MEMORIES OF YOU (Game of Thrones)

-16-

That was the thing about pain, it demanded to be felt. Time had passed incredibly slowly for her. When she wasn't plotting with Ser Mormont, she was feeding her child. Fifteen nights had passed since that event. Almost a moon without Robb, and she was beside herself. During the first days, Rhogar had to plead with her to eat or just talk to him. Her eyes had darkened considerably, carrying the haunting images and sounds. Nym, Alyssane, and Leah all worked their way, learning how to hunt, keep the babe safe, and look out for signs. They had stayed in an inn with Rhogar's money, and there she heard it.

"The young wolf is dead, Joffrey Baratheon is demanding that the so-called Queen of Storms is to be brought alive and the baby heir killed"

"Did you hear? The Tully cunt's head was sent to the royal family to prove it. Robb Stark drowned himself and the current took his body. He died a coward that is. The deadly general that the Baratheon whore slept with was opened balls to his brain to see what he was made up of. No one could be so bloody good. Not even Arthur Dayne or Jaime Lannister"

That was when Cassana decided she was going to sleep outside. She would go mad listening to the stories. She had heard all, that Robb's head was sent on a spike, that he killed himself, that the Bolton's bastard flayed him alive to avenge his father. She could not take another word anymore.

Against her council's pleas, she took her baby and settled in a clearing, the warm fire comforting her body. She did not feel complete. There was a part of her missing, almost like an extension of her limb. She was Jenny of Oldstones, dancing with all her ghosts. Tears blurred her eyes when she tried to remember Robb. His goodness. His honor. How it felt to be loved by him. Eddard let out a small cry which she quickly silenced. It was Ser Mormont who would sit with her in silence for endless hours, almost understanding the pain she felt. She had an insight into him, and why did she deserve his entire loyalty.

Damon Mormont had been captured by wildlings when he was little. He was cousin to Dacey, one who would never get to rule Bear Island. He was expendable. But what no one told him was that his grandfather was the reason for their ire. They had burnt his hands so severely that he had to learn to use them again. He had been tortured for years, until his nine and ten name day, when he escaped. The woman he loved died helping him escape. She had felt a semblance of peace with Damon Mormont and the silence that encased them. It was one day when she finally woke up. She still had to play this game. She still had to keep her son from the clutches of Cersei and Joffrey.

"Cassana, you should not be so cold to your council, they are really trying", he said, poking the fire with his sword.

"I know they are. I am sorry I am being cold and distant, but every minute we sit out here is a minute more towards our death. I won't sit and wait. I have to get my son somewhere place. As your Queen I need you to promise me something", she said, her mind calculated. She had to do this alone. She would not risk more of her family.

"Even if it is the last thing I do, I will carry out your wishes, my queen", he said, his sword glinting in the moonlight.

And so she said it. She told him every piece of her plan. He looked appalled, and she could see the silent debate in his head. She needed to do this, it was the only way.

"I will do it, my queen. I will bring honor to you and the only King I recognize. I shall inform your ladies of the change of route. I pray that this works—"

"It must. It will. Because if it doesn't it means I have failed Robb. I can't fail him and our son, Damon", she said, her voice faltering.

"You won't fail him, Cassana Stark, we will continue to live and survive. This is not the end", he said, quietly standing up and taking watch on a tree nearby.