Chapter 4

Waking slowly Eragana felt the pleasurable ache between her thighs that reminds her of her actions the night before. While she was no maid, it had been a while for her and Robb had turned out to be a ferocious lover driving her into countless mind blowing orgasms. She'd only just had the presence of mind to cast a ward around them to make sure those outside wouldn't hear what was going on inside the tent.

"Morning" she heard as she felt Robb stir beside her.

"Morning" she replied while they continued to lie on the bed their legs entwined with each others as Eragana rested her head on Robb chest listening to his steady heart beat. She had her hand on his chest as well drawing patterns over his bare skin as they relaxed in each others presence. Robb had one arm around her back with his hand resting on her waist holding her against him while the other was behind his head propping it up so he could look down on her. At some point in the night the flap had been closed over, perhaps by one of her guards after they realised just what the where up to. Part of her knows she shouldn't of let it happen. That only heartbreak is waiting for her at the end of this road but she'd grown fond of the young King in the last few weeks. She'd found herself looking forward to there evenings together where they simply sat and talked about anything and everything. It had been a long time since someone had properly engaged in a conversation with her. The elves weren't much for conversationalist. They had no problem when it came to topics of magic or dragons but she always felt like she was pulling teeth while talking about the simplest things. While her relationship with Murtagh was better he was still slightly withdrawn, preferring to keep to himself and Thorne so conversations with him always had an underlining tension that made her uncomfortable. Being around Robb felt like being back in Caravhall with Roran, which made her wish her cousin was around. On the occasion's she got too home sick she would contact him and catch up on the going's on back home. Roran and Katrina had just had there third child, a second girl, joining her elder sister and brother and Roran doted on them.

A slight breeze hit the tent, blowing the flap of the tent open slightly so they could see the early morning light as the sun started to rise. She shivered as the cold wind hit the bare skin of her shoulders and back where they weren't covered by the furs. Feeling her shiver against him Robb tightened his grip around her waist while taking his other arm from behind his head he reached down for the furs and brought them up further while asking "Cold?"

"Mm" she said while trying to bury herself deeper into his side. Looking up at him she found him looking down at her and unable to resist she brought her arm under her and rose up to rest on it while leaning in to steal a kiss from him. His free hand came up to bury his fingers in her hair as the kiss deepened and his arm around her waist pulled her body up his so that she was nearly lying on top of him. Her hand on his chest worked it's way up to his face and she grabbed it to keep him in place as she swung her leg over his waist so she was straddling him. The furs fell from her to pool at their wait's and she felt his hand working it's way towards her breast's.

"I know of other ways to keep warm." she said breaking the kiss and panting slightly, looking down at his flushed checks with his eyes blown wide with pleasure. His lips are full and swollen from her kisses and his red curls where a mess from the previous night of her running her fingers through them. Already she could feel her blood pumping and felt his own reaction rise up against her. He doesn't let her look at him long before he's surging up to capture her lips again and moulds them together. One hand stays in her hair while the other tweaks her nipple sending a flash of need straight to her core. Grinding down on him in response she is rewarded with a groan from him as he feels her wet heat on his skin. Goose bumps rise on her skin as his hand leave her breasts and trails down her body until it reaches her core where he blindly searches out the bundle of nerves there that he came to know last night will drive her insane. As he finds it he breaks away from the kiss only to trail kisses down her neck towards her breast where he takes a nipple in his mouth as his fingers puts pressure on her clit. She couldn't stop the cry of pleasure she realised even if she wanted to as he rubbed at her clit and sucked at her nipple until she was a withering mess above him. Just as she thought she was about to come he stopped and as she protested he raised her of him slightly before positioning himself at her entrance and with one thrust buried himself in her to the hilts. She came straight away, letting out a silent gasp of pleasure at the sudden intrusion, and clenching around him as he stilled. Once she came down slightly he brought both his hands to her waist and started to move under her in long, deep, slow strokes that filled her completely every time he pushed in to the hilt. The slow pace was both exquisite and torture. With his hands on her hips he controlled the speed of there coupling and no matter how much she wanted him to he wouldn't speed up. Clenching her inner muscles around him as he filled her again she saw his jaw clench as he tried to control his reaction to her.

