Savages - LolaStark

A/N: Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews. Also, just so everyone knows, when I use 'the old tongue' I'm just using a botched form gaelic so it's nothing I'm making up, just boring from what I would imagine the old tongue would sound like. I'm not creative enough to make up my own language. Enjoy and let me know what you think of Ch6! xoLola

Chapter 6

[Fallon]

The winds whispered against her cheek as the sun rose in the East. The light was hardly noticeable as knelt there silently, her prayers quiet in the depths of her mind. Her hand was placed gently against the bark of the ancient tree, the face that watched her bowed head and lips moving without sound.

She couldn't remember how long she'd been out here. Had it been an hour, perhaps two? It was still dark when she sought out the tree and gave up her prayers to the gods of old. If they answered her, it was subtle, so subtle even that her patience was wearing thin. She'd waited months for word from home and yet there had been not one letter addressed to her. Enat's letters had stopped as well. The ones she'd received were all Fallon had left of her brothers and of Aedan.

She found that history was once again repeating itself. Where once it might have been the truth, her admission of her love of Aedan to Robb was beginning to sound so much more like a lie. She thought after him often, less often by the day though. It was hard to think of him, his smile or his touch, the way his lips touched her forehead, or worse, the way his lips felt against her own. It was enough to bring her stomach to knots, to scorch her heart until she felt as if only ashes were left in the cavity of her chest. The more time she was apart from him, the less that flame burned and she began to wonder what had caused such a change.

She could now hear the cock crowing in it's roost. It wouldn't be long before the family would rise, before she would find herself at Bran's bedside. She'd spent most of the night thinking of stories he hadn't already heard. There weren't many. So many days passed that she could barely keep count of them. Only Catelyn counted the days, reminding the Maester that another day had gone by with Bran's eyes still closed shut against the world.

But he was alive, breathing. That mattered too. She'd stopped trying to remind her Lady of that. Catelyn was a mother whose heart was dangling by a thin thread. There was no comforting her until Bran's eyes opened and stared back at his mother's longing gaze.

Fallon's eyes opened and she let the light fill them as she glanced up into the canopy of the large tree and watched as a Raven looked down at her. She furrowed her brow as she watched it, it's head cocked to the side curiously as it, too, watched her. She held her arm out and it only paused a moment before stepping off its perch and landing on her wrist. She cringed slightly at the feeling of it's talons against her skin, ignoring the pain as she pulled a noted from the bird's small tarsus.

"Thank you," she whispered and the Raven responded by leaping from her arm, back into the air towards the rookery where it would claim its reward. She then looked down to the parchment, her fingers working quickly on the thread tying it closed. By the time it opened, she could read the short message with ease.

'The winter village at sundown, with your master'

She'd recognize the handwriting in the old tongue anywhere. She'd seen her brother always writing since he was a child. His script hadn't changed much over the years and she recognized the curtness in the angled lettering. It belonged to Broden.

She wasted no time in hurrying in towards the castle. She maneuvered the corridors easily as she searched carefully for the room she sought out. It was near to Bran's, in the Eastern part of the house, but had the corner window that looked out over the moors, just like hers. She remembered the steps, remembered the way the handle was bent slightly and made the door difficult to open. She latched her hand around the bent piece of iron and twisted until it opened slowly.

She could see the light leaking in through the window farthest from her. It fell lightly upon his features, she noticed as she stepped closer. One arm was draped over his pillow above his head whilst the other lie still over the blankets covering the lower half of his body. His upper half was bare, the hair on his chest slightly darker than the auburn stubble that grew on his chin, and now shone in the small rays of light.

The sight of his curls, the russet color that they were placed messily atop his head caused her to smile ever so slightly. Robb really was a handsome man, despite all the time she tried to convince herself she was indifferent to such things. Of course she'd noticed. He was a far cry from the darkness Jon Snow's Stark features, but still donned a face that reminded her of the kindness of Ned Stark's. His light hair reminded her of Rowan's, both had the same curve in their jaw. But Robb was beautiful, as if he was carved out by the gods themselves. If she were a younger girl, she thought she would have perhaps reached out to touch his delicate curls with her small fingertips. But instead she just watched the rise and fall of his chest until she worked up the nerve to wake him.

