Chapter 10

Melara didn't see Robb for a few days after their last encounter, something she was privately grateful for.

The memory of their kiss was enough to keep her awake for longer than usual the night after it happened and she had finally resorted to a sleeping potion that she sometimes kept in her bag for emergencies in order to achieve relief.

It was just a kiss, why in the seven hells was she reacting this way?

She hadn't known Robb Stark for long and yet the memory of his smoldering blue eyes and how they darkened when they had looked at her was enough to make her shiver.

It wasn't just the memory of how he was making her feel however that was bothering the beautiful brunette though. It was the knowledge that her wedding was looming and there would be a time coming when Robb would return to the Twins and find that she had hidden the truth of who she was from him.

She couldn't do that.

And so Melara resolved that the very next time they had an opportunity to speak, she would tell him everything.

She didn't know when she would confess the secret of her magic, but for the moment it was a much needed start.

Keeping secrets was as second nature to her as breathing but there came a time when withholding information became dangerous. She could easily see this becoming a problem if she held out for too much longer.

The last thing Melara wanted was for there to be shattered trust between them once the King in the North knew the truth.

She made no mention of what had happened with Robb to her brother's because Wyn would most likely be livid that she hadn't told the truth yet and Ben would get this grim look on his face that always happened when he was questioning her actions.

But they would be right, she did need to really get on with it.

And so a few days after she had nearly entered into a compromising situation in the King in the North's tent, Melara had made up her mind to speak the truth to him that very day.

And then the ravens came.

It was early morning and she had just returned from gathering the morning dew in the woods when the brunette came upon a surprising sight.

She had suffered from no more dreams lately, but the memory of the first vivid night vision was constantly on her mind.

The night before, Melara had disguised herself and returned to the Twins where she had stolen into the godswood and sat before the heart tree for almost an hour just staring up into the face that was carved at its center, staring into its burning red eyes as if she were searching for the answer to the entirety of the universe.

She didn't say anything and neither did the tree, but she hadn't expected it to. Whatever she had been looking for, whether it was divine intervention or some sort of spiritual sign from above, she hadn't found it.

And Melara had left the Twins more frustrated than when she had come.

So with nothing else to do, she had returned to her tent and gone back to brewing. She ahd been practicing a potion that had been her most difficult one back when she was still in England.

Like most healing potions it involved moonstones and her abundant access to them here in Westeros was a blessing.

It was difficult however because this potion could be used for head injuries. For example, if a person had experience amnesia or some other disorder from a blow to the head, if the potion worked it would restore the memories to the person who had lost them. Likewise it would aid in the regeneration of muscle functions and restore use to a limb that may have been lost.

In a way, the function of the potion was to restore the…well….function of a person that had once been lost.

But so far when she had tested it on herself and thought hard about some memory that might have occurred back when she was in England, all Melara got was a nagging feeling of déjà vu.

The longer she lived in Westeros, more and more of her memories of her old life began to fade.

I shudder to think of the day that I won't remember that my name was Pansy Parkinson, or the faces of my brother and parents…or Ron's face for that matter.

It was a conundrum alright, but it was only a smaller problem in the face of a much larger puzzle.

The war was still going on all around them and the longer Robb stayed at the Crag even though it had barely been two weeks was time enough for the Lannisters to regroup.

But from what Melara had gathered, the lions had their hands full with preparing for the arrival of Stannis Baratheon to the capital.

Let us hope that they remain busy, Melara thought as she walked out of the woods and back to the camp.

On top of the added strangeness of the situation that she was in, it was surprising that Sansa Stark had taken to spending a lot of time with her over the course of the last few days.

Since her surprising confession in Robb's tent a few days earlier, a sort of invisible bond had sprung up between the two young women. Even though Sansa was two years younger than the brunette, Melara did feel a sort of sisterly affections for her.

Thankfully the red head had resisted mentioning any sort of connection to her brother and had simply seemed to be interested in healing.

