A/N: Here's the next chapter lovelies! :) And to the Guest reviewer who asked me how many chapters this story will have, the answer at the moment is about 50, but it could end up being a few more - hope that doesn't put you off! There is a lot more to come from this :)

Thanks: , Dreamerswish89, Vampyerlover, Alexandra the Dreamer, everyone else who follows & anyone else who's reading! :)


Golden Girl

Lady Stark arrived back at Winterfell a few weeks before I was due to have the baby, I was so relieved that I managed to make my way down from the nursery to the courtyard to greet her when I heard the sound of hooves on the stones. She embraced me gently, before pulling back to look at my face; "you look well", she declared after a moment.

"I feel well", I told her with a smile.

"You must show me to Gendry", she said, "I would thank him"

"He is working at the blacksmith's", I told her and she smiled.

"I will go there now, where is Robb?" she questioned.

"With the Maester, he has taken my job from me", I answered, rolling my eyes.

"I bet he is fussing over you", she said with a smile.

"He would throw a fit if he knew I had come down the stairs alone", I told her.

"You cannot blame him, he was distraught at missing everything with Ned", she said.

"I know … I understand, I just wish he wouldn't worry so much", I replied.

"Men will worry Ailsa, there is nothing else they can do when their wives are with child", she laughed.

"I suppose you're right", I sighed.

"You should go back inside before he sees you", she said teasingly, "I will come up soon and sit with you, I have missed Ned, I bet he has grown"

"More than you would believe", I confirmed; "he is crawling now"

"I will come as soon as I have seen Gendry", she promised, laying a hand on my shoulder for a moment before heading over to the blacksmiths. I watched her go as I made my own way back to the keep, pausing on the steps for a moment and smiling as I saw her pull Gendry into a tight embrace.

Lady Stark did indeed join me in the nursery after a time, her eyes lighting up when they fell on Ned who was sat at my feet playing with his toys. "He is more like Robb everyday", she said wonderingly, bending down to kiss the top of his head, he looked up at her and bestowed one of his beaming smiles on her making her clutch a hand to her heart. "You must be tired from your journey, sit down", I told her, gesturing to the chair opposite me. She lowered herself into it and I called for Katrin to get her a cup of wine which she took with thanks, taking a grateful sip. I watched her watch Ned for a while a smiled playing at my lips; "it is typical", I said eventually, "he has been crawling round all week but now you are here he refuses to move from my feet"

"I am sure he will move when he's ready", she said, smiling down on him before taking another sip of wine. We sat quietly together for a while, both of us caught up in our own thoughts, before we were pulled from them when the door opened. I smiled as Robb strode in, closing it behind him, Ned set off at once, crawling immediately to his father and I sent a smile to Lady Stark who looked overjoyed. "It's good to see you mother", Robb said as Ned tugged at the leg of his trousers urgently, noisily trying to catch his attention. "And you", Lady Stark replied with a smile as Robb finally bent down to scoop Ned up in his arms; "my you are a noisy one today!" he exclaimed, kissing his forehead.

"You clearly weren't quick enough in paying him attention", I told him amusedly.

"Clearly not", he agreed, seating himself next to his mother and settling Ned on his lap.

"It is you he gets his impatience from", Lady Stark told him with a smile.

"I'm not impatient", he insisted, sounding scandalised.

"Perhaps not now but when you were a baby …" Lady Stark tailed off shaking her head and sighing. I couldn't help but laugh at the expression on Robb's face, I laughed even harder when Ned joined in, the sound bringing me so much joy.

A sharp pain in my stomach woke me in the night and I groaned, trying to slide away from Robb whose arms were tight around me. I gasped in surprise as another pain shot through me and I felt my wet night slip sticking to my thighs, I clutched my hand to my stomach taking a few deep breaths before moving a hand to shake Robb awake. "What is it?" he mumbled sleepily as I roused him.

"The baby", I managed to say, before another pain hit me and I breathed in sharply, "you have to get the Maester, it's time", I said.

"Is it not too soon?!" Robb said sitting bolt up-right in bed.

"Try telling the baby that!" I replied sharply, moaning as another pain surged through my body.

"I'll get the Maester", he promised, scrambling out of bed, "do you need anything else?"

"Osha", I managed to gasp out, "and your mother!"

"I'll get them, I'll be as quick as I can", he said, panic in his voice as he flew from the room. Osha came first, hurrying to my side and helping me out of bed and into a new night slip, Lady Stark arrived next and stripped back the furs from my bed, Osha helping her to lay protective sheets across it before supporting me back down onto it. Maester Luwin arrived last, Robb close behind him looking worried, Lady Stark crossed to the door and lay her hand on Robb's chest; "you know you aren't supposed to be here", she said quietly, and he looked towards me in desperation as I cried out in pain again. "I will get you as soon as the baby is born", I heard Lady Stark tell him.

