To The Shadows

Aurora had just got back from her training while Lady Anna was spending time with Lord Zevrion, it was now just after dinner Dinner time she was to on her way to Lady Anna's quarters for her lady-in-waiting duties. She felt she was far better at being a body guard though, she was more comfortable in the guard uniform the the dress she had to wear as a lady in waiting.

It was this evening Aurora wished to ask Anna about going to the Grove, since there was a lot of talk on it. The situation of what happened in Riverstone had spread to them by mouth and of course everyone knew Lady Anna was from Riverstone, so it was all a mystery on what the Lord and Lady were going to do. Regardless of what was done Aurora would be by Anna's side through it.

She tapped on the door to Anna's quarters seeking entrance, Zevrion was in the Hall still chatting with the Castellan so she assumed Anna was alone. "Lady Anna?"

Anna sat at her favorite table in her chambers. Zevrion had gifted it to her, crafted from a fine specimen of whitewood for which their land was so well known. Upon the table was a single sheet of parchment; a corner of the fine paper bore the Silvertongue seal. Azure eyes were solidly fixed upon the seal. A decision needed to be made whether or not to travel to Riverstone... Anna felt a strong urge to take such a trip, including braving the treacherous route through Shadow Grove. On the other hand, a part of her felt it was her duty to her family and her people to stay put. Countless others would surely agree she should stay, but how could she leave one of her youngest brothers in such a dire predicament?

The tapping on Anna's door broke her concentration. She glanced out the window to check the hour: surely by now, Ilmarinen's attendants were seeing him to bed. Anna wandered over to her desk to retrieve a sheet of parchment. "Please come in," she called towards the doorway, absently reaching for a vial of indigo ink. Whether her mind was made up now or still struggling through the waters of indecision, a response to her mother was imperative.

Aurora entered Anna's chambers at the invite inside and spotted her Lady at her desk. She ventured over and knelt for a moment "Sorry if I interrupted you Milady" she said softly even though she was reporting in as was her job as Anna's Lady-in-waiting. She glanced at the Silvertongue seal on the parchment Lady Anna had in front of her. She suspected it was to her mother, but it was not her place to comment unless Anna said something about it first.

"I am here reporting for service of you wish for anything milady" she added extending an offer of help should Anna want it. Otherwise she had a feeling it was going to be a quiet night until she was dismissed.

"You've interrupted nothing important," Anna smiled and gestured for Aurora to take a seat in the extra chair near her desk. The Lady of House Greywolf set down her fresh parchment and exquisite sapphire ink, then took the chair she had occupied only moments before. Anna took a few moments to settle herself within its lavish comfort.

Her eyes once again flicked towards the letter. "I would be honored for your counsel, Aurora..." Anna said, fidgeting with a corner of her fine blank parchment. Large blue eyes focused themselves on Aurora's emerald ones. "... And quite possibly a promise of secrecy, until the time is right."

Aurora took the seat offered to her and observed Anna as she settled herself again, she knew the woman well enough to know something was on her mind that she was struggling with something. For it was few times indeed she had seen Anna troubled by something quite like this.

"Anything you say to me is always confidential Anna, unless stated otherwise of course" she assure as it was her job to be Lady Anna's confident and even if it wasn't she still considered herself Anna's friend and she valued her trust quite highly.

"What is it that troubles you?" she asked meeting the other woman eyes concern and caring reflected at hers.

Anna hesitated. The curious sensation of being caught up in a maelstrom of words and translations, a babbling without speaking, overcame her. Anna closed her eyes against the momentary vertigo, and took a steadying breath. "Many things trouble me... the slaughter of Silvertongue and Greywolf bannermen, as well as my father and one of my brothers, is at the heart of it. My family in Riverstone is in chaos - next in line for Lordship would have been Micah had he not become exiled, which leaves my brother, Elias, to the chore. He's only fourteen...

"Then there's the risk that House Frost will try to take Riverstone by force, thinking the House to be weak enough for a siege. I've asked Zevrion to send men to help with what is left of the army, and if he would send advice to my brother since he also became Lord at a young age. To this he has decided to visit my brother, to counsel him in person. And... I very much wish to go with him, even if only to attend the wake." Anna bit her lip, trying to decide how to proceed without stumbling over her words.

Aurora found none of what Anna said surprising, her family was hurting and knowing the woman it was natural she wanted to help them. As a gesture of comfort Aurora took Anna's hand in her own and gave it a squeeze hoping to give her strength. "Milady, if that is what you wish to do then it will be made possible, by all rights none will be surprised if you decide to go.. what happened was a tragedy, for Riverstone most of all.. the lords death there saddens us all.. It is the land which you hail and it seems so long as you wish it to be they will not be abandoned to a Frosts mercy by us.. " she answered gently seeing Anna having a uncharacteristically hard time with her words..

"There is something else isn't there Milady?" she prompted seeing there was something making her hesitate, it could be the dangers that came with travel.. but it felt there was something more that has her Lady so hesitant.

