A/N: New chapter! Some flashbacks in this one - we've not had any for a while!

Hope you enjoy, please let me know, as ever your comments are very much appreciated!

:)

XXI

He turned his head sharply at her words and she lifted her head from his chest to look him in the eyes, worry gleaming in them as she chewed on her bottom lip slightly.

"What did you say?" he finally managed to whisper.

"I have your child inside me," she repeated and in an instant he had flipped her gently back onto her back, his hand coming to rest on her bare stomach.

"You're with child …" he breathed, his hand rubbing her soft skin that was still so flat under his touch.

"I am," she confirmed, the worry no longer in her voice.

"I love you," he whispered, meeting her eyes again, "thank you …"

Robb woke with a start, clenching his arms more tightly around Lottie instinctively, causing her to mumble slightly and shove against him. He loosened his grip then as he became fully aware again and she let out a heavy sigh before rolling off his chest and onto her back. Robb took a few deep breaths as her own breathing evened out beside him. Finally he managed to turn his head and look at her, some tiny, irrational part of him thinking he would see a dark haired woman sleeping by his side. Her hair was pale and golden though and he breathed a sigh of relief before feeling guilty. Gods he had not dreamt of Roslin like that in so long. He supposed it had crept up on him, all the worry he had felt for Lottie over the past days and the fact that she was growing bigger with child every day.

He turned onto his side after a moment and just watched her sleep. She looked fine. She claimed to be fine every time he asked her. But how could she be after such an altercation with her parents – the two people in the world she should be able to rely on above all others.

"The only man I can trust is you"

It felt like a lifetime ago she had said that to him. He reached his hand carefully towards her then and placed it on the roundness of her stomach, silently promising himself that if there was a daughter growing in there that she would always be able to rely on him as her father. He would never let a daughter of his, nor a son for that matter, feel the way that Lottie did. Unloved. Unwanted. How could anyone not want her? She was wonderful. He glanced towards the window then and saw that dawn was breaking, a heavy sigh leaving him as he knew he would have to wake her. They were leaving today, the tourney had come to an end the night before and he wanted his wife home before the winter truly did arrive.

Regretfully he moved himself closer to her and pressed a kiss to her forehead, feeling her brow crease beneath his lips. She stirred then and he pulled back to see her eyelids fluttering open, her lips tugging into a small smile as she blinked sleepily at him. She looked so utterly adorable that he couldn't help but place another kiss to her forehead and she let out a sigh of contentment.

"Have I slept too long?" she said, her voice thick with sleep, "Will we be going soon?"

"It's dawn," he told her softly, "you have time enough to get ready, we will leave after we break our fast"

"I cannot wait to be back at Winterfell," she told him honestly.

"Neither can I," he agreed, smiling down on her.

Lottie glanced around as they broke their fast, the dining hall was crammed full of people – most of whom would be travelling back to the North. She caught sight of Sansa then and smiled at the slight blush on her face, knowing exactly what had put it there. Harrion Karstark was sat a few places down from her and she had been increasingly flustered in his presence ever since he had won the hand to hand combat and named her Queen of Grace and Goodness. She turned to give Robb a knowing look then but his eyes were firmly fixed elsewhere and she followed his line of sight to see her mother and father sat in the furthest corner of the room. Her hand sought his then and squeezed it reassuringly. He turned to her then and smiled although his eyes were searching. She wished he would stop, she had said all she needed to say and felt so much better now. She knew she had probably worried him with her hysterics and her outburst but now it was done she just felt free. Like she had finally been unshackled from the invisible chains.

"Pay them no mind," she murmured to him, "we will be leaving soon enough"

"Aye," he muttered, his eyes narrowing as he glanced towards them.

"It's done with Robb," Lottie stressed and he sighed heavily before turning to look at her.

"I know," he smiled again and she frowned slightly, something was slightly off about him.

"What's wrong?" she asked him, her frown deepening.

"Nothing," he tried to sound soothing but it did nothing to placate her.

"Robb …" she began warningly and he sighed heavily.

"I dreamt of Roslin last night," he confessed quietly and she increased her pressure on his hand.

"Do you want to tell me about it?" she asked him just as quietly and he shook his head.

"No," he assured her, "truly I'm fine … it's just been a while since she's crept up on me"

"I still dream of Lyndon sometimes," she told him then, "I know our feelings weren't the same but it is still strange"

"Do you ever wake and think he is lying next to you?" Robb asked her then.

"I would be rather surprised if I did," she snorted, "Lyndon did not often share my bed"

"I do not wish to speak ill of the dead but he was a damn fool," he told her and she smiled slightly.

"All men have their vices … his was women," she said and he frowned.

"And what's mine?" he asked her.

"Your inability to stop worrying," she said and he managed a proper smile.

"I suppose it could be worse," he said.

"It could," she agreed, "but could you try worrying about someone other than me for a change?"

"I can try," he smiled, "but I cannot promise I will succeed."

Robb had gone to a final meeting with Stannis before they were due to depart and everyone was hoping that Stannis would finally have Sansa's annulment. In his absence he had asked Catelyn to keep an eye on Lottie but the girl seemed to have vanished and she was frantically pacing the hallways of Winterfell looking for her. She had just rounded yet another corner when a voice called out and stopped her.

"Lady Stark!"

"Yes?" she said, turning to see who had hailed her and seeing a woman she did not recognise.

"Lady Anabel Morvay," the woman introduced herself and Catelyn tried not to narrow her eyes.

"Lottie's mother I presume," she said curtly and she saw the woman falter.

"My daughter has mentioned me then," Lady Morvay said, trying to keep her own tone light.

"Very little," Catelyn said drily, "which speaks volumes in my mind"

"Whatever do you mean Lady Stark?" she asked innocently.

"Lottie may not speak of you but my son does," Catelyn snapped, "what do you want?"

"I merely wanted to ask if you would take care of my daughter," Lady Morvay simpered, "as I cannot be with her, she needs a mother figure"

"Yes she does," Catelyn snorted, "the Gods know she never had one in you, it's a marvel she has turned out so well with such a hateful mother"

"How dare you?!" she gasped, her façade beginning to slip, "Whatever my daughter has told you is a lie! She always was one to make up stories!"

"No doubt she had to spin tales for herself, I don't suppose you were the type to read bedtime stories," Catelyn said scathingly.

"I do not think I have done anything to justify such an attack on my good name!" Lady Morvay said.

"What I don't understand is how you could leave your only child to suffer the death of her son alone, how you could leave her at the mercy of those who wished her nothing but ill," Catelyn said calmly.

"Charlotte …" she started.

"Wanted her mother," Catelyn snapped, "you know I would die for any one of my children … I think you would sit back and watch your daughter suffer a thousand deaths and say nothing"

"You go too far …" she said.

"I don't think I have gone nearly far enough – the sooner Lottie is back in the North and away from your poison the better. I think she would be glad never to hear your name uttered again," Catelyn shot at her.

Lady Morvay snapped then, all thoughts of keeping calm and talking Catelyn round flew from her mind and she raised her hand to slap the woman. Catelyn gasped at the sting before she raised her own hand and slapped the hateful woman back twice as hard.

"Twice in a week mother … you don't seem to be earning many friends," Lottie's voice sounded then and the two turned to see her gliding down the corridor.

"I was looking for you," Catelyn said then.

"Well now you've found me, is it time to leave?" Lottie asked, ignoring her mother's gaze.

"Almost … Robb is just seeing Stannis once more," Catelyn informed her.

"About Sansa's annulment?" Lottie inquired, taking her good-mother's arm and leading her away from her mother.

"I do hope so," Catelyn said, "Stannis did promise to make the High Septon see sense"

"From what I have seen he will more than likely have managed it," Lottie soothed as they ambled down the hallway.

"Charlotte!" her mother called.

"Ignore her," Lottie muttered, quickening their pace a little.

"Charlotte!" she was closer now but still Lottie didn't turn.

"Hopefully Robb will be finished in his meeting by now," Catelyn said lightly.

"I do hope so," Lottie returned.

"Charlotte!"

This time she could ignore it no longer and she stopped and turned to send her mother a withering look as she flew towards them. Whatever it was she had to say Lottie didn't want to hear it. Her mother could drop to her knees and beg her forgiveness but she would not thaw. She refused. She didn't want anything more to do with her. She had said what she had to the other day, she had exorcised her demons and she didn't want her mother summoning them back.

"Charlotte please," she whispered.

"I have nothing to say to you, and you can say nothing I would want to hear," Lottie said coldly.

"Charlotte …"

"I'm going home," Lottie snapped.

"Your home is with me," she said and Lottie couldn't help but laugh.

"You're delusional," Lottie said dismissively.

"Perhaps … perhaps I could have been better … when Arthur died I could have …" her mother started.

"Don't you say his name!" she hissed, "Don't you ever say his name! You don't deserve to utter it – you cared about him as much as you cared for me!"

"I am sorry for your loss!" her mother cried.

"Too little, too late mother," Lottie said coldly before she turned on her heel.

"Charlotte please!" she called after her but her steps didn't falter as Catelyn quickened her own steps to catch up with her and take hold of her arm again.

Her mother didn't call out again and Lottie didn't look back.

Robb looked up slightly suspiciously as his mother and Lottie arrived in the entrance hall arm in arm. He ought to be glad, he had the annulment of Sansa's marriage from Stannis and now they would begin their journey back to Winterfell. His mother looked uneasy though and the fact that Lottie was smiling brightly at her side only served to heighten his suspicions.

"Did Stannis give you what you want?" Lottie asked him before he could say anything.

"He did," he confirmed.

"Oh thank the Gods!" Lady Stark exclaimed, "Have you told her?"

"I have," Robb nodded, a smile on his face, "she is most happy"

"Good," Catelyn breathed, "I will go and find her …"

"Are you alright?" Robb asked his wife then once his mother had walked away.

"Fine," she said brightly, "but ready to go home"

"Me too," he smiled, bending his head to lightly peck her lips.

As if on cue the cry came through to those assembled that the northern party was ready to depart, Lottie took Robb's arm at once and they walked in step out of the keep. There were hundreds of people in the courtyard, some just there to wave them off, some of the towns folk standing on their toes and craning their necks for a glimpse of royalty. Robb carefully helped Lottie up onto her horse and tried to ignore his unease of her riding now her stomach was growing big. She had assured him it would be fine – that she had ridden up until the month before Arthur's birth. His mother had agreed that she and the baby wouldn't be at any risk and so he had reluctantly agreed. At least with her riding they would get back to Winterfell more quickly.

Robb hauled himself up onto his own horse then and glanced about him, noticing as he did so that Sansa was riding at the side of Harrion and the two were absorbed in conversation again. He sighed rather heavily then, something told him he may need to speak with Lord Karstark about organising a wedding on the way home. He would speak with his mother and Sansa first but he was almost certain that his sister was ready to marry again. When he was satisfied that everyone was up and ready he gave the call to move out, kicking his horse into action and waving to those who shouted out greetings and well wishes towards him and Lottie. He was so proud of his wife, but more than a little worried. The people had clamoured for her, all speaking of her beauty and her kindness – all but her parents. He couldn't be sure but he had a feeling she may have had another run in with them whilst he was speaking with Stannis. As they rode under the gates he turned to look at her, seeing her expression was smooth and untroubled. He bit his lip slightly before asking her.

"I don't suppose you saw any more of your parents?"

"Actually … I saw my mother earlier," she told him and he raised his brows.

"And?" he pressed.

"And she was as charming as ever … please don't dwell on it Robb – I'm not," she said firmly.

"So long as you're alright," he said quietly.

"I told you … I am perfectly well," she promised him and he managed a smile for her.

Robb left Lottie alone in their room to bathe that night when they stopped to rest at an inn. Instead he went in search of his mother to ask her about Lottie's encounter with her mother. It wasn't that he didn't trust his wife, he just needed to know that her mother hadn't done anything to harm her. He didn't want to push her on it because he knew she hated it, but he had to know. To his surprise his mother told him how composed Lottie had been and that it had been herself and Lady Morvay who had had the altercation. His mother hadn't been sure how much Lottie had witnessed but she did not seem upset by it. Robb was placated by that, his mother seemed to think that it had been the best thing for Lottie to see her mother again and finally rid herself of her demons. Gods he hoped she had. She had enough fear in her from being with child without her cold-hearted mother added to her torment. He thanked his mother before he left her before almost running back up to his and Lottie's room.

When he entered she was sat by the fire, her long blonde hair falling over the back of the chair and glinting beautifully in the light of the flames. She didn't turn at his entrance and he noted that she was sewing as he unfastened his doublet and tossed it aside before sitting on the edge of the bed to unlace his boots.

"Are you alright?" he asked her as he tugged one of them off.

"Do you know how many times you've asked me that today?" she returned in an amused manner.

"What are you sewing?" he inquired instead.

"You had a tear in one of your shirts," she replied and he watched her stitch for a long moment.

"Thank you," he finally said, moving to pull off his other boot.

"You're welcome," she said before finally setting it aside, "it's all fixed up"

"Thank you," he said again as she rose up from her chair and walked towards him.

"I'm fine Robb," she promised him, her hands coming to rest on his shoulders.

"I know you are," he sighed, running his own hands up and down her arms, "I've been badgering you, I know I have"

"And I know it's only because you care," she breathed back and he tugged her forwards lightly.

She smiled knowingly at his action, moving her hands from his shoulders to the tie of her robe, undoing it slowly as Robb loosened his shirt and pulled it over his head. Gods, she could still not get enough of how perfect he looked naked. He stood then and began unlacing his breeches and she shrugged her robe away before loosening the ties of her nightdress. When it fell to the floor Robb's eyes roamed her body hungrily and she almost felt like blushing under his intense gaze. She had been worried that he would no longer desire her as she began to grow bigger with child but his want had not been satiated. He kicked his breeches away and she stepped towards him as he moved his arms out to grab her to him, their bodies crushing together.

Robb let his lips kiss at her shoulder, his hands running the length of her back and running over her bottom as her own smoothed over his shoulders and down his strong arms. He pulled her back towards the bed then and she went all too willingly, her own lips finding his rough jawline and peppering it with kisses. Robb fumbled behind him to pull back the covers of the bed then, knowing they ought to be under the sheets – even with the fire roaring in the room there was still a chill in the air. Regretfully he pulled a short way away from Lottie and turned her gently, encouraging her into the bed. She slipped beneath the covers and furs and he was with her in an instant, pulling them around them as he made his way between her legs, his hands roaming along her hips and then trailing up towards her breasts. Lottie let out a breathy sigh of satisfaction as he lavished attention on her chest, his lips kissing her stomach for a moment before he trailed them up the valley of her breasts and up towards her throat before he claimed her own.

She kissed him slowly and he pressed his body as close to hers as he dared as she knotted her hands in his hair to anchor him in place. Her legs shifted then, her thighs riding high on his waist as she wrapped them around him. He let one of his hands wander down to stroke the smooth skin of her upper thigh as he shifted his body again, pressing his hardness against her. She rocked her hips upwards then and he smiled against her lips at her willing, moving his own hips forwards so he could finally join them as one. Their kiss deepened then, and he could feel her hum of pleasure at the back of her throat as he began to thrust slowly into her. He braced himself, resisting the urge to quicken his movements, knowing he had to be gentle with her now she was pregnant. Not that he minded the slow pace, it meant he could savour every moment, savour every inch of her and how wonderful she was.

Lottie rocked her own hips to meet his slow pace as their lips continued moving together, his hand still on her thigh, the other by her side so he didn't crush her as she let her own hands run down his back, causing him to arch further into her. Never before had they managed to be this restrained and Lottie knew he was doing it now because she was pregnant. She couldn't complain though, it still felt so good being joined with him like this as they continued their slow motion. Robb could feel it as she began to reach her height and he let his lips finally move from hers and travel down to her neck as her breathing became more laboured. He encouraged her thigh up higher then and thrust even more deeply, a cry leaving her mouth at his motion, her nails digging into the skin of his back. One more thrust and she was helpless, crashing down around him as pleasure consumed her, a soft moan leaving her mouth as he continued on to his own end.

When Robb was spent he shifted himself carefully, making sure she was still entirely covered in blankets and furs as he moved to her side. She rolled over and pressed himself to her side then, her leg thrown over his and her hand seeking his chest as he let one of his own hands settle on the small of her back, the other coming to rest on her stomach. For a long minute they said nothing, the only sound in the room was their ragged breathing as they both came down from their dizzying heights. After a while Lottie lifted her head from his chest and shifted herself slightly so she could kiss him again. When she finally pulled away Robb smiled at her as she gazed into his eyes.

"Are you warm enough?" he asked her quietly.

"I always am in your arms," she replied and his smile widened for a moment.

"I love you," he told her as she settled herself back down against his chest again.

"I love you too," she told him sleepily and he wrapped his arms more securely around her.

"Can you imagine Robb? A little Prince or Princess with your blue eyes!"

"Or your dark eyes," he countered her, running his hand through her hair.

"My eyes are boring," she told him, "yours are so beautiful"

"Your eyes are not boring," he replied "they are the very thing that drew me to you"

"Truly?" she asked him sceptically, lifting her head to look at him, a small frown creasing her brow.

"Truly," he confirmed, holding her gaze, "a man could drown in your eyes"

"Robb …" she scolded him, but he could see the delighted blush on her cheeks.

"I only speak the truth," he breathed and she smiled that smile at him.

"I still want the baby to have your eyes," she told him, "I want a son in the very image of his father"

"Then I pray the Gods give you what you want," he whispered, tugging her down to claim her lips.

A shout from the men roused him and he started, blinking slightly stupidly as he looked out into the distance to see the Twins looming up. He looked to Lottie then and saw she was looking at him in concern, he forced a smile for her and looked away, trying to bury his feelings of guilt. He had been thinking of Roslin more and more and he could only assume that it was because they had almost reached her home, her resting place. The last time they had been here he had managed to find some kind of peace and solace at her graveside but this time he felt only unease and dread and he couldn't understand why. He tried to push the memory away from him as he glanced towards Lottie again who was thankfully looking elsewhere, letting his gaze linger on the roundness of her stomach.

Gods he hoped their baby wouldn't have his blue eyes.

He felt guilty then for even thinking that. What did it matter what colour the baby's eyes were? He would love it just the same no matter what, wouldn't he? He pushed down the unease again, he didn't want these horrible feelings and uncertainties creeping up on him. It didn't matter. So long as the baby was healthy it didn't matter. That's what he kept telling himself over and over as the Twins loomed larger and larger in front of him.

A/N: We're back at the Twins next chapter and there may be a surprise for Robb!

Thoughts on this would be lovely.

More soon!

:)