A/N: Hello, everyone, and welcome to a new chapter :) War is here, my friends, agony, battles and drama plague the Starks as the plot thickens and Robb approaches the moment he's declared King in the North! Hope you'll like it!

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Disclaimer: I do not own the Game of Thrones universe in any way

The council quickly dissolved after the interruption because of the Lannister spy, the participants quickly agreeing to set up camp near the Twins, stronghold of House Frey, and watch Lord Walder's moves until they decided how to proceed. Deana feared what the latter would do, since honor and vows of allegiance apparently had no value for him, but she trusted the others' judgment and hoped he would not send word to the Lannisters about their whereabouts. The sight of the spy, on the other hand, had worried her, but it wasn't a shock for her; she had anticipated such moves, especially since they were at the Neck, the middle between the North and the South. No matter what, though, she had realized that they also needed to decide what to do with the armies of Tywin and Ser Jaime; the threat was grave and now that they were in the Riverlands time was not on their side. Not to mention that the more they delayed the more her father's odds lessened; how long would they keep him prisoner?

Blocking the terrifying thoughts for now, she was about to whistle towards Winter to take her leave, when she noticed that Robb was still standing, looking at the battle plan spread on the table with a troubled expression. "What is on your mind?" she wanted to know, keeping the tone of her voice calm and comforting; even if Robb appeared as decisive in front of his bannermen, she knew that this situation was taking its toll on him. Not that she could blame him, he was barely a few months elder than her and had to lead an entire army to war to save Lord Stark, Arya and Sansa.

Robb turned towards her, silently observing her for some moments, contemplating whether to confide his fears in her or not. It was not a matter of trust, he knew she would listen to him and offer him advice, but he didn't want to bother her with doubts he should not have in the first place. He should be firm and certain about his decisions, not have seconds thoughts about something he had done—and which had defied his allies' wishes as well.

"Robb?" Deana addressed him again, seeing the worry intensifying in his eyes and now truly concerned about what he was thinking about.

"I need your honest opinion, Deana," he chose to talk to her in the end, for he did need another opinion right now. "Was I right to let that spy go and relay a message to Tywin Lannister? When a whole council believes he should be executed, should I comply to their demand?"

"When you take a decision, Robb, whether it goes against your bannermen's wishes or not, you have to support it and defend your way of thinking. When you have a whole army following you, you need to be sure and confident about yourself, if you want to inspire them to fight in this war." Deana did not hesitate to reply, her voice turning from gentle to firm in order to make her point clear; her brother had asked her for an honest answer and that was what she would give him.

"Now, about letting that spy free," she went on, having Robb's full attention on her and what she was saying, "I believe that you did the right thing. This man is merely following orders, just like the rest of the Lannister army. Tywin Lannister, the Kingslayer, Cersei and Joffrey, these are the true enemies who conspire against us. But executing those who only obey their commands and have nothing personal against us…this will not put the war to an end."

Robb did not react verbally, but the way he smiled, encouraged by her words, before nodding and gently caressing the top of Deana's head spoke loudly enough. She had not answered like a sister, but like a true warrior, scolding him for his doubts and explaining why she believed he was in the right. It was clear that his sister was a fine councilor and she had obviously inherited their father's honor and sense of justice.

Even if everyone present had the worst opinion about Walder Frey, Deana had to admit that his seat was a very impressive construction. The two identical buildings that had given the residence its name, the Twins, were connected by a large bridge and with the river flowing underneath. It wasn't luxurious and its only decoration were the flags with the Freys' sigil, the Twins themselves, dancing in the breeze from the towers, creating images of dark rooms and barely-lit corridors in someone's mind.

"Raven in sight!" she exclaimed at this moment at the sight of a black bird flying from one of the keeps. Even though she was armed with her bow and arrows, the sharp eyesight she had trained in archery had given her the post of watcher for this day, alerting everyone to a raven's presence and letting the others shooting them down as a measure to make sure that no Frey would tell the Lannisters about their presence in their region.

"I saw it myself, Snow, thank you." Theon, the one who had killed the bird, underestimated her position with the ironic tone he had when talking to her. He opened his mouth to say more, but Winter's growling and Ser Rodrik's gaze on him quickly changed his mind and the last Greyjoy son went to obtain the message that was bound on the raven's leg.

