ғɪᴠᴇ ♚ so take another breath

[wolfskin]

[ Like before Robb writes, his hand feeling heavy as the quill produces the words. Take heart in the knowledge she is safe in the Vale, take heart─ if only it were so simple. ]

I regret to inform that Alayne Stone is no loner within the walls of the castle, she has been returned to Westeros. My condolences to those who have lost a friend, she shall be missed.

─ Robb Stark, King in the North and of the Trident.

[ It is signed the same way as before, direwolf symbol and all. With that he closes the journal, designing not to open it again for some time. ]

Comments

[wolfchild]

[ arya chews her lip. ]

A little lower there!

[wolfskin]

Here? [ He adjusts only to pause and wave Arya over closer, two sets of eyes are better than one and they should do this together. ]

[wolfchild]

[ she stops next to him. her eyes roam over the cuts already made bleeding red sap. ]

Yes. And cut there. And there. [ she points them out as she speaks. ]

[wolfskin]

[ Robb cuts where directed, shaping the face from his memory and Arya's instruction. Some time later and the tree has it's face, the eyes bleeding its red tears. ]

What do you think?

[wolfchild]

[ arya is strangely quiet. she walks up to the tree and brushes away some of the sap, getting the sticky fluid on her fingers. she rubs the sap between them, and looks up at the leaves. they sway softly in the breeze, whispering secrets not meant for mortal ears. it's not the same. it won't ever be the same. as much as she may try, as much as they may all try, this place will never be winterfell.

but maybe, arya slides an arm around robb in a hug, her hand clutching a handful of his tunic as she holds her other hand with the warm sap so much like blood near her cheek, they can make a new home. if anyone can do it, robb will. we're wolves, and our gods are with us now. ]

I think the gods can hear.

[wolfskin]

[ He slides an arm of his own around her, hugging her tightly. Pleased with his work, pleased that she approves. Proud of himself. It is not the same, he knows it will not be the same.

But it is something, a piece of the North to ease their hearts, he thinks if he closes his eyes he can hear the old gods speak as the wind rustles the leaves. ]

Aye, so do I. [ With a smile he turns and presses a kiss to the side of her head. ] So do I.