Few and Far Between

[Akeira]

Robb raised an eyebrow at grin and smiled back, nodding gently and continuing to hold the bow and arrow. "Then it's best we agree not to tell Her Grace. I believe you can do it well." He murmured softly with a smile, wondering if she would agree to it. The young lord chuckled and watched Claryse put a steel helm on her head. "You are far more graceful than a soldier, Claryse."

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​

Ned Stark smiled gently when King Robert clapped him on the back and nodded in agreement. "I am sure that our daughter and my son are happy with this arrangement." He mused, glancing in the direction the two young adults when in. "I shall make sure we enjoy Winterfell's finest wine tonight."

 

[Sansa Stark]

"They say that all the great soldiers have grace," she replied in turn, removing the helm and placing it where it belonged. "Hmm...will you teach me now, then? Or after the feast? It should be starting soon, and as much as you seem to admire this dress it is not custom to wear the same thing after a day of riding to a royal banquet." Claryse chuckled and looked down at the pink skirts, dirtied a bit from the long ride north. "Though, I believe you might like the other dress much more."

---------------------------------




​

"Good. Go on then, get prepared. I'll join you in a bit." Robert smiled at Ned. "Lyanna, she...she would be happy, I think. To know our houses could finally be merged. I always wanted that, you know. Starks and Baratheons were meant to rule together, as our children will."

 

[Akeira]

The young lord nodded at her words, impressed by her wisdom and silently agreeing. "Perhaps after the feast is better. We shall have more time then." Robb smiled gently, chuckling softly and looked at her dirtied skirts for a moment. "If it is a custom to change, then I believe it's best that you should... especially if you suggest that I shall like the other dress more." He continued, looking into her green eyes with a slightly mischievous smirk and putting the bow and arrow back where it belongs for the time being.


Though Robb would never say it aloud, he had been admired the dress since the arrival of the royal party, finding himself slightly embarrassed that she had noticed. The way it fell on her was a vision of grace, as Robb began to wonder if all her dresses were like such. He cleared his throat softly and smiled gently, looking out of the armory building toward the castle at Winterfell. "Would it be preferable to change now or closer to the feast, princess?" Robb inquired. "I suppose directions to your chambers are in order as well." He thought out loud, not entirely sure if it was proper for him to lead her there himself or have a servant of the castle do it instead.

---------------------------------

​

At the mention of his sister, Ned glanced back to the crypt and sighed softly, wishing his sister was above ground inside of laying beneath it. "I am sure she would have been happy with the match. Perhaps it is fated that the House Baratheon and House Stark will achieve greatness beyond our defeat of the Mad King when joined." Ned mused with a reserve smile on the corner of his lips.


"I shall leave you to prepare for the feast, Your Grace, as will I. My servants have prepared the best in your honor." He emphasized before bowing softly and walking in the other direction toward the castle.

 

[Sansa Stark]

Claryse watched his eyes and felt herself blush once again. "It might be best if I changed now, actually. My mother will fuss about it. Gods know it's best not to anger her." The princess lifted her dress and gave Robb a proper curtsy. "And I would be honored if you would lead me to my chambers, if you don't mind."

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​

Music lifted through the main hall and echoed off walls of decor. It seemed as if the entirety of Winterfell had come to celebrate the arrival of their king and queen, and the sounds of laughter and the smells of wine drifted around every corner. The Starks and Lannisters sat together at the head of the dias, the Queen beside Catelyn while Ned and King Robert were mingling with their citizens. Bran and Rickon were playing hide and seek through thick crowds of large men. Joffrey sat pretty and safe next to his mother, as anyone would have expected, and Myrcella and Tommen were deep in conversation with other Northern children. Merriment was found around every corner and smiles were anything but scarce. Stark and Baratheon had joined once again for a joyful party worthy of songs.





Claryse nodded kindly to the men who opened the doors for her, returning smiles and gestures of adoration. She was dressed in a long, elegant dress of emerald with accents of gold, her long night-colored hair falling to the base of her spine in elaborate curls that bounced as she walked. Green, Lannister eyes peered out behind thick black lashes, and as she entered many bowed in her wake. The Queen eyed her daughter from the comforts of the dias, and the princess would have glared back had there not been another person she was looking for.

