Savages - LolaStark

Chapter Eleven

[Robb]

The sound of quiet laughter filled the forest, stifled every few moments by lips covering lips. The weather was cool, a refreshing as it filled his lungs and left in spurts of laughter.

Robb couldn't stop smiling.

He had pulled Fallon out into the Wolfswood, despite her protests that he was much too busy to be wasting his time with her. That afternoon they spent in solitude, away from curious eyes and suspicious glances. It was only them. But as the sun moved in the sky, behind the clouds that loomed overhead, he knew their time would be fleeting.

It had only been a few weeks since the night she'd come to him in his chambers. Since then they'd been taking in every moment they could with one another. Secret moments in the corridors, stolen kisses that made her cheeks flush that shade of pink he loved so much.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this happy.

"You're simply too good a dancer, My Lady," he teased as he held her by her waist. "I can't keep up."

"Perhaps if you paid a little more attention to the dance rather than my lips, My Lord," she said, straightening his hold on her hip and dodging his lips .

She laughed, a sound he had come to love in all it's uniqueness. It was a pretty sound, the joy from Fallon Magnar bursting out for the world to hear. Robb had made it his mission in the last few weeks to make her laugh as much as he could. So far, not a day had gone by where she hadn't graced him with said laughter.

"Concentrate," she said, her voice mocking his and the way he'd been teaching her to shoot her bow with more accuracy.

She was still training with Theon, but she still managed to come to him with questions and excuses to have him help her with her stance. Of course she had no problems at all with her stance, only seemed to enjoy the way Robb would stand close behind her and whisper in her ear. Concentrate, he'd say before she'd release her arrow. She'd always laugh at his serious tone and often times mock him. He'd found the only way to stop her was to tickle her until she was forced to give up.

"You'll have to teach the servants these dances as well," he suggested. "For when my father returns."

"By then you'll be the expert," she told him, showing him how to spin her twice without stopping. She tripped once over his misplaced foot and he caught her easily, both of them laughing. "Well, maybe with a little more practice."

"Only if you are the one teaching me," he whispered, kissing her slowly.

Her lips were soft, and upturned into a blissful smile as they moved against his. He held her hand in his and pulled her in towards him with the other until there was no space between them but the thick fabric of their clothes. He loved the longful sigh that came from her mouth as he deepened the kiss, her fingertips lightly stroking the skin on the back of his hands before intertwining with his own.

A small patch of sunlight fell through the canopy of the trees, the warmth engulfing them as they clung to one another. He moved his lips from her mouth to her jawline, and then to the soft skin of her neck. She moaned quietly near his ear and the savage part of him was alight, squeezing her hand tight in his.

He felt his desire for her, building within him, his senses burning with everything that was her. The smell of her hair, the taste of her mouth, the sound of her shallow breathes so close to him that he could feel each one on his skin. He regained his self-control, pulling back and placing his head on her forehead and looking down into her green eyes that craved more.

"You have bewitched me, My Lady," he whispered, with a smile.

"Certainly it is you who has bewitched me, Mo Faol," she replied, bringing his hand to her lips and she kissed the palm of it, her eyes on his.

She had taken to calling him her 'wolf' as of late. She'd whisper the words in the Old Tongue to him when she knew no one else was listening and he'd smile, just as he was now. He pulled back but held onto her hand as he lead her down the pathway, the forest lush despite the cold. And he couldn't help but wish he could stay in that moment for always. But he couldn't ignore the looming feeling of knowing she might soon be gone.

"Do you think I'd like Skagos?" he asked her and she looked up at him with a curious grin, her eyebrow raised.

"I suppose you would," she said casually. "I can't imagine you as some Skagosi warrior though, with a longsword and a beard."

"Not until I was married, of course," he said, reminding her of the custom she'd told him. Only married men grew their beards out, as a symbol of their manhood. She laughed and nodded, stroking the stubble on his chin. "How many of your non-bearded men will fight for you in your tournament?" he asked her, referring to the games filled with warriors that would compete for the honor of marrying her, the Nighean.

"Too many for my liking," she said reluctantly. He knew she didn't like talking about it, but he couldn't help but feel curious about the obligation that kept her from following her heart. He knew of obligations, his betrothal that he had not choice in. At least she had a choice, even if it wasn't the ideal one. "My aunt had over a hundred men at her tournament, she married a son from House Stane, the house in the northernmost part of the island. She had long raven colored hair and ice colored eyes. Berach Stane was the strongest and the swiftest. And he had loved my aunt since the moment he'd he laid eyes on her years prior. I've visited them several times and never have I seen two people more in love."

