unconscious nerves.
Her fingernails dug onto his bare back. His teeth teasingly bit her shoulder.
"Robb…" she yearned. "Oh, Robb…"
He smiled when he heard her cry out his name. Just the thought of satisfying Koreen pleased h0im.
When he felt her tighten, he moved his hips faster and more assured. Koreen felt her head was to explode, she shuddered of indescribable euphoria.
He closed his eyes, pushed his face against her neck so he won't scream.
And with a final rush of warmth, he let go.
They were both out of breath. They felt the cold when the freezing air hit their sweaty bodies.
Robb kissed her, not letting her go from his embrace. She kept her eyes closed while gasping for air.
They stayed that way for a while. Koreen was lying beside him, her head rested on his chest. Silent. Searching for words to say. Waiting for each other to speak first.
"He was so sick last night, Robb." Koreen began. "Jon." Robb thought his name stung his gut. "I brought him food and drink. His room was dark and his window missing its door. He developed a fever and I was frantic. You and Maester weren't here. I didn't know what to do."
Koreen sat up on the bed, faced the window. Her naked back against the sun, was for Robb a sight to behold.
"I remember the lady hunter sleeping close to me when I was sick as a child. I thought it would warm him up. I shared my warmth to your brother who was dying of compassion and care. I shared his bed and slept beside him the whole night leaving only my undergarments…" she continued.
"Koreen, you don't have to say no more. I don't care. Jon cannot come between you and I." Robb sat up, too. Touched her hair and kissed her neck as he calmly proclaimed.
"Robb." Koreen called over her shoulder.
"Yes, my love?"
Her tears finally rolled down her cheeks.
"There is no you and I."