Chapter Seven

Rickon was giggling loudly as Gwyn spun him around the floor. She swept him up into her arms and hopped around, making the little boy laugh louder.

"Gwynyth, be careful. He just ate." Catelyn called out to her as she passed by.

"Yes my lady." Gwyn called, a wide smile pasted across her face.

"Maybe you two should take a break?" Robb said from behind her. She turned to see him coming towards her. She shifted Rickon to her hip, kissing his cheek noisily.

"What do you think little lordling? Ready to take a break?" She asked. Rickon nodded, wiggling around. Gwyn put him down and watched him run off to his mother.

"Come." Robb said placing his hand on her back. "Back to the table." She allowed him to guide her to their usual dining spot, Theon and Jon waiting for them. She sat down and smiled at them.

"Having a good time shadow cat?" Theon teased. She shook her head at him.

"Don't call me that." She said.

"Why not?" Theon laughed.

"You know the Greatjon has been telling everyone about the hunt. He has been calling you the shadow cat nonstop." Jon said. Gwyn sighed before taking a large gulp of ale from her goblet.

"How about a change of subject." Robb said.

"How about presents?" Theon suggested, smacking his hand on the table excitedly.

"How much have you had to drink?" Gwyn asked.

"Loads." He answered as he reached below the table. He pulled out a long cloth wrapped package and placed it in front of her. She raised her brows at him as she unwrapped the cloth. She smiled wide as she pulled out a beautiful snakewood bow. She ran her hands lightly over the glossy black and russet mottled wood.

"This is beautiful." She murmured, giving Theon a surprised look. He rolled his eyes and snorted at her as he lifted his ale filled goblet to his mouth. He took a hardy gulp before responding.

"Don't get sappy on me now shadow cat." He snarked. She snorted and shook her head.

"Wouldn't dream of it." She said as she smirked at him. Theon snickered as Jon handed her his gift.

"Ignore him. Happy name day Gwyn." Jon said.

"Thank you." She said with a grin. Jon's gift was also wrapped in cloth. She unwrapped it and smiled. "Did you two coordinate?" She asked, looking between Jon and Theon. Jon's gift was a quiver of arrows. The arrows were standard wood. But the colors were grey and white, Stark colors. She smiled as she ran her hands over the snow white fletching and down the dark grey shaft of one of the arrows.

"We may have." Jon said, shrugging. The quiver that held the arrows was also made of snakewood.

"Well thank you. Both of you." She said.

"You're welcome." Jon said. Theon merely nodded. She noticed he was eyeing up an Umber servant girl. Gwyn squinted, realizing she was with Lady Joanna Umber and her younger sister Leila. Gwyn hadn't seen them at all that day. She didn't mind Leila, finding her to be quite a bit like Sansa. But Joanna was another story.

"Gwyn?" Robb said. She turned her head to see him giving her a soft smile as he held a small wrapped package.

"Sorry." She murmured as she took it from him.

"That's alright." He said, glancing over to where she had been looking. He grimaced. Gwyn shot him a small smile as she unwrapped his gift. It was wrapped up in a delicate off white tissue paper. She unwrapped it, her smile falling as she looked at what was inside. It was a house sigil patch.

"I thought you could put it on the arm area of your cloak." Robb said, watching her run a finger over the stitching. It was a shadow cat head. The beast had Daemon's familiar markings. The colors were that of house Stark though. Along the bottom of the patch were the words North of the North. She smiled as she read them. To this day she still called the people of Winterfell southerners, and claimed she was from north of the north. The true north.

"Sigil of house Woods." Theon joked. Gwyn snorted.

"A house of one." She mumbled. She hadn't had a last name when she came to Winterfell. Ned had given her the name Woods because of where he had found her. Initially she hadn't understood why she needed one. She had assumed it was so Lady Catelyn could have a full name to scold her with. Over time she had gotten used to it, even come to love it.

"And what a house it is." Jon said. She looked up to see him smiling wide at her. She returned the smile. She looked at Robb, her hand moving under the table to rest on his knee.

"Thank you, I love it." She said. He placed his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze.

