Chapter 13

"Your Grace," Alton Lannister greeted Robb and bowed.

"Ser Alton," Robb replied, observing the young man closely. He was glad that Tywin had sent this particular Lannister to negotiate on his behalf. Robb could tolerate Ser Alton.

"I humbly thank you for granting me an audience, Your Grace."

"Of course." Robb paused and smiled. "I'm curious to hear what your uncle has to say."

The young Lannister hesitated, clearly trying to choose his words carefully.

"If it please you, Your Grace, may I see Lady Serafina before we get started?"

Robb raised an eyebrow.

"Are you implying that I have mistreated her?"

Some of his bannermen, especially Lord Karstark, chuckled. Theon gave Robb a grin. They all thought that he had bedded Serafina. That was a disturbing thought, no matter how hard Robb tried to deny it. He had practically ruined her reputation. And why? Out of anger, revenge and pettiness? He certainly wasn't proud of that.

"No, no," Ser Alton assured quickly. "I would never imply such a thing, Your Grace. I am merely doing what my uncle asked."

"Hmm. I suppose I understand," Robb hummed and glanced at one of his guards. "Bring Lady Serafina here."

"Thank you, Your Grace," Ser Alton stated and bowed again.

Robb leaned back on his seat and crossed his arms.

"How are my sisters?" he asked harshly.

The young Lannister was slightly startled by the question, but he replied quickly.

"They are well, Your Grace."

"Are they? Well, unfortunately I have no choice but to take your word for it."

Fortunately for Ser Alton, he didn't have to reply when Serafina entered the tent, accompanied by the guard. She was wearing a simple gown, but Robb had removed her chains.

"Your Grace," she greeted him first before looking at her cousin. The smile she gave the young Lannister brightened her face. "Cousin Alton."

"My lady," he replied. His eyes observed her attentively, looking for injuries.

"As you can see, the lady is unharmed," Robb stated. "Shall we begin the negotiations?"

"Your Grace?" Serafina's quiet voice said. "May I be present?"

"My lady, I do not think…" Ser Alton started.

"You may," Robb cut in. He wasn't sure if he thought she should be here, but he wanted to show the young Lannister who was in charge. "Come, sit by me."

She obeyed and quickly moved to the other side of the table.

"Thank you, Your Grace," she said, keeping her voice quiet and delicate.

He gave her a brief nod as she sat beside him. He liked having her there, sitting so close to him. That certainly wasn't something he should think about right now.

"So, what is your uncle offering?" he asked.

"Gold, Your Grace," Ser Alton replied.

"Interesting. And how much gold is his daughter worth to him?"

Ser Alton glanced at Serafina and hesitated for a brief moment before replying.

"He is offering you fifty gold coins, Your Grace."

Robb raised his eyebrows.

"Fifty? For his daughter?"

Again, Ser Alton glanced at Serafina before replying.

"Yes, Your Grace."

"I find that insulting," Robb snorted. "Is that his final offer?"

"I… I can offer you additional fifty coins if we reach an agreement now, Your Grace."

"Well, it looks like we won't reach an agreement then," Robb stated coolly. "Unless you can offer me my sisters in addition to the hundred gold coins?"

Ser Alton bowed his head.

"I am afraid I can't, but I can offer you more gold."

"How much more?"

"The lady's weight in gold."

Robb smiled and glanced at Serafina. She had kept her eyes down the whole time.

"Too bad the lady does not weight much," he stated. "Perhaps I should keep her here and see what I can do about that."

Ser Alton's eyes widened as he interpreted the meaning behind his words.

"Your Grace, please forgive me if I somehow offended you…"

"You did not. You were only following your uncle's orders." He paused and leaned forward. "Here is my final offer. A daughter for a daughter. If Tywin Lannister wants his daughter back, he will send my mother back one of hers. Tell that to your uncle."

That had certainly been a short negotiation. When Robb approached his tent later that night, he wondered if he had made a mistake. He had known from the beginning that the Lannisters wouldn't free both of his sisters, but perhaps they would agree to release one of them. Just the thought of choosing between them was devastating, but right now he didn't have a choice.

He would find a way to get them both back, even if he would have to kill every single Lannister. Except the one waiting for him in his tent. No, he wouldn't kill her. She was a woman. He didn't kill women. That wasn't the only reason though. No, the most definitely couldn't go there. He had already harmed her more than enough.

He stopped before entering his tent, wondering if Serafina was petting Grey Wind again. For some very strange reason, he enjoyed watching that. He liked to see her showing some genuine feelings. Silently, he looked inside, only to see her sitting by the bed, her knees pressed against her chest. She was crying. The sight startled him so badly that he needed a couple of seconds before he managed to enter the tent.

"My lady?" he gasped. "Are you alright? Have someone hurt you?"

She froze for a brief moment before getting up as fast as she could.

"No, no, Your Grace, everything is fine," she murmured without looking at him. "Please forgive me, your dinner is ready…"

"My lady," he cut in firmly and walked over to her. She didn't move, but she kept her eyes down. "Look at me, please."

She swallowed before obeying. There were still tears in her eyes, although she dried them quickly and smiled at him.

"Please forgive me…"

"Why are you crying?" he asked, concerned. "Are you hurt?"

"No, Your Grace, everything is fine. I am just… a little tired. I apologize for all the inconvenience…"

"Please, stop," he sighed. "I need you to tell me the truth. Did someone hurt you?"

"No," she replied quietly. "I am just… tired."

She did look tired. Exhausted even. And very fragile, especially since the guard had put her chains back on. That wasn't right. None of this was right. A captive or not, but she was a woman under his care. He owed her his care.

"Let's take these off," he murmured as he touched the chains. "Unless you are planning to run?"

She shook her head.

"I am not."

After unchaining her, he demanded her to eat. She did, although reluctantly. He didn't allow her to cleat the table, she needed to rest. He went outside, wanting to give her some privacy while she washed her face and put a nightgown on. Thankfully, she had stopped apologizing, she simply did as she was told. As he returned to the tent, he noticed that she was standing beside the bed.

"Please, lay down," he said. "Rest, my lady."

She obeyed and raised her arms while he undressed.

"Perhaps we won't need those tonight," he murmured while joining her in the bed. "I trust you can behave."

"I can, Your Grace."

Her voice was barely audible, she was almost asleep already. He should make sure that she wouldn't be cold. That was his responsibility. Before he could talk himself out of it, he wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. Only to make sure that she wouldn't be cold, of course. She sighed in her sleep and curled up against him. What was he doing? This was wrong. He needed to stop this right now. Yet he didn't. He didn't want to.