A/N - So sorry for the long delay between chapters. Sometimes my muse doesn't play nice with the characters. Thanks to my fabulous beta, Danielle.

Thanks again for all the reviews. Hope you continue to enjoy the fic :)

The king poured Jon another cup of wine. "So are you ready to be knighted tomorrow, Jon?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Jon replied, his head swimming from the amount of wine he'd consumed already. The king had insisted that he and Robb drink with him and Ser Loras, along with Ser Marq Piper, Ser Patrek Mallister, and Ser Edmure Tully, and Loras' brother Ser Garlan Tyrell. Each time Jon emptied his cup, he found it filled to the brim again and someone was encouraging him to drink more. "I'll be Ser Snow…I always thought I'd live and die as Jon Snow or just 'the bastard'."

"Let's hope you don't die before we can knight you. You do have a bad habit of getting injured," Loras said with a laugh as he grasped Jon's shoulder. Turning to Robb, he replied, "Your wolf has an admirer. My sister wants us to find a direwolf for my brother Willas now."

"That's all our brother needs. I don't think he'd be amused." Garlan laughed.

"Your brother needs a wife," Renly replied. He studied Robb for a few moments before adding. "Perhaps your sister Sansa would be a suitable wife for Willas once she is free of Joffrey."

"Sansa?" Robb blurted out, so far into his cups that he didn't realize he was shouting at the king. Jon bit his lip to prevent himself from laughing at Robb's look of utter indignation. His brother still held firm to the belief that it would be years before Sansa would marry. "She's too young!" Renly reminded him that she was only a few years younger than Margaery, his queen.

"My sister could not be betrothed by Robb's consent without my father or Lady Stark's approval," Jon said, in an attempt to rescue Robb, though mostly from himself. "But first we must help her escape King's Landing."

"We don't have Willas' consent to make a betrothal arrangement for him either. It would just be easier to send him a beautiful Stark direwolf rather than a real direwolf." Garlan exploded into laughter as Robb's face turned red.

"Garlan, perhaps you shouldn't tease Robb or speak of his sister that way. I remember you were the one who thought the idea of Margaery wed was ridiculous." Loras raised an eyebrow. "And Lady Sansa is younger than her."

"Your sister is betrothed to a monster. I'm simply suggesting a better alternative. I meant no disrespect, my lord," Garlan said to Robb, looking quite contrite.

Jon had grown more used to the ways of the Tyrells and knew they frequently spoke without thinking so he wasn't offended by Garlan. In fact he preferred the company of the Tyrell brothers to almost all of the knights and lords from the Stormlands and the Reach. Their arrogance was tempered with good humor and deep-seated kindness.

"What of you, Robb? Have you considered taking a wife now that you're Lord of Winterfell? Perhaps Princess Arianne Martell to win Dorne to our cause," Renly suggested, leaning back in his chair. "I've met her and I must say she's really quite beautiful; very spirited and vocal though. Or do you have a woman in the north awaiting the Young Wolf's swift return?"

"No," Robb replied nervously. "I haven't considered marriage yet, although you are not the first one to suggest Princess Arianne. I can't imagine a Dornish princess would appreciate the cold of the north, and the Lord of Winterfell would never be allowed to live in Dorne with her. Lord Frey wants me to marry his daughter Roslin. Theon suggested his sister. Lord Bracken has offered me two of his daughters. Ser Wendel has said that his father Lord Manderly has offered either one of his granddaughters. The Karstarks and Cerwyns also have daughters."

"My, my, so many choices," Ser Loras said with a grin. "Have you seen any of these charming ladies in person?"

"Only Lord Manderly's granddaughters, but they were much younger at the time. Both are fair enough and the Manderlys are loyal bannermen. My mother thinks it's wiser to marry for an alliance I don't already have," Robb replied thoughtfully before draining his cup. "I would marry Dacey Mormont if she'd have me. She's beautiful and fierce, but…"

"Robb," Jon said quietly, giving his brother a swift kick under the table. He doubted Robb would have admitted that had he been in full possession of his wits. His brother glared at him through blurry eyes and Jon shook his head to silence him. "I think perhaps I should help my brother to his chambers. Otherwise, neither of us will be fit to be knighted tomorrow." Standing up, he put his hand on Robb's elbow and practically lifted him up to stand. "Good night, Your Grace, Sers."

