Chapter 7
A little girl is sitting on her mothers lap, bouncing excitedly. It is a beautiful day, the sun high in the sky, not a cloud in sight. They are sitting on a patch of bright green grass,a rare spot amongst the red stone, a blanket lies beneath them. The little girl is giggling excitedly and the mother is smiling, a rare sight. "Shhh, calm down sweet one." There are a few similarities between the two, the mothers eyes a light brown whilst's her child's an emerald green. The child's skin is pale and smooth and the mothers is tan but with fading bruises around her eyes and neck. But none of this matters today, only smiles and laughter no crying and screaming. The only similarity between the two is the raven coloured hair upon their heads, the mothers is tied back in a loose braid whilst her child's hangs freely down her shoulders. The mother looks as though she could have been quite beautiful had it not been for the bruises adorning her face. The mother playfully starts to tickles the young child and they both erupt into a fit of giggles.
"Oh my precious little Eve, so beautiful you are even when you are so young," The mother cooed and starting to run her fingers through her daughters hair. The little girl sobers at this slightly and turns to face her mother, her green eyes widening innocently, "Do you really think so, father said I'd never be able to find a husband with my looks-"
"Do not listen to him, Everra, you are too young to worry about such things. You will find a handsome husband who will love and adore you until the day he dies." Everra pauses at this and opens her mouth to ask something and then closes it quickly. She may have been young and innocent but she was a smart girl, she knew that her parents did not have a loving marriage, she knew that her father did to her mother was bad, she just hadn't known anything else.
"Have you ever been in love mother?" The girl asked, her voice small. Her mother never talked much about her past and whenever she had asked about it her mother would just become more sad and distant and Everra would quickly change the subject, not wanting her mother to be even more sad.
Noticing how her mother tensed up and diverted her eyes from hers, Everra knew she had asked a question that made mother sad and she didn't want that, especially when the day was going so well. She hugged her mother and said, "I love you more than anyone Mother, " her voice was muffled from where her head was nuzzled against her mothers neck. Her mother rubbed her back slowly and stared to hum, as the little girl started to doze off she said, "I love you more than anyone too my sweet Little Eve."
"My lady, my lady?" Anna called out, gently touching her shoulder. Everra snapped her head to look at her and snapped, "What is it?"
Anna shrunk back slightly and looked at her nervously. " My lady the feast starts in a few hours or so, we must start to prepare, if we are going to be on time."
Everra almost wrinkled her nose in distaste as she remembered who was planned to escort her to the feast hall. Theon Greyjoy. As she had mentioned many times before, there was many things in this world she tolerated, treachery not being one of them and as Roose Bolton so eloquently put it, the Greyjoys were treacherous whores.
"Alright, go fetch some bathing water, I will start to undress," she commanded and Anna nodded her head silently, hurrying out of the room. Andromache let out a loud pur and Everra turned to look at her. She was lying on Everra's bed, snuggling into the large furs on it. Everra was not looking forward to sleeping in that bed, she could suffocate from the heat the furs would make.
After the King and Lord Eddard disappeared towards into the crypts, the group slowly dispersed, Bran and Arya excusing themselves quickly and dragging Rickon a long with them, giggling. Then Robb, Jon and Theon stood there rather awkwardly and with a sharp and distasteful look from Lady Catelyn , Jon quickly hurried away from the group. A bastard was not suitable in the presence of the Queen and a lady. As everyone was slowly escorted to there respective chambers Lady Catelyn noticed that Everra had no cloak or furs on her and was simply standing there wearing a dress, a thick dress at that, but still only a dress. She had almost scolded her like a child and quickly exclaimed, "My lady are you not cold! You must be freezing ."
Everra had turned to look at her coldly and answered her stiffly, "I appreciate your concern my lady, but I don't get cold." At this, Lady Catelyn looked slightly confused and suspicious but she quickly dropped the subject, eager to get her to her chambers as fast as possible without having to speak to the younger woman.
