A/N Thank you those who have read, reviewed and favourited so far. I've pretty much got this thing planned out now, admittedly it's a bit more AU than I originally intended but that's the beauty of fan fiction. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and all constructive criticism and comments are welcome should you with to leave them.
Chapter 4 - Words Are Wind, Ever Changing
The following morning, Alyssa awoke with a pounding head and dry mouth, her tongue feeling like it had swollen to at least twice its previous size. She rolled back the bed covers and slowly stood, taking a minute for the spinning sensation to subside. Marta entered her room with another girl to help dress her, when she remembered the actions that had taken place before she went to bed.
"Oh shit," she sighed, shoulders slumping.
"Are you OK Miss?" asked Marta with concern, noticing the girl didn't look as fresh faced as she did the day before.
"Yes, thank you. I apologise for my outburst," mumbled Alyssa. The serving girl smiled at her and resumed her task, the dark haired southerner not yet used to the warmer but practical clothing styles of the north. It was like a flashback; she remembered the feel of Jon's lips on hers and the desire emanating from him as their bodies pressed against each other. She had wanted it too, but in all honesty she realised all she had wanted was to feel something other than sad, confused and lost. No denying Jon was a good looking young man, and she had enjoyed their experience, but she had been drunk and it was very inappropriate. What if Robb or Theon had escorted her to her room, would she have done the same?
When dressed, she reluctantly headed down to break her fast. She was angry with herself for letting it happen and getting so carried away, but also with how much she had enjoyed it. How would Jon react to her now, and would he seriously think he had an open invitation for some future encounter?
"Oh gods," she sighed, cursing her stupidity.
Jon Snow wasn't sure how to feel. Like Alyssa, he had enjoyed the experience and inwardly cursed himself for being such a gentleman in the end, putting her honour before his cock. Arriving for breakfast, he noticed Robb glaring at him suspiciously, and Theon with a grin on his face.
"Morning," he greeted them, taking his place at the long wooden trestle table. A bowl or porridge was placed in front of him as soon as he was sat, platters of fresh fruit being replenished in the centre of the tables.
"Good morning Snow, good night?" pressed Theon, Robb, merely grunting a greeting and focusing his attention on his meal. Jon's slight flush and suppressed smile gave him away. "Haha, I thought as much! To be honest, if I had the duty of escorting that thing to her chambers, I don't think I'd be able to leave without a taste of what was in-"
"Shut up!" snapped Robb, glaring at the other men. Jon stared at him in surprise. What could have made his half brother so angry? Unless-
"Robb, are you OK?" asked Jon, nothing but concern showing in his eyes. "I- I'm sorry if I did something wrong,"
"Did you fuck her?" the red haired man replied, looking straight at him. Jon was slightly taken aback, Robb had never spoken to him about any girls in this manner before and previously didn't seem to have an issue with whom he was intimate with.
"No. We just kissed and..., you know...that's it really." he shrugged feeling very uncomfortable. His discomfort grew as he saw Alyssa enter the hall and take a seat on the opposite side from them, Theon and Robb hadn't noticed yet.
"Did you see her teats?" asked Theon, aware the situation was tense enough but couldn't help but wind them up even more.
"Theon!" warned Robb, his eyes projecting daggers into the older man's.
"We didn't even have our clothes off," sighed Jon, putting down his spoon. He realised then, Robb liked her. And as much as he found her attractive, he felt bad but also relieved that things hadn't gone any further. Robb seemed to relax upon hearing this, but already in his mind he was considering the possibilities if there was any chance he could spend some quality time with Alyssa.
"Amateur," mumbled Theon. He saw the look on Robb's face and with a sigh realised she was off limits to him now before he'd even had an ample opportunity. The Kraken might have let his cock think for him a lot of the time, but wouldn't have done anything to betray the heart of the oldest Stark.
Across the room, Alyssa managed a few mouthfuls of bread before giving up, her stomach threatening to empty itself if she ate any more. Deciding this would most definitely be a day to avoid male company, she sought out the younger Stark girls and joined them and Septa Mordane in embroidery, soon becoming lost in their innocent girlish whispers and repetitive nature of the needlework before her. Sansa in particular was very excited about the imminent royal visit, and all she could talk about was the crown Prince, Joffrey. Having been acquainted with him already, Alyssa knew he was nothing to write home about but smiled along, not wanting to ruin Sansa's daydream.
She also found herself in a daydream of her own, concluding her earlier thought of what if it had been Robb or Theon last night. The idea of Theon she quickly brushed away; she knew he would have only been interested in one thing. But Robb in her chambers, that wouldn't have been such an ordeal. She mentally scolded herself for thinking such thoughts, surely when she actually had to face Jon it would cause enough trouble let alone planning on having another of Ned's boys in her room!
