Winter Flame → Robb Stark

Xiii| Queen in the North

Chapter Thirteen: Queen in the North
Game of Thrones, Season 1

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THE TWINS FOREST
THE RIVERLANDS

Eddard Stark was dead.

It was something Nyssa Ember didn't want to believe, something so horrific that she was sure all of the North would march down to Kings Landing the second they were told to. It wasn't just him that concerned her, it was the two young girls left without protection and at the mercy of the south. Nyssa didn't want to see them harmed.

Robb was heartbroken and Nyssa wasn't sure what to do to comfort him. She held him as he cried and cursed, assuring him that they'd make the Lannister's pay for what they had done and that the 'king' wasn't getting away with it. Robert Baratheon would be turning in his grave to know his son — though Nyssa wasn't convinced he looked anything like him — had murdered his best friend.

With Ned dead, it was up to Robb to take his place but Nyssa knew he was too angry to even think about it. Erik, Nyssa's father, assured them he'd watch the North in their absent and act just as Ned did; The Starks appreciated that and the blessing he'd sent towards Nyssa marrying Robb. Nyssa had yet to discuss the fact that Loralai would be marrying a Frey.

"All my men...I killed them all and they still killed my father," Robb heaved.

"They did not die for nothing, Robb," Nyssa replied quietly. "Your sisters are still hostages...we have to get them out and we cannot — will not— let that little whining bitch sit smug on the thrones."

"I don't think I've ever heard someone call Joffery a wining bitch," Robb hummed in slight amusement. "Is that your attempt to cheer me up?"

"No, it's true words," Nyssa replied honestly. "The person that sits on that throne is nothing but a sheltered boy who I hear wishes for nothing but to torture and humiliate his people. He deserves to be called a whining bitch."

"Gods, I admire you," Robb smiled. "I don't think I've ever met a lady quite like you...perhaps Ayra when she is older. She has the same fire."

"She'll be a mighty warrior if someone lets her," Nyssa nodded.

"When we return to Winterfell, perhaps you could teach her and the other girls who wish to," Robb commented as Nyssa smiled. "If the Icelands can train you to be more fierce than my men, perhaps we need more like you."

"Indeed, perhaps we do."

As she let out a sigh, Nyssa moved her arms around Robb and placed her head onto his chest. His chin rested upon her head and for the small time they had alone, they took in the embrace and let the world drift by around them.

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"The proper course is clear - pledge fealty to King Renly and move south to join our forces with his."

Nyssa Ember did not enjoy talking politics but it had to be done. Her stubborn nature made it hard to agree with her and the Lords had come to learn that with the time they spent, though they also knew the red-head was extremely careful in every decision. She was a natural-born leader and once they looked past the fact she was a woman, they began to see that.

"Renly is not the king," Nyssa pursed her lips.

"You cannot mean to hold to Joffrey after he put Ned Stark to death—" Jonos Bracken argued.

"That doesn't make Renly king. He's Robert's youngest brother. That would be the same as little Bran being Lord of Winterfell before Robb, Renly can't be king before Stannis," Nysaa reasoned. "There is a reason things are done this way."

"If we are to do things that traditional way, you would not be here, my Lady."

The room fell silent as all turned to Nyssa, who held her head up high.

"You are right," Nyssa hummed. "Lords always have a place, not matter where they go, but when you are a Lady, we must earn it. I have to prove myself three times more than any Lord would have to and yet, people want me to bend the knee to men who have done nothing? If I must, it will be the way the Gods intended it. You fail to see that tradition is different everywhere, including in the Icelands. I have earned my place to advice on what we do—"

"Aye, you have earned your place," Greatjon Umber spoke up. "My Lords...My Lords. My Lords! Here is what l say to these two kings. Renly Baratheon is nothing to me, nor Stannis neither. Why should they rule over me and mine from some flowery seat in the South? What do they know of the Wall or the Wolfswood? Even their gods are wrong! Why shouldn't we rule ourselves again? lt was the dragons we bowed to and now the dragons are dead!"

"What do you suppose we do?" Nyssa asked, irritated.

"My Lady, I may have been reluctant to follow you but your decisions have treated us well. The way you are willing to put honour above pride...it has a place here," Umber reasoned. "I will not bow to Stannis or Renly Baratheon. They are not Northerners, they will not fight for us, but you have.  Here sits the only rulers l mean to bend my knee to - Nyssa Ember and Robb Stark — the Queen and King in the North!"

Nyssa felt her breath stop in her throat and Lord Umber bowed in front of her and placed his sword on the ground. She did not miss the way he echoed the word 'Queen' before 'King' nor did she miss the way Robb nodded towards her. Robb rose as Nyssa did, sharing a glance with her as the Lords around them began to nod.

"l'll have peace on those terms. They can keep their Red Castle and their iron chair too," Richard Karstak bowed. "The Queen and King in the North!"

"Am l your brother, now and always?" Theon questioned Robb.

"Now and always," Robb nodded.

Theon took out his sword and bowed; "My sword is yours in victory and defeat, from this day until my last day."

"The Queen and King in the North!" Umber chanted the other Lords followed.

The war had already began but Nyssa knew this was the start of something entirely new. Embers did not burst into flames at hardship, they roared into life like a Phoenix through the ashes.

Nyssa Ember would not burn, she'd rise as Queen in the North.