A/N: New chapter for you all, hope you enjoy it!

Guest: You're very welcome!

unnamed visitor: Yes, it will be a little while before we see Catelyn again, but hopefully it will be worth the wait when it comes around. I agree, that marrying Roslin was the best decision he could have made for all aspects of his life. While it was a political arrangement, she has certainly made him happy and she is invaluable to him when it comes to council. You're right, Sansa is a long way off from making any appearance in this AU. Obviously she will be mentioned as and when things start to unfold at the Capitol. While I appreciate your ideas, I definitely won't be pairing her with Jaime. I have some other things in mind for her that I need to decide between. I'm glad you enjoyed Robb declaring his love for Roslin - it was about time! As for Cat and Karstark, I am hopeful that they can reach and understanding, and perhaps a friendship - but I can't see it ever being any more than that I'm afraid. In my mind Cat belongs with Ned and I just can't think about romantically involving her with anyone else. Thank you again for your reviews, they're always a pleasure.

Right-ho folks, onwards!

:)

XXVI

Roslin opened her eyes slowly to the faint light of morning, vaguely surprised that her head was still resting against Robb's chest. Usually he would wake before her and prise her away so he could get himself ready for the day. This time though it was she who was waking first and she lifted her head slowly up so she could peek at whether he was awake or not. His beautiful eyes were still closed and she sighed in contentment as she watched his face as he slept. Like this he was so peaceful and looked so carefree, no little lines creasing his brow nor a frown threatening his lips. There was no tension in him at all at this moment and it overjoyed Roslin to see it. She shifted up even further, carefully moving away from him as her stomach churned uncomfortably. After taking a few deep breaths she shifted herself up and let the furs drop from around her.

As she got up from the bed her mind wandered to the night before. To Robb's words. Part of her was afraid that she had dreamt them, that she had imagined the whole thing. If he hadn't said them so many times then she thought it likely that she had imagined it. As it was she remembered it all too clearly. The look in his eyes, the slight nervousness about him and the force with which he had kissed her afterwards. When she had finally managed to manoeuver herself out of the tub he had carried her easily to the bed and made love to her more slowly and sweetly than he ever had before. As she moved to pick up her robe she could have sworn that her body was still tingling in sweet delight from the pleasure he had given her. She wrapped her robe about her and hunted out the fur lined slippers that Robb had had made for her, slipping her feet into them before she rubbed at her stomach gingerly.

It was still churning but she didn't feel as though she would be sick. Likely that would come after she had eaten as it always seemed prone to do. Thankfully by luncheon the sickness would wear away and she could continue on as normal. She crossed to the side table and poured a cup of water before turning and intending to pad back to bed and slip in beside Robb again. It was not to be though as Olyvar's voice hissed through the canvas before she could make a move; "your Graces?"

Robb grumbled a little in his sleep and Roslin wondered if she ought to wake him. If Olyvar was here this early then likely something would have happened. News most likely. Gods she hoped it was from the scouting parties that had gone to the Rock, she hoped they had found something. "A moment Olyvar," she called back softly before she moved to pick up Robb's robe and take it to him. Seating herself next to his sleeping form she couldn't help but gaze at him for a long moment before she moved her hand to shake his shoulder gently. His eyes flew open in a moment and she saw the panic swiftly evaporate from them as he set them on her.

"Have I slept too long? What is it?" he asked groggily and she smiled down on him. "Olyvar is here," she said simply and he groaned, his hands coming up to rub at his face before he sat himself up, taking the robe she offered with thanks. Roslin got up then and Robb kicked the furs away at once. She couldn't help but admire his bare body as he stretched himself awake before throwing the robe about his shoulders and tying it around his waist. "Come in Olyvar!" he called out as he moved to the side table and poured himself a cup of water.

Olyvar entered in the next moment and Roslin recognised the excitement in his eyes at one. "Did you find something?" she asked him almost hungrily and he was nodding his head enthusiastically at once. "Seriously?" Robb said disbelievingly before she could utter another word; "What? Where?" Robb's own expression was that of longing now and Roslin smiled slightly as she realised that he had been hoping something fruitful would come from the search as much as she had been. "A tunnel your Grace," Olyvar said gleefully, "it is difficult to push into at first but it is possible for men of my build and smaller to cut through in single file."