"And it doesn't matter if they are of noble blood?" he asked and she shook her head.

"Once the Nighean picks her husband of the tournament winners, he too becomes a noble. There are only three noble houses on Skagos, so it's rare that the Nighean would marry another nobleman. However it does happen, as it did with my aunt. In that case she could choose to either take his name or he could take hers. She wanted to be a Stane, it was a great honor for their house," she explained. "And ours, to join our families."

"I'm sure somewhere in our families history, at least one Magnar's daughter married a King of Winter," he said with a smirk.

"Yes," she said with a smirk, rivaling his own. "Perhaps we are distant cousins." Her joke lead him to lift her up and tickle her until she retracted her previous statement. Grey Wind, who had been following them for some time yipped excitedly as the two of them laughed.

"House Stark would be a noble conquest for a Nighean," he told her and she nodded, hiding her grin.

"Perhaps," she said, smiling. "But he'd have to defeat a Skagosi warrior first, to prove himself worthy."

"Are you challenging my strength, My Lady?" he asked, with mock insult in his voice. She shrugged, her smile a tease.

"We do not joust," she reminded. "I'm not sure even the Warden of the North would lower himself to participate in such a barbaric tournament."

"You've never seen me handle a sword," he told her. "-Properly," he added when she went to protest that she had seen him spar in training. "You said there were tournament winners?" he asked curiously. "How are there more than one?"

"Usually there are several talented warriors who are worthy," she said. "The Nighean then chooses the final competition and whoever wins becomes her groom. It's a large ceremony that takes place afterwards, with a large feast in honor of the couple." She stopped their walk and looked up at him. "I thought we weren't going to talk about this," she asked. "You told me you didn't want to know."

"I guess I do now," he said. "I'm not going to just forget all about you once you're gone, Fallon," he said seriously, aware that their previous mood was now dampened because of his questions. "I want to think of you, to know what your life will be like after you leave. I'll never get to see you in your Skagosi wedding gown, or see your sons and daughters and their bright green eyes. I will need something to imagine."

"You could imagine something else," she suggested, with a small smile.

"What do you mean?" he asked and she pulled him towards a patch of grass beneath a large willow tree. She laid back, and urged him to do the same, still holding onto his hand as she closed her eyes. Grey Wind settled down after a few moments of staring down at him curiously, lying close enough to him that his large head lie right on Robb's booted leg.

"Just close your eyes," she whispered and he looked at her peaceful form, her eyes closed her lips damp as she licked them slightly. She peeked out, noticing he was still looking and laughed. "Go one, close them."

He did as she asked, smiling slightly as he did so and relaxed, squeezing her hand in his.

"Now," she whispered, her voice soft as it carried with the breeze. "Imagine the moors full of lush green fields, reaching up to touch the snow-capped mountains. They're rugged and tall, so tall they climb up into the misty, low-hanging clouds." He did his best, picturing the land she spoke of so often, building a picture in his mind that seemed so difficult without seeing it first-hand. He had never had much of an imagination as a boy, but he did his best to transform what he knew, using her rich descriptions.

"I see it," he said once he finally could grasp onto an image.

"Imagine yourself riding throughout the moors, atop that great steed of yours," he smiled as he imagined Conall, the stubborn but loyal horse that he'd had since his sixteenth name day. A gift from his father. "The rains fall slightly and the skies thunder above, but they do this so often you don't mind. Fiachra and I are there, she's prancing around joyfully because you know how much she loves the rain." Fiachra was Fallon's mare, named for her raven black coat and her swiftness. He laughed at the image. "Together we explore the country until we reach the sea, near Kingshouse. The air is cool, so cool I can see your breath and yet I let my barefeet sink into the sand as the cool ocean water rushes over them."

"You'll freeze," he teased but she squeezed his hand.

"You won't let me," she whispered.

Robb listened to her continue her story, talking about the ships passing and the sailors waving. She spoke of their adventures in the mountains and of Grey Wind racing them through the valleys. Robb could picture it all, her silly laugh, her cheeks pink from the brisk wind. It was almost as if it was a real memory, their fingers intertwined as they were now.