 

[Akeira]

When Robb noticed Claryse's cheeks redden slightly, the young lord cleared his throat and looked away from her for a moment. "Perhaps it is for the best then. We would not want Her Grace to be upset before the feast." He thought aloud, smiling softly at her curtsey. In return, Robb bowed softly out of respect and gently, glancing at her Lannister green eyes that he was beginning to greatly appreciate.





In mentioning a short tour to her chambers, Robb smiled and nodded softly, gently taking her arm and leading her toward the Great Keep once again. "The majority of our chambers are held here in Winterfell, given the nature of the hot springs beneath our floors. Your chambers are on the right next to that of your sister's, Princess Myrcella's." He remarked, referring to the large set of dark oak doors leading to Claryse's chambers. "I shall see you soon in the Great Hall for the feast, Your Grace. If anything arises, do not be afraid to let me know." Robb added, softly kissing Claryse's hand and gently resting it at her side afterwards. With a small smirk at the corner of his lips, Robb bowed reverently before going retreating in the general direction of his chambers.

-----------------------




​

Later that evening, the Great Hall of Winterfell was a hall of merriment and laughter, as all those in attendance pleasured themselves in the unlimited supple of wine and good company. Robb Stark was enjoying the event for the most part, discussing war strategies and armour with some of the local soldiers. For what seemed like hours, Robb glanced toward the door every few minutes to see if he saw Claryse appear through them. Thinking on her promise of her new dress, the young lord raised an eyebrow in intrigue and excitement to what her new dress would look like. Though it was entirely improper, he relished the opportunity to compliment her on the outfit.


A few minutes later, the grand doors opened again and in walked what Robb thought to be quite a vision. Stopping almost mid-sentence, he paused for a moment and looked toward the door, admired Claryse, despite her being across the room. He found himself smiling softly, knowing that she was right that he would enjoy the emerald and gold dress she had prepared more than the pink one she had sported earlier in the day.


"Would you gentlemen excuse me?" Robb said vaguely, nodding to the soldiers present and rising from his current seat near the open area of the hall. Sauntering toward the dias, he made his way to where Claryse was standing, moving to her side and glancing down at her with a polite smile. "You look breathtaking, Claryse." He murmured to her in a low tone to make sure his lack of formalities went unnoticed.

 

[Sansa Stark]

"Breathtaking?" she chuckled, curling her hair behind her ear and feeling her cheeks heat up once more. Did he like to flatter her to the point of embarrassment? "You're too kind, Robb. Does it meet your expectations?" The princess looked down to her dress and smiled down at the silk. "It's a bit extravagant, but I suppose I like such things." The princess lifted her eyes again and met Robb's bright blue eyes, Southern eyes, clearly inherited from his Tully mother. They were a brilliant shade, like paint in the sky.


Around them, the people of Winterfell were dancing with merriment to the beats of joyous music. When Claryse looked at the party she met eyes with her father, and waved happily. "Ah! There he is! Come, let's go see him!" The princess took Robb by the hand without thinking about the implications, and began to lead him in the direction of their fathers.

 

[Akeira]

"Truly breathtaking." He chuckled softly, watching her for a moment and almost regretting putting himself out there so bluntly. "Thank you, Claryse." He murmured with another chuckle, looking down at the silk of her emerald dress. "Perhaps I am too kind, but I only speak the truth. This dress meets and exceeds my expectations. It is more lovely than you let on." He admitted earnestly, looking into her green Lannister eyes with admiration, as he not only referred to the dress but the princess in it as well.


Robb continued to watch her gently before looking around the Great Hall and smiling at the joy of the people of Winterfell. Though the North could sometimes be considered grim and barren, those in the great city knew how to welcome their guests and have a pleasurable time. It excited Robb to see his people full of life and merriment, drinking wine and ale and laughing together while music filled their ears.


