AUTHOR'S NOTE: Chapter 13 is here! And we even have a new POV. I hope you all like my take on this character, who is one of my favourites.

Thanks as always to my wonderful beta reader HarryLee94, who continues to be awesome.

In this chapter, the italics at the start indicate a flashback.

I have nothing more to add, except enjoy chapter 13!

Robert

"Would you care to dance, Lady Sansa?"

King Robert Baratheon looked up from his plate, turning to face the direction from which the question had come. He was not surprised to find that his son was asking Sansa Stark to dance. He was even less surprised that it was Robb, and not Joffrey, who was extending the invitation to Ned's eldest daughter.

A smile formed fleetingly upon Sansa's lips, and the King of the Seven Kingdoms could see that she was about to respond. But before she could form her answer, she was interrupted by his dear wife.

"Now Robb, do you not think Joff should be the one asking his betrothed to dance?" Cersei Lannister questioned lightly.

"I've not seen Joff talk to Sansa all evening, mother. I think she would be glad to dance with someone who will show her some courtesy," Robb replied curtly, the blue eyes he had inherited from his father meeting his mother's emerald green.

"If Sansa wants to dance with Robb, why stop her Cersei? Joff doesn't seem to mind," he told his wife. It was true enough, Joff had not spoken to the Stark girl all night, and if anything, Sansa actually seemed to want to dance with his second born.

"As you wish," Cersei Lannister replied coldly.

The King was brought out of his thoughts by a loud knock on his chamber door. Jaime Lannister had the guard this hour, but as the door opened it was not the golden haired man he saw, but Ned who came through. Robert had summoned his oldest and dearest friend to his chambers for a reason of upmost importance, which was why he did not even bother to offer his Hand a cup of wine. Instead, he poured himself and Ned cups of water.

The stoic expression of his childhood friend showed a hint of surprise upon realising that both cups only held water, but Ned said nothing.

"Tell me truly, Ned," the King began, after taking a sip, weighing his words. "You recall the conversation we had all those months ago in Winterfell about the betrothal that would finally join our houses. Were you truly happy with the decision that was made? he asked, studying the Warden of the North before continuing. "I mean it Ned, tell me the truth. Don't speak to me as your King, or even as your friend. Speak to me as Sansa's father."

Ned Stark remained silent for a moment, considering his words. "I would have preferred if Sansa had not been betrothed to Joffrey," he finally said, gray eyes meeting blue.

Robert sighed noisily, but he had been expected an answer much like this. "How so?"

"I don't think Joffrey is right for Sansa. I'm sorry Robert, truly, but I saw the look of victory in his eyes when he suggested that Lady die in Nymeria's place. He took too much pleasure from hurting Sansa. That I can never forgive." Ned spoke evenly, his eyes never leaving his King's, but his eyes were filled with an icy coldness that bespokeof the inner rage still burning within him.

"Joff... Joff has always been difficult," Robert admitted. "But I have not been the best father to him. I've done things I regret more than I can say, and Joffrey turning out as he had is one of the biggest."

"What about Robb? He is a son any man would be proud to have. And Tommen and Myrcella are both sweet, gentle children Robert," Ned argued, all the time wondering where this conversation was leading.

Robert Baratheon smiled at the praise of his other three children. "I've neglected all my children but Robb, I fear. He's just always been the one I could relate to. He wants to learn to fight, and he actually wants to spend time with me, Ned."

"You still have time to be a father Robert. Your children will never stop needing their father. And you have done well with Robb, he's an honourable young man." Ned watched as Robert Baratheon took in those words. His heart swelled as he saw, for perhaps the first time since he arrived in King's Landing, the Robert he grew up with, not just the drunken man he had become.

"As you said, Ned," the King murmured. "Now, I can't be sure about you, but I've certainly noticed things since we returned to King's Landing."

Robert watched as Ned's body language changed; he seemed to become more alert. "What kind of things, Your Grace?"

