Robb was not the only one who was trying to catch his breath now.
I felt no pain. I only felt pleasure. When I said what I had to say, it was easy. It was really easy. And now I enjoyed every second of it. And I wanted more. As much as I had, I wanted more. I wanted him to hold me closer to him, I wanted him to kiss me more, I wanted him moving inside of me, I wanted him to hold me with all his strength. And in that one moment when I fell apart into a million tiny pieces, I still wanted more. But it is one thing to want, and another thing to do what you want. We just couldn't.
I turned to him. He was already looking at me, and after a few moments, he started laughing. And I was laughing too, but not for long. I was so weak and exhausted that I could barely laugh.
"That was…" I started, but I could not find the right word. The first time we shared a bed, I thought it was unnatural in every possible way. And now, I could see that there is nothing more natural than this. Two bodies, literally becoming one. It felt a lot better now that the both of us wanted it.
"Incredible." He said, and I nodded. That is the word." Now you see that this marriage could work out." He said, and I smiled. I can see that possibility." I think I might truly love you someday Elena Stark." He said with a smile. That is the best I can get at this moment, and it is also the best I can give.
"I think I might truly love you too someday. Robb Stark." I whispered, and he started laughing.
"I'd never thought I'd hear that coming out of your mouth." He said, and I laughed too.
"Neither did I. But I do not see why not. You are a good man. Honorable. Trustworthy. Smart. Brave. Almost as difficult as I am." I said, and he laughed." You care about your family. You aren't exactly that difficult to look at. And the sex isn't that bad either." I said, and he laughed.
"True." He said, a big smile on his face." You are a unique person Elena. I have never met someone so determined and persistent. And with such a big heart. And you aren't difficult to look at either, especially not now." He said, and we both laughed when I punched him in the shoulders.
"And the sex isn't that bad either?" I asked, and he laughed.
"What if we're both bad at it, and we just don't know it?" he asked. I thought about that for a moment, and then I started laughing like mad. We both laughed like mad. And the worst thing is that that is a real possibility. Both of us have nothing to compare it to. Although, if this was bad, I can't imagine what the good is like. I'm still having trouble breathing.
"Well, if that is true, than we will be bad at it together." I said with a small smile. He moved over so that I could lie down next to him. That is probably the biggest change. We didn't run from each other now.
"Deal." He said, and he kissed me. I smiled once again. My head was on his chest, his hands on my back, and our legs were a tangled mess. I think I might be able to get used to this.
This time it was the heat that woke me up. I was still in Robb's embrace, and the sheets didn't help either. Gods, he is so warm. I opened my eyes, ready to pull away from him, but to my surprise, he was awake. He was awake and looked at me with a smile on his face, and I only frowned even more.
"Good morning." He said, and I mumbled something in response. I managed to sit up straight.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked. I have a feeling that I should have been up a long time ago. He was still smiling. I think he finds it entertaining when I'm sleepy." We will be late for breakfast." I said. Unlike my family, his family tends to have their meals together. And I preferred it that way too.
"We're already late for breakfast." He said. I sighed. This shouldn't have happened. "We will go down and eat when we're ready. And I am sure my family will be able to forgive us." He said with a smile.
"Alright. But we should still get ready straight away." I said, and now he was the one who sighed. He let me win, and that made me smile. He was already dressed when I finished washing my face. I put on the same dress I had yesterday. I don't have the time to get another, we're already late." Do you mind helping me?" I asked, turning my back to him. He started tying my dress." I'm sorry. If I had the time, I would have gone to Elisa and let her do that." I said. Gods, I'm treating him like he's a maid! He laughed.
"It's not a problem Elena." He said, and I knew he was smiling too." You're my wife and I think it is normal for me to help you dress as it is to help you undress." He said. I laughed, and he kissed my neck.
"I don't even have the time to do my hair." I said when I saw my reflection in the mirror. I tried to style my hair as much as I could, running my finger threw it instead of a brush.
"You should wear it like that more often." Robb said. I could see in the mirror that he was looking at me, and I blushed. Even after last night, I cannot accept a compliment. Well, not with words that is. I walked over to him, and I kissed him. He smiled when he broke the kiss." We should go, because if you do that again, we won't make it by lunchtime." He said, and I started laughing. As soon as he makes a joke, I feel better and relaxed and more comfortable. I should tell him that, so that he knows what to do to calm me down. But not today. I had enough of confessions last night.
CATELYN
"Ned, I swear to you, I don't know what to do with them." I told him, and he just took a deep breath." They are still acting like they are complete strangers. They are avoiding each other so much that they didn't even joined us for breakfast!" I said. This isn't easy for me. I want to help them, and at the same time, I do not want to cross a line and be the mother that controls her son's marriage!
I was there when he read the letter. I saw his reaction. Yes, he wasn't exactly happy, but he was very much aware that Elena is not a bad choice. When I first met her, I didn't want her in my family. Then I saw her; proving herself, time and time again. I couldn't ask for a better wife to my son, I know that.