"Ah! There he is! Come, let's go see him!" Robb heard Claryse say, pulling away from his thoughts and seeing that the 'he' she referred to was her father, King Robert. "Lead the way, Claryse." He chuckled, smiling widely and looking down at their joined hands while she led him up to the dias. He rubbed her palm gently and laughed softly, finding himself sucked into the merriment itself, as they approached the head table where their fathers sat.


"Your Grace, father." Robb said, trying to hide his smile while he did a small bow in respect to the powerful men.

 

[Sansa Stark]

Claryse promptly let go of his hand as the two reached the dias where the royal family sat. Cersei gave a small chuckle and took note of the contact and general attitude between Stark and Baratheon, but was generous enough to make no remark, not in front of the entire Stark family in the walls of their home. King Robert smiled widely as he laid eyes on the pair of them, both beaming and glowing with the promise of young love. He gave a respectful nod to the oldest Stark child and winked at his lovely daughter.


"Look at you," he said with a great laugh. "The both of you make me sick in the best bloody way. Ah, to see my daughter walking through the Great Sept with me on her arm, only to give her up. It's what any father would dream of for his favorite child."


The princess looked temporarily confused, but as the king rose from his seat and demanded the attention of all those in attendance to the feast, she knew there was something important to be said. It was long taught that royalty should never turn their backs on the people, and as such Claryse turned to face the crowd and urged Robb to do the same, all of them staring up at the dias where the king had called to them.





"Winterfell," he stated with a booming voice that demanded respect. "Lord Stark and I have an announcement to make. But I think he'd like to do the honors, considering it's his castle and such. Up, Ned. Tell the lot of them what the two of us have conspired, ay?"

 

[Akeira]

Robb stood to the side when Claryse let go of his hand, gently clasping them behind his back. Looking up at the dias, Robb almost raised an eyebrow in seeing King Robert smile at both himself and Claryse. The young lord smiled softly when the King gave him a respectful nod, bowing softly in reverence soon afterwards.


"The both of you make me sick in the best bloody way. Ah, to see my daughter walking through the Great Sept with me on her arm, only to give her up. It's what any father would dream of for his favorite child." Robb heard King Robert say, causing the young lord to look at him with confusion. He thought on His Grace's words again and a picture of Claryse wearing grand clothing for her wedding day entered his mind. A vision of grace and respect, he knew that she would be beautiful on that glorious day and whomever she was married to would be very lucky to have her.


As the King stood from his seat at the center of the dias, Robb saw Claryse turn to face the crowd and nodded at the small gesture she made. It was proper etiquette, something his parents instilled in him at a young age. Being one with the people established bonds rather than a hierarchy. He turned as well, facing the crowd while he waited for the announcement to be made.


"Winterfell," He heard the King begin in his powerful voice that commanded many. "Lord Stark and I have an announcement to make. But I think he'd like to do the honors, considering it's his castle and such. Up, Ned. Tell the lot of them what the two of us have conspired, ay?"


Robb turned around for a moment to look at his father with slight confusion, as it was not often that Lord Eddard Stark conspired to do anything since the time of King Robert's Rebellion. Though winter was coming, it was a time of some peace in Westeros while the crown was secure and those in the realm well at hand. Eddard Stark nodded to His Grace and stood from his seat, his eyes scanning over the entire Great Hall before making the announcement.


"People of Winterfell and the realm." He began with an officiating tone. "For many years, House Baratheon and House Stark have been connected through comradely and loyalty, though our Houses are not officially joined. It is with great honor that I propose an official union between House Baratheon and House Stark, as discussed by his Grace, King Robert Baratheon, and myself. This evening, I, Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North announce the betrothal of Princess Claryse Baratheon of King's Landing and my eldest son, Robb Stark of Winterfell. May their union bring our Houses together for the rest of time." He finished shortly, taking his glass of wine from the table and raising in honor of the newly betrothed couple.

 

[Sansa Stark]

Claryse couldn't believe what she had heard. She watched the group of party-goers applaud them both, eldest Stark and Baratheon, and felt her face light up with joy and color. They all drank merrily to the proposal and the alliance that came with it, lifting their glasses in a ceremonial toast.


"To the future Lord of Winterfell and our Lady Princess!" they chanted together. "To our royals heirs to come!"