"Oh, it is late," Ser Loras said with a look outside. "We all should attempt to find our beds."

"Or at least, someone's bed, preferably someone beautiful," Edmure said with a grin.

Marq Piper snorted and said, "Like that has ever stopped you before, Edmure. The drunker you are, the prettier they become."

Grey Wind and Ghost followed them down the hall. After seeing to it that Robb made it into his bed, Jon found his own. He stopped long enough to pull off his boots before he stretched out on the bed still dressed. Tomorrow he'd be knighted but for now, he didn't think he could manage to kneel before anyone. He needed to be more wary of his hosts' love of wine.

x-x-x

"Damn that Imp to all seven hells," Dacey seethed as she came into the Godswood in a fury.

"What happened?" Daryn said, jumping to his feet.

"Sansa sought me out and asked me to come to the Godswood with her. As we were walking, the Imp saw us and stopped me, then started asking me dozens of questions. He was curious about my accent, he said. When I explained that my mother was from the north but had moved here years ago, he looked like he doubted my story. Then he invited Sansa to his solar for a cup of wine. Luckily I don't think he realize we were walking together. He stopped her and I was walking behind her when he addressed me," Dacey replied with a sigh of frustration. "Sansa looked terrified. I don't think the Imp would actually hurt her but he's too clever for my liking. His friend, the sellsword, has been watching me for the last few days. I wish I could believe it's because I'm a great beauty, but something tells me I'd be wrong if I did."

Daryn was quiet for a few moments before he answered. "Let's not borrow trouble or be paranoid if we don't need to be. The sellsword is now in charge of the City Watch, so I report to him. He's cautious by nature, but that doesn't mean you've done anything to arouse his suspicions...or anything else."

"With Tyrion Lannister acting as Hand, I fear it won't be as easy to escape with Sansa as it was before. The queen was perfectly content to leave Sansa in the hands of her abomination of son but Lord Tyrion has taken a special interest in her. He knows that she's the key to getting the Kingslayer back," Dacey answered. "Did you have any luck with our new contact?"

"Yes. He got a message from Renly. It seems they found the other Stark girl with her father."

Dacey smiled brightly. "That's wonderful news. But if the Lannisters find out, it's going to put Lord Eddard at more risk. Do they know where he is, how close he is to Riverrun?"

"No. They were attacked by Lannister men a few days ago and changed course to avoid marching right into Tywin Lannister's main host, but now Stannis is marching his forces through the Stormlands as well. We don't know his intent, but it can't be good. Lord Stark is going to have to find a way to travel between the two armies if he intends to reach Renly and Robb's forces undetected, and they have no way of warning him. But I'm certain Lord Robb will send more men to find him."

"Once Lord Stark is safe, Sansa will be their only hostage and they will keep an even closer eye on her. We need to hasten our plans to spirit her away from here. And if Stannis is marching towards King's Landing, we're all in danger," Dacey replied. "I will not fail Lord Robb and allow his sister to be caught up in a city under siege."

x-x-x

"Lady Sansa, it is so good of you to join me," Tyrion Lannister said, stepping aside to allow the girl to enter his solar. "Would you care for wine?"

"Thank you, my lord," Sansa said, nervously.

"Please, sit," Tyrion said, as his squire held out a chair for her. "Did you ever hear anything from your brother Bran? I left some saddle design instructions with him the last time I was at Winterfell and I've wondered how he fared with riding."

"He wrote to my father, quite excited that he was able to ride now, so thank you for that kindness, my lord." Sansa sat, folding her hands neatly in her lap and quietly watching the dwarf. She tried to project a confidence she did not feel. She had no idea what the Hand of the King would want with her but knowing the rest of his family, it couldn't be out of kindness. He really was an ugly thing, but his mismatched eyes weren't as cold as his sister's, or hold the malice of his nephew's. She was grateful for that at least. She'd had no interactions with him during his stay in Winterfell, but she knew that Myrcella and Tommen were fond of him. Yes, but aren't they also fond of their mother? You can't trust him.

