Duty, a Matter of the Heart.

Chapter 12: Tournament.

Hi guys! I'm so sorry to have delayed this chapter so much, but the past month has been terrible. Any ways, I have much more time to write now. So, I hope you enjoy this chapter!!
Xoxo

Victoria
   Robb had dismissed me coldly, turning his back on me and resisting my affections. I needed to give him space, for the sake of both of us. It was unbearable to see him like that and not being able to comfort him or to be there for him and all because he wouldn't let me. I felt the urge to run into the northern hills with Visenya and gallop away until my worries were gone. But I need to attend the tourney, not because it was in honor of me but because if something happened to Robb I couldn't forgive myself. I had learned that when people push others way its often not a choice, but an unsettling fear of seeing the past repeat itself. I had to find out and understand what was bothering him. "Victoria! We have been looking for you. Where have you been?" Margaery questioned, as she and Sansa made way to me. "I was lost actually, without Robb Winterfell is very confusing." I couldn't help but notice how I meant that in several ways. "You look lovely, but you don't seem so well. Are you alright?" Sansa said examining me. I looked down at the floor, my words forming a knot in my throat that was threatening to bring me to tears. "If you're concerned about my brother don't be Victoria, he's very good. He wouldn't let anything happen to him, now that he has much more to loose." I took Sansa's arm and gave her a small smile as the three of us walked to the seat of honor that was across the field from my parents. They would serve as my ladies for the tournament, and it was soothing in a way to have them next to me.

But I longed for Robb's arms around me, I wanted to kiss his worries away and I wanted to return that gleam to his eyes. We sat and the tournament began with a speech by my father that I didn't hear, I couldn't stop thinking of Robb's pain, how he had pushed me away and how I felt that our future and I were being replaced by the memory of something terrible. Then my father boomed  "Let the tournament in the celebration of my beautiful Victoria and her name day, begin!" I faked a smile, attempting to uncloud my vision from my angry tears, and gently clapped my hands. The crowd cheered as Robb gallantly entered the field in a grey horse. His armor mirrored the grey clouds and the wolf on his chest glimmered under the faint sun rays. He looked up at me and I felt the urge to just go to him, mount his horse so we could both just disappear. Instead Robb trotted by me, stopped in front of my seat and did a small bow. No wink, no request of a token and no smile. I was going mad, this is supposed to be a good day, I mean for gods sake I'm at a tournament in my honor and its my name day. Why is he so proud and stubborn? Well, two can play this game. He wants curtesy? I'll show him an armor of curtesy. That's one of the lessons my mother taught me that tears and curtsies were a woman's greatest weapon. Well, she said another thing, but we disagreed on the use of our womanhood.

I stopped looking his way as he readied for the joust and his opponent entered the field. It was SmallJon, on the contrary to Robb, he was all smiles specially at me. I resisted the temptation of rolling my eyes at him, and managed to keep my stern face. Then he had the audacity of winking at me, I looked at Robb and I could see anger boiling up inside him and flashing through his blue eyes, I was so afraid that he would do something stupid, at that point I could feel all color disappear from my face. Sansa, sensing my discomfort, took my hand and I held on to it hoping that this feeling would go away. What if something happened to Robb? He can be so reckless, specially when angered. They both took their lances, Robb gripped strongly the shield as he adjusted himself on the horse and adjusted the lance. I felt my stomach turn, bile was coming into my mouth. "Sansa, I'm not feeling well..." I said standing up and leaving the tent where we were seated. Not being able to keep my stomach contents in me, I vomited outside the tent as Margaery held my hair and Sansa held a comforting hand on my back and offered me a handkerchief. I felt relieved by not having my stomach aching anymore, but now I was worried if the abrupt departure of the three of us had drawn any unwanted attention. "What happened Victoria?"
"I think that the nerves got the best of me Sansa..." I stated slightly dizzy. "Sansa, why don't you go and find Maester Luwin? He may be able to help in soothing the princess's stomach." Margaery stated kindly. Sansa nodded her head frantically, and left. "Thank you for helping me Margaery." I said resting my head on my hand and removing some sweat beads. "Have you been taking Moon tea, while engaging in your... um... activities with Robb?" And it was as if the seventh hell was dropped upon me. We weren't even married yet! I could feel my stomach clenching again. "Calm down darling, it may just be a scare. Are you late on your blood?" Shit! Oh the gods love to play these tricks don't they? My mind was racing, I hadn't bled since our travels to Winterfell. We would have to rush to get married, how would Robb react to this? He was acting so strangely. "Your grace, I was told you weren't feeling well..."
"Maester Luwin, thank you for your concern... But I'm- I'm feeling much better, I would however like to meet with you before the feast just for reassurance." Master Luwin seemed to be a kind man, and he certainly inspired more trust than stinky Pycelle. "As you wish, your grace." He said bowing and leaving. "Thank you for your help Sansa..."
"Victoria! Victoria!?"
"Robb? What are you doing you should not ..." He ran to me and embraced me tightly. "I saw you leaving so abruptly and then I saw my sister call Maester Luwin I was fearing the worst. Are you alright what happened?" I looked at Margaery, giving her a look. "Come Sansa, let's give the love birds some time alone." They headed back to the tent as Rob caressed my cheek. I finally looked up into his eyes, they were filled with concern and anticipation. I couldn't control my tears, the terrible knot forming in my throat.