I knew it would take some time. I knew that because of my own experience. But I also thought they would work on it. I have no idea why they don't just try. And I think that Elena isn't the one to blame here too. She is scared, she is scared beyond belief. I know that, because I once was in her place.
Ned helped me, and I don't see Robb doing the same for his wife. He may be kind, but that is never enough. They both are fulfilling their marital duties, but they do not act like a married couple.
"Cat, they need time." Ned said, with a worried look on his face. He too is worried about them, maybe even more than I am. He just doesn't show it as I do." She is scared, and Robb doesn't know how to act in this situation." he said.
"She is scared because she is just a girl who got married without a chance to get used to her betrothed before it happened. And Robb is also scared, I just can't understand why." I said. Elena was not the only one holding herself back and choosing words wisely. Robb was just like her, if not even worse. And I could not see why.
"Can you blame him Cat?" Ned asked, and I frowned, not knowing what he is trying to say." I've met many people, but only two were unique, determined, frightening and kind at the same time. Elena and you." He said, and I smiled." She's a lioness Cat, and I am not talking about her family's sigil. She is not afraid to fight. She trusted us, and she fought for us. And Robb was always used to girls swooning over him. He was always handsome, he will be the future Lord of Winterfell, and now he's married to a girl who couldn't care less about it. She is not a quiet girl, and she is not irrelevant. She is his equal, and he does not know how to handle that. She's a challenge for him. And I don't even want to talk about her abilities. For what I could see myself, she may even be able to beat him in sword fighting. The problem is that Robb is trying to figure out how to play a game, instead of just playing it." he said.
It made sense. Elena is definitely a woman who is there just to look good. She is as much of a leader as Robb is. Ned's right. He just probably doesn't know how to act around her.
"You men." I said, and Ned started laughing. "You always complicate everything. The only thing he needs to do is to show her that he cares, and she would be all his. I know that girl. I recognize myself in her, and I recognize our daughters in her. I know what she thinks. She didn't want this, but she is willing to make an effort in order to make it work. I know Robert looked at the two of them and saw himself and Lyanna, but I look at them and see the two of us. An honorable man who doesn't know what to do, and a scared girl in the cold North." I said. We were in an exact same situation when we got married.
"I know what you mean." Ned said. I know he saw that too." But we didn't have love either. Not until we had Robb. Some people need a push to realize they loved something that was in front of them." he said.
"Well, I hope they reach it fast. I don't want to see them in such fear." I said. They both deserve better. And they both could be happy with each other, only if they try.
"Cat?" Ned asked, and I looked at him." I think you won't wait that long." He said with a small smile, and I frowned. He nodded his head, and I followed his gaze.
Elena and Robb had just sat down at the table. The servants were running around, bringing them breakfast, and it seemed like they didn't even notice them. They were looking at each other, and Robb said something that made Elena laugh. He was smiling when she started laughing. And now I smiled too. The way he looked at her was not the way you look at a stranger. He was still smiling when he saw us looking at them. He nodded, a smile still on his face, and we both nodded back. Ned and I shared a look, and started walking down the hallway. And then we started laughing.
"They weren't late for breakfast because they avoided each other." Ned said, and I laughed.
"Let them be. As far as I'm considered, they can be late every day if that means they're making some progress." I said, and I hooked my arm under his." Do you remember when we used to be late for breakfast?" I asked with a smile, and my eyebrows raised, and Ned grinned at me.
"Cat, there were days when we weren't out of our chambers by lunch." He said, and we both were laughing. Those were the times. I'm glad to see our son might be living them now.
ELENA
After a walk with Arya and Sansa, I walked them over for their classes with Septa. And having a little time to myself, I grabbed one of the book's I brought here with me, found a quiet place in the courtyard, and sat down on the ground, hidden behind the tower.
But it was difficult to focus on the book. So much had happened last night and this morning. I remembered out conversations. I wasn't confiding in him like I do with Gendry and Jon, but what Robb and I have is a complete different trust. We are finally making some progress, and that is why I still have a big smile on my face.
"Someone had a good night sleep I see." I heard a voice, and turned around to see Theon walking over to me. He must have seen me smiling at nothing. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Hello Theon." I said. I wasn't angry, not really. He is Robb's friend, and he is known for his sharp tongue, so I will not hold it against him." What can I do for you?" I asked. My secret hiding place isn't that easy to find. If he bothered that much to find me, it must be because I am needed somewhere.
"A letter arrived for you this morning." He said, and he handed me a scroll. I wasn't expecting this, but I did my best not to show the surprise on my face." And Robb want's to speak to you, he's in the library." He said, and I nodded. Oh Gods, what have I done now? It only just started being good!
"Please tell him I'll be there right away. I just need to read this." I said, and he nodded before walking away. He knew I wanted to read the letter in privacy.
The letter was from King's Landing, I could see that much.
