CHAPTER 5 | LANNISTER PLOTS

WOLVES howled outside her window that night. It had been almost a month since Bran's fall, and days were getting longer.

Freya had her shutters open so she could stare out at the world below her tower. It looked like a barren abyss during the night. She rested her chin on her fist as she allowed the coolness of the air run through her. Candles were lit in the crevices of her chambers while a fire was blazing in her hearth, providing some warmth to the room. Selene casually brushed through her hair before they went to sleep.

"I had never asked before, in fear that you seemed upset, but I cannot sit by any longer with no answer." Selene uttered softly. "Did you court with Jaime Lannister during the banquet a month prior?"

Freya sighed and nodded her head.

"Well?" Selene inquired. "I'm guessing it did not go as well as I hoped, seeing as you did not march South with Lord Stark."

"He's a twat," she exhaled. "Walked away from me as soon I got near him, and then insulted me the next morning. It gave Robb Stark some good material though."

Selene scoffed. "You do not need to listen to wailings of Robb Stark. There's a twat for you."

"It wouldn't have ever worked anyways," Freya muttered.

"Why is that?" asked the handmaiden, who was putting down her brush.

Freya turned, a smile etched on her face. "I would never marry someone who's more attractive than me."

Selene was smiling too, in a jestful sort of way, but when she glanced up, her face held a mask of horror. She pointed outside the window, muttering, "M'lady –"

Freya immediately spun back to her open shutter, seeing flames swell up in the distance. It was the barn, she supposed. The barn was on fire.

She stood, but didn't move. What could she really do? As she struggled with options, a scream was heard through the entire castle, shaking it's walls. Freya knew that voice: "Lady Catelyn," she mumbled, before turning to her handmaiden. "Stay here, Selene. Use this for your protection, if you need it." She grabbed her small blade she kept underneath her pillow and put it in Selene's hands. "I'll be back. Do not leave."

Freya hoisted her scabbard onto her hips before taking off into a sprint. The scream came from below, and she only guessed it was from Bran's room. Catelyn hadn't left there in a month, nor was she going to. Freya's legs moved faster than they ever had, and just as she was nearing the room, she pulled her sword out of it's sheath. Another scream sounded. Male.

Was Rickon okay? Where was Robb? Where was her brother?

When she arrived at Bran's door, Catelyn Stark was bending over her son's bedside, hands soaked in blood. Freya's hands shook with anxiety, causing her sword to look less menacing. Bran's direwolf, Summer, laid next to Catelyn sheepishly, blood covering his nuzzle. She guessed Robb had seemingly just arrived too, because he kneeled on the floor over a body, blood pouring from an open wound in the neck. A knife laid in the hands of the decapitated body.

Theon skidded to a stop next to his sister, and he began to breathe heavily. He laid his hand on the hilt of his sword, while Freya lowered hers. "What happened?" She exclaimed, looking around the gore-covered room.

Catelyn tried to speak, but no words formed. Robb refused to answer. Freya slid her sword back in its scabbard before approaching Lady Stark. She whispered, "I can take you to the infirmary, if you please –"

"Go."

The word had not come from Catelyn's mouth, but from her son's. The two women looked to Robb. "Excuse me?" Freya muttered.

"I said, go." Robb slowly lifted his head, meeting Freya's vision with heated eyes. "We don't need you here. I'm taking care of this."

Freya dropped Catelyn's bloody hands, of which were still trembling. Theon took a step inside, knowing something was going to commence. Freya walked forward to Robb, screaming, "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Her hands formed into fists. "I'm just trying to help and you fucking shut me out!"

Robb's face inched closer to hers, and before she could blink, he howled, "GO!"

"SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!" Theon shouted, causing Catelyn to flinch. "There is a dead body on the ground and Lady Stark is in pain, and you two are fighting – again!"

Freya gave Robb one last scowl before striding back over to his mouther, grabbing her gory hands so she could stand. She didn't mind the way the blood stained her own fingertips, but now she knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight after this. "I'll be taking Lady Catelyn to the maester," she said to her brother, and especially not Robb.

Before she left the room, Freya heard another wolf howl outside.

•••

Catelyn was shaken into the next day, but still insisted on a gathering in the godswood. This was Freya's first time in said place, and she felt herself entranced by the intricate designs and beautiful plants. Lady Stark requested Maester Luwin, Rodrick Cassel, Theon, Freya, and Robb to meet with her, but Freya found it hard to gaze at Robb without a frown.

"What I am about to tell you must remain between us." Catelyn began, but then paused to look at the people around her. "I don't think Bran fell from that tower. I think he was thrown."

Maester Luwin agreed, "The boy was always sure-footed before."

Catelyn continued, "Someone tried to kill him twice. Why? Why murder an innocent child? Unless he saw something he wasn't meant to see."

"Saw what, my Lady?" Theon asked.

"I don't know." She shook her head. "But I would stake my life that the Lannisters are involved. We already have reason to suspect their loyalty to the crown."

Freya had been thinking of a solution this whole time, but found it hard to seek an answer. There was a very good chance it was the Lannisters, because they do have so much to hide. An idea formed in her head.

"You had told me of the rumor, Theon." Freya uttered, mainly to herself. "Everyone suspects the ... legitimacy of Robert and Cersei's children. Rumors of consummation between siblings is not new for Westeros, but it is something that is casually brought up with a few Lannister children in particular." She glanced at the group. "Maybe Bran saw something in that nature."

Theon crinkled his brow. "Are you suggesting that Little Bran saw Cersei and her brother –"

Freya jabbed her brother in the gut. Ser Rodrick mumbled, "Did you notice the dagger the killer used? It's too fine a weapon for such a man." He held the assassin's blade in his hands tightly. "The blade is Valyrian steel; the handle dragonbone. Someone gave it to him."

"They come into our home and try to murder my brother?" Robb muttered. "If it's war they want –"

"If it comes to that, you know I'll stand behind you." Theon added, grabbing his friend's arm.

Freya slit her eyes at the gesture, wondering how her brother so casually dismissed her. What would she do if Theon went off to war with Robb? The Stark boy would never let her go, even if she pled. Freya was never a fan of Robb, but her skills were out-matched – he'd need her.

"What – is there going to be a battle in the Godswood? Too easily words of war become acts of war. We don't know the truth yet." The maester spoke softly, and everyone deemed his words true. "Lord Stark must be told of this."

Catelyn shook her head. "I don't trust a raven to carry these words."

"I'll ride to King's Landing," Robb suggested.

"No, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell." She held her head high. "I will go myself."

Freya's eyes widened. "Lady Stark, you can't –"

"I must."

The group was silent, and then Rodrick said, "I'll send Hal with a squad of guardsmen to escort you."

"Too large a party attracts unwanted attention. I don't want the Lannisters to know I'm coming."

"I can go with you." Freya piped up, holding the hilt of her sheathed sword. "I know how to protect myself and others. I'm a ward to all Starks. The Lannisters barely recognize the existence of House Greyjoy."

Catelyn smiled, appreciating the offer. "I can't let you do that, Lady Freya." She sighed, glancing at Robb. "I cannot separate you from your brother in dyer circumstances, and if Robb is in command over Winterfell during my absence, I fear he needs a woman's perspective now and then."

Freya and Robb's eyes met, but neither of them held a glimpse of happiness. Both expressed blank stares.

Rodrick suggested another option: "Let me accompany you, at least. The Kingsroad can be a dangerous place for a woman alone."

Knowing she couldn't continue to argue, Catelyn finally nodded in agreement. Robb sneered, "But what about Bran?"

"I have prayed to the Seven for more than a month." She confessed. "Bran's life is in their hands now."