Ardently | Robb Stark

002.

I awoke the next morning to the sound of my mother and her ladies throwing my gowns around the room like mad women.

"What in the seven hells are you doing," I screamed, my voice still raspy.

"The real question is, what are you still doing in bed," my mother said in response as if what I had said offended her. "Or have you forgotten about your future husband already?"

I sighed. I looked outside the window and rolled my eyes. It was pitch black out. Probably hours until sunrise. I laid back down on the bed only to be hit with a pillow right in the face.

"Freya," my mother yelled, "try this on." She handed me a red gown and I could already tell it would be too small.

"Absolutely not," I shook my head. "I'd like to be able to breathe when speaking to my husband."

"This one, then. Hurry up," She threw a deep blue gown my way with a fur-covered riding cloak to match. I sighed as I slipped my freezing cold body into the thin dress. Surely I'd freeze to death before even climbing onto the horse.

"It's perfect," my mother smiled as she looked me up and down. "You," she said to one of her handmaidens as she snapped her fingers. "Do her hair."

"How would you like it done, my lady," the woman asked me.

I looked at myself in the mirror and thought about it. "Completely up," I decided. I was already going to spend my morning freezing cold and on a horse. The least I could do was make sure my hair wasn't constantly in my face. Unfortunately, my mother had other plans.

"Are you mad," she laughed. "Half your beauty is in your hair. He needs to see you looking your best... graceful and elegant. Not dressed like some peasant boy." She gave her handmaiden a wary look and the woman nodded to her. I sighed, wishing I was still asleep.

After what felt like hours, my mother ordered me to look at myself in the mirror. I did so. My hair was half down and half up in an elaborate braid which sat in a knot on top of my head. A compromise, I suppose. I gave the handmaiden a smile of gratitude for at least incorporating some aspect of my wishes.

"Come, darling," my mother ordered and reached her arms out to me. I thought she wanted a hug and I was glad to oblige but when I grew near she grabbed my cheeks in her hands and began to pinch them as hard as she could manage. I screamed.

"What now," I asked, my voice shrill. My mother ignored me. She extended her hand out in front of her ladies and one of them placed a small jar into it. I was hit with a fruity sensation as she took the lid off before she stuck her finger into it and then rubbed it across my lips.

"Squished berries to add some color to your lips," she winked.

"And the awful pinching?" I asked.

"For color in your face. You're hideously pale, my love," she said and I simply scoffed. I glanced outside and realized the sun had begun to rise. We had been at this for hours now and no matter how "beautiful" my mother thought she made me look, I was still nervous to spend time with Robb.

"It's time," my mother squealed excitedly and practically pushed me out the door. "Make sure to let him kiss you," she commanded. "And don't talk so much. Listen to him instead. Be fascinated by everything he says, alright? Ned Stark may have good intentions but alliances can shift. You must win his son's heart as soon as you can."

I nodded and then she slammed my own chamber door in my face. With a small shake of my head, I began heading to the stables, but when I entered the common area in front of the gates, I saw Robb and his half-brother already waiting with three horses at their side. I approached them slowly as my mother's "advice" repeated over and over in my head. "Kiss. Shut up. Listen." The three steps to success, apparently.

"Ah, Freya," Robb said with a smile and then leaned down to grab my hand and bring it slowly to his lips. His arctic blue eyes looked deep into mine as he gently pressed his lips against my hand. "It's lovely to see you."

"And you," I could feel my face begin to warm up. Surely I was blushing now.