Run with wolves - Ramsay Bolton (Book 1)

Chapter 22

Ava's POV

I stroked Shadowmere's black mane. "I missed you boy." I whispered. He stood tall and looked around, before nuzzling my hand. "You're not stupid, are you? You always know when something's wrong." I hadn't felt the baby move since the day Ulric was executed. I didn't say a word to anyone, the first couple of days I was sure that it was just a coincidence, and that everything was alright. I was in denial and I let my fear take over me. But now? I wasn't so sure that my daughter was okay.

5 days with no movement worried me, especially because she moved around a lot, often waking me in the night. I had to pluck up the courage to see Maester Wolkan, because when I did, Ramsay would find out. I was terrified of his reaction, especially if it wasn't good news. "Please be okay." I whispered to her. The tears pricked in my eyes, but I wiped them away. If there was a chance that she was alive, I couldn't stress myself out. Ramsay would never forgive me if anything happened.

"Sansa said you would be here." A voice said from behind me, I sniffed and wiped my eyes once again before turning around. It was Jon. "Is everything okay sister?" His face was laced with concern. I shook my head, trying to blink through the tears. He walked forward, dropping his sword to the floor. "Ava? Tell me what's wrong, please?" At that point I let the tears fall, I was absolutely terrified, my heart was breaking as I feared the worst. "I haven't felt her move, not in 5 days." He looked at my stomach, my words processing in his brain. He wrapped his arms around me and I began to sob, hysterically.

"You need to see the Maester, immediately." He wrapped an arm around my waist and I leaned on him for support. I felt like my legs could have given way at any point. My worst fear of losing someone else I loved was starting to creep up on me.I held my brothers hand tightly as we walked together. "You're going to be okay Ava, I'm here." I didn't know where Ramsay was, but I didn't have the strength to find him. Mentally or physically. As soon as he found out that there was a potential problem with the baby all hell would break loose.

**

I sat in the large chair, waiting for Ramsay to show. Jon was stood by the door. "I know you're frightened Lady Bolton, but before we can begin, we need to wait for Lord Bolton, he instructed that he was to be present for anything concerning yourself or the child." Wolkan said. I felt sick, I didn't know how he was going to react. Probably not very well, especially when he heard the full story. I heard his boots hitting the floor, and the door swung open. I felt my heart beating, my anxiety levels increasing by the second. "Ava? What's happening?" He sat down in a chair beside me. I stayed silent, shaking my head, I couldn't tell him. "Lady Bolton?" Wolkan asked. I shook my head. "I can't." I wiped the tears away from my face. "Ava what is happening?" His voice was concerned and he was more blunt, but he wasn't angry. I looked at Maester Wolkan, silently pleading him to say something. I was grateful he got the message, I was so scared that I couldn't speak to my own husband.

"Lady Bolton hasn't felt the baby move for a little while now." I looked at my hands. The Maester was trying to be tactful, but I still felt uncomfortable and depressed. "What?!" Ramsay almost shouted, his head whipping around in my direction. "How long?" I couldn't reply to him, I stayed silent. "Ava how long?!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. "5 days." Wolkan said, Ramsay's face was still as he inhaled deeply, trying to keep himself calm. He looked up at me and exploded. "5 days? Why the fuck didn't you say anything?" He screamed at me. "Don't shout at her Bolton." Jon snapped, moving closer to me and putting his hand on my shoulder, his other hand remained on the top of his sword. I smiled at him gratefully, my brother always had my back. "I thought it was just a coincidence, for the first couple of days, I didn't think anything would be wrong. I thought she was maybe just sleeping." The tears rolled down my face. "What for 2 days?  What can we do Wolkan?" Ramsay demanded.