Fortunately, potions was one thing that could be taught to Muggles because it didn't require that one be magical in order to make something that was magical. You simply needed the right ingredients.

Melara could sense that Sansa desired to make herself useful after all her time spent doing next to nothing in the capital and to stave off worry about her little sister and so she didn't question the girl's desire to help her.

If anything, Sansa might pick up some useful skills that she didn't have before.

I certainly hope these moonstones last for a long time, she thought to herself glancing into her basket as she walked back to the camp. As we get closer and closer to Casterly Rock I have a feeling that I am going to be using more and more of it.

The moonstones and dew weren't the only things in her basket however.

When she had visited the Twins the night before, Melara had been struck by the many blood red leaves that fell from the trees and were present on the ground around her.

Upon picking one of them up, Melara wondered if there were any healing properties to the leaves themselves. It was said that the children of the Forest had carved faces into their trunks and the Children of the Forest were no doubt magical. Therefore wasn't it possible that the trunks of these great white trees contained at least an iota of magic as well?

The opportunity was too good to pass up and so the brunette had collected as much as she dared and returned to the camp.

She had just entered it and had come within sight of her tent when she saw a familiar form standing outside of it.

Her eyes narrowed. What is the king doing awake this early?

Robb had made no attempt to speak with her since their moment a few days earlier and while she knew it was for the best Melara could not help but be disappointed at his lack of interest.

It was then that she berated herself. He knows that he is promised to someone who he thinks is not you fool! If Robb Stark is one ounce as honorable as his father than he will have nothing more to do with you. If you want what happened a few days ago to continue than you need to tell him the truth! And it seems you have been given the perfect opportunity.

Robb Stark was dressed in his armor and usual furs but what surprised Melara the most was that he was alone, all except for Greywind who was standing by his side.

The large wolf had come up to Robb's waist at this time and Melara was certain he would be a formidable sight on the battlefield.

He was usually always surrounded by his contingent of guards and knights, why was this time any different?

It could only mean one thing…he wanted to speak to her alone.

Despite herself, Melara swallowed hard. She paused for a moment at the edge of the camp where she was still standing invisible and eyed the man who she would be married to before long.

He carried himself well, from where she could see. The way he was standing didn't betray any nerves at being there or fidgeting as if he were second guessing himself in coming. His hands were clasped in front of him and even though he was still draped in furs, he looked perfectly at ease. His blue eyes were calm and level headed and he was waiting at the door of her tent as if he knew she wasn't inside but wouldn't enter until she arrived.

Melara smirked a bit. I suppose its somewhat ironic that I would like a gentlemen when the last person I was with was anything but.

Ron was many things but a gentlemen wasn't one of them. He told it like it was and so did she, which was part of what made them so compatible.

Well that and they were both complete animals in bed.

Melara's smirk widened as she allowed her thoughts to dwell on that for a moment before she controlled herself and walked slowly forward, releasing the spell on herself as the morning mist cleared so it appeared as if she were simply walking out of it.

The brunette had been told she was always light of foot by her brothers and that no one would be able to hear her coming and so it was a theory that she decided to put to the test.

It appeared to work because she was able to steal up behind the King and only paused a few feet away from him before she spoke.

"My my my, it shouldn't be a common thing for someone to sneak up on the King in the North. You need to be on your toes your grace. I could just as well have been a Lannister soldier."

Robb turned around quickly, one hand flying to the hilt of his sword and relaxing upon seeing her. "My lady."

Melara raised an eyebrow at him. "I had thought better of you your grace. It isn't like you to be startled easily."

"No its not," he replied. "But any man can become lost in his own thoughts when his body has little to do."

"True enough," she replied stepping past him and reaching for the flap of the tent so that she might open it. "Do you wish to come in? Or am I mistaken in thinking that there is something you wanted to speak to me about?"

"You are not," he replied. "But I would prefer to discuss the nature of this matter whilst standing. Perhaps we could walk?"