"He's a sweet child. What happened to him was unfortunate, but losing the use of his legs doesn't prevent him from doing most things. Indeed, I've known many people with full use of their legs who turn out to be quite useless, so there's hope for him yet." Sansa didn't know what to say to that.

Tyrion handed her a glass of wine with a small smile and sat down across from her. Sansa sipped slowly while she waiting for him to speak. "My lady, as you surely understand, your brother Robb's rebellion and your father's escape have are created many problems. I'm hoping that you could assist me in resolving them." Tyrion Lannister's words were soft, but his eyes were shrewd.

Sansa swallowed another sip before responding. "I haven't spoken to my brother since I left Winterfell, save for the two ravens I was forc…asked to write by the Queen. And the last time I saw my father, he was in fetters bound for the Night's Watch. I don't see how I can help, my lord."

"They hold my brother as a prisoner. As you're our guest…" Tyrion began.

"I'm certain that Robb considers Ser Jaime his guest, as well," Sansa interrupted, lifting her chin slightly.

The dwarf smiled in amusement as he played with the rim of his wine glass. "You're a clever girl. I'm sure you can understand why I'd like to see this issue resolved so that everyone gets what they want with as little pain and suffering as possible."

"Someone attempted to kill Bran twice and succeeding in crippling him. My father, one of the most honorable men in the Seven Kingdoms, has been labeled a traitor and stripped of all lands and titles. Your brother attacked him in the streets and broke his leg. Lannister guards murdered everyone in our household, including my septa and others who I've known since birth. My sister is lost, possibly dead. And my grandfather's lands have been plundered, pillaged and burned," Sansa replied with little emotion, shocked at her own daring. "I fear that there has been plenty of pain and suffering, and it seems to have fallen on my family rather than yours. I imagine I will not survive this war if anything happens to your brother and that is something I have accepted. But I am unclear what you wish me to do about it. From where I'm sitting, I'm a defenseless little girl."

Tyrion was quiet, and his eyes were sympathetic before he schooled his features into something more ambivalent. "Lady Sansa, do you wish want to marry my nephew?"

The lie came so easily now. "I am loyal to my beloved…" she began, but he quickly held up his hand to silence her, shaking his head.

"I want you to be honest. No harm will come to you. You have my word."

Sansa stared at her hands for a moment, willing back her tears and biting her lip to prevent herself from screaming out she'd rather do anything than marry Joffrey Baratheon. That he was vile and that she hated all of the Lannisters, including Tyrion himself. That his word meant nothing to her. But she held it all back.

After a moment, she glanced back at him calmly. "My father was honest and he lost everything but his head. Why don't you tell me what it is that you wish for me to say, my lord?"

"I am not my sister, Sansa. I do not intend to hurt you. I wish to trade you for my brother. But if I were to do that, how could we convince the Northmen to lay down their arms, return home, and keep the king's peace?"

"You cannot give my family back what it has lost," Sansa answered softly. "And I do not know what it would take to satisfy them. But returning me to my family would be a start."

"If I returned you without recompense, your family would take my brother's head for attacking your father in the streets," Tyrion replied. "There must be an exchange and an agreement. Unfortunately, an agreement is easier said than done. Your ever-so-honorable father and brother have already broken their word to us. The king and my sister are unlikely to trust them again."

Sansa didn't know what he wanted her to say. And my father and Robb are honorable, more honorable than your family could ever be. She had no power. Surely he knew that. Was he simply trying to torment her? She couldn't let him, but she had to remember her courtesies. "That…is very unfortunate, my lord. I'm sorry that I couldn't be of more assistance."

"Oh, I think you are more capable than you know, my lady. But enough on that. If your father and brother were to send their men home, come to King's Landing to swear fealty to Joffrey, then you could likely return home in a few years provided they remain loyal," Tyrion said. "That would, of course, require us to break the betrothal arrangement between you and my nephew. I know that would disappoint both you and His Grace immensely."

Sansa could have said much about what she thought of that suggestion. But she was not foolish enough to admit her true feelings. She gave him a weak smile before taking another sip of her wine.

