From Winter To Summer and Winter Again 3

Part 11

Rhaenyra watched over her husband through the night, refusing to let Maester Wolkan touch him any longer. She tended to him, nursing his wound each hour to ensure there was no rot. Robb would wake for moments, speak briefly before falling back to sleep. She would offer him water or a bit of healing herbs before the high of the milk of the poppy would return. Rhaenyra would watch as he slept, refusing to close her eyes in fear he would need her. 

She cried beside him, drained from the emotional turmoil and lack of sleep. Her mind slowed as the night faded into the early morning. Rhaenyra lifted his Robb's arm to apply a new layer of salve. She was thankful the bleeding had stopped.  

Her hands shook as she lifted his arm to wrap fresh linen around the wound. The exit wound was jagged, she prayed it did not get infected. 

"Rhea?" Robb's voice mumbled. She delicately placed him against the exam table. 

"Robb," Rhaenyra gripped his hand, bringing it to her lips. "How are you, my sweet?" 

"Hurting," he laughed lowly before his face twisted. "I shouldn't jest." His hand reached to the linens against his side, fingers gently grazing them. "Gods. I don't remember much. I was yelling for Grey Wind and then an arrow sticking from my waist. I kept fighting. Then I fell, it seemed easier to sleep." Robb turned to her, "I felt myself fading, but it stopped after I heard your loud voice over all the Northmen's chants." 

Rhaenyra whipped a tear from her cheek with her freed hand. She leaned over him and placed her lips over his in a hungry kiss. "You terrified me." Robb's hand gripped the back of her neck as he deepened the kiss. She pulled away, "I hate the thought of having to live without you." 

She felt his lips smile against hers, "From this day until the end of my days." Rhaenyra giggled as he pulled her atop him, she cautiously straddled his waist before leaning down once more. 

Rhaenyra left the tent several moments later. She walked to her own tent as the men around her nodded, whispering, "My queen." Her heart raced at the sight of her family's tent, an odd sense of worry washing over her. 

"Mama!" Domeric screamed at the sight of her. He rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her quickly. She nearly fell over from the impact of his run. "Is daddy alright?" Rhaenyra pushed his hair from his eyes. 

"You have to ask him that yourself," his eyes brightened at her words and he returned to his spot on the floor once more. Rhaenyra turned at the sound of Henry attempting to call for her. Her maid held him tightly, she walked toward the young girl desperately needing to hold her child. "Henry, my sweet boy look at you," she turned to Bella who patiently stood before her. "How were they?"

"The princes were a blessing. Lord Bolton placed his men outside the tent to guard, he himself shared kind words with your sons." She smiled brightly before continuing, "The princes were oblivious on the extent of his grace's injury, as requested." 

Rhaenyra nodded, adjusting Henry against her hip. "Good. Well, let us get ready for the day shall we." She dismissed Bella after the maid assisted in dressing her. Rhaenyra insisted she would watch over her children for the remainder of the day. 

She walked slowly behind Domeric, watching as he excitedly skipped in the direction toward the Maester's tent. Her heart swelled at the sight. Rhaenyra tightened her grip on Henry as she followed, "Not so fast, Domeric." His blue eyes mischievously glanced back, he ignored her and continued to run through the camp. "I hope you mind me," she whispered to Henry. 

Rhaenyra lifted her skirts in attempts to quickly follow her child, shaking her head lightly as she did. She laughed lightly seeing Domeric slowly walk toward her, "I don't know where to go." She held her hand out for him, he eagerly grabbed it. Domeric smiled as he brought her hand close to his eye. With his other hand, he traced her obsidian ring with his finger. Domeric retracted it quickly at the shard's sharpness. "Why do you wear so much jewelry?" He shifted her hand to trace the dire wolf ring that rested on her index finger. His mother simply shrugged as she continued to walk through the camp. 

At the sight of Maester Wolkan exiting his tent, Domeric dropped her hand to run quickly through its entrance. Rhaenyra laughed and quickly followed. Her tensed shoulders fell at the sound of Robb's excited exclaim of, "My boy!" He had been moved from the exam table to a decent bed. He gently pulled the covers over his bandages as Domeric ran toward the bed. 

"Are you dying? Everyone said you're dying." Rhaenyra's heart broke at the sound of her son's voice. 

Robb shook his head, a smile on his face. "No my beautiful boy. Now come tell me what you've done without me." His eyes met Rhaenyra's he cocked his head motioning her to join them. She sat at the edge of the bed, allowing Henry to crawl over each of them as he pleased. Rhaenyra happily watched Domeric explain his day to his father and smiled at Robb's overly interested expression. She was purely content with the moment. "Domeric, why don't you play with Grey Wind? I need to speak with mummy for a bit," Rhaenyra's eyes shifted to the wolf who obediently laid beneath the exam table, his head lifted at the mention of his name. 

Domeric sighed before pushing himself from the bed. He happily curled against Grey Wind and began to pull at the wolf's ears. Rhaenyra smiled before turning back to Robb. She watched as he attempted to sit up, he hissed and pressed his hand against his side. "Here," she stood from the bed, lifting Henry into one arm and offering him the other. Rhaenyra pulled up his upper body for him to sit. 

"Thank you," his eyes glanced at Henry. She pursed her lips and gently passed him the child, he beamed as the baby comfortably leaned against him. "How did you know?"

"He's truly a remedy for all sorts of ailments. You merely looked at him so I assumed." She giggled, falling back to her previous spot. "What did we need to discuss so desperately that you forced our son to play with the wolf?" The two turned to watch Domeric who now spoke to Grey Wind, hoping he would continue the conversation. 

Robb sighed, "I've sent Theon to Pyke." 

Rhaenyra's eyes widened, "You thought that wise? Did you consult with anyone?" Her eyes bore into his as worry settled into her mind. 

"Yes, but we need ships if we are going to sack the Capital. Balon," she interrupted him quickly. 

"He will see this as his opportunity to revolt. He won't join us. His words will manipulate Theon easily. And you know that to be true," she whispered harshly to him, leaning in with each truthful word. 

Robb closed his eyes before speaking. "I trust him. He is my brother in all but blood."

"His father does not see that. I am sorry my love but this is a foolish decision. I pray we have enough men in case the Iron Born wish to attack us."