"Stark," she whispered quietly and his eyes opened slowly at first, taking in her features until recognition fell over his blue orbs. The color reminded her of the ocean she'd sit and watch for hours on end as a girl. Like the color of the sea on the rare day that the sun shone above and she could see that the water was no longer grey.

"Fallon?" he said groggily and she placed her finger over her lips.

"Sh...it's still early," she whispered back, kneeling by his bed. He sat up, slowly at first as he found his bearings.

"Is something wrong?" he asked even quieter this time and she shook her head.

"No. At least, I don't think so," she told him and handed him the bit of parchment. He took it in one hand as the other reached for a cup of what she assumed was stale water on his bedside table. His eyes looked over the words and his brow furrowed carefully. He must have read it a dozen times before looking back up at her, his gaze catching hers that had been lingering on the smooth moonlight color that stained his shoulders.

"I don't understand all of it," he said and she nodded, knowing he'd been trying since they'd met to learn a little bit of the old tongue. She told him it wasn't necessary, that all Skagosi spoke both the Old Tongue and the Common. But he'd insisted. But as he started at the words, she could see his months of practice weren't over. "Winter village? And...leader? Is this from one of your brothers?" he asked in confusion and she nodded with a secret grin as he strained with the translation.

"Broden wants you and I to meet him, this night, at the foot of the Winter village outside the castle," she explained and he seemed to consider it for a moment as he looked over the parchment once more before handing it back.

"What is the Lord of Kingshouse doing so far from your home? Why wouldn't he send Rowan...or..." he didn't finish but Fallon knew that he meant Aedan. She didn't acknowledge the annoyance in his trailing off and instead answered his question with one of her own.

"I can't be sure why Broden came all the way here. But I can assure you he wouldn't leave Skagos unless it was important. Perhaps he just wants to visit. It has been many months since I left home. Will you meet with him?"

"Yes of course," he told her. "We'll leave after supper, I'll take you so the village and we'll meet this warlord brother of yours," he said with a grin that seemed to catch him off guard and he quickly hid it with the brim of his goblet as he sipped more water, cringing at the taste.

Fallon could see the tension returning between them. Since Robb had admitted his feelings for her, though still undefined feelings as of now, there had been very little interaction between the two of them. She had noticed he was spending more time with Kathryn, tending to her need for attention. And that was okay with Fallon. Or at least it would have been had Robb been doing it for his own sake. But the only reason he insisted upon spending so much time listening to the younger girl's boring chatter was to prove to Fallon that his feelings for her had ceased.

But she could tell from the way his eyes lingered on her lips just a moment too long, that it was all for show.

She looked away, pretended not to notice the longing behind those blue eyes of his. Instead she stood and without so much as a look back in his direction, she walked out, shutting the door behind her. She leaned up against the stone wall and felt something in her chest fall at ease, though the feeling was a foreign one. Whatever it was, it was gone as quickly as it came. And she was left standing there in the darkness of the corridors, with only a sense of dread creeping over her.

She'd feigned a sense of ease in the presence of Robb. But she knew if Broden had ridden all the way to Winterfell.

Something was very, very wrong.

[Theon]

"Missed again?! And here I was starting to think you were getting better," Theon scoffed when she once again missed the target, making it her fifth straight miss since they'd started that afternoon. "Did you switch bodies with Kathryn when I wasn't looking?" he joked and she grunted in frustration when she missed again.

"If I'd have switched bodies with Kathryn," she started as she pulled the next arrow back and looking down the length of it as she focused on the target. "You'd have noticed," she finished as he placed his arm over hers and lowered the bow slightly.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" he asked, moving her thumb and forefinger into a tighter position against the arch of the bow. He was close behind her, he could feel his breath against her hair as he spoke. Neither thought anything of the proximity, it was necessary for her to get the practice. Nothing more.

"It means I'm not blind," she said, letting go of the bow and watched as it graze accross the range and into the upper right corner of the target. Again she groaned and Theon shook his head.

"You talk too much," he said, grabbing the bow from her and placing it on the ground. She frowned.

"I do no such thing," she said, insulted. "And don't be cross with me just because I've seen the way you look at her. You're lucky no one else has noticed."

"Practice your breathing, nosey," he instructed with a sour expression, ignoring her comment and she sighed.

"Not again..." she complained. "I know how to breathe."