A long moment passed when she didn't say anything, only sat there, listening to the wind as it blew overhead and the sounds of birds periodically singing in the branches above. And then he felt her hand on his cheek and he looked up to see her looking down at him, her long hair falling on either side of his face as their eyes locked.

"When you think of me, Mo Faol, think of those moments," she whispered.

"Will you think of me as well?" he asked her, placing his hand over hers as it rested on his cheek. She nodded.

"I will think of you always," she told him before he pulled her lightly towards him and kissed her. He rolled her onto her back as she began to kiss him more fervently than before, his weight upon her. He was careful to keep most of his weight off of her though she tugged him closer and closer.

Gone were the thoughts of duty and honor as he was engulfed in all of her. He did not remind himself that they were to be forever imprisoned by their hearts, separated by the burdens of the lives they were meant to live. It might have been wrong, but Robb had never felt that something was so right, so perfect, so meant to be. Here with Fallon in his arms, nothing else mattered. His heart was forever wedded to hers, no matter their fates.

Love finally had meaning.

[Rowan]

Rowan was once again lost in the maze that was Winterfell. He'd told Fallon he might as well have needed a map to navigate the dark corridors in the night. And now he was wandering, searching for a room or a stairwell that looked somewhat familiar. It was Enat who had sent him out from her chambers, in search of more blankets that would keep her warm on this crisp night.

Of course he'd agreed to look for them, but after spending so long losing his way, he had finally given up. He walked back in the direction that was Enat's rooms and felt along the wall until he heard whispers that made him stop in his tracks. It was too dark to see the figures, only their outlines as the huddled by one of the chamber doors. There was quiet laughter, followed by muffled sounds that made him think he'd run across a lovers' tryst.

He smiled and went to walk in the opposite direction before he heard the distinct sound of a familiar voice.

"No one will even notice we're gone until the night," he whispered and Rowan's brow furrowed in curiosity.

"I can't just go Theon," the woman's voice said, aggravated. "I have a responsibility here," he said and Rowan's suspicions were confirmed. Theon and Kathryn were hardly a stone's throw away and they weren't aware of his presence.

"It's the only opportunity we'll have to be together," he insisted. "You don't even love him, you told me that."

"It doesn't matter...I told you none of that matters. I am not marrying him for love," she whispered harshly and Rowan realized this was a conversation that was not meant for overhearing.

"If it's the title you want, then come to Pike. My father will be king again and I am the only heir he has left."

"You're father won't be king, Theon. He's lucky he's not less a head for the crimes he committed against the crown. The best you could offer would be to make me a lady of Pike. Am I supposed to jump at the offer to live my life smelling of rotted fish?"

"Do not speak of my home as if you're better than it, I am of noble blood as well!" Theon said, raising his voice.

"I am better than it!" Kathryn replied in a hushed whisper, with venom in her voice. "And you are not a Lord, not any more. You're no better than Fallon, a wretch who is only a shadow of the Skagg she once was."

The insult caused Rowan to clench his fists. He could hear her footsteps against the stone, coming his way and he hid around the corner as not to be discovered.

"He loves her you know," Theon said bitterly. "He will never love you."

Her footsteps stopped then and she stood in one spot for several moments before Rowan heard her speak again.

"That may be," she whispered. "But they'll never be together. They're both too righteous to ignore their duties. She'll be gone before long and I will be the one with his name."

"You're wrong," was what Theon said next and he didn't need to see Kathryn to know she was was glaring at him. Kathryn didn't like to be told she was wrong. But she was.

"What?" she asked and Theon chuckled, the bitterness still in his voice.

"I've seen them together. Robb may be honorable but the more he comes to love her - the less likely he is to marry you."

"You are lying."

"I'm not," Theon said, his tone now victorious. "Ask him. He's a wretched liar."

Kathryn was fuming then, taking several moments to gather her wits before she stormed off in the opposite direction. Rowan could smell her hair as she passed and couldn't help but smile at her current state.

Theon closed his door and Rowan was left alone in the corridors. His walk back to Enat's chambers was slow as he contemplated what he had just heard. But he knew he held very important information.

His only worry now was what to do with it.

[Fallon]

The flames of the fireplace burned late into the night as Fallon sat in Robb's bed her back up against the headboard and Robb leaning back against her chest as she played with his auburn curls with a grin on her face.