Robb Stark was present whilst his younger brother Bran was receiving an archery lesson from Theon. He was quieter than usual, speaking only to give the boy some well-placed advice as needed. Bran didn't even notice the tension as he focused hard on hitting the bullseye, so far not even coming close to it. He didn't give up though, and Robb admired him for that. Lesson over, Robb deliberately hung back as he and Jon encouraged Bran and Rickon to gather the stray arrows.
"I'm sorry Robb," Jon ventured, wanting to put his hand 0n his brother's shoulder but worried about being rejected. Robb sighed, he couldn't really be angry with his half brother. He doubted very much he'd have instigated anything anyway.
"It's OK Jon, I shouldn't have been so angry with you. I guess I didn't realise how attracted to the young Lady Arryn I am,"
"Nothing will happen again Robb, I promise," Jon swore, this time placing his hand firmly on his half brother's shoulder and looking him in the eye. Although he meant the words, it occurred to Jon that as much as it shouldn't happened, he had enjoyed it and wanted it to happen again but a promise was a promise. It meant that something he had been deciding for a while now was probably for the best after all. To take the black.
Robb smiled at Jon, covering his hand with his own and squeezing it briefly in acknowledgement.
"Thank you. Let's have supper," Jon grinned and joined by Theon, they made their way to the great hall, stomachs rumbling.
Alyssa was hungry, and had seated herself deliberately between Sansa and Arya, opposite Bran and Jayne Poole. The older girls figured there was something amiss, but had no idea what the situation was and were too polite to ask. When Alyssa saw the three men enter the hall and walk towards the family table, she tried not to react, simply smiling at them. Avoiding Jon's eyes out of awkwardness and Theon's out of embarrassment, for surely he'd pick up on what happened, she found herself staring into Robb's. Instead of looking stern though, his features actually softened and he returned her smile before sitting down - thankfully - at the other side of the table.
The next few days were spent in similar fashion, Alyssa spending her time with the girls and younger Stark brothers and avoiding Jon. She doubted anyone aside from his half brother and father's ward knew about what had happened, and as a result felt it best to avoid their presence for the time being as well. She still exchanged frequent smiles with Robb, though aside from polite conversation hadn't had a chance to speak alone.
Well, Robb intended to do something about that.
Days before the King was due to arrive, Alyssa was in her room whilst Marta brushed out her now past shoulder-length brown hair. A knock at the door disturbed them, she was not expecting anybody and expected it was perhaps one of the children wanting to go for a ride or hear a story. She called for her visitor to enter, rising as Marta stepped back. She was not expecting a serious looking Robb Stark.
"If now's a bad time I can come back," he said, hovering in the doorway.
"No it's fine. How are you?" she couldn't think of anything better to say and felt a bit stupid, this time she didn't have alcohol and the false confidence it brought.
"Well, thank you. I wondered, if you're not busy, if you'd like to come for a ride with me," Alyssa smiled at his invitation.
"Yes, I'd like that. I think it's been sufficient time since my journey that I can actually face being in the saddle again," she smiled. "Just give me some time to change, I'll meet you at the stables,"
"Great! Well, I'll see you there, and I promise to go easy on you," he added, turning and stepping lightly towards the exit of the castle and to the stable block to prepare the horses. He hadn't told Jon or Theon his plan, he didn't trust them not to comment or - even worse- decide to follow and spy on him.
Presently she arrived, dressed in warmer clothes more appropriate for riding. He helped her onto her horse, the same bay mare she had ridden from the Vale of Arryn not too long ago. To her surprise, they rode through Winterfell village itself rather than leaving via the King's gate as she imagined they would do, and instead headed north. They rode in amiable silence along the road, him leading and her following. After some time, he turned into a wooded path and halted, allowing her to catch up with him.
"Half an hour's ride up here, there's a nice resting spot," he explained. "It'll also give the chance for the horses to let off some steam, I notice yours seems full of energy,"
"Yes, it would appear so," she agreed, already having a spot of trouble holding the mare who hadn't been ridden for as long as her mistress had been out of the saddle.
"Let's go," he grinned, pushing his horse into a gentle canter up the trail. Alyssa had fully intended to do the same, but at the increase in speed her mare snorted, bucked and pelted after Robb's Garron, overtaking him within seconds. Alyssa laughed, taken by surprise but not unseated. Giving the mare her head, she leaned forward in the saddle and enjoyed the feeling of the wind in her hair. After a few minutes, she managed to reign her in, allowing Robb to catch up again and persuaded the mare to slow to a more acceptable canter.
"She was ready for that," Alyssa grinned, breathless. All of the awkwardness she had previously felt disappearing, she was genuinely having a good time. "I can't say I was though,"
"You did well to stay on," he laughed. "There's a clearing up ahead with a stream, we can water the horses there and give you a chance to get your breath back if you like,"
"Yes please," she agreed,m allowing him to take the lead once more.
