"Arya, please, calm down." I said, but she was still chasing Sansa around the table. Arya was having fun, and Sansa was just trying to get away from her." Arya, I'm begging you, now is not the time to play." I said. And it finally worked. Probably because I asked nicely and didn't try to order her around.
"Can we help you somehow Elena?" Sansa asked, and I sighed. I was a complete mess. I was a walking disaster. Yesterday was the first day that Robb and I were in charge of Winterfell, and everything was fine. Today, not so much. Robb had to go and take care of a problem with a deserter from the Wall, and as soon as he left me alone, all Seven Hells came crashing on Winterfell and myself. Meat gone bad, runaway pigs and three direwolf pups. And as if that wasn't enough, two servants spilled a giant bucket of water in the hall, and now more than ten servants are trying to clean it up. I'm on the verge of tears.
"Please, for the love of Gods, go find one of your brothers. Robb, Jon, I don't care, even Hodor will do. I just need a man to help me right now!" I said, and they ran off. I could hear pigs squealing and I put my hands on my head. I am going to lose my mind. I need to fix all of this, and I do not know how. I don't exactly remember that Catelyn had to deal with runaway pigs, and yet, I have to.
"Hodor." I heard a voice, and I almost hugged that mountain of a man.
"Oh, thank Gods. Hodor, please take the direwolf pups somewhere safe, I am not sure what will Robb want to do with them. And when you do that, please try to catch those pigs." I said, practically begging.
"Hodor." He said, and before he walked away, he patted me on the back. Even he can see that I'm losing my mind now. I can't even be in control of a castle, let alone be Lady of Winterfell someday!
"Girls, this needs to go faster." I said, and I sighed." Oh, to hells with it." I said as I dropped on my knees and grabbed a cloth. They all stopped cleaning, and looked at me." Yes, I'm scrubbing floors. Please, let's finish this before I jump from Winterfell's highest tower." I begged, and they all started cleaning again.
I'm sure it's fun, watching me scrubbing floors. I scrubbed until I saw two boots in front of me. I looked up, and it was Robb. I got up back on my feet, and I almost hugged him.
"Thank Gods. Robb, I'm going to lose my mind." I said. I could see that he can barely contain his laugh.
"Elena, can you please explain to me why are you scrubbing floors, and why are Jon, Gendry, Sansa, Arya and Hodor running around the courtyard, chasing pigs? "He asked. I could no longer contain my tears.
"Because I'm a stupid, incapable Lannister, that's why." I said." No, don't try to convince me otherwise, please." I said when I could see that he wanted to say something." Just please, help me, I'm begging you. You go and see what you want to do with the direwolfs, and I'm going to chase some pigs." I said and I walked away, cloth still in hand, trying my best not to start sobbing. It's bad enough I'm crying.
We chased the pigs at least for two hours before we managed to catch them all and put them in their barn. Gendry, Jon, Arya, Sansa and I were so exhausted that we just collapsed on the haystacks, and Hodor went to see if Robb needs a hand. Once again, I started crying. Sansa tried hugged me, but I still couldn't stop. Even Gray wind tried to make me feel better by snuggling next to me. It didn't work.
"I'm a failure. You shouldn't give me a dog to look after, let alone Winterfell." I said.
"Elena, don't talk like that. You're doing well." Jon said. Ah, always the wise one of the group.
"Yes, sure. I turned Winterfell into an animal kingdom. I made people laugh at me because I was a Lannister, scrubbing the floor with the servants. Instead of helping Robb, I'm making things worse!"
"Elena, Jon's right." Sansa said, her arm still around me." For someone who is doing this for the first time, you're doing really well. And we all saw Winterfell in worse conditions." She said. I appreciate her effort, but I know she's only saying that to make me feel better. It isn't working.
"Animals running around, the hall is flooded, and we have no dinner. Things cannot get any worse." I said, and just as I said it, I saw a servant running towards us." No, no, no, no, for the love of Gods, I wasn't serious!" I whined. I just had to say that it can't get any worse, didn't I?
"My lady, the goats escaped their barn." He said, and I buried my face in my hands.
"Will somebody please kill me now?" I asked.
We caught all the goats by nightfall. The hall was clean, and for dinner, we had everything other than venison. No one complained, but I know very well that I was a disaster today.
Robb and I said goodnight to everyone and went to our chambers. I just sat on the bed, speechless. I could see that he wanted me to say something. I shook my head, but he was still waiting for something.
"I want to crawl into a corner, and die." I said, and he laughed. He climbed on the bed behind me." What are you doing?" I asked, but I realized he was giving me a neck massage. The roles have changed today." I'm so sorry Robb. I made a disaster today." I whispered. Tears filled my eyes once again.
"No, you didn't." he said, and I could only sigh." Every problem you had, you solved it. The hall was clean, animals were caught, and no one went to bed with an empty stomach." He said.
"You're just saying that to make me feel better." I said. It is not helping, but I appreciate it.
