Okay another chapter posted. I wanted to remind everyone that this is AU so it will not go completely by the books or show. I will also be throwing things out there that may have happened, just not in the same timeline. Also, I wanted to mention that in this story, Robb did not agree to marry the Frey girl. He found another way. So, basically just go with it!

Chapter 4

Laughter fills the small tent as Ella dodges Robb's next attempt at putting the spoon in her mouth.

Robb growls playfully as he tries once again to aim for her mouth, this time clumsily dropping the oatmeal on her chest.

She cries out in protest, and steals the spoon from him. The mischievous glint in her eyes makes him scoot back a little.

"Don't even think about it." he warns, doing his best to sound stern.

"I wouldn't dream of it Milord," instead she scoops her own spoon full and swiftly puts it into her mouth, drawing his attention to her plump pink lips.

Not wanting to become too distracted, he steals the spoon back and scoops more and offers it to her with a raised brow.

Ella gives in and accepts the offered gift with grace and absolutely no dignity whatsoever. Robb grins in triumph, just as a throat is cleared behind them.

"Milord, there is a raven for you." the guard looks hesitantly between the girl laying on his bed and Robb, clearly uncomfortable with finding them in such an intimate position.

Robb sighs as he stands from his spot on the bed and retrieves the letter, immediately dismissing the boy.

Ella wants to ask who its from, but holds her tongue. Even though he had been kind to her since she had awoken in his bed, she was still very much aware of her predicament and that she and her brother are in fact hostages.

Robb reads the letter and tenses, gripping it so tightly Ella is sure its about to tear.

She wants to ask whats wrong but decides against it.

"Your betrothed is on his way. You must write to him and advise him against it. He has nothing to offer me that would make me give up the only leverage I have to get my father and sisters back." His voice is so cold Ella's heart starts to race.

Gulping she finds her voice. "But hes my bethrothed, he won't accept that."

Robb narrows his eyes at her.

"Do as you wish, but know that I will not take kindly to any man thinking they can stroll into my camp and buy you. He will end up with sharing a cell with the Kingslayer." his threat was meant to get his way... instead it does the opposite.

Ella's temper flares as she sits up.

"I don't know why your being so cruel. I thought things had changed I thought -" she takes a breath and shakes her head in disbelief. "I would like to go back to my cell now Milord." She mocks.

A rock settles in the pit of his stomach as he processes her words.

"You're cell has been taken down. You will no longer be staying out in the cold. I was planning on keeping you here," Robb's voice changes from angry to hopeful as he waits for her reaction.

"You're serious?" Ella asks in disbelief.

"Well, yes. I can't have you wondering freely, and I don't trust the men not to harm you. It's for your protection really." He tries to sound convincing but he has a feeling she sees right through him.

"I think I'll take my chances. If you won't put me back in my cell then I'd like another tent. Keep me close if you prefer but I will not stay here." Her voice sounds bitter and he wonders if shes upset because she wants to go to her betrothed. Something ugly forms in the pit of his stomach and he wonders what this new feeling is.

He's never wanted to murder a stranger so badly as he does now.

Is he jealous?

No.

Well, maybe.

"Fine." He leaves her without a backward glance to go blow off some steam and arrange for a tent to be put up next to his.

xxx

The men around him are cheering, but Robb can't stomach the sound of it. They had won another battle that day, but all he could think of was the girl who had been ignoring him for the last two days. He had tried many times to converse with her, even brought her some lilacs he found in the battlefield as the men were collecting their dead. It seemed fitting that something so beautiful came from a place that was so ugly. Just like her, the thinks.

Instead of showing him her glorious smile, she simply eyed him with disdain and went back to her sewing.

His mother had been keeping her company, claiming that she wanted to protect the girl but Robb knew that was untrue. She was keeping the girl company to keep him away. While she hadn't voiced her concerns out-loud his mother always had a way of doing so with just a look.

Robb eyes strayed to Theon across the fire as he takes another swig of wine, clearly set on getting drunk. Theon notices and gives him a look that makes Robb frown.

"We should bring the Lannister cunt out here and have her sing us some victory songs." Theon calls, smirking at the anger forming on Robb's face.

Robb wants to respond, wants to beat the arrogant smirk right off his ugly face but holds back. He cannot let his men sense his weakness, must never seem to be anything less than perfectly in control. Like his father does.

More importantly he cannot let his men see his growing attachment to the Lannister girl.

So Robb holds his tongue as many of the men join in the laughter. What other choice does he have?

xxx

Once an appropriate time has passed, Robb makes his escape from the celebration. He enters his tent and immediately disrobes, removing his cloak, pants and the shirt beneath, and then stops as he hears footsteps behind him.

Ella emerges looking abashed, clearly not expecting to find him undressing. "I'm sorry, I just really needed to talk to someone," she continues as she notices his hesitation "I can go, I didn't mean to disturb you."

