✓ | 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝑾𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒐 𝑹𝒖𝒍𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 (R.STARK 2/3)

Chapter Twenty Seven::Mother

Freya Glover's a startling woman, with a sharp tongue and an astonishing appearance that one could only envy. It was clear she was the source of her children's beauty - the blond hair and perfect structure of the face, all because of their mother's genes. However, no matter how agreeable her exterior is, there is no denying she is one of the world's worst mothers. For which Raina despised her. She was the woman that, intrusted with her daughter's life, allowed Raina to be handed to the Bolton's like a slab of meat, the first time, and like a reward for bad behaviour the second. She was helpless when it came to protecting her kids and had never done one redeemable thing in her entire, pathetic, life. All of her children had grown to hate her, in time; she was the reason Raina was to marry a traitorous bastard, she was the reason Delvin left home so early in life - because he could no longer stand to see her be so insufferable - and was the very same reason he failed to return for some time, she was the reason Finn went to war willingly, without a care for those he left behind, and why he'd become so chilling towards his sisters, and she was the reason Esme was like how she was, pretty and perfect just like her mother. All the siblings of Esme hated her for that fact, Glover's were strong people not princesses or ladies like Freya would persist, that was why Raina got along with her brothers far better than Esme ever could, because she made an effort towards the family cause and could empathise what it was like to be in their position. That was why she hated her mother, because Freya believed Raina to be the same kind of woman as Esme, which hadn't been true since Raina was born, it had always been clear they were completely different - yet Freya wouldn't see it. Finn, too, probably blamed his mother for Esme's death, not that anyone really knew what had happened to her, besides their mother, but deep down Finn just wanted something to blame her for, something not worth forgiving. 

Seeing Freya so fearful of the wedding, however, 2 days before hand, was quite warming in contrast to all Raina felt towards her mother. For the woman almost looked sorry for her actions, and afraid of her daughter's fate - she almost looked forgivable. Finn wouldn't bat an eyelid in the woman's direction even if she were on fire, but he too noticed how uncomfortable and distressed she seemed that morning at breakfast, and how her glittering eyes seemed faded and dulled, and continuously cast back to her only remaining daughter, who sat across from her, poking at the food as though trying to urge it back to life. It was better than focusing on her husband-to-be, was how Raina liked to think of it. 

The night prior to this breakfast occasion, Delvin, Finn and Raina had used one of the many secret passages through Winterfell that led up through the abandoned section of the building, where no members of staff or Bolton blood would be at that time of night; through which they dragged Robb - who still tended to injuries sustained at The Twins - up into Winterfell and down corridors until they reached Raina's room, or rather Robb's room. They could think of no better place to keep him where he would surely be safe, and out of harm, for the meanwhile. Robb had no complaints, though now it would seem both the Glover boys and their sister were quite on edge, in the case that any one should stumbled upon Robb lurking in her quarters. If that were to happen they'd get to watch him die all over again, and this time for good. Not that they didn't think it was permanent last time, only now that fate seemed a lot worse and predictable than before. 

"Raina, I was thinking you might enjoy taking a stroll with me today, seeings as it is such a wonderful day, and it should do you good to get out of the building for a while." Freya almost forced out the words, like she insisted Raina agree. It was quite terrifying to see her mother so panicked, and for this reason Raina agreed without thinking much of it. There was something not quite right with her mother, and she needed to find out what it was. 

Once the women finished eating, which did not take a considerable amount of time, the pair sauntered out of the hall - Raina cast a final, fleeting glance to her hopeless brothers who still sat at the table in horror, watching after her - and began the trek to the woods. Raina didn't think much of it until they were beneath the shelter of the trees, and into the shadows.