From Winter To Summer and Winter Again 3

Part 16

Rhaenyra stood on the edge of the small camp swinging her arms. She sighed and looked up to see her breathe floating in the air. Her arms stalled as she tightened her husband's cloak around her. She packed light for their week-long trip to the Crag, insisting she would steal his clothing if necessary.

It was an unusually cold morning for the South. Rhaenyra had woken before the rest of the party, leaving her husband in a heap of furs and sheets. She smiled as her thoughts drifted to their night's actions. Her eyes quickly shifted to Grey Wind who ran in the clearing before her. He hopped through the tall grass as he chased after some poor animal. She walked forward, placing her hand against the scratchy bark of the nearest tree. Rhaenyra rested her foot against the rising roots and crossed her arms under the cloaks.

Grey Wind continued to jump through the grass until he stood tall, his fur contrasting heavily against the drying greens. His mouth grasped a rabbit as he trotted toward Rhaenyra. She leaned fully against the tree waiting for him to join her.

Her thoughts drifted to the rest of the Stark party. She thought of her children, her mother in law and her father. Rhaenyra rolled her eyes at the thought of her father. She had grown tired of his excessive eagerness in her children, his need to influence them in their young age obvious. She hoped Catelyn's growing distaste for him caused him to stray during the past week.

Grey Wind shaking between the grass drew her attention. Rhaenyra bent to his level, causing him to rush toward her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed his body, gripping his face between her hands. She ignored his blood-stained mouth as he licked her gloved hands.

"Your grace," she stood quickly and whipped her hands against her dress. She turned to see Robb smiling behind her. "Will you allow me to escort you this morning?" He offered his arm and she happily ran to take it. The two walked through the camp, intertwining their fingers as they moved past the men taking down the little tents that were up.

"I hope we get back soon," said Rhaenyra as she began to swing their hands. "I am desperate to see our children."

"As am I." Robb's steps slowed as Grey Wind trotted before them. "It has been a week and I miss them terribly."

She brought his hand to her lips, "It has been nearly a year since." Her voice faded as they came to a stop.

Robb looked toward her, "I wish our sons knew him properly." Rhaenyra could see the tears in his eyes, she brought her hand to his face. "I had never seen him so proud as he was the day Domeric was born. It was a new pride from when my siblings were born." He gazed down toward her, "He once told me that being a lord is like being a father, except you have thousands of children and you worry about all of them. The farmers plowing the fields are yours to protect. The charwomen scrubbing the floors, yours to protect. The soldiers you order into battle. He told me he woke with fear in the morning and went to bed with fear in the night. I didn't believe him. I asked him, "How can a man be brave if he's afraid?" "That is the only time a man can be brave," he told me." She laughed at his story, rubbing her fingers against his cheek.

"Each of our bannermen refuses to speak ill of him. Our sons will grow knowing the great man their grandfather was." Robb nodded before pulling away to continue their walk. The two followed Grey Wind, watching as he sniffed at random men and laughing as some would watch the wolf in shock. The two reached the edge of the camp, Rhaenyra snickered before whistling loudly. Grey Wind erupted into a sprint toward the heavy tree line in the distance.

Robb laughed lowly, "He's very obedient." He dropped her hand before walking forward, the sound of a horse whining could be heard. "I wonder who that could be." Rhaenyra shrugged as the sound of horses hooves grew louder. Few men approached, holding banners of House Stark.

"Your grace, my queen." A single man approached, bowing his head to the two.

"What's happened?" Questioned Rhaenyra. Her heart dropped at the thought of her sons being harmed, or a raid happening with them present.

"The Kingslayer has escaped."

"How?" Robb spoke through gritted teeth.

He yelled for Olyvar to prepare his horse, along with Rhaenyra's. The two would journey with the riders back to camp. Rhaenyra felt her heart race as they rode toward Riverrun, she feared the worse would be discovered. She wondered if he had killed any men during his escape. With each passing mile came a silent prayer he would be caught.