Chapter 25

Ella's mind was dull and sluggish, lingering over thoughts of what had happened and what would happen next.

Robb had been a tad clingy, refusing to leave her side for almost two days before she, with a bit of help from his mother convinced him he needed to speak to his war council.

Really she just needed time away so she could process all that had happened.

Learning of Joffrey's death was bittersweet.

She was relieved to know such an evil man would not sit on the Iron Throne, but at the same time she felt sympathy for her sister and what she would be going through. Joffrey was clearly Cersei's favorite and she must have been in agony.

Ella knew what its like to lose ones child and wished that things were different. An almost overwhelming desire to comfort her sister coursed through her, but she knew that would be impossible. For all she knew Cersei was in on the plan to kill her and her unborn child. Her thoughts ran deep and dark, as she pondered over the possibility of Cersei's role what had happened to her. Suddenly the thought made her sick to her stomach, as the room around her began to spin.

Ella was thankful Robb wasn't there to witness this.

xxx

"Why would we bother to make a treaty with Stannis when we're winning?" Great Jon bellowed from across the Riverruns Great Room.

"Even with our wins it would be unwise to continue to fight two armies rather than one. I have no use for the Iron Throne. let Stannis have it." Robb answered as he rubbed his temples in frustration.

Great Jon looked like a spoiled child who had just had his favorite toy taken away from him.

"I still plan on marching south so I can shove my sword up Tywin Lannisters bunghole!" Great Jon responded making the room chuckle.

Robb sighed.

"We need your men to remain here for now. If we strike an agreement with Stannis, we may be able to chase the Lannisters out of Kingslanding. With Stannis attacking from the water and us marching South..." Robb trailed off as he made eye contact with his uncle Edmure.

"They will think we're going to surround them." Edmure finished with a grin.

"Exactly. We'll send enough men to make it appear we're closing in, but in reality we'll set up our forces along the Gold Road and wait for them to flee."

"Let me and my men set the trap. I'll make Lannister's head into a gift for you!" Great Jon shouted as he raised his ale in a salute.

Robb rested his chin against his hands as he considered. He didn't trust Great Jon and his men to be quiet and stealthy. He wasn't sure if Great Jon even knew what quiet meant, and Tywin Lannister was no fool and would surely spot them from miles away, ruining their plan.

Robb considered what his father would do before coming to a decision.

Great Jon would make a great distraction.

Finally Robb spoke. "I hoped you'd be the one to lead the van down Kingsroad to create the diversion while set the trap for Tywin along Gold Road."

Great Jon took a few moments to consider before letting out a loud chuckle. "I'll make the most convincing diversion they ever laid eyes on!"

Robb couldn't help but chuckle along with him. He had no doubt of that.

xxx

After discussing the plan of attack in great length, Robb wrote Stannis to let him know he was open to an alliance. He decided sending his Uncle Edmure would be the best option since he no longer trusted his mother.

After making the necessary arrangements Robb made his way to the camp just outside the gates of the castle. He headed through the maze of tents until he came to the area they held their prisoners. Most of the valuable nobles captured were now in dungeons within the walls but this prisoner was far too difficult to move without losing some men in the process.

The Hound sat hunched over in his cage scowling at the ground in front of him.

Robb knew he heard his approaching steps but refused to look up.

"The King of the North. What do I owe this pleasure?" Sandor said bitterly.

"Well, I thought you'd like to discuss your freedom." Robb said with a slight smirk.

Sandors eyes slowly moved up to narrow at him.

"I thought returning your sister would have already given me freedom." he growled before spitting.

"Well, normally it would. But we both know you don't deserve anything but a swift execution. You were as they say Joffrey's loyal dog, and you are a turn coat." Robb countered in his stern 'Stark Face'.

"Protecting a boy like that free'd me from any vows I took. If you had seen the way he treated the little bird you'd agree."

Robb looked away to hide the scowl on his face. He had already heard all the gory details of the things Joffrey had done to Sansa. His men had questioned the Hound for hours while he sat by Ella's side. He hated that she had been abused and hated that he would never be allowed to kill Joffrey himself for all of his crimes towards their family.

"Regardless," Robb went on, "You are a turn coat and should be executed. I owed you debt for returning Arya so you got to keep your head. I want to know why I should free you now,"

Sandor laughed bitterly and shrugged.

When he made no move to answer Robb went on. "I know what you did to that butchers boy. There is no honor in killing women and children. If I allow for you to walk out of here, I want to know you won't continue to murder the innocent."

"I don't deny my crimes but I brought that she wolf you call a sister back to you because I want to join you, and maybe atone for a few of them. I've had it with men like Tywin Lannister and would like to kill a few Lannisters before I leave this world to meet my hell."

Robb had been secretly hoping to hear those words. Having a killer like the Hound on your side was always beneficial. Even more so for what he planned on using him for.

