[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 did know that, but she was breaking under the strain of it all. They were so close to each other, but divided by more than a secret door. Whatever frustration and pain she felt over his refusal, she masked it behind the brilliant smile she gave her daughter when Cassana's eyes latched onto them.

She trailed behind them, collecting more seashells as Cassana played with Robb. The tide was beginning to sweep closer to where the castle was, threatening to wash away her daughter's work. "Do you want to help me make a necklace to give to Robb, sweetling? We could use your seashell?"

They didn't have long to play. Even now, she was bracing herself, waiting to hear the trumpets heralding Renly's return.

[kingofthenorth]

Cassana shared some stories she made up describing her castle, pointing out details (in her imagination) where the door had been and exactly how close they were to the sea (very close. As evidence of the tide coming in closer and closer). At the offering of making a necklace, Robb gave Margaery his dagger as requested earlier in the day.

He watches as Margaery's dexterous fingers worked at making the hole for string, amazed at how she knew to make such a thing. Robb had no knowledge of the such and never credited himself for creativity. His entire childhood was rearing him to be king, each lesson carefully plotted and planned. He could tell you all the houses of the kingdoms and their words, but to ask to make a necklace out of a shell would be completely at a loss for him.

Becoming close to completing the first necklace is when Robb hears the trumpets, eyes darting to meet Margaery's. "I have to go." He motions to move, but pauses for a moment to realize Cassana is attached to his leg, tight arms around his thigh and her cheek pressed to the fabric. She had warmed up to him, and it tore at his heart.

Gently he pulls her apart from him and whispers a promise to see her again very soon before heading back towards the castle in hopes he could shake the sand off before anyone noticed. He would change clothes before dinner.

[thekittenqueen]

It was later that evening before Margaery saw Robb again. Worn out from playing in the sand, Cassana had been put to bed after having her supper. Margaery wouldn't have the same luxury of privacy as her daughter had. Renly had called on her (rather unexpectedly), sour faced and adamant that she should attend the feast. He had even requested she dress lavishly and in "Tyrell fashions". Which she knew to mean "revealing."

He was in a foul temper and Robb was somehow the cause of it, indirectly. Renly wanted to bait Robb, to try and draw him into acting foolishly. Much like war, Renly didn't understand the complexities of his rival. Whoring out his wife in such a way wasn't going to be enough to draw Robb into acting foolishly.

She complied to Renly's request, if only to maintain some peace between them. To offset it, however, she wore the necklace that she and Cassana had made. Once she was seated at the feast table, she glanced to Robb at her side (placed there in a further effort to goad them into something). She could remain polite and formal. She knew how to make veiled comments without being detected.

"I take it his grace did not enjoy the hunt?"

[kingofthenorth]

Robb had remained silent, already picking up on Renly setting him up for something. He had spent enough time at his counsels to read his body language and know when a verbal lashing was potentially coming. Really, it took everything Robb had to put up with this man. His patience was growing thinner by the day, which was pathetic given he was much younger.

"Does the meat taste fresh to you? Is it even boar?" Renly had aggressively stabbed at the meat on his plate and holding it up to show a point.

Robb continued to ignore the conversation, choosing to focus intensely at his own plate and listening to some conversation happening just to the side of him.

"Lord Stark, are you enjoying your dinner tonight?" And now things were about to get ugly.

[thekittenqueen]

Margaery glanced towards her brother, seeing little assistance in his eyes. Whatever had affronted Renly had managed to sour Loras' mood as well. They didn't speak about the hunt when they returned, only displaying the frustration and anger that had become predictable whenever they dealt with Robb. He wasn't behaving as they wanted, which shouldn't be a shock. He wasn't a Lannister, he wouldn't respond to their insults.

She drained the last of her wine, bracing herself for the coming fight. "My love," Margaery managed to summon what was left of her charm, plastering on a sweet smile. "If the boar is not to your taste, I will send word to the kitchens to bring you something else." Sometimes it was like dealing with a child. Renly and Loras were impulsive, especially around each other. None of it helped by Robb's presence.