"By the Gods," Robb looked astounded, Roslin's own eyes wide with disbelief. "Did you follow it all the way?" Roslin found her voice first and Olyvar shook his head. "I didn't want to linger but I followed it a good way, it is possible it goes all the way into the Rock your Grace, I am certain of it," Olyvar was looking almost pleadingly towards Robb now and Roslin felt relief when she saw him slowly nodding his head in agreement. "You will go out again tonight with more men and discover where it leads to, would you gather the lords Olyvar so we can discuss it?" he asked.

"Of course your Grace," Olyvar could barely supress the glee in his voice and it made Roslin smile, her brother inclining his head and winking at her before he took his leave. Robb turned to her then and her smile widened before she could stop it. He was before her in an instant, his hands coming to cup her face as he leaned in and pecked at her lips; "you, beautiful, clever, wife," he growled out between kisses and she couldn't help but giggle, her hands coming to rest on his forearms as he continued to smother her cheeks and lips with kisses. "This could truly be it," he said wonderingly, "and Gods if it is," he placed his hand onto her stomach and met her eyes; "if it is then I will get you back to Winterfell before the baby comes."

"Don't say things like that, not yet," she cautioned him, "not until we're certain. Even if you take the Rock you don't know what the Lannisters may throw at us next." Robb's expression darkened at that and for a moment she was worried she had angered him. Before she could apologise though he clutched her close, his lips pressing firmly to the top of her head. "Whatever they have planned you know I will never let them touch you again, don't you?" he murmured and she nodded against him, feeling another kiss pressed to her head as she did so. "I know," she voiced, "I know you will keep me safe, I have no doubt Robb."

"Good," he sighed and she heard him take a deep breath before releasing her from his clutches, a slightly disappointed look on his face. "I ought to get ready for the lords," he said and she nodded her agreement, moving to reclaim her cup of water as he hunted out his clothes. "Who will you send into the Rock if it is possible?" she asked him as she watched him dress, seating herself down and sipping on her water. "I don't know," he replied, pulling on his boots, "I haven't thought of it yet. Obviously I cannot send whoever I please, from what Olyvar said size will have to be a consideration."

"You will not be going then," she said, her eyes fixed on his as he fastened up his doublet. "No I will not," he confirmed with a swift smile and her knotted stomach seemed to ease slightly. "What about Olyvar?" she asked then and he paused in what he was doing to look at her for a long moment. "Would you rather he didn't go?" he asked in return and she swallowed hard. "It's not my decision," she said quietly, "but I don't want to lose my brother…"

"I will not order him," Robb said, coming closer to her and laying his hand down on her shoulder. "But?" she guessed, looking up to meet his eyes. "But you know him better than me," he said with a slight smile, "do you really think he will want to stay behind while others go when he was the one who discovered the tunnel's existence?" Roslin sighed heavily at that, shaking her head slightly as Robb raised his brows. "No," she finally said in a dull voice and he squeezed her shoulder slightly. "As I said, I will not order him, but if he offers I will not refuse," he told her and she nodded, "try and cheer up Roslin, this is what you wanted after all."

"I know it is, and I am pleased…but you know as well as I do that there is still much to do," she said and he knelt down in front of her to better meet her eyes. "And it will be done, all that needs to be done to get us and our family home will be done. And that includes Olyvar," he said firmly, his eyes not leaving hers and she couldn't not believe him. "Thank you," she whispered and he nodded slightly before leaning in and capturing her lips. "I really ought to go now, I will send Ser Damon to you," he said, kissing her once more before rising up. "I'll be here when you get back," she smiled for him and his own lips twitched up before he made his way out of the tent.