"Take care of her", he said, "I love you Ailsa", he called to me and I managed to nod to him, trying to smile before Lady Stark closed the door on him.

My labour went on for hours, the sun was high in the sky and pains were still tearing though me, Maester Luwin was examining me for what seemed liked the thousandth time. When he straightened up and shook his head at me I cried out again, half in pain, half in frustration. I just wanted my baby to be born but the Maester kept telling me that I wasn't ready to push yet, Lady Stark gripped my hand tightly and Osha pushed my hair back from my sweaty forehead, tying it back with a leather thong. "Why is it taking so long?!" I demanded through gritted teeth.

"Some labour is longer than others your Grace", the Maester said but I caught the look of worry that crossed his face as another pain shot through me.

"Something's wrong", I gasped, "what aren't you telling me?!" I demanded as he pressed his hands to my stomach, stopping at various points, his frown deepening.

"Get the King", he said quietly to Lady Stark. She left the room at once and I wanted to cry.

"Why?" I moaned; "tell me what's wrong!"

"I'm sure nothing's wrong your Grace", Osha said soothingly and I wanted to hit her.

"Something is wrong or he would not be getting Robb! Tell me!" I screamed out.

"Your Grace your child has not turned", Maester Luwin finally told me.

"What does that mean?" I asked fearfully.

"It means you cannot deliver yet, that is why your labour has gone on so long", he explained.

"What can I do?" I asked, gripping Osha's hand as another pain came.

"Pray that it turns soon", the Maester said.

"And if it doesn't?" I whispered, fear gripping me as the door to my room opened and Lady Stark led Robb in, his face lined with worry as he looked at me.

He was at my side in an instant, his hand gripping mine, pressing a kiss to my sweaty forehead; "what's wrong?" he asked, turning to the Maester, "why have you sent for me?"

"If I could speak with you a moment your Grace", Maester Luwin said, turning and walking as far from me as he could without leaving the room. I watched him fearfully as Robb joined him, straining my ears to hear what he was saying to my husband. "The child has not turned", I heard him say, "for the moment I am not concerned as the heartbeat is still strong … but the longer it goes on like this the more dangerous it becomes for the child and the mother"

"What are you saying?" Robb asked him, and I pulled myself further up using Osha.

"You may have to make a choice your Grace", the Maester said quietly and I saw him glance at me.

"What choice?" Robb whispered, his tone fearful.

"I can operate on the Queen and pull the child from her, but it is a dangerous operation, she would lose a lot of blood and the risk of infection is high"

"She could die?" Robb questioned, casting a horrified look towards me.

"It is possible", the Maester confirmed.

"And the other option?" he asked desperately.

"We do nothing, we pray that the child turns"

"And if it doesn't?" Robb questioned.

"Then the child will likely die", Maester Luwin said gravely.

"No!" I shouted out and they both snapped their heads to look at me, "you can't let my baby die!" I cried out hysterically and Robb rushed to my side.

"Promise me!" I demanded, grabbing Robb's shirt and pulling him to me, "promise me you will save our baby", I managed, my grip loosening on him as another pain shot through me.

"You'll be alright", he said fiercely, "you will both be alright!"

"If you have to choose …" I began.

"Don't", he said, shaking his head, grabbing my hand tightly.

"Don't let our baby die!" I managed to gasp out, "our baby is innocent!"

"I can't lose you!" he replied, kissing my hand, tears welling in his eyes.

"The Gods are punishing me", I moaned, "don't let them take our baby!"

"Don't say that, the Gods are not punishing you! You will be fine, you will both be fine!"

"I did wrong Robb, if I have to pay then I will gladly pay if our child can live"

"Stop it Ailsa!" he demanded, "you are not going to die do you hear me? I won't lose you!"

"You can't condemn our baby to death!" I exclaimed, grabbing at him.

"I can't condemn you to death", he whispered, his lips pressing against my forehead.

"Robb … please …" I said softly, willing him to agree with me.

"I can't …" he replied, shaking his head, tears tracking down his cheeks.

"Please!" I choked out, another pain shooting through me, "please I will do anything please! Maester Luwin tell me what I have to do!"

"You could try standing your Grace, pacing up and down the room, your upright position may encourage the child to turn", he told me and I grabbed at Robb at once, pulling myself up.

"Help me!" I urged him and his arms came about me, holding me upright as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. He helped me stand and I staggered against him as another pain tore through me, breathing hard until it passed. I clung tightly to him as I put one foot in front of the other, he walked me to the window and then we turned and I saw both Osha and Lady Stark knelt in prayer and I wanted to cry again. I walked up and down the room, Robb supporting me, holding me tight every time a pain coursed through my body. Eventually the Maester called me back to the bed so he could examine me again and I held my breath as his hands pressed against my stomach.