"We should not forget that we are speaking to King Robb. We do not wish to cause offense to the North."

[kingofthenorth]

"Shut up!" Renly hissed at Margaery, leaning more forward to get a better view of Robb. "You're not answering!"

"It isn't boar, no, but it is of little matter to me." Robb finally glanced back, meeting Renly's irate gaze with one of nonchalance, knowing it'd spike him further.

"Precisely my point! When we came upon a boar with our arrows ready, your dire wolf came running through the trees and scared it off. It was the only boar we had found in days and your stupid pet ruined it for me!"

[thekittenqueen]

By now the entire room was staring at them. If there was any chance of discretion, it ended with the sharp tone that Renly had taken. He may not have Robert's temper, but he could cause a scene as well as his older brother. Margaery gripped the arm rests of her chair in response, seething with irritation. She was losing her ability to mask her emotions and felt ready to strike as well. Yet she was forced to hold herself back as much as possible, if only to keep Renly from making accusations that could damage them both as well as Cassana.

Still, it didn't keep her from murmuring, "He isn't a pet. A wolf isn't a pet." Loras shot her a look of warning, hoping to spare her from further censure. She searched her brother's face before glancing back at Renly.

What exactly was he hoping to gain from this?

[kingofthenorth]

At Margaery's murmuring, Renly sharply rose to his feet, the wooden chair making a cry against the floor as it was slide back and fell over. Robb rose as well, anger finally being triggered at the outburst and embarrassment Renly was causing in front of his own court.

"How do you expect to rule the kingdom if you're getting mad over one boar?" Robb's words stung and he fought to control his emotions.

The next action happened so quickly, Robb hadn't the chance to process it, but wasn't surprised by the fist that connected to his jaw. Renly had closed the short distance between them (essentially Margaery) and lost his temper the way that only could be described as a toddler lashing out and not getting what he wants.

Robb took a half step backwards, a hand to his face in surprise as the king's guard of both parties rushed to their respectful aid.

[thekittenqueen]

She shot to her feet as well, uncertain for a moment who Renly's anger was to be directed at. Her eyes darted between both men, scrambling to think of a way to diffuse the situation that had been building since they first met. Renly's resentment may not have been noticeable then, but it had sparked to life when he beheld the revered and more capable king. Robb didn't need to struggle to earn the crown, the people had given it to him and earned it again with each victory.

The moment Renly struck him, Margaery stepped between the pair, grasping at her husband's arm to try and pull him back. "Stop this!" She hissed in his ear, keeping her voice low enough that others wouldn't hear her. "Are you so intent on starting a war that you would alienate your men with these dishonorable actions?" She cast her eyes behind them, pressing her lips closer, giving the appearance of trying to soothe him with tender words. "If you declare war on the north because of your pride, I will not allow a single Tyrell soldier to follow you nor provide your men with food or gold. This is entirely your creation."

He couldn't win without her family, they both knew it to be true.

Pulling back from him, she glanced about the room, fixing a charming smile to her face. "The wine is too strong this evening. It would be better to expend these energies into something more pleasant." She nodded to one of the servants, "Bring in the musicians and let us have music." Her hands shook at her side, trying desperately to restore some measure of decorum.

[kingofthenorth]

There wasn't a way where Robb could diffuse the situation and as taught since he was a little boy, if he couldn't play nice, then it might be best to remove himself from the situation. Renly's anger flowed off him and nearly made the atmosphere suffocating in the dinner hall.

Ice blue eyes stared Renly down before his men escorted him from the hall, "Tomorrow's meeting, we will come to terms of our agreements and look past this altercation." It was evident that Robb wouldn't back down in his demands and now had more leverage to do so thanks to Renly's outburst.

Back in his room, he was offered a plate of food, but Robb refused it as he began pulling off his furs and collapsing in a chair in frustration.