"What if this tunnel is just some dead end, some trap?" the Greatjon was as sceptical as ever and Robb sighed heavily, the weight of his crown coupled with the constant negativity was threatening to pull his head down to the hard table. "Olyvar reported that there was no sign of anyone else having used the passage for the Gods know how long," Robb said for what felt like the thousandth time and his old general began muttering darkly under his breath. "What do we have to lose?" Robb asked him.

"Lives," he replied drily and Robb tried with great difficulty not to roll his eyes. "We will lose countless more if Tywin Lannister comes from the Capitol with the Tyrells. They will be bound soon enough once Joffrey marries Margaery, then there will be nothing stopping them uniting their men against us. If we already hold the Rock then there is precious little they can do but negotiate with us, for Sansa's return and the North," Robb told them all firmly and he was pleased to see that the majority of his lords were nodding in agreement with him. "And what if it doesn't lead into the Rock at all?" the Greatjon raised his brows and Robb shrugged his shoulders.

"What if it does and we ignore it?" he replied simply and the older man finally let out a great sigh and nodded his head. "How many would you send in?" Dacey asked at once and Robb bit down on his lip, his eyes sliding to Olyvar's for a moment. "We can't send too many since we don't know where it comes out…perhaps a dozen men tonight, just to establish where it leads to," Robb suggested and there were murmurings of agreement. "And if it leads into the Rock, when do you propose we infiltrate?" Lord Flint asked him.

"As soon as possible," Robb answered and there were nodding heads up and down the length of the table. "Once we have the Rock it will have to be sealed, or guarded at the very least if sealing it isn't possible," Lord Bolton spoke up and it was Robb's turn to nod. "Aye, I agree there my lord. The last thing we need is our own advantage being used against us," he said; "Dacey, would you put together a party of a dozen to scout the passage tonight. I expect a full report in the morning," he finished, rising up from his place at the head of the table and trying to avoid Olyvar's gaze. "Aye your Grace, it will be done," Dacey agreed and Robb thanked her warmly. "I think that's all my lords," he said then to mutterings of agreement and others shifting from their own seats.

"Your Grace," Olyvar spoke up before he could leave and Robb closed his eyes despairingly before he turned to face him. "Yes?" he asked, knowing what his good-brother would ask of him and hoping that Roslin wouldn't be too upset. "Would you allow me to go with the men? I have already been some of the way down the passage, I could assist Lady Dacey in choosing men of the right stature…" Olyvar trailed off looking hopeful and Robb sighed heavily. "If you wish it I will not deny you, I'm sure Lady Dacey will be glad of your assistance," he said and Olyvar thanked him warmly before looking expectantly towards Dacey.

Robb made a swift exit then before anyone else could ask anything from him, stepping out into the hustle and bustle of camp. Several sparring matches were going on and Robb walked slowly through the camp, throwing out a greeting or a few words of encouragement here and there, thinking that he ought to soon return to Roslin. If he were quick he might managed to make it back in time to share luncheon with her. His eye was caught by Ser Damon near Jeyne's tent as he crossed towards his own and he frowned, hoping that it did not mean what he thought it did. The last thing he needed was his wife confronting Jeyne and causing upset to herself. He had told Jeyne to stay away from him and Roslin, but he had not thought to tell Roslin to stay away from Jeyne.

As he drew closer though he realised that it was in fact Ser Damon in conversation with Jeyne and no sign of Roslin. He frowned at that. What was Ser Damon doing here with Jeyne when he had specifically ordered him to guard his wife? He cleared his throat as he approached as they showed no sign of noticing him. Ser Damon snapped his head around at once, dropping into a short bow when he saw who had interrupted him. "I assumed you with the queen," Robb said pointedly but the man seemed unabashed. "The queen had no more need of me, Lord and Lady Tully came to have luncheon with her," Ser Damon reported to him and Robb nodded curtly. "I did say I would oversee the lads sparring though," Ser Damon continued, his eyes flickering between him and Jeyne; "your Grace, my lady," he nodded to each of them in turn, his eyes lingering on Jeyne as he did so.

