A/N Double chapter update! Hope you guys enjoy this! This chapter is kind of short. . . sorry about that. But the next chapter will be super duper long if my plans are right!
Chapter 39
It had been close to a month since they left RedRun and they had stopped to camp. Everra had appointed a day and night group of archers to keep watch on all sides of the encampment to keep an eye for ravens, in case someone was sending word to Kings Landing of their movements. The closer they get to Kings Landing, the more she feels strangely at ease. She always gets this way before battle, her blood grows cold and her heartbeat gets slower until she is on the battlefield and everything is rapidly pumping and she is full of energy.
She let out a sigh and turned to the entrance of her tent where Jon had just entered and welcomed him in, "Jon," she said, gesturing towards a chair, indicating for him to sit down.
He did so, eyeing her curiously, his familiar brown eyes slightly tired. It was late at night she knew and she knew that after Jon left Robb would come. The thought made her heart clench, in a good way but she brushed that aside and stared into her brothers eyes.
"I find it only fair to tell you that I have appointed you as my successor," she said, watching as he began to blink rapidly in surprise, his mouth opening to protest, "You will be legitimised as Jon Legrath so that my name can continue if I shall die. I know that you always wanted to be Jon Stark but this was the second best thing I could manage—"
"What?" Jon asked, his voice but a mere whisper, "You're not serious, are you?"
Everra raised an eyebrow at him. "Do I strike you as someone who would joke about something like this?"
Jon gulped at that, his eyes wide with shock before he brushed his hand over his face.
"My— our uncle has agreed to say and help you for a short while if I die, so do not worry about that—"
"Your not going to die Everra," Jon protested, his cheeks flushing, "Stop saying that."
Everra blinked. "Everyone can die in battle," she pointed out, "You could die— hells we both could die and we could lose this battle— lose this war. Someone who says that they will not die— or that they have no chance of dying in battle is a liar and an idiot. Don't be an idiot."
Jon rolled his eyes at that, before placing his hands on the table, "Everra I can not take your lands, I am a bastard—"
"Indeed you are until you are legitimised and therefore no longer a bastard under the eyes of god and the law—"
"I have no relation to your father—"
"No, no you don't," Everra agreed, drumming her fingers against the table, "But Lady Stark will never allow you to be legitimised as a Stark, that puts you before her own true born sons in the line of succession. I can't legitimise you with our mother's maiden name because that means nothing in Westeros so that leaves my father's name. As long as my name continues—" she cut herself off, and frowned at him, "Unless you don't want to be legitimised. . ." the thought had never occurred to her.
"It's not that," Jon said tiredly, "It's just that I'm not exactly qualified to be a lord am I?"
"You'll learn," she told him, "You will. Same as I did and every other Lord or Lady who has ever lived."
"Thank you," Jon whispered, and he rose from his chair to walk over towards her. She rose as well but before she could act he hugged her tightly. Everra's limbs hung at her sides awkwardly before she hesitantly returned the embrace, though she was still stiff in his arms. "Thank you my sister."
Everra gulped uneasily, "You're my brother."
He pulled away from her, his cheeks flushed red and walked out of the tent, leaving Everra alone. But not for long. Surely enough, just as she had predicted, Robb entered the tent and walked over towards her, pressing his mouth to hers. They had done this every night since they had left RedRun but they both knew that their time together would soon come to an end if all went well. She would marry Oberyn, and he Roslin Frey, or any other Frey of his choosing.
"I missed you," he whispered against her neck, where he had begun to press open mouthed kisses against it. Everra raised an eyebrow at him, "I saw you a few hours ago." He grinned at her and something within her chest clenched, before she pulled him up towards her, recapturing his mouth. They stumbled back over to the bed and Everra fell against it, with Robb top of her like a blanket.
They stared at each other for a moment, and his eyes were suddenly afraid as he caressed her cheek, "I don't want to lose you," he whispered, pressing a kiss on her forehead, her chin, her cheeks. "You won't," she whispered back, tugging at his curls and kissing him, silencing his thoughts and his words.
It was that very next morning when Everra rose before Robb, his arm curled around her waist, pulling her close towards him in their sleep. Her lips twisted up into a small smile before she gently removed herself from him, despite her body's protest to her actions. She watched as he frowned in his sleep, as though he sensed that she had left though he still did not wake. Let him sleep, she thought to herself and reached for her nearby robe, and pulled it on. She nearly stepped on Andromache and Greywind as she moved around the tent, pouring herself a cup of water.
The camp was still dead outside, and first light had not yet even begun. It was quiet, peaceful, until it wasn't. Everra turned around at the icy feeling of someone staring at her, and was somehow not surprised to find the old woman standing there, staring at her.
"What in the seven hells are you doing here?" she hissed, glancing towards Robb's sleeping form.
The old woman waved her hand around as though she were dismissing her concerns, before telling her, "I put an enchantment on the camp, no one can here us." She glanced at Robb meaningfully and croaked out, I see you took my advice."
