Golden Winter || Robb Stark [on hold]

Chapter XXXI

XXXI. The Broken Clasp

Robb had just spoken to his men. The army was depleting and they needed more men to fight this war. Even with the northern armies and the Freys, it still wasn't enough.

Theon had suggested asking Balon Greyjoy for men in exchange of the reigns of his kingdom once again. But his mother disagreed. How could they trust him, she said.

But Theon grew up with them. He was Robb's brother. Not by blood but they grew up brothers, they trained together, learned together and through this war, they have fought together.

What possible reason could he have to choose the man who hardly knew him over the man who knew him thoroughly?

"Your Grace." A man said as he entered the tent, clutching something under his arm.

"Lord Bolton. What brings you here?" Robb greets, immediately stiffening up.

It wasn't that he disliked the man. He was just very cold, very distant. Not like the other loud, boisterous lords of the North. Not like Reau.

"I came to speak to you about a certain matter."

Robb cocked his head to the side, confused. "What about?"

He almost regretted asking as he watched Lord Bolton place a fur coat on the table. His fur coat.

"I have heard rumors about you and my daughter circling around the camp. Normally, I'd dismiss them as rumor, after all, you are engaged to a Frey. But evidences have presented themselves." Lord Bolton answered.

"Evidences? I'm afraid I don't understand, my lord." Robb feigned ignorance.

"The incident with Jaime Lannister for one. Now, the fur coat. I simply don't know what to believe anymore." Lord Bolton said.

Robb put aside all his emotions as he stoically replied. "Nothing is going on between me and your daughter, my lord."

Roose Bolton tilted his head, as if to measure his words' worth. "Good. You're both promised to others after all."

Others? Reau was promised to someone else. Who? Robb couldn't help but let his eyes widen in shock. How could she not tell him of this?

But then again, she hid many things from him.

Lord Bolton only seemed shocked at his reaction. "Didn't she tell you? After this war, she would marry someone I have picked out for her."

"Of course. It is her duty after all." Robb found himself saying.

The only response he got was a chilling smile before Lord Bolton turned to leave. Robb was just about to let out a sigh when Roose turned around at the final moment.

"Oh, before I forget. I believe this belongs to you." Roose Bolton brandished a silver chain with a direwolf pendant hanging from it.

The necklace he gave Reau.

Lord Bolton dropped it onto the table with a soft metal sound before leaving immediately.

Now, Robb let out the sigh inside of him before he looked at the necklace. Even now, it reminded him of her.

He lifted it in his hand, looking at every dent of the pendant before he noticed something odd.

The clasp was broken.

~~~~~~

"Are you alright?"

As Titus said that, Reau immediately glared at him to show her displeasure with the situation.

"Do I look like someone who is alright?" She asked as she rubbed her neck, still feeling the ghost of the metal chain that used to be there.

"It could be worse, I suppose." He tried to say though it sounded useless afterwards.

Reau rubbed her eyes in frustration, willing her tears to stop trying to fall. She had been crying enough, too much actually. Hey eyelids ached at the thought.

"Why do you think my father hates me so much?" She asked, aloud.

Titus seemed surprise at her question as he took a seat beside her. "Fathers are like that. My father disowned me when I was six. Too many mouths to feed, he said."

"And do you hate him for it?" Reau looked at him as she tried to determine the look on his face.

Earlier, she had been terrified of her father but now, she was angry. He had so quickly judged her, taking the cloak and pulling the necklace off her neck, violently.

Titus seemed to think about it for a while until he finally reached an answer. "Yes. But I believe certain things happen for a reason."

"Why is that?"

Titus smiled at her then. "When I was disowned and starving on the streets, I resulted to stealing whenever I can. Until I got caught, of course. My hands were about to be cut off but then a little golden haired girl stopped it from happening and took me under her wing."

Reau found herself smiling with him. "It was the right thing to do."

"But no one else would have done it. A lowly beggar became a knight because of you." He reached out, pulling her into a hug. "My point is, bad things things happen. We get placed into dark situations but that doesn't mean we should forget that there is still light out there."

She wrapped her arm around him, hugging him in the side. "Thank you for being here, my friend. I don't know where I would be without you."

"Anything. I would do anything for you. All you must do is ask for it."

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A/N
Helloooo! Some Reau and Titus fluff for everyone. Titus's past was revealed and it's a bit sad to see them bonding over terrible fathers. But it's nice to see their relationship.