He gestured to the wood she had just come from and Melara raised an eyebrow at him. While it sounded nice, she needed to be even more careful than usual around him.

Then she reminded herself that this would be the perfect opportunity to tell him the truth. There was no reason to put it off any longer.

"A walk does sound pleasant," she said after a moment. "Very well. I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea."

She went quickly into her tent and set the basket of potions ingredients down on the table before exiting the tent and looking briefly at the king. "Shall we?"

Fortunately it was still early morning and so the camp was just beginning to stir when they left.

The grey and white tents disappeared as they walked through the trees and Melara carefully folded her hands behind her back, wondering what the young king wished to talk about.

The ground was still wet with the morning dew and Melara smiled as she glanced down at it wondering if she might be able to collect some more after she left the king in order to stock up her supply.

In the light of the early morning, there was still mist on the ground in some places and as it rose slowly into the air it was quite beautiful to behold. As it rose, it melded with the rays of the sun and turned them all an almost silvery gold color. It was like little rain drops rising from the ground to the sky.

Melara barely noticed how quiet Robb was until several minutes into their walk.

"You appear troubled your grace," she said raising an eyebrow. "May I ask what the matter is?"

Robb gave her a small smile which didn't seem to reach his eyes. "There are many things that are wrong of late my lady, but such is the matter of war. Like you said several weeks ago, no one is happy about conflict."

Melara's brow furrowed. Had he actually been listening to what she was saying at Oxcross what felt like an age ago?

Greywind butted his large shaggy head against her hand and she absently rested her hand atop his back.

"It does seem like a never ending entity doesn't it?" she asked. "Once the Westerlands have fallen to the Starks you will no doubt proceed to King's Landing where you will besiege the city and take the head of the boy king. Am I right?"

Robb raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you always this cynical my lady?"

"One of my many flaws no doubt. Sarcasm is both a blessing and a curse. But I digress, this is what you plan to do is it not?"

"Aye."

"And once Joffrey Baratheon is cast down?" Melara asked. "What then?"

Robb paused. "I have been….considering what you have said and perhaps it would not be such a bad thing to sit on the Iron Throne."

Of all the things he might have said, that certainly wasn't something she had been expecting to hear.

"Really?" Melara asked. "And what changed your mind?"

"In a way you did," Robb went on as they walked. "My father died for that ugly iron chair and now the one who sits on it is a false sadistic little shit who styles himself the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. What way to turn the kingdoms around and to honor him by sitting on it myself?"

Melara looked at him cautiously. "That is either a very wise or a very arrogant notion your grace."

"Arrogant?"

"Indeed. You can't simply take the throne because you feel you would be the best ruler for the realm. Power should be viewed as a burden and not a right. Anyone who claims the benefit of power because he can and is able to is one step removed from a mad man. And this realm has seen many. As much as I feel the realm might strengthen under your hand, I am somewhat biased because I cannot think of many just men who were honorable, but at the same time cunning enough to avoid the pitfalls that those who are foolish find themselves in."

"Men like my father?" Robb asked.

Melara shook her head. "I didn't say him. There have been many men in the past who though honorable did not account for the fact that others would not be as well."

After a moment Robb nodded. "You make a fair point."

Melara smirked. "I know I do. I suppose its one of the benefits of being a woman. No one asks you for your opinion but you are able to make the more informed ones by simply observing the actions of others. It's a hidden advantage to my sex I suppose."

Robb looked at her for a long time, appearing to think about what she had said. "Maybe that is true. I certainly grew up around enough women to know that their opinion counts for something. My mother and Sansa were certainly vocal enough about what they wanted."

Maybe that's because you actually had a father who valued your mother's opinion. Walder Frey didn't let my mother speak unless she was first spoken to and he didn't want her around other men.

"And so if you were in my position what would you do?" Robb asked.

It was a loaded question. He was testing her and Melara knew it. What she didn't know was why and that was the most aggravating thing.

