Chrysalism | Robb Stark x Reader

Two | Lanta

It was a long walk through the dense forestry but after two days' travel, I began to see the walls of Winterfell. However, by the time I had reached them, I collapsed with fatigue and felt the hunger gnawing away at my insides. Luckily, the Lord's hunting party returned to the castle only a few moments later and saw my small body laying outside the gates. 

After rushing to the Maester, being fed and cleaned up, the realisation hit them. In front of them, I sat, one of the only Northern girls to have such fair hair and well-made silk dresses. I looked up from my plate to see the Lord's men with their mouths agape. Hurriedly, the bent the knee. 

"Our apologies, Your Grace." One mumbled politely. "We did not know we were in such fine company."

"Please, rise," I answered. "I only ask that you point me in the direction of Lord Stark. I need to speak with him urgently." 

"Yes, of course." The men mumbled the response and rushed off to lead the way. "Please follow us, Your Grace."

Smiling contently at their eagerness to please, I followed their lead inside the Castle of Winterfell. The brilliant stone towers stood watchful over the surrounding green plains. The wind, although still summer, had a bite of cold in it as it brushed through the courtyard. Inside the castle was a long hall with a large wooden table at the end. A group of people of Winter Town had gathered in the hall to meet with the Lord to discuss their problems in hopes that he could resolve them. 

While looking around the large chamber, I failed to notice my guides leaving me, pushing past the others to stand in front of Lord Stark. 

"M'Lord," One spoke softly. "I present the Queen in the North, here to speak with you on an urgent matter." 

I heard the whispers of the people around me before I felt the stares on my back. Turning to face the Lord's table, the group parted. Slowly walking towards Lord Stark, the people of Winterfell bowed and curtsied. The Lord himself stood perplexed. His kind face had confusion written all over it. To his right stood Lady Stark and who I presume are his children, an older boy and girl, a younger girl and two young boys. Lady Stark nudged his arm before curtsying herself. This seemed to break the Lord out of his daze, bowing in respect and loyalty. 

"Please, rise," I say in a small voice, uncomfortably addressing the room. I'm not sure if I would ever get used to traditional customs that come with being the Queen. 

"Lord Stark, if I could have a word..." I gesture towards the private room at the back of the hall. 

"Of course, Your Grace."

As he leads me to the room, the whispers grow. I notice the young girl talking quietly to her older sister and the older boy looking in my direction. Although this brings a feeling of uneasiness, I turn my head and walk into the small room. 

                                                                                  ~*~

Lord Stark and his family had welcomed me with open arms into his home. He had shown his loyalty and kindness when he had let me stay with him for as long as I needed. It had now been almost a whole year since staying with the Starks and I felt truly at home with them and had grown quite close with the Stark children. 

I awoke, one summer morning, to a soft knocking at my door. Slipping out from under the furs and onto the cool stone floors, I opened the door to find Bran. 

"Good morning, Your Grace!" He beamed up at me with a wide smile and pleading eyes. 

"Good morning, Bran. And please, it's Y/N. You only have to use formalities when your mother or father are watching." I laugh and welcome him inside. 

"If you say so. Would you be able to teach me how to use my bow again? Robb and Jon always laugh at me." He looked down at the floor, sadly. My father had insisted that I have at least one skill in combat. I had chosen archery as I loved the relaxing feeling that overcomes me every time I release an arrow. 

"Of course, Bran. Let me get ready and I'll meet you down there."

By the time I made it to the courtyard, Bran had already begun shooting arrows with his older brother and Jon looking on from behind. From higher up, Lord and Lady Stark watched over the boys. Bran shot another arrow that flew well beyond the target and into the trees behind. The two older boys cracked up, laughing. 

"And which one of you was a marksman at ten?" I heard Ned say. "Keep practising, Bran."

"Don't think too much," I yell from my position, making my way closer to the three boys. "And relax your bow arm." I placed my hand on Bran's shoulder. "Don't let them get to you. You can do this." 

I glanced up at Robb and meet his light eyes. His eyes were the colour of the sea; in which you got drown or find all the Old Gods. I offer a light smile before stepping back to let Bran practise again but I feel Robb's eyes remain fixed on me. 

"Would you like to go for a ride with me later, Y/N?" I hear his kind voice ask. 

As I open my mouth to answer, an arrow flies past and lands directly on the bullseye. Everyone's heads turn to look behind Bran and into the stables to find Arya, curtsying and running off with Bran hot on her heels. I look towards the two older boys and laugh. Everyone knew Arya was much more interested in archery and swordplay than the typical Lady. 

"So, that ride?" Robb's voice is still light after laughing. Jon excuses himself, walking towards the castle. 

"Of course." Robb and I had grown inseparable over the time we had spent together. We were always seen together, from sitting under the Godswood talking to persuading him to teach me how to swordfight which I was getting very good at now, providing a challenge and worthy opponent for even him. 

We saddled up our steads and began our short journey outside of the walls of Winterfell. The rolling hills of the Northern countryside look glorious at this time of the year. Although the Starks insisted that 'Winter was coming', the warm summer sun that hung in the blue sky,  begged to differ. 

"Father wanted me to warn you about the upcoming King's visit to Winterfell." Robb's voice held a note of worry as it interrupted my train of thought. 

"The King?"  A tremor of fear ran through my body, a million thoughts raced through my mind.  They had found me. They were going to murder me to take away the freedom the North longs for. They are going to murder the Starks for helping me. What have I done? My body involuntarily shivered.