Welcome to Volantis

[kingofthenorth]

The first thing Robb noticed once arriving in Volantis, is the strong scent of the sea. It is almost stronger than the foul scent of waste and rubbish. The crowds were enormous, with traders, hagglers, and slaves all moving about at the harbor. Robb's prediction of their arrival was correct, it had only been 2 more days since he figured, and luckily his cold was mostly over. He had some lingering sniffling, but otherwise was stronger and healthier appearing than he was just a few days ago. He accredits a good portion of that to sleep, having slept longer hours than he was used to keeping, and tea Jeyne had made for him.

Eyes wide, he's look around them as he hoisted their small satchel with their things further up his shoulder as they moved away from the boat. "There's so many people." He commented, having to force himself through the crowd, a hand tightly holding onto Jeyne's to assure that they won't be separated. "Let's find some food, first."

He had grown accustomed to seafood, though the ideas of fresh fruit appealed to him more at this time, hoping they could find some local farmers, selling their goods.

Comments

[kingofthenorth]

He could completely agree with her sentiments on aging. He too felt that way, felt his bones creaked more, he was more easily tired, and if he could, sleep an entire day away even though he had done exactly that during his illness. But of course circumstances forbid it and with Jeyne's help, he was determined to find the Dragon Queen anyhow.

"Aye, and I'd be lost without you." Most likely dead, if he were honest as he closed the distance, bringing their lips together for a slow, emotionally charged kiss. Funny how they had done this time and time again and sometimes it felt like the very first time all over again.

[ladyjeyneofthecrag]

And just like the first time, once they lost themselves in one another, what happened next came naturally - and quickly. There was a different emotional undercurrent this time, though. Rediscovering one another, reaffirming their love and commitment and connection, were feelings that only came with the passage of time and a bit of distance.

She had worried that she might have mixed feelings when making love to him again. It was hard to avoid the sadness and loss that had so recently dominated her thoughts. They stayed far away, though. As she always did when alone with him, she felt nothing but completely safe and loved.

After they were both satisfied they lay in bed together, the room now dark as the sun was setting outside, and Jeyne sighed happily. Now that they had bonded again, her mind returned to what she had been thinking of at dinner. That poor little slave girl.

"Robb?"

[kingofthenorth]

"Hm?" He's drifting off to sleep, an arm loosely wrapped around her, though keeping her close as he lazily played with the ends of her hair. Everything she was feeling, he was too, feeling emotionally closer to her than he had in the past week.

Though it hadn't crossed his mind that she'd be bringing up the status of the slave girl again.

[ladyjeyneofthecrag]

"I love you so much." She snuggled even closer, nuzzling his earlobe with her nose.

"Wouldn't it be nice if we could share all of this love that we have with a child?" She pauses, approaching her point carefully.

"Buying that little slave girl would make all of us so much happier. And someday, when we have our own children, she would be their big sister."

[kingofthenorth]

There's a low hum of protest in his voice, though his features remain unwavering, and eyes were still closed. "We can't free all the slaves we come across, Jeyne."

He didn't want to point out they were going to have a child, but the gods felt otherwise about it. Losing their unborn child through the miscarriage was enough pain Robb could withstand at the moment. It was too soon to be talking again, especially when it came to slave children.

[ladyjeyneofthecrag]

His reaction was not what she had hoped. With a sigh she sets her head on his shoulder.

"I know we can't, and I'm not asking for all of them. Just this one." Just one little girl that Jeyne could teach. Together she and Robb could change that girl's life for the better, and show her that love and kindness do exist.

"Maybe if it looked like we had a slave then we would fit in better." It was a weak argument at best but she was willing to try it.

[kingofthenorth]

It was actually a very strong argument and one Robb agreed with.

Finally, he changes positions to where he's on his side, cradling his head on an arm tucked under a pillow. "There's consequences to this." He commented, unknowing how the true slave-lord relationship worked. "They might refuse and our identities are known, putting a target upon us." Which realistically is a complete long shot of a chance. "We don't much money left..." Robb was only planning to make it to the dragon queen and figure out funds once there.

[ladyjeyneofthecrag]

She moves her head as he rolls onto his side, so that they share the pillow, face to face. She takes his free hand and laces their fingers together before tucking them under her chin.

"I know. I know all of this, and yet I cannot help but want to save her." Tears prick at her eyes.

"There's something about her... she reminds me of my sister." So young and innocent, with long dark hair. So one that young should ever know suffering. They were too far away to save her sister, but this girl was just underneath their noses.

"There must be a way to sell my crown. The queen will only care about yours, you are the one with a claim. I'm just the girl who fell in love with you."

[kingofthenorth]

Robb's features were neutral as he thought about it. Always thinking, always trying to determine if decisions made were the right ones, and he had a very good reason to think that given his history.

There's a sigh, "I want to see you happy..." Which was more or less his way of giving in. Though truth be told, it would change plenty for them. For one, limited inn-spending or he could stay on the floor.

[ladyjeyneofthecrag]

She held her breath. Was he going to relinquish?

"Is that a yes?" She felt a pang of guilt. She had never manipulated someone's feelings to get what she wanted. She knew it was a risk and she would admit that if pressed. But she was owed an irrational desire or two.

[kingofthenorth]

"Aye, it is." It was foolish, but Jeyne had already been through so much and he owed it to her to make her happy.

"I don't know if they'll agree or if she'll even accept." He commented softly, not wanting her to get her hopes up too high, but with seeing a crown that could even be used for scrap might be more influential than expected.

His hand reached out to lace his fingers with hers.

[ladyjeyneofthecrag]

She wanted to jump up and down on the bed for joy, but she restrained herself. The win felt tenuous and she didn't want to do anything to make him change his mind.

"One thing at a time." She kissed his shoulder as their hands joined. "You were a king... I'm sure you can convince them. I can never say no to you..." So thus, nobody else should be able to either.