"I would continue fighting your grace," Melara replied. "Your ultimate goal at this point is Casterly Rock. Once that is taken you are planning to make for the capital yes?"

"Aye," Robb replied. "I had hoped to send an envoy to Renly Baratheon to perhaps barter for the freedom of the north once he becomes King however those plans fell through when he was murdered."

"By his own brother I heard," Melara mused. "My what a time we live in. And now Stannis Baratheon is sailing for the capital with all of his brother's men and ships to tear the Lannisters down from the Iron Throne. What are you going to do should he succeed?"

Robb sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I have thought of that. In either case whether the Lannisters succeed or Stannis does neither of them is going to let me keep the northern half of this realm."

"And so in order to retain northern independence you will need to fight another war either with Stannis or continue the one with the Lannisters," Melara concluded.

"Precisely."

"You do have a dilemma your grace," Melara said and Robb gave her a grim smile. "Now you know the sum total of my problem. In each instant I keep coming back to the notion of simply taking the throne for myself. I never wanted it but if taking it is the only way to ensure northern independence I don't see what other choice I have."

Melara was silent for a moment. "I can see your mindset is in the right place."

"You do?"

"Yes. You don't desire the throne for the power it will afford you, but rather because you fear the effects of your people if you don't take it. You would put them before your desires for peace and tranquility, knowing that such a role would paint a target on your back for the rest of your life. I do find that admirable."

Robb nodded but didn't say a thing. "It's not a choice I am eager to make. There is always the possibility that I could die in this war and then all of this will be out of my hands, but it is one that I try not to think about."

Melara grimaced slightly and bit the edge of her lip to try and keep her thoughts on that hidden. She hadn't known Robb for very long but she didn't like the idea of him dying and knew it would affect her more than she cared to admit.

"Suppose you not think about that for the time being," she said. "Yes war is a game of chances most of the time but you seem to have had luck so far. You have bested the Lannister army on every count and you still retain a valuable prisoner of theirs."

"Ah yes, the matter of Jaime Lannister," Robb said and Greywind who was walking between them whined slightly as if sensing his master' discomfort. "He is another complication I almost wish I didn't have."

"You can't think like that," Melara said. "He is a bargaining tool after all and what you do with him will shape the course of this war. Whether you send him to the wall or kill him is up to you. You no longer need to use him to bargain for your sister's lives as the only Stark they had is now here with you. You could execute Jaime Lannister and it would be entirely within your rights to do so."

"I could," Robb said and he honestly appeared as if he were considering the idea. "The Kingslayer killed two of Lord Rickard's sons in the battle of Whispering Wood and he has been demanding his head ever since. I have held off because I believed Lannister would be a good bargaining tool to return my sisters to me. But now that I have Sansa back and Arya is somewhere on the run, they have nothing else that I want. Jaime Lannister is now disposable."

"The question you must ask yourself is how badly you want him dead," Melara put in. "Because if you execute him now it will enrage the Lannisters more than they already are and it will give them even more incentive to try and crush you. However if you keep him as a prisoner, those who are demanding his head may see it fit to leave as you are not giving them what they wish."

Robb muttered a curse out beneath his breath and Melara snorted in agreement.

"No one ever said being a king is easy," she said and he chuckled in agreement. "Aye they didn't at that. But I thank you for the honest advice my lady."

"Of course."

They continue to walk on in complete silence and Melara began to feel a weight settle about her shoulders. She knew the time had come to say what she had to say.

"Speaking of honesty," she began and Robb's blue eyes fastened to her face. "There is something I need to tell you."

"And that is?"

Melara sighed and braced herself. She had a feeling this was going to be harder than she thought. "I haven't been entirely honest with you about some things your grace."

Robb's eyes narrowed at her. "What do you mean?"

"My name," Melara replied. "Talisa isn't my name."

"I beg your pardon?" Robb asked. "Then what is your name?"

She stopped then and turned to look at him so he would know that she was sincere in what she was about to say. She certainly hoped she wouldn't regret it.

