Chrysalism | Robb Stark x Reader

Six | Bȳre

Walder Frey was an old and ugly man. His hair was whiter than that of the Targaryens' and long and wirey. He is a peevish old man who lives to fondle his young wife sitting beside his wooden chair and brood over all the slights he's suffered. At well over ninety years old, Old Frey has at least a hundred descendants and has been wed to eight different women. 

"You come into my house and demand an army when you have nothing to offer me? Your family are dead. You have no wealth. Why, young girl, do you march into my hall and demand that House Frey go against the Lannisters who have supported us for many years now?" Walder Frey also loved the sound of his own voice, and loved to be condescending. 

"I'll have you know that you are speaking with the Queen in the North. Show some respect!" Robb defends from my side. 

"A Stark?" He questions. "I know, we'll give you your army, Your Grace." His use of title coming sarcastically and reluctantly out of his chapped lips. "If, you promise us an advantageous marriage. You see, I have plenty of daughters here, and they need to be wed to a good family." 

"They are free to choose any of my bannermen that they please, many would love the honour of taking a wife from your House, Lord Frey." I force a smile, I hated bargaining what was unnecessary. 

"Oh, no. You have mistaken me. One will marry Lord Robb or no one else." My eyebrows raise unconsciously. I knew I should have accepted that this would be the deal and move on, but my brain would not allow me to give up Robb. He was my advisor, my friend, mine... No, not mine, but... 

"Lord Frey, I have many other noblemen in my service. Perhaps, Lord Theon Greyjoy, First of his name and Heir to the Iron Islands?" I raise my hand in presentation as Theon steps forward, eagerly, just as I knew he would be. 

"Are you sure Lord Stark, Heir to Winterfell and Wardon of the North would not like to be wed?" He questioned, reiterating his point. 

"My Lord, I must refuse." Robb's voice is light despite the tension in the room. It eases my nerves as I hear it come from next to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the side of his face, a light stubble growing on his sharp jawline, making him appear older than he is. "I am promised to another." His words tear me away from my thoughts and I try to collect myself, attempt to not show weakness and shock to the irritably persistent Lord in front of me. 

"Fine." Walder Frey agrees with a defeated throw of his hand. "A wedding will be thrown upon your return to the North."

"Thank you, My Lord." I meet his eyes before turning to walk out of the room.

"And you will take my son, Olliver, as a squire!" He shouts at us as we shut the door to the halls behind us. 

                                                                                         ~*~

I sit on the furs of my bed as I replay the last hours in my head. We would be leaving in the morning, after the feast tonight and Theon would be able to meet his betrothed. But Robb... He had surprised me. 

"Your Grace?" Talk of the devil.

"Yes, Robb?" He pushed past the cloth and walk into the tent. 

"I wanted to apologise." He started before getting distracted by the map. "You haven't added House Freys' army yet." He noted, looking back at me. I moved towards him and added three Twin banners to join ours. 

"Apologise?" I look up at him, drowning in his blue eyes, as I had done many times before. Before Robb got the chance to explain Catelyn stormed into the tent. I immediately took a step backwards, away from her son. 

"You lied." She pointed a long, slender finger at Robb. "You could've jeopardised the whole reason for crossing the Twins by saying that you were engaged." I let each word Catelyn was saying sink in. Robb seemed to shrink under his mother's harsh tone and disappointing glare. He looked pleadingly over at me next to him. 

"Please, Lady Stark, I had told Lord Frey that Robb would not marry before talk of his betrothal had begun. It was I who risked our strategy." I reasoned with her despite having no requirement to explain my actions other than to save Robb from his mother. 

"Your Grace." She acknowledged me with a respectful curtsey before turning back to Robb. "You would have been lucky to marry a Frey. It would have been a worthy alliance for the future, after your rebellion against the Southerners." She stormed out, leaving an air of tension in the room. 

"Robb-"

"I'm sorry. For lying."

"No, you don't have t-"

"Yes, I do. Mother is right about that but, I wanted to apologise to you because I don't want to lie to you. Especially about marriage." He paused to meet my eyes, the true meaning of his words hidden in the depths of their blue. "I just wanted to tell you something but, now I question whether it too would jeopardise your, our purpose." He trailed off.

"Please, Robb. Tell me" I plead with him. "You know you have my trust and-" I am cut off by a pair of gentle lips on mine. I stop thinking as a hand comes to cup my cheek and the other winds around my waist, pulling me against his body. Robb was kissing me. I run my hands up his arms and to the nape of his neck, entangling my fingers in the curls there. He pulls away and leans his forehead against mine. "You need to stop interrupting me," I say with a giggle. 

"I apologise, Your Grace, but it was rather important." His laugh fills the room around us as he caresses my cheek with his thumb. "I was trying to wait for you."

"You don't have to wait any longer, I'm yours."

                                                                                         ~*~