"Then practice shutting that bloody trap of yours for a few moments and concentrate. I don't know where you're mind is today, but it certainly isn't on the target." She did as she was told, miming the actions of holding a bow and pulling back the arrow slowly. She breathed in slowly, balanced her arms and let go, several times as he watched and corrected as needed.

She might have thought she had a good facade, but Theon had noticed from the moment she'd snuck out of Robb's chambers this morning that something was amiss. There was only distraction behind those green eyes, more so than usual. Everyone could see the tension between Robb and Fallon was growing since their argument over a fortnight ago. However, this was different. The look of panic in her eyes as she walked out of the room was not simply due to Robb. It was something else.

Robb too had been exceedingly quiet, even turning down a hunting trip Theon had planned for the next few days. He had responsibilities he'd said. Theon knew what responsibilities Robb was in charge of in his father's stead. What he didn't know, however, was what the two of them were hiding that they didn't want anyone to know about.

"Now," he said, handing her the bow and placing it back in her hands. "Clear your mind. Focus only on the middle. You've got too much on your mind, it's why you keep missing them."

She didn't look at him, didn't nod her head in affirmation. She only stared straight towards the target and pulled back the arrow slowly, with caution. She corrected the stiffness in her arm, and then in her leading leg. It was three breaths before she released the arrow, the power behind it much more than the previous six. This one was almost dead center on the target some paces in front of them. Theon grinned.

"You see?"

"How ever do you carry around an ego as big as yours?" she joked as she handed him the bow once more.

"That takes some practice too," he said with a smirk and she shook her head.

"I should wash up before supper."

"Since when are you coming to supper?" he asked, unable to recall the last time he'd seen her in the hall for a proper dinner. Normally Enat just came down and brought her meals to her room or in Bran's.

"I am tired of playing the introvert. I could use the company," she said before walking off, leaving Theon with the bow in his hand.

He decided on a few practice shots for himself before he'd head in for supper. It wasn't difficult for him, he'd been a natural with a bow since he was a boy. Lord Stark had always praised his skills while his own sons watched and tried to mimic Theon with some difficulty.

Supper was early today, he noticed, still seeing the sun hanging in the sky. It would be a good two hours before sunset. Sunset was their usual cue that dinner was being served. But today, Robb had insisted earlier was better.

Theon walked into the dining hall to find a larger group than normal.

Fallon was sitting on the far end, picking at her food anxiously with Rickon at her side, telling her all about his day. Robb sat across from Kathryn, trying to stay focused on whatever nonsense she was most likely spouting.

Theon was probably the only person who knew how to deal with a girl like Kathryn. It was easy really, once he realized that all she wanted was attention. Everyone spent so much time trying to seem interested, but failed miserably. Theon knew that Kathryn didn't just want to be humored. In fact, he could see from the look on her face that she wasn't pleased with Robb's half-hazard attempts to listen to her. She wanted to be the center of attention, good or bad.

He didn't see a problem with that.

As he sat down next to Robb, Kathryn glanced over to him and rolled her eyes when he smiled at her. She pretended to ignore his presence altogether but he knew from her sideways glances that she was very aware of him watching her.

And from the small smile in the corner of her pretty mouth, it was obvious she liked the attention.

[Robb]

The night was quiet, too quiet for his liking. He could only hear the hooves of his horse on the damp ground, and his breath matched with Fallon's. He reached around her, the warmth of her body flush against his as he held onto the reins. Neither had spoken since they'd left Winterfell. Too much was lingering between them that Robb didn't even know where to start even if he did speak. He wasn't one for idle chatter, neither was she.

So there was only silence as they rode, and every so often she would adjust herself in the saddle and her hair would brush up against him, the smell of it like the flowers that grew in the godswood.

The edge of the village wasn't far from the castle. He'd ridden there many times in the last few days to work out on the estate's accounts. He'd have to meet with the people soon, his mother's absence in almost everything had left him in charge and debts needed to be paid. The royal visit had been an expensive one, and everyone was doing their best to preserve money lately.

The silence was becoming too much for Robb, all he wanted to do was hear Fallon's voice but he didn't want to resort to silly questions. So he asked the only one he could think of that he genuinely wanted to know the answer to.

"So what is this brother of yours like?" he asked in a quiet whisper and she turned her head over her shoulder slightly at the sound of his voice so near to her. He saw a faint smile.

"Stubborn," she said simply. "Whatever he wants with you, don't be afraid to stand your ground. Broden can be slightly intimidating, even to his own family members."

