Duty, a Matter of the Heart.

Chapter 4: News.

Robert Baratheon
"Tell me about Jon Arryn." Ned asked as me we entered the crypts. "One minute he was fine and then it burned right through him, whatever it was. I loved that man."
"We both did." Ned stated. "He never had to teach you much, but me? You remember me at 16? All I wanted to do was crack skulls and fuck girls. He showed me what was what."
"Aye." Ned said frowning. "Don't look at me like that. It's not his fault I didn't listen." I laughed pausing. "I need you, Ned... Down at King's Landing, not up here where you're no damn use to anybody. Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the King."
"I'm not worthy of the honor." Ned said kneeling down. "I'm not trying to honor you.
I'm trying to get you to run my kingdom while I eat, drink and whore my way to an early grave." I said smiling, but it angered me when Ned a person I admired beyond words, knelt like that. "Damn it, Ned, stand up. You helped me win the iron throne, now help me keep the damn thing. We were meant to rule together. If your sister had lived, we'd have been bound by blood. Well, it's not too late. I have a daughter, you have a son and I have a son and you have a daughter. We'll join our Houses." Ned looked overwhelmed. I wonder how Victoria would react to the news.

Victoria
"Catelyn, this is a beautiful room. This view is unbelievable!" I said stepping onto the wide balcony overlooking the vast deep green hills, covered in a diamond bliss of cold. The room was vast and had a large bed with a beautiful fur covering it, the fire place was alight and it filled the room with a welcoming warmth. There was a very large wardrobe elegantly carved and a screen just next to it, also a dark wooden table rested across the room with a chair, and opposite to it was a dressing table with everything I could need. "I am so glad that you are pleased. The library is around the corner, I was told you love to read and if you require anything else Robb's room is right across yours." At the simple mention of his name I feel the heat gathering in my cheeks and my insides flutter like a banner in the wind. "I hope that is alright with you."
"Yes, quite alright." I said smiling at Lady Catelyn. "Well, Victoria I will let you get ready for the welcoming feast. I'll make sure Robb escorts you to the feast. I'll see you in a couple of hours dear." Catelyn said smiling and leaving the room. I decided to admire the view a little longer and hope that the cold would help this heat leave my body. But I couldn't stop thinking of that jaw and piercing blue eyes, so I decided to explore Winterfell's library and feed my mind with other things that weren't incredible smirks and rough lips. The library wasn't as large as the Red Keep's, but the smell of old books was much more intense which I loved. There was a fireplace, alight, and a large and seemingly comfortable chair in front of it. Soon my little discovery of calmness was interrupted by the sound of clashing swords. It's coming form the outside... I looked out the window to see the courtyard. There seemed to be sword fighting lessons happening. Robb was practicing with another man and the smallest of the Stark boys were fighting each other. I decide to run to the court yard and watch them. I, discreetly, lean against the wall in the courtyard and watch them. The little ones struggle a little bit, but Robb is really good. His movements are abrupt and his muscles move majestically as he strikes his opponent and brings him down. I can't help but grin like a fool. "Your Grace..." Robb sates breathless as he approaches me. "Please my Lord, call me Victoria." I say smiling and looking him in his beautiful eyes. "Very well, but only if you call me Robb." He says smiling down at me. He's so tall, I think to myself blushing. "You were outstanding Robb, your technique seems very meticulous but you always attack through your right. You should be more unpredictable."
"Oh, really? I'll have you know that I am the best in Winterfell." He says smirking at me. "Well perhaps, that was true. But now I'm in Winterfell." I said challenging him. "Is that so?" He said taking a step closer to me, towering over me. "If you are trying to intimidate me its not working."
"Oh, really because the crimson in your cheeks tells me otherwise." Damn it! Why must I always blush? "Ah, seven hells. Let's settle this then. You and me, single combat!" I said taking the wooden sword, that he was using to practice, from his hand and holding it in position. The man that he was fighting earlier laughed at my audacity and threw his sword at Robb. He catches the sword swiftly, but steadily. His muscles clenching on the grip of the sword. He then looked at me, something burned in his eyes and it made me feel warm. Warm in places, I had never felt warm before. My chest rose and fell, and as the dress flattered my generous breasts, I saw Robb quite distracted by it, so I bolted forward and quickly disarmed him. He looked incredulous. "Well, that's settled then." I said smirking at him. "That does not count I was distracted..."
"Oh really? By what?" I say taking a step closer to him and flapping my eyelashes, hiding the fact that I knew exactly by what he was distracted. "Uhm, I..." We were now very close and his breath was fanning over my lips and I felt an enormous urge to just leap on to his lips. "You must teach me how to do that!" I heard a little voice say, as I felt my dress being pulled. "Me too!"
"Arya, Bran and Rickon you mustn't impose yourselves on the princess." Robb said still a little bit fluttered. "Such adorable children could never be an imposition! I suppose I can teach you somethings." The children smiled and laughed amongst themselves. "But right now we have to get ready for the feast my darlings. Tomorrow perhaps." Arya and Bran quickly ran off in the excitement of the feast that was about to happen. As I looked down, I saw little Rickon holding his arms up to me. I picked him up and placed him on my hip, like I used to do with Tommen. "Should I escort you to your room?" Robb questioned. "I believe we are actually neighbors, my room is right across yours" I say smiling, and Robb smiles back at me. "I'm surprised at Rickon he's usually weary of strangers"
"He's such an adorable, little boy. I can see he's a man of few words" I laugh. As I say this Rickon leans on to me and whispers in my ear covering his mouth as if he was telling me a secret. "He likes you. I can tell by the way he looks at you." He said giggling uncontrollably. "Go on Rickon find old nan, so she can help you." Robb stated laughing at him, he seems like a very kind older brother. I placed Rickon on the ground and he disappeared amongst Winterfell's halls.

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