"Well?" Robb asked impatiently after a while.

"The child has turned but not fully", the Maester said, reaching out for the instrument he used to listen to the baby's heartbeat. I held my breath, tightening my grip on Robb's hand as Maester Luwin listened for the longest time. He straightened up and sighed and I felt tears spill from my eyes as he looked towards us, his expression grave. "The heartbeat is weakening", he told us heavily.

"No", I moaned, "no, no, no please … there has to be something else!"

"I will do everything I can", the Maester promised, his hands on my stomach again.

"What are you doing?" Robb asked.

"I am trying to get it to turn … it is so close", he said his voice full of frustration.

"Can I do anything?" Lady Stark asked quietly.

"Pray", Maester Luwin told her and she nodded, turning her face to me and trying to smile. I moaned in pain again, the pain rolling through me as I clutched at the blankets and Robb. His hand tightened around mine, his other hand coming up to stroke a loose bit of hair away from my head soothingly. "That's it!" the Maester suddenly exclaimed.

"It's turned?!" Robb asked, his voice suddenly hopeful.

"I believe so", he said listening to the baby's heart again before moving to the end of the bed to examine me, "yes", he said straightening up, "push on your next pain your Grace, the quicker the child is born the better … the heart is still weak", he implored and I managed to nod, shifting myself up into a more comfortable position. Robb shifted himself so he was sat on the bed next to me, his arms coming about me to better support me as I pushed hard as my next pain came. I cried out, pushing with everything I had and I felt the pain the same as it had been with Ned and I knew my baby was coming into the world. "That's it your Grace, just keep it up … it will not be long!" Maester Luwin encouraged and I took strength from his words, pushing over and over feeling my nails pierce the skin of Robb's hand as I gripped it tightly.

It felt like it went on forever but finally my last push came and I gasped in relief as I knew my baby had been born. For a few seconds there was silence and terror gripped me but then a cry pierced the quiet and I couldn't help but burst into tears, Robb pulled me close and I clung to him, relief flooding through every inch of my body. "It's a girl Ailsa!" I heard Lady Stark breathe.

"A little Princess", the Maester confirmed.

"Is she alright?" I gasped out, pulling myself away from Robb to look to her.

"Small but perfectly formed your Grace", the Maester said with a smile, walking towards me, my new daughter bundled up in blankets in his arms. I reached up for her and he shifted her gently into my waiting arms and I felt tears slide down my cheeks again as I gazed down on her. She certainly was small, smaller than Ned had been at any rate, I was almost afraid of holding her too tightly in case she broke. I felt Robb kiss my temple and I managed to tear my eyes from my baby and look up at him, he smiled widely at me and his eyes swam with tears; "I'm so proud of you", he told me and I smiled back at him, lifting my arms to offer the baby up to him. He took her gently from me and bent his head to lightly kiss her forehead; "such a beautiful baby", he said wonderingly and my heart soared.

Osha came to my side as Robb gently rocked our daughter in his arms and I took the arm she offered and she helped me off the bed and behind the screen where she helped me wash and change again. When we emerged the bed had been cleared and Lady Stark was at Robb's side, peering down at her granddaughter, pride shining in her eyes. "She is utterly perfect Ailsa", she smiled at me as Osha supported me back into bed. "I cannot believe I almost lost her", I breathed, "thank you … all of you, for everything"

"It was my pleasure your Grace", Osha smiled.

"And mine", Lady Stark added crossing the room to kiss my forehead, "the Maester has gone to fetch you some Milk of the Poppy, we will leave you and Robb now"

"Thank you", I said again, smiling gratefully at her. She squeezed my hand lightly for a moment before she walked out of the room, Osha close behind her closing the door quietly on the way out.

Robb crossed to sit at my side again, shifting our daughter back into my arms and putting one of his around my shoulders, kissing the top of my head. I rocked her for a moment, taking in all her features before looking up at Robb with a smile, he bent his head to kiss my lips lightly before returning my smile. "She is so beautiful", I said after a moment, repeating what everyone else had said.

"Just like her mother", Robb told me, tightening his hand around my shoulder.

"She is too fair", I replied, stroking my hand across the fine golden hair atop her head.

"Fair like your mother", Robb remembered and I nodded.

"Exactly like my mother", I agreed with a smile.

"What was her name?" he asked me after a moment.

"Alienna", I replied.

"How do you like Alienna Stark?" he said softly.

"Very much", I told him, turning my eyes to his again.

"Then it's settled", he smiled, kissing me lightly again.


A/N: Aww it's a girl, bit of a dramatic birth but the last one was too easy haha. Hope you guys enjoyed it and you like the name, I got it from 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett, but I've added an extra 'n' to it. Anyway, more soon lovelies, perhaps not tomorrow because I'm away for the night but definitely Monday! :)