✓ | 𝑾𝒐𝒍𝒇'𝒔 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒆 (R.STARK 1/3)

Chapter Thirty One::Maybe One Day

But no interruptions came to the King's conversation, and no inconveniences pulled them from one another's company. They just walked. The only distraction proving to be for Raina. Though she sat out of view of anyone else, that didn't stop a friend from finding her. He didn't need to see her to be able to tell where she was. Without paying much attention, Raina failed to notice the large animal that had taken a seat beside her, lying on his front with his head perched affectionately on her knee. He could smell her from miles away. Raina, after taking a moment to really acknowledge his presences, placed a hand on his head, playing with his soft fur to calm her down. Of course it did not help much with the boiling pain that had been caused by her company's owner's new love interest, but it was at least relaxing to have some company that wouldn't argue back.

She'd grown rather fond of Greywind, more so than she had already been. When her and Arya used to write to each other, Raina had developed a weird attraction to Greywind, falling in love with the idea of him. Yet since having met him, that failed to falter, in fact she just loved him more. He was half her height, with a strong build and a thick coat, painted multiple shades of grey, his eyes were like Robb's, blue like the sea, and yet despite his threatening appearance, he was one of the most loving and good-natured animals Raina had ever come across. In fact, Greywind even out ranked some of the people she'd known in her life. Having him in her company always calmed her down, somewhat, and helped her feel slightly more comfortable with a situation. She still hated Talisa, and prayed that Robb was not considering her for any role in his life, but with Greywind, the anger was dulled, momentarily.

Rodrik had told Raina to tell Robb how she felt about him, now that he knew about who she was, it would only make sense to get it all out in the open, instead of her hiding her feelings for longer; but the idea of divulging feelings she'd had since she was a childish girl only made Raina feel sick. The fear of rejection prominent in her thoughts whenever Rodrik brought up the topic. Besides, now mentioning such feelings would be futile, as he was due to marry another. A Frey girl. And despite how he acted with Talisa, it seemed obvious his mother would not let him ruin such an arrangement, especially for someone of the likes of Talisa, or anyone else. Rodrik had also mentioned Catelyn's original intentions of marrying Robb to the youngest Glover, and had wondered if that idea would ever be revisited, however Raina had convinced both him, and herself, that it was just a fantasy both parties had formulated to pass the time, and to prevent themselves from thinking about what was to really happen.  Robb would marrying the Frey girl, whether Raina was here or not, or whether he knew she loved him or not, or whether he felt the same or not, or even whether he loved another girl or not. He was marrying the Frey girl one way or the other, and nothing was supposed to ruin that. Not even someone whom had almost been betrothed to him some time ago.

Trying hard not to pay the couple her attention, Raina started to contemplate what things would have been like, back then, if she had truly been betrothed to Robb. She supposed she would have had to tell him sooner about how she'd always felt about him, and hoped maybe she would know by now if it was mutual. They would probably have had at least one child, hopefully a son, by this time, who would be currently growing up in Winterfell. Raina also wondered if that would have had any baring on whether Ned took his daughters to King's Landing or not, and whether, if he hadn't, he might still be alive now, and all the Stark's would be home together, with Raina,  and the North would thus not be trapped in a war. That life sounded a lot better than this one. And how Raina wished it could have turned out that way. Her sister might even be alive had it played out in such a way. But as usual, Galbart Glover ran his mouth too far and destroyed that hope for them all, leaving them all where they are today. Raina blamed him for a lot, and the list was yet to stop growing.

Honestly, Raina wanted Robb to know. She wanted to be able to run into his arms whenever she was cold, or in need of company, she wanted to be able to tease him, and have him tease her back, she wanted to be able to curl up against him at night, and talk into the dark while they fell asleep, she wanted to be able to kiss him when she felt like it, just because she could, she wanted to call him her's, and keep other women away, she wanted him to love her like she did him. But the fear of him pushing her further away was too big a risk, and the idea of losing him again was too great to be overcome by the positives of one potential outcome. And from where she sat now, watching him with another woman, the same woman who had caused Raina's exit at the Oxcross, Raina was only swayed to believe she'd made the correct choice in not telling Robb of her feelings. Even if it did hurt to see him slowly falling for another, when she might be able to prevent it, or provide another alternative for him, she knew it may well be too late anyway, and was too pathetic to risk it.  And, even though Raina hated thinking about it in such away, Robb would be stupid to turn down a woman like Talisa, especially if it were only for a simple Glover. So Raina sat back, prepared to accept she wasn't right for Robb, and never stood a chance; and when Rodrik brought up the matter of her telling the King of her love, she'd just stay put, and say maybe one day.