When The Throne Bleeds

10. The Prisoner's Story

The next morning as the sun touched the horizon, Irida strung up her leather bag to her horse's back. She had tied her hair back in a small bun, wearing her travelling attire, shirt, vest and trousers. The main courtyard of Winterfell was relatively empty, with only a few servants and soldiers doing their morning chores. Catelyn Stark's words had been clear. Find out which Lannister it was.

She saw Robb coming towards her from the inner castle, his auburn curls disheveled and a shirt hastily thrown on his torso. He walked over, and slid a hand down the horse's neck.

"Rhune, isn't it?" He whispered to it.

The black horse neighed, gently rocking its nose against Robb.

"Enjoy managing Winterfell and the North alone, brother. I sure hope I'll see you with your brain functioning fully when I come back. Not a man who's been crazed from his wits by those squabbling farmers. Ruling takes a lot, you know?" Irida smirked.

"Yes, yes, mock me all you want. I think I'm doing a good job of it, aren't I?" Robb asked, looking at her pointedly.

Irida made a contemplating face, then slowly shook her head.

"You'll never admit I'm good at something, will you?" He said, laughing lightly.

"Well Robb, are you asking me to lie?" Irida said, a horrified expression on her face.

Robb chuckled, looking at her fondly then wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.

"Stay safe out there, alright? You're going to a dangerous place, stay out of trouble." He murmured.

Irida pulled back and said, "I've been out there for eight years. Don't you worry about me, Robb. Focus on the North for now, you'll be actually ruling them one day. And also, for the love of the old gods, spend some time with Grey Wind. That direwolf is going to forget you exist in a day or two."

"And you, dear sister, keep an eye out for the Lannisters. And try to stay away from the short one, he may be charming but he is a Lannister. You seem to have a soft spot for him." Robb said, eyeing her knowingly.

Irida narrowed her eyes at him as she mounted her horse, then bent down and whispered in the horse's ear. "Go."

The horse burst out the gates, neighing loudly as Robb looked on, a small smile on his lips. At the edge of the White Forest, Tuman joined her on a horse of his own. Irida's heart brightened as she saw him, he had attempted to tie his hair back, and a few strands had come off bordering his face. She smiled happily at him as he brought his horse closer to hers, reaching out to hold her hand in greeting.

"Where did you get that one?" Irida asked.

"Bought her. Lovely thing named Iri."

Irida jerked her face forwards, eyes wide. "Did you just name your horse after me?!"

"What? It was already her name when I bought her. Not like I can change it now. She only listens to that name." Tuman said, shrugging his shoulders.

"You piece of shit. This is ridiculous."

"No, it's not."

"Why do you always do this?" She exasperatedly asked as Tuman chuckled.

And they left Winterfell that morning, heading towards King's Landing, home to the Iron Throne.

~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, things at the royal palace were a mess. Joffrey had succeeded in winning Sansa over and now she was hopelessly in love with him, much to Cersei's satisfaction. Arya had heard two men conspiring in metaphors about the "wolves and lions" secretly in the hall beneath the Red Keep.