"I'd like to be your friend, Lady Sansa, if you'd let me. You're an innocent in this… I'd like you to realize that you can come to me if you need anything, or if you think of a solution to our little problem. I'm sure your insight would prove most illuminating, and wisdom is often found from the mouths of babes. The gods only know it's not found from the mouths of the Small Council. My father would be very grateful not to have to worry about the North while he deals with the Baratheon brothers."

Sansa nodded, but remain quiet. She hoped that Lya could help her, somehow. She'd have to find a way to speak with her again. It was proving more difficult by the day, with both Lord Tyrion and Sandor Clegane taking such an active interest in her, and the queen and Joffrey never letting her wander far from their sights and cruel attentions.

"My lord, if you'll excuse me, I must go to the Godswood. I can pray for a solution to our problem," she said as sweetly as she could. Tyrion gave her a searching look, but nodded and escorted her to the door. "My door is always open to you, my lady." He kissed her hand gently.

Sansa hurried to the Godswood as quickly as her gown allowed her, hoping that Lya would still be there. She found herself alone, however, and sank to her knees before the heart tree. She remained there for a while, taking in the gentle rustling of the rich leaves and praying for her family, that they remain unharmed and as far away from Kings Landing as possible. And that she might live to see them again.

x-x-x

Arya spun in a quick circle, deflecting Gendry's attack and causing him to lose his balance. Annoyed, he threw down his sword and glared at her. "It's getting dark. We can't practice anymore."

"It's the only time we can practice, stupid," Arya argued. Her father insisted they ride for increasingly longer periods of time each day. If she was lucky, he'd only assign her and Gendry smaller tasks around the camp, allowing a little time to practice before nightfall. Her father and his men were more intent than ever to reach Riverrun. They'd already been attacked again by the Lannisters, and then by a group of bandits. The roads were growing more dangerous by the day.

"I'm tired," Gendry said, sitting down and taking a swig of water from his flagon. "Some of us don't get the easy jobs."

"It's because I'm a girl," Arya shrugged. "I can't do much."

"It's because you're a highborn girl and you can do more, they just don't want to ask you. You, of course, never let them know that you're capable of anything, because you're willing to be 'milady' when it suits you," Gendry grumbled.

Arya couldn't help but smirk. It was true that if her father wasn't the one assigning tasks, she was usually given very little to do, and nothing more difficult than carrying light supplies at that. Father was the only one willing to order her around. "Why should I offer to do more when others can do it better? That's just stupid. Besides, I need to train and this way we get to practice when you're not being sulking because I beat you."

"I'm not sulking and you don't always beat me," Gendry shot back. "Are you a pain in the ass to everyone, or am I just lucky?"

"No one has ever called me a pain in the ass before," Arya shrugged. "They've called me other things and I know that my sister thinks I'm…" Her voice trailed off and she swallowed the lump in her throat.

Gendry eyed her for a minute before he glanced back to where her father was speaking with Ser Rodrik and Yoren. "You talk about your brothers all the time, but you never mention your sister. Your father looks like he's in pain when someone mentions her name. I thought that she was betrothed to the king. Wouldn't that mean she's safe?"

"You don't know Joffrey and the queen," Arya answered, more coldly than she'd intended. "He's cruel and stupid. His mother is worse! She had Lady killed and she would have killed Nymeria if I hadn't forced her to run away. Plus they ordered The Hound to kill Mycah!"

Gendry was quiet for a moment before he said, "If my father and your father were best friends, why does your family and his family hate each other so much? I don't understand why they're fighting each other."

"I don't know," Arya admitted. "But the Lannisters aren't your family. Joffrey is more like the Lannisters. It started when Jaime Lannister attacked my father in the streets, killed his men and broke his leg, but I still don't know why. Then King Robert died and they accused my father of being a traitor, but it was a lie. He'd never betray his friend."

Gendry shook his head and said, "I saw his confession. I thought he really was a traitor. I mean why would anyone lie about being a traitor? But now that I know him, I don't know what to think." He studied her face for a few moments. "You don't think he's a traitor, then?"

"No, you stupid!" Arya exclaimed, punching him in the arm.

