Quick note: the timeline gets thrown off in this chapter, they are leaving the day after Bran fell, which I thought made the most sense because the last thing the Starks need at that time is a house full of guests. Thank you to those who reviewed that last chapter: brandibuckeye(Jamie is going to lose it very soon) rikka21(I don't understand the Lannisters' desire for their own blood either, does make for an interesting story though) 97hollster(thank you, as always) Imperial Dragon(I hope these 'sexy times' are good enough) Dreaming while awake(thank you!)

Chapter 20

After her conversation with Tyrion, Freya returned to her room and began packing. She managed to get all her things into two trunks, which surprised her. It was strange to be emptying her room after so many years. She knew she was coming back, but the moment was more bitter than anything else. She turned sensing eye's on her, finding Robb leaning against her doorframe watching her. "How long have you been standing there," she asked as he stepped into the room.

Robb closed the door behind him and shrugged. "Not long, its not going to be the same without you, everyone is leaving," Robb replied.

"I know, Tyrion told me that Jon is going to take the black," Freya said. She wanted Robb to tell her it wasn't true, that Jon was staying in Winterfell with him, but she knew Jon wanted to find glory of his own and would never find it if he stayed.

"He is, he wanted to tell you himself though," Robb said, explaining why he had not told her.

"It's all right," Freya said with a shake of her head. She bit her lip and looked away from Robb. She didn't know what to say to him, she didn't know how to say goodbye.

"Freya," Robb said as he took her hand. She looked back at him in time to see him drop to one knee.

"What are you doing," she asked as she started to kneel in front of him, afraid that he was hurt.

"Stand up," he demanded giving her a bemused look. "I'm trying to ask you something."

"You can't do that standing," Freya asked before she realized what he meant. "Oh, Robb, you don't have to..."

"Stop," Robb said holding up both of his hands. "Stop talking and listen to me, please?"

Freya simply nodded a smile spreading across her face. "Freya, I realized I was in love with when I was 16 years old, but I think we've been on this path since the day we met. You tackled Jon to the dirt for calling you names, but I knew you belonged here even then. You've always been there, as my best friend, and as so much more than that now. I love you, you make my world complete, and I would be the happiest and luckiest man in all the kingdoms if you would be my wife," Robb said.

"Can I talk now," Freya whispered. Robb rolled his eyes and nodded at her. "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes." With that she tackled him to the floor and pressed her lips against his. They quickly became lost in the moment, ignoring the fact that they were lying on a stone floor. Wrapped in each other's arms, they both knew that this was right. Clothes were carefully discarded as they moved from the floor to the bed. Hands moved nervously to help the other, until finally the moment came.

Robb slowly pushed forward trying to be as gentle as possible. Freya's eyes closed and her fingers dug into his back. Robb caught her lips in a soft kiss before he pushed further breaking through her barrier. Freya gasped, her nails dug hard into his back, and tears slipped down her face. Robb kissed away her tears. He paused for a moment his blue eyes burning into her green ones. He knew now, he understood what people meant when they said two became one. They had never been closer then they were in this moment. Neither breathing, neither moving, simply staring at one another with nothing but love in their eyes.

"Robb," Freya said softly. Robb shifted slightly and they both gasped in pleasure. Freya nodded at him and he began to move inside her. His strokes became faster as Freya began whispering to him, how much she loved him, how she would miss him, how perfect this was. Robb pulled her closer, pushing deeper into her, groaning when she cried out his name. His name, the only man's name that would ever cross her lips in this manner, she was his forever.

Freya moved with him as one of her hands tangled in his curls. Her back arched pressing her chest flush against his. Her head tipped back and Robb's lips attacked her neck. They pushed higher and higher, Robb moving faster, until they tipped over the edge together, their releases coming at the same time. They remained motionless for several minutes, slowly coming down from the clouds.

Robb finally slid away from her, shifting onto his back so Freya could rest on his chest. He noticed the blood on the blanket as she moved and kissed her gently. "Did I hurt you," Robb asked softly.

"I've had worse," she whispered back before pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I don't want to leave you."

"You'll be back soon, six months is not that long," Robb said sounding more confident than he felt.

"You aren't to so much as look at another girl while I'm gone," Freya said as she looked up at him.

"I'm not the one going to the capitol, you'll be surrounded by knights and lords all day," Robb pointed out.

"None of them could ever compare to you," Freya said as she sat up in the bed. She held the blankets to her chest as she turned to look at him. "Always?"

"Always," Robb replied, answering the question they had been asking since they were children. Robb tugged the blankets away from her and pulled her back to him.

"I have to finish packing," Freya said as she tried to push away from him.

"It can wait," Robb said between kisses.

"I have to say goodbye to your family," Freya reminded him. That did remind him of something. Robb pulled away from her and quickly found his pants on the floor. He searched the pockets before finding what he needed. He motioned for her to turn around. Freya rolled her eyes dramatically but turned. Robb pulled her hair to the side and carefully placed the necklace around her neck. Freya went to look down but Robb pulled her hair gently.

"Patience," he said as he clasped the necklace. He pressed a kiss to the back of her shoulder before he leaned around her to make sure it was straight, finally nodding at her. Freya looked down and let out a soft gasp. The necklace was silver with a small, flat disc hanging from it. On the disc was an engraving of a direwolf, surrounded by an intricate vine with flowers. Robb reached out and turned it over, showing her the back. Always, was engraved on the back in Robb's handwriting.

"I was going to save it for your nameday, but since you'll be in King's Landing, and we're engaged I thought everyone should know your sigil will soon be a direwolf, and that you will always have my heart," Robb explained. "Do you like it?"

"Like it? Robb, it's beautiful, I love it, thank you," Freya cried as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The door behind them opened suddenly and Freya froze, she was grateful that her back was to the door, but it was her bare back nonetheless.

"Uh, sorry," Jon said as he pressed a hand to his eyes. "People are looking for both of you, I need to talk to you Freya, you're leaving soon. I'll wait in the hallway, while you two get dressed."

"Wait," Robb said suddenly. "You should be the first to know."

"It can wait until you are dressed," Jon said again as he stepped out of the room. Freya knew that Jon would not say anything about what he had seen but it was still awkward. Robb and Freya quickly redressed before opening the door to let Jon back in.

"What's so important you were going to tell me naked," Jon asked carefully. Freya could tell that he was amused by his half-brother's excitment though.

"I asked her," Robb said quickly.

"And what did you say," Jon asked turning to Freya expectantly.

"Yes," Freya said as a smile spread across her face. Jon whooped excitedly and hugged her. He released her to hug his brother as well.

"Congratulations, but I need to talk to your future wife, if you don't mind," Jon said quickly.

"Of course, I'll get someone to take your trunks down," Robb said. He pressed a kiss to Freya's cheek before leaving the room.

"I already know," Freya told Jon. "Tyrion told me about it this morning."

"I am sorry, I wanted to tell you myself, you understand though," Jon said. It was not a question, he knew that if anyone would understand that Freya would.

"Of course, it will be different, Jon. Be safe, please," Freya requested.

"Next time I see you, I'll be in black, and hopefully you will be getting married," Jon said happily.

"We couldn't get married if you weren't there, it wouldn't be the same without you," Freya said as she pulled him into a hug. "I'll write, and you had better write me back. I want to know everything about the wall. If you don't look after yourself I'll come up there myself."

"I say the same for you, don't make me come all the way to King's Landing though," Jon said good naturedly. "Have you said goodbye to Bran yet?"

"No, have you?"

"Not yet, I was putting if off to be honest," Jon admitted.

"We'll go together, she'll be kinder if there are two of us," Freya said, anticipating a cold welcome for Jon from Lady Stark.

Jon nodded and offered her his arm, before leading the way down the hallway. They paused nervously outside the door, seeing that Lady Stark was sitting silently next to Bran's bed. She had not left his room since Bran had been brought in. They silently entered the room standing in the doorway until she turned to acknowledge them. She gave them both a hard look, which surprised Freya.

"I came to say goodbye to Bran," Jon said carefully.

"You've said it," Lady Stark said coldly, her exhaustion and worry evident in her tone.

Jon moved further into the room, despite her dismissal of his presence. Freya stayed back to give him a moment to say goodbye. Jon stood by the bed for a moment, staring at Bran. "I wish I could be here when you wake up. I'm going North with Uncle Benjin, I'm taking the black," Jon told Bran. He knelt beside the bed and took Bran's hand in his own.

"I know we always talked about seeing the wall together, but you'll be able to come visit me at Castle Black when you're better. I'll know my way around by then, I'll be a sworn brother of the Nights Watch. We can go out walking beyond the wall if you're not afraid."

Jon turned slightly and looked at Lady Stark. They stared at one another for a long moment. Freya felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped turning to see that Lord Stark had come into the room as well.

"It should have been you," Lady Stark said lowly. Freya and Jon both flinched at her words. Lord Stark started to move forward but Freya kept him in place. This was Jon's fight, he couldn't fight it for him. "I want you to leave."

Jon stared at Lady Stark another moment before he turned and saw that his father had joined Freya at the door. He stood, leaned over and kissed Bran's forehead, before striding out of the room. Freya squeezed his arm as he went past before taking up his place by Bran's bed.

"I came to say goodbye too," she said quickly. She could feel the tension and anger rolling off of Lady Stark. "You probably feel like we are all leaving you, but I'll be back before you know it. I'm only going to King's Landing for six months, then I'm coming back here. You see, Robb and I are going to be married, he just asked me today and I said yes."

Freya paused in her farewell to glanced at Lord and Lady Stark, she had hoped that this news would bring them some happiness. While Lord Stark looked pleased, Lady Stark looked anything but, her lips drew into a tight line as she stared at Freya, her fury evident in her eyes. "You would take my other son from me as well," Lady Stark demanded.

Freya froze unsure of what to do. She looked back at Bran and bit her lip. "After we're married, maybe Robb and I will take you to visit Jon. I know how much he loves you, we all love you and we want you to wake up. I'll write while I'm gone, I'll miss you Little Wolf," Freya said. She too pressed a kiss to Bran's forehead and quickly stood up to leave.

"You will NOT marry my son," Lady Stark called out. Freya stopped in her tracks staring at Lord Stark with a wounded expression on her face. She was tempted to turn back and say something, to ask why. Instead she nodded at Lord Stark and continued out of the room.

"I will not let my son marry her Ned," Lady Stark cried angrily.

"He loves her, and she loves him, what more could you want for him," Eddard asked.

"Anyone but the Lannister bastard," Catelyn snapped. At that, Eddard turned and closed the door. He knew Freya had overheard their conversation and smiled grimly at her. They still had his blessing.

Freya wandered down the hallway, making her way to the library, there was one goodbye left to make. He wasn't in the library, so she knew the next best place to look. Freya quickly made her way to Robb's room. She knelt at the foot of the bed and looked under it. There he was, staring back out at her with his big blue eyes.

"There you are little wolf," Freya said motioning for him to come out. Rickon slowly slid out from beneath the bed and wrapped his arms around her neck.

"I don't want you to go, everyone is leaving," he said as tears began to slid down his face. "Bran can't play with me, Jon is going away, Arya and Sansa are leaving with Father, Robb has to be in charge, and you're leaving too."

"I'll be back though, and Robb will look after you. Bran will wake up soon, you'll see, everything will be ok," Freya said reassuringly. She smoothed his hair and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I have to tell you something."

"What," Rickon said through his tears.

"Robb asked me to marry him, so when I come back from King's Landing, we're going to get married, then I really will be your big sister. We'll go visit Jon at the wall if you want or your father in King's Landing," Freya told him.

"Promise," Rickon asked.

"I promise."

"It's time," Robb said from behind them. Freya hugged Rickon once more and took his hand. Robb took her other hand and they walked to the courtyard together. Everything had been packed up, everyone was ready to go. Freya would be riding in a carriage with Sansa, Septa Mordane, and Arya. She turned back and looked over Winterfell one more time. She finally met Robb's gaze and smiled weakly. Their engagement wasn't official yet, so they would have to settle for a standard goodbye.

"Six months," Freya said with a shrug. "Its like no time at all."

"We have our whole lives ahead of us," Robb reminded her. "It will pass quickly."

Freya wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her to his chest. They stood locked in the embrace for several mintues, before Septa Mordane demanded Freya get in so they could go. Freya released Robb and smiled up at him. She ruffled Rickon's hair once more then quickly climbed into the carriage. Robb shut the door behind her and nodded at his sisters.

"Look after one another," he ordered. "Listen to father. Remember who you are and what our words are."

"Starks, winter is coming," Freya, Sansa, and Arya said together. Robb beamed at Freya before stepping back and letting the carriage roll away. Freya looked out the window dreading the moment when Robb would be out of sight. A lump grew in her throat the further from him she went.

Suddenly she couldn't stand it, "Stop," she shouted. She didn't wait for the carriage to stop though and threw the door open quickly leaping out of it. She ran blindly through the riders and wagons behind the carriage, voices shouted at her, but she ignored them. She threw herself back into Robb's arm pressing her lips to his, let the court see, let her family see, she loved him and that was all that mattered.

Her family did see, Jamie did anyway. As he stared angrily at them a plan began to form in his head. If he couldn't keep her, he certainly wasn't going to let this little boy have her either. He kicked his horse into action turning away from what he deemed a revolting sight.

Freya finally pulled away from Robb and smiled at him. "I forgot to tell you I love you," she said simply.

"I love you too, but you are holding up the entire party," Robb pointed out. Freya glanced over her shoulder and shrugged. She kissed him once more before stepping away from him. "Always."

"Always," Freya called back to him before quickly making her way to the carriage. She sat down next to Sansa, a smile still planted on her face.

"Well I hope you're happy, you just made a fool of yourself," Septa Mordane snapped.

"Never been happier actually," Freya said brightly.

Let me warn you now, things are going to be moving steadily downhill from here. Jamie starts setting his plan in motion, things start coming between our lovers, but fear not dear readers, I have a plan(to a certain point anyway). Things will be ok, because I love Robb and Freya too much to leave them unhappy. You guys will probably be unhappy with me after chapter 21, I'm going to say I am sorry now.