Everra felt her eyes narrow, and her insides bristled at the implication, "Be quiet," she snapped at her, "Why are you here? You said that you would take care of the red woman—"
"I did," the old woman said defensively, "I brought her into your care—"
"She almost cost me everything—"
"Yes but she didn't, did she? The Stark boy's feelings for you are strong," said the old woman, "You have won and defeated her."
"Roose Bolton is still alive," Everra reminded her, crossing her arms at her chest.
The old woman didn't look concerned at the fact, and instead glanced down at Andromache, and bent over to pet her. "I'll take care of that," she said, and she looked almost sad then, "This will be the last time we ever see of each other."
Everra couldn't help but feel slightly relieved. She had started all of this when she visited her all that time ago, and now she was ending this little partnership they had with each other.
"A shame," she said, and by the older woman's mouth twisted she knew that Everra did not mean it.
There were a few moments of silence before the older woman began to speak, "You know I gave you her," she gestured towards Andromache with her free hand, "So that she could guide you towards your fate. She will continue to do so even though our. . . friendship has now come to an end."
Everra nodded, though suspicion had begun to form inside her. The old woman rose from where she had crouched over and walked towards Everra, who eyed her coldly. She stood there silently, still as a statue as the old woman cupped her cheeks, her skin rough against them.
"You've done well," she told her, her eyes flickering over her features, "Your mother is so proud of you."
Everra felt her heart drop in her chest and she suddenly felt cold.
"Mother—"
The old woman had vanished before she had finished saying the word.
(Roose Bolton died later on that morning, his horse having thrown him off his saddle at the sight a snake on the road. Her and Robb both witnessed it and the relief she felt was so great she herself nearly fell off her horse. She also felt a twisted sense of satisfaction, as though justice had been served for a murder he would have committed in another lifetime)
"We have just received word from Dragonstone," Lord Greatjon announced, "The ships have just left since we are less than a weeks ride away from Kings Landing."
"Good," Robb stated, rubbing a hand over his face, "Soon we will be close enough to the Redkeep to hear when the bells are ringing at the sight of the fleet. That will be our cue to wait an hour or so, before going into the secret passage and meeting Lord Tyrion there."
There was a moment of silence before Robb caught the Greatjon and Lord Glover exchanging a glance. Before he could ask what it was, the Greatjon began, "We have received word that Lady Sansa has been made to marry Lord Tyrion."
Robb sat there, gaping at them, his mind incapable of any thoughts.
"What?" Everra demanded, seemingly reading his mind.
"They mean to have the Lannister's control the North if I die. If I die they know that my family will flee and since Sansa is unable to. . ."
"They will control the North," Everra finished, her green eyes hardening.
Robb resisted the urge to slam his hands against the table in anger. "Damn it," he swore loudly, roughly brushing his hand across his face. He could practically feel everyone around him stiffen and he finally snapped, "I need a moment, this council is dismissed."
It was a good thing that the council was close to an end anyway, Robb thought, as everyone began to exit the room. Everra stayed though. And she moved around to him and placed a delicate hand on his cheek, and began to caress it. "Calm down," she said softly, staring into his eyes.
"He was supposed to be on our side," he murmured back, closing his eyes.
"He is," she insisted, "But imagine he try to refuse? They would kill him in an instant. Besides, you can always annul the marriage."
Robb's mouth twisted, and his mouth felt bitter, "If I even get the chance to annul the marriage, presuming I don't die."
Everra's eyes darkened and the grip on his cheek suddenly turned painful, "Be quiet," she snapped, kissing him harshly on the lips. He began to kiss back after a few moments before she pulled away from him, and the anger in them was gone.
"I love you," he told her, and he could feel her tense. He didn't care. Something in her eyes told him she shouldn't.
"I'm not a good person," Everra said quietly, staring into his eyes. Robb opened his mouth to protest before she stopped him, "I'm not. There is no point in denying that." There was a moment of silence before she continued, "but you make me a better person. And that is something no one has ever accomplished since my mother died." She stopped for a moment, before a dark look flashed in her eyes, and she almost looked as though she were angry at herself, "Why do you love me?" she asked quietly.
Robb was flabbergasted for a moment, unable to find words until her hand rested upon his on the table, and he slowly regained his senses. "That's why I love you," he told her, nodding his head towards their hands, "I love you because you reach me when no one else can. I love that most of the time you're always right even if it pisses me off. I love that you're kind to animals and that you still love your mother despite her leaving you. I love you for how you try, and I love that you're the bravest person I've ever met. I love you because you decided to damn it all to hell and join me in this war for a brother you had never even met." He drifted off for a few moments before he lifted her hand to his mouth, and kissed it softly.
"I love you," he whispered, and then it was all kisses and touches and teeth and tongues.
