A Northern Rose - Game of Thrones // Robb Stark

A Wish for Snow

I had managed to escape the confinement of the outside yard – convincing myself that this was just some trick.

'Where is Queen Eliah?' Theon had said sarcastically before unmounting his horse, but I hadn't stayed long enough to reply. I had to find Brandon. He had to be safe.

I took the back passages back through Winterfell, knowing which route was which was easy enough by now.

Most people inside the walls hadn't seemed to notice anything amiss outside, but my face gave it away. I heard them whispering that I looked as white as a sheet, but I didn't care enough to reply.

Rushing from door to door, as soon as I reached my chambers I sighed in relief to find Brandon asleep in one of my handmaiden's arms.

He was safe, for now.

She handed him to me immediately, but I almost didn't want to take him. I knew he wouldn't be safe with me.

Looking down at him, his peaceful sleeping face seemed to stop time, like nothing else could coexist with such serenity.

I smiled then, for no other reason than that he was Robb's son. A single tear fell down my cheek.

"Take him," I looked up to my handmaid, almost desperately. "Hide with him where no one will think to look."

Handing him over felt like I was giving up my own breath - my only will to live.

She dipped her head to me, but didn't question what I'd asked. And oddly enough, I knew I could trust her.

Sitting down upon the fur covered bed, I inhaled a sharp breath and wiped my tears away. I have to be strong. My breathing felt jagged, like something was caught in my throat that couldn't be removed. I have to be a Stark, a she-wolf.

It was then that the door swung open with a bang, and Theon strode in with a grubby looking guard behind him.

"Theon." I spoke politely, as if nothing were amiss.

In his mind, I was not to know why he was here. I stood up and dipped my head in the slightest, golden hair falling upon my shoulders.

"Lady Tyrell," He walked straight towards me and opened his mouth to speak again, but I cut him off before he could try.

"Lady Stark." Clearing my throat, I briefly looked to the floor and then straight back at him. He seemed to find that amusing.

"The wolf skin suits you, Lady Stark." His smug smile couldn't have annoyed me more in that moment. This was Theon, Ned's ward and Robb's best friend. How could he do this? Robb had mentioned his occasional arrogant attitude, but in all fairness that was expected. This, however, was new to me entirely.

"What brings you to Winterfell?" Turning away from him, I walked to the table beside the window to pour myself a cup of wine, pretending not to see the several dozen Greyjoy banners fluttering free in the yard below. I poured the wine slowly, a deep red staining the chalice.

"Leave us," Theon mumbled to the guard that followed, and I watched from the corner of my eye as he left the room and shut the door behind him. I gulped.

Turning to face him once more with my drink in hand, I watched how he stood, how his mouth twisted into a smirk as he thought about his next words, and how, slowly, he began to walk towards me.

"I am the Lord of Winterfell now," I didn't move as he got closer, just watched and sipped my wine. "We have taken the North."

Stood in front of me now, he took the drink from my hand and took a drink himself. I could barely believe it.

Stepping back, I felt uncomfortable being so close to this man.

"Does Robb know about this?" I knew he didn't know. If he did, he'd have told me. Wouldn't he? I suddenly felt a panic. Just the thought seemed to annoy Theon.

"I don't care what Robb knows." Swivelling on his heels, he stepped a few paces away from me. "More of my men will be here within days, and Robb wouldn't dare leave his southern war." Turning back to face me, his smirk returned and made me feel uneasy. "He might even be dead already."

I suddenly felt weak. No, he isn't dead. Resting a hand upon the table to steady myself, it seemed impossible to even choke out any words.

"I've always found you exceptionally beautiful, Lady Tyrell."

Turning to face the window, I knew I needed to escape.

The snowflakes had stopped falling outside, but I felt that they were the things I wanted most.

I heard him march towards me but didn't even react. I couldn't.

Grabbing my arm, he spun me around to face him. "Perhaps you should just marry me now and be done with it."

Suddenly pulling my arm free, I couldn't hold back the anger that suddenly struck me. This was my home now.

"I would never marry you." I practically hissed. I couldn't bear his presence any longer.

"I'd hate something to happen to that lovely son of yours," Snatching my face in his hand, once again he pulled me close to him. "Where is he? We have yet to meet."

Before I even had chance to look at the smirk on his face I reached for his dagger and pulled it free of its sheath.

I lifted it quickly, but only so that it fell upon the mail under his wool shirt.

"Stupid girl." I heard him mutter, and then everything went dark.