"Then why did he lie?" Gendry asked. "They say he's an honorable man and he's seems honest enough to me. But he can't be both since he admitted he was a traitor, but now you're saying he's not."

"He was trying to protect my sister," Arya said. "And me too, probably. He hadn't realized that they never had me to start with."

"So your sister, what's she like? Is she like you?"

"No, not at all. Sansa doesn't even look like she could be my sister to be honest. She's pretty and a proper lady. Septa Mordane always praised her stitches, her singing, her manners…everything. Everyone thought she was perfect. I was always a disappointment. That's why I was always closer to Jon. He was a bastard and I never fit in, either, so we could be different together," Arya said quietly, remembering the old hurts as clearly as if they were physical wounds that still ached. "I thought I hated Sansa because she always told me I was an awful sister, and she protected Joffrey rather than telling the truth about what he did to Mycah. But now I wish that she was here, and I'd do anything to see her again."

"Arya." It was her father. They both jumped up and saw him standing there behind them. Arya wondered how much he heard. His grey eyes, so like hers and Jon's, studied her seriously. "You were never a disappointment. Your mother and I loved all of our children equally. We didn't love Sansa more, and I won't have you think such things."

Arya didn't know what to say. She hadn't meant for him to hear that. Glancing at Gendry, she said, "Gendry was confused about why you confessed to being a traitor when you weren't. I didn't know exactly why you confessed, but I thought it might have been because of Sansa."

"It was. It's a very complicated situation," he said, sitting down on a log in front of them. With his cast gone, he could move more easily, but his leg still pained him and grew stiff. "I learned some things that I wasn't supposed to know, so the queen had me arrested for treason to keep me silent. I confessed because they promised that if I did, Sansa would be safe."

"My lord," Gendry began, pausing to glance up nervously. Her father nodded for him to continue. "Pardon me for asking, but doesn't your escape put Lady Sansa in more danger?"

"My sons attacked the queen's brother's camp and now hold Jaime Lannister hostage. The queen won't hurt Sansa for fear that they'll hurt her brother," Father explained. He smiled briefly. "They were wise. Wiser than I was at playing this game, at least. They're making good alliances with your uncle, sending men to help us, and also working on getting Sansa out of King's Landing. I'm very proud of them." Gendry looked startled at the mention of his uncle, clearly not yet used to the idea of his Baratheon family.

"Would Robb and Jon kill the Kingslayer if the queen hurt Sansa?" Arya asked. She was worried about her sister, but still hoped that Robb and Jon would make the man pay for what he'd done to her father, Jory Cassel and the others.

"It depends on how much they hurt her," he answered darkly. "But I imagine that they'd match the severity of any damage done to Sansa. And the queen knows this."

Arya was about to ask something else but Gendry shushed her abruptly. He stood slowly and reached for his sword, her father moving to do the same and clearly listening out for anything unusual. Then Arya heard it: a chorus of low growls. Her father grabbed her arm, pushing her behind him. The growls came closer and both her father and Gendy began backing away from the trees, pulling her with them. The first wolf appeared, lips drawn back in a snarl as he watched them. He was soon joined by two more. All three wolves watched them warily. The fourth wolf, a much larger one, came out of trees. Arya's heart froze. I know you.

"Nymeria!" Arya lurched forward, only for her father to grab her round the waist and hold her back.

"Arya, no! Those wolves are dangerous. She's been in the wild for a long time and is no longer safe," Father warned, refusing to loosen his hold on her.

Nymeria looked them over slowly. She took in Gendry, then her father, until at last her yellow-eyed gaze settled on Arya. She raised her head slightly and sniffed the air, her eyes never leaving her. The three smaller wolves started advancing and Gendry looked at them askance.

"Gendry, take Arya back to the camp now," her father ordered. In that moment she realized that a number of men had joined them, were standing behind them with their swords drawn. They must have come from the camp. Please, they can't hurt Nymeria.

"No Father! You can't hurt her," Arya pleaded, attempting to pull loose of his hold on her.