They often spent late nights together in his room until the fire would burn out and she would leave before the sun rose. She had become so used to falling asleep with the warmth of his body closeby and found that when she slept alone she would sometimes wake up reaching for him. She hated all the sneaking around. But if they wanted their time together, this was the life they had to live. One of secrets and whispers, of kisses in corners when no one was looking and hands held away from prying eyes.

It was enough to drive her mad.

But no matter how frustrating it was, she couldn't get enough of him. She had never felt so alive under his touch and no matter the risk, there was no stopping her now. All reason had gone out the window and she was left at the mercy of her heart and the things she felt in the arms of Robb Stark.

Another night together seemed to flee just as fast as their time in the forest. They had stayed up late into the night, Robb telling her stories of Winterfell when he was a boy. He was surprisingly bad at telling stories, she decided. He always tried to skip the best bits and she would laugh and tell him to go back and explain what he'd tried to glaze over. But she enjoyed them nonetheless. Stories of Robb as a wide-eyed child running across the moors with Jon and Theon.

"You skipped the part about you falling into the mud," she said through a fit of giggles and he looked up at her from where his head was now resting in her lap.

"You've heard this story five times already. Can I not spare myself more embarrassment by skipping that bit this time?" he asked her and she shook her head. "Well if you know it so well, why don't you tell it?"

"Because I like the way you tell it," she insisted, kissing the top of his head.

"You like to hear me make a fool of myself, you mean?" he added, touching the ends of her hair that fell near his face, the plaited hair wrapped nicely at the end in a green ribbon that matched her eyes. "I have told enough stories, it's your turn."

"Perhaps the time for stories has passed," she whispered pressing her lips against his, both of them smiling.

He pulled himself out of her lap and crawled back up towards her, sliding her small form underneath him where he could feel her body pressed up against him. Her nightgown was thin enough that he could feel the warmth of her breasts on his bare chest. Her knees were bent, resting on either side of his hips as they lie there, their lips attached and their hearts intertwined. He let his hand travel up over the soft skin of her knee, then under the thin fabric of her nightgown over her thighs. Her fingers were tangled in his hair, pulling him closer to her.

He didn't want to stop, he wanted all of her then, feeling his desire continuing to grow. But he also knew that they shouldn't continue down this path or neither would be able to control what would inevitably happen. But her grasp was tight and his self-control was fading.

It was the knock at the door that interrupted them, pulling his lips from hers as they both glanced at the door. It was late, they knew that. But still a knock was heard and Fallon immediately climbed out of his bed and searched for a place to hide.

"Just a moment," he said to the knocker as he pulled his tunic on and watched Fallon slide under his bed where she wouldn't be spotted.

When he unlocked the door, he saw that it was Kathryn standing there, looking furious as she barged in, looking around the room suspiciously.

"Kathryn," he said, surprised. "What are you doing up so late?"

"I have been hearing some nasty rumors Robb," she said angrily, glancing at the bed. It was, of course a mess, but it was also the middle of the night and Robb did his best to look as though he had just been awoken.

"What are you talking about? It's the middle of the night," he told her and she stood in front of him, her arms crossed over her chest.

"I heard some rumors, that you have been spending a lot of time with Fallon, as of late," she asked him, looking around as she asked him.

"I am hearing accusations, so what are you really asking me?" he asked, annoyed with her tone. Perhaps he was sneaking around with Fallon, and they both knew it was wrong. But he and Kathryn weren't married yet nor did they love one another. Maybe he should have felt bad, held himself accountable, but for some reason he couldn't. He couldn't condemn his feelings for the woman currently hiding under his bed.

"Are you having an affair Robb, tell me," she asked, gritting her teeth.

"No," he said honestly, or as honestly as he could. "Did someone tell you I was?"

"Perhaps," she said quietly, walking over towards the bed. Robb tried not to look where Fallon was hiding, and instead kept his eyes on the tapestry on the wall across from him. She paused near the bed and sat down at the edge.

"It's late, Kathryn. Go to bed," he said sternly.

"She's leaving you know," she whispered. "She's going back to Skagos to live her savage lifestyle. And she won't be back."

"Yes, I am aware."

She stood then, walking back over to him until she stood nearly face to face with him. She was taller than Fallon, tall enough that he didn't have to look down much to catch her eye. Her brows were still furrowed angrily.

"Well then," she whispered. "I'm sure you are also aware that I have no intentions of leaving. I intend to be your wife, Robb." He wasn't sure what to say to that, he only nodded. "I am not going to let her stand in the way of that. And you may think me some naive girl, but I am not so naive that I do not know you have feelings for her."