"It's a birthday message to his grandniece Walda." Robb announced after reading it; some of those present smiled in relief, others relaxed their stance and some remained cautious.

"Or so Walder Frey would have you think." Theon belonged to the latter and for once Deana was relieved to see that he put his usual recklessness and wish to fight aside.

"This is the second birthday message we read in three days, the other one was for his son Ser Ryger Rivers," she mumbled, her dark grey eyes traveling to the Twins once more. "How many members does House Frey have in the end?"

"Don't think about it, girl; start counting Walder's descendants and you will not be finished tomorrow." Jon Umber replied, evoking laughter from the soldiers behind him.

"In any case, keep shooting them down." Lady Catelyn did not let her watch down, although the parchment they had taken did not have a message that threatened their lives. "We can't risk Lord Walder sending word of your movements to the Lannisters."

"He's grandfather's bannerman! We can't expect his support?"

"Expect nothing of Walder Frey and you'll never be surprised," the Greatjon warned the young lord and everyone remembered what Lady Catelyn had said when she arrived at their camp, that Lord Frey did not value his oaths and had joined the Battle of the Trident after the fighting. "Look."

Two soldiers were riding towards them, each carrying a banner with the Freys' coat-of-arms, apparently sent by their lord to ask about their intentions and take the required toll to cross the Stone Bridge. Even if Lord Walder would not give him his allegiance, they needed to pass the bridge to fight the Lannister armies and march towards King's Landing.

"Father rots in a dungeon. How long before they take his head?" Robb started and they all looked at him in shock and alertness, for this possibility was dreading to everyone and especially his family.

"And we have two armies to face before we even arrive there. Which means that we need to move quickly if we want to win time."

"Deana is right. We need to cross the Trident and we need to do it now."

"Just march up to his gates and tell him you're crossing." Theon, once more seeking an opportunity for trouble and fighting, made a suggestion. "We've got five times his numbers. You can take the Twins if you have to."

"Not in time. Tywin Lannister marches north as we speak." Lord Umber argued and Lady Stark spoke next, being familiar with the way Freys thought from her childhood.

"The Freys have held the crossing for six hundred years and for six hundred years they have never failed to exact their toll," she mentioned; after all, this was the reason this House had gained its wealth, even if older noble Houses still looked down at it.

"Have my horse saddled and ready." Robb commanded with a firm voice, determined not to let anyone else do what it was his duty to do, as Lord of Winterfell and leader of the Northern army.

"Enter the Twins alone and he'll sell you to the Lannisters!" the Greatjon once again objected, speaking as if wondering how Robb could oversee this fact.

"Or throw you in a dungeon. Or slit your throat." Theon added and now they needed to make up their minds at once, for the Frey bannermen had almost reached them.

"My father would do whatever it took to secure our crossing. Whatever it took. If I'm going to lead this army, I can't have other men doing my bargaining for me."

"I agree," Robb's mother nodded and made the final decision, much to everyone's surprise. "I'll go."

"You can't!"

"Mother!"

"It will be dangerous for you, my lady."

"Lady Catelyn—"

"I have known Lord Walder since I was a girl. He would never harm me," the auburn-haired woman put an end to their disagreements, speaking with a voice that said that she would not back down.

"Unless there was a profit in it."

And while the warriors from the North held council, waiting anxiously for Lady Catelyn to return—being in agony not only for the outcome of her meeting with Lord Frey, but also for her own safety—news travelled at the other end of Westeros, in the cold and challenging environment of Castle Black and where Jon continued his mission as a sworn member of the Night's Watch, encountering creatures he had only heard in Old Nan's stories. While his newly-gained friends admired the new sword from Valyrian steel he had been gifted with by Lord Commander Jeor Mormont with a fitting hilt representing a white wolf, Jon noticed that his closest friend Sam was nervous and fidgeting with his words more than he usually did. Curious and concerned about what was happening, he had pressured the good-natured young man until he agreed to tell him.

"There was a raven," Sam started, still speaking nervously, knowing the impact his announcement would have on the male Snow twin. "I read the message to Maester Aemon. It's your twin sister Deana…and your brother Robb."

"What?" Jon exclaimed, completely losing his carefree tone. Deana…Robb…had anything happened to them while he was away? "What about them?"

"They're heading south. To war." At the sound of these words, Jon sat up and stared at the wall across from him, unable to process what he had heard. South…to save their father and sisters from King's Landing and the King's clutches? His brother and companion in the countless games they had played when they were children…his combative and mature twin who would do anything to help the family…heading to war, knowing the risks, knowing that there was a chance they would not come out of this alive.

My she-warrior sister, he thought, a part of him proud of Deana and her skills, but another part, the biggest, terrified for her and guilty for abandoning her in this time of need.

"All of your brother's bannermen have rallied to his side. They'll keep both of them safe!" Sam tried to comfort him, guessing what Jon was thinking and the wish to join his siblings in their cause.

"I should be there," the black-haired young man mumbled desperately. "I should be with them. Sam…it's my twin we are talking about!"

"I know. I know you want to stand by their side and I know you are scared for your sister. But you've told me what an accomplished archer she is…and remember your vows."

Jon knew that Deana would rather he honored his oath to the Night's Watch than leaving everything behind to help her…and he had a feeling that so would his father. But the mere thought of staying here while his siblings risked their lives to help House Stark made him feel so helpless that right now he did not care about anything else.

"We ambush the Kingslayer in the Riverlands, near the Whispering Wood. We do that and we will have new allies by our side, for the siege of Riverrun will cease." Deana spoke, having gained confidence enough to express her ideas more in the councils. "If we didn't have Tywin Lannister's army to think about…"

"We create a distraction. A number of soldiers surprising and distracting him while the majority fights Jaime!" Jon Umber declared and was met with agreeing nods and excited sounds. "We will sacrifice some of our soldiers but if we do that, they'll never get back across."

"Lady Catelyn!" Deana said in a sudden and everyone turned towards the entrance of the tent, seeing with relief that Robb's mother had come back from the Twins.

"Well? What did he say?"

"Lord Walder has granted your crossing." Lady Stark answered with an unreadable and diplomatic voice and expression, but her happiness for the positive outcome could be seen in her eyes, the same eyes her son had inherited. "His men are yours as well, less the four hundred he will keep here to hold the crossing against any who would pursue you."

"Thank the gods." Deana whispered, relaxing a little at the news that the Lord of the Crossing had agreed to make their path so much easier. "Forgive me, but it almost sounds very good to actually be true and I know that he is not doing this only for our benefit."

"What does he want in return?" Robb asked, silently agreeing with her; it was a large favor and surely Lord Frey would demand equally large favors for doing their bidding.

"You will be taking on his son Olyvar as your personal squire. He expects a knighthood in good time."

"Fine, fine," her son replied hastily, since it was not an impossible demand and he almost expected something across these lines. Something in his mother's gaze, though, something that reminded him of amusement, told him that Walder's terms did not stop at that. "And?"

"And Arya will marry his son Waldron when they both come of age." Lady Catelyn continued and everyone in the tent smiled, having experienced or heard about the youngest Stark girl's independence and dynamic character.

"She won't be happy about that." Robb commented and winked at Deana, who had to try very hard to suppress the chuckle that almost escaped her lips.

This is an understatement, Robb; I doubt she will ever forgive us for that, she thought, almost feeling bad for her little sister, who always struggled with everything she could against prospects of marriage…and another thought started forming in her mind, although she would discuss it with Robb later, when the meeting would reach its end. "Is there anything else, Lady Stark?" she took the courage to ask now, seeing that Lady Catelyn was eyeing Robb as if she did not know how to proceed. The older woman threw her an annoyed look for speaking out of turn, but she quickly focused back on her son.

"And when the fighting is done…you will marry one of his daughters. Whichever you prefer."

Of course, Deana thought and smiled sympathetically at her brother, for it was her who had expected this term. It was known that alliances were made through marriage and surely Arya being wed to a Frey would not be enough for the aged lord; especially since Robb was currently acting Lord of Winterfell and would one day officially inherit their father's title. A Frey girl to marry into House Stark would increase their power and Lord Frey would not give up on such a possibility.

"He has a number he thinks will be…suitable." Lady Catelyn concluded, as if not believing that she had already discussed two of her children's marriages, as if she did not want to accept that they had grown.

"I see." Robb replied quietly, measuring his odds and knowing that marrying to secure allies would one day be his future and duty one way or the other. "Did you get a look at his daughters?" he asked in the end, causing a chuckle from Theon and his sister to roll her eyes playfully.

"I did."

"And?"

"One was…"

One? Deana shared a look with Robb, both of them probably thinking the same; Lord Frey had a large number of offspring and his mother only considered one of them as an eligible bride for him? "Enough with the laughter, Greyjoy!" she snapped at Theon next, who would not stop chuckling, unable to see how serious today's negotiations were and she earned an approving look from Ser Rodrik.

"Do you consent?" Lady Catelyn asked cautiously and they all knew the answer before Robb uttered it; they knew he would do the right thing just like Lord Eddard would; and they knew that the hopes to win this war had increased.

"Can I refuse?"

"Not if you want to cross."

"Then I consent!" he said determined and exited the tent; now Deana saw the opportunity she was looking for to make her points clear to him away from prying ears.

"If you'll excuse me, my lords, my lady," she said cordially, curtseyed at Lady Catelyn and quickly followed Robb, who was looking at the outline of the Twins in the setting sun.

"Robb, I know this is probably not a good time, but may I talk to you?"

"For you it is always a good time," he smiled warmly at her, abandoning the role of lord in front of her and taking the role of brother and advisor.

"Robb, listen to me…I know I am only a bastard of the North with no claim on lands and titles and this is not going to change with me fighting by your side—"

"Deana—"

"Please, let me finish," the seventeen-year-old girl raised her hand and he nodded, allowing her to continue. "But if it comes down to that and you need to secure another alliance, I am more than willing to marry in order to help you."

"What?" Robb's eyes widened, not expecting that. Deana had trained like a lad in archery and warfare and had joined him in the fight against the Lannisters, supporting her own opinions all her life and always standing her ground. Hearing her declaring herself willing to abandon her freedom for his sake not only made him feel bad for her, but it showed him her true strength and the sacrifices she would make in order to help him. She was a fighter, but she knew the ways of alliances and diplomacy and no doubt she would make effective suggestions in the councils to come.

"I know it is hardly possible; after all, who would want their son to marry a bastard who has no right to inherit a castle?" Deana went on and her voice held no signs of bitterness, only stoic acceptance. "I only wish you to know, if circumstances call for it—"

"If circumstances call for it, I will not sell you to one House or another for my sake!" Robb told her and lowered his head to be on equal height with her. "Deana, I already feel bad enough for deciding for Arya's life behind her back. You are like her and, according to others, you share that trait with our late aunt, Lyanna. As long as it is in my hands, I promise you, you will be free to marry whom you choose."

Only the next morning, two thousand soldiers separated themselves from the Northern army, on their way to confront Tywin Lannister's army while the rest of them finally crossed the Stone Bridge with Lord Walder's permission and rode towards the region of the Whispering Wood. Deana was riding next to her brother, her oak brown hair braided and tied up like a bun, having changed from her dress to a tunic similar to those the men wore so she would move better while fighting. Her hands were grabbing her mare's reigns so tightly that the knuckled had turned white; it had finally come, the moment to battle, the moment to use her tutoring in action, the moment to follow the strategies she had talked about with Robb and the other bannermen. Grey Wind and Winter were walking obediently in front of Robb's horse, ready for their masters' signal to run into the battle and slay whoever stood in their way.

Deana knew that shooting arrows on horseback would be very difficult, which was why she had made sure to have alternative weapons in the form of three sharp daggers that were placed in holsters tied on her hips and one on her boot. She only prayed her archery tutoring would not fail her in this critical moment; despite having used daggers in the past, she was not as familiar with them as she was with her loyal bow and arrows.

The trees around them lessened and she spotted the Lannister camp with the trademark scarlet and golden tents. Upon Robb commanding "Forward!" all riders sped up, riding across the field and surprising the soldiers, who did not expect the Northerners to ambush them in this way. Deana quickly notched an arrow on the bowstring, stretched it and whistled; hearing the sound, Winter raced forward with a ferocious growl, slaughtering the terrified men who tried to defend themselves from the army of eighteen thousand while most of them scattered around.

With the advantage of surprise on their side, the fighting did not last as long as they had estimated, leading to an easy victory for the forces of the North and with a very valuable prisoner who was no other than Jaime Lannister himself. When Robb gave the sign that it was time for them to return and the Greatjon carried the tied up Kingslayer on his horse, a wide smile appeared on Deana's face and she dared throw a triumphant look at the blond man, bloodied and weakened and still maintaining his arrogant expression.