Everything happened so fast that she wasn't sure who moved first. Two of the wolves charged towards Father and Arya, but Nymeria was suddenly between them, stopping their approach. She snapped at one and when it didn't back down, sank her teeth into its neck and shook her head, flinging the wolf from side to side as it whined in pain. The second wolf cowered and the third returned to the cover of the trees. When Nymeria released the first wolf, dropping it to the ground in a bloody heap, the remaining wolf made for the trees as well. Nymeria's eyes turned towards her father and she growled low at him.

"Father, let go of me," Arya said urgently. "She thinks you're hurting me."

Her father hesitated for a moment, but released her when Nymeria looked poised to spring. "Don't attempt to move, Arya, or I will pull you back again," he warned quietly. "She's still wild…but she does appear to remember you."

"She does," Arya said confidently. "Nymeria, down," she ordered. The direwolf looked confused for a moment, but when Arya repeated the command, more sharply this time, Nymeria sat down on her haunches, still watching Arya closely. Reaching out her hand slowly, Arya felt her father tense beside her. "Father, trust me please. She won't hurt me."

Nymeria eyed her father for a moment before returning her gaze to Ayra. After a few moments, she leaned forward to sniff at her fingers. She gave them a small lick. Arya ignored the blood on her tongue as she leaned closer to allow the wolf to lick her palm. She took a step forward and Nymeria rubbed her head against her hand.

Tears filled her eyes and began to roll down her cheeks, but she made no attempt to stop them, not caring if Gendry saw them. Ignoring her father's hurried warning, Arya threw her arms around Nymeria and hugged her close. She heard her father curse softly and his men exclaim something, but she didn't care about them, either. For the first time since they'd parted, Arya felt whole again. Nymeria tensed at first, but relaxed in her embrace, burying her blood-soaked muzzle in Arya's tunic. And quietly, in the back of her mind, Arya felt her. She's still confused, but she knows me, too.

"I'm back now," Arya whispered. "I promise. I won't make you leave again."

x-x-x

Robb burst into his chambers without knocking. He gaped for a moment at Jon's split lip and swollen eye and sputtered, "Is it true you got into a fight with some of Lord Tarly's men?"

Jon sighed. "Word travels fast."

"Jon, Renly just honored you with a knighthood, and you repay him by acting like an impulsive fool?"

"Are you going to ask me why I was fighting, or are you just going to spit words at me? But my thanks for assuming I was in the wrong, brother. Your faith in me is astounding." Jon crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his brother.

"Whether you were right or wrong, I'd have hoped you would have refrained from starting a brawl. But please, enlighten me. What grievous event made you lose your temper?" Robb sat down on the chair and ran a hand through his hair. He looks like Father when he does that.

"I was sparring with Brienne. None of the other men will, which is a shame because she's very good…"

"Jon."

Jon glared at him again and continued. "After we'd finished and she left, some knight named Kyle, or Hyle, or some-such, came over and told me I was wasting my time on 'Brienne the Beauty' as he called her, as Lord Tarly had put an end to the wager. When I said I had no idea what he was talking about, he explained that the knights had made a wager when she first arrived to see who could win her maidenhead. He assumed that's why I was spending time with her. There were words exchanged and he might have said something about her being the best a bastard from the north could do, even if his brother's a lord, and then his face fell into my fist. Repeatedly."

Robb stared at him intently. "So you were defending her honor and your pride."

"I was hoping you'd see it as more about her honor than my pride," Jon admitted. "You should have heard the filth this man was spewing. Brienne gets tormented enough with their sniggering. I've even heard Loras make remarks about her. She doesn't deserve it. I understand that she's different. She's too serious, too awkward, too shy…but she's good and she's loyal. She's a far better person than Ser whats-his-name, and they all know it, and still they hate her! Besides, doesn't knighthood mean we should defend the innocent?"

"You've been listening to too many of Sansa's songs," Robb replied with a snort. "Do you have feelings for this Brienne?"

"No!" Jon exclaimed. "She's my friend. I enjoy her company. She doesn't expect me to act like…well, she doesn't expect me to act like you."

"Who expects you to act like me?"

"Everyone. I'm always being compared to you. I'm the more serious one, I'm the quieter one, I'm the more hot-tempered one. I'm the opposite of everything good about you. I thought it would be different once we left Winterfell, but I'll always be the bastard," Jon said sullenly, glancing out the window so he didn't have to look at Robb.