Seeming to finally have enough he flipped them over so she was on her back with him above her before he pulled back until he nearly left her before in one powerful thrust entered her with a force he'd been lacking so far. Her back arched in pleasure driving him in even further before he pulled back again before driving back in again. He set a furious pace that had her muttering incoherently until she rolled her hips against his on one powerful pump and she exploded around him. He came with a growl not unlike his wolf's and she looked into his half lidded eyes as he emptied himself inside her. Once spent he let himself fall to the bed beside her, pulling the furs back up around them and tucked her into his arms as they're laboured breathing subsided and they lay spent on the bed.

They lay there for a while until Eragana's sensitive ears picked up the sound of soldiers getting up and reading themselves for the day. Sitting up on the bed she ran her fingers through her messy hair and cast her eyes over the floor looking for her clothes. Spotting her dress not far from the bed she got up and walked naked to where it was lying. She could feel Robb's eyes on her as she walked round the bed and as she bent down to lift the dress she heard the intake of breath from him. A pleased thrill went through her at being able to bring forth such strong reactions from the young King and as she redressed with her back to him she wondered what was to become of them now. He was still betrothed to the Frey girl and there was still so much about her he didn't know, Saphira being the most obvious part. So lost in her thought she didn't realise he'd left the bed until his arms wrapped around her waist from behind and he dropped a few kisses to the side of her neck. She hummed in pleasure as she felt his naked body pressed up against her but she knew she would need to leave now in order to avoid being seen. While she could make herself invisible to the soldiers she would have a very small window to do so without doing it in front of Robb. Better to leave now early and 'suggest' to the few near by soldiers that there was nothing to see as she left.

Stepping away from him she turned in time to see a pout on his face at her pulling away, laughing slightly at him she said "If I want to return to my tent unseen, I need to go now. You can't afford the Frey's to find out what happened here last night." She knew her meaning was clear when his face fell. 'What happened last night cant happen again. Not if you want to keep the men's loyalty.' Strangely her heart ached at the thought. She'd had a few lovers in the past, none had made her want for a repeat performance. However with Robb she found herself wishing she could curl up in his arms every night. Not giving him time to protest her statement she pulled him down to her so she could give him a final kiss before turning and walking out of the tent. If a tear trailed down her check only herself and Saphira would know of it.

As she entered her tent she saw the low glow from the gem on her mirror that told her she had missed a scrying from someone. Thinking it might be from Murtagh she approaches it before saying "Show me." in the Ancient Language. Surprisingly it's Arya's face that comes into view and she asks her to call her when she receives the message. Letting the mirror clear she makes sure her wards are up before saying Arya's full name and titles into the mirror. As the She turns away from the mirror down knowing Arya may not be around to answer and starts getting herself ready for the day. Luckily she doesn't have to wait long, only until she'd changed and was starting to run a comb through her hair before Arya's face appears in the mirror. With a soft smile on her face Arya and Eragana went through there customary greetings before Arya brought her up to speed on all that was going on in Alagaesia. Eventually she asked "Have you moved on yet? In our last call you said that the country you had landed on was quite populated and not suitable at first glance." And so Eragana found herself telling her dearest friend everything that had happened in the last few weeks right up until she returned to her tent. Arya was silent the whole time giving her the ear she hadn't realised she needed and after a few moment of thinking through all Eragana had told her she stated in a soft voice "You have come to care for him very much."

Eragana simply nodded her head at her friends observation before saying "But I know nothing will come of it."

"Do not be so sure." Arya said surprising her "Your young King does not sound like the sort of person to take the actions you both took part in lightly. I feel he may surprise you yet and set aside his promised bride. After all you have far more to give him." A small piece of hope flared in her chest at Arya's word's but she tried to ignore it. Shaking her head she said "No, the Frey's give him the extra men he needs to win this war. Perhaps if I was to show Saphira I may have more chance but I do not want her to be seen as simply a weapon. Westeros has a bloody history with dragons, I'm not completely sure how they would react to the fact that I've been hiding one in their forest's."

Arya seemed to think over her words for a short time before "It would not be just a dragon you could bring to the table but an army of the finest eleven warriors."

Eragana's eye's locked onto Arya's to make sure she had heard her right and that she was indeed offering what she thought she was offering. Arya saw her hesitation and said "You have give much for Alagaesia and for my people the least I can do is help you find some happiness. I shall spread word throughout the armies for volunteers to join you. We may ask something of the King in return for are help but you will always have are aid Eragana."

Gratitude rushed through her as she spoke her heartfelt thanks to Arya in the Ancient Language. Of course her promise would be for nothing if Arya was wrong about Robb and he went through with marrying the Frey girl.

"I do suggest however that you introduce him to Saphira sooner rather than later. His reaction may be a good barometer as to how his Lord's will react." She'd been thinking of doing just that anyhow but having Arya give the same advice she decided she would do it soon. They talked a bit more until the sounds of the camp breaking down around her told her there time was up. Arya promised to be in touch with word on any volunteers before the gave there customary goodbyes and Arya's image disappeared. Gathering up her bow and quiver she excited her tent to see hers and the King's where the last one's still up and that the King was already sitting atop his horse. She tried to keep her attention on Warriors as she made sure her bow and quivers where secure before swinging up into his saddle. The stallion pranced slightly under her eager to get on the move but a whispered word form her had him settling as she turned him towards the road.

Swinging up into his saddle Robb felt his muscles ache in an unfamiliar way and revelled in It as he settled on top his black mare. Eragana had left his tent two hours before and it had taken everything in him to force himself not to run after her. He knew she was right but now that he's had her he doesn't know if he can give her up. As she was on his mind he looked across the track at her tent. Her horse was already saddled and waiting in front of her tent but there was no sign of her yet. One of her guards caught him looking over at them and he knew by the way he kept his gaze that there actions the night before weren't completely secret and the blank look on his face didn't give Robb any clue how he felt about it. His attention was drawn away again as Eragana exited her tent in leather pants and jerkin with a fur lined cloak over the top. The pommel of her sword could be seen when the wind caught her cloak and she carried a bow and quiver which she attached to her saddle before mounting the white stallion. Most of her guards mounted their own horse's after her while the rest set about dismantling her tent while she directed her horse onto the track and came to a stop in front of him. She graced him with a warm smile that he returned while looking her over. She had her hair up in a pony tail with a few loose strands curling around her face and she had a glow to her cheeks that Robb hoped he'd put there.

As they started to march she took up her now customary place at his side and a thrill of pleasure went through him at her continued presence. He'd been worried after last night that she would avoid him today. If they pushed hard they should make it back to camp by late afternoon and perhaps she would join him for dinner again tonight. They descended into there usual chatter as they rode however he caught himself glancing over at her quite a few times during the day and was pleased to find that a lot of those times she was already watching him. They where within half an hours ride of the camp when she asked him to ride with her to a near by lake. Agreeing he followed as she turned her horse of the track and three of her guards fell in behind them. Seeing some of his own men move to follow he waved them of and overrode them when they went to protest. He knew her guards will have known what happened last night and knew they would keep her secrets. So until a time that he'd made up his mind on what his next move was to be he would keep it to just her guards.

Reaching the lake they both dismounted and as her guard's walked away with the horse's Robb couldn't help himself and pulled her into a kiss. She reacted immediately, bringing her hands up to hid neck and bury one in his hair, letting out a groan as she give a tug at his curls trying to bring him closer to her. Granting her wish he wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her lower body into his own while his other trailed up her back to bury his hands in her hair, holding her head in place. Robb wasn't sure how long they stood like that for but eventually he pulled back slightly and rested his forehead against hers, their heavy breathing mixing together and Robb relished in the scent that was simply Eragana. It was in that moment that he decided he wasn't gong to let her go, this was where she belonged, here in his arms.

Brining both his hands up to cup her face he said in a low voice "I meant what I said last night, I don't want to marry the Frey girl." At his words she pulled back out of his embrace and searched his eyes, trying to figure out what he meant. "I want to marry you, if you'll have me." A series of emotions flashed across her face at his words before settling on something between hope and fear.

"What abut the Frey's? If you break your oaths to them they'll march back home, maybe even side with the Lannister's." She made some good point's but Robb just couldn't bring himself to care. One thing, he wanted on piece of happiness and he knew he would only get it with Eragana.

