𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐎𝐍𝐄 | The Flayed Man

{ Eliza }

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"𝕳ave the riders returned?" Eliza questioned, stepping into their shared tent as Robb twisted to stare at her, having been hunched over his desk to read through the letters that had come in his absence. "They should be back soon."

"Not that I know of." Robb shook his head. "Any word from your brothers, about Winterfell?"

"They have almost reached the gates. They do not want to go too fast lest they tire the horses out before they are needed." Eliza explained, sinking down beside him and grabbing onto a jug of water so that she could sip at something. Her hands needed to be occupied, for she was growing impatient and annoyed. "Perseus will handle it. If you thought that Anceron was a good fighter, then let it be known that Perseus is better. He will be able to make sure that it all runs smoothly."

"Of that, I have no doubt."

"Your Grace." Both rulers turned, finding Roose Bolton hanging in the entry way to the tent.

"Still no word?"

"We've sent a dozen ravens. None have returned," Roose shook his head, as Eliza reached for Greywind, scratching the wolf's ear in comfort. "My bastard is only a few days from Winterfell. Once he captures the castle..."

"Theon has my brothers. If we storm the castle..." Robb shook his head, as Eliza sighed. She was truly worried for both boys. They were young, younger than her own brothers, and it worried her what Theon would dare do this to them. 

"He wouldn't dare hurt the boys. They're his only hope of escaping the North with his head."

"Send word to your son, and your brother. Any Ironborn who surrender will be allowed to return safely to their homes." Robb stated, his blue eyes turning icy as Eliza twisted to watch him.

"A touch of mercy is a virtue, Your Grace." Roose began to warn. "Too much-"

"Any Ironborn with the exception of Theon Greyjoy. He betrayed our cause. He betrayed me." Robb's face turned sad for a moment, before it hardened once more, "and we will hunt him down no matter where he runs."

"I expect his countrymen will turn on him the minute they hear the offer." Roose nodded, and Eliza agreed, though she would never say it aloud. She could not give that lord the satisfaction of hearing her agree with him, feeling that it would stroke his ego that was already overcompensating. The tent flaps rustled, and Greywind stood, huffing and growling quietly as Eliza twisted. 

Her temper flared, finding Talisa in the entrance of the tent, her hands clutched ahead of her, as Roose and Robb both stood up straight.

"Your pardon, my lord. Your Grace." Talisa turned, finding Eliza's narrowed grey eyes piercing through her body. "Your Grace."

"My lady." Roose turned, bowing his head at Eliza and Robb, before leaving the tent as they fell into an awkward silence that neither one knew how to fill.  

If Talisa expected Eliza to leave, then she was sorely mistaken. Eliza would not allow her to attempt to take her husband from her. Robb seemed to finally pick up on the tension, looking between the two women, as Eliza stood and smoothed her dress.

"Husband." Her voice was quiet, and cold, and there was a tone that Robb had not heard before present in it. It was a very clear warning that there was a choice to be made, and if he made the wrong one, then she would be fuming. Greywind curled further around Eliza, still growling and glaring, as Robb twisted to Talisa.

"Allow me to speak with my wife." He tried to force a smile, as Talisa nodded and left the tent, turning to face Eliza's dark glare. She was not scowling, nor was there anger on her face, in fact she looked completely calm. But her eyes told of an anger that Robb was well familiar with. He'd seen it enough in his sisters, and he knew to tread with caution. "Eliza?"

"How was you trip to the Crag?"

"Eliza."

"I hope it was enlightening." She spat quietly, as Robb raised an eyebrow.

"Eliza. There is no cause for anger."

"Is there not?"

"You know why she came with me to the Crag."

"Well, she has her supplies, so she can trot back along to the medics tent and stay there instead of intruding where she is not welcome." Eliza hissed, as Robb took a deep breath and shook his head.

"This childish jealousy is beneath you."

"Childish jealousy?" Eliza's eyebrows flew up in shock and outrage, the first signs of anger being seen on her face as she glared. "How dare you? She makes advances where she is not wanted and speaks to the king with a familiarity that is far beyond was society allows and you wish to tell me that my childish jealousy is beneath me?"

"She makes no advances." Robb replied.

"Can you honestly tell me that if we were not arranged to be married, you would have wished to marry me?"

"Eliza!"

"It is the truth! If you had your way, would you remain married to me, or would you run off with her because you wish for love!" Robb rubbed the bridge of his nose, glaring at the woman as she glared right back. "I know that you wish for love, but please, do not scorn me so in the process by having her around you so obviously."

"Eliza." Robb repeated her name again, catching her hands in his as she finally stopped, taking a deep breath and glaring at the wall behind him. "I do not scorn you, nor do I look for another. I am not in love with Talisa, nor do I wish to not remained married to you. It is true that I did not wish to be married when I was, but I am content with you, being married to you."

Eliza rolled her eyes, turning away, as Robb pulled her back.

"Listen to me, you stubborn woman," Her glare grew once more, mouth opening to snap. "I am married to you. I am content to be married to you. You are my queen, and one of my best advisors, do not doubt that."

Eliza fell silent, and Greywind finally settled, seemingly more in tune with his wife's feelings than he was with Robb's. The man merely sighed, pressing a kiss to Eliza's hands as she finally seemed to soften, before he tentatively pulled her into a hug.

It was awkward and strange, but Robb kept her close all the same, waiting until she wrapped her own arms around him softly to continue talking.

"I wished to have you by my side when I travelled to the Crag."

"You did?"

"Truly." Robb nodded, squeezing her a little tighter, before stepping away to smile. "I missed my very silent shadow."

"Then you would have appreciated me shouting at the war council the other day."

"I am sorry that I missed it." Robb jested, still holding onto her hands as he traced circles onto her cold palms, circling the ring that he had gifted her after they were married. "Though I have been told that you were quite the force. Perhaps you should lead the meetings more often."

"I shall leave that to you." Eliza replied, growing quieter, as Robb chuckled. Eliza very rarely raised her voice, so for her to be this open with him showed Robb just how upset Talisa was making her, and he could not have that.

He appreciated, and admired just how insightful Eliza was, even if she barely ever spoke her ideas aloud to others. The girl was more than content to whisper her ideas to Anceron, or on rare, blessed occasions, Robb, and have them explain it to the group.

"Come, it is late. We have more meetings in the morning." Robb squeezed her hands again.

"You have more meetings." Eliza corrected, finally stepping away from him to ruffle Greywind's fur as the wolf huffed and snapped playfully at Robb's hands in a warning. He watched as Eliza began to unbraid her dark curls, still smiling gently as he watched her. "I shall sit and watch."

She was beautiful, and lovely, and he cared for her more so than he ever could for Talisa. If she did not trust that, then he would have to prove it to her.

Hiya,

So, have another chapter, with Eliza finally being snarky and calling Robb out on Talisa. But, you do get Robb's internal monologue, of how he's just constantly in awe of  everything that she does and stands for. We love a man who simps. Also, Greywind consistently chooses Eliza over Robb, and I respect that.

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx