001 | Voice

[young_wolf]

[Robb has been asleep for the better part of seven days. He'd been stitched up and left to rest, with Grey Wind ever faithfully guarding his bed while he slept. In between bouts of wakefulness, Carson would try to explain this place to him. They were in a castle that's like no other castle he's ever heard of, and it grants wishes only to take other things away. It very possibly brought him back from the dead.

Upon waking up this morning, he realized he was no longer so drowsy, and he was more alert than he'd been since he'd arrived. Finally, it was time to get answers to the questions he needed and dreaded. He wasn't yet strong enough to write for any length of time, but Carson had mentioned he could talk to the journal and it would find its way to people's ears. So he did.]

I was told this castle brings into it people of many worlds. If we are, in fact, so many then there's a possibility that there's other people from my world as well. I come from the Seven Kingdoms of Westoros; if it is familiar to you then please respond. I have...questions of great importance to ask.

Comments

[young_wolf]

[He gives her hand a light squeeze and nods.]

First, tell me what you know. That will help know where I should begin.

[wintercat]

I know only that we die at Riverrun, at the Frey's hands. [It's strange... to actually say it. "We die."]

[young_wolf]

No, I meant what you've experienced so far. What was happening in Westeros before you were brought here?

[wintercat]

[Oh.] I had only just received word from King's Landing. Of your father's execution. [Also words that are painful to say. But at least they are more real to her.]

[young_wolf]

[He mutters to himself.] That long ago...

You'll know, than, the bargain we made with the Freys in exchange for passage of the Twins. That I was to marry one of his women...[His throat tightens. This would be so painful to explain. To tell her of his foolish failings.]

[wintercat]

I do. [Her voice is quiet, patient. She knows him well enough to see that this is difficult for him.]

Jeyne is his loss so he doesn't know that he got married

[young_wolf]

But I grew arrogant, and despite protests I decided I didn't want to marry a Frey. And when Lord Frey called his men back, we had no choice but to negotiate a new marriage between one of the Frey women and Uncle Edmure. [He swallowed hard.]

We went to the Twins for the wedding. And during the bedding the Freys turned against us. They put countless arrows through me and then Roose Bolton split my throat...[His hand moves unconsciously to his throat, like he expects the wound to still be there.]

He told me, "Jaime Lannister sends his regards". But you...you were the last thing I saw. Standing across from me with a bloody dagger in your hand. Mother I'm so sorry. [Tears he had been holding back broke free and slid down his cheeks.]

Got it

[wintercat]

Oh, Robb.

[There's so much emotion in that short little sentence- sorrow, disappointment, concern. Yes, she's disappointed in him and troubled that he didn't keep his word. But now is neither the time nor the place for scolding. Besides, what he has experienced has taught him the lesson far better than she could ever hope to. So instead, she raises her hand to his cheek again and wipes away his tears, focusing on offering what comfort she can.]

I know you are.

[young_wolf]

[He leans into her hand, hating his weakness, but at the same time needing the comfort of his mother. As much as he tried to fight it-hide it-there remains a big part of him that's still very much a boy trying to be a man.]

I ruined everything. I ruined us. [And there was also a big part of him that though he shouldn't be forgiven. That expected to be cursed at and abandoned.]

[wintercat]

[Does he really know so little of her that he'd think such a thing? Whatever she may feel, she will never abandon him. Never.]

We have a second chance here, for however long.

[young_wolf]

[Finally he raises a hand to roughly wipe away his tears and present his mother with a braver, if uncertain, face.]

A second chance...I suppose we have. But...Bran and Rickon and...Father. Will they get a second chance as well?

[wintercat]

[She hesitates, not sure what to say- not sure what she wants.]

They might. It is out of our hands.

[young_wolf]

[He nods, slowly, suddenly uncomfortable with the conversation and the thought of facing his father and brothers again.]

How long have you been here, Mother?

[wintercat]

Months. [It's not upset or angry, just matter of fact. So many things have happened in that time; it's been something of a ride. But, as ever, she's very good at hanging on.]

[young_wolf]

And how have you settled in? Well, I hope. There seems to be many...helpful people here.

[wintercat]

Well enough. People have been...kind.

[young_wolf]

I'm glad for that.