When she turns to go Robb lurches forward and grabs her arm, halting her.

"Don't go," he feels his face heat in embarrassment when she shyly turns around and gives him a small smile.

"Do you want to-" She points to his small clothes and he internally groans.

He quickly throws on a clean shirt and breeches. Even in the dimly lit tent, her flush is easily spotted. And though she appears tense, Ella still moves further into the room, closer to the bed as she sits down on it.

Robb decided to sit at his desk, knowing the distance would keep him level headed. She looked so beautiful he could hardly focus on anything else. Her hair was down, waves of blonde cascading over her shoulders. She was wearing Stark colors, the dress his mother had given to her. Blue eyes bright and lips full as it curved into a small smile, the smile he had been praying to see these last two days.

"I was worried you would be hurt today." She admits, looking ashamed to be admitting such a thing.

His throat feels thick and tight at the meaning in her words and so he forces out but one word. "Why?"

She appears uncertain by his questioning, but gathers enough confidence to answer him.

"I had a nightmare that you were hurt."

Robb thinks back to their fight and decides to question her. "Is that something that would bother you? Surely if I were killed you and your brother would be free."

Ella is speechless for a moment, before fumbling a response. "I wouldn't want you hurt."

"Is that all?" He is practically begging, pleading. She holds his eyes for a moment and then sinks onto the bed, shoulders hunched as she answers. "No."

Robb stands and approaches her. He is unsure of what action he should take, wants to touch her so badly his hand shakes. Would she want him to touch her?

Would she scream and run out of the tent, go back to ignoring him? He hovers by the bed, wholly unsure and feeling awkward.

When her eyes dart up to meet his, he sees the same want in her eyes as he knows are in his.

And though he knows he shouldn't, he joins her on the bed, sitting far closer than what is deemed proper.

He takes her hand in his and squeezes it reassuringly.

"Forget your family, forget your betrothed. Tell me you feel this too?" his eyes search hers, begging for her to just let go of it all.

She sighs before shaking her head, her blonde curls bouncing with the movement.

"But, we cannot forget our families. You could be killed tomorrow. Something terrible could happen. What if my father returns your family to you, he will demand my return too."

Robb nods. Its true, but still. He cannot simply ignore this feeling.

"I've never felt this way before. I never thought I would ever feel this strongly for anyone, we can figure this out. Together."

Her eyes search his own, as if weighing his words. Her hand releases his and her fingers rise to ghost over the planes of his face.

"I feel it too," she murmurs as her other hand palms his other cheek. He closes his eyes and leans into her gentle touch.

"I'll make this work, if you allow it I'll do anything to be with you."

Her smile returns as she gently kisses his cheek and looks to her lap as a blush forms on her cheeks.

Robb feels he must be honest, he cannot lie to her. Will not lie to her. "I could lose this war and be killed. If you chose to remain with me, I wouldn't be able to guarantee your future."

Confusion crosses her face as she grips his face, pulling him closer to her.

"I don't understand." She confesses.

Before he can answer voices approach his tent. He groans as he quickly stands, preferring no one find her in his tent. He wouldn't want others to think he has dishonored her.

He looks back over his shoulder as he throws her a small smile before stepping outside.

Greatjon Umber rushes towards him as Robb sees the anger on his face.

"He killed my boy!" Lord Umber roars and it is then that Robb sees several of his guards are blocking Lord Umbers men from getting to the Kingslayers pen.

xxx

Jaime sits cocksure grin firmly in place as he waits for the Young Wolf to come for him. Many of the men that had been previously celebrating were now standing around his cage, eyeing him with pure hatred. He couldn't help but smile wider at his enemies.

When he spots Lady Catelyn standing nearby, watching him with what could only be described as utter disdain, he throws his head back and laughs.

"So, I hear congratulations are in order. You're son is to wed one of the rat faced Freys? What a price for crossing the Trident!"

Her glare hardens and he wonders how long it will be before she attempts to kill him in his sleep.

Then suddenly the glare changes to a sneer. "Actually, we made other arrangements. You see my son wants to marry for love. He promised some lands instead. I believe he has his eyes set on someone far more... beautiful."

Catelyn regrets it the moment the words leave her mouth. She was foolish to say such a thing, especially in front of so many people. While it was true, her son did have his sights set on someone else, thank the gods that the girl has proven to want nothing to do with him. Still though, the look on the Kingslayers face was well worth it.

Jaime's taunting smile drops as he considers what she is saying. Clearly whoever she is speaking of is meant to upset him. He didn't understand who it could be, or more importantly why it would bother him until it finally hit him.

Ella.

No.

Jaime grinds his teeth as he seethes, heart racing with pure fury.

He would murder every man, woman and child to get to the Stark boy before he allowed this to happen.

The only thing that kept him from losing it right then and there was the knowledge that a wolf cannot contain a lion. Not forever.