Looking her in the eye's he said "I don't care. I love you." Saying the words he'd been thinking all day. "I've been falling for you since the first day you entered my tent and I don't want to marry anyone else."

She searched his face again and seemed to take a deep breath and whispered softly "I love you to."

He went to lean down to kiss her in joy but she brought her right hand up and pressed her fingers to his lips before they could reach her "But before you decided this is what you want you need to know all of me. Nothing I have told you is a lie, it's just not the whole truth. Experience has made us weary of showing all our cards at once."

Confusion and suspicion rushed through Robb at her word's and he knew it was clear on his face as she continued "What if I was to tell you that I could bring something to this war, our marriage, that the Frey's could only dream of? The only reason I haven't shown it earlier is because I'm not sure how your people will react to it. Which is why I want to introduce you to her first. I you decide then that you want nothing more to do with us, we'll pack up our ship and you'll never have to see us again."

From the look on her face this was what she was afraid about but Robb could not think of anything that would make him want to send her away and never see her again, in fact he clenched his fists to stop himself from reaching out to her and pulling her against him to keep her by his side. "Never. " he exclaimed but she simply smiled at him sadly.

"Like you have a companionship with Greywind I to have a companion of my own, Saphira. And it's her that I want to introduce you to. " She stepped forward then and ran her fingers down his face "Do not a afraid, we mean you no harm. In fact we only wish to continue helping your cause."

He opened his mouth to ask her what she meant when the strangest sound reached his ears. It was like the sound of a strong wind whistling through the tress but looking around he saw that it was a calm day, with the barest of breezes. All of a sudden something blocked out the sun above them and looking up Robb felt himself freeze in shock as a large dragon as blue as the sky in had just descended from landed on the bank of the river not far from them far lighter than something of it's size should be able to. As it settled it's wings at it's side it seemed to look at Robb and he couldn't help but feel as if it was judging him. He felt Eragana move from his side and walk over to the dragon who lowered it's head towards her causing Robb to tense. Eragana however simply reached out with her hand and started caressing the scales along the side of it's jaw causing the dragon to hum in pleasure. He almost laughed as a image of Greywind demanding his ear scratches from her every night and thought his wolf may get a bit jealous knowing he will be competing with a dragon for her affection.

Still scratching the dragon Eragana looked over at Robb where he was still rooted to the spot. Perhaps she took that as a good sign as she beckoned him over with her free hand and before he knew what he was doing his feet where carrying him towards her and the humongous dragon who had yet to take it's eyes of him. When he reached her he set his hand in hers and she drew him closer to her and said "Robb, I'd like you to meet Saphira. My oldest and dearest friend. My soul. Saphira, King Robb Stark." For a moment he was confused as to why she would actually introduce him to a dragon when a deep and powerful voice sounded in his head "Greeting's Young Wolf."

Eragana obviously knew what had happed as when the dumbfounded look came over his face she started giggling and turned into outright laughter when he stuttered out "It can talk."

Saphira lifted her head higher and snorted, blowing a puff of smoke out her nostrils "Of course I can. Did you take me for some mindless beast" Rolling her eyes Eragana said "Peace Saphira, you took him by surprise. The dragons that once roamed these lands where of a different species to your kind."

Again Saphira snorted and spoke "They where glorified lizards." Robb actually felt his lips twitch at the obvious disdain she had for the Targaryen's dragons and found himself starting to relax and really look at her. She had four legs instead of the two that where described in the history books of the dragon's of old and her wings flared out from the shoulders of her front legs. Her neck was longer and more graceful with sharp white spikes running the length of it. To look at she appears altogether softer than her valerian counterpart but Robb didn't let her appearance fool him. Her intelligent eyes where still looking at him and he knew if any harm came to Eragana from him he wouldn't live long to regret it.

Looking to Eragana he caught her watching him nervously, tying to gage his reactions, so he asked "How did you meet her?"

Giving him a smile she told him her whole story, and he quickly figured out that everything she said before had been the truth, she'd just left out the parts involving Saphira. She explained the hunt where she found Saphira's egg and the weeks that followed before she hatched, of her uncle's murder and they're hasty exit to spar the rest of her village from the same fate. He grew slightly weary when she told him of Broms, who she later found out to be her father, lessons in magic which she had gained the ability for through her connection to Saphira.