"Well, now that that's over with I think I will make myself scarce." Theon said, rubbing his hands together. Gwyn watched him go with a raised brow. He approached the Umber servant, the girl blushing as he started talking.

"Oh, that poor girl." Gwyn murmured.

"You mean poor us." Jon said. Joanna and Leila were coming their way. Gwyn watched as Joanna shot Theon a disgusted look as they walked away.

"Start praying to the old and the new for mercy." Gwyn mumbled as she eyed Joanna. The two Umber girls approached the table. Leila smiled at Gwyn.

"Happy name day Gwynyth. I hope it was good." Leila said sweetly.

"Thank you. I would say it has been very nice overall." Gwyn said smiling back. She liked Leila, she really did. Her sister was another story entirely.

"I'm surprised to hear that. You went on a hunt, didn't you shadow cat?" Joanna asked, sneering the new nickname the Greatjon had given her.

"I did. And it was lovely." Gwyn said. Joanna raised a brow at her before turning to Robb, pasting a flirty smile on her face. She turned her back on Jon. Jon rolled his eyes at her. Joanna never associated herself with bastards.

"Hello Robb." She simpered as Leila sat down beside Jon, taking Theon's seat.

"Lady Joanna." Robb said in greeting, his tone formal.

"How many times must I tell you? It's just Joanna." She said with a giggle. She placed a hand on his arm, and gave him a demure smile. Gwyn glanced over at Jon to see him rolling his eyes. He looked at her and raised a brow. Gwyn bit her lip, trying to hold her smile in. It had always been obvious that Joanna liked Robb. When they were younger Gwyn had thought for a while that perhaps Robb might like her back. He was always kind, and acted like a gentleman towards her. It took Gwyn a while to realize he was doing it because he didn't like her at all. When he laughed with Joanna it wasn't his real laugh. When he smiled it wasn't his real smile.

"Of course. My apologies." Robb said blankly. Gwyn felt Robb squeeze her hand as Joanna squeezed his arm.

"Would you like to dance Robb?" Joanna asked. Gwyn thought for sure he was going to break her hand if he squeezed it any harder.

"I was actually just going to ask Gwyn to dance my lady." He lied. Joanna's expression became irritated for a moment, but she recovered quickly. She put on a neutral face as she glanced over at Gwyn.

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I steal you for a little bit. Would you Gwynyth? I noticed you dancing with Rickon earlier, surely you are too tired to dance again so soon." Joanna said, her eyes narrowing. Gwyn internally sighed. She really didn't want to deal with Joanna at the moment.

"I don't mind. I am a bit tired." Gwyn said. Robb eyed her, a frown on his face.

"Excellent." Joanna said clapping her hands together. "Come Robb." She said as she grabbed his arm and hulled him from his chair. Robb glared at Gwyn as he was pulled away. Sorry. Gwyn mouthed at him. She snickered as she watched Joanna place Robb's hand on her waist, and grip his other. He looked so uncomfortable.

"Must you torture him?" Jon asked. Gwyn shrugged.

"That wasn't very nice Gwynyth." Leila said, shaking her head. Gwyn and Leila had had many conversations about her sister. Joanna wasn't kind to Leila. The younger girl always tried to avoid her sister as much as possible because of it.

"I know. But I figure if he gives her a dance now, he can say he did his duty and then deny her the rest of the night without looking rude." Gwyn said. Jon stood up and looked between them.

"Would you like to dance Gwyn? Or are you actually tired?" Jon asked her. She shook her head.

"Actually I would like to sit here for a little." She said. Jon turned to Leila with a small smile.

"Lady Leila, perhaps you would care to dance?" He asked, holding his hand out to her. Leila blushed as she placed her hand in his.

"That would be lovely." She said as she stood. Gwyn smiled as Jon led her off. She knew Leila had always had a bit of a crush on Jon. But she would never say anything. She was too shy for that.

"Look at you. Sat all by yourself on your name day." Carn said as he dropped into the seat across from her.

"Hello Carn." She said rolling her eyes at him.

"Hello shadow cat." He said with a wide grin.

"Don't start." She said, narrowing her eyes at him. He chuckled as he picked up an empty goblet. He glanced inside for a second. "Who's was this?" He asked. She shrugged, her brow furrowed. He shrugged as well and filled it up with ale. She snorted as he took a long draught from the borrowed cup.

