Chapter 15

A moment of peace

"Did you sleep well, my lady?" Nellie asked as she brushed Elyse's hair.

"I did, thank you," she replied, giving the maid a smile.

"That's good to hear. I saw Master Jon was up early."

"Yes…"

Elyse felt embarrassed when she thought about last night. Although her new husband had been understanding, she doubted that he had expected to have to deal with all that. She was starting to believe that he had in fact been forced into this marriage and she couldn't help but to feel sorry for him. The poor man had to deal with Robert's brutish outbursts in addition to Elyse's night terrors and difficult behavior. Surely, her husband would have hoped for something less complicated.

Nellie noticed her mistress's troubled expression. "Is everything alright, my lady?"

Elyse nodded slowly. "Yes, Nellie. I suppose I'm just adjusting to everything."

Nellie gave her a sympathetic look. "It's understandable, my lady. But I am sure you will be happy here with Master Jon."

"Hmm. I am not so sure if he will be happy with me," she murmured.

Nellie paused in her brushing, her eyes meeting Elyse's in the mirror. "Why would you say that, my lady?"

Elyse sighed, her gaze dropping. "He deserves someone without so many… complications. Someone who can give him peace, not more burdens."

Nellie squeezed her shoulder gently. "From what I've seen, Master Jon is a patient and kind man. Give it time, my lady. You may find that you are exactly what he needs."

Elyse gave a small, tentative smile.

"Thank you for your kind words, Nellie."

Elyse stayed in Jon's chamber after Nellie had left, reluctant to attend breakfast. She had no desire to face Cersei or Robert. A sudden knock on the door startled her.

"Come in."

She turned to the door and saw her husband entering the room.

"Jon, this is your chamber, you really don't have to knock…"

The rest of her sentence died as Lord Robb came in after Jon. She froze, but she managed to force a smile on her face.

"Good morning, my lord."

"Good morning," he replied cautiously as he closed the door behind him.

Elyse tensed, her gaze shifting between him and her husband, trying to see their intentions.

"It's alright, Elyse," Jon assured quickly. "My brother would like to talk to you about what happened in the Godswood."

Elyse felt terror filling her, but somehow, she managed to retain her smile. Had Lord Robb said to Jon that something had happened between them? Were they here to accuse her of breaking her vows? Or did they intend to do something worse?

"My lady, I owe you an apology," Lord Robb started. "I… It seems that I gave you the wrong impression."

Elyse's heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to understand his words. "The wrong impression?" she repeated, her voice trembling slightly.

Robb nodded, his expression earnest. "Yes. I realize now how my questions must have sounded like to you, but I can assure you, I had no ill intentions. I was merely concerned about my brother as well as you. I didn't mean to cause you any distress and I certainly didn't mean to imply anything. I hope you can accept my apology."

Elyse stared at him, stunned by his words.

"My brother truly meant no harm," Jon assured. "He is an honorable man, and he would never harm you, Elyse. You're safe here."

Elyse blinked a few times, suddenly realizing how her behavior must have looked like to them. They were talking to her now as if they were trying to soothe a frightened rabbit. A flush was rising in her cheeks as she felt a wave of embarrassment.

"No, my lord, I am the one who needs to apologize," she murmured. "I misunderstood your intentions and acted… irrationally. I am truly sorry for any discomfort I may have caused. And…I… I also apologize for offending you…"

Robb shook his head. "No, no, there's no need for you to apologize, my lady. Your reactions were completely understandable. The fault was mine."

Jon nodded in agreement. "We're just glad that we can clear the air. We want you to feel safe and comfortable here, Elyse. That's what matters most."

Elyse offered a cautious smile. "Thank you, Jon. And thank you, my lord."

Robb returned her smile warmly. "We're family now, my lady. We look out for each other."

The tension in the room eased, although Elyse still felt ridiculous.

"I apologize for embarrassing you…" she started after Lord Robb had left.

Jon shook his head gently, his expression kind. "Elyse, there's no need to apologize. I'm just glad we could clear things up and move forward." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I was wondering, would you like some of the maids from King's Landing to stay here with you? I thought that maybe having familiar faces around…"

His question surprised Elyse completely.

"I appreciate your considerate thought, but I am afraid the King wouldn't…"

"He will," Jon assured. "I spoke with my father, and he assured that His Grace won't oppose."

Elyse doubted that, but she truly appreciated her husband's thoughtfulness.

"Thank you, Jon," she said smiling. "But I am afraid Lord Stark might overestimate His Grace's generosity."

Jon nodded, understanding her hesitation. "I know His Grace can be unpredictable, but my father assured me that this won't be a problem. And if having familiar faces around will make you more comfortable, it's worth trying."

Elyse felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Jon's efforts to ease her transition and make her feel at home were more than she had expected.

"Thank you, Jon," she repeated, her smile growing warmer. "It means a lot to me that you're thinking about my comfort."

Jon smiled back. "Your well-being is important to me, Elyse. I actually met Tara yesterday. She seems very loyal to you."

Elyse's eyes widened in surprise.

"You met Tara?"

"Yes, we… bumped into each other. She mentioned that you were her mistress."

"I see," Elyse stated, suddenly feeling cautious. "Did… Did she say anything else?"

Jon hesitated.

"Only that she was concerned about you."

Elyse was quiet for a moment before speaking.

"If you feel that you have the right to know…"

"No," he cut in gently. "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. If, at some point, you want to talk, I'm here to listen."

Elyse felt a rush of relief at Jon's words. His respect for her boundaries and his willingness to listen without pressing for information meant more to her than she could express.

"Thank you," she said softly. "I appreciate your understanding."

Jon nodded.

"You're welcome." He paused and cleared his throat. "So, shall we go down for breakfast?"

"To be honest, I would rather not," Elyse sighed. "I certainly don't wish to offend Lord or Lady Stark, but…"

"I see what you mean," Jon replied. "How about I'll get us something to eat from the kitchen and after that we could go riding or I could show you the library. Would that be alright?"

"I couldn't ask you to do that…"

"You don't have to ask, I'm offering."

Elyse's eyes softened with gratitude. Jon's offer felt like a lifeline, giving her a sense of agency she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Thank you, Jon," she said, her voice tinged with relief. "That sounds wonderful."

Jon smiled. "Alright then. I'll be back shortly with some food."

As Jon left the room, Elyse took a deep breath, feeling a bit lighter. The prospect of spending the morning in a more relaxed setting was appealing. She had dreaded the formal breakfast, fearing the tense interactions and the potential presence of Cersei and Robert. Jon's understanding and his effort to make her feel comfortable were more than she had dared to hope for.

A few minutes later, Jon returned with a tray laden with fresh bread, cheese, fruit, and some smoked meat.

"I hope this is to your liking," he said as he set the tray down on a small table near the window.

"It's perfect," Elyse replied, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness.

They ate in companionable silence, enjoying the simple meal. Elyse found herself relaxing even more, the tension from the previous night slowly ebbing away.

"Thank you," she said again as they finished their breakfast. "For everything."

Jon smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Elyse. Now, would you prefer to go riding or visit the library first?"

"The library," she decided. "I'd love to see what books are there."

Jon nodded. "The library it is, then."

As they made their way to the library, Elyse couldn't help but feel a sense of cautious optimism. Jon's kindness and patience were giving her hope that perhaps, in time, she could find a measure of peace here.