Everra reached back behind her and started to undo the laces on the dress, she released the hair tie from her hair, allowing it too tumble down her back to her waist. Her dress fell in a pile on the floor and she stepped out of the pool of her dress and walked towards her nightstand. She removed her shoes and placed them next to her bed, then bent over and removed her knives from their usual hiding spots. Placing her knives and hair tie on the nightstand she carefully stepped over one of her chests and made her way to the fireplace and started to stoke the fire. She bent down in front of the fire and leaned forward, trying to catch some of its heat. Not that she needed it, it was just a habit she had picked up over the years.
She could hear the barking and growling of the dire wolves from outside. She could hear Andromache stir and growl slightly before calming down. Everra turned away from the fire and went to sit on the bed, thinking of the days events. She turned to face Andromache and petted her lightly on the head. She peered up at her, her green eyes squinting at her and Everra sighed softly.
"I think its fair don't you think, what I'm doing?" She said to Andromache and she in turn let out a small purr and placed her head in her mistresses lap.
Everra's lips curled up slightly at the sides and she rubbed her hand against Andromache's head.
Everra started to hum softly, it was a familiar tune. She didn't know many songs and the one's she did know her mother had taught her years ago.
Everra heard Anna open the door whilst carrying a large bucket of steaming water and she immediately stopped humming. Anna stumbled over behind the bathing screen towards the bath and poured the steaming water into it and thankfully placed the heavy bucket on the ground. She emerged from behind the bathing screen and rested against the stone wall, panting.
Everra raised an eyebrow at her and they stared at each other in silence. She stood up from the bed and wiped her hands against her underdress.
"Well if you are done recuperating after that very hard excursion, I'll begin to bathe and you can do what I have you here for," Everra said and stood behind the bathing screen, lifting her nightdress over her head and flinging it behind her.
Everra could hear Anna shuffling around the room and could hear the familiar opening of one of her chests.
"My lady you wish to wear the dress we discussed earlier correct?" Anna called out.
"That is correct," Everra responded cooly. Everra started to think about what would happen at the feast. She knew that certain things had to happen at the right time and moment just like how it could have happened. Her thoughts shifted on to the boy Bran and how Ser Daavos had reacted to him. She knew that Ser Daavos was a lot unlike her in many ways, especially emotionally but she had.. hoped that emotions would not affect. She did not wish to kill him, but she would if she had too. Sometimes terrible things had to happen in order to achieve something, she just wanted Daavos to understand that and Robb too when the time came.
Shaking the thoughts out of her head, Everra ducked under the water. Everything had to happen according to plan, somethings had to play out as usual and until all those things had finally played out, she would just have to wait patiently.
Robb finished lacing up his doublet, his large fingers carefully holding the laces. After he finally finished lacing it after his umpteenth attempt he smiled in triumph and turned towards Greywind whom was staring up at him, his head tilted sideways.
Robb opened his mouth but quickly closed it at the sound of someone knocking on the door.
"Robb?" Ned asked through the door.
Robb felt immediately curious as to his fathers visit. Last he saw him he had been escorting the King to the crypts. He knew the King had once been planned to wed his late Aunt Lyanna, she had been why he started the rebellion in the first place.
"You can come in," he called back and Greywind ran to his side. He turned to face his father whom had just entered the room and closed the door shut.
His father looked incredibly tired and worn in a way Robb had never seen him. The King must have asked him to be Hand of the king, he realised and his eyes widened slightly. He had been suspicious as to why the King had traveled all the way to Winterfell after the previous Hand, Jon Arryn passed, he just did not know whether or not his father had accepted the position. If he did, it meant that he would be acting Lord of Winterfell, Robb gulped slightly and fear raced towards his heart but with a fierce determination to make both his father and mother proud if his father accepted.
Noticing Robb expression, Ned's face turned even more serious but also had a proud glint in his eye, "I see you've realised the situation, " he said, voice quiet.
Robb nodded slightly and diverted his eyes from his father's piercing grey ones.
Ned moved to sit on Robb's bed and motioned for him to come sit next to him, which he did quickly.
Ned placed his hand on Robb's shoulder and looked directly into his eyes and said fiercely but gently, "If I am too accept the Kings offer, it would mean that you would become acting Lord of Winterfell until my passing," he paused for a moment, then continued on, "I know that you will make me and your mother very proud."