"Well now. Where have the boys all run off to? Aren't you four attached at the hips?" He asked. She laughed at the mental image.

"Theon has run off with one of your servants for the night." She said. Carn laughed loudly.

"Of course he has." He chuckled.

"And Robb and Jon are dancing with your sisters." She said, pointing to the dance floor. Carn turned to look at the couples. He snickered when he set eyes on Robb and Joanna.

"She's got her claws into him eh?" He asked as he turned back to face her. "Can't believe you let him go off with her." He said shaking his head.

"Why not? I'm not worried. She's no competition." She said as she poured herself some wine. She glanced up at Carn as she lifted the goblet to her lips. His face looked pinched, his lips in a tight line. "What is it?" She asked concerned.

"Nothing." He said, instantly cheering. "So are those the boys gifts then? They're nice." He said nodding at the bow and arrows, and the patch. All of which still sat in front of her.

"Yes, they are." She said slowly.

"You like them?" He asked as he swilled the ale in his cup.

"Of course." She said. He nodded, looking down at his goblet. "Carn, what's the matter?" She asked. He looked up at her, his eyes wide.

"Nothing." He said shaking his head, smiling at her.

"You're lying." She said, her eyes narrowing. "Don't try, you're horrible at it." It was true. Carn was too honest. His expression always told people what he was feeling. He scoffed at her, standing.

"You insult me madam. Good day." He said, turning his nose in the air. He quickly turned and walked off. Her mouth hung open as she watched him go. He was running away. She shook her head as she sighed. She pondered Carn's odd behavior as she sipped her wine, staring out at the dance floor. Her eyes bounced between Jon and Leila, and Robb and Joanna. He had started acting odd when she mentioned Joanna. Had his sister done something to him?

She grinned when the song ended and Robb bowed to Joanna. She seemed to be trying to convince him to dance some more, but he shook his head and gestured at Gwyn. As Robb turned to head back to the table Joanna glared at Gwyn. Gwyn couldn't help the smirk that came across her face. Joanna huffed and stalked off the dance floor. Robb sat heavily in his chair, resting his elbows on the table. He turned his head to stare at Gwyn.

"What?" She asked.

"I thought you loved me." He stated.

"I do." She said as she picked up her cup.

"Obviously not. If you loved me you wouldn't subject me to such torture." He said. He took her goblet from her as she lifted it to her lips. He lifted it to his own and downed all of her wine.

"That bad?" She asked. He rolled his eyes.

"Of course." He said as he filled the cup with more wine. He took a sip, before passing it to her. "She kept saying how happy she was to be here. How much she had been looking forward to seeing me. How much she missed me." He said. She smirked as she lifted the cup to her lips. "She even asked if I had missed her." Gwyn was in the middle of taking a sip when he said this. She coughed, choking a little on her wine. She placed the cup down and grabbed a cloth napkin to dab at her mouth with.

"And what did you say?" She rasped, and incredulous smile on her face.

"I said I missed her too." He said as he eyed her warily.

"Why would you say that?" Gwyn demanded.

"Well what else was I supposed to say?" Robb asked, throwing his hands up and turning to face the dance floor. "It would have been rude to say otherwise." He said tightly. "This is all your fault you know." He said shooting her a glare. She felt her lips twitch, threatening a smile. He scoffed at her and looked away again. She scooted her chair closer, to the point that their legs were pressed against each other. She placed a hand on his knee, the other coming up to rest on his arm.

"You're not really mad at me are you? It's my name day." She pouted at him. He glanced over at her. His expression softened a little. She could see he was trying not to smile.

"So?" He asked. She pulled away and sniffed.

"Fine then." She said. "I suppose I will just leave you here on your own. I'm sure I can find someone else to spend my time with. I'm sure Carn is available." She said as she started to stand. Robb grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down, threading his fingers with hers.

"Don't you dare leave me. Joanna could show at any moment." He said lowly. She snickered at him.

"Alright then. Have it your way." She said. He turned away from her again, his face still moody, but he continued to hold her hand. She gave it a light squeeze.