Royal heirs. Would there be princes in the North instead of lords, like Dorne has? The idea made Claryse smile even brighter towards her people, Northern people, knowing that Winterfell would get exactly what it deserved.


The princess turned to Robb and took his hand in hers once more, now that it was appropriate to do so, and smiled at him like she had never smiled before. Her father had chosen the perfect suitor, one that could make her happy and one she could make happy in turn. King Robert noticed the looks in the newly engaged couple's eyes and laughed to himself. "Aye, they look ready to wed this bloody instant, don't they?"

 

[Akeira]

Robb's eyes widened in surprise at the announcement, the uproar of those at the party soon filing his ears while he looked forward. Glancing over at Claryse, the young lord could not hide his smile entirely at the thought of them being wed. He turned away for a moment to look at the crowd once more, chuckling as they drank with merriment and followed Eddard Stark's toast.


"To the future Lord of Winterfell and our Lady Princess!" Robb heard them say throughout the hall. "To our royals heirs to come!"


The phrase royal heirs sounded foreign to Robb Stark, as he always believed that the royal family would marry in the South of the seven kingdoms. Instead, the beautiful princess, whom was graceful, intelligent, and poised, would be his wife.


Robb looked down at his hand when he felt a warm, smooth hand take hold of it, smiling widely in knowing it was Claryse's. He looked over into her green eyes with his bright blue ones, chuckling gently and moving a bit closer to her. The thought of seeing Claryse wed had crossed his mind earlier that day, and since that moment, it was a constant thought. He silently thanked His Grace and his father for the arrangement, as he was sure that the two of them would be very happy together.


"I hope I am not the only one pleased with this betrothal." Robb murmured softly into her ear with a smile.

 

[Sansa Stark]

Claryse chuckled and tried not to show her shivers as his lips were so close to her ear. "You most certainly are not," the princess promised as she looked up into his eyes, resisting the urge to meet his mouth with hers right then and there. "I, uhm. I must admit I've been thinking about it since I arrived." She gave a soft giggle, light as air. "I hope I have not offended you, sir."


Seeing the two in such close relations gave the crowd more reason to cheer and sing and dance. The music seemed to be louder, the laughter more frequent and many noble lords and ladies approached the dias to give Princess and Lord their best regards.


Cersei Lannister eyed the couple out of the side of her eye. "I do not like this match. We promised our daughter to Lord Baelish, and I--"


"Quiet, woman." King Robert waved his hand dismissively to her. "Look at them, they're in love dammit. Can't take it back now. Don't want to. My daughter deserves to be happy, and if you were any decent kind of mother you'd want happiness for her too."


Cersei gave a small scoff, and said no more.

 

[Akeira]

Robb smiled at her chuckle, finding her laughter infectious and joining along moments later. "Good." He murmured softly, looking down into her eyes and letting his eyes flicker to her soft lips for a moment. Part of him knew it would be entirely improper to meet her lips with his, though the other part of Robb wanted to throw away the rule book and do what he desired. "You can never offend me, Claryse." He chuckled earnestly, watching her with soft eyes.


Near the center of the dias, Catelyn Stark was all smiles, as she observed the young couple interact beneath them. "So, this is what the two the you have been cooking up." She murmured to her husband with a reserved smile, a teasing tone lingering in her voice.


"His Grace suggested it, and I merely thought it was a good idea. They do look happy together." Eddard Stark replied, looking over toward his wife, intertwining their hands underneath the table. Catelyn nodded in agreement, holding his hand softly in hers and thinking on their own marriage that was hardly without flaws.

 

[Sansa Stark]

The night continued on with all manners of excitement that seemed to last ages in the best possible ways. Dancing contests, drinking, laughter, bellies full of food and memories to be made were riddled within the Great Keep and beyond, through city streets and farmlands. It felt as if all the North rejoiced. The entirety of Winterfell was alive with joy for the coming union of Robb Stark and Claryse Baratheon, and when the sun rose above the horizon to bring the dawn Princess Claryse wasn't the least bit surprised to see the Stag and the Wolf already sewn together on countless banners to represent the marriage to come.


"Hurry, Claryse!" Myrcella begged, throwing her sister's things into many different boxes while Tommen was too busy playing with a hairbrush on the floor. "You're leaving soon! You can't leave anything here!"


"Why not?" the eldest chuckled, watching her younger siblings fuss excitedly over what was to come. "I'll be living here soon enough, Myrcella. I'm sure it won't be the end of the world if I leave a few things behind on accident."


"You'll be living here?" little Tommen asked as he craned his head to look upon his sister. "Does that mean you won't be home with mother anymore?"





Thank the gods for that, Claryse thought inwardly. She picked up the small boy and set him on her lap, wrapping her free arm around her little sister and hugged them close. "It does, little one. But that's alright. You can come and visit me whenever you want."


"Will I be an aunt soon?" Myrcella clapped happily.


The future Lady of the North gave a warm chuckle. "Not too soon. Give it a year, sweetling. Then, perhaps, if the gods are good you will be an aunt." It made Claryse irrevocably happy to think about such a thing, that she would be a mother before winter came, that her and Robb would be raising children soon enough. He would be a wonderful father. She only hoped she could be as wonderful of a mother and nothing like her own.


A knock came at the door. Claryse ushered her small siblings off of her lap, grinning a bit as they continued to pack her things for her, and went to open the door to greet whoever meant to summon her.

 

[Akeira]

Robb Stark awoke the next morning to the sound of scurrying in the hallway, as the dull Winterfell sun streamed through his window. Turning over in his furs, the young lord opened his eyes and smiled softly in thinking of the events that transpired the day before. Not only had he met a beautiful young woman, who possessed grace, intelligence, and a sense of humor, but now he was to wed her before the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing.


Rising from his bed, Robb looked out the window at winter town coming to life, while the citizens began their days. He squinted softly in looking at the flags in the small village, chuckling softly when he saw a few with the Stag and the Wolf sewn together. It was clear that he and Claryse were not the only ones excited about this union.


"Come in." Robb said into the open space, as he heard a off beat knock at his door. Beginning to pack things away in boxes to take on the journey, he turned around moments later when the large door swung open to reveal his little brother, Brandon Stark.


"I wish I was going with you." Bran said with a small pout, as he entered the room, his direwolf christened Shaggydog running at his heels.


"There will be plenty of time to visit, Bran." He remarked with a gentle smile to reassure his brother. "While I'm gone, you can keep up with your lessons with Maester Luwin." He suggested, only to receive a scrunched up nose of disgust in response that made him chuckle. "I'm sure you can also practice your archery."


At the mention of archery, Bran's face lit up and Robb chuckled, moving away from his boxes toward the door. "I'll be back in a few minutes with something you might like." He told his brother with a promising smile, not sharing that he had a bow and arrow made for Bran not too long ago. Walking into the corridor and looking in the direction of the armory, Robb thought of Claryse's chambers along the way and wanted to see her before they were meant to leave on the Kingsroad.


As he walked down the corridor, Robb saw Maester Luwin walking toward the princess' chambers and realized that he must have been sent to summon her.


"Maester Luwin," he called, quickening his pace down the corridor to fall in step with his wise teacher. "Perhaps I may summon the princess and bide her good morning?" Robb suggested with a soft smile, to which the Maester nodded in agreement before heading in the opposite direction.


Robb took this opportunity and strode toward Claryse's chambers, knocking on the door and waiting. In hearing the door open, he looked down as the princess appeared, smiling softly at her radiance. "Good morning, Claryse." He murmured. "We are meant to leave soon. Are you almost done packing your things?"

 

[Sansa Stark]

Thanks the gods I've already dressed myself, Claryse thought inwardly.


"Robb! Apologies, I wasn't expecting you so soon." The princess lifted her green eyes to meet his, chuckling a bit as his tossled hair. He must've been a wild sleeper, or he was simply in a rush to leave. Claryse felt similarly. The sooner they left Winterfell and put the North temporarily behind them, the sooner they would arrive in King's Landing and make their bonds known.