Robert ignored the 'Your Grace' comment, instead choosing to focus on the matter at hand. "You say Joffrey is not a suitable match for Sansa, and I am inclined to agree. I've been watching him as best I can since the wolf incident on the Trident, and I can't say I've liked what I have witnessed. He's acted coldly towards Sansa, and the girl deserves better. She's a sweet girl, your Sansa. Young Arya has much of her aunt Lyanna in her, as I'm sure you know," Robert said fondly. "She can fight her own battles; we saw her do so at Darry's castle. But I'm afraid, and I hope you will forgive me for this comment Ned, that Sansa needs more protecting. She's a good natured young woman, but Joff has taken advantage of that. I propose to you now that we break the betrothal between Joffrey and Sansa," the King finished, his voice as serious as Ned had ever heard it.

Ned hesitated before speaking. "Robert, are you sure about this? What will Cersei say when she finds out?"

"Damn Cersei Lannister," Robert roared. "This is not about her."

"Very well," the Hand of the King responded calmly. "I have no issue with ending the betrothal, and I do not doubt Sansa will say the same. She has not been the same since Lady's death, and she has not looked upon Joffrey the same since. Is that all, Your Grace?"

"No," the King of the Seven Kingdoms said simply. "I want to put forward the idea of another betrothal in place of the broken one." Robert did not miss the way Ned's face became weary at the mention of a new betrothal for a member of his family. All he could hope was that he would appreciate this idea. "Robb and Sansa should marry in place of Joff and Sansa. I believe, given what I have come to witness over the past weeks, that Robb and Sansa would be a much better match than Sansa and Joff. You've seen the way they act around each other, Ned. If something has not developed there yet, it won't be long before it does. Robb has spent more time with Sansa that Joffrey has bothered too. You saw how they handled the issue with that young lass when we arrived back in the city. They danced together at the feast not five days past, and it was clear for everyone to see how much my boy cares for your Sansa the day Gregor Clegane beheaded his horse. I know my son, Ned, and he'll make Sansa happy. Like Lyanna was going to make me happy."

Ned's visage darkened as he set his jaw. "Robert, I appreciate the thought you have so obviously put into this suggestion. But I will not agree to marry Sansa off again, even to a man like Robb. Bring Sansa and Robb here, and hear their thoughts first. We owe them that much."

Robert Baratheon stared at his oldest friend for a long while, before breaking out into his booming laugh. "You speak sense, Stark. Yes, we will bring Robb and Sansa here." And with that, King Robert rose from his seat and went to the chamber door. By this time, the guard had changed, and Meryn Trant was revealed to have taken over from the Kingslayer. "Trant, send for Prince Robb and Lady Sansa Stark, if you would."

"Yes, Your Grace," the Kingsguard knight replied quickly.

Robert knew that Robb would be found in the yard, practicing his sword and lance skills, and Sansa would most likely be under the tutelage of Septa Mordane at this time of the day. It did not take Ser Meryn long to return to the King's chambers, with both Robb and Sansa in tow.

Robert Baratheon looked at the pair as they stood side by side before him. Arya had the Stark look, but Sansa was all Tully, the very vision of her mother when Lady Catelyn had been at this age. Sansa had a kind face, her delicate features suiting her perfectly, not a blemish to be seen.

Robb was a Baratheon, it was plain to see. He had the same jet black hair and deep blue eyes as his father and uncles, and the strong build his father was famous for. But he also walked and spoke with an elegance Robert Baratheon had never possessed. Those traits he got from his mother. Without realising, the King's drew himself up to his full height and smiled; he was truly proud of the man standing before him, and perhaps Ned was right, and there was still time for him to make amends with his other children. Tommen's fond of kittens, he remembered suddenly, resolving to purchase one for him.

Clearing his throat, the King ordered Ser Meryn to step back outside his chambers, and send Barristan Selmy in. If he was going to discuss new betrothals, he did not want a knight who would report back to his wife to listen.

"Selmy, what is discussed here will not leave this room. Do you understand?" he asked firmly, knowing full well that Barristan Selmy would remain loyal.

"Yes, Your Grace," the legendary knight replied, the King not missing the hint of curiosity that appeared in the Lord Commander's eyes.

Nodding at the man's promise, he turned back to the children before him. "Sansa, Robb, please take a seat." He watched as they moved to sit in the chairs that had been moved to accommodate them before motioning towards the waterjug. "Can I offer you a drink?" the words felt clumsy as he spoke, Robert Baratheon had never been able to master the art of easy courtesy, even after becoming the ruler of Westeros.

Both Robb and Sansa shook their heads, silently refusing the offer of a beverage. The King could sense the nervousness from both of them, and decided that a rather blunt approach may be the best way to address the matter at hand.

"How are relations with my eldest son, Sansa?" He asked, noticing how she lowered her eyes for a moment and took a breath before returning to meet his gaze. "No need to worry, tell my truly and I promise I will do what is best for you." The King spoke softly, hoping Sansa would find it in herself to trust him with the truth.

"The Crown Prince is most courteous, Your Grace. You should be very proud," Sansa replied in a monotonous tone.

Robert shared a look with Ned, who was standing protectively behind Sansa. The Lord of Winterfell exhaled noisily, and lowered himself to Sansa's level. "Sansa, Robert feels that breaking your betrothal to Joffrey may be the best course of action for you. Is this something you want?"

The girls eyes widened, her eyes moving between her father and himself, and Robert could swear he could see a flicker of hope kindling in them. Robb, however, only had eyes for her, though they seemed to be equally as wide.

"You have a choice here, Sansa. You will not be forced into a marriage that will not make you happy," Robert added, wanting to make it clear that the decision was Sansa's alone. "Do you wish to remain betrothed to Joffrey?"

Still in a state of shock, Sansa merely shook her head, mouth haning open a little. "No, Your Grace," she whispered finally.

"Then consider the betrothal broken," King Robert said simply. Joffrey may be his son and heir, but the smile that came to Sansa Stark's face as she was freed from her engagement made Robert Baratheon feel as though he had finally done something right. He would make another match for Joffrey, for there would be no shortages of maids eager to marry the future King.

"However," the King began again, "You are the eldest daughter of a noble and great house, so it is expected that a suitable match is made for you. Much as a Prince of the Seven Kingdoms is expected to marry suitably," he continued, turning to look at his son who's face seemed to hold a mixture of shock, joy and fear. "Myself and Ned have called you both here today to propose this to you: a marriage between you both."

The suggestion was met with a resounding silence, although the King had hoped Robb and Sansa would have happily accepted the proposal instantly.

But before he could speak up again in an attempt to convince the two of the benefits of this betrothal, Robb had left his seat and knelt down in front of Sansa, taking her hands in his own.

"Sansa," he began, an unsure expression on his face, "I was drawn to you from the very first instant I saw you in Winterfell all those months ago. If I could have, I would have loved you openly from that moment on. But you were betrothed to my brother, the brother who I will one day call King. It just wasn't in me to shame Joff or you like that. But now that you are free from that betrothal, I would never wish for you to accept this suggestion only to please your father or mine. But know this; I want to marry you. It would make me so incredibly happy to be able to call you wife, and to hear you call me husband. I want to protect you, and love you, and become your family. I can make you happy, Sansa, I know I can."

The grin that came to Robert Baratheon's face in that moment was something he would never forget. Seeing his son speak so passionately about Sansa made him swell with pride. He knew Robb was an honourable young man; more honourable than himself, if truth be told. Unbidden, images of Robb and Sansa's future sprung into his mind; the grand wedding that would be thrown for them, the love they would share, the children they would create. All that was needed was Sansa Stark's consent.

The girl in question was looking at her hands in Robb's. The auburn haired Stark looked up slowly to meet Robb's gaze. Her mouth quivered as she sucked in a deep breath, her answer upon her lips, as a smile played upon them. "Yes, I will marry you, Robb Baratheon. It would be an honour to call you husband."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: THEY'RE ENGAGED! Hope y'all like this turn of events. Yes? No? Let me know in a review.

Reviews for last chapter were amazing, thank you so much to everyone who continues to support my little story.

Until next time...