Chapter 25

Robb's coronation was mercifully short. The public were not invited, however Willas Tyrell did manage to make it to the capital with a small entourage in time.

He must have ridden hard in order to make it to King's Landing when the missive was sent out, but Melara was all the more grateful for his presence especially because he brought with him, her two sisters in law along with a small bright eyed babe that was growing alarmingly fast.

When they had first stepped out of the wheelhouse that had brought them, the brunette felt the corners of her eyes burn from the sudden relief at seeing her family again. There was color back in Sansa's cheeks and a smile in her eyes that had been missing for months. Her long red curls were pinned in the fashion of Highgarden and she was already wearing her new house colors of green and gold, despite the fact that she and Lord Willas were not yet married.

Arya's hair was much longer and she had been talked into wearing a more unisex grey tunic and trousers, apart from the breeches that she normally wore and someone had managed to put her dark brown locks into a sensible braid.

Little Ned was nestled in Sansa's arms and looked far more alert than the last time Melara had seen him. It hadn't been long but somehow it still felt like forever and she and Robb still hurried down the Keep's main stairs to greet their family as if it had been years.

Arya's face had lit up upon seeing them and she had thrown herself into Robb's arms without any sort of fanfare and buried her face in his shoulder while he had held her tight. Meanwhile Melara had embraced Sansa who was looking more than a little teary eyed and kissed little Ned on the cheek who managed a squeal in protest.

She had also greeted Willas cordially and noted with approval than his demeanor was warm and even and he seemed to treat Sansa with great deference, if not respect, and dare she suspect it, something more than affection.

The young queen was filled with relief at that realization. Her good sister deserved every bit of happiness that had come her way after having her parents and her innocence stolen from her.

The small group had climbed the steps back into the keep, chattering all the while amongst themselves. Melara cast a glance at Robb and noted with satisfaction that the heavy look in his eyes had faded some at the arrival of his family.

The meal that night was full of more laughter than Melara remembered, each family member recounting tales experienced since they had last seen each other.

Arya was eager to talk about all the new lessons she had learned and Willas and Robb sipped their wine and talked quietly about the state of affairs in Westeros and some of the plans the latter had made to implement when he was crowned.

She caught snatches of the northern problem and was pleased when Willas pledged his support to his goodbrother to help put down Stannis Baratheon.

All in all, she and Robb retired to their room that night feeling far lighter than they had in the last few weeks.

The following morning both rose early and made their way to the throne room with their family, close friends and lords along with the High Septon who had arrived just in time to crown the new king.

Though the Riverlands had fashioned a crown for him to wear, Robb decided that he wished to have something a bit more northern to represent his roots even though he was now the king of Westeros.

Despite his desire to have a small ceremony to recognize his coronation, Robb had ensured to invite all of his major lords and ladies respectively and their combined presence had filled the throne room nearly to capacity….a throne room that Robb and Melara were now standing outside of, waiting to enter.

"Are you ready for this?" Robb asked softly as they lingered in the hallway. "This will be the final step."

Melara cocked her head up at her husband curiously. She had been too distracted with how handsome he had looked in his northern furs and dark greys to be paying too much attention to what he had been saying. The war had made Robb harder and leaner, but it had never quite succeeded in removing the softness from his face, though it remained carefully hidden. And for that she was truly grateful.

"Why wouldn't I be?" she asked.

A hand slipped under her chin and carefully tilted it up so that green eyes looked into blue. "Being a queen of part of this land is one thing, but being queen of the whole country is quite another. Everything has been happening so fast lately and I just want to ensure that you have come to terms with it all."

Melara felt her naturally hard façade slowly begin to crumble. She could never wear a mask in front of Robb and she never wanted to.

"I would be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous," she said softly. "But we have handled a war thus far with a high degree of success, I don't see why political life should be any different. It too is like war, just somewhat less intense."

Robb nodded, but the concerned expression on his handsome face didn't fade, even after he had removed his hand from her chin.

Now it was Melara's turn to frown. "What is it Robb? I haven't seen you this uncertain in a while. What is troubling you?"

Her husband hesitated for a moment before running a hand across his face and carding his fingers through his curls. "I suppose I'm just….waiting for the other shoe to drop. Things have been going so well lately that I can't help but wonder if it's all too good to be true. Our success, the capture of the Lannisters, the winning of the capital, the Martells, the Tyrells, my new kingdom –"

"We still have to deal with Stannis," Melara gently reminded him and saw a familiar spark enter his blue eyes. "Aye there is that, and I find I am itching for a fight against him. There also has been no news from the north. Winterfell is holding but where that thorn in my side is, named Stannis Baratheon, there has been no word."

"There has been no missive from Jon?" Melara asked softly because even though they were about to have crowns placed on their heads, she wanted to ensure that every member of his family was well.

"No," Robb said emphatically. "And maybe that's another reason why I find myself ill at ease. I'm just so far away from what is left of the action and I want to do away with it once and for all. I want peace, I want calm again, I want –"

He was cut off suddenly when Melara raised herself onto her toes and pressed a brief but tender kiss to his lips. "And so you shall," she whispered when she had pulled away. "I promised you that I would do whatever I had to do to help you. We are in this together, as husband and wife, king and queen or just Robb and Melara. Whatever you need me to do, whatever you need me to be….I am here. And I always will be, as will the people who have pledged themselves to you."

She had barely pulled away before he had taken one of her hands rather roughly and pressed it to his lips, all the while eyeing her with a burning in his dark blue eyes that caused something hot to coil in her stomach.

"As I ever will be at yours," he said softly and Melara had to suppress a shiver. "From now until the end."

Melara smiled at him as they turned towards the doors that were beginning to open. "Then let us not talk about endings my king. This is a beginning, a new and glorious beginning that will see peace brought to Westeros and to you and I."

And without another word, the two walked hand in hand into the throne room, heading for the two thrones at the far end where their new life would begin.

Ω

Five years later….

The child pulled haphazardly at the flower on the side of the garden path, a little crease forming between her brows when the roots refused to give and she uttered a short squealing noise of frustration.

Laughing Melara bent and scooped her up, ignoring the struggling as she planted a gentle kiss on her nose. "Sweetling, you can't go pulling at every offending shrub in the garden, there won't be any left!"

"Down Mummy!" Little Cat fussed and laughing, Melara set her back on her feet. Even though she was only two, her daughter hated being carried unless she was exceptionally tired and had far more energy than she should have been allowed.

The queen glanced down at her rounded stomach and not for the first time prayed silently that this one would be a boy, preferably one with Robb's temperament as opposed to hers. She paused to think about that for a moment, imagining a sweet little boy with Robb's curls and her eyes, or perhaps her long black hair and Robb's blue eyes.

Either way, she did not care as Catelyn was living proof that any children that they made would be beautiful.

And as her daughter did not lack for beauty, so too did the realm.

In the last five years since crowns had been placed on her and Robb's head, Westeros had undergone remarkable change.

The execution of Cersei and Joffrey had been short and swift and Robb has decided not to have their heads placed on pikes outside of the keep as he didn't want there to be any memory of their time as the capital's rulers, short as it might have been.

Tyrion Lannister had departed shortly after for Lannisport where he had recalled the army that he was now lord of and Robb had backed him as the new Warden of the West. Remarkably they had gone quietly, though Robb had advised Tyrion before he had left to keep his Uncle Kevan on a short leash. The chances of the other lion attempting to start a rebellion were very low but it was a threat they didn't want to deal with even the possibility of.

Sansa had married Lord Willas in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by their friends and family and Melara had smiled for the joy on her good sister's face as the girl deserved every bit of happiness she had been deprived of.

The good news had kept coming because it was just over a year later when Sansa had given birth to a healthy boy whom she and Willas had named Sylas Tyrell.

Arya continued to grow and succeed in her sword training, though she had exhibited very little interest in marrying.

At least that was what she had told Melara, but when the queen had gone to deliver Tywin Lannister and the Mountain to the Martells, Arya had accompanied her and the brunette had seen the way her eyes followed the youngest Martell son Trystane.

Though there had been no official word, Melara knew the two kept in touch and she had a feeling it wouldn't be long before some manner of intentions were stated.

Dorne would suit Arya, it would be far easier for her to be accepted for her likes there than any other place in Westeros.

As for Winterfell and the north, almost as soon as the crown had been placed upon his head, Robb and Melara had gathered the armies and rode north with all haste to secure Winterfell and deal with the threat of Stannis Baratheon.

It was a near thing too as they had arrived days before a potential siege, managing to cut the last Baratheon brother off and deal his armies a grievous blow.

Melara had met his witch Melisandre in pitched battle and though the latter had put up a valiant fight, she in the end, was no match for the queen's magic and so succumbed to a well placed spell.