"I don't want you to kill Lannisters unless they find their way North. No, I want you to escort my wife, mother and sister back North to my brother Jon. They aren't safe here and if I fall I need to know they are safe. I've written the necessary letters to my brother that will allow him to take a leave of absence from the Watch. My little brothers are still in Winterfell and with you protecting them all I'll sleep a little easier."

Sandors eyes widened in shock. He couldn't believe this Stark boy, Ned Starks heir no less was willing to trust him with those he held most dear.

"Don't you have men you trust for that?" Sandor asked in disbelief.

"Yes, but none that are good at killing as you. I still plan on sending a few hundred with you, but knowing you're their personal guard gives me assurance that anyone attempting to get to them will have to go through you last."

Sandor nodded, it did make sense. He was probably one of the best fighters in Westeros so going through him would be quite difficult.

For a second Arya's face ran through Sandors mind and he instantly started shaking his head.

"That sister of yours has been driving me bat shit crazy. I'll be the one likely to kill her myself."

Robb barked out a laugh.

"Well with my mother around I'm sure she will keep the she wolf tamed."

And with that Robb had recruited the best bodyguard in all of Westeros to protect his family.

xxx

"You're sending that bastard to take us home?" Arya rose with a screech of indignation, spitting out curse words that made Robb frown while his mother glared.

"You watch your language little lady!" Cate yelled back.

"I'm not a lady!" Arya shouted right back before she rounded on Robb.

"He killed Micah! You're allowing the same man who killed my friend and protected Joffrey to guard us. This could all be a trick to get us away and return us to Tywin Lannister!"

Catelyn turned to Robb with a look that said Arya was probably right.

"He deserted Joffrey during battle. He cannot return to Tywin without losing his head and he brought Arya back. I wouldn't trust him with my family unless I believed you would be safe. I'm sending a few hundred men to watch over you, and I would know if Tywin's army managed to get past us. This is the best way to get you all home safely."

Catelyn nodded, deciding to trust her son. She was still trying to earn his trust back and wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that.

Arya looked to her mother and then her brother before stomping her foot and storming off. She may have uttered a few choice names to call him under her breath.

xxx

When Robb finally returned to Ella, it was already dark outside and he feared she would be already asleep. Peaking in he saw that she looked to be asleep but after he started to undress she spoke.

"Did your meeting go well?" her voice was hesitant and he realized what she was really asking. Will you be going back into battle so soon?

"Yes. But I'd rather not discuss it right now. I just really want to hold you."

Her lips formed a smile as she moved over a bit to make room for him next to her. He smiled and quickly removed the rest of his clothing before climbing in to lay next to her Once again he was unsure of how to touch her but thankfully she saw his worry and pushed him to lay on his back so she could rest her head against his chest.

Listening to his steady heart beat was like a lullaby, soothing her into sleep.

After a few minutes of neither speaking, Robb cleared his throat. "You have no idea how much I missed this."

Her eyes shined as she glanced up at him with a smile that said she did too.

His hand found hers as he brought it to his lips before placing tender kisses on each knuckle.

"I wish we could stay like this forever." he murmured as he allowed his hands to reacquaint themselves with the skin of her neck, her arms, her waist, and her back. He shivered as he felt her fingertips grace over his chest.

"I just wish this war were over and we were back in Winterfell. I'd like to see where you grew up." she said as she stroked his chest.

Robb smiled as he pictured her there, he would take her to Godswood so they could say their vows in his fathers favorite spot.

"You will hate the cold," he managed to say when thoughts of his father brought tears to his eyes.

She giggled and shook her head.

"Never. You belong there and I belong wherever you are." She placed a gentle kiss over his heart and he thought it would stop beating for a moment.

Robbs lips moved around the line of her jaw and over to her ear where he softly whispered into it, "And I'll always belong wherever you are. My heart is yours. always and forever."

He took her earlobe into his mouth, gently sucking on it. This caused his member to harden and he quickly released it. He knew they would not be able to do that for some time and teasing himself was just plain cruel.

She made a noise of disappointment when he did this making his smile grow. He swooped in to place a gentle kiss on her lips before pulling back and moving his hands to her long golden curls. Her eyes closed as his hands ran through the strands before moving to her scalp where he started to gently massage it.

"There is nothing I want to do more than to show you how much I love you, but its been strictly forbidden. At least for a few weeks.." he amended after she snorted.

"I think we need to place a bet on how long it takes you to crack," she teased as she pinched one of his nipples.

"Ouch," he gave her a hurt look and she quickly placed a kiss there to soothe it.

For several minutes neither spoke, just enjoying the soft caresses between them, their fingers tracing the words neither spoke.

Finally Ella couldn't stand it.

"Please don't leave yet. Promise me you'll allow us some time together before you're forced to go back into battle." Her eyes met his and her nails dug into the skin of his arms without her even knowing it.

Robb's blue eyes studied hers for several moments before he spoke. "I promise we will have some time together before I'm forced to go back. I'm sending my Uncle to meet with Stannis to work on an alliance. This should allow us several days before we settle on an agreement."

Ella's eyes closed in relief and she let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

They had time. Maybe not much but it was enough for now.