Robb looked slightly relieved and nervous, he knew that was not the end of it.
"You have recently turned ten and eight and as part of your responsibilities as Lord of Winterfell you will have to find a wife. "
Robb's heart started to pound furiously in his chest and he could feel his hands start to sweat. He knew that this would happen one day but that did not mean that he was not nervous at all but he knew that this would have happened sooner or later.
Ned had paused for a few moments after noticing Robb's nervous expression and continued on after he saw the acceptance on his face and with a fierce rush of love for his eldest child, he continued on, "The King has recently asked me if I could wed you too the Lady Everra Legrath, Lady of the Bloodlands," he regarded Robb carefully and asked, "What do you think of her?"
Robb pictured her in his mind for a moment and after a few moments of consideration he answered, "I think she is a very beautiful girl, whom comes from rich and powerful family…." he trailed off and his father raised his eyebrows, "But?"
Robb turned to look at him and said, "Since you asked for my honest opinion father I will give it too you. She is too cold and unfeeling and I've heard of how cruel and ruthless she is capable of being. I know it is my duty as future Lord of Winterfell to marry and I will marry her if that is what you wish."
Ned felt a rush of proudness fill his heart and he said, "I refused the Kings suggestion."
Robb turned to him, wide eyed, "Why? She would have been a respectable match-"
Ned interrupted him mid sentence, "I knew her father. Not very well but I saw the monstrous things he had done. Ways that are not our way. I do not know what he did to her, I do not want too see its lasting effects, more specifically, I do not want you or your future children to either."
With that, Ned rose from the bed and headed towards the door and he reached it, he turned his head back to look at him and said, "You best be ready soon, you are expected to escort Princess Myrcella to the feast." Then he left him to his own thoughts.
Robb half attempted to stand up but then quickly sat back down, still feeling slightly shocked. His mind flipped through the past few minutes, eager to catch on to anything. He was filled with curiosity towards Lady Everra and now he felt … regretful for judging her for her coldness. What did he know what she had been through? But he had a feeling despite his father's excuses, that there was a lot more to the story than he was letting on.
"You look very beautiful my lady," Anna said stiffly and smiled briefly; though it did not reach her eyes. Everra diverted her eyes from her reflection and turned to stare at the girl, she was standing there uncomfortably and had a haunted look in her eye. Everra felt a rush of annoyance towards the girl and snapped, "What is wrong this time? Because I am not going to do that whole bonding experience with you ever again. Its a miracle I did it once actually."
Anna turned to stare at her, wide eyed. She fiddled with her hands for a few moments before managing to whisper, "He's here."
Everra's eyebrows rose and she turned back to look at the mirror, " Well you know what to do." She had done her part, now it was up to Anna.
Anna stared at her, mouth wide open and stammered out, "M-m-y Lady I thought that you um could-"
"Could do what? What did you think i was going to do? Protect you until the day I die? You fight your own battles, Anna. I am not going to do it for you. "
Anna frowned slightly and started to look rather emotional, " But-but you were kind to me earlier-"
Everra's eyebrows rose to the top of her forehead and she muttered under her breath, "Kind? I've never heard that one before."
Noticing that Anna was on the verge of tears, her green eyes narrowed at her and she snapped, " Look, I gave you advice, it is up to you on what to do with what happened to you was horrible and very traumatic believe me I understand that more than you think. But I do not particularly care what you do or do not decide to do. Whatever you do end up doing though, just do not get caught."
Anna felt a tear slip down her cheek and quickly wiped at it and straightened her shoulders. She hated herself for thinking that maybe just maybe she actually cared. She felt a rush of hatred and hurt rush in her veins as she stared at the raven haired woman before her. She swallowed it down though and cleared her throat, "Well then, I'll leave you now my lady." And with that she walked briskly out of the room, eager to not let her see her cry.
Everra felt rather indifferent towards the girls reaction and carefully assessed her appearance. The upper part of her hair had been braided at the sides and pinned back with beautiful ruby coloured hairpins that were actually knives. Anna had looked at her worriedly when she presented them to her.