Robb couldn't help but notice the little smile playing about Jeyne's lips and the way her eyes followed Ser Damon's progress as he sauntered through the camp towards the sounds of clashing swords. "Him?" Robb said before he could stop himself and Jeyne turned her attention to him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What about him?" she asked him sharply. Defensively? "There is something between you?" Robb questioned her, seeing a light blush appearing on her cheeks that all but confirmed it to him. "Forgive me your Grace, is that any of your business?" she asked.

"It is my business if he is wooing you when he is supposed to be guarding my wife," Robb said and she smiled slightly, something almost like a snort leaving her. "I hardly think a conversation is wooing," she said, turning to examine her fingernails, "and he would never leave the queen unprotected as you well know. You just don't like him."

"What makes you say that?" Robb asked her and Jeyne really did snort this time, her eyes rolling. "It is as plain as the sun in the sky. I imagine the queen likes him very much, is that what gets to you?" Jeyne asked him and he huffed, folding his arms across his chest. "I thought so," she said triumphantly, amusement dancing in her eyes. "It's not that I don't like him," Robb said slightly defensively, "he's just a little…" he trailed off, struggling to find the words. "Vulgar?" Jeyne supplied and he nodded, smiling slightly. "I suppose," he agreed.

"Not all men have a sweet way with words," she told him then and he nodded again in agreement. "He must have some way with words for you to consider him," Robb eyed her carefully and saw her blush again, her eyes averting from his. "Beggars cannot be choosers," she said lightly and he stepped slightly closer to her. "Jeyne -," he started, coming to lay a hand on her shoulder but she shrugged him away. "Leave it Robb, I like his company, are you happy now?" she shot at him.

"Yes," he said, for some inexplicable reason he wanted to laugh; "I may not like him but if you do then good…I'm glad for you Jeyne, truly I am." He went to lay his hand on her shoulder again and this time she didn't shrug him away, turning her head slightly and smiling shyly at him. "I'm glad for you too," she said quietly, "I know how I must have seemed the other day, all bitter and twisted about everything but it's been hard for me. Not just seeing you with her but listening to the men and their vile words…it's not so bad now, they've seen how much time Damon spends with me and I think they're rather scared of him."

"I should have put a stop to it, you should have told me, I would have," he said meaningfully and her lips twitched up again. "Told you in front of the queen?" she questioned him with a raised brow and he sighed heavily. "Trying to keep it from her was pointless, she knew all along," Robb told her and her brows shot up even higher. "Gods," she said and Robb imagined it was likely the only thing she could think to utter. "Indeed," he said wryly and she eyed him for a moment, her gaze searching. "Have you told her yet?" she asked.

"Told her what?" Robb frowned slightly and it was Jeyne's turn to sigh heavily. "That you love her," she said, as though it were glaringly obvious. "Jeyne, I -," he started but for the second time she cut him off. "Never mind feeling guilty, have you told her?" she asked him expectantly and he nodded his head, not quite brave enough to say it out loud. "Good," Jeyne said and he raised his brows slightly, seeing her features completely relaxed; "I told you all I wanted was for you to be happy and I'm glad you can be with her. I might not always have been quite so calm and accepting of it all but I am glad you've told her, and I wish you all the luck of the Gods."

"Thank you Jeyne," he smiled properly for her and her own eyes lit up at his gesture; "I'm sorry, for how I was the other day…" he trailed off awkwardly, cringing as he remembered how harsh he had been, telling her to leave him and Roslin alone. "You were angry with good reason, there is nothing to be sorry for. We have cleared the air now, have we not?" she asked with a raised brow and he nodded his agreement. "I wish you all the luck as well, with Ser Damon," he inclined his head to where the man was clearly pretending to help the lads spar as he was spending the majority of his time spying on Robb and Jeyne's conversation. "Thank you," Jeyne smiled for him again, "I have a feeling I may need it…"

"You're quiet tonight," Jeyne commented as she moved to top up the wine in Damon's cup, adding some to her own before she settled down again. "What did the King want before?" he asked her and she frowned slightly at his brisk tone of voice. "He only came over because he saw you," she said slightly defensively and he looked up to meet her eyes. "And he stayed because of you," he returned and she frowned at him, not liking the way he was speaking to her. "Do you have something to say to me?" she asked him, her own tone growing heated now.

