Weeping Thorns

Chapter 24: Reunite

~Kasondra~

The Stark banners stood out clear from my perch on the hill overlooking the camp. It was oddly quiet for a war camp. That could only mean one thing.

Mourning.

My horse inched closer and closer. By the time we reached the entrance, the tense feeling was ever present in the air. Soldiers immediately recognized me and bowed deeply. I dismounted and held my head high, barely acknowledging their greetings. The ground was covered in mud and the tents were filled to the rims with soldiers.

I neared the edge of the forest with no sign of Robb or Mother anywhere. Then, I heard the distinct sound of steel against wood. My curiosity got the better of me and I went in search. No men came after me or warned me to stay away.

Through dense fog I could make out a familiar figure standing in the clearing. Robb violently swung his sword, anger clear on his body and the way he grunted like a mad dog.

"Robb...." I spoke calmly. His swings picked up speed and strength. "Robb." I spoke more firmly with a serious tone now. But the way he kept going at it, it was a wonder if he had heard me at all.

"Robb Stark!" His head swung at an alarming pace, so much I feared for his neck. Spit flung from his mouth and his face was red from exertion and tears he had held in. "You ruined a perfectly fine sword."

My joke fell flat as we raced towards each other, my arms outstretched before me. Robb encased me in his arms and smothered me against his chest. His face his in the crook of my neck and began to speak incoherently.

"I'll kill them." I stroked the thick curls on his head and hushed his voice. "I'll kill them all, I swear it Kasondra!" He growled, fingers digging into the fabric of my fur cloak.

"We must rescue Sansa, and find Arya. Then I promise brother. They will know what it means to lose someone you loved." Poison rolled from my tongue. Sobs wracked his body like a storm against an old boat. The sudden cracking of twigs had the hairs on my neck standing on edge.

A small bark of surprise had me smiling again. Mahala stood tall and proud beside of mother who rested a hand on her large head. She was far from being a pup, her fur had grown into a shaggy coat to keep her warm. Those golden eyes were ever present but the grief in them was clear.

"Mother." Catelyn allowed the corners of her lips to curl and she tilted her head back with welcoming eyes.

"My baby..." She hiccuped and I couldn't sustain my emotions any longer. I turned from my brother and found comfort with Catelyn. Her touches were much more gentle and knowing just the right way to hold me. Much like she had down when I was an infant. "My sweet girl, I'm so glad you are safe."

"They....killed him mother! Butchered him like a pig!" I screamed into her face. She shook my shoulders and held me firmly in place.

"Look at me Kasondra," I avoided her stare and looked to the ground. "Look.at.me." She punctuated each word with a small movement of her hands. "They will pay. The North will never forget this."

~Time Skip~

After tears were shed and happy times were shared with Mahala, I returned to the tent. Mother was sitting in front of her vanity, just staring at her reflection. I inched closer and crouched by her side.

"Mother?"

"I failed him. I always did my duty but I still failed him."

"How did you fail father?"

"I failed to protect him and my children!" She bellowed to her reflection. I took her hand in mine and kissed each knuckle. "When he brought home a bastard child, I put up a brave front and smiled. When he returned from war with scars and wounds I tended to him. But I couldn't protect his honor or our children. The one thing that mattered most to me in this world. I have lost them."

"You have failed no one." I sneered and stood on my feet. Catelyn was shocked by the sudden display of aggression when I pulled her rough to her feet and entwined our fingers. "You are Catelyn Stark, daughter of Riverun. Wife of a murdered husband and mother to his children. You will get your revenge." My bottom lip trembled as her hand cupped my cheek.

"In this life, or the next." Mother wiped away my tears with her thumb and the fierce loyalty in her eyes could have killed Joffery Baratheon where he stood.

Hours rolled by and mother had taken to the bed. I lit a single candle and gazed at myself in the same mirror mother did. My hair was wild and my eyes had dark bags underneath them from lack of rest. I moved to stand when a familiar weight bounced off my leg. I reach into my dress pocket and gently removed the circlet Jon had given me as a gift.

I hadn't worn it yet and never planned to. But I also didn't see myself in this position. With steady fingers I brushed back my bangs and slid the jewelry behind my ears until it rested firmly against my forehead. My appearance had never looked fiercer. My eyes were bloodshot and agony mixed with revenge stirred in my orbs.

Kasondra Stark was a blue Winterfell rose. Weak and brittle at the moment, surrounded by thick thorns to protect her in any instance.

Dark, Weeping Thorns.

~Story End~

Thank you so much o my readers! I really need names on what to call the next book and if you want to add your own OC all you need to do is message me! Thanks again!