And that is exactly why I didn't want to read it. Not now, especially not in front of someone else. I knew it wasn't from Tyrion, since he wouldn't risk sending an official letter. He has his own ways of letting me know what I need to know, and letter with a King's Landing.
It was either from Joffrey, my sister, or my other brother, and that was reason enough for me not to open it. If it was from Joffrey, he wouldn't address it specifically to me. And if my brother had the guts to even speak to me, he will be in Winterfell, he wouldn't just send a letter. It has to be from Cersei.
I was right. As soon as I opened the letter, I recognized her neat handwriting.
Dear Elena,
The news of your marriage to Lord Stark's son has arrived in King's Landing a while ago. I would like to apologize in the name of the House of Baratheon that we were not able to attend, and I would like to apologize in the name of the House of Lannister that we did not give you away in a proper manner.
I send my congratulations to you and your husband. I told you while you were still here that I want you to find your happiness, and I mean it.
I know that it is probably too late for me to apologize for my mistakes, and that some burnt bridges will never be rebuilt again, but I'll be damned if that stops me from trying.
I am truly sorry that I never was the sister you needed. Unlike me, you never had our mother. You had no one to guide you, and I was too selfish to see that you needed me. It may be late for me to fix things between the two of us, but it is not late for me to give you advice. The same advice our mother gave to me when I married Robert.
Do not let him own you. You are his wife, not his property. Make him earn your love. You two should be equals, in public, in business, in everyday life and in the bedroom. I was never able to follow this advice, but I married a King, and you married a kind young man. Do not back away Elena. You should own him.
Do not be afraid to speak your mind. Do not just spread your legs, but take the lead. Make sure that you are the only one, not only in his bed and in his heart, but in his mind as well. I have no doubt that you will be able to do so. After all, I did see the way he looked at you when we were in Winterfell.
Give me a chance Elena. Allow me to at least try to fix things between us. I know I realized it when it was already too late, but even if you're married, you are my family and I need to take care of you. In the world of men, we women need to look after each other. And even if I never really had you, I do not want to lose you.
I love you. You're sister, Cersei.
With every line of the letter, my surprise grew bigger. I did not expect this from her. And I do not know what am I supposed to do. Should I listen to her advice? Should I write her back? For a moment, I think that the bridges can be rebuilt, and then, I remember what she did with our brother.
I am lost. The only thing I know is that this needs to wait. Robb needs to talk to me now.
I folded the letter and put it in my pocket. I knew Winterfell and the castle like the back of my hand now, so I found the library straight away. I knocked before I entered, relieved to find Robb alone.
"Theon said you wanted to see me." I said, and he nodded.
"Yes, please, come in." he said, and I walked in." I need your help." He said. I felt proud in a way.
"I'm glad you think I can help. What happened?" I asked.
"Gendry and Arya got in a fist fight." He said.
"What?" I asked in surprise, and he nodded." How?" I asked, even more surprised when I realized he was not joking. I should probably be worried for Gendry and Arya, but I am mostly confused.
"I don't know." He said, and he was laughing." Gendry's the one who got his ass kicked. Arya just jumped on him, and he didn't want to defend himself." He said. And now I was the one who was laughing. I had to lean myself on the desk so that I don't fall down. I don't remember if I ever laughed this hard. And the best part of it is that I could imagine the whole thing in my mind." Jokes aside, I do need you to talk to them. You and Gendry are like brother and sister, and Arya loves you more than she loves me." he said, a smile on his face, and I nodded. I finally stopped laughing.
"Yes, of course I will talk to them. I must say, I didn't expect to hear this." I said, and he laughed.
"I know. Do you have any idea why would Arya do such a thing?" he asked. I thought about it.
"Actually I do." I said, and I could see the question in his facial expression." I may not know much, but I do know to recognize the actions of a girl in love." I said with a small smile.
"You think Arya is in love with him?" He asked, and I nodded my head. I do not have proof, but I do think that." Did you hit boys since you know how to recognize the actions of a girl in love?" he asked with a smirk, and I laughed. He wasn't very subtle.
"No. I never was a girl in love." I admitted with a small smile." But I do know Arya, and I do know Gendy. And they would rather get in a fist fight than to admit that they have any sort of feelings. Especially since Gendry is older than she is. But don't worry about it, and don't worry your parents with it. I will deal with it straight away." I said.
"Thank you." He said, and he walked over to me. His hands were on my waist, his lips on my lips.
"You're welcome." I said with a smile once I pulled away from the kiss." I'll go and make peace between the love birds." I said, and he was laughing as I walked through the door.
Sorry for not updating earlier. I apparently forgot I had a social life, and I fixed it by arriving home at four in the morning. But now I'm back here. Let me know what you think about the story so far, and if you like the not so subtle hinting towards the GendryXArya part of the story. Thank you for reading and following, and reviewing and everything, because you guys put a smile on my face every day :) And I will update later today, if not today, than tomorrow :) Bye bye for now.