"Why did you kiss me last night?" he demanded and her eyes widened, that had not been what she had expected. "I…" she started, not even sure what she would say, all the things in her head sounded mortifying, and likely would be should she say them out loud. At her hesitation Damon drained his cup of wine and slammed it down on the table, making her wince slightly. "Forget it," he snapped at her before he pushed away from the table and got to his feet, making at once for the flap of her tent. "Damon wait!" she jumped up from her own chair and grabbed hold of his arm, causing him to round on her. The suddenness of his movement and the blazing look in his eyes had her backing away slightly from him. "What has got you like this?" she whispered.

"I don't want to be a pawn in whatever game you're playing with the King. If you are using me to make him jealous and lure him back to you then you ought to know it won't work, and it isn't fair!" he shot at her and she didn't know whether or not to slap him or laugh at him. "You think that's what I'm doing?!" she asked him incredulously, a half laugh escaping her; "Do you think I'm that foolish? That pathetic?! Gods Damon…if you really must know what we were speaking of then I'll tell you. We were talking about you! Gods…I wished him happiness with the queen…and he wished me the same…with…with you…" she trailed off at the end, her voice faltering and her eyes dropping to the ground.

"Truly?" Damon asked her, his voice coming softer now and she plucked up the courage to raise her head up again. "Ask me again," she whispered and he looked confused for a moment before he took a few steps closer to her. "Why did you kiss me last night?" he asked her quietly, his eyes almost afraid as he looked down on her. "Because I wanted to," she whispered back, holding his eyes; "I wanted to."

It only took the blink of an eye for him to close the gap between them, his hands clenching around her hips as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Their lips came together in a furious kiss and Jeyne was absolutely ravenous for him, her body almost screaming out for satiation. It was hard to remind herself that it was a sin as Damon steered her back towards the bed. She had sinned before. What was a little more? What was one more time when it felt this good? Before she knew it she was pinned down against the bed, his heavy weight above her, almost crushing the air from her lungs as their frantic kiss continued. One of his hands travelled up to clamp in her hair and Jeyne felt as though she could barely breathe anymore, somehow managing to wrench her lips from his.

Her chest was heaving and Damon pulled back, his eyes lust-filled as he looked down on her, his own breathing ragged against her lips as he hovered mere inches away. She said nothing, and neither did he, but something changed there in the storminess of his eyes. Something she didn't quite have a word for. "We shouldn't do this," he whispered after another moment and she swallowed hard, tears immediately welling up in her eyes. "I thought you wanted me," she whispered back before she could stop herself, "I thought it didn't matter to you that I'm not -,"

"Jeyne, no," he cut her off shaking his head and moving his hand from her hair to her cheek to brush away a tear that had leaked from her; "I want you more than I have ever wanted anyone. That's why I can't…I can't treat you like he did, I can't be with you as he was…" Jeyne's brow creased at that but before she could open her mouth to question him anymore his lips were pressing insistently against hers again. "I want you so much I can barely stand it," he whispered against her lips when he pulled back again; "but I will not give those men reason to call you a whore."

"What are you saying?" she breathed as his hand stroked down her cheek again. "I'm saying that I want you, properly," he met her eyes and she swallowed hard; "I want you to be entirely mine but I know that it will take time for you to feel the same, but when you do Jeyne…I will be more than ready for you."

"Don't leave," she whispered, the only words she could find as his eyes met hers with an intensity that almost scared her. "I won't," he promised, his eyes not wavering from hers for a moment. "I don't care what they say about me…so long as you and I know the truth that is all that matters," she said, her own hand sneaking up and running down his cheek softly. He merely smiled in response, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead before shifting to her side and pulling her against him. She melted against his embrace, tangling her legs with his as they enveloped around one another. "I do want you Damon," she murmured into his chest, "so much so that sometimes it scares me."

A/N: Well, I hope you all enjoyed that. More soon!

:)