Quick notes to those who reviewed: brandibuckeye(I've always said that this story isn't going to end badly, so keep that in mind! Thanks for the reviews) Dreaming while awake(Don't be worried, things are all going to work out) rikka21(Thank you for your comment about loving Freya! I can barely contain my excitement over season 2, but the story isn't going to follow the show) 97hollster(Thank you as always) MulishaMaiden(I would NEVER let Robb Stark out of my bed, NEVER. You are correct about chapter 16 and about Catelyn's return. I loved your review, thank you!) Enjoy!

Chapter 29

Freya woke the next morning to an empty bed. She sat up quickly pulling the blankets to her chest as she glanced around wildly. Her gaze landed on Robb sitting at the table in the center of the tent, studying a map.

"Are you hungry," he asked when he saw that she was awake.

"I thought you'd left me, I was afraid you'd changed your mind," Freya said as she climbed out of the bed. She kept the blankets wrapped around her as she crossed to the table and stood next to him to study the map.

"I haven't changed my mind, I'm not going to," Robb said firmly. He slid his plate forward and motioned for her to eat.

"You keep looking at that map, what are you trying to do," Freya asked before sitting down and taking a bite of his bread.

"I have to come up with a plan for how I can deal with the Lannister army," Robb explained. He glanced at her as she considered the map before them.

"Armies," she corrected.

"What do you mean," he asked.

Freya looked up to meet his gaze, they both realized that she could be the best weapon he had at this point. She knew what others could not tell him. "They split up, my bro...," Freya trailed off suddenly and glanced back down. She was hesitant to talk about Jamie as her brother, but took a deep breath and charged on. "Jamie went to the Riverlands with an army, he's intent on driving back the River Lords, Tywin is bringing up a second army from the south, even larger than Jamie's."

"How large," Robb asked as he stared at her intently.

"Both are larger than your army, I don't know exactly how many though. How many do you have," Freya replied.

"18,000, how am I going to beat two armies that large?" Robb ran a hand through his hair and dropped his head down. Freya put a hand on his shoulder and shifted toward him.

"Look at me," Freya said as she reached out to touch his face. She slowly turned his face toward her and leaned forward. "You are a man of the North, you can do anything. You have more at stake than either of them do, you are fighting for your family. Jamie and Tywin are fighting for the family legacy, nothing more. You'll figure this out, you will win a victory and more will join you. The Lannister gold buys men, but you will inspire loyalty, people will want to support you when they see you fighting back against the Lannisters. You can do this Robb, you were meant to do this."

Robb leaned forward and kissed her gently. "What would I do without you?"

"You won't have to find out," Freya said with a shrug.

The flap of Robb's tent suddenly opened and Theon stepped inside. He froze when he saw them together and realized that Freya was wearing the blankets from Robb's bed. "Had a good night did you? I'm glad you two made up," he said with a grin.

"Shut up Theon," Freya snapped with a roll of her eyes.

"The men are getting restless Robb, Greatjon says we need to have a meeting to figure out what we are going to do," Theon informed them.

"I'll be there in a few minutes," Robb said with a nod. Theon threw them both a smirk before striding from the tent. "He won't tell anyone."

"He won't if he values his life," Freya replied. She moved over to the bed and collected her clothes. She quickly redressed, feeling Robb's eyes on her the whole time. She turned to look at him and smiled sadly. "How are you going to explain this to them?"

Robb scratched the back of his neck and shrugged slightly. "I hadn't thought that far ahead to be honest," he admitted.

"Am I still a prisoner," Freya asked. "They'll want to ransom me to Tywin or Jamie. I don't want to go back Robb."

"If I can help it, you will never see either ever again," Robb said as he moved toward her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. She rested her hands on his chest studying his armor. "What do you think we should say?"

"I'm a Lannister, whether we want to admit it or not, I am. You are at war with the Lannisters. The rest of your men are only going to see my name and hair when they look at me, they don't know me and they probably don't care to. You caring for me isn't going to change that," Freya said hesitantly. "Maybe I should go back to Winterfell. I don't want to leave you again, but if having me here makes your men doubt you then it would be for the best. You could always ransom me for Arya and Sansa."

"Then you'd be back with your family," Robb pointed out, his hatred for that idea obvious.

"Yes, but they won't know what has happened, I won't let on that I know anything. I'll escape and come back to you," Freya said quickly.

"No, its too risky, you could get hurt or killed."

"What are we going to do then?"

"We'll figure something out, but until then stay out of sight, maybe if they don't see you around they'll be less concerned about what to do with you," Robb said with a shake of his head.

"You should go, they'll be waiting for you," Freya said before kissing him once more.

"You'll wait here," Robb asked as he started toward the tent flaps.

"Where else am I going to go," she asked with a smile. Grey Wind trotted past her to follow Robb, but Snow sat down next to her feet and stared up at her. Freya watched him leave before moving back to the table and sitting down. She finished Robb's breakfast and studied the map, wondering how long it would be before Robb came back.

Theon suddenly entered the tent a strange look on his face. "Lady Catelyn is here," he told her.