[thekittenqueen]

She had to remain in the hall after Robb left. Departing for her rooms would be seen as a blatant act of chasing after him. Rather than pay Renly further insult and jeopardize Robb's treaty, she had to stay glued to her husband's side, bearing the curious stares of others and the simmering anger that Renly radiated towards her.

After an hour, she excused herself, claiming fatigue and a need to retire. There was little doubt that Renly's men were watching her movements more so now than ever. Any public visits to Robb would be whispered about, especially now that she had moved in his defense. She went through her usual motions, visiting Cassana to simply kiss her brow and then returning to her chambers.

Once all were dismissed and she was dressed for bed, Margaery slipped down the secret staircase, more grateful for it now than ever. She listened against the wall for a moment before opening it.

"Robb?"

[kingofthenorth]

He had remained in his chair for the entire hour it had taken Margaery to go through her actions. He had been lost in thought the entire time, barely acknowledging the letters placed on the table beside him or the removing of his cloak that had been haphazardly thrown in an adjacent chair.

The leather and linen fabric of his clothes were becoming warm from the nearby fire when he hears a soft feminine voice call out his name breaking his reverie.

It is then he notices the door open and a face peeking through. "Margaery?"

[thekittenqueen]

She hesitated, remembering the objections he had about secret visits through the passage. However, this was a different sort of visit than what she had suggested. What Renly had done put the entire realm in danger, war coming frighteningly closer as tensions mounted. Worse still, Renly would keep a close eye on her, likely finding a way to punish Robb should she be seen publicly speaking to him.

This was the only way that they could meet without fear of eyes.

Dressed in her simple shift, covered only by her shawl, Margaery stepped into the room, feeling more bold and safe in being in his presence. She examined his face with open concern. "Gods, how could he have done this?" She reached out to touch his cheek.

[kingofthenorth]

His gaze reaches her eyes as she touches his cheek, "You haven't seen him during council meetings." It was implied he had been equally childish behind closed doors. Robb felt like progress was never going to be made with both being so stubborn.

"I'm sorry you had to be in the middle of it." Literally.

And finally he reaches a hand to touch hers, the most affection he had shown to her since arriving. "You shouldn't have come here. I know we're being watched closer than ever." Not only by the Baratheons but the Stark men as well.

[thekittenqueen]

"No, but it has become more obvious that he is losing his restraint." Renly had been so calm and collected at the start of the war, bolstered by the hope of his troops and the certainty of his cause. Now, after three years of war and the transfer of admiration from Renly to Robb, the Stag King had lost his hope and turned bitter. He had no heir, no real experience or knowledge of warfare, as well as no resources of his own.

It was almost predictable for him to be pushed to this level, but it didn't change her anger that he would harm Robb this way. Petty jealousy was ugly in him.

"I'm not," she murmured. "I was placed in the middle of it by my own decisions." What some might call bad judgement, but because it gave her Cassana, she called it fate. "He can't hurt me. He has too much to lose if he tried."

She turned her hand, curling it around his as it was pressed to his cheek. "They won't know. This is the only way we can see each other now." She smiled sadly. "Unless you come to High Garden."

[kingofthenorth]

Robb technically had no heir either. His wife had yet to bore him any children, but he wasn't pressuring her to either. He had been too preoccupied by pushing for the north's secession from the rest of the realm.

"If pushed over the edge, he might very well do that." Robb warns. Men do stupid things when provoked, and poor innocent Cassana might be drug into it all.

"Perhaps I could one day." When that would be, he would never know. He had no business there, and if tomorrow's council meeting were to be successful, he would be very unwelcomed at high garden until this all blew over.

And then he doesn't know why and knew he shouldn't, but he lowered his hand and tugged lightly, coaxing her to sit. She was hardly dressed and had to be cold. The fire would warm her up, and he foolishly wanted to be able to hold her near for a moment.