"That is not true." He said, and I shook my head. "Elena, I had to execute a man today." he said. And I stopped complaining at once. I'm not the one who had the worst day apparently." I wasn't here to help you. You alone were in charge of Winterfell, and you managed to sort everything out. You solved all the problems, you fed the family, and you gained the respect of your people. But I think that they respected you ever since you arrived here." He said, and I turned around to look at him.
"Really?" I asked in surprise. I thought they will think I'm useless after what happened today.
"Yes." He said, a smile on his face. I still didn't believe him." Elena, what did you think? You got on your knees and helped them. You put yourself on their level, and you didn't do it so that you can earn their respect. You did it without thinking twice about it. You might have been an incapable Lannister once, but today you were a strong and brave Stark." He said. And he managed to make me smile.
"Thank you." I whispered." Have you decided what will you do with the direwolf pups?" I asked him.
"Yes, we will keep them." He said, and I looked at him in surprise. "Gray Wind and the others have been more than useful. And Sansa and Arya lost theirs on the way to King's Landing." He said.
"What will you do with the third one?" I asked, and I did not wait for an answer." Give it to someone Robb. Don't kill it. They are adorable, and they are on the Stark's family sigil." I said.
"Don't worry." He said, and he was laughing." I intended to give the third one to you." He said.
"Really?" I asked, surprised, once again." Thank you." I said and I turned around to hug him." Thank you, I always wanted to have one." I said and I pulled away from the hug. He was smiling.
"I know, that's why I kept them." he said. I was right. He is getting to know me better." You should think of a name for him. Well, her." He said, and I smiled. He started untying my dress, and I bit my bottom lip. Am I even allowed to refuse him? Maybe if I ask nicely?
"Robb, please, not tonight." I whispered." I am beyond exhausted." I said, and he smiled at me.
"Don't worry, I'm helping you get out of the dress. I am considerate you know." He said and I giggled.
"Well, I suppose I could have done a lot worse." I said, and I laughed when he kissed my shoulder.
I named my direwolf Sand. I wanted her name to have something to do with the only home I ever knew and left behind. And the sand was one of the things I missed from King's Landing. Sansa's wolf is called Lady, just like her last one, and Arya's is called Mycah, like the name of the butcher's son that was killed because of Joffrey. The three of us were now playing with them, using the little time I had.
Since the Seven Hells fell down on me, I didn't have a problem in looking after Winterfell. Robb didn't have to take care of any more deserters, so I was not alone. And even if there was a problem, I would do my best, and I would usually take care of it before Robb even knew about it. I wanted to prove myself after that disaster. I think I was better. And Robb must have been right, since people were starting to look at me the way they look at Catelyn. They know I'm in charge until she comes back.
"My lady, you called us?" Elisa said as she and Jayne, a young servant, walked into the barn.
"Yes. Please Elisa, check if Bran needs anything, and make sure Hodor carries him down for dinner. And I need you Jayne to see if everything is going the way it should in the kitchen. And try to find Grayjoy." I said, and both of them nodded. "Jayne!" I yelled, and she turned around." Please, don't let him charm you. Just don't listen to him." I said, and she and Elisa laughed, as did Sansa and Arya. Everyone knows about Theon's flirting with the ladies. It doesn't always work, but I want to keep him away from them.
"Is Gendry working?" I asked Arya, and she nodded." I should go and see if he can work on the locks today. I'm still worried about the barns." I said, and she and Sansa laughed. Ever since I had to deal with the animals running around Winterfell, I had been checking the barn doors every single time I passed them. I think that it is safe to say that I am traumatized for life by the animals.
"Don't worry, no more pigs will run around while you're in charge." Arya told me with a smile.
"I sure hope so, because that was not fun." I said.
"Elena?" Sansa called, and I turned to her." I believe we have a visitor." She said with a smile, and I turned around to the barn door. There he was. My brother. The only one I'm proud to call my family. And he was wearing that smug smile he's known for having. I couldn't even move.
"I must say, I did not expect to see this." He said. I started laughing and crying in the same time. I got up on my feet and ran towards him, and once I got to him, I hugged him with all the strength I had in me." Careful baby sister. You're still bigger than I am." He said, and I pulled away.
"Arya, could you please tell Gendry to fix the locks, and Sansa, could you find Robb please, and tell him that my brother has arrived?" I asked. I didn't want the two of them to think that I am ordering them around. I would have done it all myself, but I just wanted to spend some time with my brother.
"Of course Elena." Sansa said with a smile, and she and Arya left the barn, leaving the two of us alone.
"We should go to my chambers brother. I am sure you would like some wine." I said, a smile on my face." How come you're here? How long will you be staying? Why didn't you let me know earlier with a letter, I would have prepared something, I don't even know if we have chambers ready for guests."
"Elena, easy, I only just got here." He said. We walked to the chambers I didn't even use anymore, but are still mine for all tense and purposes. Sansa must have already told someone about Tyrion's arrival, since a girl came in straight after us, with two goblets, and wine.