Freya rose from her chair and moved to the flaps. She paused though and looked at Theon. "Is Tyrion with her," she asked.

"No, if you want to go see her I will escort you there," he offered.

"Let me put on a cloak, I need to hide this hair." She quickly clasped her cloak and flipped the hood up over her hair, before following Theon to the council tent. Freya carried Snow in her arms to keep the pup from getting trampled in all of the madness of the camp. They arrived at the tent after a short walk and paused outside.

"Well that makes it simple then," Robb said as a smile grew across his face.

"I suppose it does," Lady Catelyn said as she began to smile as well.

Robb glanced away and noticed Freya and Theon, he motioned for them to enter. "There is something else we must discuss," he said as he rose from his seat. Theon closed the flaps of the tent, Freya waited until he was done to lower her hood.

"Lady Catelyn, Robb told me what happened, I don't know what to say other than that I am so so-" her words were cut off though.

Without a thought, Catelyn struck out and hit Freya across the face. Freya's head snapped to the side and she bit down on her lip to keep from crying out.

"Mother," Robb shouted in shock. He placed a hand on Freya's shoulder and turned her face toward him so he could see if she had been hurt. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she looked fine aside from the red mark next to her eye.

"What is she doing here Robb," Catelyn demanded shrilly.

"She is helping us, she's the one that told me the Lannisters had divided into two armies! She also warned me how large they are. She did not know about what happened with Bran, she is innocent," Robb cried.

"She is a Lannister, Robb, that makes her guilty by association! She has no place in this camp, and she certainly doesn't belong with you. I will die, before I see you with a Lannister," Catelyn said coldly.

"She is half Lannister," Robb snapped, "and I will do as I please, it is my life!"

"Her family tried to kill your brother, they hold your sisters hostage, and they have imprisoned your father! If they have the chance they will kill you and I as well! What makes you think her father didn't send her to kill you herself? She is more like her brother the Kingslayer than you think," Catelyn shouted angrily.

"Do NOT compare me to that man," Freya shouted back. "I am NOTHING like my half-brother. He has betrayed me, he tried to drive Robb and I apart, he almost succeeded. I want nothing to do with him or the rest of my family."

"A pity he did not succeed," Catelyn shot back.

"Enough of this," Robb said firmly. "I will not have this, not now. Freya will remain here with us, until I find a better arrangement. In the meantime, if you don't like it, you don't have to see her."

With that, Robb took hold of Freya's arm and pulled her from the tent. They quickly made their way back to his tent. Once inside Robb let go of Freya's arm but she lingered near the tent flaps. She was starting to realize that being in this camp and not being an actual prisoner, was not going to work in her favor. The only one who wanted her there was Robb, how long could that last?

"Robb," Freya started to say. He turned and shook his head at her. A similar idea was forming in his head, but he didn't know what to do about it. He wanted to keep her safe, away from harm, but having her in camp was not going to work.

"I don't know what to do," Robb admitted as he sat down at the table. He angrily shoved the map away and let out a loud sigh. "What are we going to do?"

"We have a few options, but only a few. I could go back to Winterfell, look after Rickon and help Bran run things. I could go back to King's Landing, maybe I can convince my sister and nephew to release your sisters and father, if not I could try to help them escape. Or we could keep on as we are and risk angering everyone who is supposed to be following you with my presence," Freya said firmly. She sat down next to Robb and took his hands in hers.

"You can't go back to King's Landing, with my father in prison there is no one to keep you safe. Besides if they discover that you are trying to help my family escape they will kill you as well," Robb pointed out.

"So I go back to Winterfell," Freya said quickly.

Robb shook his head slightly before meeting her gaze. "What if you went back to your father?"

"How is that going to help," Freya asked in confusion.

"I don't want to use you in this manner, but in reality you could be the best weapon we have," Robb explained.

"You want me to be a spy for you," Freya surmised.

"Do you think it would work? Do you think you could do it?"

"Do you know what they will do to me if they find out," Freya shot back at him. She heard the stories of the things her father had done to people who had betrayed him. She did not want to end up like one of those unfortunate souls. "My father will kill me, but not before he tortures me within an inch of my life."

"You're right, I'm sorry, it was a terrible idea. You will leave Winterfell in the morning, you will be safest there," Robb said quickly.

The flaps to the tent opened and Theon stepped back inside. "They are calling for another meeting Robb, we have to make a plan, and they want to know what you are going to do with Freya," Theon said quickly.

"Can't they wait a few hours," Robb asked.

"No, they want to know now. Apparently having a Lannister in the camp is not sitting well with anyone," Theon said before casting his gaze at Freya. "I'm sorry, I don't mind it, but we grew up together."

"It's fine Theon, I understand," Freya said before turning back to Robb. "Tell them you are sending me back to Winterfell to be kept there until you can ransom me to my family. That should satisfy them."

"I'll be back soon," Robb said as he rose to join Theon. He kissed Freya before leaving, casting a glance over his shoulder at her as he went.

...

"Pardon my Lords, we've captured a Lannister scout," one of the guards that had just entered the council tent informed them. The man between the two guards struggled against them. Theon immediately reached out and flipped over the map to hide their plans.

"Not to worry lad, he won't be leaving this tent with his head," Lord Umber said with a smirk.

"Where did you find him," Robb asked.

"In the brush above the encampment, he looked to be counting," the guard told him.

"How high did you get," Robb asked once he was standing in front of the man.

"Twenty thousand, maybe more," the scout admitted.

"You don't have to do this yourself," Ser Rodrick called to Robb. "Your father would understand if I-"

Robb immediately cut him off, "My father understands mercy when there is room for it, and he understands honor, and courage."

After a short pause Robb spoke again, "Let him go."

"Robb," Lady Catelyn said sharply.

Robb silenced her with a look. His face was hard as stone as he turned back to the scout. He leaned closer to the man, his anger clearly felt by all in the tent. "Tell Lord Tywin winter is coming for him. Twenty thousand northerners marching south to find out if he really does shit gold."

"Yes my lord, thank you my lord," the scout said before he was removed from the tent.

"Are you touched boy," Lord Umber demanded. "Letting him go?"

"Call me boy again," Robb challenged lowly. "Go on."

Lord Umber strode from the tent and caught up with the guards. "Send the Lannister girl with him, she has no place in this camp," he ordered.

"She is a prisoner of Lord Stark, we can't without his word," one of the guards replied.

"Oh really," Lord Umber shot back. He immediately returned to the council tent and stormed inside. "You send that bastard girl back to her father, or I will march my men home. She has no place in this camp."

"I will not, she leaves for Winterfell in the morning. She will be kept there until she is ransomed," Robb shot back.

"No, she should go back to her father," Lady Catelyn agreed. "She has no place here or in Winterfell."

"She is a ward of Winterfell, given to us by King Robert himself, she will go back there until I say otherwise," Robb declared.

"King Robert is dead and I will not have that girl playing house in my home," Lady Catelyn shouted at her son. "Give the order, Robb. Send her back to her father, before she can do more damage."

"I will not do it," Robb said, shaking his head at her.

"Then I will leave with my men as well," Lord Glover announced. "The Lannister girl has blinded you with her charms lad. She's pretty, no doubt, but she's not worth losing a war over."

Several other lords joined Glover and Umber in agreement. Robb would lose them all if he did not do this. "I will not give this order," he said firmly. "If this is what the council thinks should be done, tell her yourself, and let her blood be on your hands."

"Bring her to us," Lord Umber said to the nearest guard.

It didn't take long for the man to bring Freya back to them. He shoved her inside the tent and she stumbled barely catching her balance. She stared nervously at the Lords and Lady Catelyn, something was terribly wrong. She could feel it.

"You are going back to your father," Lord Umber announced without ceremony. "It is the decision of the council, your lad wanted to keep you, and looking at you I can see why."

Freya started to say something rude to him, but the full weight of this statement hit her. "My father will demand information on this army, do you really want to risk me telling him what I know," Freya asked.

"She has a point," Theon said quickly.

"She wouldn't dare," Lady Catelyn replied. "She knows all to well the wrath of the northerners."

"Perhaps you don't know the wrath of my father well enough. He had children butchered in their sleep, do you really think he would hesitate to do the same to me," Freya shot back.

"If you end up dead, so be it," Lord Umber said cruelly. "We'd be better off for it."

Freya's hands shook violently as she stared around the tent. Her gaze finally landed on Robb, but he did nothing, said nothing. "Fine, I will do as the council asks, but know that my loyalty is to the Stark family and to your cause, I will not betray you, as you are betraying me."

Freya strode from the tent, Lord Umber on her heels. The man practically threw her on her horse to send her on her way with an escort of 15 guards. They were given strict instructions not to touch her, for fear of what Lord Tywin would do to them.

Robb stormed out of the council tent and shoved Lord Umber away from her. He pulled Freya from her horse and placed his hands on either side of her face, speaking so lowly only she could hear. "Love, this is not my order, I would not send you back to your father," he said quickly.

"I know, but you have to do this Robb, you must do whatever you can to win this war, whatever you must do to win, do you understand," Freya said firmly.

"I will find you, I will bring you back, and we will be together, I swear it," Robb replied.

"I will not betray you, I won't tell them anything, I swear, no matter what, they will not get it out of me."

"I will look after Snow until I have you back with me," Robb said. He pressed his lips to hers, briefly wondering if this was the last time he would get to do this. "Always," he whispered fiercely when he finally pulled away.

"Always," Freya whispered back. Robb helped her back up onto her horse and remained rooted to that spot, long after she had disappeared from view.

"I know what we are going to do," Robb said to Lord Umber before striding back into the council tent.

And so they are separated yet again, but don't worry it won't be for long and they will be together for some time, well until I figure out the next step in the story. I am going to warn you again that Chapter 30 is going to be quite dark, and for a preview you can go back to chapter 16. In other news I am working on a playlist for this story, several of the chapter titles are inspired by songs. I'll let you know when I am done with that!