Certainly, her son returning safe and sound was the greatest gift for Lady Catelyn, who burst in tears when seeing him, but the siege of Riverrun being lifted and the sight of this prized hostage was welcome as well, although Jaime aggravated everyone present with his demeanor despite his new conditions.

"Lady Stark, I'd offer you my sword, but I seem to have lost it," he said calmly, as if he was still a free man and they were having a polite conversation.

"It's not your sword I want," the woman answered angrily and Deana admired her for her strength; even if things were tensed between them, she would always hold Lady Stark in very high regard for her powerful nature. "Give me my daughters back. Give me my husband."

"I've lost them too, I'm afraid."

"Oh, don't be afraid, I'm sure you will have a role to play in Lord Stark and his daughters' freedom." Deana spoke to him without anger, but the irony and the satisfaction to see him in this state was more than clear to everyone. She still remembered their meeting in Winterfell, how he had spoken to her with his Lannister arrogance and his confusion that she was not laid-back like a bastard girl should be…and how he was taken aback at the fact that she defended herself to him.

"Kill him, Robb. Send his head to his father!" Theon said, delighted at the prospect to see one of their main enemies beheaded. "He cut down ten of our men, you saw him."

"He's more use to us alive than dead."

"Take him away and put him in irons." Lady Catelyn commanded, agreeing with Robb, knowing that now they had something to bargain with in exchange for Lord Stark, Sansa and Arya to be rescued.

"We could end this war right now, boy, save thousands of lives!" Jaime tried to manipulate the young man while forced on his feet by Theon and the Greatjon. "You fight for the Starks, I fight for the Lannisters. Swords or lances, teeth, nails—choose your weapons and let's end this here and now."

No, Robb, please, don't do it! He may be the enemy, but we all know what an accomplished swordsman he is! You have no chance, not in a single combat.

"If we do it your way, Kingslayer, you'd win. We're not doing it your way." Robb put an end to the other man's demand and Deana smiled with relief, happy that her brother had seen the trap behind the supposed suggestion to fight to save so many lives.

"Come on, pretty man." Lord Umber jested and dragged him away under the guards' cheers, but Robb did not share their joy. Despite the decisive victory, the guilt for sacrificing two thousand men, the ones who had faced Tywin, would not abandon him.

"One victory does not make us conquerors!" he addressed the troops, who fell silent to listen to his speech. "Did we free my father? Did we rescue my sisters from the Queen? Did we free the North from those who want us on our knees? This war is far from over."

Aye, it is not over. But the odds are in our favor now, Robb. Now more than ever.

That same night, Deana left her tent and approached the stake where Jaime was tied on, the blond still staring calmly in front of him. This annoyed her immensely and she wanted to challenge and yell at him, but she would not give him the satisfaction; and so she stood in front of him, keeping her back straight, her fingers loosely entwined in front of her and an unreadable expression on her face, staring him down.

"Ah, Deana Snow. It is always a pleasure to see you," the Kingslayer stated with what could be interpreted as a swaying smirk, but Deana only rolled her eyes; he had the exact same tone he had addressed her with the day he would leave Winterfell.

"Well, the feeling is not mutual I am afraid," she replied and saw his blue eyes widening for several seconds, although soon he regained his composure. "Your circumstances have changed since the last time I saw you, but you remain exactly the same."

"I can say the same to you, Lady Snow. Here you are, a girl who wants to become a fighter…a romantic notion, is it not? Are you following the steps of the warrior queen Nymeria from the songs? It must be your favorite story."

"The story may be fascinating, but I will disappoint you; I do not follow anyone's steps save my own."

"Of course, of course. The brave and intimidating bastard girl who struggles for her place in the world, stands her ground against any injustice and fights in her brother's war," the Lannister man commented and there was that confusing tone again; right now Deana could not find out if he was making fun of her or if he was genuinely surprised by her being so combative and this frustrated her. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"I had warned you, Kingslayer, do you remember? Before you left the North I had told you that I would be watching you, that you should prepare yourself for the upcoming winter. Now winter is coming and I will not lose you from my sight until my father and sisters are released."

And Deana could not know that only the next day one Stark would escape King's Landing, another would become a hostage and a plaything for Joffrey and Cersei and another would leave this world.

A/N: So, folks, another chapter reached its end! Hope you liked it and I'll update ASAP!