"Jon, don't be ridiculous. People compare all siblings. I've heard everyone comparing Renly to Robert and Stannis, and none of them are bastards. Perhaps because you've become so wary of people thinking less of you, you're always going to suspect they are. You are quieter and more serious than me, but I don't think anyone considers it a bad thing, and if they do, then damn them. Just remember that people respect you for what you've done in battle so far and ignore the rest of them. Don't be so distrustful of people that you don't give them a chance." Robb rose then. "I'm sorry I misjudged you. What you did was honorable and I'm glad you weren't hurt much. I do hope, however, that next time you'll use something other than your fists to make your point, even if it worked on those southern prats."

Jon attempted to hold back a smirk but nodded. "Is it true that we're marching again tomorrow?"

"Aye Renly is taking the men from the Stormlands with him to confront his brother. The men from the Riverlands will remain here to cut off the Lannisters if they move south, keep them from advancing on any of our troops. We're taking the Northmen and the majority of the Tyrell forces to raid the Westerlands," Robb said with a smile. "Once Tywin thinks Casterly Rock is in danger, he'll turn back and we'll catch him between our forces."

"Renly's giving you command of the Tyrell forces?" Jon said in surprise. The Tyrells were the larger part of his host.

"He thinks it best to meet Stannis with only the Stormlords. Even without the Tyrells, he still has twice the number of men as Stannis. He also wants us to hit Tywin Lannister's lands with as much force as possible. Loras will go with him, along with Mace Tyrell and the queen. Ser Garlan will lead the men from the Reach, but will report to me.. It's a bit overwhelming, brother—Renly has trusted me with the majority of his men, but I think he's been impressed by the fierceness of the Northern lords, as well as some of the Riverlords. Lord Umber, Lord Karstark, and Lady Mormont, Ser Brynden, Lord Blackwood and Lord Mallister—I think he knows his forces are in good hands, and that we wouldn't betray him. I'm still concerned about Father, so Galbert Glover is taking some men to find them. He'll take them to Renly's host once he does. We don't want them to fall into the hands of either Stannis or Tywin."

"Do you want me to go with them?"

"No, I want you by my side," Robb replied firmly. "I need you with me, Jon. Mother is travelling with Renly in the hopes of reuniting with Father. I think Renly is going to attempt to use Father to help make peace with Stannis. Between you and me, though, the Blackfish says it won't work. Stannis would never negotiate with a man he thinks has stolen his crown and he has little affection for Father."

"Stannis doesn't have enough men. Surely he can see. What good is a crown if he'll tear the realm apart to get it?"

"Apparently none of that matters to Stannis. It's all about his rights to the throne. I'd hate for the king to have to fight his brother," Robb said. "But I don't know if I disagree that Stannis should give up his rightful claim."

"Any news on Sansa?"

"Dacey and Daryn are still there. The goal is to get her as far as the Mander, and then take a boat to Highgarden."

"She's being taken farther south? Is that wise? We'll have Father, Arya and your mother in the Stormlands or the Reach, depending on where Stannis and Renly meet. We'll be in the Westerlands and Sansa will be in Highgarden? Not to mention Bran and Rickon in Winterfell," Jon furrowed his brows. "I don't like the thought of our family spreading out even further. What did Father always say? A pack should keep together."

"Father's not here," Robb replied curtly. "Winterfell is the safest place for Bran and Rickon. The queen suggested Highgarden as a safe place for Sansa to remain until she is reunited with Arya and my mother. After that, Father can decide how best to get them north again." Robb sighed, rubbing his knuckles against his chin. "I'd hoped to hear from Theon before we left Riverrun, but there's been nothing. I hope his ship made it to the Iron Islands safely."

"Robb…I know you don't want to believe Theon could betray you, but perhaps it would be wise to warn the king that you haven't heard from him. If Balon Greyjoy attempts to rebel again, Renly would be caught completely unawares until it's too late."

His brother was silent for a long moment. "Well you're right about that, and you'll be pleased to hear that I've already told Renly. But Theon wouldn't betray me. I know he wouldn't."