Bleeding Ivory l Robb Stark

lady stark

For the first time in a long time Bran was happy. Truly happy. His new saddled had been brought to him that morning now he was galloping through the woods with Robb, Theon and Joanna watching him. Joanna had received word from Isabella that Ned was stabbed in front of Little Fingers brothel. To make matters worse it was done by Jaime himself. Brans cheering had distracted her mind

"Not too fast." Robb warned his brother but he couldnt even deny his brothers infectious smile

"Come on Dancer!" Bran cheered as the horse travelled past them

"When are you gonna tell him? And how do we even know we can trust this bitchs words." Theon asked referring to raven being sent to the princess.

"Mind your tongue Greyjoy. She is great friend and loyal ally and I refuse to have you insult her behind or in presence." Joanna snapped at Theon. Day by day it became more apparent that Joanna was not sim dim-witted princess, but one with intellect

"Enough you two. I wont be telling him now." Robb demanded growing tired of the twos constant bickering.

"Blood for blood. You need to make the Lannisters pay for Jory and the others." Theon commented. In no manner was she defending her uncles actions but she also agreed with Robb that their next move needed to be base off strategy and not emotions - no matter how hard

"You're talking about war."

"I'm talking about justice." Theon barked back

"Only Lord of Winterfell can call in the bannermen and raise an army." Robb reminded him which seemed to only test Theons patience more and more.

"A Lannister put his spear through your fathers leg. The Kingslayer rides to Casterly Rock where no one can touch him."

"You expect Robb to march to Casterly Rock? My uncle is at times hot tempered in a battle but hes no idiot. He's marching to my grandfather and take my word for it no matter how much the Lannisters can fuck up, be very sure that Tywin Lannister will do everything in his power to protect his family." Joanna warned them, without them even knowing she was sparing them the gruesome tales of her grandfathers war stories. Tales and actions that were the reason Tywin Lannister held all of the Seven Kingdoms in the palm of his hand.

"Your'e not a boy anymore. They attacked your father, theyve already started the war. Its your duty to represent your house when your father can't."

"And it's not your duty because its not your House." Robb lashed out

"Where is Bran?" Joanna nervously asked becoming aware of the deafening silence that surrounded them. His cheers grew into still whispers and the gallop of his horse non existing.

"I don't know. Its not my house."  Theon snided

Robb along with Joanna speed through the woods. They managed to find Bran but under difficult circumstances. He was in the captor of Wildlings. Three men and a woman. In all of her life shed heard stories about the Free Folk. The Wildlings are a group of people who are located beyond The Wall. They describe themselves as free folk, not bound by the oaths and loyalties of the Seven Kingdoms. They are considered savages by the rest of Westeros, due to their barbaric lifestyles and worship of the Old Gods of the Forest. Shed always believed them to be legends but now

"Drop the knife. Let him go and well let you live." Robb ordered them. Drawing out his sword. Joanna knew the situation she found herself was dangerous, so out of the sleeve of her dress she removed the small yet lethal dagger. The daggers blade thin and its length taken up at least only half of her lower arm length but it was enough to cause enough damage.

One of the men courageously drew out his axe and came charging towards Robb. The two began their battle. Robb, a swordsman in his own right evaded the blows from the Wildling. Joanna reacted fast as she snuck her body behind the attacker. Stabbing him in the back of his shoulder, reaching her arm over his chest to bring back to her before sliting through his neck.

Robb turned to look at her in astonishment. The warrior standing in front of him now looks much different from the guilt ridden woman he saw the last time she held the dagger.

The Wildling man pulled Bran off his horse placing his knife to the young boys throat. Joanna grabbed a fistful of the Wildling womans hair and replicated his actions.

"Robb!"

"Shut up!" The man yelled as he turned to the betrothed pair. "Drop your blade!" He demanded towards Joanna. She turned to Robb. He nodded his dead carefully dropping to release his sword.

She lifted her blade from the womans neck but before she could retaliate an arrow shot though the mans chest. She gasped turning to see Theon on the opposite path making a bulls eye through his target.

The Stark and Greyjoy ran to Bran in attempt to help him up.

"Are you alright?" Robb asked his younger brother

"Yes, it doesnt hurt." Bran reassured him as they looked to his cut leg.

"Tough little lad. In the Iron Islands youre not a man until youve killed your first enemy. Well done." Theon complimented the boy but it couldnt have sounded more condescending that it already had.

"Have you lost your mind? What if youd missed? Was there no other way "He retorted

"To what, save your brothers life?! It was the only thing to do, so I did it."

"Thank you Theon. If it werent for you Bran would probably be gone." Joanna said. Both Robb and Theon turned to look at her surprised. Theon flabbergasted that for the first time she thanked him. Joanna sent Robb a sympathetic look hoping he realised that Theon was not the enemy in that situation.

"What about her?"

"Give me my life, my lord and I'm yours." The Wildling woman begged on her knees as she crawled towards Robb. The tone in her voice seeming sincere but also fear stricken. Robb turned to Joanna. He knew the stories of her waving heart. She always kept an open mind but was also fully aware of the risks that would be brought

"What do you say, Lady Stark?" He asked. Joannas heart near skipped a beat when she realised the emphasis he put on announcing her as his lady.

"Keep her alive."

"What?! Why?!"Theon yelled in outrage

"Because your Lady has spoken Theon." Robb told him. Joanna couldn't hide the smirk plastered on her face as she turned around to leave. It seemed like their relationship was blossoming day by day – so why did it feel like there was an impending doom about to tarnish it all. Joanna walked off along with the Wildling woman to the castle. Robb turned to see his brother glaring back at him.

"You're giving her too much power. She already thinks she rules Winterfell." Theon barked , the tone in his voice trembled as he was a second away from saying what he will regret

"She will. Like it or not but I will be marrying Joanna." Robb spoke. He approached Theon patting his hand on Theons shoulder

"You're my brother - not by blood but you still are. I expect you to respect the woman that I -" Robb didn't finish his sentence. He wanted her to be the first to hear those words

"Gods, you really do care for..." Theon realised as he only saw a boy in love

"More than I can even control it."