From Winter To Summer and Winter Again 3

Part 2

Winterfell was all but silent. Countless Northern Lords yelled throughout the halls, screaming constant profanities at each other. There was no shame in their words. Their disrespect never cessed, gathering together in gossip corners speaking words of hate for their young Lord and Warden. Rhaenyra Stark was not surprised to find her father in these corners. 

Rhaenyra leaned into her seat, her head propped against her fist. She annoyingly watched each of the high lords spoke amongst themselves before her. Her eyes wandered to the banners on that rested against the stone walls, Glover, Karstark, Reed, Mormont, Bolton, and of course Stark. Her hand moved from the chair's arm, she sat straighter. Rhaenyra reached bellow the table to gently scratch her ever-growing dire wolf's ear. Grey Wind laid comfortable between her and Robb, feeling satisfied with this form of protection. 

Robb Stark examined the Lord's with her. He watched as each made gestures to him, screaming about his youth and naivety but remained silent. His hand reached for his wife's, who gripped back in pure anger. Robb ignored the foul comments. He dominantly spoke about their battle plans. Robb used his distaste for the Lannisters to further enhance his reasonings. It was not difficult to convince the Lord's to go to war, they too demanded justice.  He and Rhaenyra sighed as Greatjon Umber pushed himself further from the table. Umber sat taller, clearly attempting to appear intimidating.

"For thirty years I've been making corpses out of men, boy!" He looked to Robb, "I'm the man you want leading the vanguard."

Robb rolled his eyes, removing his hand from Rhaenyra's. "Galbart Glover will lead the van." 

"The bloody Wall will melt before an Umber marches behind a Glover," Greatjon gestured to Lord Glover who remained calm in his seat drinking his mead. "I will lead the van."Rhaenyra decided to ease her nerves with her drink as well, downing her chalice of wine as the Umber continued.  "Or I will take my men and march them home." 

Robb tensed at his words, he held his hands together in attempts to calm himself. Rhaenyra reassuringly placed her hand on his thigh, he ignored her touch. "You are welcome to do so Lord Umber," he stood from his seat, gripping the table as he did. "And when I am done with the Lannisters, I will march back North. Root you out of your keep and hang you for an oathbreaker." Rhaenyra admired the way he spoke and attempted to hide the smile that spread across her lips. 

The smile disappeared as Greatjon screamed, "Oathbreaker?!" He pushed his dinner across the table and onto the floor. He stood, gripping the sword that rested against his chair. Rhaenyra abruptly stood with him and reached for her dagger that laid in the belt at her waist. She saw the Lord's eyes shift to her hand. "I'll not sit here and take insults from a boy so green he pisses grass!" Greatjon drew his sword and Grey Wind jumped over the table. Rhaenyra's smiled returned at the sound of the Lord's screams. 

Others crowded around the scene, Rhaenyra did not find satisfaction in his torment till she heard a pop of Greatjon's finger. "Enough," she called the wolf off. He obediently rejoined her side, snout covered in flesh and blood. The lord arose, his hand drenched in blood. 

"My lord father taught me it was death to bare steel against your liege lord," spoke Robb. "Doubtless, the Greatjon Umber meant to cut my meat for me." The Umber kicked his chair, Rhaenyra pulled her dagger from its sheath and embedded it into the table, the bowls and cutlery shifting as she did. 

"Another outburst and it'll be your head." 

Greatjon shifted away from the table, only to look back to Robb with questioning eyes. "Your meat is bloody tough." Rhaenyra pulled the dagger back as the Lord's, and her husband erupted into obnoxious laughter. She retook her seat and switched her chalice with Robb's cup of mead. She needed to be drunk to handle the group of men before her.  

Hours filled with food, wine, and discussions and Rhaenyra was rightfully drunk, leaning more into Robb's chair than her own. She did not know what was discussed but was aware they would leave in hours time. Her hand reached over to her husband, entangling them into his curls. She pulled the tamed hair, making it the wild mop she always enjoyed. Rhaenyra giggled as Robb gave a confusing look. She could not properly hear the words he muttered to her. Gently, he lifted her from her seat by her forearms. Rhaenyra smiled to him but gave a surprised screech as he lifted her by her legs to toss her over his shoulder. 

She watched as the floor oddly shifted under her husband's steps. Her eyes closed as he walked up the steps to the living quarters. Rhaenyra let her fingers curl against the fur on Robb's shoulders as she heard the familiar squeak of their bedroom door. 

"There you are," he placed her onto the bed, laughing as she burrowed herself onto the blankets. "Rhea," she snapped her eyes opened at his call. 

"What?" She whispered.

Robb sunk to his knees beside her head. "We're leaving tonight. Will you be ready?"

"I know. I am not the brightest." She giggled and gently tapped his nose. "I'll sober up before then." He nodded and turned to leave, Rhaenyra giggled as she watched him exit the room. 

She laid staring at the ceiling, thoughts racing through her mind. Rhaenyra thought of the journey she, and her family would endure. Of the sacrifice her husband would make, venturing to kill alongside the bannermen. She thought of the men who would die for their fight, of their families. The thought of being present amongst the war camp soothed her. She refused to be left behind, she refused to be an obedient Lady wife.