"I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?" She teased. He rolled his eyes as a smile started to grow on his face.

"I don't know." He said, keeping his eyes forward.

"I can make it up to you." She said, leaning closer. Her eyes darted around the room, making sure no one was looking at them. They hadn't been nearly as careful as they usually were.

"How?" He asked. She smirked at him as she rested her chin on his shoulder.

"Want to go cuddle?" She asked. He let out a barking laugh as he turned towards her. She pulled away to see him better.

"Aren't you the one who likes to cuddle?" He asked. She rolled her eyes as she sat back fully in her chair.

"Alright, a kiss and a cuddle then." She said. He snorted.

"Deal." He said, squeezing her hand. She laughed as she stood from her chair, grabbing her gifts. As she passed behind him she let her hand slide across the top of his back.

"Meet you in my room in ten?" She asked. He nodded eagerly. As she walked away she could feel his gaze burning into her back.


Gwyn rolled over the next morning, letting out a content sigh. Robb had escaped the great hall not long after her and came to her room. By that time she had changed into a sleep dress and was waiting for him. As they cuddled up together he mentioned that his father had grabbed him on his way out and told him to come see him in the morning. So she wasn't surprised when she opened her eyes to see that Robb was gone. He had stayed the night in her bed. It didn't happen often, but when it did they only cuddled and kissed a little. And he always made sure to leave early in the morning, before the rest of Winterfell woke.

She sat up and rubbed at her face, looking around her room. Her eyes fell to the far corner. After all these years Daemon's bed was still there. She had just never had the heart to get rid of it. She shook her head as she looked down at Robb's empty spot, pushing thoughts of Daemon away. She ran her hand over the rumpled sheets to feel that they were cold, which meant Robb had been gone for a while. She crawled out of the bed and crossed to her window. She looked down into the yard to see that it was already full of people going about their business for the day.

Gwyn stretched her arms lazily above her head, her back cracking, as she walked over to her armoire. She had a small smile on her face as she got ready. Despite the small hiccups of the day before it had been a good name day, and an even better night. In her mind nothing compared to falling asleep in Robb's arm. She guessed waking up in his arms might be just as good, but she had yet to experience that. She pulled on a simple navy dress and her heeled boots, opting to leave her hair down for the day. It was wild and wavy around her shoulders, just the way she liked it.

Gwyn was humming as she left her room. Jon was leaving his room at the same time she was. he waited for her to draw level with him before walking down the hall. He shot her an amused look as they walked.

"Good mood?" He asked.

"The best." She said as she threaded an arm through one of his.

"What do you say to a bit of archery practice today with your new bow and arrows?" He asked. She nodded.

"I would love that. I can't wait to use them." She said with a wide smile. She saw a smile fighting to surface on his usually serious face. She laid her head on his shoulder as they walked, giving his arm a squeeze. They walked down to the great hall in amicable silence. Once they reached the hall Jon held the door open for her.

"After you my lady." He said, bowing a little.

"Why thank you kind ser." She said demurely. She heard him chuckle as she passed by him. When they entered the hall she looked to their table to see that only Theon was there.

"Where's Robb?" Jon asked as they walked over. Gwyn glanced to Ned's normal spot to see he was missing as well, although Catelyn sat beside his empty spot with a rather serious look on her face.

"He was supposed to go see Lord Stark first thing, he's probably still with him." Gwyn offered as Catelyn looked up at her. The woman's face fell as she looked at her. Gwyn wrinkled her brows in confusion as Catelyn gave her a pitying look before turning away from her. Gwyn bit her lip as they approached Theon.

"Morning all." Theon said, a pleased smile on his face.

"What's got you so happy?" Gwyn asked, deciding to push Catelyn's odd looks to the back of her mind for the moment.

"Nothing dear wild one, nothing. Just a very good night." Theon said as he poured her a cup of water and pushed it towards her. She snickered as Jon rolled his eyes.

"That good huh?" Gwyn asked as she started putting bacon on her plate.

"Don't encourage him Gwyn." Jon cut in before Theon could respond. She laughed as Theon shot Jon a withering look.

