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

2.12 Jaime's escape

Screams and shouts filled Arabella's ears and she left her tent quickly. There were people outside doing something.

She got a better look and saw her uncle Jaime being dragged by men. Robb was also there with his mother. "What happened?" she asked them.

"Oh! Arabella!" Jaime yelled with a smirk. "My niece, everyone!" he shouted and everyone became silent.

Arabella wanted to disappear. She saw the stares of me. Robb stood in front of her. "Is it true, what this piece of shit says?!" Rickard Karstark yelled angrily.

Robb sighed. "This is Arabella Baratheon." he announced and the princess looked at him confused. "She is on our side! Every man, who tries to touch her will lose their head!"

Arabella stared at him in slight awe and raised her head up. "Take the Kingslayer to his cell and lock him under as many chains as you can find! He's not running again!" Robb ordered and a few soldiers took him away.

"Everyone knows who I am now." she whispered standing in front of him. "Why was he outside?"

"He ran away killing Ser Alton and Karstark's son Torrhen Karstark." Robb answered. Arabella sighed looking down at her feet. She hated the killing. "Karstark recaptured him. I'm afraid he is threatening to kill your uncle. We can't let him die. My sisters are in danger."

"Of course." she nodded her head.

"As I said, I'll keep you safe." he whispered. Her skin shivered. She felt frustration and it felt weird and tempting.

"I know." she looked him in the eyes and the two stood there looking at each other.

<...>

"I didn't know I was a handmaiden of a Princess." Jessabelle got out of bed and put on a robe.

"I knew." Alec said lying in bed with a smirk. Jessabelle turned to look at him angrily.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked even though the handmaiden knew who Arabella was ages ago.

"The King didn't let me. And she is my friend." he answered getting out of bed and walking over to her. He placed his hands on her cheeks. "Don't be angry."

"I'm not." she shook her head. He brought her face to his and they kissed. "But--" she began causing Alec to roll his eyes. "Nora is very silent recently. I don't trust her, Alec. I don't her being around m'lady... Princess."

Alec watched her with a frown wondering what she meant.

<...>

"I apologize for keeping my identity away." Arabella smiled to Nora and made her sit down on a chair. The girl nodded with a deep frown. "Nora, why are you so silent?"

"I'm sorry, m'la... Princess." Nora answered her voice breaking.

"Arabella. I don't like when people call me Princess. And I do like my name." she chuckled and sat down opposite of her. "Tell me your story."

"I grew up in Dredfort." Nora told her.

"So you lived with the Boltons?" Arabella raised her eyebrow. Nora nodded and sighed, brushing her hands on her knees, as if she was nervous.

"I need to tell you something." she then quickly said and closed her eyes. Arabella nodded her head frowning. "Me and Jessabelle... We grew up together. She is probably my only family left but... I have to tell you this, because it is wrong, I like you, and--"

"Seven Gods, tell me!" Arabella raised her voice and stood up.

Nora looked down and began to cry. "It was Jessabelle who sent a raven to your mother. She told me she knew who you were. She saw you at a tournament that King Robert held for Eddard Stark. She told her that you are here."

Arabella opened her mouth, shocked and let out a shaky breath. "Tell me that you are lying to me..." she said putting her hands on her head. "Tell me that I didn't trust a backstabber and possibly my killer?! Nora! Tell me!" she yelled bewildered.

Jessabelle may have looked innocent but she was not. She betrayed her King for another.

Nora was quiet and Arabella looked at her. "You had to tell me ages ago! Before I got almost kidnapped!"

"She threatened me!" Nora yelled back while crying. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"

"Alec... Oh no!" Arabella ran out. She saw her dearest friend coming out of a tent with Jessabelle.

Robb was also outside. He saw Arabella running towards the couple. She pushed Jessabelle off of Alec and the handmaiden fell down on a dirty ground. "Bella!" Alec yelled angry. He helped Jessabelle stand up.

"You!" Arabella yelled. She felt a hand sneak around her arm. Turning around she saw Robb standing there. Arabella had no time so she turned back to Jessabelle. "It was you who sent ravens to my Mother!"

"What?" Alec looked at his lover. Jessabelle looked down and didn't dare to look any of them in their eyes.

"Is it true?" Robb asked letting go of Arabella but still standing next to her.

Jessabelle started to cry and nodded. Alec backed away from her with wide eyes and open mouth.

"You told me Nora did that. Why did you lie TO ME!!" he yelled the last two words causing her to flinch.

Two men came and Robb ordered them to take her away. "Alec..." Arabella touched his hand but he shook it off and ran off.

"Are you alright, dear?" he asked her and placed his hands on her cheeks. She nodded and glanced back at Alec, who had already disappeared. Then Roose Bolton approached them and the two pulled away from each other.

"I have some very bad news." he sighed. "Your mother let Jaime Lannister escape with Brienne."

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