Her dress had a plunging neckline that gave a glimpse of her cleavage and a long black necklace with star shaped diamonds hung off it. Her dress was black at the sleeves and at the sides of her waist and up to her shoulders, going around her back but the part that covered her breasts, stomach, knees, thighs and feet was red with embroidered floral designs. The dress also had a hood with red dyed fur.
Andromache peered up at her from her place by the fire where she had moved herself and Everra shook her head at her, "I'm sorry Andromache but you are not allowed to accompany me." Andromache let out something that sounded an awful lot like a grunt and turned her attention towards the dying fire.
Everra patted each of her arms lightly and was reassured by the outward shape of the knife.
There was a sudden knock on the door and Everra slowly walked towards it, fully expecting to see Theon Greyjoys lustful expression but she was rather surprised that it was not Theon awaiting her outside the door.
Robb felt slightly anxious as Princess Myrcella clutched onto his arm and could feel the eyes of everyone in the room one them. He noticed that Myrcella would always send him looks of longing when she thought he was not looking and it made him feel slightly uncomfortable. Not that Myrcella was not pretty, she was very much so but she was younger than Sansa. In an attempt to avoid her longing gaze, he assessed the feast hall. His mother had gone full out as was expected for a royal visit, it had been decorated beautifully. With the tables covered in various golden plates and flowers and candles with wreathes of pine intertwined around the pillars surrounding them.
In front of them had been Prince or should he say prick Joffrey and Sansa; she had gone a bright pink the moment she had stepped within a foot of the princes presence. He remembered how Arya had compared her to the colour of a pig and then how she had complained at having to be paired with Prince Tommen.
The King and Queen had already taken there spots at the head of the room, with his mother and father standing next to them. There table was nearby with the boys and girls slightly separated. His eyes widened slightly as he spotted Theon in the crowd, If he was here then who was escorting Lady Everra? He wondered to himself. Noticing his expression, Theon mouthed I'll explain later. Robb nodded slightly and peered to look at his mother whom had a worried frown upon he face and was biting her lower lip, he blue eyes tightened with worry. She too seemed to notice Theon's presence.
The Queen however looked rather satisfied about something, her lips were curled into a triumphant smirk which she attempted to mask, but failed at spectacularly.
As they finally took their respective seats, King Robert began his speech and thanked them or their hospitality and whatnot. Robb blocked out the droning sound of the Kings voice which had already started slur and began to the scan the room for Lady Everra, he had told his father that he did not particularly wish to marry her, but that did not mean he was not intrigued by her.
As the King finally finished his speech everyone erupted into applause but were quickly silenced at the sound of the door to the feast hall opening. Everyones head turned to stare at the unlikely pair and the room suddenly erupted into whispers. Robb himself was slightly shocked and confused at the sight: Jon and Lady Everra.
Lady Everra looked even more beautiful than earlier in the day with her red and black dress which brought out her eyes. Robb noted that she did not seem particularly bothered by the whispers, at least if she was she did not show it, not that she was expressing any emotion as she stared everyone down, her green's cold and calculating. Jon looked particularly embarrassed at the stares and the whispers and was staring at the ground, trying to divert eye contact. He probably noticed his mothers hateful and thunderous expression. As he was looking at his mother, he missed how his father stiffened and shifted uncomfortably where he stood.
"Well then! Glad of you to join us!" The King called out, his face a dark red from his drinking.
As the pair stopped in front of the King, Lady Everra untangled her arm from Jon's and he snatched his arm to his side quickly. Robb noticed that her eyebrows flicked up slightly and she turned to face the King, her face cool and relaxed.
"My sincerest apologies, your grace, it would seem that there was a misunderstanding, please forgive me for my tardiness," She said calmly but Robb noticed how her eyes had flickered over to the Queens for a split second. Not that the Queen noticed of course, she seemed to be relishing her attempt -which she thought to be successful- at humiliating her. Robb thought that the Queen was a nasty piece of work but was also not very observant as Lady Everra did not look the least bit humiliated at being escorted by Jon.
