Song: Crossfire by Stephen

Roose

Whatever brief satisfaction Roose Bolton felt when his son had arrived carrying the Greyjoy banners was distinguished the second he had gotten word of what happened at the Dreadfort.

He could place blame on himself for taking the majority of the Bolton men with him to Winterfell. He could blame himself for allowing Ramsay to take another significant portion to Moat Cailin. He could blame himself for not killing Robb and Fianna Stark when he had the chance. But alas, he chose to direct his anger at his bastard son. As he usually did.

"When that wench Fianna Stark escaped I had assumed she would be dead on the side of the road within a week. But no, not only did she make it home, she managed to sire half the North and be named the Queen of it," he erupted in rage, angrily gripping the wooden map board and flipping it off the table.

"The North already don't trust us," he continued his rant, "now they have a rebel queen to get behind, one who didn't bloody betray the king."

Ramsay stayed silent, not daring to speak up while Roose was in the mood that he was in. The elder man sat down then, running his hands over his balding head and down his thinned face. The war had aged him, it was easy to see.

"What's our options then?" Garrett dared to speak, albeit in a low enough voice. "War?"

"War?" Roose breathed a laugh in sarcastic amusement, "we have to assume that every Northern family that didn't come to pledge fealty to us are at her back. I heard she has an army of three thousand gathered. If we march, we're marching to our deaths. Not to mention the Umbers, Karstarks and Flints could betray us at any second to join them. It's suicide."

"This is ridiculous, Fianna Stark is a girl. And a Bua one at that. Once we get Sansa Stark they'll have no option but to pledge fealty to us," Ramsay sounded out, his lip twitching when he spoke of the Bua traitor. He had spent months working on Robb Stark's psyche, it was safe to assume that she probably got her hands on him the second she took over the Dreadfort.

"If you wed Sansa Stark, your children will be the heirs to the North," Roose agreed, raising his eyebrows as he thought more about it. Out of nowhere, coming to a realisation, he sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Unless Fianna Bua already has the heir."

The rest of the men in the room looked on in confusion, waiting for their Lord to elaborate.

"If Fianna survived the escape and reached Baelfort, who's to say the babe she was carrying didn't survive too?"

"That would explain her outpouring of support..." Garrett agreed, his eyebrows raising in realisation.

"Attacking her directly won't work. Having you wed Sansa Stark won't work," Roose mused, rubbing his chin.

"So I won't be wedding her?" He asked tentatively. Myranda would be pleased, he thought secretly.

"I haven't decided that yet. When she arrives anyway we'll let her think that you are, and then we'll use her as a bargaining chip for the Bua girl. If she loved Robb Stark half as much as she let on, she won't let his sister be tortured, raped or killed. And if the Stark boy is with her again, he won't either."

"So what's our next plan of action?"

"We have to show them exactly how we deal with traitors to the crown."

Jon

Stannis Baratheon was a serious man, Jon Snow could tell that from one look at him.

He was middle aged, with a thinning tuft of hair atop his head indicating so. His face bore lines that showed his many years, but there were no laughter lines to be sure. Jon doubted the man ever laughed.

When he reached the top of the wall where Stannis stood awaiting him, he turned slowly to look at him. Jon hated to admit he was half-intimidated by him.

"Your grace," Lady Melisandre spoke to get his attention, "the bastard of Winterfell."

What a lovely way to be introduced, Jon thought bitterly.

He knelt down immediately, knowing better than to piss off Stannis Baratheon - a man with a legitimate claim to the throne. He stood when Stannis gestured for him to, and stilled as Stannis remarked upon him.

"You know who rules at Winterfell now?" He began, not one for greetings.

"Roose Bolton," Jon replied, a sneer in his words. Stannis hummed in response.

"A traitor who plunged a dagger in Robb Stark," as if Jon needed a reminder. "Don't you want to avenge him?"

"I want a great many things, your grace," Jon sighed, "but I'm a sworn brother of the night's watch now."

"I will take back the North from the thieves that have stole it," Stannis promised, "Tywin Lannister is dead, he can't protect them now. I shall mount Roose Bolton's head on a spike. But if I'm to take Winterfell, I need more men."

And there it was, Jon realised, the true reason for his visit.

"The men of the night's watch are sworn to take no part-"

"I'm not talking about the damned Night's Watch," he huffed, a small smirk playing with the corners of his mouth, "I'm talking about Fianna Bua."

Jon's lips parted in surprise at his response. Stannis began to walk back towards the lift, not caring to elaborate leaving Jon to rush after him.

"Your grace," he began, his words forceful, "you want Queen Fianna's men to march in your army?"

"Her and her men just took down a stronghold that hasn't been touched in a thousand years. Her people are loyal to her, they see her as a Stark and she is one of your own. If she pledges fealty to me, I will name her Wardenness of the North and pardon her and her men of any treasonous acts of war."

"It's a fair offer," Ser Davos chimed in with him. "More than fair."

"I'll give them back the North and into the hands of someone they follow, if Fianna Bua bends the knee and pledges fealty to me."

Jon Snow had never met the elusive Fianna, who married his brother and apparently survived the Red Wedding. But he knew enough to know there was more of a chance of her jumping off the wall than there was of her bending the knee.

