Chrysalism | Robb Stark x Reader

Three | Hāre

The days leading up to the King's visit to Winterfell were nerve-racking. The sheer amounts of food and wine alone would frighten anyone. But it was the plans made to keep me out of the royals' sight that sent shivers down my spine. 

I wouldn't greet the King's party when they entered, that was obvious. I would stay with Sansa in her chambers to not draw attention to the additional occupied room. I would stay with the kitchen maids during the day, doing whatever I pleased as long as nobody saw me. 

I understood why it had to be done. If they knew someone still laid claim to the Northern throne, the Baratheons and Lannisters would lose the North as it frees itself from the iron-tight grip the South has on it. But, each little thing around me added up. The new banners with the crowned stag and the golden lion. The red and gold of House Lannister and the black and gold of House Baratheon. It suffocated me. All I could see was red. I wanted to take my revenge as badly as I wanted to live. My grip around the carving knife tightened, the mutton was long forgotten. It was Robb's hand that grasped my shoulder that day, steering me away from the Southern crowds that feasted in the Great Hall. 

"I can't do it, Robb!" I whisper-yelled as to not be overheard but to still convey the passion I felt. "I can't sit in the kitchens while they feast away as though nothing has happened. They're murderers." 

I was infuriated. But Robb listened and when I was done, he pulled me into his arms and rested his head on top of mine. It was then that I wept. I did not weep for the crimes that the Southern army brought upon my family, those tears had flowed long ago. Now, I wept for my incapability, my weakness. 

"It's all going to be alright, Y/N." Robb's kind voice whispered into my ear. 

We continued to walk around the castle alongside one another. It was then that Robb told me that Jon was planning on joining the Night's Watch. It was then that I learnt of Lord Stark's intended journey south with Sansa and Arya. He was to become Hand of the King. It did not make me feel better, letting my friends be so close to danger. It was then that I learnt of Sansa's engagement to Prince Joffrey. And it was then that I sat on the cool stone steps of Winterfell, unable to scream, in fear of drawing attention, and unable to cry, having wept all my tears only an hour beforehand. I stared blankly ahead of me, processing the information. I hadn't been able to protect Sansa from the South but I knew in my heart, that she would return North, return home and safe from the monsters in King's Landing. 

                                                                                          ~*~

A scream broke through the crisp morning air as I stared out over the walls of Winterfell from Sansa's bedchambers. Lord Stark and King Robert had taken the hunting party and their eldest sons into the woodlands surrounding the stone castle in the hope of finding boar or venison. Sansa had gone to her stitching lesson with the Princess Mrycella and I hadn't seen Arya or the two younger Starks' the whole week that the royals had been visiting. The grounds were silent pardon to the occasional neigh from the stables. The scream pierced the air suddenly but lasted a lifetime. 

I ran out of the chambers only to run into Lady Stark. 

"No, Your Grace. Stay here, I will find out what it is but I cannot risk the Queen in the North being discovered over an accident." Her voice was stern and strong. It made sense, so I retreated back into the bedchambers and pulled out a book I had been reading. If I couldn't go to the excitement, it could come to me. 

                                                                                          ~*~

The next few days were pure misery. Robb had told me of Bran's tragic fall from the Broken Tower. He had held me back from rushing to his bedchambers in shock. I wasn't allowed to sit at Bran's bedside and hold his hand next to Catelyn. I was left to pray alone or with Sansa at night. 

The Starks' last days at Winterfell went faster than anyone would have liked. Just like when the Royals arrived, I stayed in Sansa's bedchambers as they left, watching as Lord Stark, Arya and Sansa all rode out of the gates. Robb had arrived a short time later breathless, from running up the stairs I presume. He joined me at the window in silence and we watched together as they became small dots in the distance. 

                                                                                          ~*~

Only three nights had passed since they had left when I awoke to hushed whispers outside of the door. I found myself looking to the bed adjacent to mine, hoping to hear Sansa's light snores underneath a tangle of long auburn locks. But I was met with the quiet. Slowly, I sat up as the door creaked open. 

"It's okay," I heard the familiar voice of Robb whisper into the dark room. "Quick, get dressed and meet me at the Godswood, Mother needs to speak with us." And with no further explanation, he shut the door, leaving me to stare at the wooden door. 

Lady Stark had gathered us to speak of the incident. Bran had been pushed from the tower, she was certain. Hastily, she spoke of her plans to travel to King's Landing to tell Lord Stark of her findings and beg him to find out the truth. Apparently, sending a raven would be too risky and taking a large group would draw too much unwanted attention. 

After the plans were set in stone, I glanced over at Robb. He looked almost regal in the dim light of the candles. He held himself with pride, his posture straight and face serious. However, he still managed to look youthful at the same time, with his beard not fully grown yet. Grey Wind, though still a pup, sat up straight at Robb's feet, mimicking his master. 

That evening, another Stark left the safety of Winterfell, this time accompanied only by Ser Rodrik. And Robb was left to command as Lord of Winterfell in his father's absence.