"I can't imagine he intimidates the mighty Fallon," he joked and she laughed slightly.

"You'd be right. I've always been closest to Rowan, we're so near in age. He and I get on the best out of all my siblings. But Broden and I are the most similar. He doesn't like to be challenged. Unfortunately for him, I like to challenge him." Robb laughed at this. He liked to think of Fallon standing up to her older brothers with that expression she used against him. She wasn't like any Northern girl he knew.

"And your sisters?" he asked curiously. "Are they as fierce as you are?"

"Gods no," she laughed. "Albertha is exactly the lady you'd expect from an elder sister. She married off well but will always do whatever it takes to please her husband. I met him once, Eustace Hunter. He's handsome enough to keep my sister happy. Elsbeth was much more practical. She didn't want a title, only a husband. My father tried for years to marry her off to one of the houses in Dorne but not many were open to the idea of a Skagosi bride. Even a beautiful one like Elsbeth. But that's nearly all she is, a beauty who wanted nothing more than to be a wife and a mother. It seems that she finally has gotten what she's always wanted."

"You don't sound very fond of her," Robb said, frowning at Fallon's bitter words.

"Of course I'm fond of her," she said quickly. He could tell by the definitive answer that she was through talking about it. He didn't push. He knew that pushing Fallon only meant she'd push harder, and they were barely on talking terms as it was.

They came to a clearing, and Robb slowed the horse, looking around in the darkness for any sign of Broden. But he only saw the emptiness under the moonlight. He dismounted the horse, reaching his arms out to Fallon who reached out for his shoulders carefully and landed by his side, his hands still on her waist.

She looked up into his eyes for only a moment before he asked her to stay put while he took a look around. He looked back over his shoulder to see her standing there as he'd instructed and he stepped forward into the brush. When he didn't see anyone, he walked back into the clearing, just in time to see a figure place his hand over Fallon's mouth and waist. Robb moved without thinking, pulled his dagger from his hip and placed it against the man's throat.

"Unhand her or you die," he whispered harshly and the figure stiffened in surprise, unaware that Robb had closed in. Fallon was immediately released but her expression wasn't one of fear for herself she she turned quickly to Robb.

"No Robb!" she said quickly, trying to wedge herself between the two of them. Robb tried to hold her back as the figure unveiled his face from under his hood. Robb didn't need to ask to know whose green eyes looked back at him. The resemblance was clear. "It's Broden," she said quickly and he saw the features that matched her own.

"It's alright, Fallon," the man said, not taking his eyes from Robb's.

Robb lowered his dagger, but did not put it away as Broden stood before him.

"I see you've kept my sister in good health," the man said, glancing at his sister who stepped into his arms. He kissed her forehead and held her close to his chest, closing his eyes as they embraced. The action was strange to Robb. He'd heard only of Broden's unyielding demeanor, never of his softer nature as he held his sister close now.

"Brother, why have you come?" Fallon whispered curiously, pulling back and looking up at his face. Robb watched Broden's eyes dodge hers and look over Robb's shoulder. Robb turned to see a familiar face standing not far behind him, two horses in tow.

"Lonnie," the man whispered, his voice hard. Fallon spun around and Robb could see the recognition in her eyes even before she saw the man's face.

And she ran to him.

"Aedan," she said in a breathless whisper as she wrapped her arms around his neck and he lifted her against his chest. She wasted no time in pulling back and looking up at him with a look of such desperation that Robb felt a pang in his chest. "What's happened?" she asked him and Aedan held her face in his hands before glancing to Broden.

"Skagos was attacked," the Broden said and Fallon's eyes widened.

"What do you mean attacked? Isn't the island already covered in civil war?" Robb asked, and Broden raised an eyebrow at his knowledge. Robb had made it a point to listen when Fallon spoke of the Skagosi land. Not much was known about the island so few Northmen dared to travel to. They were of the North as well, and yet so little facts were known. Only stories. Fallon had set him straight.

"Civil war, yes. But this was an invasion from the south. Westerosians," Broden continued looking at his sister.

The wind blew harshly then, her dark hair blowing around her but she stood there uncaring as she watched her brother's expression carefully. She trembled as she stood and all Robb wanted to do was hold her to keep her from what was coming next.

