Summary: It was her destiny to marry a man of the North, but then men tend to get in the way of destiny. RobbXOC.

A/N: So I was rewatching this show and had an interesting scene pop into my head. Concrit is much loved. I put the age of the characters roughly closer to the actors age in the tv series. The books they are younger than the actors in the series. Based on TV series and not Books. Hopefully I get this done before season 2 starts.

Lady Catelyn Stark eagerly awaited the arrival of her friend Lady Edith Cynious. It had been almost ten years since the two women had seen each other. They had been childhood friends and had become friends in court. The last time she had seen Edith was at the funeral of Brandon Stark, Catelyn's betrothed. Edith had been unable to attend the wedding of her friend which had been a quick and quiet event. Robert's rebellion quickly followed and then the realm had to heal. Both women had been busy with their marriage, new responsibilities and children.

Now Catelyn stood in front of her house with her husband Eddard Stark, nine year old son Robb and one and a half year old daughter Sansa as well as Eddard's bastard son Jon. Catelyn had told her husband that he didn't have to stand with her to await Edith's arrival, but he insisted. He was a good man to her.

Catelyn smiled as the small convoy made their way into the courtyard. Only two men rode in front and another two men rode behind of the simple carriage. House Cynious of Firelake was a vassal house sworn under House Tyrell. Although she was married Edith's husband adopted into her house since she was the sole heir. He was the youngest in his house and it was quite clear that he would get nothing from his family. Edith had always said that when she married it would be for love. Catelyn had hoped her friend did that.

Catelyn had accepted her lot in life to being married to a Stark. She was lucky that the Starks were nice but firm people. Eddard held her in the highest of regards and it was clear that he loved her as much as she loved him. There was only that one time that ended up in him producing a bastard son. But since that fateful day he hadn't swayed nor did it seem as if he ever would. She couldn't help but count herself lucky. She knew of other young noblewomen who had met worst fates with their husbands.

The carriage halted in front of them and Catelyn swayed slightly from anticipation. The carriage driver opened the front door and Lady Edith stepped out. Catelyn caught a gasp from escaping. Her friend had changed dramatically from the last time she had seen her. Living in the southern part of Westeros, Edith had always had tan skin and was slightly pudgy. Now she was skinny with pale skin. It looked as if she hadn't seen the sun in ages.

"Lady Edith," Catelyn called out as she rushed over to her friend and hugged her.

Edith eagerly returned her hug. The two women let go as Eddard positioned himself next to his wife.

"Welcome to Winterfell, Lady Cynious," he said as he took her hand and kissed it.

"Thank you, my lord," she said as she curtsied. Despite her sickly figure she was still extremely graceful.

"I hope your journey was well," he said as he leaned back.

"It was a long journey, my lord, but pleasant," she replied with a smile. "I was surprised by the difference in country."

Eddard smiled as he let out a chuckle. "You should see the winter," he said.

"My lord and lady Stark," Edith said as she stepped back and looked up into the carriage. "May I present my daughter Vivian Cynious."

The little girl walked down the carriage steps and positioned herself beside her mother. She reminded Catelyn of a younger Edith. She had long curly dark brown hair, brown eyes and was at least eight. Small freckles speckled her tan skin because of the sun. There was a little red on her nose from a sunburn that she had earlier.

Vivian curtsied to the two.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, little lady," Eddard said as he took the little girl's hand and kissed it. Catelyn smiled and curtsied back at her. "These are my children," Eddard said as he motioned for the three to join him. A servant carried one-year-old Sansa to Catelyn who took her. "My eldest son Robb," he said as his son bowed. Vivian curtsied to him. "My eldest daughter Sansa," he motioned to the little girl. Vivian curtsied to the girl and Catelyn made a sweeping motion for Sansa. "And my other son Jon. This is Lady Cynious and her daughter Vivian Cynious."

The little boy bowed awkwardly as Edith looked at the child in surprise. She quickly glanced at Jon then Eddard before she put on her polite mask. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she said as she and her daughter curtsied to the children.

"Forgive me, my lord and ladies," Ser Rodrick Cassel, Winterfell's Master-of-Arms, said as he bowed to them. "I am in need of Lord Stark's assistance."

Eddard sighed as he looked at his wife. Catelyn smiled as she nodded her approval. "It was a pleasure," Eddard said with one final bow to the group before he walked off with Rodrick.

"May I go play now, mother?" Robb asked his mother as he looked up at her.