Everra awoke to Andromache licking her face. She frowned at the wet feeling and shied away from her, and began to frown as she nearly bumped into a sleeping Robb. Andromache was persistent and kept on nudging at her, eager for her to get out of bed.
She swatted her away for a moment and dragged herself out of bed, slipping on some clothes. Robb stirred at her movements and groggily said, "Come back to bed."
Something within her was urging her to follow Andromache, as though a rope had somehow attached them together and was pulling her forward.
"Come with me," she said absently, her eyes trained on Andromache, who was waiting for her by the tent entrance. She will guide you to your fate.
What fate is that? she thought to herself and heard Robb move around behind her, and come to her side. "What is it?" he asked, frowning at her, though his eyes were light with curiosity. "I don't know," she admitted and then gestured towards Andromache, "She's desperate for me to come with her." Robb's eyes danced with amusement and he gestured for her to move forward.
She did, and she kept on walking after Andromache, who began to lead them into the small cluster of tree's surrounding the encampment. She was a few paces ahead of Robb, though she could still hear him walking around behind her. She kept her eyes on Andromache, who was moving forward without hesitation, her sleek body moving without effort. Something was tugging her towards gods know what, and then Andromache stopped in a small clearing, and ran away before Everra could command her to stop.
And then she saw it.
Everra was enraptured by it's delicate beauty, by the way the soft green of the leaves glistened in the sunlight and how the droplets fell. She took a step forward towards it, her head tilted to the side. She could feel Robb's eyes on her and she glanced back at him, her eyes meeting his.
She looked back at the snow white flowers and took another step forward towards it and just as she raised her hand to touch one of its fragile petals, a loud crunching sound erupted from nearby and she turned towards it, startled. She remembered Melissandre's words now; And then under a white flower she is gone.
She came face to face with a large, muscular man whom had run out from the tree's and just as she reached for her sword, he lifted his own and plunged it into her stomach before she could blink. Robb, she thought, get out of here. He pulled his sword out of her and one of her hands reached up to press against her bleeding stomach. Pain and shock mixed and muddled together as she stood there on shaky legs, and she could hear a muffled, wounded sound from behind her. Robb, she thought dying, Robb.
He watched .
The shock hit him.
He could not breathe.
"Everra? " he whispered.
No.
No.
No.
Gods no.
Agony ripped through him. A choked, wounded sound escaped his throat.
Hurt I Pain I Misery
Blood pours from her stomach.
Fury boiled in his veins.
He killed the man before he could blink.
He knelt beside her.
Panic I Desperation I Frantic
"Stay with me," he whispered.
She smiled.
Acceptance I Terror I Peace
A hand on his face.
Breathe in.
Inhale.
Breathe Out.
Exhale.
Once.
Twice.
"I love you," she whispered.
That's I The I First I Time I She's I Ever I Said I It
One tear.
Two tears.
Pain I Torment I Anguish
"I can't do this without you."
They are both crying.
Inhale.
Exhale.
"You will."
Belief I Pride I Love
"Don't leave me."
Beg I Plead I Cry
She smiled.
Soft I Bitter I Rare
A caress on his face.
Inhale.
Exhale.
"I won't."
Promise I Wish I Hope
. . .
S h e
S
t
o
p
's
B
r
e
a
t
h
i
n
g
. . .
Shake I Slap I Cry
Once I Twice I Thrice
Why won't she breathe?
. . .
The pain was unbearable.
. . .
Tears streamed down his face.
He lost his father, himself, Theon and now her.
. . .
Time slips by.
Seconds.
Minutes.
Hours.
Torture.
Finally, a hand on his shoulder.
Jon.
He is crying too.
He said something to you.
You do not answer.
( You haven't let go of her hand )
Arms wrapped around your torso.
They began to pull.
Fight I Scream I Scratch
( Let me go before I kill you)
Your bones slacken.
Energy leaving you.
Is this life without
The I Love I Of I Your I Life I
He is still screaming.
But then it falls short.
Echoing around him.
. . .
C
O
M
E
B
A
C
K
T
O
M
E
. . .
(She won't)
Saturn by Sleeping At Last
You showed me
the courage of stars,
before you left.
How light, carries
on, endlessly, even after death.
With shortness of breathe,
you explained the infinite.
How rare and beautiful it is to even exist.
I couldn't help but ask
for you to say it all again.
I tried to write it down
but I could never find a pen.
I'd give anything to hear
You say it one more time,
that the universe was made
just to be seen by my eyes.
I couldn't help but ask
For you to say it all again.
I tried to write it down
But I could never find a pen.
I'd give anything to hear
You say it one more time,
That the universe was made
Just to be seen by my eyes.
With shortness of breath, I'll explain the infinite
How rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist.
A/N . . . . I miss her too. But this was the plan I had from the very beginning guys, from the moment I decided to continue the story past the prologue. Don't hate me. In war sometimes the people we love die, and I wanted to accurately represent that.
Until next time,
FionaKevin073