Robb in turn, struck down Stannis, causing his armies to scatter to the winds and thus ending Westeros' last conflict. Winterfell was secured and Robb was able to unite with his younger brothers and finally introduce them to Melara even though the brunette had conversed with Bran in her dreams before.

Prior to the king returning to the capital, Robb had made Bran the Warden of the North, despite the younger boy's protestations.

Melara had then told her husband of her dreams involving her and Bran and the two had been granted leave to go to the Isle of Faces to answer the call in their shared vision.

Once they had arrived, they had spoken with the Green Man who was able to use the deep magic in the heart trees along with Melara's own, to heal Bran's legs, enabling him to walk again.

The younger boy was almost in tears and had elected to stay with the Green Men for a time so that he might learn more about the cause of his visions and use them to help Westeros.

After that Melara had felt as if she might sleep for a week.

They had returned to King's Landing amid much fanfare, but not before burying the remains of their family members in Winterfell.

Tears had been shed as Robb's father and mother had been laid to rest but they had not lasted long as peace was enough to remove some of the ache from them all.

Melara fulfilled her promise to her sister and buried both her and Ollie under a tree on top of a hill where they might forever lie in the sun.

Finally….Finally, peace had come to Westeros and the role of simply ruling had fallen onto Robb and Melara's shoulders with a vengeance, but given the insanity of the last few years, it was a task they both relished.

Not long after that, Melara had discovered that she was expecting and Robb's joy when she told him the news was overwhelming.

When their daughter had arrived, his relief at her safe arrival told Melara that he hadn't cared whether or not she had given birth to a son or daughter and would just as soon declare either his heir.

He had named her Catelyn, but only after asking her first if Roslyn would have been her pick. Melara had been moved to tears.

"Maybe for another daughter my love," she had whispered after he had pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "For now, I can think of no better name than the one your mother bore. She would be so proud of you.

And then there had been more tears as a representation of their joy.

"Mama?"

Melara looked down to find her daughter tugging on her hand. "Yes sweetling?"

Cat fixed her with a big grin, the blue eyes so like Robb's sparkling at her. "Papa's there!"

She pointed and Melara looked up in surprise to find her husband standing not ten feet in front of them, his back to them as he stared out over the terrace wall into Blackwater Bay.

He was dressed in his usual grey tunic and breeches tucked into tall leather boots. A short white cape was connected from one shoulder to his side by a thin silver cord as it was far too warm for furs and strapped to his side as always, was Ice.

His hair had grown longer in the last few years but Melara thought that it suited him. In terms of dress, Robb was probably one of the most simplistic kings that Westeros had ever had and yet Melara loved him for it.

His lack of vanity and yet sheer confidence had won him the love of the people, along with their everlasting loyalty.

"Papa!" Cat shrieked as she let go of her mother's hand and darted over the her father.

He turned at the sound of her voice, a smile so big on his face that it was contagious, before bending, snatching her up in his arms and spinning her around.

Cat let out a squealing laugh that was music to Melara's ears before her husband pressed to the little girl to his chest and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Have you been good for your mother?"

Cat buried her face in his chest and nodded, all the while giggling in such a way that it reminded Melara of little Ned.

The youngest prince split time between the capital and Highgarden, going back and forth between his eldest siblings who had a sort of joint custody over them. He would be coming back to King's Landing that very day and Cat was eager to have another playmate. The littlest Stark prince was a happy boy who seemed no more affected by war than a flower was by a gentle summer breeze.

Sometimes though Melara would catch her husband watching him with a shadow of pain on his face and she would press close to him, promising silently that he would lose no one else and that all of his days would be filled with happiness.

The shadow and horror of war had long since left his face but the queen knew he still had nightmares about Riverrun. She knew because there were times when she still saw the faces of her sister and brother in her dreams, calling out to her.

But during those times, they would cling to each other, finding comfort and safety in each other's arms.

"Melara?"

The brunette blinked when she looked up to find Robb standing in front of her, his deep blue eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright?"

The queen stood on her toes in answer and pressed a long kiss to his mouth. The king stiffened in surprise before burying a hand in the back of her long curls and deepening the kiss, teasing her mouth open even further.

By the time Melara pulled back, she was a bit breathless and could feel the heat in her cheeks. Five years and yet her desire for him had never abated and likely never would.

Robb was so very easy to love.

"I'm fine," she said softly. "Sometimes I get a bit too lost in my own head. But it's nothing to worry about."