"I'm almost done, yes. Well...they are, anyway." Claryse pushed the door open a bit to let him see Myrcella and Tommen busily packing their sister's things. "They woke me up as soon as the sun had risen and begged me to let them help. So far, they haven't let me pack a thing. Myrcella is convinced that a bride shouldn't overwork herself before her wedding night." The princess watched her brother and sister scurry away and smiled fondly down at them. "They're sweet. But I'm sorry if I'm making everyone late, I just didn't have the heart to tell them to stop."

 

[Akeira]

"No, the apologies are entirely mine. Truthfully , Maester Luwin was sent to receive you, but I intercepted him on my way to the armory." Robb stated with a smile, looking down into her green eyes with his bright blue eyes. He saw her eyes flicker to his hair and chuckled softly, knowing it was not well kept at the moment. "I suppose you will get used to seeing my hair like such in the mornings." He murmured with a teasing smile, the thought of waking next to her each morning making his smile wider. Though he could be a wild sleeper, Robb was just excited to travel to King's Landing with his bride-to-be.


Peering into Claryse's chambers when she pushed the door open a bit, he chuckled in seeing her siblings, Myrcella and Tommen, scamper around the room for their elder sister's things. "It's rather endearing that they are so devoted to helping you prepare for the journey." He admired, glancing in the room again before smiling at the princess. "Princess Myrcella is right that a bride should not overwork herself. I want you to be well rested for our wedding night." He confessed, a sly smile appearing on his lips for a brief moment. "Take all the time you need to prepare."

 

[Sansa Stark]

Our wedding night. Claryse had heard of the pain that such a night can bring, and naturally her mother had come to her chambers after the feast and attempted to scare her with false facts about the Northmen and their "harsh ways", but such threats were lost on the princess. Even though she had only known him a day, she was growing to love him and his dark auburn curls and his handsome smile and his physical strength. He was kind and gentle. Claryse knew he would be the husband of her dreams.


"Thank you," she offered, reciprocating the excitement in his smile, "but I believe I'm ready. Come, Myrcella. Tommen. I'll help you put everything in the carriages, and if you ask nicely, maybe Lord Stark will help." The princess kneeled and kissed Tommen's cheek, patting his back. "Go on, sweetling. Don't be shy."


The small blonde boy fumbled with his hands and approached Robb anxiously. "Uhm...Lord Stark?" he asked with voice as little as he was. "I'm not strong enough to carry these boxes by myself, and...well..."

 

[Akeira]

Standing near the large door, Robb looked on, as Princess Claryse knelt to interact with her little brother, Tommen. The lord smiled at her gentleness, imagining her acting the same way when they had children of their own. This thought brought him happiness, as Robb believed that she would be am excellent mother, one he would admire while the children clung to her skirts tightly.


When the small blonde boy approached Robb and asked his question, he chuckled softly and nodded, kneeling so that they were at eye level. "I would be honored to help carry the boxes to the carriage." He replied with a welcoming smile, glancing over at Claryse for a few moments before looking back to Tommen. "Someday, you will be a strong prince and good man like your father, able to carry as many boxes as you wish." He promised, before standing up properly.

 

[Sansa Stark]

Claryse so admired his way with children, certain that with a genuine nature such as Robb's he was not doing such a thing with the intentions to impress her. Tommen's face brightened exponentially at his future brother-in-law's promise and the boy skipped to the nearest available box, lifting it with ease as it wasn't filled with much.


"First one to the carriage is a rotten Targaryen!" he shouted, giggling as he bounded down the hall with a box as light as he was.


Claryse gave a small chuckle and shook her head--she hated it when her brothers and father used the "rotten Targaryen" phrase, especially in a joking matter, but she wasn't about to turn motherly and spoil the fun. He was halfway down the hall as well.


"Remind me to scold him when we get to the courtyard," the princess laughed. "Go on, Myrcella. Go catch up with your brother and wait for Robb and I in the carriage."


The girl, old enough to know what it meant when two people wanted to be alone, nodded and winked at Claryse before skipping from the room.

 

[Akeira]

Robb smiled when little Tommen's face brightened significantly, chuckling softly when he went toward the nearest box and shouted when he scampered out of the room with it in his little hands. He found it endearing for the most part, as Prince Tommen reminded him of his youngest brother, Rickon, at times. They were both timid in the presence of those they do not know, however, they warmed up gradually with kind words and a smile.


