a wolf and a stag // r.stark 1.

2.2 Robb

Arabella was sitting on a chair in front of Robb and Catelyn. They were in his tent. She saw a table, where a map was lying with statues on them.

Arabella looked back at the Starks, who were looking back at her. "Why are you here?" Catelyn asked. Robb didn't take his eyes off Arabella. He had the same question as his mother did.

"Lord Stark told me to find you. He said I'd be safe here" she answered not daring to look up at them.

"There's war happening. There's no safe grounds here" it was obvious Catelyn hated Arabella. She had a reason to.

"I know you probably think my mother sent me here, but I ran away. With your fathers help" she looked at Robb's unreadable expression. To Arabella he looked so different since she last saw him. He looked more mature and tired from fighting. "You can not trust me if you want. But I loved Eddard Stark. I wasn't there when--" she paused for a second swallowing a lump of hurt. "They did that"

"What do you want? To marry my son?" she said through gritted teeth.

"Mother" Robb interrupted strictly.

"This is not what I want right now. All I want is Joffrey and Cersei dead. They killed my father. Claimed themselves as Kings, murdered Ned Stark. Marriage is not a priority I want right now" she said looking up with a gold face.

"So what do you want?" Robb asked her calmly.

"Vengeance" she was quick to answer. "I may have no power, no army, but there are people out there who knows I am a real Queen. And if we'll get Westeros... I'll be a Queen and you'll be King. That was our fathers wish" she said looking deeply into his blue eyes.

"Robb is promised to a Frey girl" Catelyn told her with a dull voice making Arabella look at Robb. He saw disappointment in her eyes. He didn't want to marry anyone, but it was a price he had to pay for, if he wanted to win this war.

"If Father wanted you to be here, why didn't he say to bring Sansa and Arya?" Robb asked. Arabella looked down and closed her eyes.

"I've talked with Sansa. She didn't want to leave. She thought her Father will be forgiven and she'll marry Joffrey. I tried to take her, but she wouldn't go" Arabella whispered. "And Arya... She disappeared. I'm sorry..."

"No you are not sorry!" Catelyn shouted standing up. "Robb, tell me you are not considering on taking her on our side?"

Robb didn't answer. After a moment he finally spoke. "How can I trust you?" he asked in a shallow voice.

"I can give you an army. My uncle Stannis will be on our side" she looked up at him.

"Didn't you hear? Stannis claims for the Iron Throne" Catelyn answered with a mock in her voice leaving Arabella shocked. Robb believed that she didn't know that.

"He--he is?" she tried to keep away the sudden tears that was a constant show up these days. "Then I have nothing" she whispered looking down at her dirty dress.

"I think it would be better for you to leave" Catelyn told her.

"If she's really on our side... If she's really willing to kill her mother and brother, I'll help her and give her my shelter" Robb stood up. "But if you go behind my back, I will show no mercy"

Arabella nodded her head. Catelyn scoffed and left the tent. "You're hurt" Robb told her walking closer to her. She raised her eyes at him.

"My knee is just... I think I broke it" she then chuckled under her breath. "I fell down the hill running away from Lannister men"

Robb raised his eyebrow and she stopped laughing. "I'm sorry" she said.

"No, I should apologize for my mother" he answered and she stood up.

"Can I... Can I have a bath and maybe get some food?"

"Yes. Of course. I'll tell soldiers to build you a tent" he nodded and she smiled.

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