Seeing his reaction she said something In a strange language before explaining quickly what it was she said as he relaxed without knowing way. "I simply said that I have never no will I ever perform magic on you with out your consent, unless to is to heal you from a grievous injury that may have left you unconscious." she then explained that the language she'd spoke in was called the Ancient Language and that you could not lie when speaking it. That even though he did not know what the words meant his body and soul knew. When he accepted her explanation she went on to tell him of the rescue of Arya and meeting Murtagh, of Broms death and the race to reach the Varden to save Arya.

When she told him of the Dwarfs and Elves he laughed out loud but was interested in the different races. He listened as she spoke of her time in the Elevn city, training with her master and of returning to the Varden to find Murtagh had been enslaved by the King along with his Dragon. It was at this point that they decided they needed to start heading back to camp before they sent out search parties and so saying goodbye to Saphira, who was sunning herself on the bank of the lake they mounted their horse's and headed back the way they came. She continued on with her story on the journey back but as they came into camp she stopped and they walked in silence for a few moments.

"I was speaking to Arya this morning through our scrying mirrors and she has offered to spread the word for volunteers to send to join me. if you are series about us, about breaking of with the Frey's, she may be able to send the men to replace them but it would not be for free."

Robb knew his amazement at her word's was showing on his face and the only thing that stopped him from vaulting of his horse and gathering her up in his arms was the sound of his name being called. Looking ahead, to where his tent was he saw his mother making her way towards him.

"Mother." he said while dismounting from his horse and moving around it to greet her in a hug. As he withdrew from her he saw her looking over his shoulder at Eragana and so turning to the side he introduced them "Mother this is Lady Eragana, she's been helping with the wounded. She's been very helpful." As he spoke Eragana got down from her horse and walked forward to stand in front of it. His mother gave him a look before looking over to Eragana and saying "Lady Eragana."

"Lady Stark." she replied and Robb could see that she knew his mother was judging her and he seriously hoped they would get along.

"Lady Eragana . . " his mother trailed of, obviously looking for a surname. Glancing at Robb with a small smile Eragana answered his mother "Argetlam."

"Argetlam," his mother repeated the name, confusion on her face. "Forgive me, I do not know this name."

"No you wouldn't of. It's not a name that's ever been near these soils before." she said and Robb could see she was starting to get uncomfortable with his mothers probing before she excused herself "If you'll excuse me Your Grace, Lady Stark." Giving them both a bow of her head she walked past them and over to her tent where her guards where waiting to take her horse from her. He watched her until she disappeared into her tent and then looked back to his mother to see her watching him.

"I've missed you." He told her hoping she would leave it for a while.

"Yes you look positively forlorn." she said to him with a hint of worry to her voice.

"You surprised me is all. I didn't think I'd see you today."

"I wish that you where free to follow your heart. You have inherited your father's responsibilities and I'm afraid they come at a cost. You are promised to another, a debt that must be paid." he stayed silent as she spoke, not yet ready to speak of Eragana and her offer, not until she got word that it could happen. His mother went to say more but they where interrupted by Eragana reappearing at his side.

"Your Grace, My Lady pardon the interruption but I've had word from my brother." Robb's head whipped round to look at her so fast he was sure they heard it crack. Looking at her face she gave nothing away by her facial expression and so he gestured for her to enter his tent. Robb followed her in to see that Greywind had already taken his spot in front of the fire but rose to greet Eragana and to receive an ear scratch. He heard his mother enter the tent behind him and knew she would be curious as to what could bring forth such a reaction from him.

Has he . . " he trailed of not even sure what he wanted to ask instead just sent her a pleading look which she took pity on.

"As you know he'd reached the city and was able to enter without problem. The last few days he has been searching out your sisters." He heard his mother gasp at her words but he waved Eragana on when she paused. "He was able to find and trail Sansa without problem but never saw Arya. So he started asking questions." she paused here herself and Robb got a bad feeling and from the stifled sob at his side so to did his mother.

"Robb, the Lannister's have never had Arya, from what Murtagh has been able to gleam, is that she hasn't been seen since the day your father was arrested."