𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 | Escapee 

{ Eliza }

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𝕬fter the eventful night, Robb had left to the Crag with Talisa beside him instead of Eliza. The woman had not wished to leave her brother, or the protection of the Bare guards and cavalry. She felt safer with them than beside her husband, especially after her brother had saved her life.

So, Robb had left and Eliza had been left to take up her husband's duties at camp whilst he was away. The war council had said that was a good idea, to show the soldiers that there was still one of their rulers in the camp, and to keep them on their better behaviour. Eliza had agreed, knowing that things would only turn worse if there was no one around to keep them on a tighter leash, but it did not mean that she did not wish to be with Robb.

She did not like leaving him with that nurse.

"Your Grace." Eliza looked up from where she was grooming her horse, patting the large stallion down as she twisted to look at the man, who hovered behind her like a fly. "Your Grace. The Kingslayer, he has escaped in the night."

It took a moment for that to process with Eliza, her eyes going wide the second that it hit her.

"What?"

"He escaped."

"Who let him escape?" Eliza hissed, hurrying towards the war council chamber, as she motioned for her brother to find the other lords.

"Your Grace, it was Lady Catelyn. The King's mother." Eliza twisted, turning to the rider. "What should we do?"

"Has the king been informed?"

"Not yet. We were sent to tell you first."

"Send a rider out to my husband, find him, tell him what has happened and urge him to return." Eliza commanded, before hurrying to the war tent, where the lords were already beginning to talk over one another, annoyance present in the air. Taking a deep breath, the young queen took her place at the head of the table. "My Lords!"

They paid her little heed, leaving Eliza no choice but to raise her voice and shout.

"My Lords!" They twisted, all staring at her in shock. Eliza did not like raising her voice, but when she was riding with her brothers, she had to be able to shout loud so that others were able to hear her. "Thank you. Please, be seated so that we can discuss this."

They did as they were told, muttering apologies as Eliza sank down, taking a deep breath and hiding her trembling hands in her lap.

"What do we know?"

"Late last night, Lady Catelyn and her sworn shield asked the guards around Jaime Lannister to leave their post." Greatjon Umber explained. "Whilst that happened, she allowed him to escape with her sworn shield, we can but assume."

"Was there anyone else who could have done this?" Eliza questioned simply, turning between them. She needed the truth on the matter before she acted. "Was there anyone else, or are we certain that it was Lady Catelyn?"

"We are certain, Your Grace." Roose Bolton sighed. "There was no one else with the authority, bar yourself, who could ask the knights to leave their post."

"Who's guards were they?"

"Ours." Anceron turned. "They were our guards. I thought it best to put Bare guards around Jaime, as we are more well rested than some of the other troops. We have not been in as many battles, and there were more of us."

"That was a good plan." Eliza confirmed. "So, the guards did not kill him, Lady Catelyn was the last person seen with him, and neither he nor the sworn shield have been found. Yes?"

"Yes, Your Grace." Lord Karstark nodded. "We sent cavalry and dogs out to hunt them down, but again nothing. We could find little a trace."

"It did rain last night, Your Grace." Another lord piped up. "The scent and marks would have washed away."

"We can assume that they will make for King's Landing, aye?" She was met with confirmation, as Eliza stood up to examine the map. "What route is the most likely one to have been taken?"

The lords all stood, joining the young queen as they began to point out routes that were best to take and others that were best to avoid.

"If they're smart, Your Grace, they'll take the river." Lord Umber stated. "It's quick, and leaves no tracks."

"I see." Eliza nodded, before turning and taking a deep breath. What was the best move? What was the best strategy to try and remedy this? She let the scenarios play over in her head for a moment, before taking a deep breath. "I suggest that we send riders down the banks, groups of three to move quickly. They should go five leagues downstream, in the direction of King's Landing to check the river, and then circle back through the forest to come back to camp and report. We're still in enemy territory, so I do not wish to send troops further."

"A sound plan, sister." Anceron nodded, as Eliza took a moment to calculate. 

"If the horses leave now, that should take a day. They'll have had the nightfall, but horses are faster than boats even with the current." Eliza looked around at the older men, who were all nodding their heads. "So we're in agreement?"

"Aye." They all chorused once more, as Eliza turned to her brother.

"The six best riders, send them now." Anceron hurried from the tent, as Eliza turned back. "I have already sent a rider to inform the king and call him back. I want word relayed to soldiers, rest up for now, eat, then be prepared to move. We will reconvene when the king is back."

"Your Grace, what do we do about Lady Catelyn?" Eliza sighed, thinking it over.

"Ask her to stay in her tent, she is not a prisoner at the moment until my husband is able to speak with her." Eliza nodded. "But have an inconspicuous guard keep an eye on her. Watch, but do not say anything, just make sure that she does not leave camp boundaries for anything that is not truly necessary."

"Of course, Your Grace." The lords began to leave, calling orders, as Eliza took a deep breath and sank back to the seat. A hefty hand patted her shoulders, and Eliza turned to stare up at Greatjon Umber.

"You did very well, Your Grace."

"Thank you."

"The king is lucky to have you by his side. You have a logical mind, good for strategies." He continued to praise. "You have done well to stay so calm."

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"Eliza." The woman looked up, twisting to see Robb striding towards her. He was still wearing his riding gloves, pulling them off as he reached her. 

"Robb. The riders found you?" Eliza sighed in relief, as he leant to press a quick kiss to her cheek. Despite the situation, Eliza found herself blushing. "I sent riders down either side of the river bank to check for the Kingslayer. I'm making the soldiers sleep just in case we have to leave in a hurry, and your mother is in her tent. I have not put a guard on the door, but one is watching her. I didn't know what else to do, but I hope that was enough."

"You did wonderfully." Robb squeezed her hand, smiling at her as he found himself calming. Eliza always seemed to be so sure of herself and her calm presence was something that he cherished, especially in times like this. "Has anyone spoken to her?"

"No, I have not been able to yet." Eliza shook her head. "I thought it best for you to. That's what I told the war council at least. She is your mother."

"Thank you." Robb took a deep breath, straightening his shoulders. "I shall come and speak with you afterwards. About the Crag and the like."

"Please." Eliza nodded, watching her husband twist away from her and walk towards his mother's tent, worry growing in her. She did not like this. They had lost their most valuable prisoner and it felt like something awful was going to happen again. Eliza gnawed at her thumb, before huffing and going to find Greywind.

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Hiya,

So, Jaime's escaped and Eliza's had her first set of meetings as queen and done well in the war council. Also, Robb went to the Crag with Talia and Eliza's not massively pleased. Next chapter should be good fun.

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx