Golden Winter || Robb Stark [on hold]

Chapter V

V. Winterfell

"I suppose you're right. My name is Robb. Robb Stark."

As soon as he said those words, Reau couldn't help but be shocked. This was Robb Stark. The Robb Stark that she had to get close to.

This young, charming boy who was just about the same age as her. She expected someone older and well, she was surprised to say the least.

Suddenly, she realized that she had been silent for so long so she rushed to create a reply.

"Reau. Reau Bolton." She answered as Robb reached for her hand to place a kiss upon it. Heat instantly spread from her hands to her face until she was pretty sure she was blushing.

"Was that really necessary?" Reau laughed, trying to hide the fact that she was a bit flushed.

"Why, of course my lady. It would be a crime not to. I did not know that I was in the presence of Lord Bolton's daughter. I must admit, you are not what I expected." Robb replied to her, honestly.

"What did you expect? Raven hair and a knack for flaying." Reau couldn't help but ask teasingly with a bit of honesty. It seems as if it wasn't just her who was shocked, seeing as what they both expected was way different from the truth.

"I didn't mean to insult y-" He started, thinking that maybe he had insulted Reau but she was just genuinely curious.

"You didn't, my lord. Don't worry. If I'm being honest, you're not what I expected either." She smiled, before snapping out of her thoughts and looking into his eyes.

"Forgive me, my lord. You must be tired from the feast and here I am, tiring you out with my ramblings. I shall bid you good night, after all, you have an army to prepare tomorrow." Reau answered, before pulling up her hood and striding towards the exit of the stables.

She barely made it to the exit until she heard a soft good night, putting a smile on her face. Her father's task, completely gone from her mind.

{~~~~~~}

Robb smiled as he gazed at the retreating figure of Reau Bolton. She was definitely something. He's never met anyone like her before.

She was different because she wasn't like what he expected of Boltons. The cruelty was non-existent and the harshness was not in her gaze. In their place were kindness and confidence.

As he thought about her when he decided to finally go to bed, he realized something.

He completely forgot about all his worries when he was with her.

~~

The next day, Robb barely had time to get ready when things were already demanding his attention. The armory, the weapons, the supplies.

He was familiar with all these things but to address these in a much grander scale was a so much more different.

After diffusing a fight between some of the men of Lord Umber and Lord Glover, Robb decided to head inside. With everything seemingly smooth, there was time for him to himself.

He found himself wondering what Reau was doing. Even if they just met the night before, Robb felt so comfortable around her which he scarcely felt nowadays with everyone relying on him on everything.

It was as if the Gods had heard his prayer when he heard familiar laughter coming from one of the rooms.

Robb realized that the sound came from Bran's room and he opened the door to see an unexpected sight.

He saw Bran and sitting at his bedside were Rickon and Reau. Summer and Shaggydog were not too far away, napping.

All of them were laughing about something Reau was talking about. It was odd to see Bran laughing since he had not smiled since his fall.

"I remember, once my friend fell into the canal and when she tried asking help from one of the fishermen, they had thought she was a merling and hit her with a net." Reau spoke, making the other two boys laugh, none of them noticing Robb's presence until Rickon looked to the door.

"Robb! Have you met Reau, she has been telling us stories of Braavos all day." Rickon giggled, making Bran and Reau laugh as well.

"We have met. How are you, Lady Bolton?" Robb asked, trying not to laugh at Rickon's adorable childishness.

"Very well, my lord and how are you? I heard you had an early start, this morning." Reau replied, a grin still on her face.

"Yes, the army won't prepare itself. It has to be prepared for everything especially merlings." He answered, making everyone aware that he had heard the story which provoked everyone into laughter once more.

They stayed like that all day. Laughing at each other's stories until it was time for supper wherein they all parted. Robb and Reau preparing some last minute things for the ride.

{~~~~~~}

Reau was heading to her room when she felt someone grab her wrist. She immediately thought it was a threat, ready to attack until she saw that it was only her father.

"You're doing very well. Just keep doing what you're doing." Roose whispered into her ear.

He pulled away before walking off into the opposite direction as if nothing had happened.

Up until that,she had completely forgotten about her job. She was genuinely just talking to the Starks. Especially Robb.

He was not a maniacal man but he was just a boy who was trying to lead an army and at that moment, Reau doubted if she was capable of carrying out her task.