"Where is Corran?" Fallon asked quickly and Broden's eyes took several moments before they reached hers. "Broden, where are Corran and Elsbeth and..." She could no longer speak as Broden's eyes seemed to confirm her worries. She began shaking her head instantly, turning back to Aedan. "Where is Elsbeth!" she shouted and Aedan pulled her struggling towards him. She was pushing at him angrily, the grief in her voice as she repeated her sister's name they'd spoke of only moments ago. Her hair blew around her wildly and the three men could only stand there, helpless.

"There was nothing we could do, Lonnie," Aedan struggled to say and she slapped him hard accross the face.

"She was your wife!" she shouted and shoved him off of her with surprising strength. "You were supposed to protect her!"

"What do you want me to say!?" he pleaded with her but she escaped his grasp and walked back towards Robb, falling into his arms. He caught her easily, gripping her tightly against him as she sobbed into his chest. Both men watched as the woman they knew so well disregarded them both for the Northman.

Robb could see the tension in their eyes, the fury in Aedan's as Robb stroked her hair as she gasped and pleaded for air. He didn't care what they thought, only that Fallon was heartbroken and that he could not fix it. She had once again had her loved ones ripped from her and Robb was unable to do anything but hold her trembling body. He didn't have words that could comfort her, nothing he could say would cause her to smile this time. So instead, he asked the questions she couldn't.

"And Rowan?" Robb asked, looking at Broden and he felt Fallon lift her head to listen as she cried for her family. He knew she'd be too scared to ask about this brother in particular. The brother who she'd loved so deeply

"He's went south," Broden said, his voice cracking slightly as he stepped forward, watching his sister in such pain. "For Albertha."

Broden placed his hand on Fallon's back, stroking it until she looked up at him with her tear-stained eyes. Robb watched as the man's face faltered slightly and his arms reached out for her. Fallon was slow to move, gripping Robb's tunic tightly in her fists. But eventually she let go. She could see her brother needed comfort just as much as she did.

"Why?" she continued to whisper over and over until her eyes looked up to the skies.. "Why not me instead?!" she sobbed and Broden hushed her.

"Don't say that Lonnie," Aedan said, now standing at her side and reaching for her hand. She pulled it away at first, but he grabbed it again and this time she left it where it was. Robb suddenly felt very out of place. He had done his part but now this was between them, between a brother and his sister, between Aedan and the woman Robb could clearly see he loved.

Robb wasn't sure why that last thought bothered him so much. He shouldn't have minded. Of course Aedan loved her. How could he not? How could any man not love Fallon with everything inside of them?

It took a long while for her to calm her breathing, but eventually, she stood on her own, ignoring the harsh winds against her red eyes.

"What do we do now?" She asked sternly and Robb watched as Fallon did what she always did. She pushed away her pain, so far that she sounded cold to the situation, indifferent even.

"We don't do anything," Broden replied. "You will go with your Lord Stark back to Winterfell. Aedan and I will go North, to the Wall."

"And what do you hope to find there?" she asked bitterly. "Father can't do anything now. He's taken the Black. He's no longer part of this family."

"He will always be part of this family," Broden corrected her and she shook her head.

"We have to fight back, find the bastards who murdered our family, took our home. We will strike them down with the fury of the Skagosi warriors." It was the first time Robb had heard her speak the way she was now. The pride in her voice no longer a story but a threat. She would do whatever it would take to protect her home and what was left of her family, even if she was forbidden to. So when Broden caught Robb's eye, he knew exactly what the man was asking of him, without words.

"Let them speak with your father first,Fallon. Surely he will be of some help," Robb explained and Fallon furrowed her brow as he spoke, shocked by his lack of support for her.

"Drystan knew something," Aedan said. "Whatever secret he kept, was enough to condemn him. Only Ned Stark saved his head." Fallon cringed at the thought.

"Whatever Father was framed for, they are killing the rest of us off to ensure the secret is hidden. They think we all know this secret, whatever it is," Broden explained to her and she didn't move.

"I will talk to my bannermen, and send word to my father. He's in King's Landing. Perhaps he has heard something."

"I can't stay here," she whispered, glancing at Robb. "Not with my family being hunted down and slaughtered. I have to do something." He wanted to say something, to tell her she could go, that she was not his prisoner. But Broden interrupted him before he was weak enough to say so.

"Stark is the only one who can protect you," her brother insisted, cupping her face.

