(Untitled)

[_kinginthenorth]

To Robb's mind, the rain makes sense. His father is gone, an event which would be worthy of a blizzard, of winter in all its cold glory, but the rain--dismal, gloomy, and everpresent as the ache in his gut--makes more sense

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[lifeisnotasong]

Normally Sansa would never venture out in weather like this but there is only so long one can coop up a toddler, especially one as tantrum prone as Eddara was in the wake of losing her grandfather. She didn't understand that he was gone and that no amount of screaming and pleading would bring him back. So Sansa had bundled them both up as waterproof as could be, the clothes box had provided again and she hoped this was not indication that the island planned a month of this weather, thought it seemed like that would be the case. Eddara had small pink rubber boots that she was actually quite fond of and had developed a fondness for jumping in puddles that both quite distracted her and yet made Sansa's attempts at waterproofing her most useless. When they get home it will be a warming bath for Eddara at least that won't cause fuss, Eddara is very fond of water.

She really only meant to let Eddara work off a little energy but when they spot Robb, she had to grab Eddara to stop her rushing forward to greet her uncle. Robb is quick with his sword and would never hurt Eddara apurpose but Sansa knows well just how sharp Valyrian steel. "Robb," she said quickly as Eddara squealed a combination of protest at being held back and excitement to see her uncle.

[_kinginthenorth]

Robb lowers the sword quickly so he can greet Eddara properly, dropping to a crouch and holding out an arm. "Well, hello to both of you. Braving the wet, little one, are you?"

[lifeisnotasong]

"Splash," said Eddara brightly as Sansa releases her to clamber on Robb. "splash, splash."

Sansa shakes her head, splattering rain drops from her damp red curls. "I couldn't keep her in, much as I tried."

[_kinginthenorth]

Robb laughs, lifting Eddara onto his shoulders. "I should imagine not. The rest of us may know it's not fit weather to be outside, but it's rather new for her yet, isn't it?"

[lifeisnotasong]

Eddara clings tightly to Robb's head wrapping one arm over his eyes and laughs and laughs. "She's fascinated by it," said Sansa not mentioning how needed a distraction was. "But she's fond of water anyway."

[_kinginthenorth]

Robb carefully peels Eddara's hand from his eyelid. "You shouldn't stay cooped up, anyway."

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa glances at the dull damp sky, "I was quite keen on the idea," she admitted, "but I couldn't stand another tantrum."

[_kinginthenorth]

Robb follows her gaze, though his is somewhat obscured by the toddler tugging on his hair and waving her arms in front of his eyes. "It's not that bad. Well, no, all right, it is. But inside's worse, after a while."

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa could not imagine what it must be like to live in Summerfell at the moment with memories of their father in every bit of the building. Eddara screams for Papa at the sight of the place. "I suppose it is," she admits. "Though I might change my mind if this lasts the month."

[_kinginthenorth]

What choice does Robb have? Or any of them? They can neither go about things as if he had not gone, or as if he had never been there. His ghost has joined Catelyn's, Bran's, Rickon's; Summerfell is more haunted than the old crypts could ever have been. "Maybe." A pause. "Are you all right?"

[lifeisnotasong]

"Of course I am," she said as if she would worry him further. "But I miss him. And Eddara does not understand." Now she is distracted with Robb but Sansa knows there will be another upset sooner or later.

[_kinginthenorth]

"No," Robb says, his face going sad again despite Eddara's bopping him on the head. "I suppose she wouldn't. Hells. I would have thought just one of them--" But he breaks off, not wanting to burden her with this. "Well. We do what we must."

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa knows what he means - she has had the same thought, "this place is hardly fair in it's whims." Her tone is slightly bitter but she nods, "we do, and a part of her that is still paranoid thinks how easy it would be for the island to remove the we entirely.

[_kinginthenorth]

There are other fears Robb has, but to admit them would be to speak them, and he won't. Least of all to his younger sisters. "It's good to see you. It's...very empty, at home, just now."

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa expects it must be - and she tries to cheer Robb. "Well I am never far," she said, "and come January it will not seem so empty. Is Jeyne well?"

[_kinginthenorth]

"I believe so." There is a note of ruefulness in Robb's tone; he knows little enough about the process of bearing children that he can really only guess. Had they been back in Westeros, he would likely be off in battle and entirely absent for this part. "You'd know as well as I, I fear."