[Musebox] The Court of the Stag King - The Gardens

[thekittenqueen]

Margaery had kept her distance for several days, granting Robb the space she assumed he needed to digest and mull over the news she had given him. Though there seemed to be little time for him to truly enjoy any sense of solitude or time to process, Renly kept him in meetings often, quibbling over the reasons that the North should not be its own separate kingdoms. He kept from outright insulting Robb, but he had made his displeasure more than clear about losing such a large section of the realm. If there was peace to be found and a compromise to be made, Renly didn't not present any options, only standing rigidly by his belief that all should return to how it was under Robert's rule. Robb would be Warden of the North and Renly would be King.

During it all, Margaery occupied herself with her daughter. Cassana had not been summoned again or used as an ornament for Renly to display. As it often was for mother and daughter, they were left for most of the day (and in Margaery's case, the night as well.) They lived in the same warmth and bliss that they had shared in High Garden, though Cassana was too young to remember it.

Winter had come and the heat of summer was rapidly departing King's Landing. The flowers would die soon and their beauty and warmth would leave only chilling reminders of a beautiful memory. Seizing upon the moment and the chance to enjoy what would be left of the gardens before the snow fell, Margaery dismissed Cassana's nurse and took her daughter to play among the flowers. Robb's balcony overlooked the garden, allowing him to see the pair together, though this had fled Margaery's mind.

She laughed and called after her daughter, chasing her among the rose bushes and the hedges carefully trimmed, but now growing brown around the tips. When she caught Cassana, she swung her daughter around, spinning wildly until they collapsed together in a giggling heap. The child would stumble to her feet and run again, her squeals leaving a trail for Margaery to follow.

Once their energy had run its course, Margaery and Cassana gathered a handful of roses, those that had not yet wilted or grown soft from the shifting seasons. They sat together on the ground, their skirts pooled around them as their voices carried through the garden as they sang "The Bear and the Maiden Fair." Carefully, Margaery wove a crown of roses for her daughter, at last placing them on her head.

It was only then that she heard the approach of another figure, pulling her out of the gentle peace that she had found. Upon spying the visitor, Margaery gestured for her maids to withdraw and guard the entrances to the gardens. She had no interest in this meeting to be intruded upon.

"Your grace," she said softly as she met Robb's with surprise.

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[thekittenqueen]

She had thought every day during her pregnancy of Robb and the life that could never be. It was a silly fantasy, though she knew she could never pursue it. She dreamed of writing to him and telling him of her child, only to see him ride soon after over the horizon, pulling her onto his horse and taking her back to the north. The usual fantasies of a woman dizzy with love. Instead of succumbing to that sweet dream, she remained pragmatic and realistic. Cassana was a child he might never know.

Until now. Seeing Robb with his daughter awoke that same longing in her, not only to share his days and his nights, but to bear his children. Not only a daughter, but sons, sons named for those he lost, including his father. It hurt to imagine another woman taking that place, and it seemed that it was only a matter of time before it happened. Never though did she wanted this to happen to him or for him to suffer this blow.

She knew that she should restraint, but his tears were too much for her. She moved from her seat and knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as she drew him into an embrace. Her fingers stroked his hair, just as she had the night they had shared a bed. "Robb, I am so sorry."

[kingofthenorth]

There was a sense of familiarity being in her arms. Warmth, comfort, safety, and love. He pulls himself into her arms, toppling the two over upon the rug before the fire. He needed her to be the strong one for a moment, to not let go and anchor him. For far too long he held back his emotions, keeping them down by lock and key only to occasionally peek through the keyhole and allow one to surface from time to time.

There was too much pressure to do so, always had been, and if he had his senses together he would've been embarrassed and ashamed by this display of emotion before Margaery. He had been taught to save face for the public, forcing such a stoic display to permanently grace his features.

But the Gods were cruel and Robb felt it now more than ever as he pressed the bridge of his nose into the space where her neck and shoulder met. His arms wrapped around her tightly where he feared if he let go she would be ripped away from him as well. He remained like this for some time, ignoring the pressure upon his bones from the hard surface begging for him to move.

And eventually he does. He releases her and sits up. His eyes are red, but the tears had dried, only leaving a couple lingering streaks down his cheeks to his beard. Dejectedly, he looks to her and offers a small nod, "Thank you."

[thekittenqueen]

She offers him the only true comfort she can think of. After so long as standing as head of the family, being the strength for his sister and mother, leading his forces into battle, she could only imagine how exhausting it was. Strangely, she understood that better than any might think. She had lead her family as well, pursuing her ambition in the hopes of securing their place in the kingdom and putting an end to the chaos. She relied so often on her practicality and reason, that sometimes she forgot what it was to simply let her emotions take control.

Holding Robb was not only for himself, but for her as well. In his embrace, she let the frustration, stress and loneliness of the past three years wash away. Never truly being safe or happy, only existing day to day, living for her child and for her family. She missed this and the calm she had always felt in Robb's presence, no matter how brief it was.

When he pulled back, she looked over his face, seeing the pain etched there so clearly. Gently, she stroked his cheek with his thumb, wiping away that remaining streak. "When you return home, all will be well." She said gently. "You will be with your family again and I know you will find happiness. Don't despair."

[kingofthenorth]

He nods silently and finally releases a sigh, "Can you.... Can you stay with me?" He suddenly feels so much like a child making such a request, "I don't want to be alone tonight. At least for a little while."

It was an innocent request and he had no other intentions, but he also recognized that she wouldn't be able to stay the full night when her handmaidens would come for her in the morning (and his own squire).

[thekittenqueen]

In coming to Robb's room, her primary thought had been to ensure he hadn't been badly hurt. At the beach, he had turned down her offer to share his bed again, both out of necessity and honor. She had accepted it, more than aware about how little wisdom there was in her desire. She hadn't visited him with any intent beyond the concern of a friend.

Yet, she couldn't deny the measure of happiness it brought her to hear him ask her to stay. It would be safer than when they were in the camp tent. Her ladies wouldn't enter her room without her permission. She could sleep without fear, at least until the dawn approached.

"Of course I can." She sat up, resting herself on her arms. "My love."

[kingofthenorth]

He fumbles for a moment but manages to pull off his boots and stand up before offering a hand for her to follow him to the bed. There, he climbs in and once she's settled, wraps his arms around her middle holding her close. The blankets hadn't warmed yet despite the fire, but their body heat would soon bring enough warmth for the two of them.

So many thoughts rushed through his mind that he didn't know how to speak any of it, or any at all. Perhaps it was for the better to not say anything right now, to fully try and stop his mind and ease into sleep. For the time being the sorrow had lessened and having her near eased most of it and made the news bearable until his return.

[thekittenqueen]

She left her shawl behind on the chair, silently following him as he crawled into bed, drawing closer to him so that she could rest her head against his chest. She had returned to a fond memory, a place that made her feel safe and protected, where war and politics had no place. In their brief time together, she was never simply a queen around him, she was herself. He knew her in a way that others did not, though he may not see the significance.

She had never told him or relayed to him the meaning of that night.

In his arms, waiting for sleep to descend, she whispered to him. "There was never anyone else." Perhaps it didn't matter and perhaps it wasn't her place, but she wanted him to know regardless. "You have been the only one to share my bed since that night. I have only ever wanted you."