DAGGERS TO THE HEART Part 2 - CLASH OF THE KINGS

Robb I

Just a quick chapter of Robb's talk with Bran.

Robb entered Sansa's solar to find Bran waiting, and he was promptly ushered into Sansa's chambers. What greeted him there was almost as disconcerting as Sansa's ordeal with Ramsay. She paced the floor with a flushed face, her agitation a stark departure from her usual composure. Robb couldn't help but wonder if Jon or Arya had met trouble in King's Landing.

"Sansa?" Robb ventured, concern heavy in his voice. "You're unsettling me. What's happened?" Sansa sank into a chair, shaking her head as if struggling to find the words. Seven hells, Robb thought, this couldn't be good.

At last, Sansa spoke. "Bran has been warging while in Littlefinger's brothel," she revealed.

Robb frowned, awaiting further explanation, but Sansa fell silent. "I thought that was what the ravens were for," he remarked.

Sansa's blush deepened, her discomfort palpable. "He's been watching the interactions between Littlefinger's clients and his employees," she clarified.

The realisation dawned on Robb. His thirteen-year-old brother had been watching people fuck. He was torn between amusement and concern, though Sansa saw no humour in the situation.

"What did he see?" Robb struggled to suppress a chuckle, despite sensing the gravity of the situation.

"I didn't press for details," Sansa admitted, shaking her head. "He mentioned Prince Oberyn's interest in Jon..." The absurdity of the situation overwhelmed Robb, and he had to stifle his laughter with his hand, despite Sansa's disapproving glare.

"And?" Robb prompted in a hushed tone.

"And what?" Sansa replied.

"Did Bran understand Oberyn's intentions?" Robb inquired.

Sansa nodded. "He was mortified. I was hoping you could have a word with him."

Robb's stomach churned. How could he advise Bran against something he might have considered himself? "You mean, give him 'the talk'? Isn't that Father's duty?"

Sansa shook her head. "Littlefinger's services are far from ordinary. He caters to any desire. If someone desires children or even a corpse, Littlefinger provides."

Robb's amusement turned to revulsion. "You want me to question him about what he saw?"

Sansa nodded solemnly. "I would do it myself, but I believe it's better coming from you. If it's something relatively innocuous, I can tolerate it. But he still needs to face consequences."

Taking a deep breath, Robb agreed. "What sort of punishment are you suggesting?"

"Bran will serve as steward and keep an eye on Lord Varys until our return to Winterfell. Meanwhile, Varys remains confined to his chambers. I don't trust him. He can only leave under the escort of either you, me, or Benjen. Once we depart, Varys will be escorted to Winterfell, while Bran remains here with Benjen and the Free Folk. It's time he learns the responsibilities of managing a keep," Sansa explained. "Spying on Varys will serve as his punishment."

"Will Queenscrown become Bran's responsibility after the Free Folk return north?" Robb inquired.

"It's a possibility," Sansa affirmed. "But don't inform Bran just yet."

Robb sighed. "I suppose I should address this matter," he said, entering the solar where Bran stood. "Sansa has filled me in on what happened. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" he asked his younger brother.

"I thought I could gather valuable information by observing the activities of powerful figures in those rooms," Bran admitted, his cheeks flushing. "I didn't realize what they were actually doing."

"Has Father spoken to you about the responsibilities of manhood?" Robb asked. Bran shook his head vigorously. Robb rubbed his temples in frustration. "Sit down," he instructed, and they both settled in front of the fire. "It seems now is as good a time as any. What do you understand about marital relations?" he broached the subject.

"That's where babies are made," Bran replied.

"True enough," Robb agreed. "And making babies can make you feel good. But you can seek pleasure in brothels without the risk of making babies."

"Why does it result in a baby in the marriage bed but not in a brothel?" Bran questioned.

"Husbands and wives engage in intimacy in the marriage bed, even when they're not trying to make a babe."

"Do Jon and Sansa do those things? They're married," Bran asked.

"I suppose they do," Robb hoped he hadn't gone too far and provoked Bran's teenage imagination. "They would only do the things between a man and a woman. Did you see things when it was just between a man and a woman?" Robb asked, and Bran nodded his head in confirmation.

"Why would they do that if they don't want to make a babe?" Bran asked.

"When you love someone, you want to be close to them. I take it you haven't stolen a kiss yet," Robb smirked. Bran shook his head. "You'll understand as soon as you find a pretty girl and you want to kiss her. When you get much older and you love a girl, when you kiss her, it is so nice, that you don't want to stop."

"So why do men visit brothels?" Bran was being ever curious.

"As I said, it kissing a girl is so nice, you don't want to stop because it makes you feel good in other places. I'm sure you understand what I mean after spying on people in a brothel," Bran blushed. "Some men, however, visit brothels just for pleasure. Doing that is still nice even if you don't love the other person. But it is much better when you love them, or so I'm told. I've never been in love."

"Have you ever used a brothel?" Bran asked.

Now it was time for Robb to turn as red as his hair. "Yes, but not since I came to Queenscrown as there isn't a brothel here. It's acceptable to visit them before marriage but not after," Robb said, feeling the need to impart values of fidelity to his brother. "When you're old enough, I'll take you to one, and you can experience it for yourself."

Bran blushed. "When?"

"I was fourteen when I first visited a brothel. There will soon be one in Queenscrown, you could go there. If not, I could take you to the one in Winter Town. How about we go on your fourteenth nameday? Just keep it between us, don't tell a soul," Robb cringed inwardly at the thought of involving Bran in such activities without Sansa's knowledge. Bran nodded in agreement.

"Did you see anything other than a man and a woman together acting like they were married?" Robb asked, Bran shook his head. Robb wasn't sure whether Bran was telling the truth, after all, if he'd watched Oberyn, Robb was sure Bran would have witnessed more than the average comings and goings of the marital bed.

"Now, for the consequences of what you've been up to without permission. You can't spy on people during intimate moments. It's very wrong. As punishment, you'll attend to Lord Varys during his stay here. Serve his meals and drinks, and read any correspondence he receives or sends. Summer will monitor him. Since you seem inclined toward spying, you'll spy on Lord Varys. He's not to leave his chambers without being accompanied by myself, Benjen, or Sansa."

A horn sounded outside, interrupting Robb's uncomfortable discussion of sexual matters.

"It seems we have guests. Our conversation is finished," Robb announced, rising from his seat and tousling Bran's hair. "Let's see who's arrived."