004 -- voice;

[northerner]

It seems there are many from my world to be welcomed aboard after this past jump. If those of Westeros inclined to make their presence known, I would speak with all of you.

[ there's a pause. a direwolf's low whine can be heard, and robb exhales slowly. ]

And I'm sure it is already known, but the lady who called herself Aberdeen is no longer aboard.

[ and feed is cut. ]

Comments

[northerner]

[ surprise, stannis. ]

Aye, my bannermen have called me such.

[bruxisms]

[ well... ]

I have heard your name more times than I would like, Robb Stark.

[ and damn that vow he made to Jon Snow... ]

[northerner]

And I am not in possession of yours. It seems unfair, ser.

[bruxisms]

[ flatly ]

Stannis Baratheon. I trust you can attach mine titles appropriately, boy.

[northerner]

[ oh gosh try not to backsass him, robb. ]

I know of the titles you held before, though I fear I know not which of your kin holds the crown now. I cry pardon for my ignorance, though surely you understand. Things are unsettled in Westeros.

[bruxisms]

If you refer to the abominations, they are no kin of mine own.

[ a pause ]

Westeros knows only one true king. And that was the one that saw fit to sand against the Wildlings when no others would.

[northerner]

The Night's Watch stands against the Wildlings. Shall we name Lord Commander Mormont king?

[bruxisms]

The Night's Watch called for the aid of the so-called kings. And of those, only one responded.

A wise man once told me that a king protects his people, or he is no king at all.

[northerner]

If the Night's Watch sent a raven asking for aide, then it must have been shot from the sky before it reached my hands.

Though I do not know how you presume yourself the one who answered the call when we both know you were preparing for war, as your brother was.

[bruxisms]

It would seem you were too occupied with a wedding to respond to such, Robb Stark.

[ he made a vow, and yet... ]

Aye. Before I received news of such. Yet, my brother fell and the Lannisters hold King's Landing still.

[northerner]

I gave the Freys my word. It could not be avoided.

[ robb sounds uncertain but whatever that must be what he's talking to. ]

I was not told of this. You are from ahead of me, as are many aboard it seems.

[bruxisms]

No, I suppose it could not. It would be ill done to displease Walder Frey.

[ a frown. the Freys would be punished, just as the turncloak Boltons. ]

I must ask, what is it that you have been told, Robb Stark?

[northerner]

[ NOT MUCH ]

Only the barest of details. There has been much else to occupy my time, and the lady Alayne was...unwell for a time. The matters of Westeros fell to the wayside.

[bruxisms]

[ yeah after his talk with Sansa... ]

Did they, now?

[ . . . ]

There is much to share, and I would not do so over this device. Yet as it stands, you no longer remain mine enemy, Robb Stark.

[ after all, a dead man is no enemy. ]

[northerner]

[ it is the most heartbreaking thing in the world perhaps, to see the relief wash over robb's face. it is such a boyish assumption, to assume that they were allies simply because they were not enemies, but robb cannot help but make that leap. he is so desperate for glad tidings. ]

I am glad of it. I had never wished to be an enemy of House Baratheon. It's good to know you accepted the offer I'd sent before you.

[bruxisms]

[ a slight frown as he moves his teeth from side to side. ]

It... was not your offer, but rather...


[ . . . ]

a wedding that gave us common cause.

[ again. not a lie. ]

[northerner]

[ stannis careful of your teeth. ]

Whose, if I may ask?

[bruxisms]

[ A frown. ]

That of a Frey girl's.

[ Draw your own conclusions there, Robb. ]

[northerner]

[ for a long moment, robb is silent. and so the young wolf weds, that far off thing that robb had always known would come to pass but never thought of as anything but an abstract. and so he would have a wife, and perhaps...

well, perhaps they should be happy. perhaps he would be a good husband and she a good wife. that is what he hopes. ]

Regardless of cause, the fact that you no longer name me an enemy is relief. In due time I hope you may name me an ally.

[bruxisms]

[ he frowns for a moment, perhaps. ]

Perhaps in due time, Robb Stark.

[ The boy would never be king, nor anything else. ]

( A C T I O N )

[wont]

[ She cannot speak, for if she does, Robb will know the truth of what she says. Instead, she fills the gaps between messages to send private word to Lord Stannis. ]