"Oh boys." Gwyn sighed as she tucked into her breakfast. "We're going to test out my new bow and arrows today Theon, will you join us?" She asked to distract him from glaring at Jon.

"Of course." He said as he slid his gaze to her. "Up for a little competition?" He asked, raising his brow at her. She smirked at him.

"I think the question is are you up to it?" She asked. He rolled his eyes at her as he ripped into a piece of bread. He leaned forward, elbows on the table, as he chewed loudly with his mouth open.

"Charming." She said blandly. He wiggled his brows at her as he swallowed.

"You love me." He said.

"That's debatable." She mumbled. Movement by the door dragged her attention away from him. She smiled as she saw a familiar head or auburn hair. "Here comes Robb." She said. Jon and Theon glanced over their shoulders.

"Why is he with Joanna? I thought you said he was Lord Stark." Jon said. Joanna looked extremely smug as she walked next to Robb, lacing her arm through his. They were closely followed by Ned and the Greatjon.

"He was. At least that's what he told me." Gwyn said.

"Where is he going?" Jon asked as Robb bypassed them, not even looking their way. Gwyn could see a pained grimace on his face as he nodded at whatever Joanna was saying to him. He took a spot in between her and the Smalljon. Theon and Jon turned towards Gwyn, confusion written all over their faces. Gwyn stared hard at Robb, willing him to look at her, but it was almost like he was purposely avoiding her gaze. Gwyn looked to Ned, who was already looking back at her. He was giving her that same pitying look that Catelyn had given her earlier.

"What the hell is going on?" Theon grumbled. "He's never ditched us before." Gwyn could feel a sinking feeling in her stomach. She glanced down a few seats from Joanna and Robb to Carn. He looked up at her, that same odd look from the night before coming over his face.

"Let's get out of here." Gwyn said looking down, unable to hold his gaze. All three of them stood, their chairs scraping loudly across the floor. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Robb finally look over at them. She looked up at him to see he had a guilty expression on his face. As their eyes met he quickly looked away. Jon took her arm and pulled her after them. She found herself repeatedly looking over her shoulder at Robb, who was determinedly not looking back. On her last look she saw Joanna looking back at her, a smug smirk on her face.

"Something's not right." Gwyn said. Theon and Jon shared a look over her head. She knew they could feel it too. The boys accompanied Gwyn to her room to get her new bow and arrows before they all headed down to the shooting range.


Gwyn sighed as she pulled back on her bow string and loosed another arrow. It hit a couple rings out from the center.

"Come on Gwyn." Theon said. He had started riding her a few shots into their session when it became evident she was having an off shooting day. Gwyn notched another arrow and shot again. This one landing further away from the center than the last.

"Really?" Theon asked with an exasperated tone.

"I'm trying." She mumbled as she notched yet another arrow.

"Are you?" He asked as she lined up her shot. "Because it doesn't seem like it to me." He said. She prematurely let her arrow go, the shot going wide and missing the target entirely. She whipped around to look at him.

"Don't." She said, holding a hand up to stop him as he opened his mouth.

"Just lay off her Theon." Jon said as Gwyn stalked down range to the target. She began to angrily pull her arrows free.

"No. No I will not lay off. I don't know what's wrong with you but ever since we came out here you have been shooting like shit. I taught you better than that Gwyn. Yesterday you shot a shadow cat in the eye, and today you can't even hit the center of the target? Get your head out of your ass and shoot." Theon said angrily. Gwyn stomped over to the arrow that had gone wide and scooped it off the ground, adding it to the bundle in her hand.

"Greyjoy, is that any way to speak to a woman?" A loud voice called. They all turned to see the Greatjon walking over to them. Theon scowled at him before shooting a glare at Gwyn. Gwyn glared right back as she headed down range towards them.

"Everyone has an off day." The Greatjon said. Theon shook his head, looking down at the ground.

"She's better than that." Theon said. The Greatjon looked from Theon to Gwyn.

"You know shadow cat, although I don't like the way Greyjoy said it, he is right." The Greatjon said.

"Like you said. Everyone has an off day." Gwyn answered blandly. She turned to Jon who was studying her closely. "Your turn" She said as she nodded at the target. He gave her a searching look before turning to face down range. Theon stepped away from the Greatjon and Gwyn, choosing to watch Jon shoot. Gwyn sighed as she watched the boys start to whisper to one another.

"Are you alright Gwynyth?" The Greatjon asked softly. She looked up to see he had moved closer to her, a look of concern on his face.

"Of course. I'm just tired is all." She said, hoping he would accept the lie. He looked at her skeptically but nodded.

"Partied a little too hard last night?" He asked.

"Exactly." She said, giving him a weak smile. He looked like didn't believe her for a moment. She kept her face neutral as he studied her. After a moment a grin broke across his grizzled face, a loud barking laugh bursting from his mouth. He patted her back a few times before stepping away from her.

"I'm sure your shot will recover in no time then." He said. Theon and Jon looked back at her, both of them with raised eyebrows.

"By the way, have you three heard the good news?" The Greatjon boomed. The boys turned to fully face him.

"What good news?" Jon asked.

"It was only agreed upon this morning. I suppose Robb hasn't had the chance to tell you since he sat with Joanna for breakfast." The Greatjon started happily. "Robb and Joanna are to be married." He exclaimed. Gwyn's mouth fell open as she dropped all the arrows she had been holding. The Greatjon looked at her in surprise.

"Are you alright girl?" He asked her. Gwyn stuttered as she looked from the Greatjon to Jon to Theon. The boys were currently staring at her, equally shocked looks on their faces.

"I-uh-ye-yes. Of course I'm alright. I'm just surprised." She managed to get out. She quickly bent down to start gathering her arrows, avoiding looking at everyone. The Greatjon laughed.

"Yes, I'm sure it will come as a surprise to many." He said.

"So this was the other business you had to take care of in Winterfell? Other than Carn, I mean." Jon said as Gwyn stood, her arrows clenched tightly in her fist.

"That's right." The Greatjon said. Gwyn was breathing hard as she started shoving her arrows into her quiver. "Shadow cat, are you sure you're alright?" He asked. Gwyn looked up to see he was staring at her with concern.

"Yes. I mean no." She said. She reached up and rubbed her head, pretending to wince. "I think I can feel a headache coming on. I think perhaps I should go and lay down. Will you all please excuse me?" She said.

"Of course my girl. All that partying catching up to you." The Greatjon jested. Gwyn gave him a weak smile as she started to walk away. Her eyes met Theon's as she passed him. He looked at her with an odd mixture of pity and anger. She averted her eyes as she walked. She quickened her pace as she reached the keep, wanting to be alone in her room. As she mounted the top of the stairs outside the entrance she ran into someone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." She gasped, shaking her hair out of her face.

"Watch where you are going Gwynyth." Gwyn internally groaned when she realized she had run into Joanna.

"Sorry." Gwyn mumbled.

"You've already said that." Joanna snapped. Gwyn nodded, biting the inside of her cheek, trying to keep herself from snapping at the girl.

"You're father has just told us the news." Gwyn said instead. Although after seeing the smug look on Joanna's beautiful face she really wished she hadn't. Joanna pushed her long blonde hair over her shoulders as she smirked at Gwyn.

"Isn't it wonderful?" Joanna asked. "When father and Lord Stark told us I was so happy. And I dare say Robb was as well. He was completely lost for words, he was so excited." Joanna claimed, placing a hand on her chest, a dreamy expression on her face.

"I doubt that." Gwyn mumbled.

"What?" Joanna asked, her eyes narrowing.

"How about that?" Gwyn said, as she shoved her bow and quiver up her arm to rest on her shoulder. When she looked up at Joanna the girl was giving her a faux pitying look. She reached out and placed a hand on Gwyn's shoulder. Gwyn looked from the hand to Joanna's face, her brows raised.

"Listen Gwynyth, I know this must be hard for you. We all know you like him, you make it so obvious with the way you throw yourself at him." Joanna started.

"I throw myself at him." Gwyn asked incredulously. Joanna continued to talk right over her.

"But you must be strong about this. Just know Robb is going to be with someone of his," Joanna paused for a moment, pulling her hand away from Gwyn as she considered her, "stature." She finished.

"Stature?" Gwyn asked.

"Well yes. I know you must have been hopeful he would one day reciprocate your sad, hopeless feelings. But you had to have known it could never happen. Robb is the next lord of Winterfell, and you? You are," Gwyn cut her off.

"A wildling." Gwyn sneered. Joanna smiled maliciously at her.

"Exactly. Robb deserves to be with a highborn lady such as myself. We will be happy together. But I'm sure you will find happiness as well. Perhaps you and the bastard would make a nice pair?" Joanna asked, cocking her head to the side. Gwyn glared at her.

"Leave Jon alone." She growled.

"Gwyn?" She turned her head to see Robb coming towards them. She felt her heart thud painfully at the sight of him. She had hoped she would make it up to her room without seeing him, but stupid Joanna had ruined that idea.

"Robb," Gwyn called, "I hear congratulations are in order." She said, her voice overly hearty. His face paled as he stopped beside them.

"Gwyn." He said softly, reaching for her arm. Joanna quickly pulled him towards her, wrapping both of her arms around one of his. At the same time Gwyn took a step back, forcing Robb to drop his hand.

"Gwynyth and I were just talking about the betrothal." Joanna said.

"Yes. It's all very exciting." Gwyn said blandly. She could feel Robb's eyes practically burning a hole into the side of her face, but she kept her gaze directed away from him. She frowned as she noticed Theon and Jon huddled together with the Greatjon. The older man's head bowed as he listened to what they were saying, a frown on his face.

"Please excuse me." Gwyn said suddenly, turning back to them. "I was on my way to my chambers to lay down." She said.

"Not feeling well Gwynyth?" Joanna asked in a patronizing tone.

"Not at all. I fear a headache started to overtake me as I was shooting. I thought it best to go and rest."

"Gwyn," Robb started as she moved to walk away.

"Oh let the girl go Robb. We shouldn't keep her from her rest if she isn't feeling well." Joanna insisted. Gwyn turned to look at Robb and Joanna. Robb was staring at Gwyn with such intensity she had to look away. She turned and quickly left them, entering the keep. She made sure to walk slow enough so as not to seem rude, but fast enough to get herself out of earshot. As Gwyn rounded the corner she heard quick steps behind her. Moments later Robb was beside her, grabbing her arm. Without looking at him she pulled her arm from his grasp and continued walking.

"Gwyn, stop." He said as he tried to grab her arm again. She pulled from his grasp once more. "Gwyn, please." He said.

"Not here Robb." She ground out through clenched teeth. He immediately fell silent as he followed her down the hall. He didn't try to touch her again. When they reached her room he opened the door for her. She passed by him without a glance. Once the door was shut they stood in silence, her back to him. She was shaking, anger starting to build up inside of her.

"Gwyn." He said. She let out a frustrated yell as she ripped her bow and quiver from her shoulder and threw them on the bed.

"What the hell Robb?" She yelled, whipping around to look at him. She saw he was leaning against the door, looking down at the floor. It seemed he couldn't look up at her. She shook her head.

"So is this it then? Is this how we end?" She asked, her voice lowering. His head snapped up to look at her. He pushed off the door and crossed to her. He reached for her but she knocked his hands away. She turned and walked away from him.

"No, Gwyn. I won't let it be." He said, following close behind her. She whipped around to glare at him.

"Why did it have to be her Robb? Anybody, anybody else in the world but her." Gwyn gasped out. He sighed heavily as he reached for her again. This time she let him. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms, trying to sooth her.

"I'm sorry Gwyn. We can work this out, we can." He said. Gwyn scoffed.

"I don't see how." She said.

"I will not lose you." He said.

"Then what do you suggest? Marry her and keep me as well?" Gwyn asked incredulously. "I don't think so. I will not let you dishonor her, I will not let you dishonor me like that. If you ever cared for me you will not ask me to be your mistress." She said, ripping herself away from him.

"I don't want you to be my mistress Gwyn, I want you to be my wife." Gwyn shook her head as she turned away from him. She walked over to the window and leaned against the sill. She looked out over the yard. Theon and Jon were still down at the shooting range. The Greatjon watched them practice, Ned standing beside him. Their heads were turned towards one another and they seemed to be talking seriously. Gwyn sighed heavily.