Catelyn shook her head. "We have guests," she stated.

"Let the boy play," Edith said with a smile. "I'm afraid that our trip has exhausted us and…" she paused when she felt someone tug at her skirts. She looked down at her daughter who looked up.

"May I go play too, mother?" the little girl asked.

"Vivian," Edith said shaking her head. "Lady Stark is our host and will be providing for us. She cannot watch you at this moment."

"If it pleases the lady," Maester Luwin, an aged man, said. He had been standing near them for quite some time and Edith hadn't noticed him. "I will be watching the boys and can watch the little lady as well."

Vivian's eyes lit up and she looked at her mother expectantly.

"Very well," Edith said with a small smile.

Vivian clapped her hands as she jumped up and down happily.

"Follow me," Catelyn said to her friend as she walked toward the main house with Sansa in her arms.

"What will we play?" Vivian asked Robb.

"Tag," he said as he touched her shoulder. "You're it." The two boys darted around the courtyard.

"Not fair!" Vivian called out as she bunched up her skirts and tried to follow them.

Edith took one last glance at her daughter before she entered the house with Catelyn in front of her.

"I cannot believe it is summer here," Edith said after a moment of silence. "How can you stand it?"

Catelyn laughed as she nodded her head. "It was difficult, but I have grown as used to it as I can."

"I have missed you at court, Cat," Edith said as they sat down at a table.

"As you can see," Catelyn said as she waved her free hand around her. "It is a long and difficult from your home. Imagine going to King's Landing. How goes court?"

Edith sighed. "Difficult. King Robert is still trying to prove he can rule. He is much better than the Mad King, but…" she paused then shook her head. "Anyone is better than the Mad King. He does miss your husband."

Catelyn sighed as she nodded her head. "We used to get ravens from the king many times a month. It has dwindled. Ned can't bear the thought of leaving his home and me under the care of another. He trusts me and my judgment, but he would never forgive himself if anything were to happen."

Edith nodded her head. "There have been rumors of a rebellion brewing. Various Houses have been attached."

Catelyn sighed. "We have heard of some from our own Vassals. Ned has checked on them. He believes that someone is intentionally trying to incite the king against him. But Robert and Ned have been close since childhood and because of…" she couldn't finish her sentence.

"Forgive me for bringing it up," Edith quickly said. "My visit is supposed to be joyous, not filled with sad and fearful rumors. You have two lovely children."

Catelyn smiled. "Ned and I want a brood of children. I am surprised that you only have one. Last we talked you were exclaiming to the high hills that you would have a child a year."

Edith smiled a sad smile. "I am afraid my child bearing days are over. Vivian will be my one and only child."

Catelyn reached out and held her friend's hand. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Edith let out a soft chuckle. "All is well, Cat," she said as she squeezed her hand back. "Since I married I reconsidered my decision to have children. The few others that my husband and I have attempted to produce have ended in tragedy."

"And yet you never wrote to me about this," Catelyn pointed out in sorrow.

Edith shook her head. "I didn't want to concern you with it. You had so much to deal with."

"I always have time to deal with my friends."

"As I said, all is well. Vivian is my pride and joy." Edith's face brightened when she mentioned her daughter.

"She looks like you," Catelyn said with a smile.

"You must come to court someday, Cat," Edith said, changing the subject.

Catelyn laughed, shaking her head. "If it were that easy I would."

"If I can do it so can you, Cat," Edith teased. "Now, some mead if you will be so kind."

Catelyn smiled as she motioned to one of the servants.

!*!*!

"I don't believe you," Vivian said rather defiantly as she stared at the two boys. She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.

"Tell her, Jon," Robb said to his half-brother.

Jon eagerly nodded his head.

"They say that the Old Gods can listen from the Godswood," Robb whispered. "If they dislike you then they will chase you away."

Vivian scrunched her nose with disapproval. "Prove it," she said. "Where is it?"

Robb looked at Maester Luwin, who was talking to someone, before he motioned for them to follow him. They quickly followed him. It wasn't long until they reached the Godswood inside of Winterfell. Vivian stopped when she spotted the large white tree.

"Afraid?" Robb teased.

"No!" Vivian stated firmly as she took a cautious step forward. Finally, she reached the foot of the weirwood tree and looked up at it. "Wow," she whispered.

"Talk to them," Robb said. He winked at Jon as he quietly made his way over to Vivian.

