The Sphere: IC Inbox

[ulfur]

[a generic automated greeting in a synthetic voice: 'you have reached the inbox of Ned Stark. please leave a message.']

Comments

[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.