"It's just not possible." She murmured.

"Why not." Robb demanded. Gwyn turned to see he was staring at her, his expression angry. His whole body was tense, his fists clenched. He seemed to almost vibrate with emotion.

"Because you are the future lord of Winterfell. And I am nothing. I'm no one. I'm a wildling. We can't be together. I don't know why we ever thought we could be. Your mother warned me of this years ago before we even started." Gwyn said, her voice rising.

"My mother what? What did my mother say Gwyn?" Robb asked, walking to stand in front of her by the window.

"She told me a couple of years ago that you would one day have to marry a highborn lady. And that I should not start something with you. And at that point I hadn't. I should have listened to her. I should have listened, I don't know what I was thinking, what we were thinking. This, this was a mistake." She said, gesturing between them.

"Don't say that. Don't you ever say that. I love you Gwynyth. How can that be a mistake?"He rasped out. All at once his anger left him. Gwyn winced as she saw his eyes become wet with unshed tears. He took her hands. "Say it back." He pleaded.

"What?" She asked.

"Say you love me too Gwynyth, say it. I need you to say it." Her mouth fell open as she stared at him. She had never seen him this way before. Robb never showed her this side of him, the side of him that was raw and vulnerable. "Damn it Gwyn." He cried, releasing her hands and stalking to the middle of the room. He ran a frustrated hand through his curls before turning to face her.

"Don't do this. Don't, don't just let go. I love you. I want to be with you." He said, his voice breaking a little. Gwyn swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat.

"Well you can't." She whispered.

"Yes I can. I can. We can fix this." He insisted. She stepped towards him, shaking her head.

"How?"

"We go to my father. We got to my father and we appeal to him. Him and the Greatjon, and we make this work. We make them see sense. They have to let me out of this match. I need you Gwyn. I need you. Say you need me too. Say you love me Gwyn, please. " He said, his words all coming out in a rush. He reached for her.

"I can't." She said, shaking her head as she backed away. "I can't say it."

"Why?" He asked, his hands still outstretched towards her.

"You can't say that sort of thing to somebody who no longer belongs to you, who never really belonged to you. If it wasn't Joanna it was going to be someone else Robb, you know that. It would always end up this way. You had to have known that. That's why we kept it secret." She said as tears started to drip down her cheeks.

"I didn't want to keep it secret. I wanted to tell people. I wanted to go to my father and," She cut him off.

"And what? What? Ask him for my hand?" She bit out, wrapping her arms around her middle.

"Yes." He said softly. His brows crinkled as he watched her start to fall apart.

"You never said." She rasped. "You never said you wanted to marry me."

"I thought it was obvious." He said ruefully, a dry chuckle escaping him. "I thought it was obvious how I felt about you Gwyn. I was always trying to show you, but every time people were around," He drifted off, seemingly at a loss for words.

"I'm so sorry." She said. She bit her lip, trying to hold in her emotions. She was shaking. She felt ill.

"Don't apologize. Just say you'll come with me, come with me and we will find my father. We will explain everything. He has to understand." He said.

"No. No. We can't do that." She insisted tearfully.

"Gwyn." Robb said, his tone exasperated.

"We can't do that Robb, damn it." She cried. She was gasping now. He walked forward and grabbed her arms, pulling her closer to him. He looked down at her, his face hard.

"You're really not going to fight this? Fight for us?" He asked.

"Robb." She murmured, reaching up to place her hands on his cheeks.

"How can you just let this go, how can you just let us go? I love you. I love you Gwyn." He said, grasping at her wrists. Gwyn closed her eyes, sucking her lips into her mouth. He pushed her hands away from his face. They fell limply by her sides.

"Fine. If that's the way you want it to be then fine." Robb said darkly. He turned away from her and walked to her door. He opened it to leave.

"Robb." She called. He stopped, and turned to look at her over his shoulder. His face was hopeful. She knew what he wanted her to say. She wanted to say it, but she just couldn't make the words leave her mouth. Robb sighed as he shook his head. He turned away from her and left, closing the door with a snap behind him. Gwyn gasped as she fell to her knees, painful sobs escaping her, wracking her whole body.