He raised an eyebrow at her, his eyes still dark from the heated kiss. "Are you sure? You had a strange look on your face."

She mirrored his expression. "And what look was that my king?"

He chucked deep in his throat, the arm that had found its way to her waist pulling her even closer. "The look that says you're thinking about the war."

She frowned, hands splayed across his chest, pressing into the grey ornate tunic. "I have an expression for that?"

"You do. Your eyes get very distant and your entire face will relax as if you've forgotten how to move it and you will go very still, look far too hard at something inconsequential and generally be somewhat unfit for conversation until I call your name."

She stared at him horrified. "Am I truly that bad?"

He silenced her with another quick kiss. "I jest in part, but I notice everything that you do, so it's only natural that I would be a bit more sensitive to your thoughts and actions."

The queen sighed a bit, leaning more heavily into his embrace. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?" he asked, tilting her head up so that he might look into her eyes.

Melara fought the urge to squirm uncomfortably. It was very hard to look at Robb sometimes. He had a very good way of stripping her of all of her shields and bringing her vulnerabilities to the surface. She loved him for it though as he was one of the few people who could get her to soften outside of her daughter and brothers.

"For not being as present as I should be," she said softly, curling her hands against his tunic. "Sometimes I forget that the war is long since over and I need to let go of the past. The horror is behind us and I need to remember that."

Robb's eyes had narrowed slightly in speculation. "Melara, you are allowed to feel whatever you wish to. I know that the grief will ever truly fade, nor would I expect you to forget who you have lost. I hope that you know that."

"I do," she whispered softly. "I know that. But sometimes I feel as if I'm walking around carrying a cloak of grief and when that times comes, I am utterly useless to everyone."

"My love, you do not need to have a reason for constantly being in action or deciding when to relax. You are allowed to do those things simply because you want to and if anyone wishes to begrudge you for feeling the way you do, send them to me and I'll set them straight."

Though his tone was amused, the look in his blue eyes was deeply serious and Melara felt herself melt under the light that she found there.

She shook her head slightly and brought one of her hands up so that it rested against the nape of his neck, pulling his head down slowly until their foreheads touched.

"What….on earth, did I do to deserve you?" she asked softly, shutting her eyes.

She could feel the hand that Robb had splayed against her back press even more firmly into her skin, thumb slowly rubbing back and forth at the bare patch of skin that the style of the King's Landing dress had afforded her.

"I don't think it was anything we did," the king said softly. "We just need to be grateful that it happened."

Aye, and that she could agree with.

After a moment, the queen was able to pull back and fix the love of her life with a brilliant smile. "I think that that is one of the most perfect things you have ever said you grace. I think that would be a good way to live each day, with utter gratitude for all that we have been blessed with."

His answering smile was like sunshine and he took her hand, threading his fingers through hers. "Aye, now what do you say we go and greet Ned and Arya?

They should be here soon."

And without hesitation, the queen of Westeros who was also Melara Frey, who was also Pansy Parkinson, though she had not borne that title for a long time, took her husband's arm and made her way back through the gardens with him and her daughter.

For once there was nothing to plan for, no war to fight, no lords to speak to and no battles to plan. There was simply the three of them, the king, queen and princess.

And nothing more was needed.

THE END

After much deliberation, I have decided to end Serpent Queen here. When I first began it, I did so with the intention that I wanted to see Melara marry Robb and be a queen. And now she has, so there isn't much reason for me to keep going. I know that some of you wanted to see a confrontation with Daenerys, or the fight Stannis or even the War for the Dawn, but I decided not to include them because I felt that would drag this story into a multiple chapter epic and I wanted to keep it short and sweet. Plus the War for the Dawn is not an enterprise that should be undertaken lightly. It must be superbly written, or else not written at all and I'm not convinced that I could have done it justice so I decided not to.

My main objective was to see peace in Westeros and Robb and Melara get a happy ending as Robb did not have one in the canon material. Now that they have finally got what they wanted and needed, I've decided that this is the end. Thank you to everyone who has followed this story from its inception and to those who have joined along the way. I had a lot of fun writing it and still enjoy looking back on certain chapters. Thank you for coming on this journey with me, I truly appreciate all of you and I couldn't have written this without your love and support. Thank you for believing in my abilities and reading each chapter that I post no matter how long it takes for me to do so. See you all in my other stories.

Happy reading everyone.

Love Katie :)