Chapter 6 Not so grim up north
Formal introductions over, Alyssa smiled warmly at her cousin.
"Surprised to see me?" Olivia asked, linking her arm with the other girl's.
"Of course I am, last I knew you were in Braavos with your father," Olivia's father was married to Alyssa's uncle on her mother's side, a nobleman of the lesser Dorsinger family. At two years older, the girls had maintained a close friendship despite the often great distances between them.
"I was, but returned to King's landing a couple of months ago. I missed the court gossip, the girls, the men…and with daddy keeping an eye on me it was so difficult to have any fun," she sulked. "Though I'm very sorry to hear about Jon Arryn, your uncle was a good, kind man,"
"Thank you," Alyssa bowed her head. "So you decided to come north?" she raised her eyebrow.
"Only because I knew you would be here, silly," Olivia squeezed her cousin's arm affectionately. "Now, walk me to my room, I need to know everything about this place and what you've been doing."
Alyssa mock-curtseyed and led Olivia to the guest house, not failing to notice Theon's eyes on her pretty cousin as they left.
Finding out which room had been assigned to Olivia, there was initial disappointment to discover she would be sharing with two other older women, none of whom she was particularly familiar.
"You can always share my room," offered Alyssa, feeling sympathy.
"That would be fun, no doubt you'll have a stream of northern men queuing outside your door in hope and anticipation," her cousin winked.
"Perhaps now you're here," Alyssa lightly punched her on the arm. The women she had initially been assigned to share with did not mind the new arrangements at all, for it meant they could continue their secret love affair away from prying eyes. Of course they did not reveal this to Alyssa or Olivia. "Come on, let's go to the castle. We can arrange to have your things moved over," Arm in arm the girls left the guest house and strode across the courtyard. It was still very busy, not only had the King travelled with his family and personal guard, but also knights, sellswords, noblemen and all of their squires and servants.
It was already crowded when Alyssa and Olivia entered the great hall for the feast. They managed to squeeze into the same bench as Robb and Theon, Alyssa delighted to be sat next to Robb. She had not told Olivia about him yet and was looking forward to a proper gossip later. Servants were immediately on hand to fill their cups. Alyssa noticed Jon wasn't sat with the rest of his family, no doubt although allowed to be present when the party initially arrived, Catelyn Stark had out her foot down about him eating anywhere near the King, Queen and young Princes and Princess. Catching her eye, he scowled and looked away. She sighed and returned to her meal, hunger subsiding.
"Who's he?" Olivia nudged her, indicating the heir to the Iron Isles who was opposite them.
"Theon Greyjoy, Lord Stark's ward," Alyssa replied casually.
"Can you introduce me?"
"If he doesn't himself, then of course," though she doubted very much she would have to intervene. She knew Theon had already noticed Olivia earlier, and was not one to pass up an opportunity to try and bed a pretty girl. Glancing back to where Jon had previously sat, she frowned to see her was no longer there. She could not see him anywhere in the hall. She thought about going to investigate, but then Robb's hand brushed her knee gently yet quite deliberately.
"Friend of yours?" he asked, indicating Olivia.
"You could say that," she grinned. "Robb Stark, meet my cousin Olivia Dorsinger," she moved back so he could kiss her hand in greeting.
"Pleasure," he smiled.
"Likewise," she nodded, not failing to notice he was handsome. Before she had chance to dwell on that any further, Alyssa attracted the attention of Theon.
"And this is Theon Greyjoy. Theon, Olivia Dorsinger," she indicated, pleased to have carried out her older cousin's request so soon. Theon was too far away to repeat Robb's gesture, but he put on his most flirty smile and his eyes twinkled as he greeted her.
"Charmed, my lady. Do you enjoy dancing?" he enquired, Robb and Alyssa trying to maintain straight faces. It was like he just could not help himself.
"As long as my partner's good enough," she replied with a challenging smile, Theon not failing to notice the way she seductively licked gravy from the tip of her finger. Theon was almost stunned into silence but not quite.
"I shall no doubt meet you on the dance floor later," he raised his cup to her and took a long drink. Olivia smiled and nodded in return. Alyssa secretly hoped they would keep flirting so she could talk to Robb who had moved closer, their thighs pressed together by now under the bench. Towards the end of their meal, they were interrupted with a shrill squeal. Turning, Alyssa saw that Arya Stark had flicked some brown paste at her sister; hitting her in the face. Alyssa felt for Sansa, yet turned so that she could hide the giggle Arya's antics incited. After receiving a look from his mother, Robb sighed and left to escprt his little sister to her room.
The celebrations were in full swing. The servants had pushed the benches back, and the sound of music and laughter filled the hall as the dancing commenced and wine flowed freely. Robb had since returned, sat with his arm around Alyssa earning curious glances from all around, apart from Olivia and Theon who were currently wrapped around each other amongst the throng of dancers. Catelyn Stark leaned towards her husband, indicating her olders son.
"Looks like Lysa was not wrong after all," she commented.
"Indeed, and Robb could do a hell of a lot worse," Ned agreed, putting his arm around her, smiling towards the young pair.
"I've missed you," Robb whispered now they were sat relatively alone.
"I've missed you too," Alyssa confessed, lightly stoking his face. "Though this smoothness is going to take some getting used to."
"Mother's orders," he replied grimly. "So what are your plans for the rest of the evening?"
"You tell me," she shrugged, "Drinking, dancing, laughing... I seem to recall you stating previously t
he night is young,"
"Indeed it is," he chuckled, then surprised her by kissing her full on the mouth in front of all present. Unfortunately they were interrupted at that moment by Jaime Lannister.
"Pardon me my Lord, a word?" he asked politely, though Alyssa sensed his arrogance. "My lady," he nodded at her, "So nice to see you again,"
"Thank you Ser Jaime. I'll leave you to it," she smiled getting up. She remembered Jon then, how he had looked and that he hadn't been back to enjoy the festivities. She decided to pop outside, and if she did not see him would leave him for the night. She exited the hall unnoticed, and stepped out into the cool night air, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth. Stepping into the centre of the courtyard, she heard an insistent thwacking sound. Following it's source, she happened upon Jon hacking the shit out of a straw practice dummy. She
stood and watched him for a second, the passion that he swung his sword with almost frightening her. As she walked closer, he seemed to sense her presence for he suddenly stopped panting.
"What do you want?" he asked, not in a nasty way, more in a tired, weary manner.
"Jon, I've been meaning to speak to you. About what happened." Jon stiffened, and he turned to look at her face on but wouldn't come any closer.
"What is there to talk about?"
"The fact that I shouldn't have done it. I don't mean that I didn't want to, not at all, but it was irresponsible of me to do in my state. And I don't want to cause a rift between you and Robb, I know how close you are and how much you love each other. I just feel like you've been deliberately avoiding me," Jon merely stared, Alyssa hadn't meant to reveal so much but it seemed as soon as she gazed into his soulful dark eyes they turned a key into her soul. She wasn't sure what she felt for him; nothing like what she did for Robb but there was still something.
"It did hurt. That we had that... experience and passion, and then knowing how Robb felt, and how you felt about him. I didn't know what to do about it and like you said, I love Robb and he's too important to fall out over a girl."
"I'm sorry I hurt you Jon, I really really am. All I can do is offer to put this behind us," she took the initiative and moved closer, closing the gap between them.
"I know you didn't mean to." he replied. "I'm sorry for the way I've been acting. There's no point anyway, I've spoken to Uncle Benjen and I'm taking the black," Alyssa's eyes widened, but before she could open her mouth he continued. "Not because of you. No offense, but I'm a bastard. I can't make a name for myself any other way, and there's honour in serving the Night's Watch. There's honour in protecting the seven kingdoms from whatever's beyond the wall," Alyssa nodded, unable to explain the sudden sadness that came over her.
"If that's what you want to do Jon, then whatever it's worth you have my full support," she said earnestly.
"Thank you," he replied, this time with more warmth.
"Want to come have a drink to celebrate your decision?" she offered, indicating the hall. No doubt Robb might be wondering where she was anyway.
"Thank you for the offer, but I think I'll stay out here for a while, though I do feel better," he confessed, a small smile appearing on his full lips. Alyssa nodded. Before she could help herself, she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms round him, pecking him on the cheek.
"Thank you Jon, I'll always think you a man of honour," she whispered. Jon squeezed her back and gently pushed her away.
"Go on, go and join Robb. Drink, fuck, dance, be happy,"
"I will," she promised, turning back to the hall. Without a backwards glance she entered, eyes falling on Robb straight away. He greeted her with a heart melting smile, leaving his present company to meet her.
"Where have you been?" he asked kissing her. "You're freezing,"
"I was talking to Jon," she replied, pressing closer to steal some of his warmth. She felt Robb tense slightly, an indication he was still a little resentful about their drunken escapades.
"Oh? Where is he anyway?"
"He's reflecting. He and your uncle have spoken and he wants to take the black,"
"Oh," Robb sounded almost dissappointed. "Well, his sword will certainly make a difference there no doubt,"
"I think so," she replied. "Come on, Theon and Olivia cannot be allowed to have all the dancing glory. I haven't danced for a long time Robb Stark, and I want to dance with you,"
"There's an offer I cannot refuse," he kissed her and took her hand, leading her to join the twirling, swaying couples in the centre of the room. Olivia and Theon were very much involved with each other, kissing and running their hands over each other like they were the only people in the room. Nobody else seemed to care, either expecting it of Theon or too involved in their own revelry. Olivia rolled her eyes, wondering if she would have their room to herself tonight. Her attention quickly shifted when Robb pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. The way he stared into her eyes as she gently swayed her hips against him stirred something pleasant in the bottom of her stomach. She leaned up and began kissing him softly, snaking her arms around his neck.
"We could finish this dance in private," she whispered in his ear, planting a kiss just below it.
"Do you have some moves to show me?" he whispered back, his breath on her neck making her shiver.
"Yes, though you can't share them with anything else,"
"I agree to those terms," he stroked his hands down her lower back, subtly informing her of the hard bulge she could feel through his clothes. Thank the gods his tunic flared out enough to conceal it.
"Lead the way," she invited, stepping back and taking his hand.
A/N Thank you again for reading and reviewing, I'm really enjoying writing this. I apologise I cannot update as much as I'd like to but I have a few uni deadlines to meet first :(
