┏━ tribulation.
( SCENE 9 ) ━┛

ISMENE left her boys in the care of Neve and her handmaiden Ana in the small wheelhouse while the host moved on. After deciding she needed to be out in the open, she decided to ride her Snowbird. Even after recovering her closeness with Aubrey, Ismene still held onto her bitterness. It was ever demanding and she truly wished she could join the men in battle. The sword she'd taken was never returned to its owner, as there were nearly eighteen thousand in their host, and instead was kept safely in her trunk.

Sitting atop Snowbird, with Fenrir loping at her side, her brown eyes were cast off into the distance of quiet forests and open grass. Ismene was lost in her thoughts. Just the night before, Lukas had tried to start a conversation with her, one they would have every night they went to sleep by each other. That was before her father had been killed, though, and ever since she'd be neglecting the better side of herself. It'd quickly been shut down, and she felt a twinge of guilt for allowing it to. Even Ana was growing weary after watching Rowan and Damon when Ismene didn't need to nurse them, which she luckily had the energy for after all of her brooding.

She was well aware that she wasn't quite being the mother she should, at least not then, yet she didn't seem care. She wouldn't begin to be herself again until she could at least taste her hungry desire for revenge. The guilt of leaving her sons in the care of others still weighed on her heart, though. She was truly conflicted.

"Lost in your thoughts again?" Aubrey must have ridden up in the line and to her said, as the archer looked over with her bright blue eyes. She then looked Ismene up and down, noticing she wasn't dressed like the lady her normal self would be. "You're not wearing a dress!"

Ismene shrugged. She didn't care what any of the lord's thought about her in trousers and a cotton shirt she'd borrowed from Lukas. "Lukas wasn't using them, so I saw an opportunity and took it."

Aubrey smirks in approval, nodding her head. "With each passing day, we're growing more alike," She chirps. "I love this knew Ismene, even if she is still grieving."

"I like the fierceness," Ismene does admit. "And the new sense of purpose. But I don't much care for the bitterness anymore. It most likely won't go away until I finally give in, though."

Aubrey nodded. "Oh, I could only imagine what the lord's would think," she smirks devilishly. "They already don't like me, imagine then seeing the Lady Ismene becoming a warrior! I would give anything to see their reaction."

Ismene had to let a smirk appear on her lips. She couldn't resist. "I suppose in due time we will see," she says. "Now, how has things been with Darik? I see you two growing bolder everyday. Should I expect a marriage soon?"

Aubrey flustered before flashing a large and cheek-aching grin. She purses her lips, unable to allow the smile to fade. "Well," the heir begins. "That was what I came to you about."

Ismene's jaw drops as she realizes that things really had taken a turn. "You mean you'll be married soon?" The woman breaths, her features beginning to form into a smile. It had finally come and she'd been waiting for so long.  Perhaps such an event would help her heart to heal.

Aubrey nods eagerly. "He said we would be wed once we settled in camp again. He's too afraid of losing someone else, and with him being king now, he said he would need a queen."

Ismene adores the idea of Aubrey being the queen of the north. She is the epitome of such a role, being as valiant and courageous and beautiful as she was. As well was she Darik's perfect match in every aspect.

"What did I tell you," Ismene smiles, feeling a little sliver of joy enter her heart. "I knew we would be bound soon. But now, it is you who will give me nieces and nephews."

Aubrey sighs happily, her shoulders slumping. "To think I'll have children of my own one day is quite unsettling, truly," the archer admits. "But if you did it, I can. You had two beautiful sons at once, but I don't think I will be as lucky. We'll have to see what the Gods bless us with," she winks.

Ismene lets out an airy laugh. "With your father not here, who will give you away?" She asks.

Aubrey shrugs. "I thought Lukas would be just fine. And my Uncle Henrik would be able to ordain it all as well."

"Perhaps you should go speak to him," Ismene suggests. "He'll be pleased to know you're finally marrying."

Aubrey nods, liking the idea. She lifts her reins, ready to take off. "I think will," she agrees before flashing a smile. "I'll see you after while!"

The archer takes off down the line to find her uncle, leaving Ismene to watch with a fading smile.

❆

THE lord rode with his icy grey eyes focused ahead. War was truly taking a toll on him, with the constant traveling and planning and even fighting. It was indeed something he hadn't missed, not after a rebellion that ended with him marrying a woman that despised him to this day. He found it quite nostalgic to be back in war, over twenty years later. Joy had returned to his though, with the births of his grandchildren. Even if his wife never loved him, he could be content with cherishing Damon, Rowan, and his granddaughter Laila for the rest of his days, once he finally met her.

The sound of a horses hooves has him turning to see Aubrey riding his way. Henrik didn't spend much time with his niece even before the war, so he was surprised to find her making her way toward him as he rode in line with a few other lords. The young Mandal found a place with him in line.

"Uncle," she greets, flashing him her dazzling smile, one that reminded him of his wife. Of all the years he'd been with Helen, he'd only seen her smile in such a way a handful of times. It had been during the births of their children, which had been a miracle in themselves considering Helen more often than not refused to join him in the marriage bed. When she did agree, it often was a quick and loveless act.

"Aubrey," Henrik says. "What is the occasion?" He allows a weak smirk to appear.

She lets out a laugh. "Well, there is something I wished to ask of you," she tells him. "With my father in Cotherstone, I need a male family member to ordain my wedding."

Henrik's brow cocked in utter surprise, his lips slightly parting as he looked at her. "You're getting married?" He asked in disbelief. As beautiful and youthful as Aubrey was, Henrik had never thought she'd be able to be contained by a man. If he was correct, though, she was rather close to their now proclaimed King.

