thespherelogs | The Rains Weep O'er Their Halls

Entry tags:

The Rains Weep O'er Their Halls

Who: Robb Stark and YOU
Where: Outside of a bar
What: Arrival
When: 5/8
Warnings: Mentions of death and violence, ptsd. Drunken sex, NSFW.

[He isn't in the best mind frame as he's told where he is and that he is here for a reason. In his mind, he can still hear the "Rains of Castamere" and hear the screaming of his men. He can hear his mother begging for his life and see his wife on the floor. His death wrapped around him like a cloak, leaving him in a deep fog as he wanders, searching for something and nothing at the same time.

Eventually he finds somewhere that looks close enough to a tavern, but the act of opening the door is too much for his body, still sore and aching from his wounds. They may have healed, but he could still feel them. Some things couldn't be erased. With his hand on the door, he stands for a moment, staring at it, as though expecting it to warp and change.

There was someone next to him, but his thoughts are so jumbled, it's hard to make them out from the corner of his eye. He has to shake himself to remember he's blocking the entrance.]

I'm sorry. Am I in your way?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She was as far from a maid as you could get.]

Good.

[She lets him hold her, shifting against him to make herself comfortable. She keeps her head against his chest, lazily drawing circles on the skin there.]

No! I like it that way. Did I hurt you?

[It's a question that makes him chuckle as his breathing begins to slow to a normal pace.]

I can't say I've done it that way before, but no, it was good. [He'd feel it in the morning, but it wasn't as if he was planning to go anywhere or do anything. For the first time in his life, he could be lazy and stay in bed.] I don't think I can feel that sort of pain anymore.

[Dying kind of outweighed anything else.]

Good. [She looks up to kiss him briefly.]

You'll have to show me how you usually do it, if it's so different in your strange strange country. [He was the strange one, not her. France was super normal.]

[He's silent for a moment, considering what to say. He couldn't show it to her, not the way he was used. It was passionate like this, but it had been lovemaking with Jeyne. It would never be the same as with his wife.]

I only ever bedded my wife before this.

Ah. I see. [She says sagely.]

I have been with the man who called himself my husband, yes. And others, besides. Do not think less of me, my chere Robb. But if you are disgusted, I understand.

But I am happy to be the second woman you've been with.

I'm not. [When she said she was a tavern owner's daughter, he automatically assumed that she wasn't a maid. Too often, tavern wenches warmed the bed of certain patrons. Theon had bragged about bedding one in Winter's Town enough times in the past. Had he been a different man, he might have found his own companion.

After death, he slipped far.] What I've done, my family would disapprove of, but I'd do it again. [If only for some peace.] I don't judge you, I judge myself.

[For so many reasons.]

I didn't plan for this, but I don't mind.

[She could poke holes in his words. HIs family would disprove of her? That his actions, in being with her, were shameful? She knew it was true, however. She was no one a friend of royalty should bring home to meet his parents.

That honor went to ladies.]

Do not judge yourself for what brings you pleasure. Sometimes, often times, it is all you have.

And you bring me pleasure.

[He knew the many reasons they would disapprove, and sadly, some of it would be for Eponine's character and standing. It wasn't as if minded such things. Jeyne was a Lannister bannerman and far lower in social standing than he was, but he loved her anyway.

Given the timing and his quick jump into Eponine's bed, that was where he would hear it the most.]

The last time I let myself choose my pleasure over my duty, it lead to my men being killed.

[But he wasn't king now. He was just a man and a lost one.]

You do for me as well. I need this and you to sleep through the night.

So what duties do you have in death?

[She has to ask him calmly. There aren't any duties here, no hierarchy or social status. She hadn't been here long, but she'd enjoyed it already for those reasons. There was food here, and comfortable beds and warm clothes.]

I meant my words; you are welcome in my bed as long as you will have me, and I shall be at the tavern as well.

I don't, but I should have honor.

[There's doubt in his voice though. As much as he knows he should have it, to live up to his father, it seemed unlikely he could ever fully manage it. He had already fallen so far, did it really matter if he fell further?]

This isn't my world and I'm lord and king of nothing. I need this, I need the tavern, whatever others might say.

[Without Jeyne or their child, there was little point in being the man he was once.]

I mean to take that offer, so long as I haven't offended you.

King? [That's what catches her attention more than anything else and she's welcome for it. She'll cling to that word so she doesn't have to be aware of how little he must think of her. Everyone does, it's nothing new to her.]

Oh, my father would not like that. He supported our Emperor, when he reigned. [But at the same time, kings=money and Thénardier had eyes for gold. It didn't matter. He wasn't here, and she would never see her father again. Good.]

No, you may stay. Nothing you could say would offend me. I have heard it all.

[He gave another huff, his face pinched with distaste at the word now. It might have been an honor once, one he tried to fulfill, but now it was like a stain on his mind. A smell that wouldn't dissipate.]

I was once. If I'm not who I was when I lived then I'm nothing now. [Still, he had to smile at Eponine, imagining her father disapproving for political reasons.] How is an Emperor different than a king?

[He regards her softly for a moment.]

You're not different in my eyes, Eponine. I don't think less of you.

You will be my king. I will pay you taxes of shots and kisses. [She smiles again at him, unable to take her eyes from the handsome man above her. How lucky she had been, if not in life, then in death.

She laughs at the question] I do not know! I am not a learned girl, I could not tell you.

[She regards him, her own eyes softening, her lips parting lightly.] Thank you. I should hate to be lesser, in your eyes. I want you to like me.

I'd rather be a man. [But he'll steal a kiss anyway, brushing some of her hair from her face. He doesn't want to think about Westeros, not his life there or what he left behind, dead or alive.

He chuckled again, giving her a small squeeze.] Do you read?

[He smiled genuinely.] I do like you.

A man, then.

[This thought gets her to nod eagerly, lighting up.] I do! I know my letters and numbers! But we had no money for books or newspapers, if we had any they were burned for warmth.

I do, like you, too.

[Her glee is endearing, even if the image of her suffering is disturbing. It really drove home how privileged he was. Jeyne had been viewed as beneath him, but even she had a home and books.] You can learn more now that you're here. You don't have to choose between reading and warmth.

[This place could at least offer her that.]

Then I will read often. Perhaps I can find books about France, and I will read to you of my home, if you wish!

[Such a simple thing, reading to someone, but the idea of curling up next to Robb with a good book and a warm blanket was nothing short of heaven.]

Do this, or you will die. Those are not choices. Here, I will make all the choices I want, without the consequence of death should I fail or choose wrong. There is a tomorrow, for the first time in a long time here.

And tomorrow, you will be here with me.

That seems a fair deal. Or you can read me anything you like.

[He didn't mind. It was clear she was proud of her ability and he would like just listening to someone instead of thinking. Eponine had a sweet enough voice, it could be soothing.]

Was it that difficult for you? [It made him regret unburdening all of his losses to her. At the end, he knew he was a little lordling who never went hungry in his life. No doubt he seemed little better than a boy like Joffrey. Eponine understood the world better than he did, even now.] If you like, I will take you to eat whatever you want. What have you always wanted to try?

[He nodded, squeezing her again.]

Aye, and the day after.

Then I will.

[She considers the question he poses. Was it difficult? He was a king, he had no idea what difficult was. Though surely his life had been hard, it had been different from hers in ways that could not be ignored.]

It was- my father had my sister put her hand through a window to break the pane, once. A man was coming to our home, and he hoped to gain the man's sympathy and coin. There were nights I could not sleep because I knew if I did I would not wake for it was so cold. I have been so hungry I no longer felt hungry. [She hesitates to say more, not wanting to find herself receiving any more pity from her new companion.]

But that is over. I'm here, now, and you will take me to try wonderful food- oh I wish to eat everything! There are such beautiful pastries I have seen in the windows, beautiful colors and garnishes. I would like something like that, if we can find it here.

[She giggles, and nuzzles him]

Good, I should like that very much, to wake to you every morning.

[The cold likely wouldn't suit her now that she was free of it, but the mention brought his mind to Winterfell. The weather there was no for the faint hearted and southron girls never had much interest in experiencing the harshness of the lands.

Her father sounded close to Walder Frey, using unscrupulous means to get what he wanted. Wealth and power went hand in hand. If he had to, Robb could imagine Walder Frey dressing up however he needed to get his wish. Hadn't he done that with his hoards of daughters and granddaughters? Her father was cut from the same cloth.

He held her tighter, as though it would shield her from the past. It was a wonder she was so cheerful. It wouldn't stop at pastries and foods. If he could find the coin, he would give her other pretty trinkets.]

Anything you want. If you want to eat only pastries one day, you can. [He just needed coin now.]

You don't even know if I snore yet.

[She cuddles up against him, curling in so he could hold her better. She kisses his chest.]

Then I will eat only pastries one day.

No, but neither do you! I could be a terrible snorer and take all of the blankets, leaving you to freeze your toes off.

[She uses this time to touch his calf with her rather cold toes.]

I'm used to the cold as well. After sleeping in war camps, I think I can sleep anywhere.

[So long as he had someone to face the dark with.]

What about dresses and other trinkets? I could see if something is made for you?

[He shivers, his hand reaching lower down her back to grab her again, pulling her closer in response. His lips seized hers again.]

As can I.

But for now, we will sleep here, together.

[She giggles again, squealing with delight at his kisses. This was far better than she had expected the night to go, but now here, she never wanted it to end. She truly liked this man, as he liked her. It was so fast, but... She was no stranger to such things.]

Yes! Oh I shall never turn down gifts from such a handsome man as you! I would love a beautiful dress with frills and ribbons! I have not had anything so grand. [She doesn't expect him to follow through. But she likes the thought.] A dress to make me look beautiful.

[It's strange to feel playful in a woman's bed that wasn't his wife, but her glee and warmth brought him out of his dark brooding. He grinned down at her, bumping her nose with his. He didn't lie, he did like her. What they shared, he couldn't really put a label to it. She understood what he was suffering, the darkness and nightmares. It bonded them.

Sometimes that was more important than love.]

It shouldn't be hard then. A sackcloth would make you beautiful. [He'd have to ask Sansa to make her something. That at least he could afford for now. He would just say it was for a friend to avoid difficult questions.] Do you have a color you like?

You say such beautiful things, is it any wonder I took you to my bed?

[She's already imagining herself in some stunning ballgown. SHe has no idea what Westerosi fashions look like.]

You would not think that at home. But I will spare you the sight.

Oh, yes. I like green. Green, and blue. Bright colors, that make you happy.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject