"My Lady, you shouldn't be out here so late. You could freeze to death."

Isabelle was stood by the edge of the Wall, wrapped in Robb's cloak with his gloves on her fingers. She had her arms folded and her eyes peering over the side of the Wall. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but she often wondered what would happen if life could be taken so easily. What would happen if she fell from the Wall? Would it hurt? Or would all of the pain go away? All of the misery Isabelle felt when she wasn't with Robb? Even when she was with Robb, she worried about Ramsay catching her.

She only worried what he would do if he got her.

"I am perfectly alright," Isabelle turned her head over her shoulder as Jon came to stand by her side, still dressed in black like he had been days ago. She remained silent for a few moments as Jon stood by the fire and rubbed his gloved hands together over the flames.

"Does Robb know that you're out here?" Jon wondered.

"He has no idea," she mumbled. "Do you think he would let me out here willingly? He's a heavy sleeper."

"Does he still snore?" Jon asked from the times when they shared a chamber together.

"Constantly," Isabelle said and Jon let out a laugh which caused Isabelle to giggle also as the pair of them looked to the floor and their laughter died down.

"Robb's a good man," Jon finally spoke. "I only hope that Stannis can see that and bring his forces to his side."

"You brought the letter to me earlier," Isabelle said. "It was from Ramsay. He said that Stannis would rally to his side regardless of anything. How can we trust Stannis knowing that? Even if he agrees to join Robb...who can we really trust? And all of this is because of me...because I couldn't just endure being with Ramsay..."

"All of this is because of your husband made up a lie, or so I am led to believe. A very convincing lie, however," Jon concluded, looking sceptically at Isabelle as she took another moment to run her hands over the flames in front of her. "But Robb told me all about Ramsay. How he likes to keep House Bolton's tradition of flaying alive."

"More than anything," Isabelle whispered. "But I could have cost Robb this war. He has a family to care for. He has brothers and sister whilst I have nothing but him. I have been selfish to stay with him, and I know that."

"But what would happen if you went back to Ramsay now?" Jon asked her. "He seems intent on having his revenge on Robb. Going back to him would achieve nothing."

"I know," Isabelle said, trying to pull herself together. "I also know that I can't let Robb loose this war. He is good...he has done no wrong...surely the Gods can see that and they won't punish him for it..."

"The Gods are ruthless," Jon spoke. "I realised that when they took my father's head. Good people suffer in this world, but the bad seem to prevail. It is wrong, but it is how it is. The game needs to be played...and only people who play the game can survive..."

Isabelle took in his words and nodded at him. She knew that Robb could not play the game. Robb was brash and acted on instinct. He did not have the mind to survive those who were cleverer than him. But Isabelle would help him. She had lived with Ramsay Snow and she didn't consider herself stupid. She had played him when she could. She had played him to give her an easier life. And that is what she would keep on doing.

"Then maybe it is time to learn the game," Isabelle spoke, nodding to Jon and moving back inside away from the cold.

...

"Do you make every single decision based on what she tells you to do?" Catelyn asked her son the following morning. She took a few seconds to sit down on the bench hesitantly across from her son as he dipped a piece of bread into the stew. He was nervous to meet with Stannis that afternoon, but he knew that he had to eat.

"She has a name," Robb responded. "And Isabelle was right. Ramsay Snow wrote to her last night and said that he had asked Stannis to ally with him. The Dreadfort was a trap. There was nowhere else to go but here."

"You are cornered at the Wall," Catelyn reminded her son, pulling her cloak tightly around her shoulders. "If Stannis comes here and refuses to align with you then what do you think will happen? A battle will ensure."

"And that is why I have sent my men West. If anything is to happen here then I have ordered them to do what they can to keep the Stark name alive. I would have you ride with them this morning with Talisa and Isabelle's handmaiden."

"And Isabelle?" Catelyn wondered. "What would you have her do?"

"She is to stay with me. If I do not leave the Wall then I would die and Ramsay would win."

"No," Catelyn said. "This is too dangerous, Robb. What do you think would happen to you? Have you not heard how Stannis burns his enemies alive? He would find the girl and would have her sent to Ramsay."

"She will hide in Jon's chambers until Stannis has gone. He can have my head, but he will take no one else's. Sending Isabelle with you would be foolish. A raven would be received from Ramsay Snow...give me my wife and the war ends...your King is dead...there is nothing to fight for...the men would agree and Isabelle would end up back at the Dreadfort." Robb shook his head. "If you stayed here then Stannis would kill you too, and you know that. You are the mother of a traitor. You need to go and stay alive for the girls and Bran and Rickon."

Catelyn felt her mouth dry up as she heard her son speak. He had given this a great deal of thought. He had planned out what could possibly happen, but he was taking no risks. He could take no risks.

"How can I leave you here?" Catelyn worried. "Knowing what could happen..."

"Because Stannis is my last hope," Robb spoke. "And if he does not want me then you have to live for the family."

"Let me treat with him-"

"-I sent you to Renly last time and I was accused of hiding behind your skirts," Robb shook his head. "Stannis is tougher than Renly. I must treat with him myself, and you must go and stay safe."

"You are my son," Catelyn whispered. "I love you more than anything...leaving you..."

"You must," Robb commanded her. "You have to do this, and I know it is the right decision."

"I only wish that none of this had happened...you could have been happy...Roslin was a sweet girl...you could have had Winterfell..."

Robb ground his teeth together, knowing that his mother meant well by him, but he didn't want to think of it like that. He couldn't think of it like that. He had done what he had done, and that was all there was to it.

"It is easier to blame Isabelle for all of this than to blame me."

"You did nothing wrong."

"I lost the Karstarks," Robb reminded her.

"But you could have kept House Bolton and House Frey if she had never ran away from her husband," Catelyn reminded him and Robb dropped his spoon into his bowl harshly, tiring of arguing with his mother about the matter. He grew tired of their constant bickering about Isabelle, but he would never agree with his mother.

"She did what she did to survive," Robb growled lowly. "It is too late to go back now, so stop speaking of it. It will do no good and it is too late now."

Catelyn looked sadly to her son. "As you say."

...

Ramsay Snow lounged in the seat at his father's desk, his arms behind his head and his gaze on the tent ceiling above him as rain poured down. A small hole in the tent allowed small drops to fall down into the space, the dripping soothing Ramsay but driving Roose insane.

"Has Stannis sent word?" Ramsay asked his father who stood by the table next to the bed he had set up. He poured himself a cup of water before nodding.

"He is meeting at the Wall with Robb Stark this evening," Roose said. "I imagine he will stay with our cause. Stannis is a warrior and he knows that numbers win wars, not foolish boys who make decisions based on love. You should have your wife back by the time the week is out."

"Brilliant," Ramsay spoke with a sinister smile. "I wrote to her last night warning her that there was no hope. Just the thought of having her back is enough to make me contemplate taking Robb Stark's head myself. I think a great feast would be in order when we return to the Dreadfort. No doubt all the Northern Houses would attend."

"A great feast so that you can show off your shiny toy?" Roose checked.

"You cannot deny that Eleanor looks lovely dressed in her fine gowns...having her dangle off my arm...sit by my side..." Ramsay drawled. "Of course her appeal may leave when she begins to birth my children. I hear that women become much uglier."

"I would not know," Roose spoke, "but you are not to whore around with your other girls."

"I do not know what you mean," Ramsay denied.

"I know about one girl...Myranda...she likes to hunt as much as you do," Roose spoke. "I hear she is also rather besotted with you at the Dreadfort. I am shocked Eleanor does not know of her."

"Do you think that I would let Myranda near Eleanor? One is my whore and the other is my wife. There has only been one time when the two have mixed," Ramsay nonchalantly shrugged. "Myranda drinks moon tea. It is nice to know you are concerned, father."

"I am concerned about the reputation you hold, Ramsay. I hear men in the night whisper about you when I am walking through the camp. I didn't realise that you commanded so much attention, but you do. They speak of your wife and her misery. She needs to change that when you have her back."

"One minute you give her reason to be punished, and the next you ask me to please her and be sweet to her." Ramsay complained and Roose nonchalantly shrugged.

"I am Lord of the Dreadfort," Roose spoke lowly. "I am at liberty to change your mind. Do what you will with the girl...make her obedient...but make sure she smiles when she is in public. I am warning you, Ramsay, I do not want a bastard to be born."

"Another one of me?"

"Exactly," Roose muttered back. "I am serious Ramsay. If you want status as Lord Bolton one day then you will as I ask, and you will keep your wife in check too. Lord and Lady Bolton is a prestigious title."

"That it is," Ramsay chuckled back. "I am sure my wife would love it."

"I am serious, Ramsay," Roose warned his son. "The girl is to learn her place and be happy about it. Do what you can or face the consequences."

...

"I am not sitting back whilst you go and speak to Stannis Baratheon!" Isabelle yelled at Robb once he had returned to her and told her that he had sent everyone West. He had not even given her the chance to speak to Talia.

"You are," Robb said. "If he finds you and does not take my side then he would send you back to Ramsay. Is that what you want?"

"If he does not side with you then he will kill you, and what do I have then?" Isabelle wondered. "I would rather die by your side than spend the rest of my life living in fear of Ramsay."

"No," Robb spoke, taking hold of her by the shoulders and shaking her gently. "I will not let you die and I will not let him have you. You will do this, Isabelle."

She gaped. "Are you commanding me?"

"Yes!" Robb snapped. "It is not a question, Isabelle. You will do this and you will keep your life...if anything happens to me...there is money for you to run...find Talia and run from here...build a new life somewhere he won't find you."

"How can you ask that of me?" Isabelle worried from Robb. "How can you stand there-"

"-Because I love you," Robb interrupted her and kissed her firmly on the lips. She kept silent as his tongue invaded her mouth and his hands cupped the back of her head. She bent down in his hold, her hands on his cheeks as Robb continued to kiss her, his body moving against hers as realisation took hold of him that this could be the last time he held her.

She felt her back press against the wall as Robb's lips moved down her throat and his hands roamed her side. It was then when she closed her eyes in pleasure, but that soon disappeared as she thought of Ramsay's hand used to grope at her like Robb was doing now.

"No," she shook her head. "Please...stop..."

Robb listened to her and moved his hand from underneath her breast as he saw her close her eyes and shake her head back and forth.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I couldn't do it...he..."

"No," Robb said. "One day you will forget about him."

"Will I?" Isabelle fretted. "I want you, Robb. I want everything about you, but I freeze as soon as you touch me."

"It will take time," Robb promised her, pecking her on the forehead. "Now go with Jon and stay safe."

"I don't think so," Isabelle mumbled and Robb sighed.

"Jon!" he called out and saw his half brother move into the room, a look of sadness on his face as he did so. Isabelle looked between the two men and dropped her hands to her hips and shook her head at the pair of them.

"You intend to outnumber me?" she checked.

"We intend to save your life," Robb replied.

"Stannis is nearly here, Robb. You need to get going. I'll take Isabelle with me to my chamber and have the door guarded."

"Really?" Isabelle checked. "You are going to keep me a prisoner."

"I am going to keep you safe!" Robb snapped at her, stress coursing through his body as he grabbed hold of her around the waist and tipped her over his shoulder. "Show me the way, Jon."

Nodding, Jon rushed down the corridors with Robb behind him. They were empty as men trained in the courtyard, keeping out of the way. Jon opened the door to his chamber and Robb stepped inside, ignoring Isabelle as she continued to thump against his back. He tipped her onto the bed as Jon spoke with the men at the door, telling them to keep her hidden or it wouldn't be worth their life.

Isabelle tried to stand, but Robb caught her wrists and kept her sat on the edge of the bed.

"No," Robb demanded her. "Stay here."

"Robb," she protested as Robb bent down to kiss her once more and then rushed to the door, Jon slamming it shut behind him. Isabelle moved with haste and banged on the wood to no prevail, sinking down it before her body shook and she longed for Robb to come back to her.

...

"Your wife has been found at Castle Black with Robb Stark," Roose spoke to Ramsay later that night as the two men ate and drank. "He sent his men West to hide with his mother, but he kept the girl. Stannis Baratheon refused to treat with him. Your wife is in irons and on the way back to Moat Cailin."

Ramsay laughed loudly, a smirk on his face as he leaned back in his seat and felt joy radiate through his body at those words.

"I would take her back to the Dreadfort as soon as they arrive," Ramsay said.

"As you say. You can retain being the acting Lord of the Dreadfort until this war is over," Roose granted his son that much and Ramsay nodded in agreement.

"Of course," he said

"Then you shall leave as soon as she is brought here. See to it that you do not mess up this time."

"I shall try."

...

A/N: Thank you to xxxRena, CLTex, Mikki19, DarkG0ddess, Lizzete for reviewing. Do let me know what you think!