"My feelings?" he asked her, a bitter laugh following. She knew nothing of his feelings for Fallon. She only knew what she thought she saw. That wasn't even the beginning.

"Feel what you may, but you ought to keep your distance from her," she whispered harshly. "She will only bring you pain in the end. Of that, I can assure you."

And without another word she walked out, slamming the door to solidify the tantrum she was throwing as she ran back to her rooms. Robb wasn't sure what she meant by her statement regarding Fallon, but he knew that Kathryn liked to play games and he wasn't interested in her desire to control him. He would not be controlled.

"We are not being careful enough," Fallon whispered from behind him. He turned to see her looking up at him, her plaited hair undone as she placed her hands on his chest. "Someone has seen us."

"No one has seen us," he said, still feeling bothered by Kathryn's warnings. "We can hide our affection Fallon but I cannot always hide the way I feel for you. I'm sure she isn't blind."

"You should take care not to show me so much favor," Fallon said seriously.

"You are the only one I care to favor," he said, stroking her cheek, his thumb lightly touching her lips.

"Just," she started to say but then sighed. "Just do not anger her too much. There is no telling what she might do if provoked." Robb pulled her chin up so her eyes met his. He smiled.

"Do not fret, my love," he said reassuringly. "There is nothing she can do to hurt us."

Fallon didn't look quite convinced at his words, but gave him a small smile, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly before he planted a kiss over it. He didn't want her to worry about Kathryn. The girl liked to use threats to get her way, but he had never before seen her follow through. Kathryn wanted to marry Robb, therefore she wouldn't do anything to harm him.

It was only Fallon who wasn't convinced.

[Enat]

"You must tell her!" Enat whispered harshly as she pulled a dress out of the wardrobe, setting it on Fallon's bed.

Rowan had been pacing the room since they'd both walked in, finding the chambers empty and he'd started, again, spouting the story he'd relayed to her the previous night. But he wasn't convinced of what he should do with the information. Enat on the other hand thought Fallon should be told immediately.

"Why must she know at all?" he asked and Enat glared up at him as she stitched a few of the sleeves that were starting to stretch.

"Why must she know? Rowan, we are talking about your sister! Fallon loves a man she believes she can never be with because he is betrothed. Now you are telling me his betrothed is having relations with one of his men?"

"Are we even sure Fallon isn't doing the exact same thing?" Rowan asked then. It wasn't that he disapproved exactly. He had been the one to push his sister to Robb in the first place and their connection was only natural. It was only a matter of time before the two became lovers. But Kathryn and Theon doing the same thing was none of his concern.

"Fallon deserves to know," Enat insisted.

"Well I won't be the one to tell her, and neither will you," he said sternly and Enat laughed as he tried to command her.

"And why not? Kathryn has insulted her. You said so yourself!"

"Kathryn has insulted us all, Enat! Fallon is a bigger person than to let a few ugly names upset her," Rowan said.

"Then you at least have a responsibility to Robb," Enat said, her hands on her hips. "He should know that Theon is sneaking around with his betrothed. To know what kind of man he's trusting with his life."

"So he can condemn the man to chains?" Rowan asked angrily. "From the way it sounded, the girl means to marry Robb."

"And from the way it sounded, Theon wanted to take her away!" Enat snapped.

Both Rowan and Enat glared at one another as they often had in the past when they argued. Neither wanted to back down and from the way it looked now, neither was going to.

"And if I say something, that will never happen," Rowan said calmly. Enat furrowed her brow in confusion. "If Theon manages to convince her to leave, then it will be Kathryn who breaks the engagement."

"He would be free of his burden," Enat whispered in realization.

"Yes," he said. "But if I tell him, he will be obligated as Lord of Winterfell to act on it. Do you think he would thank me for being the reason he must scorn his closest friend."

"But is Theon a friend for what he has done?"

"Everyone knows Robb doesn't love her. Theon would never have touched her otherwise."

"You clearly don't know him very well," Enat said, rolling his eyes.

"We can't say anything, at least not yet," Rowan said and Enat started to nod her head.

"Can't say anything about what?" they both heard, turning their heads towards the door where Fallon was now standing with an apple in her hand, leaning against the door frame.

Enat was quickest to react.

"Oh Rowan!" she said swatting his shoulder. He looked at her as if she was crazy. "I told you not to say anything. I didn't want her to know."

"What?!" he asked with a confused expression on his face.

"You've spoiled the surprise," she said and he started to catch on to her ploy. Fallon on the other hand, had a raised eyebrow in suspicion.

"What's going on you two?" Fallon asked with a grin.

"Well, go on tell her about the trip to the village, now that you've ruined it," Enat said and Rowan looked over at his sister who was now glancing at him expectantly.

"We wanted to surprise you, or he did really," he said carefully, looking to Enat who nodded. "Robb has planned for us to go to the village festival, after breakfast." Fallon smiled.

"I knew he was hiding something," she said. "He told me he had appointments in White Harbor, that we were going to miss the festival." She took another bite of her apple as she contemplated the surprise. She then started back out the door, leaving Enat and Rowan looking at one another with wide eyes. They waited several moments before either one spoke.

"You nearly ruined it," Enat said and they spent the next half hour arguing over who had had been the one to nearly spill their secret. All the while, ignoring the fact that one of them would still have to tell Robb - eventually.

[Fallon]

She was nearly done with her apple as she walked excitedly through the corridors, her smile not leaving her face. She'd just overheard Rowan and Enat talking about Robb's surprise for her and her previous disappointment at missing the festival was now replaced with the buzzing feeling of anticipation. She had been anticipating the festival for weeks.

She had just rounded the corner leading towards the main stairwell when she then felt a hand over her mouth as someone pulled her towards the dark corner behind the statue shaped like a direwolf. She tried to struggle but was soon face to face with her attacker, who donned a large grin as he removed his hand.

Robb.

Her smile was larger now as she stood there, trying to calm her now speeding heart from the panic it had previously started building. She swatted him on the shoulder.

"You scared me," she whispered and she looked around briefly to find that there was no one else in sight. He responded by kissing her swiftly.

"I'm sorry, love," he said quietly, then aiming his kisses towards her jawline and her neck before she started giggling slightly.

"This is not exactly the type of subtlety I was was talking about, Robb," she said, amused but he only covered her reprimanding lips with his own. Biting down on them lightly until she moaned his name. She pulled away slightly, catching her breath and glanced up at him with a knowing smile.

"Aren't you supposed to be on a horse, halfway to White Harbor by now?" she asked him and he placed his hands on the wall on either side of her where she was pushed up against and looked at her expression curiously.

"Someone told you," he said after several moments and she tried to hide her smile, unsuccessfully.

"Told me what?" she said, looking away and he laughed.

"Who ruined the surprise?" he asked her, looking like a dejected child.

"So we are going to the festival?" she asked excitedly and as he nodded, she threw her arms around his neck.

"It's just as well that someone finally told you," Robb told her. "It was hard seeing you mope around every time someone brought up the subject."

"You are the sweetest man I know, Lord Stark," she whispered against his lips before standing back upright and urging him back into the corridor.

"Come on, woman," he said endearingly. "The quicker we get you some breakfast, the quicker we can get you to that festival."

They staggered their arrival into the dining hall. Robb went first and sat down in his usual spot where Kathryn was sitting to the his right. Fallon made her way down some time after, finding it very frustrating to have to wait so long in between their entrances. When she finally did walk in, she sat down across the table from Robb and Kathryn, right in between Rowan and Rickon, per usual.

She was too excited to eat much, but she did enjoy the chatter at the table as Bran told Fallon of all of his favorite things they'd be seeing at the festival. Several times she glanced quickly at Robb who was laughing with Rickon and Bran at the stories they were telling. She liked the smile on his face, she decided and was excited that they would be spending the day together, without Kathryn who seemed to have other plans of her own for the day, that didn't include going to 'a festival full of peasants', or so she described it.

But when Fallon glanced up at the blond sitting across from her, something caught her eye that made her smile fade slowly. All sound seemed to quiet as her eyes were glued to the object in question and she had all but blocked out the laughter around her as she shifted uncomfortably.

There in front of her, Kathryn was pushing her hair over her shoulder, and holding it together was a vibrant, green ribbon that Fallon would recognize anywhere. Embroidered with flowers that only grew on the southernmost part of Skagos, was the ribbon Fallon's mother had given to her years ago. But it was Kathryn's hair it was tying back. And suddenly, Fallon understood, remembering where she had lost it and where it was most certainly found.

Kathryn knew.