"To a tree?" Vivian asked in disbelief. "How does one talk to a tree?" Tentatively, she reached out toward it.

Vivian, the wind seemed to whisper. Shivers ran down her spine but she touched the tree.

"Wow," she whispered. She could feel some sort of energy pulsing into her hand. Her vision blurred.

She stood in the middle of a plain. One foot was on ice cold ground while the other was on coals. On the coals and to her left stood a lion who seemed to smile at her. There was something sinister about his smile. To her right on the cold ice stood a direwolf wearing a crown. He looked at her with sadness in his eyes. She felt her heart go out to him. She wanted to go to him and reached out to him. He stood up and wagged his tail. Suddenly, a sheering pain shot up her leg. The lion pulled her into the land of coals.

She reached out toward the wolf, but it couldn't pass the barrier between the two lands. It paced and whined. She knew that only she could do it. But that would mean losing her leg. The lion's teeth disappeared and arms wrapped around her body.

"You are mine," a man whispered in her ear.

The sound of a bird that she had never heard before echoed through the lands. She screamed in anger and her body exploded into flames.

Vivian shrieked as she let go of the tree and jumped back. Suddenly, she turned around. Robb looked surprise and she looked grateful that he was so close. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. "Please tell them I didn't mean it," she cried. "I didn't mean to doubt. Don't let them hurt me."

Robb was surprise as Jon looked around in alarm.

Vivian sobbed and let out a soft cry as she shrinked further to the right. It was almost as if something was trying to touch her.

"What's going on?" Eddard's voice boomed through the woods. The two boys looked at him guiltily as he advanced toward them.

Vivian still had her face buried in Robb's shirt and refused to look up.

"We were just trying to scare her, father," Robb stated.

Vivian pushed away from him and frowned.

Eddard looked at his sons then sighed, shaking his head. "There is nothing here to scare you, child," he said to Vivian.

"But the spirits," Vivian said in defense as she looked around.

Eddard walked over to the weirwood tree and sat down on one of the roots. "There is nothing here that will harm you," he said as he motioned for them to come nearer.

Vivian hesitated but then sat down at his feet.

"Do you know anything about the Old gods?" he asked.

She shook her head.

Eddard smiled as he looked at the tree. "They are not like the Seven. They are of this world; earth, stone and tree. They are spirits who are meant to guide us and help us. They do not seek to harm us."

Vivian bit her lip as she thought.

"This is a holy place, Robb," Eddard said. "We must respect this place. We do not come here to play games, but to contemplate."

Robb looked down and nodded his head. "Yes, father," he said.

"Now go somewhere else to play." Eddard let out a small smile as the three ran off. He looked up at the tree and sighed before heading back.


It was dinner time and Catelyn had spared nothing to make it as fancy as she could.

"All these years in the North and you still know how to throw a feast," Edith said with a laugh.

Catelyn smiled and blushed at the same time. It was quite clear that Edith was tipsy. But she also had more color in her face, and that made Catelyn happy.

"Look at them," Edith said as she looked at Robb and Vivian.

The children sat at a table together with other children their age. Robb was trying to get Vivian's attention, but she was ignoring him.

"We should arrange…"

"Edith," Catelyn said, shaking her head. "They are still too young and he is my eldest son."

Edith let out a sigh as she nodded her head. "You are right. Oh, you must come to court, Cat," she said, changing the subject. "I have missed your feasts and court isn't the same without you. The nobles work too hard to get on the king's good favor."

Catelyn smiled. "Didn't they always do that?" she asked.

Edith laughed. "Once again, my friend, you are correct. But you were never one who worried about such things. It gets tiring to hear some of the ladies plotting. The queen has just given birth to a son. And that makes matters worse."

"And yet you want your daughter to marry a Stark," Catelyn couldn't help but point out the irony.

Edith chuckled. "Oh, Cat. I want my daughter to marry a man who will respect her. And I know that the Starks have always been brought up to cherish their women."

Catelyn opened her mouth to respond then stopped when she spotted her husband. Eddard looked worried as he made his way through the crowd and over to the women. He sat down next to Catelyn and let out a deep breath before he continued.

"Lord Balon Greyjoy of Pyke has proclaimed himself king of the Iron Islands. King Robert has called me to help him. I must go immediately."

"Seven be with you, Lord Stark," Edith said quietly.

Catelyn touched his hand and squeezed it. He gave her a small smile before he nodded his head. She couldn't help but hope that he would return to her safe and sound, and at least this time, alone.