The Price for the Crossing

MAYA VI

"My Queen." Maya heard Robb's voice as he softly nudged her shoulder. Her blue eyes fluttered and slowly opened. "We should be getting ready to take our leave. We've spent enough time here, I think." Robb spoke coldly before he walked out of the room yet again.
Maya sat up and rubbed her eyes while watching him leave. Is he still angry with me? she couldn't help but wonder.
Maya's handmaiden entered the room as Robb left. "Good morning, Your Grace." Natalia curtsied.
"No need for such formalities, Natalia. I am still me, regardless of my new title." Maya urged.
"Of course, Maya. Let me run you a hot bath!" Natalia spoke before running off to fill the tub in the back corner of the room.
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As Maya sat in the tub she couldn't help but to become aggravated and angry. She even lashed out on Natalia, causing the young woman to leave the room after Maya had pushed her away.
The door to Maya's chambers opened again, but she payed no mind to it.
"Where's your handmaiden?" Robb asked as he approached her. "I told her to leave." Maya responded as she brushed through her hair.
"Why?" Robb asked. "I'm not in the mood for company, Your Grace." Maya spat. "Then I'll leave you to it, woman." Robb spat out even more hateful that Maya had previously.
   Maya stared at her own reflection in the giant mirror before her as she stopped brushing her hair. Tears began to stream down her cheeks yet again. It seemed to Maya that she'd cried more in the time of being married to the King than she ever had cried before.
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  "My son isn't normally so rude and ungentlemanly, I assure you." Lady Catelyn said to Maya as the two of them were atop of their horses. "His Grace has been most kind, my lady." Maya responded. She couldn't carry on a conversation with Lady Catelyn, at least not while on horseback. Maya had always feared riding horses, but she wouldn't cause a fuss. She wouldn't dare give Robb another reason to approach her for the day.
  "Oh, my sweet. We're family now, we shouldn't use such formalities." Lady Catelyn continued. "And as for my son, well, you may not say it, but I will. He's acting nothing short of a small child who doesn't get his own way."
  Maya chuckled alongside the older woman. Maya had first been intimidated by her husband's mother, but she was beginning to see a new side to her. Maya had decided she rather enjoyed the company of Catelyn Stark.
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It was getting late. Maya could hardly see a few feet ahead of her. Robb had assured everyone that they would camp soon, but for Maya, it couldn't happen fast enough.
She was still horseback, unfortunately. Her legs ached from sitting still for hours. Though her aching legs weren't her worst problem; Maya's nerves were far more uneasy in the dark on horseback, and the large horse she rode could sense her nervousness.
  Maya held the reins even tighter than before and even began to cling tighter to the horse. Just as she nuzzled into its neck, the horse bucked wildly, causing Maya to cling to it for dear life. By the time the horse had stopped bucking, Maya's heart was racing and her eyes were shut tightly. She barely even noticed being lifted off of the horse and sat on the ground.
  "Are you okay?" Maya heard Robb ask. She lifted her head to look at his eyes. "Just a bit afraid of riding horseback, Your Grace." Maya spoke softly. "You should have told me earlier. You could've caused yourself a great injury, do you know that?" Robb asked, his voice raising to a level far louder than Maya was comfortable with.  "I'm sorry, Your Grace." Maya spoke shamefully. Robb sighed loudly and reached for Maya's hands. "I'm sorry I've been unkind with you, it is nothing of your fault. Perhaps you should ride with me. I'd feel more at ease knowing you were safe with me." Maya simply nodded and walked alongside the King, noticing their hands were still interlocked.
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  One of Robb's arms were wrapped tightly around Maya's waist, the other had a grip on the reins. As much as she had wanted to stay away from Robb, she had to admit to herself that riding horseback with him made her feel a lot safer and less fearful. Maya realized that having Robb's arm wrapped around her was something she wouldn't mind getting used to.
  Soon enough, the time came to camp. Robb climbed off of the horse and began to walk away before he realized Maya still sat atop of the horse. He walked back towards her, reached out his arms, and guided her to land softly on the ground.
  "I have a few things to take care of. I'll be back before too long, but I know you're probably tired. Dacey can show you to our tent, if that's alright with you." Robb said. "Of course, Your Grace." Maya spoke. "Robb. My name is Robb to you, Maya." Robb added.