[thekittenqueen]

A part of her knew that was true, though she hesitated to admit it. He might not hurt Margaery, but Cassana was only a daughter and could be used as means of hurting her. If he was truly pushed over the edge, would Renly announce that Cassana was a bastard? Would he risk his reputation as a means of hurting Robb?

"Once the north is free and your business there is completed." She said, knowing full well that it would never happen. Life was not so simple or kind as to allow them to share the same palace for long.

She followed his coaxing, sitting prettily before the fire as the light reflected off of her auburn hair. His skin seemed to glow gold, exuding the same warmth from the flames. Her eyes traced over him, soaking in his image and the tranquility of this moment.

Nodding to the letters, she looked back at him. "Is all well?"

[kingofthenorth]

He almost laughs, forgetting the letters had even been brought to him. They remained unopened, sealed with a red wax crest of the Stark sigil to the table next to the chair.

He ponders for a moment, recognizing one letter to be from Maester Luwin and reaches for it. He hadn't spoken to the Maester in a few days' time and was surprised to find it to be from him rather than Roslin. Cracking open the seal, Robb begins to read the letter. The more words that he came across the more hurried his eyes poured over the contents of the letter. Completely silent, his brows furrowed in concentration and he forced himself to start from the beginning again and only reached halfway before the letter slipped from his grasp onto the floor beside the chair.

His expression was indiscernible as his chest began to rise and fall quickly as a wave of anguish began to take over. Blue eyes searched Margaery's concerned face as if trying to find something to anchor him down. "She was with child."

It was Roslin he was referring to, as he struggled to form words at this very moment, "I-I didn't... I didn't know." He swallows, feeling a horrid ache in the back of his throat reminiscent of the moment he received word of his father's passing. Of his brothers. "I didn't know." He could only whisper, repeating the words as he struggled to work through the emotions bubbling at the surface.

"The Gods bring me a child I'm not allowed to love... and take away one I should never meet."

[thekittenqueen]

A gnawing pain bloomed in her stomach as she watched him read in the letter. The softness of the moment was undercut with a rising tension that seemed bring nothing but apprehension and fear. It was painful to see the expression change on his face, knowing that there was terrible news written upon the parchment.

When speaks again, she feels her heart plummet. A mix of emotions tear over her, accompanied by thoughts that were so quick, they were indecipherable. She didn't know what to feel or what to say to that. The Gods were cruel and there had been nothing but suffering in his life, suffering that he did not deserve. She could do nothing to aid him, offer him little in the way of words that could soothe this loss.

"Robb," she murmured, hesitantly placing her hand on his shoulder. She wanted to apologize for the blow that fate had given him. Yet, that seemed insignificant. All she could do was keep hold of him. "How is she? Your wife? I can't imagine what she must feel." There was a part of her that she despised, the tiny, selfish side of her that envied Roslin and the life she shared with Robb. Regardless of this, she never wished harm on the woman or for her to suffer the loss of a child.

"I'm so sorry."

[kingofthenorth]

It was a difficult position to be in. He had never loved Roslin, though he certainly has tried. It was an alliance that needed to be made and one he kept for the sake of the north. His men urged and pressured him to have an heir especially as the discussion for treaties progressed with the Baratheons, but he couldn't bring himself to pressure her. And yet here sat Margaery, the only woman he felt could comfort him with a secret she had been hiding, with a perfectly good reason, for all these years.

After meeting Cassana, he hadn't been aware he wanted a child until he saw her innocence and sweetness. Within that, he saw hope. Hope that she could see peace in her lifetime and bring it about with her own abilities. After knowing her for only a few short hours, he knew he loved her, but knew he could never be a father to her as much as his heart desired it.

And now he knew his own wife held a secret from him and his own heart ached in wondering if there was a reason she kept it from him or if she had been hoping to surprise him upon his return.

There were too many unanswered questions racing through his mind, too many emotions, forcing him to look away. Tears pricked at his eyes and he forcefully rubbed at them with the palm of his hand trying to put on a brave face. The King Who Never Smiles was cracking and his always stoic façade was revealing the despair.

[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."