𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗 | Tense Meetings

{ Eliza }

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𝕾moothing out her dress, Eliza followed Greywind through the halls of Winterfell until they reached the main hall. The doors were already open, and Eliza hurried through to look at the scene in front of her. 

Robb was sat in the middle of the head table, his jaw clenched in anger as he drummed his fingers on the table top. Two men stood before him, both remarkably different from anyone that Eliza had seen before in her life.

The first was obviously a member of the Night's Watch, as he wore the signature black clothes and cloak, with scars marring parts of his face. The man next to him Eliza only knew from stories, but had yet to have the pleasure of meeting.

She had heard that Tyrion Lannister had travelled to the wall and was on his way back and here he was, in the flesh. He was giving her a look of confusion, but Eliza just smiled and continued to walk past, dropping into a seat on the right of her husband as Greywind curled beneath her feet.

"I must say I received a slightly warmer welcome on my last visit." Tyrion began, looking around the Great Hall. Eliza stretched out her back, knowing that Robb was not going to like having Tyrion in his home, especially so soon after the assassination attempt on Bran's life.

"Any man of the Night's Watch is welcome at Winterfell..."

"As are you, Lord Tyrion." Eliza finished her husband's sentence, smiling over at the older man. They still didn't have solid proof that the Lannisters had done this, so they needed to keep suspicions low. The Lannister's eyebrows furrowed at that statement, looking between Eliza and Robb with narrowed eyes.

"I don't believe that we've ever had the pleasure of meeting." Tyrion began, looking at Eliza. "You are?"

"Eliza Stark, my Lord." Eliza smiled coolly, knowing that it would be best for her to keep her head in this situation. She could feel Robb tensing up next to her, but Hodor entered with Bran, preventing an argument from ensuing.

"So it's true. Hello, Bran." Tyrion smiled at the small boy and Eliza relaxed in her seat, glancing over at her husband, to see what he was thinking. He looked annoyed, causing Eliza to sigh once more.

"Why are you here?" Eliza realised that she had been staring at Robb, when his lips started to move, causing her to snap out of it and turn back to the front.

Tyrion ignored Robb, staring at Bran.

"Would your charming companion be so kind as to kneel? My neck is beginning to hurt." Eliza watched on as the situation unfolded.

"Kneel, Hodor." The giant man knelt down, causing Bran and Tyrion to become face to face with one and other.

"Do you like to ride, Bran?" That was not the direction that Eliza thought the conversation was going to move in.

"Yes." Bran had perked up, before realization dawned on him. "Well, I did like to."

"Bran's lost the use of his legs." Maester Luwin elaborated, speaking softly to try and not upset the boy even more.

"What of it?" Eliza dawned on the idea as Tyrion began to explain it, nodding along as she thought over it in her head. "With the right horse and saddle, even a cripple can ride."

Eliza continued to think back to her lessons with her father and Perseus. It had been mandatory for all of the Bare children to learn about horses, including how to shoe a horse, the proper nutrition and how to break and train a horse.

"...Give that to your saddler. He'll provide the rest." Tyrion handed a sketch for a saddle over to the small boy. "You'll need to train the horse to the rider."

"We'll start with a yearling." Eliza cut in, nodding along with what Tyrion was saying. "Train it to respond to voice and reins. I can see to it myself."

"What house were you originally from?" Tyrion asked, still watching Eliza with narrowed eyes, before Bran cut his sister-by-law off.

"Will I really be able to ride?" He sounded ecstatic as he clutched the plans in his hands.

"You will." Tyrion smiled over at him. "On horseback, you will be as tall as any of them."

Robb was looking between the pair, confused about what was going on and why Tyrion was being so nice.

"Is this some kind of trick?" Robb began, and Eliza decided to intervene, before Robb could further ruin the relationship between the Stark and the Lannisters before solid proof was found.

"Thank you, Lord Tyrion, for this kindness that you've shown us and Bran." Eliza smiled over at him. "The hospitality of Winterfell is yours."

"Spare me your courtesies, Lady Stark." He smiled, almost sarcastically. "There's a brothel outside your walls. There I'll find a bed, and all of us can sleep easier."

He strolled out of the room, the man from the Night's Watch following him. Eliza sighed and stood up, smoothing her dress out once more, as she left for the stables. She had seen a yearling in one of the stalls and was now wondering whether or not it would be suitable for Bran if she started to work with it now. Greywind followed after her, panting quite happily.

Her own stallion nickered at the sight of her, snorting and throwing his hay over the floor as Eliza rolled her eyes at his over dramaticness.

"You're making a mess." The horse nuzzled into her, as she picked his hay off the floor, searching the folds of her dress for any treats that she might have. "You'll get fat if I keep feeding them to you when you've done no work. Soon though, we will go riding once more."

"Eliza." She froze at the sound of her husband's voice, hearing the bite in his tone. She spun around to stare at the man, cocking an eyebrow. He was watching her with furrowed eyebrows. "What were you thinking in the Great Hall? You made me look like an fool."

Eliza scoffed, before glaring at him.

"I think you did that on your own." Robb spluttered out a retaliation, as Eliza continued on with what she was saying. "We don't know if the Lannisters are affiliated and we don't need them questioning us prematurely. Think of the consequences of your actions before you make them, Robb."

"I am acting Lord of Winterfell." Robb stepped forward, until they were practically standing nose to nose. The tension between them thrummed dangerously.

"And I am acting Lady." Eliza spat back, both of them glaring daggers at one and other. Her horse snorted, stamping in his stall from the tension that the pair emitted heightening his nerves.

Eliza sighed, stepping away from her husband, as she shook her head. She couldn't lose her cool, not at a time like this. Leaning back, she allowed her back to rest against the stall door, so that the pair could both calm down slightly.

"I know that this is a stressful time for you, what with your brother and everything." Eliza began. "But as much as you may despise this, we are in this situation together and I am just trying to help you as best I can. Please, let me help."

Robb paused, before storming away, as Eliza cursed quietly and threw her head back in annoyance. He was far too stubborn for his own good.

Hiya,

Robb and Eliza's first argument, got to love it. Who do you think was in the right? Bran gets to go riding again, and they're very suspicious of Tyrion, which is understandable.

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx