𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 & 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙨, 𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘣 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘬

XXII » BURN THEM ALL

Screams echoed through the night, accompanied by the screeches of her dragons. Rhaene could faintly hear Grey Wind's snarls and howls in the distance.

The night passed, and soon the morning had come.

The battlefield was filthy. Broken dirt had moistened with the mist that scattered through the air. It turned to mud as the men walked over it. Screams and groans pierced the ears of soldiers as they collected swords and armor from men who no longer needed them.

Wingbeats hit Rhaene's ears, and soon Sunfyre and Meraxes were beside her from where she overlooked the field. Their mouths dripped with blood. Ferocity shined in their eyes.

"Hello, loves," Rhaene sighed, running her hands along Sunfyre's scales before doing the same to Meraxes. The two female dragons purred in delight.

A growl sounded, and soon a furry muzzle was being pushed against Rhaene's back. She giggled, turning to Grey Wind.

"Hey boy," she whispered with a wide smile. His dusty grey fur was stained with crimson. He closed his eyes and leaned against her hand as she scratched his head. "Go find Robb, will you?"

The wolf peeked his eyes open, understanding shining in their depths. He was soon trotting off into the distance.

Rhaene began to descend the hill she was standing on. She stepped over bodies and amputated limbs, resisting the urge to gag as the smell of rot hit her in the face. Her heeled boots sunk into the mud as she walked, drawing a sigh and a shake of the head.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, and soon a face was being pushed into her hair. "Wife," Robb's familiar voice grunted affectionately.

"I sent Grey Wind to find you," Rhaene whispered, closing her eyes as her husband's warm breath hit her neck.

"Aye," he nodded, "he did." A sigh. "Come along, let's get you back to camp."

≽ ∗ ≼

The bathwater was painted red as Rhaene scrubbed the blood from Robb's face and chest. It wasn't his, of course. He was a splendid swordsman, and rarely ever got hit.

Rhaene's stomach twisted with uncertainty. Her fingers lightly shook as she dipped the sponge back into the lukewarm water.

"What is it?" Robb grunted tiredly. His eyes remained closed.

"Nothing," Rhaene said quickly, "go back to sleep."

"You're shaking, little love." His hand moved to take the sponge from her. "Are you unwell?" His eyebrows dropped, furrowing with concern. "I could have one of the midwives check you for fever -"

"I'm with child."

Robb's voice died in his throat. He blinked quickly, his hand going limp. The sponge fell into the bathwater. His eyes dropped to her stomach. It was flat. "What..."

Rhaene watched him with a nervous smile. Her hands intertwined in her lap, picking at the dirt beneath her nails.

"Are you certain?"

Rhaene nodded.

Robb's face broke into a slow smile. "You're beautiful, do you know that?" he asked her.