"Rotten Targaryen?" He teased softly with a smile, stepping further into the room and shaking his head. "I shall remind you if you promise to mind how harshly you scold him." Robb chuckled, knowing Claryse loved her little brother and would not dare to say anything to hurt his feelings.


As Myrcella skipped from the room, Robb stepped closer to Claryse and smiled. "It is very refreshing to watch you show such kindness to your younger siblings." He admitted with a small grin before looking around the room at the boxes and parcels still left. "What is it that you want me to carry?" He asked softly, as his bright blue eyes were trained on her green ones.

 

[Sansa Stark]

The princess gave a small laugh. "I don't like it when they say such foul things about a murdered house, but if I scolded him for that my father wouldn't hesitate to give me a lecture on how cruel the Targaryens were and how many more jokes such a House deserved, no matter how dead they are." She didn't want to speak so long of such things, so Claryse curled her hair behind her ear and met his bright blue Tully eyes.


"Refreshing? Hmm, I could say the same of you. I'm so relieved to know my children will have such a kind and gentle father." The thought of providing the Warden in the North with children made her face flush as a bit, as it would to any virgin, but Claryse felt comfortable enough to talk about such things with Robb. He was to be her husband in less than a month. She wouldn't allow herself to be trained into refraining words from him just for the sake of discomfort alone.


His eyes were certainly enchanting, as was every other part of him that she had seen thus far. It took her a few minutes to form another reply. "Oh! Uhm...would you mind carrying the middle box, Robb? It's the heaviest, I can take the other down myself." Still, she stayed locked in his gaze.

 

[Akeira]

In seeing that Claryse did not want to speak very long on the topic, Robb nodded and avoided it entirely. "I cannot always promise to be kind if I am angry, though I will try my best to be honorable." He vowed with a gentle smile, chuckling softly to herself when her face flushed a bit. "I believe we are thinking on the same matter at the moment. If there is anything you ever need or concern yourself with, just voice it and it will be done." He murmured to break the silence, offering a warming smile in wanting to remain comfortable with his bride-to-be.


Robb found himself getting lost her Claryse's green eyes, smiling softly and glancing at her while she looked at him. Though it could still be considered improper to look this long, the auburn haired man did not care, as he gazed at his future princess. "I would be happy to carry down the middle box for you, Claryse." He voiced in reply, his eyes still trained on hers, though his legs were moving him even closer to her. "Forgive me, but after I bring the box down, I must get something for Bran from the armory before we leave for the Kingsroad."

 

[Sansa Stark]

"If you are honorable, I must also be so. We should hold each other to that. I'm afraid to say it, but...oh, I suppose I don't want anyone but you anymore. Funny how things can change so quickly."


Claryse noticed Robb stepping ever so close and welcomed it with her eyes, speaking to him in ways that only connected souls could understand. She paid no mind to the middle box at her left, all of them completely forgotten in her feminine foolishness. The princess stepped towards him as he had to her, and she inwardly marveled at their difference in height. Without shoes the top of her head would only reach his shoulder. It made her chuckle, though she hoped their closeness wouldn't bother him. It wouldn't be too long before princess and lord were to become much, much closer than this.

 

[Akeira]

Robb nodded in agreement with her statement, smiling softly and glad that she thought very similarly. "I am glad you think the same. I must admit that you are the only one I want now, though it has only been a small period of time." He voiced, standing before her earnestly with a smile.


The young lord noticed when Claryse stepped closer to him, admiring her beautiful dark hair and bright green eyes with a smile. Without thinking, Robb raised his hand softly and gently touched his calloused hand to her soft hair. Entranced by her beauty, he stroked the long locks between his fingers in admiration, watching her closely. A few moments later, the auburn haired man realized what he was doing, blinking a few times and promptly dropping his hand to his side.


Taking a few steps back, he stared at her with slight embarrassment, trying to avoid her eyes for the time being. "I fear that was inappropriate." He admitted, his loyal heart coming into play, though he knew that they would be much closer once when they were wed.