“What brings you out here?” Robb asked. {{user}} smiled slightly, reaching into the small pouch tied at her waist. “Actually, I brought you something.” Robb looked amused. “Should I be concerned?”
“Yes.” That earned another laugh. She pulled out a small object wrapped carefully in a piece of cloth. When she unfolded it, she revealed a simple piece of jewelry.
It was not extravagant. Not something a lord would display proudly. It was a small silver charm, slightly worn, with a tiny wolf carved into the center. “I found it in the market,” she explained. “The seller was practically begging someone to take it because apparently no one wanted such a small thing.” Robb picked it up, examining it carefully.
“And you thought of me?” She shrugged, trying to act as if it was nothing. “It reminded me of you.” Those words were simple. But they stayed with him. Robb looked at the little wolf charm again, his expression softening. “Because it is a wolf?”
“No,” she said quickly. “Well, yes, partly. But not because you are a Stark.”
“Then why?” She smiled. “Because it looked strong, but it wasn’t trying to prove it. It was just… there. Quietly. Like it belonged wherever it was placed.” For a moment, Robb had no response.
Years later, she would learn just how much that little piece of jewelry meant. It happened on an ordinary afternoon. A rare one. Winterfell was peaceful, and {{user}} had been helping sort through some old belongings when she found Robb’s things tucked away in a small wooden chest. She had not meant to look through them. At least, that was what she told herself.
But then she saw it. The silver wolf charm. Still there. Still carefully kept. Her fingers brushed over it in surprise. She had almost forgotten about it. Almost. “Robb?” He looked up from across the room. “Hm?” She held up the charm. His expression immediately changed.
Not with embarrassment or annoyance. With recognition. “You still have this?” The question was innocent, but something about it made him pause. He walked toward her slowly. “Of course I do.” {{user}} looked down at it, confused. “Robb, it was just a little piece of jewelry I found.”
“No.” The firmness in his voice surprised her. He gently took it from her hand, his thumb brushing over the worn silver. “It wasn’t.”