Silver Stag

Robb & Talisa

[The Riverlands - Stark Camp, Council Tent]

Robb and Lord Roose Bolton sat in conference.

"Still no word?" Robb asked.

"We've sent a dozen ravens. None have returned. My bastard is only a few days from Winterfell. Once he captures the castle-"

"Theon has my brothers. If we storm the castle-"

"He wouldn't dare hurt the boys. They're his only hope of escaping the North with his head."

"Send word to your son. Any Ironborn who surrender will be allowed to return safely to their homes."

"A touch of mercy is a virtue, Your Grace. Too much-"

"Any Ironborn with the exception of Theon Greyjoy. He betrayed our cause. He betrayed me. And we will hunt him down no matter where he runs."

"I expect his countrymen will turn on him the minute they hear the offer."

Talisa entered, causing them to stand. "Your pardon, my lord. Your Grace."

"My lady." Roose Bolton exited.

"How are you?"

"How am I? I've had to arrest my mother. The Lannisters have my sisters. The man I considered my closest friend has seized my home and my brothers. I'm fighting a war and I don't know if I should mqrch south or north."

"I'm sorry. It was a stupid question. I'm sorry."

"No. Forgive me. You're being kind. I have no right."

"You have every right. You're a king."

"That's not the kind of king I want to be."

"What kind do you want to be?"

"I don't know. The good kind. Most kings grew up as princes. They spend their whole lives preparing for the crown. I was raised to be Lord of Winterfell."

"I was raised to be a proper little lady, to play the harp and dance the latest steps and recite Valyrian poetry."

"I'd like to hear you play the harp."

"No. No, you would not."

They laughed. Robb poured some wine and handed it to her.

"How did you go from reciting Valyrian poetry to sawing off men's feet?"

"When I was twelve, my mother and father went to a wedding. Weddings in Volantis last for days, you know. And they left me with my little brother. The second afternoon they were gone was the hottest day in the three-year summer. We couldn't bear to be inside, so we ran down to the Rhoyne. Every child in Volantis was in the Rhoyne that day. The rich, the poor, we were all there. Naked, screaming, racing to the little islands. Drummers were playing for coppers on the east bank. I was treading water, talking to a friend, when I realized I hadn't seen my brother. I called his name. Then I started screaming his name. And then I saw him floating face down. My heart just stopped. I was I dragged him from the water. My friend helped me, I think. I don't even remember. He was so little. Then we pulled him onto the riverbank. And I screamed at him and I shook him. And he was dead. Just dead. A man ran over. He had a fish tattoo on his face. In Volantis, the slaves have tattoos. So you know what they are without having to talk to them. And this man worked on a fishing boat. And he pushed me out of the way. You have to understand, for a slave to push a highborn girl, that's death for the man, a terrible death. But he pushed me out of the way, and he started pressing on my brother's chest again and again and again, until my brother spat out half of the Rhoyne and cried out. And the man cradled his head and told him to be calm. I decided two things that day. I would not waste my years planning dances and masquerades with the other noble ladies. And when I came of age, I would nevr live in a slave city again. I'm sorry, Your Grace. You told me of your problems and I've blathered on."

They both stood.

"I don't want to marry the Frey girl." Robb told her.

"I don't want you to marry her. But you need that bridge. I hope it's a very beautiful bridge."

Unable to contain himself any longer, Robb pressed his lips against Talisa's.

They kissed passionately, undressing one another in a fury, lowering themselves to the floor where they proceeded to make love.

[Riverlands - King Robb's Tent]

King Robb Stark sat in his tent, his mother, Lady Catelyn Stark, sitting as well.

"Walder Frey is a dangerous man to cross." She told her son.

"I know that."

"And you mean to do it anyway?"

"I love her."

"I know that seems important to you."

"It is important to me."

"Your father didn't love me when we married. He hardly knew me or I him. Love didn't just happen to us. We built it slowly over the years, stone by stone, for you, for your brothers and sisters, for all of us. It's not as exciting as secret passion in the woods, but it is stronger. It lasts longer."

"And that is what would be in store for me with one of Walder Frey's daughters, what you and father had?"

"Why not? Because she's not beautiful? Because she's not exotic and exciting?"

"Now you're arguing just to argue because you arranged it."

"And you agreed to it. You gave him your word. Treat your oaths recklessly, and your people will do the same. If your father lived his life for one thing-"

"My father is dead. And the only parent I have left has no right to call anyone reckless." Robb exited.

Later that night, a Septon stood before King Robb and Lady Talisa Maegyr, wrapping a ribbon around their joined hands, binding them to one another.

"In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words.

"Father, smith, warrior, mother ,maiden, crone, stranger."

"Father, smith, warrior, mother,maiden, crone, stranger."

"I am hers and she is mine from this day until the end of my days."

"I am his and he is mine from this day until the end of my days."

They sealed their vows with a kiss.

If only they know the lasting consequences of their actions.

They were another Duncan and Jenny.