The Sphere: IC Inbox

[ulfur]

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[kingnamedstark]

But what you fought for was a lie. You never betrayed mother. She only believed you did.

No. She lives next to me.

[ulfur]

A lie that she felt as keenly as any truth.


...Damn it all. That is too close for comfort. And that was how it all began, was it not?

[ You know. For both of them. ]

[kingnamedstark]

It all began because I was grief stricken and drowned myself in drink. Everything happened after that. It was easier to stay with her than my room. Then I attempted to face my nightmares and she grew desperate.

Jeyne appeared and now she looked to make me suffer.

[ulfur]

[ Well that sounds familiar. ]

Grief and spirits, a fatal combination.

She struck where you would be most vulnerable. It seems to be a pattern.

[ He rests his head in his hands. ]

Forgive me, Robb. It was, as you say, a mistake. All the more because it wounds you. If not for her sake, then for mine and your mother's.

[kingnamedstark]

It was a mistake I made, it would be hypocritical of me to blame you.

[But he's still upset and feeling somewhat cold. He can't explain why, only that part of him hoped that his father was a different man than him. So long he was on a pedestal, but how quickly he fell.]

[ulfur]

Your mistake - and mine - was the despair. Not the temptation. Before Jeyne came, you were a dead man with a dead wife. As I am. If your mother never comes - if Jeyne never came - that means living out the rest of our days alone.

You know what I will return to. What you will return to. When our time here is done.

[kingnamedstark]

Jeyne was dead, but it didn't change my feelings. I should have held firm to my vows and been honest with myself. I wasn't, I was craven and coped with my grief and nightmares in the ways of a weak man.

I shouldn't have turned to her in that way. I'm tired though of being told vows end at death.

Not for me, not about her.

[ulfur]

Then that is what you should do. If you hold to your vows even beyond the grave, I honor that.

I do not think it weak to live here as a widowed man when that is what one is. But you must follow your own heart in this, Robb.

[kingnamedstark]

How you live your life is your decision. If you find a woman to love, so be it. It isn't my way, but what of it?

But forgive me, if you continue with Eponine, I can't stomach it.

[ulfur]

[ Eponine succeeded at least in one way: hurting the two of them and their precious time together. ]

Your way is suddenly clear now that Jeyne is here.

It will not happen again.

[kingnamedstark]

So Eponine said as well and I'm fortunate, but I still loved her even when she wasn't and as much as Eponine wanted me to, I couldn't forget or replace her. I felt I was still married.

I thought you would approve.

[But he's not sure what to think anymore.]

Thank you.

[ulfur]

I approve of whatever path leads you to be happy with the man you have become.

I will simply say this. You would not exist if your mother felt that same way about her first betrothed.

[kingnamedstark]

Mother didn't marry for love. She married for duty.

Father, why does it matter. This is how I feel, why keep pressing it?

[ulfur]

As did I.

I pray you and Jeyne will have the joy of a new life here together.

[ He remembers the babe Robb said they lost, and knows that Robb may never understand a father's desire to see his child happy and fulfilled in their path. It is a different one than he had walked. And it was good that his son would not simply walk in his footsteps but make new steps of his own. ]

[kingnamedstark]

I mean to try with her, so long as she lets me.

Either way, I'm moving domes.

[ulfur]

I think she will. And separating yourself from Eponine is a good start.

[ For him, too. ]

Anyone else I should watch out for?

[kingnamedstark]

Gods spare me from crossing anyone else while I'm here.

[ulfur]

Take care of yourself and your wife, Robb. When you want to talk more, we'll talk.

[kingnamedstark]

I will do my best, father.