"Ah, now it's easier." He said after he took a sip of wine. I laughed." I'm just passing by. That is why I did not let you know I will be here. I didn't know if I will have the time to see you, or if I will be going to the Wall, and stopping by to Winterfell only on my way back." He said. And he surprised me.
"Why do you want to go to the Wall? You're not contemplating taking the Black, are you?" I asked him.
"Gods no." he said, and I laughed." I don't have the intention of giving up on the only things I like in this life. Whores and wine. You could say I'm going out of curiosity. But that is only an excuse to get away from Joffrey, and see you." He said.
"What is the situation like back in King's Landing?" I asked, getting straight to the point.
"First you tell me what's it like here for you? Barns, animals? Lord and Lady Stark leaving Winterfell to you and your husband to look after it? The big smile on your face? Your chambers which you clearly don't use?" he asked, and I think I blushed. He might be an open book, but I'm not.
"I'm happy here Tyrion. I really am. I found my place." I said.
"What about the boy? Do you love him?" he asked, and I couldn't answer him immediately.
"Not yet. We haven't got there yet. But, he is a good man. He is good to me. He respects and wants my opinion. He trusts me. He can even make me laugh. To be honest, he gives me everything I never thought I could get from an arranged marriage." I said, once I realized that was the truth.
"I told you back then that he wouldn't complain to share a bed with you." He said with a grin on his face.
"Stop it Tyrion." I said. And I was not amused. I might have wined to Gendry about it, but I do not want to talk about it with my brother. Unlike are other siblings, I still know what is right and what is wrong.
"You might not glow like a woman in love, but you do glow like a satisfied woman." He said, and I rolled my eyes. He is not going to give up. I should just be thankful he doesn't want any details.
"Alright. Robb makes me happy in every way possible!" I said, and he started laughing. And I, once again, reminded myself that that is not the truth. Not in every way possible. Almost every way, yes, but not every. I still blush frequently in front of him, and I think that it will take me a lot of time to finally relax and be myself around him, especially in the bed. I'm still as shy as I can be. And I don't even want to think about the love thing. Not until one of us gets there, and that will not happen any time soon.
"I'm glad he makes you happy." Tyrion said, and I knew he meant it. He is probably the only Lannister who ever cared for my happiness. Other ones either didn't appreciate me, or used me to play their game. And Tyrion has proven more than once that he cares for me, just like I care for him.
"So am I. I could have done a lot worse if you ask me." I said, and he laughed. Both Robb and I have been saying that quite a lot lately. Is that the only truth about our marriage? No, I can't think about it. Not now. "Tell me, what is happening back at King's Landing. I doubt she told you, but Cersei sent me a letter. Apparently, she regrets the way she treated me all those years, and she wishes she could change it." I said, my eyebrows raised. I still had my doubts about that, and I'm sure Tyrion will have them too.
"I thought she might do something like that." He said, and he took another sip of wine." It's relatively calm down there. Of course, that does not mean that that little shit makes good company." He said, and I laughed. Yes, Joffrey is a little shit, and no, he was never good company. I am beyond than happy that I got away from him." Cersei is controlling him, for now. When you left, it really changed the dynamics." He said, and I didn't hide my surprise. Sure, I knew that they will notice that I am gone, but I did not expect that my marriage will change anything in King's Landing." Cersei is apparently broken, and hurt and regrets that she treated you the way she did. And she blames Jaime for your departure. And he blames her. The exact words were "I will never forgive you for chasing her away." I believe." Tyrion said.
I did not expect to hear that. It makes me sad, but it still doesn't change anything.
"I'm not sure if they have continued with their activities which resulted in Joffrey's birth. Most time, they just argue, and blame each other for your departure. And I just miss you." He said. I gave him a kind smile, and I took his hand. He is the only one truthful out of all of them. Only he has honor. Cersei and Jaime are blaming each other because they can't except that it is both their fault. Well, actually, it is only father's fault that I am here, but it's their fault that I do not want to have anything to do with them.
"I miss you too. Only when I'm gone, they realize that they needed me. I'm not interested in that. You are the only Lannister I care for and respect." I said with a small smile. There was a knock on the door. " Come in!" I yelled, so that they could hear me. It was Robb.
"Lord Tyrion, Elena." He nodded at both of us, and I smiled." Sansa has informed me of your arrival. Now I finally have a chance to thank you personally for everything you have done for my family." He said. I don't know him, not as much as I would want to. But I know him well enough to see that he is honest. He meant everything he just said. He truly is thankful, and not only to Tyrion, but to me as well.
"It was an honor Lord Robb. And I must say, I am happy to see that you treat my sister well. She has a smile on her face, and that is the only thing important to me." he said. Robb and Tyrion smiled at each other, and I took a sip of wine. Men. I wasn't that angry when Robb smiled at me though.
Sorry for the delay guys. I had a lot of things to do in the stupid, real life. But tomorrow, I will be in Westeros once again, and hopefully, so will you. Thank you for reading, and for your support. Those of you who are into this story as much as I am will recognize themselves. ;) Keep reading, and I'll keep writing. :)