She overstepped herself perhaps, the gesture was familiar and she couldn't decide whether it was wise or not to push too much on him. When he extracted his hands, she took a half step back and lowered her gaze once more. They had stopped along the path, the sound of the wind in the trees was the only disruption to their conversation.
He called her good, but she didn't believe herself to be as good as others claimed. She was realistic. If she were truly good, she wouldn't have chosen to wed the Lannisters or placed her ambitions above justice. The compliment was at least kind and coaxed a sad smile from her. "As are you." A far better person than she was. His motives had at least been pure. "A better man than you give yourself credit for."
She set her basket on the ground, unconcerned with any animals that might steal her harvest. They were safe and alone in this spot and she didn't want to leave yet, not when they spoke on something deep and difficult. "Do you weep?" It was a personal question, but as he pointed out, they were well beyond it now. "Robb, you are a good man." She said it before, but it bore repeating. "You were a good king who made a mistake, as all kings do. What happened was not your doing and you are not to blame for what happened to your men. It was the treachery and unconscionable actions of three men that didn't think of the consequences."
And there were consequences, each paid a price. "Near a year and you still punish yourself. There is nothing to be gained from it, only a continual torture that will prevent you from finding happiness and, gods, that is something I want desperately for you." Even if she couldn't give it to him personally. "You are not and never were to blame. I refuse to let you think it anymore. If I must come to your house and follow you while you hunt, shouting it at you, I will." Now she was the one to laugh, letting it take the place of deeper emotions.
"I truly do know that guilt of believing you are the cause for your family's demise. I bear it as well. You are not alone in this, even if you feel you are. I will always be willing to shoulder your burden, if you let me."
no subject
He called her good, but she didn't believe herself to be as good as others claimed. She was realistic. If she were truly good, she wouldn't have chosen to wed the Lannisters or placed her ambitions above justice. The compliment was at least kind and coaxed a sad smile from her. "As are you." A far better person than she was. His motives had at least been pure. "A better man than you give yourself credit for."
She set her basket on the ground, unconcerned with any animals that might steal her harvest. They were safe and alone in this spot and she didn't want to leave yet, not when they spoke on something deep and difficult. "Do you weep?" It was a personal question, but as he pointed out, they were well beyond it now. "Robb, you are a good man." She said it before, but it bore repeating. "You were a good king who made a mistake, as all kings do. What happened was not your doing and you are not to blame for what happened to your men. It was the treachery and unconscionable actions of three men that didn't think of the consequences."
And there were consequences, each paid a price. "Near a year and you still punish yourself. There is nothing to be gained from it, only a continual torture that will prevent you from finding happiness and, gods, that is something I want desperately for you." Even if she couldn't give it to him personally. "You are not and never were to blame. I refuse to let you think it anymore. If I must come to your house and follow you while you hunt, shouting it at you, I will." Now she was the one to laugh, letting it take the place of deeper emotions.
"I truly do know that guilt of believing you are the cause for your family's demise. I bear it as well. You are not alone in this, even if you feel you are. I will always be willing to shoulder your burden, if you let me."