"My name is Melara," she replied calmly. "Melara Frey. My brothers are currently serving in your army, Perwyn, Benfrey, Willamen and Olyvar. I believe my brother Wyn is currently serving within your counsels."

Robb's mouth opened and then shut for a moment. "Walder's Frey's daughter…you are the one to whom I am supposed to marry. The one my mother drew up a contract with Lord Walder for."

Melara nodded. "I am."

Robb stared at her so hard that she began to become uncomfortable and there was some accusation in his eyes. "Why would you lie about who you were to me?"

Melara sighed again. "My primary reason for being here was to check on the wellbeing of my brothers. War is an ugly business and perhaps it is foolish but I wished to be here to tend to them if something went wrong. Ollie is only a year older than I am."

Robb opened his mouth again but was suddenly cut off when a voice called out to them.

Melara looked up, muttering out a low curse and was slightly startled to see that they had arrived back at the edge of the forest and the entrance to the camp. A soldier bearing Stark livery was coming towards them almost running.

He skidded to a stop in front of Robb and bowed hurriedly. "Forgive me for interrupting your grace but ravens have arrived from the West. Casterly Rock has fallen to the Ironborn."

The expression Robb's face was replaced by one of pure astonishment. "What?"

"I speak the truth your grace," the man replied. "It seems lord Balon's fleets have attacked Lannisport and are reeving the city right now."

A look of savage triumph overcame Robb's face and he seized the letter the man was offering and scanned it quickly before clapping the soldier on the shoulder. "Good man, some good news at last."

"I am afraid that that is not all your grace," the soldier replied and handed over a second letter. Robb took it somewhat more gingerly than he had the first and scanned it quickly before muttering out several curses. "It seems Lord Greyjoy has also ordered some of his fleet to attack the coast of the north as well. The old bastard is finally having his revenge for the Greyjoy rebellion when I was a child."

"Aye your grace," the man replied.

"This could not have come at a worse time," Robb muttered. "We are now so close to King's Landing and achieving our goal and yet I cannot leave the North vulnerable."

He turned to the soldier. "Thank you for bringing this to me."

The soldier bowed and hurried off. Melara decided that now was her time to leave.

"I will leave you to your work your grace," she said calmly. "I am certain you have much to do."

She was about to walk off when Robb reached out and took hold of her hand. He was by no means rough with her but there was a purpose in the gesture that made her look up into his intent blue eyes.

Melara couldn't read the look in them but he didn't appear angry, at least it didn't look like it. "You still owe me an explanation my lady."

She nodded. "Aye, I do and you shall have it. But is now the best time when you have news to process and plans to make? If you truly wish to hear the story come to my tent tonight after all this excitement has died down. We will be able to talk then."

He looked at her for a long time before giving her a sharp nod. "Very well. But I will have the truth."

Melara raised an eyebrow at him. "That you will."

And then she gently freed herself from his grasp and strode quickly away.

Ω

Melara kept mostly to herself for the rest of the day and didn't emerge from her tent too often. She could still hear the flurry of activity outside and wondered what sort of plans Robb has decided to make with regards to the news he had received.

The Ironborn attacking Casterly Rock has been a blessing in disguise, she thought to herself. Now Robb can reposition his army and make straight for King's Landing instead of Lannisport. This will limit his losses and is a deadly blow to the Lannisters. I think I would like to see Tywin Lannisters face when he receives this news. I wonder if any news has been received about Stannis Baratheon. Things have been very quiet on that front as well. If he had defeated the Lannisters and become the new king I think we would have heard about it by now. But then if he had lost we would have heard about it either. Gods I detest the message system in this world!

Melara spent the rest of the day making new potions to aid the army during the war and to keep her mind off the conversation she and Robb were no doubt soon going to have.

While she felt bad for having hid the truth for so long, she didn't regret coming to join the war effort at all. Most of this had been an accident after all.

She hadn't been intending to remain as a healer for his army, her only mission had been to check on her brothers after the battle at the Crag and then he had offered her a place in his army.

She supposed she could have refused him and left then, but a part of her had not wanted to. Not only because she had seen something in him that was different than the man she had met at Oxcross, perhaps to her because he had looked vulnerable while she tended to him, perhaps because she was beginning to soften…whatever the case she hadn't left and this was the situation as it stood.

I remember my father…my real father saying to me when he told me we had to change sides that not every action is right and not every action is wrong. It all depends upon perspective. To an outsider this might have been a foolhardy objective, but I am satisfied about what I have done and how I have done it. Robb knows now, his sister is returned to him and judging how things will be over the next few days the war might turn in his favor. I am satisfied….and I hope he is too.

Just then there was the sound of footsteps outside of her tent and she glanced up to see Sansa Stark standing in the doorway.

The red head looked at her warily for a moment before she opened her mouth. "May I come in?"

"Of course," Melara replied.

Sansa nodded before entering and then looked around the interior of the tent as if she didn't know where to stand.

Melara chuckled and then waved her hand, conjuring up a second chair. She saw Sansa's eyes widen at the gesture before blinking slightly and moving toward the chair that had just appeared.

"I don't think I'm ever going to become used to that," she said softly as she sat down. "One half of my mind keeps telling me it's a trick and the other keeps saying that I wouldn't be here without it. Part of me just thinks this is all a fantastic dream and I'm going to wake back up in the Tower of the Hand waiting to be summoned by Joffrey and wondering what fresh hell he is going to heap upon me today."

"I assure you Sansa magic is very real," Melara put in calmly as she bustled about the tent. "It's the reason I am."

"I know," the red head replied. "But I'm still having a hard time grasping the fact that people like you exist. You're not a Targaryen and if there was anyone in Westeros who I would think it would be normal to have magic it would be one of them. You're also not of the north and I've read a lot of stories about northern history where magic was present. You're in between the south and the north and that's what makes this all so confusing."

"Magic doesn't change who I am," Melara told her. "I'm still the same girl who rescued you from King's Landing."

"You are," Sansa affirmed. "And my gratefulness doesn't change whether you have magic or not. It just makes things more complicated."

"Aye it does," Melara muttered. "That's one thing I dislike about it. I never told my father I had magic because of what he might say or do. Either he would try to kill me as a heretic or he would try and use me as a weapon to further the ambitions of House Frey. Neither of those things are something I can abide by."

"Your family is much different from mine," Sansa observed. "I can imagine my father being a little wary at first because its something he doesn't truly understand, but in time he would come to accept it, if the person who had it was someone Robb loved."

Melara snorted slightly. "Your brother doesn't love me."

"Not yet," Sansa said with a calm certainty. "He will though."

Melara gave her a bitter chuckle and shook her head. "The woman your brother is attracted to is called Talisa."

"Not anymore."

At the quiet admission, Melara turned to face the red head who was looking calmer and more relaxed than she had ever seen her.

"He told you," she said.

"He did," Sansa replied.

"And?"

"He's….confused," Sansa said which wasn't really comforting. "I think you're the first woman that he's ever felt anything for and so the fact that you deceived him is somewhat hard to take."

Melara felt a stab of guilt and immediately pushed it down. I didn't ask for or want any of this.

The expression on her face must have been telling because Sansa immediately spoke up. "You needn't worry. My brother is the sort of person that may be angry for a bit but once he talked to you and hears you out it won't remain that way."

I hope so.

"In the meantime he's got enough on his mind to deal with," Sansa continued. "Our plans have changed it seems. Now that the Greyjoys are responsible for attacking Lannisport we no longer have to go as west as my brother thought. I also heard that Stannis Baratheon was defeated at Blackwater by the Lannisters so he won't be a problem any longer."

"I don't really think it mattered who won that fight," Melara said. "Either way your brother would still be fighting someone."

"I suppose you're right. But now at least we have cause to fight more. Stannis Baratheon never did anything to us but the Lannisters took my father and tortured me for weeks before I was rescued," Sansa said with a sudden vehemence. "Perhaps it's cruel of me but I want to see every last one of them suffer."

"I don't think it's cruel at all," Melara replied. "Revenge is a pure emotion. The pursuit of it can be a righteous thing if it's for the right reason. I have a feeling that even if your brother did not call the banners but did not come to bend the knee to Joffrey, the little monster still would have demanded that his troops march north to meet the king in pitched battle. At least now things can be decided on their own terms."

"Lannisters are a prideful lot," Sansa fairly spat. "And Cersei and Joffrey are the most of all. Joffrey wouldn't have been content to agree to Robb's terms."

Then she got a thoughtful look on her face.

"What is it?" Melara asked.

"Nothing," Sansa replied. "It's just I haven't thought about the Lannisters in the last few days since I got here. But I wonder what my disappearance is doing to them. I don't suppose it matters but a part of me would love to see Joffrey's face when he realizes what's happened."

Melara chuckled to herself momentarily distracted from her somewhat dark thoughts. "Now that you mention it that does sound like something worth knowing about. I'm more concerned about how the bitch queen is going to react when she learns that Casterly Rock has fallen to the Greyjoys."

Sansa laughed. "I suppose that would be a sight to see. I'm just wondering why it is that Balon Greyjoy decided to side with us."

"I don't think he's siding with anyone," Melara said as she sat down. She picked up the simple decanter of wine from the corner of the table and poured a glass for her and Sansa. "I think he's taking advantage of an opportunity. Casterly Rock had been all but abandoned since Tywin Lannister somehow made it to King's Landing to stop Stannis Baratheon's army from taking the city. I don't know how he did it but somehow he did. It doesn't matter at any rate. What we do know is that Balon Greyjoy is a greedy bastard who has longed to declare the Iron Islands independent since he took it over from old Lord Quellon. Perhaps this will be the second Greyjoy rebellion. However in this way its sort of working in our favor."

"Agreed," Sansa replied taking a cautious sip from her own glass of wine. "But from what Robb told me the Greyjoys are attacking all up and down the coast which means they are targeting the north as well. Theon seems to believe that its because his father wants revenge for the death of his brothers in the Greyjoy rebellion years earlier."

"That wouldn't surprise me," Melara muttered.

"Theon doesn't have very many memories of him," Sansa went on. "But he did tell me that the man he remembered was very different from the one that he saw when he returned to the Iron Islands to ask for his help."

"Different how?" Melara asked.

Sansa chuckled. "If I remember his words correctly, he was "a right shit." He demanded that Theon betray Robb and attack the north instead to prove his mettle as a Greyjoy but Theon refused. He may have his flaws like the rest of us, but Theon has always been loyal to a fault. I didn't know that he considered my father more of his father than his own and I was shocked when he said those words to me. He said his real father died in King's Landing and he would be spitting on his name and legacy and the man who essentially raised him if he were to turn his cloak now."

Sansa appeared to be getting a little emotional now. "I didn't know he had so much loyalty. It makes me feel lucky."

Melara nodded suddenly feeling an odd lump in her throat as well as she contemplated her first family and what they were doing now.

Would they have had a funeral for me? She wondered absently to herself. I've been gone sixteen years and I'm not even certain that there was a body to bury. They must have moved on by now. Ron must have moved on by now.

"Are you alright?" Sansa asked.

"Yes," Melara replied. "Yes I think so."

Sansa glanced out the door of the tent and sighed before getting to her feet. "I think I should be getting back. As my mother's time grows closer I want to be with her as much as possible. She's carrying my father's last child and I don't want to waste a moment. This whole thing has taught me life is precious and should never be taken for granted."

"That's a good sentiment to live by," Melara said. "I think everyone in this army is living by that expression….whether the realize it or not."

Ω

Tywin Lannister was livid.

Anger wasn't a strange emotion to him, he had possessed a simmering anger for as long as he could remember ever since Tyrion had come into the world and caused the death of his beloved Joanna.

He was angry when Aerys Targaryen had refused his offer of marriage to give his daughter to his son. He was angry when that same king had appointed his eldest son and heir to the Kingsguard thus stemming the future of Casterly Rock to rest on the shoulders of one useless dwarf.

He was angry when his foolish grandson had called for the head of Ned Stark sparking a war that he now had to fight.

He was angry when his same son and heir had managed to get himself captured by the young wolf's army and was now a prisoner who they might execute at any time.

But now…now he was beyond apoplectic.

After their immediate success at Blackwater and the knowledge that they had taken their power back from Stannis Baratheon came the news that the Greyjoys had attacked Casterly Rock and laid waste to Lannisport, burning pillaging and reeving.

Tywin had immediately ordered the mobilization of his army to depart from the capital and march to Casterly Rock and send the Krakens back to their islands once and for all.

And then came the news that Sansa Stark had disappeared sometime in the night.

Not only was that bewildering and confusing but it was rage inducing as well. How had she done it?

He had thought he had bought and paid for every person living in the keep. His first thought was that Varys or Baelish had helped her escape, Varys to bring some sort of peace to the realm and move along the war or Baelish because of the man's strange connection to Catelyn Stark.

But both of them seemed just as bewildered and confused as he was. In fact Baelish seemed almost angry about her disappearance in a way.

What was also confusing was the fact that after Renly Baratheon had died under mysterious circumstances, Loras and Margaery Tyrell were recalled to Highgarden where their oaf of a father Mace Tyrell had waited for them.

Tywin had expected the Tyrells to perhaps pick a side in the war, whether it was his or the young wolf's. He had been planning to write a letter to Mace Tyrell with the promise of a queenship for his daughter Margaery in exchange for their support in the war.

It had seemed an almost full proof plan….until something happened that he hadn't been expecting.

Before the raven had been sent, word had come from Highgarden that Mace Tyrell had died suddenly. The maesters were calling it heart failure from all the rich food and wine that the fat flower liked to eat.

It hadn't mattered, but he was dead and that meant that Willas Tyrell his eldest son had taken over.

Tywin didn't know Willas Tyrell as he had Mace but from what he had heard the young man was of a quiet calculating nature and seemed more intelligent than his fat oaf of a father which did not work to Tywin's advantage.

It wasn't until the Tyrells had declared themselves neutral in the coming war that he gone from confused to being flabbergasted.

They weren't siding with his enemy, but they weren't siding with him either. This had Olenna Tyrell written all over it and Tywin was furious because the old woman was playing some game that he didn't yet know.

Tywin hated being confused and it seemed as the days went on the more confused he became.

How had the Stark girl escaped?

What game were the Tyrells playing?

Why had the Greyjoys suddenly risen from anonymity to attack Lannisport?

Why hadn't his son escaped yet?

It all amounted to too many questions and no answers and the more he thought about it the angrier he became.

Something had to be done or he was going to lose the war and he would forever be known as the man who lost the throne and his own seat to some jumped up krakens and a wolf pup who was barely out of boyhood.

And so in his pitched tent while marching to Casterly Rock he took up his quill and began writing two letters. They were desperate letters filled with trickery and deceit with the intent to shed as much blood as possible and stroke as many egos as possible.

They were both gambles but knowing how much these men craved a single taste of power they would be easy to manipulate.

If he played his cards right then perhaps he would be able to take care of the young wolf and his army as well as the Greyjoys in one fell swoop.

The tide to turn the war could begin with the single stroke of a pen.

So he began writing.

Ω

So now Robb knows the truth and his relationship with Melara will subtly change as a result. In the next chapter he and Melara will have a conversation about her plan of deceitfulness and they will begin to become more honest with each other. Also a wedding will be in the near future and we'll discover more of the motives of the Tyrells in not putting forth Margaery as a bride for Joffrey. I hope you guys like the chapter and don't forget to review!