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

[songsandstories]

[She sets her jaw. This was different.]

But you were. They sang of you in the city. They sang of your wins, how you fought with your men, you wore your honor just like any king wears their crown.

[She doesn't turn from him. She isn't the girl she once as. Looking him dead in the eye, calmly, she proceeds.]

I had to. You do not know what it was like being a wolf in the pit of lions, grooming me to produce little lions. Or did you forget that sitting on your throne?

[young_wolf]

[The anger comes suddenly and he snaps before he can control it. He failed his duties and he didn't want anyone-much less his sister-telling him how great he is...was. It only reminded him of how much he lost.]

And what good is silly songs and honor to a dead man? Much less a dead king?

[He reeled back as if she'd hit him, his mask of anger crumbling to one of hurt, before he stares at her blankly.] I forget nothing.

[songsandstories]

[His anger had no real reaction from her. Robb couldn't do half of the things Joffrey did when he was mad.

The last shreds of Alayne passed when he said those words. She knew how silly the songs and stories were, but Robb was her older brother. She couldn't give up hope in him. Not after everything.]

You are not dead here. [She replied quietly.] I listened to them because I hoped you'd come for me.

[Her response was just as hurt, cooled though. Her emotions reigned in, she looked back at him.]

You do not know what it was like. Mother nor Arya know what it was like. They argue with me, want me to be what I was, but I cannot. I cannot tell them that there are no more Starks. Bran and Rickon are dead, and I cannot tell them. Your death was already told our Lady Mother, but she made me swear not to tell Arya. She is so young, Robb. She is from before all of this.

It is not just a name. It holds all that once was and cannot be. I helped to kill Joffrey and all I had was Petyr Baelish. It is who I am now.

[She scrambled to return to the idea of Alayne, hard and calculating, but it was much more difficult to do so with Robb looking at her like that.]

[young_wolf]

[He simply stared at her silently while she spoke, finally listening and hearing her without the sound of betrayal ringing in his ears.

And he understood. He did. But he didn't like it. Yet this...disguise seemed to help Sansa. She seemed to get strength from it. And suddenly he felt too tired to argue any more.]

Alright. I understand.

[songsandstories]

[The fact he understands and accepts this makes her breathe a sigh of relief and he gets a very rare, but genuine smile.]

I shall always be your sister, Robb. I am simply not who I was when last you saw me. Winterfell is not the city we once knew. We are not the children we once were.

[young_wolf]

[A lump develops in his throat, and he has to swallow past it. Of course, he knew all this. Sansa couldn't be anymore the naive child she was before than he could be the young lordling who'd never fought in a battle, and never seen the life drain out of a man.]

No,[He reaches out a hand to take one of hers.] We're not.

[songsandstories]

[Her fingers close over his hand, and she is quiet for a moment. She knew he would understand. Somehow that makes it worse and better.]

I am glad you are here.

[young_wolf]

[A small grin appears on his lips.]

I'm sure. Even though you knew how I would react initially?

[songsandstories]

[She gives him the meekest of smiles in return.]

Arya and Jon are here. Mother is here. It does not matter what has once happened. We only have what has been given to us here.

[young_wolf]

[He considers that for a moment and then pats her hand.]

That is true. Our family is slowly growing back together.

[songsandstories]

Perhaps this place is not as much of a prison as once thought. I have not much to return to save for the Vale.

[young_wolf]

I guess it depends on your perspective. This place means to reunite our family, but for the others, it means being parted from them.

[songsandstories]

[Which was a double edged sword for her.] You all are here, but Littlefinger is not.

[young_wolf]

[He looks at her for a moment.] I can't say I'm disappointed about that.

[songsandstories]

I know you are not. [He made things easier for her. If he were here, she could face Robb and not crumble.]

[young_wolf]

Then why bring him up? [That's the thing about Robb, he's not about to make anything easier.]

[songsandstories]

Because he is still my family. [She knows she's poking the bear here, but it's true. She misses him. This place is still not a blessing to her. It is just confusing.]

[young_wolf]

[His teeth clench automatically and he feels the need to lash out and deny it. But he doesn't. It would only frustrate him more and estrange her from him.]

...We'll just have to be enough for now.

[songsandstories]

I did not say you were insufficient, Robb. I have not known you for some time. Any of you.

[young_wolf]

I'm still your brother. That hasn't changed.

[songsandstories]

My brothers are dead. [She dips her head, jaw tight and frowning hard.]

[young_wolf]

[His lips press together tightly, but he doesn't reply.]

[songsandstories]

This is who I have become to survive. You can disagree and judge all you like, Robb, but it's all I know now. [It's the only thing that has so far kept her safe. After all the fact the Baelish kissed her, the daughter of Catelyn, was more of a reason to kill her than the fact Baelish kissed her.]