A Northern Rose - Game of Thrones // Robb Stark

Winter's Promise

You might not feel it yet, they said, but the cold leaves its mark.

Months had passed, but nothing felt different to me. Nothing, apart from winter’s bitter bite rolling north to south and the gentle kicks that uttered from inside me.

Sometimes my heartbeat, and sometimes his. I often felt sure that it was a boy, I could so vividly imagine Robb with a son; but thinking about it, I knew he wouldn’t mind either way.

When mother left, despite everything, not at all did I feel isolated or alone. I seemed to fit in better here, and even the satisfaction that Gilly’s winter coat made her look slightly overweight hadn’t worn off yet. I clung to her fur as I stood from where I was sat on the floor of the stable. Even though I could no longer ride her, she would always be dear to me and I could never forget that. She’d seen what I’d seen, knew what I knew, yet still continued to surprise me.

Jonquil was in the stall beside Gilly, separated by just a wooden post but even then it seemed like too much for her. Head draped over the side, her eyes pleaded with me to hold her, and it was little effort for me to oblige.

No longer was I questioned for spending hours in the stables, it was practically expected.

I hated leaving them, but I needed to see Robb before he left, as much as I tried to forget it. I didn’t want him to go, but he was determined to free his father after he rode south a while ago and honestly, I couldn’t blame him. In that position, I might have done the same, facing the possibility that I might never come back.

Shuddering, I couldn’t tell if the cause was the cold or the thought of Robb not returning.

Pulling my cloak around me, it was awkward having to account for the added weight on my stomach, as I was so used to practically rushing everywhere.

Outside, the snow still fell. It felt as if it would never cease, but to me, it was peaceful. Almost like an escape from everything else, each snowflake was individual and unique, posing no threat to the others yet having all the potential to do so. If only the world of man were the same.

The yard was full of armoured men, villagers, and children. It seemed like everyone was here… and to see what? Not that anyone really seemed to notice me as I weaved my way through the crowd, almost getting knocked over a time or two. I better keep that to myself, for surely Robb would have something to say about it.

It was only as I reached Robb and Catelyn and the other lords and ladies that I was actually noticed. Some of them dipped their heads, but I was barely paying attention. I must have looked rather flustered after scurrying around people, and to no surprise, I felt it too.

“Are you alright, Eliah?” Said Catelyn, practically grabbing my arm as if she needed to be protective of me. She certainly did not want Robb to leave, and had actually told me in private that she was in fact rather angry about it. She tried to use me as an ally, but I failed her, I couldn’t stay angry at Robb for long.

I was just about to answer Catelyn, when she turned to Robb again, who was quite obviously brushing off everything she said and tightening a buckle on his horses saddle.

“I don’t want to lose my son.” She said sternly, and I couldn’t help but once again wince at the thought.

“You’ll have to have faith in me, mother.” Smirking, I knew he was determined not to be told off by his mother now I was here.

Huffing awkwardly, Catelyn smoothed down her dress, gave Robb an irritated yet saddened look, and gently tapped me on the arm before taking her leave.

Grinning at me as if it were a mere hunt he was going on, Robb’s face was quick to change when he properly saw mine. He stopped fiddling with the saddle then, and turned to face me, his horse looking slightly disgruntled at the sudden lack of attention.

I tore my gaze away from him and stroked the back of my hand across the horse’s neck, to which he just huffed in response. I saw Robb shuffle awkwardly. He wanted me to look at him, to say goodbye and to just accept that he wasn’t going to change his mind. But how could it be so easy?

“My Lord, I,” Said Ser Rodrik from horseback, his face apologetic. But he stopped at once, as Robb dipped his head as if to dismiss him. A gesture I would have usually been pleased with; today was not one of those days.

Truthfully, I’d rather Robb be distracted from talking to me, to perhaps delay what was inevitable. But his eyes didn’t leave me, even though I did not reciprocate.

His hand moved to my face then, and he ever so gently turned me to look at him. Holding my teeth tightly together, I forced myself to swallow back the tears. They wouldn’t get the better of me.

I had so many questions to ask him, but there wasn’t time and this certainly wasn’t the place. I didn’t want to think about the possibility that I might not see him again.

True, he wasn’t going to battle (or, didn’t plan to, anyway), but no one could foresee trouble on the road or a new found enemy. He wasn’t scared, but I was.

“I won’t be gone for long,” He began, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at him.

We’d been through this – I’d told him not to promise things he couldn’t be certain of keeping.

He smiled slightly; he knew exactly why what he’d said had bothered me, and I knew it amused him. Opening his mouth to speak again, I suddenly felt a sharp kick in my stomach and couldn’t help but wince. I tried my best to keep a straight face, but he had already noticed that sudden jolt of pain and his smile quickly faded.

“I promise I’ll be here.” He said sincerely, sounding vulnerable and suddenly like he was scared too.

“I promise.” He mumbled again, quieter this time, and now his eyes parted mine to look at his feet.

I could see right through him, like he were a sheet of pure glass. He was that boy that I’d first met; naive and fearful. I had a feeling that I was the only one that still saw this side of him.

Taking a small step towards him then, I buried my face in the fur pelt that surrounded him, gripping the soft hide tightly. I didn’t want to let him go.