The crossed rose: The War of the Five Kings - GoT - R.S.

A queen's mercy

Jeyne seemed nervous as she stood in front of Dahlia and Robb, her hands twisting in front of her body as Dahlia sat at the foot of her bed and Robb just watched the young lady with frowned eyebrows.

"What I have to say... Your Graces..." She said, slipping back into the formality she didn't usually have around Dahlia anymore. "Might be hard to hear. And, perhaps, even harder to believe."

"What do you have to say, Jeyne?" Dahlia asked, tilting her head to the side as Jeyne shuffled slightly from side to side. "Speak."

"I... I'm afraid." She said, to which Robb frowned.

"Don't be." He said. "You'll be safe with Dahlia and my mother here at the Twins."

"No, your Grace, I don't mean... I don't mean the war. I mean... I'm scared of saying what I have to say."

"Why?" Dahlia asked.

"Because I am afraid of what might come to be of my family if I speak the words." Jeyne whispered, to which Dahlia tensed.

"Your family?" She asked. "What might your family have to do with anything?"

Jeyne hesitated then, her eyes moving from Dahlia and over to Robb instead as she gulped hard to try and hold back her tears. She was afraid. In fact, she was terrified. After all, even if she was betraying her family, doing what she was doing, it was possible that both Robb and Dahlia would find it necessary to punish her for it as well. But when she noticed the soft look on her friend's face, she knew her Queen would not be as cruel. Not to her, not to anyone.

"They are planning on betraying you." She said, looking down at her feet so intently she missed the way Robb stiffened as he sent his wife a look.

"Jeyne..." Dahlia called, sighing when her friend didn't dare look her in the eye. "Jeyne, dear... What do you... What do you mean by that?"

Jeyne took in a deep breath then, steeling herself as she lifted her head again and look Dahlia straight in the eye.

"My father wants you dead." Jeyne said. "My father and the Lannisters and... And the Boltons."

"The Boltons?" Robb jumped to attention then. "It cannot be. Lord Bolton is... He is one of my most trusted advisors. He... He's helped me plan the battle in the Whispering Woods. He... He offered to help me take back Winterfell. It cannot be."

"Robb..." Dahlia breathed out once she realized her husband seemed to be at the edge of spiraling. She extended a hand out to him and sighed when he didn't reach back for her, choosing, instead, to pace around the room. "My love..."

"It cannot be." He mumbled again, turning back around to look at Jeyne. "Tell me more about this."

"The Boltons wanted the Freys' help in their plan, but, as it seemed, your lord father refused." Jeyne said. "They decided to betray you as soon as Lord Renly's army dismantled after his death. At least... At least that's what I've heard."

"From whom?" Dahlia asked. "Who told you that?"

"Not me." Jeyne shook her head, before turning to look over at a very distressed Robb. "Lord Bolton told my mother and father. When you arrived at the Craig, your Grace, while... While you were unconscious from the battle, Lord Bolton and my parents conspired against you. Father said... He said he wasn't even sure if it was one of his men who shot an arrow at you... Or one of Bolton's."

"You mean... You mean to tell me Roose Bolton has been going behind my back ever since we took your castle?" Robb demanded.

"Yes, your Grace." Jeyne nodded. "I do not know why, your Grace, but while you were hurt, lord Bolton and my father decided to work together. The deal was... The deal was to bring you down from within, in any way possible."