Ardently | Robb Stark

003.

"I think your brother is a little ways behind," I remarked as Robb and I looked back at the trail.

"Perhaps he is lost," he chuckled as he stroked his horse.

"Shall we stop and wait for him," I suggested and he nodded before climbing off his horse.

"Please," he smiled. "Allow me."

He then slowly and carefully placed both hands on my waist and lifted me up off my horse. He held me above him for a moment and our eyes met instantly. It was blue against blue. Tundra against an ocean. Ice against a dark sky. His eyes were a beautiful sight and I found myself mesmerized in them, unable to look away as he set me down on the ground gently. The feeling of his big, warm hands on me sent shivers down my spine and for the first time in my entire life I felt completely safe from harm. I felt protected. I felt like as long as I was with Robb nothing would ever harm me.

"Thank you," I mumbled and he simply nodded in response. We did not break eye contact. We just stood there in the forest and stared into each other's navy eyes. I never wanted to leave this moment. It was not an important one, it was not supposed to be memorable, but I'm afraid I will remember this moment from this day until the end of my days. I've never had a feeling such as this. I'm not sure how to describe it, really.

"Go on a walk with me?" His voice came out so quiet it might have been a whisper. Or perhaps I was too entranced in his eyes to notice anything else. I did not say anything in response, only turned and began walking. He followed.

"Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself," he asked and I thought hard about what to say.

"I'm afraid you will find me quite unamusing, My Lord," I told him in a slightly joking tone, but I was completely serious.

"With respect, I find that hard to believe," he laughed.

"No truly," I insisted. "I'm definitely nothing special."

"No, you are," he said as he looked down at the ground.

I could not help but smile at his sudden interest in me.

"Alright, tell me about your siblings," he ordered.

"Well, there's Amara. She's at Highgarden. A token of good faith from my father to the Tyrells," I told him.

"A token?"

"Yes," I giggled. "My father handed her off as a gift after he upset Olenna Tyrell. Said that she would make a fine match for any fine rose at Highgarden. He didn't really care who the Tyrells forced upon her, he just wanted to smooth things over." I could not hide the sorrow on my expression as I explained Amara's situation. We were in the same boat, her and I. We were both used as pawns in some military strategy in my father's political games.

"She's been there for years now and she is still unmarried," I said bitterly. "Perhaps she will never be married. Perhaps she'll spend her life paying off a debt that wasn't hers."

I noticed anger thick in my voice and took a deep breath. I think Robb, too, noticed my change of attitude because he changed the subject quickly.

"And your other sister," he asked.

"Eleanor? She's... quite peculiar," I wasn't sure how else to describe it. "I hope she has a better fate than Amara and I." As soon as the words came out of my mouth my jaw dropped to the ground. "Oh no, I didn't mean-"

"It's alright, Freya, I understand," he whispered, but I wasn't convinced.

"My brother," I continued, distracting from my cruel words. "He is my favorite sibling. He can be harsh at times, he gets that from my father, but he has a good heart and he loves me. He'll be a great leader one day."

"Sounds complicated," he noted, studying my features.

"It can be. But what family isn't?"

"Ours won't be," he interrupted, putting hand on my arm and stopping beside a tall Oak tree.

My heart skipped a beat at the sound of his words and I smiled. I hoped his words were true. Out of all the prayers I've ever made, I hoped that one would be the one to become a reality.

"Shall we head back," he asked.

"Not yet." My words came out quick and hasty and a smirk played at Robb's lips at the sound. Had I been too eager to spend more time with him? I did not care.

"Very well," he chuckled. "As you wish."

I looked up at the opening in the leaves and branches that revealed the bright sunlight and took a seat next to the Oak tree. Robb did the same.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "It's just, if we go back I'll have to be Lady Elton and my mother will bombard me with questions and give me endless tasks. I just want to be me. I just want to be Freya a little longer."

"I understand," he nodded.

We sat in silence for a while before hearing the rushing of water nearby. I jumped up instantly, taking Robb's hand in mine and dragging him in the direction of the sound. We arrived at a large, open river and I smiled in excitement.

"Isn't it beautiful," I asked, looking at the winding water. He nodded before putting both hands on my arms and pulling me closer to him.

I felt as though I was melting under his gaze and I found my skin to be growing warm at his touch. It's true, in my family marriage is only a marker of alliance, a means of politics, but perhaps it would be different with Robb. He seemed like a man I could trust. I glanced down at his lips for a mere moment and then back into his ocean eyes. His face seemed to be inching closer to mine and I could feel my heartbeat accelerate at the thought of our lips touching. I wasn't sure what was going on. I was not in love with him. And surely he was not in love with me. So then why was my skin aching for his? Why did I feel as though there were hundreds of butterflies in my stomach? What was this burning sensation in my chest? It was not love, it couldn't have been and I was too nervous to find out what exactly, so I pulled away from his lingering gaze and sighed.

"Perhaps we should head back," I whispered, "before we freeze to death."

He looked at me with furrowed brows and then took a deep breath.

"A wise choice," he said and then walked into the forest to find our steeds.