Anna's eyes flicked from the blank parchment to Aurora when the younger woman took her hand. She gave a light squeeze back to thank her for the kindness, letting her lady-in-waiting's words wash over her and caress a few of her anxieties away. One corner of her mouth attempted to twitch itself into a smile, but didn't quite succeed. Aurora's question of something more caused Anna to bite her lip.

"Indeed... It feels like there's quite a bit more I haven't yet said..." Anna admitted after several moments. She took a breath to steady herself and shifted her gaze to their entwined hands. "For all of my knowledge of words, there seems to be none capable of summarizing the storm of thoughts in my mind. I worry for Ilmarinen's well-being and how he will take to having both parents away... the quickest route is through Shadow Grove, though I know that place is fabled for its dangerous roads... and then, there is another matter. One I haven't even mentioned to my husband..."

Anna's sapphire gaze rose once more. Instead of the strong eyes whose gaze could pierce a whitewood shield if they so chose, they contained a completely different quality when lined by bubbling tears. "Zevrion also agrees that I should go, if that is my wish... and much of me has decided that I do wish to make the journey. ...But what he does not yet know is that I am with child..." Anna shook her head and caused a single tear to slide down her cheek. "I sound such a selfish fool to want to go, for who am I to risk the creation of what is only partially mine? But at the same time can I truly abandon paying my last respects to Connor and my father, and providing Elias some sort of aid that supplemental soldiers can not? For once in my life... I do not know what I should do..."

Aurora felt worry rise in her throat as her Lady's eye filled with tears and the heartache and worry in Anna's voice was clear as day. When Anna mentioned that she was with child and she hadn't told Zevrion yet she straightened form her position in front of Anna. Not sure how to react at first, she felt bad that Zev didn't know and she did.. Zevrion, she had no idea how the man would react if something happened to his wife and he found out she was with child before she told him..

Then she wasn't sure what advice she could give.. "I am not sure My Lady.. As your personal guard and friend... I would advise you remain here, On both counts I would dread if anything happened to you on the road.. But at the same time I understand your want to honor your father and brothers.. I will protect you through the journey" She said with assurance and squeezed Anna's hand again.

"I understand your conflict Milady.. I do not envy what you face... But I will be by your side regardless " she though with a note of despair since she knew her words were likely not of any help.

Anna caught the brief movement of Aurora straightening and held back a wince. She knew her lady-in-waiting was close to Zevrion, each treating the other like siblings. Anna felt thoughts and words form a fierce avalanche within her throat. Azure eyes blinked, looked into the eyes of her friend, then looked away and back again.

Lessons in diplomacy had served Anna well as she schooled her face into an expression of passive listening as Aurora spoke. Lessons in logic told Anna that Aurora was correct to advise her to stay, even if it was the last thing Anna wanted to hear. The Maester would surely say the same, and deep down Anna had even considered writing to her mother to decline attending her father’s and brother’s wake... if only for the sake of her unborn child. Dark eyebrows knitted into thought, causing faint wrinkles to appear on her forehead.

“It’s a tough decision... and I’ve only until dawn to make it,” Anna murmured, once more focused on the blank parchment in front of her. “There is so much to do and consider... it’s overwhelming, but I’m confident the castellan and Maester are able men...”

Anna tore her eyes from the parchment to meet Aurora’s gaze. “You’re an exceptional fighter, as is Zevrion and many of the Whitewood complement. I myself am excellent with a crossbow. The path will be dangerous, I know... but so long as I am being given a choice, I cannot abandon my family in Riverstone simply because I am the Lady of Whitewood. As for being with child, many have traveled with children in the womb...” Anna paused, biting her lip. “I ask you not to tell Zevrion about this... I mean to tell him soon, having only known a day or so myself... but I haven’t yet decided on the best way. And with this upcoming journey...”

She paused, and swallowed. The furrowed brows and pained eyes of Anna’s face were as if she had just tried to swallow a rock. “... with this upcoming journey, I am... afraid.”

Aurora would not admit that she feared for the lady as well, if they took any other road then the Shadow Grove she wouldn't be so concerned. The Shadow Grove held a dark magic in it, a magic that could enter ones head and play tricks on them in the cruelest way. She looked at Anna at her confession that she was afraid and breathed a sigh.

"My Lady, being afraid of this journey is not unreasonable..in fact I would say it rational.. There is a reason the bravest fighters fear walking into that grove. It is true we have the best fighters around and we can handle a fight.. however that grove is different it plays tricks on your mind. You see shadows that are not there.. and just when you think you can ignore the lurking shadows as figments of imagination a shadow warrior steps through the fog with an arrow or poisoned dart aimed at your head, a breath away from killing you....or taking you away" Aurora looked away for a moment considering something..

"I do not warn you against going into the Grove because you are lady of Whitewood nor because you are with child.. I would give the same advice to anyone who posed the idea" she continued in a calm voice. "But if this is what you must do.. then you must.. besides if anyone can make it through the Grove it is you and Zevrion.. of one heart you two are" finally a small smile slid to Aurora's lips since she knew what a good couple Anna and Zev made.