She grinned widely. "Darik asked for my hand," she says with pride. "How could I refuse the king?"

Henrik grins a true grin. One he rarely showed, except when he first met his children and then his grandchildren. He was truly happy for his niece, though the blood of his wife that despised him. Either way, he cares for the Mandal's deeply, and finds himself reminiscing on a man he once considered his best friend. Tobias Mandal was long in the ground by now, consumed by time and decay and moth, but Henrik would never forget him.

"I assume you wish for me to ordain it, as I did for Ismene and Lukas?" He asks. He would be beyond pleased to do so.

Aubrey nodded. "If you wouldn't mind?"

"Of course, I would be happy to," Henrik grins. "Anything for my niece. I'm sure Lukas will be pleased to give you away as well."

Aubrey looks to be over the moon. Seeing someone else in such elation makes Henrik's heart twinge. He wished he could feel such a way and he was almost convinced that he needed to. Time seemed fleeting as of late, and the lord had noticed.

"Thank you, uncle," she says with utter gratitude. "Without my father here, I find myself to be rather short in family."

"I understand," Henrik replies. "But I'm sure your father will be pleased to know he fathered the future queen of the north."

❆

AFTER seemingly endless hours of reading, Evolet finally put the book down that she'd tried to lose herself in while Laila napped on that quiet day. She was truly thankful to be blessed with a daughter who slept like a rock. It made Evolet's life fairly easier.

The girl was truly restless. While she wished to hate Robb for all that he'd done to her, for giving a cold shoulder since she'd moved into Winterfell, a part of her still clung to the love that had blossomed moons ago, when she was naive and saw the world through roses colored glasses. With every visit the Stark made to see his daughter, she felt herself being roped in again. She had to admit to herself that she was pleased that Robb hadn't shunned their bastard daughter, that he truly loved her and showed it. That the most she could wish in the situation she was in.

Evolet knew that she was a foolish girl back then, but now she'd emerged a new woman at the age of eight-and-ten. Many were still a child at such an age, but she matured due to her unfortunate situation. She wouldn't give up Laila for anything in the world. Even if she had to face the animosity of her daughters father, she would gladly if it meant that she would one day grow up knowing both of her parents.

A knock on her chamber door draws her attention and she makes her way over to open it. She wasn't expecting Robb to make another impromptu visit, nor did she expect him to enter so quickly. They lock eyes for a moment before she adverts her gaze and steps back, allowing him to wander past her and further into the room. She watches as he stops at the bassinet, where Laila is still in a deep sleep. After closing the door, she makes her way to his side.

"To think that such a beautiful child could be brought into this world," he sighs as he gently reaches down to caress the baby girls soft cheek.

"She is indeed," Evolet agrees, feeling prideful for the fact that she had in fact made Laila herself. When she noted that he had helped, she scowled to herself.

He turns toward her, his expression solemn and apologetic. In a different world, where they didn't have a child out of wedlock and were not facing a silent war, she might have embraced him. But she didn't, because they were nowhere near accepting each other as they once did.

"Evolet..." he sighs heavily, his voice just aboe a whisper. "Can we talk? Truly talk."

She frowns slightly before nodding. Robb continues.

"I know that I haven't been the kindest toward you since you arrived," he begins. "And I know I was not welcoming. Not to the mother of my daughter who has come into my world and entirely changed it. What sort of father am I, that I wasn't present at the birth of my child? I'm a craven, Evolet, because I left you in this position, with a bastard, and I did nothing but shun you for staying here."

Evolet was beginning to realize that Robb was apologizing, and maybe even trying to reconcile for all the pain he'd put her through. He continues after clearing his throat.

"When I found out about it... I was scared. Truly scared, Evolet, because I'm just a boy making adult decisions he shouldn't. To have you arrive, nearly about to give birth, and the entire time I knew nothing? Here I am, eight and ten, with a child. This was not how things were supposed to be for me, but because of my actions, because the Gods damn me, I have caused you and I pain."

His gaze is trained on Laila, who is still peacefully dreaming despite her parents talking. Evolet frowns and, for the first time in many moons, she pulls Robb into an embrace. He slightly stiffens, she notices, but she doesn't relent. He hands cautiously hold onto her sides.

"The damage is done, you're right," she says with her chin on his shoulder. She pulls back to look him in his beautiful Tully eyes, the ones she grew lost in, the ones that seemed to reflect that dancing of flames so brightly. She feels a twinge in her heart as she looks at the boy she loves but wish she didn't. "I should have sent a raven I confess, but in my fear I was stunned. But there is still hope. We have time to right the wrong, which I can by being here for you and you can do so by being the father your daughter needs."

Robb's expression is slightly shocked, as if he didn't quite believe what he was hearing. He looks between Evolet and Laila.

"Do you forgive me, truly?"

Evolet frowns, but nods. "I forgive you, Robb. But this does not mean that you can come to my chambers and warm my bed at night when you're alone. We are still far from what we used to be. You come to this room solely for your daughter."

He looks wounded, but nods. "Perhaps one day I can win you back," he murmurs softly, before leaning into the bassinet and planting the gentlest of kisses upon Laila's little head. He leans back up and looks to Evolet.

Evolet feels stunned as she watches him make his way toward the door, where he opens it and walks out. She is slightly confused once she sees Grey Wind lope in and stop at her, his yellow eyes looking up to her curiously. She cautiously reaches a hand out toward his big grey head, which he meets by shoving it against her hand. She smiles to herself, knowing a change has been made.