"I can protect myself," she muttered stubbornly and Robb could hear the reflection from the first day she had been in Winterfell. She'd said the same words to him. Now that was months ago, so long ago he barely remembered the way she looked at him with hatred in her eyes then.

"Of course you can," Broden said with a grin. "But Father chose you to live with the Starks for a reason."

She sighed heavily, letting the three men know she was unhappy.

"How do expect to find him?" she asked quickly. "You can't just waltz up to castle black and tell them to let you through."

"Who says we're going to castle black?" Broden replied and both Fallon and Robb looked at him curiously.

"You plan to sail there," she said, more as a statement than a question. Broden nodded.

"Why come here then? Why not just send a raven and head North?" Robb questioned.

"I have sent ravens. I've sent several over the last months, as well as riders, but all went unanswered. I wasn't even sure if she'd show up here tonight." Fallon's brow furrowed, as did Robb's at the statement. "I was worried something was wrong."

"What ravens?" she asked. "I only received the last. The one from early this morning." She then glanced to Robb. "Do you know anything about this?"

"Of course not," he said, feeling hurt that she'd even think he had anything to do with it. "When we return, I'll find out about the letters. I promise." He then turned to Broden. "From now on, address your letters to me. I'll ensure she gets them." The lord nodded.

The time had come, he noticed. It was in the way the men stood, shifting on the ground. But the darkness concealed Fallon's grief. She didn't want them to go, to let them out of her sight. But she must. So she walked to Broden, placing both of her hands on his chest as she craned her neck up at him. Broden responded by placing his hands over hers, rubbing her palms in his.

"Bidh curramach," she whispered to him and he smiled before placing his lips on her forehead, pulling her into a tight embrace. Be careful she'd said. Robb recognized the words, the inflection.

"Be good," he replied, holding her out to Aedan. At first, Fallon went to walk away, but Aedan wouldn't let her, holding her into his body. Robb wanted to turn away as Broden had, give them the privacy they deserved. But the longer he watched them, the more he saw the torment in Aedan's eyes.

Fallon finally looked up at the man who held her so tightly. Even the darkness couldn't hide the feelings in her eyes. He could see her confliction. This was the man she loved, but it was also the man who had married her sister, who had lost her sister. Her facade fell.

Aedan stroked her hair, held her face in his hands as he looked down at her helpless expression. There were tears in his eyes as well. It was several moments before he leaned in, placing his lips against hers. Robb turned then, unable to finish watching the intimate moment. It was none of his business, he thought. He glanced away, and in the process catching Broden's watchful gaze.

Robb wasn't sure what the glance meant, only that his aversion to the sight behind him didn't go unnoticed. He thought for a moment that the man would say something but it was then that he felt a cold hand over his. And for the first time, he realized his hands were balled into fists.

"Let's go," she said softly, staring up at him with a wary expression. He started at her for a long moment, taking in that glance that was meant for him. And then he nodded. They made their way towards Robb's horse, stopping next to it long enough for Robb to lift her onto it with ease. He then mounted it himself, positioning himself behind her and looking down at the men below.

"Take care of her, Stark," Broden said and Robb simply nodded in affirmation that he would.

"Safe travels," he replied to them both, before urging his horse on. It was only a few miles back to Winterfell, but it seemed like a hundred as they sat there in silence.

Fallon never glanced back at the men who wished her farewell. She only sat there, her back against Robb's chest and he could still smell the flower scented oils in her hair. He wanted to speak now, even if it was idle talk. He just wanted to get the image out of his head of her lips on Aedan's. Anything would be better than the savage feeling deep within his chest. It went unnamed, the monster that crept up within him.

But there was nothing to say. No more comfort to be given. She was silent, no sobbs, no small cries. As the darkness overcame the night, the rode. Just the two of them on the path to Winterfell. Nothing to say, nothing to discuss. Only their breaths and the sound of hooves hitting the ground.

It wasn't long before he felt her begin to tremble, her hands shaking as she remained as composed as she could. She was fighting the feeling, the sorrow that was threatening to seep out at any moment. The small tremble became a large one, until most of her body was shaking. So he did the only thing he could think to do. He placed his hand over hers, gripping it tightly.

And slowly but surely, her shaking slowed to a tremble, and then the tremble died away. It was then that he started to pull his hand away, but she stopped him.

And their hands remained that way, entwined, until they reached Winterfell.