I was pleased to open my door to find my father before supper.

"I had hoped you might escort me to supper," I said with a smile.

Father chuckled, hugging me strongly. "I would have believed you, until yesterday morning."

I looked to the ground, hiding my expression.

"I have always liked the Starks. I am not surprised you do as well."

My face enflamed, "Father!"

"Alright," Father replied, placing his hands up defensively. "I will stop teasing you, especially since supper is prepared."

"And tomorrow, shall we enjoy a magnificent feast thanks to Lord Stark and Lord Samelson?"

"Mostly thanks to Lord Samelson," Father returned with a hearty laugh.

Supper was much the same as the past several nights. Yet again, there was music, and I found myself dancing with Robb.

"I am so sorry," he apologized after stepping on my foot.

"I am fine, Robb," I replied, pulling a little closer to prove myself.

Robb nodded although his downcast eyes still suggested that he felt guilty.

"What would you like to do tomorrow?" I asked to distract him.

"With my father back, he will have me listen to the grievances of the townsfolk tomorrow."

"Afterwards, then."

Robb nodded. Suddenly smirking, he spun me around and dipped me back. Robb pulled me back to my feet, getting me to giggle as I let my head fall onto his shoulder. We danced for several songs before the evening began to quiet. Theon had disappeared with a serving girl. Jon and Will were speaking with two girls about my age, and our parents were starting to take their leave.

My father's boisterous laugh distracted me from Robb as he walked up behind me.

"It is getting late, Ana," Father stated.

"Yes," I agreed, knowing well enough that he was suggesting I go to my chamber. I turned to Robb, curtseying, "My lord."

"My lady," Robb returned, catching my hand and kissing it.

A smile spread across my face, and after a few moments of looking at Robb, I tore myself away, walking down the hall.

I woke up from a dreamless sleep and hurried through my morning routine, hoping to see Robb before the townsfolk and surrounding homesteads would start to arrive. I had barely stepped into the hall when I saw my mother walking towards me.

"Hello," I called in surprise.

"I hoped to find you before you left this morning. You have been arising quite early these past few days. Shall we go inside?"

I nodded and opened the door to my chambers, anticipating her next words.

"You must be careful, Analysa," she warned. "When young women show affection for young men, you may find that people will discuss it."

"Did Theon say something?" I demanded.

My mother laughed, "I learnt a long time ago not to trust a Greyjoy."

I furrowed my eyebrows, curious to know what she meant by that, but instead, my mother continued on her original thought, "You must be careful—"

"—Do you not trust Robb or me?"

"I trust you, and I have complete faith in the children of Eddard Stark, but still, you do not wish to gain a reputation."

"I have not done anything wrong."

My mother raised an eyebrow, "You have spent a great deal of time with him without a chaperon. I trust you have made good decisions, but as a woman, you need to be more cautious. The more obvious you are…"

"Lucky then that we will be gone at first light tomorrow," I said, half-heartedly.

She watched me steadily for a moment before reaching out to touch my face, "I am sorry for your disappointment, Analysa. Now, go on, just do so more wisely."

My feet carried me quickly out of the room to watch as Eddard Stark listened to the concerns of his people. Robb listened intently to both the grievances and how his father responded. My father pulled me away early, taking me to weapons training to watch my brothers.

"Ana!" Philip cried, running towards me.

"Philip!" I returned, equally enthusiastic. "How is training?"

"Fine. You have been so busy the past several days. I missed you."

"I missed you too, Philip, but everything will be back as normal in a few days."

I heard Robb's laughter as he, Jon, Bran and Theon entered the courtyard.

"Shall we have a rematch, Will?" Theon asked.

Will grinned, "Yes, rarely have I met anyone so enthused to lose again."

Theon's mouth tightened into a firm line while the rest of us laughed.

"Are you practicing as well?" Robb asked. I glanced at him to make sure that he was as sincere as his tone suggested.

"I had not intended to," I replied honestly. "I am not quite as good with a sword as a bow."

"Nonsense," Father said. "You're perfectly adequate."

Will laughed, "A rousing endorsement, Father."

"You have to practice if you want to improve," Robb stated, raising his eyebrows.

I nodded my assent. "Who will I face?"

"Not I," Robb replied. "I don't want to fight with you. Not ever."

I smiled softly before Philip pulled away my attention, "I will face you."

"Will you, little lordling?" I asked.

"Perhaps you and Bran shall face each other," Father suggested. "And, I can train your sister."

"Father is afraid you will not go easily on me," I added to Philip.

Philip looked at me askance, but I felt Robb's warm smile on my face.

"Probably better anyway," I added. "The only remaining option was you, Jon, and that sounds frightening."

Jon laughed, "I'm not sure I would have been up to the challenge."

I was to go first, but my mother appeared as though she sensed I might nearly do something improper.

"She will only watch," Father insisted.

Mother knew better, though, and remained close by as Philip and Bran, Theon and Will, and Robb and Jon trained. Bran beat Philip fairly. Will and Theon's fight was a bit less fair as both hated the idea of losing. In the end, Will won out, though.

My father leaned over to me during their training. "You'll notice Will and Theon, both hit brutally hard, but neither disguise their strikes well. You have to master the element of surprise."

I nodded, thinking about my father fighting. He had been known for his tactics. He was also a good warrior in his day, but I had to imagine age and weight had slowed him some.

Turning back to the boys, Robb and Jon were locked in a cat and mouse game. My father's boisterous laughs told me that this was a sort of fight he truly enjoyed. Both Robb and Jon were swift, measured, and thoughtful in attack, but they hit hard. Eventually, Robb won although it was quite close.

Smiling, I hopped off my seat and walked to Robb. He brushed back his hair with his hand, trying to shake out the clumps of mud.

"Here," I offered, standing on my toes to try to help him. "You did well."

Robb shrugged, "I still have much to learn, but thank you."

I glanced in the pathways looking onto the courtyard. My mother kept her lips pursed together.

"I'm not having much luck with my wish not to share you today," Robb stated, following my gaze.

"I'm sorry. If it helps, I would much rather be you than upstairs with my mother."

"I will see you for supper."

"My lord," I curtseyed, hoping that might appease my mother.

Robb seemed aware of the reason and returned a formal bow, "My lady."