LIONS AND WOLVES | Robb Stark

17. Healer's Knowledge 𓃬

CATELYN STARK DID NOT AGREE WITH ROBB'S MARRIAGE TO JOANNA, but she was in no position to offer her opinion on the matter. She understood why they did it, to unite their houses and provide Joanna with an extra level of protection from the Northern lords and those who sought to harm her, but that did not mean she agreed with it.

"Walder Frey is a dangerous man to cross," she said.

"I know that," Robb said.

"And you have done it anyway?" Catelyn asked. "Marrying Joanna."

"I love her," Robb said. "I didn't think I would end up loving her, but I do."

"I know that seems important to you-"

"It is important to me," Robb said. "I was going to take another wife - Walder Frey's daughter - but now I don't think I can."

"Your father didn't love me when we married," Catelyn said. "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 marrying someone you have known all your life, but it is stronger. It lasts longer."

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

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

"I know you're arguing just to argue, because you arranged it," Robb said.

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

"My father is dead," Robb interrupted. "And the only parent I have left has no right to call anyone reckless. What Joanna and I have done may well be poor decision-making, but I will not waver in where I stand in this matter. I did not love Joanna when we married. We did it for many reasons, and love was not one of them, but I love her now. I will not abandon her."

𓃬

Joanna and Alayna were sparring with one another a little way outside of the camp. Their swords clanging together echoed through the trees, their soft groans perforating the air. When Alayna knocked Joanna back and disarmed her, the point of her sword came to rest level with Joanna's sternum.

"Dead," she said bluntly.

Joanna stooped to retrieve her sword and suddenly felt nauseous. She never managed to straighten up before she had vomited into the grass, startling Alayna, who immediately grew worried.

"Did I hit you too hard?" she asked. "I'm not sure that I even hit you. Are you okay? Did you eat something you weren't supposed to again?"

"There was no need to go there," Joanna said, wiping her mouth with her cloak. "That was one time."

"I told you not to eat those berries," Alayna said.

"Yes, but when have I ever listened to you?" Joanna asked, straightening up with her sword in hand. "And I'm fine. It was probably just a one-off incident."

Alayna didn't seem convinced. "Now, you and I both know that that's a lie. Joanna, answer me truthfully: how long has it been since your last moonblood?"

Truthfully, Joanna didn't know the answer. She had put the absence of her monthly moonblood down to the constant stress of the war going on around them, but now that Alayna had forced her to think about it more critically, she began to feel sick once again.

Alayna managed to catch her hair before it could fall in her face as Joanna doubled over and vomited into the grass again.

"I think we should go and see a healer," Alayna said. "They will be able to confirm or deny what I suspect."

"Please don't say it," Joanna groaned. "It cannot be true. I cannot fight a war if I'm pregnant."

"Of course you can," Alayna replied. "Not being in the battle does not distract from the fact that you are one of the best strategists this camp has seen. You know the Lannisters better than we do. Now come, we are going to see a healer and find out the truth."

It was true.

After an examination from a female healer, Joanna received the news that she was, indeed, pregnant with Robb Stark's baby, the future heir to Winterfell and future King in the North. The prospect of childbearing alone made Joanna sick once more, and Alayna rubbed her back comfortingly as she helped her friend through the motions.

"There, there," she said, patting Joanna's back. "At least everyone will know you and Robb have fucked now."

Joanna groaned. "Don't be so crude, Alayna."

"Sorry," she apologised. "I've been around men for too long. I pick up their bad habits."

Joanna washed out her mouth with some water before she turned to the healer. "Nobody can know about this. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Your Grace," the healer replied. "I will not tell a soul."

"Are you going to tell Robb?" Alayna asked.

"I cannot very well keep it from him," Joanna said. "He will notice eventually, so it is better that he hears it from me sooner rather than later."

"And you're certain you want to go through with this?" Alayna asked. "As your best friend, since there was a vacancy now that Robb is your husband, I have to cover all of the bases."

"I will not get rid of my child," Joanna said. "I won't. I refuse to abandon my future son or daughter the way my mother abandoned me."

Alayna nodded. "Alright. I just had to be sure. How are you going to tell Robb?"

She told him accidentally. They were dining together that evening and Robb was discussing a dream that he had had, in which he had a son that grew up to be just like him, and Joanna accidentally let slip that the possibility of that coming true was very real.

For a moment after she said it, Robb was silent. Joanna feared the worst, but then his face broke out into the widest smile she had seen him wear and he dropped down to his knees beside her chair, placing his hands on her stomach.

"We're having a baby?" he asked breathlessly.

"Are you angry at me?" she asked, her eyes widening.

"Angry?" Robb echoed. "Why would I be angry?" He pressed a kiss to Joanna's stomach. "You're carrying my baby."

Joanna nodded. "Yes. I'm carrying a little prince or princess."

"Maybe both," Robb said.

"Don't get greedy," Joanna laughed, running her hands through Robb's hair as her rested his forehead against her stomach. "Whatever they are, we shall love them."

Robb looked up at her. "I will love them as much as I love you."

Knowing that Joanna was pregnant had cast a new light on her that Robb had not seen before. He could see it in her eyes that Joanna was terrified to have this child, as he was too, but the fact that she was giving him everything that he had ever wanted - a loving wife, a baby on the way and the support of a spouse - suddenly seemed to cast a glow across her face.

"I love you so much," Robb whispered, rising to kiss Joanna.

She smiled into the kiss. "I love you, too."