The King let out a loud laugh and waved her off and she calmly took her seat where as Jon bowed slightly and hurriedly left the room, eager to escape the glare of his step mother. Robb felt a pang of frustration at his mother; she had always treated Jon horribly because of what he represented to her; proof of his father being unfaithful. Robb just wished that she would understand that Jon had no choice in whom is parents were. Not that he knew his mother anyway.
Soon after the grand entrance, the room started to fill with laughter and chatter and music. Everyone was eating and drinking, tension soon forgotten. As soon as everyone had taken their attention of Lady Everra and towards drinking, Theon had told him what had happened. It had been as he suspected, the Queen had meddled with everything.
The Queen seemed to be intelligent to an extent and was incredibly powerful but she was viscous, quick tempered and proud- to the point of being arrogant beyond reason. Robb could not help but think that those qualities would be her end.
Everra glanced around the room, deciding when to the leave the hall for some 'air'. The King had disappeared along with Lord Eddard and she could see the King's large golden crown, standing out against the crowd. He was eagerly downing his drink and currently had a large serving girl in between his legs and was currently gripping her behind. Everra felt a cold twinge of disgust; he reminded her of a less cruel version of her father.
She could feel the Queen bristle at the sight of her husband and the serving girl and Lady Catelyn attempted to distract her from the sight, "Is this the first time in the north your grace?"
The Queen responded cooly, "Yes, lovely country." They fell into a awkward silence after that and after a few moment the Queen turned to face her, "I have been wondering as to why you have returned from your travels?" She questioned her.
Everra turned to face her and responded cooly, " I always planned to return one day and when I reached ten and seven I knew it was time to return home and eventually find a husband, your grace."
The Queen nodded but still had a suspicious gleam in her eye, Lady Catelyn looked worriedly between the two, not liking the tension.
The Queens face turned into an expression of fake sympathy and she said, "Yes I understand why you must have left. With your father and mother dying and with no other family, it must have been incredibly difficult for you."
Everra could feel a twinge of hatred in her heart and she thought to herself, One day before my time is done, I will look upon her corpse and smile. Everra was very careful with her self-pitying expression, she did not wish to over do it, " Yes it was incredibly difficult for me to get over their deaths. I mourn for them still," That was a lie of course. But they did not need to know that.
Lady Catelyn's expression had turned into one of pity as she regarded the girl and felt rather guilty for judging her. Everra noticed this and she almost rolled her eyes, she hated it when people pitied her especially when the topic of her parents came up. She had always hated everyones false sympathy, when she was younger it made her angry, to the point of almost becoming murderous but if she was going to be successful with her plans with and for the Starks, she could not draw suspicion to herself.
Queen Cersei had opened her mouth to ask her yet another question but was quickly shut up by the arrival of Sansa Stark. As Everra regarded the girl's nervous and excited expression, she could only think of how in a few very short months these people would become her nightmare.
She rose from her chair, eager to go outside, "If you will excuse me, your grace, my lady, I need some air."
And with that she strode away from the table, thankful to escape the Queen. If she stayed another minute near her she would end up being tempted to rat on her and her brother and put the whole plan to the seven hells, just out of spite. But she would not, she could not. She had been preparing for this far too long to give up just because Cersei was a vicious idiot who did not know that she knew everything.
Everra felt a cruel sense of satisfaction at the thought and hurried out of the hall. She had reach him before Benjen Stark did, if he ended up going to the wall it would mess up all of her plans and that could not happen.
She would not allow it too.
A/N Okay this chapter was sh**. Sorry about that. Its just I'm starting school soon and i wanted to upload this before school started. I am about to be swarmed with schoolwork in about twenty four hours or so and updates will not be as regular anymore, but I promise I will try to update at least once every 2 weeks. Oh and I made some changes of the ages of the characters like Robb and Jon are now 18 instead of 16 like in the tv show. Oh and I will diverge many of the stories character's storylines from canon.
I was also thinking of changing the title of the story, but tell me what you guys think and if you have any suggestions. Thank you all again for the reviews and favourites and follows. it really means a lot too me. Tell me your thoughts, I would really love to hear them and I am glad that you all are enjoying this story.