"I don't think that's likely," Jon told him honestly. Stannis smirked devilishly again, taking off once more and leaving Jon to follow.

"You admire her, don't you?"

"I respect her."

"Nothing sure she'll respect you, she married your brother and went to war for your family. Convince her to bend the knee."

"Your grace-"

"Or Baelfort will be the first place we attack."

With that, Stannis turned and left Jon standing. Stannis wouldn't dare attack Baelfort and lose more men than he could, but then again, tails of his gallantry and daring risks reached the wall too. He already attacked King's Landing, whether it was successful or not, Baelfort was minuscule in comparison.

Now he had a choice to make, he could persuade his good-sister to give up her crown after she had fought hard to earn it, or, he could stand against Stannis Baratheon.

Fianna

The second she arrived back at Baelfort, Fianna wanted nothing more than to collapse in her bed and sleep for a week.

Her boots hit the ground after she dismounted her horse, and it wasn't long until she was greeted by the furry friend she left behind to protect her babies.

"Hello there," she spoke in a soft tone, leaning down and petting Grey Wind's head lovingly. He sniffed her relentlessly, eventually deciding that she was okay enough to step back.

Tiernan wasn't there to greet her when she arrived, instead the rest of the Baelfort occupants were, and were looking massively confused by the carriage of Dreadfort-born people that were to either help around the castle or join Fianna's growing army.

Fianna wasn't interested in making a speech about her victory, surely word had reached them by now, judging by the applause and cheers they received when the gates first opened to allow them inside.

All she wanted to do, was hold her babies and never let them go.

She bounded into the room, the wet nurse holding Eddie and gently rocking him to soothe his cries. Fianna's heart melted when she heard him, making her way over to carefully take him in her arms.

Being a mother had changed her, made her fiercer perhaps. Where before in a battle she fought viciously for a cause, now she fought tooth and nail to survive to return to them.

"Hello, sweet boy," she cooed, gently brushing his cheek with her finger. Doting on him, she then turned to young Aifric who was staring up at her mother with widened, curious eyes.

Fianna settled a now-soothed Eddie into the crib, and then picked up Aifric too - to spend equal time giving them both her attention.

She was in the middle of humming to the infant when the door to the nursery opened suddenly, and finally her absent cousin was revealed.

"Oh look who it is," she rolled her eyes, tone full of sarcasm, "you decided to say welcome back."

"Fianna, I've been handling the fucking mess you've caused," he surprised her by the anger in his voice. She lifted her head up from her child to note his facial expression, which was entirely serious.

Settling Aifric back into the crib to sleep next to her brother, Fianna nodded to the wet nurse and made her way out to the hallway to speak with her cousin.

"What is it? What's going on?"

"Roose Bolton has retaliated already," he rushed, urging her to move down the hallway with him.

"Okay... we expected this, Baelfort is safe as far as I can see. What calls for your panicked state?"

"He didn't attack Baelfort," he looked at her with frantic eyes, finally having led her to the window where she could see a vast crowd, filled with men, women and children, waiting in the courtyard.

Each one looked worse for wear, crying and looking like they had been the ones to engage in battle.

"Who are they?" She asked worriedly.

"The inhabitants of Turnhall," he answered for her, "Bolton didn't go for us he went for the Mazins."

Fianna's jaw dropped in absolute horror, her hand falling to rest over her stomach.

"And they would have been unprotected, their men would have been at the Dreadfort with me..."

"It's also closer to Winterfell, it would have been a walk in the park for the Bolton's. Apparently the entire castle has been burned to the ground, he's going to go after houses who didn't pledge allegiance to him."

Fianna shook her head in frustration, anger fuelling through her veins.

"Fuck!" She swore angrily, scraping her hands through her hair.

"Your grace," a guard approached her suddenly, "Lord Henrick Mazin wishes to speak with you."

"Of course," she agreed, her heart hammering in fear of losing their support.

"We declared fealty to you so you would protect the North, not allow the Bolton's to slaughter the innocent and burn down our homes!" Henrick raged on, as he had done for the last ten minutes.

"I'm sorry, my lord, truly," she pleaded with him, "all of your house are welcome to stay here!"

"And you think you'll have room after taking the Dreadforts bitches with you?" He spat sarcastically, red in the face from anger. Despite the fact it was aimed at her, Fianna understood his anger completely.

"You are all welcome to stay, should I have to give my own bed for your people to rest in one, we will take down the Boltons, my lord. Do not let this cloud our recent victory."

He shook his head, looking like he didn't believe a word of it and instead of arguing further, he chose to walk out of the room, fuming down the hallway.

Fianna let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, a familiar feeling of guilt coursing through her once again.

Jon

"Who are you?" The guard asked the second he approached the gates on horseback, it was clear to see that Baelfort held quite a paranoid bunch inside, with more sentries than needed posted on every wall.

"Jon Snow, a brother of the Nightswatch. I've been sent to relay a message to Lady Fianna," he explained quickly, rather nervous by the attention placed on him.

"That's Queen Fianna to you," the same one called back.

The two guards at the gate looked at each other for a moment before looking at the rest of the area surrounding Baelfort's walls, to be sure it wasn't an ambush.

"Go on then," he called down finally, only opening the gate high enough for Jon to pass through, before then quickly shutting them again.

He was led by another guard then through the castle, barely been given a second to remark upon it.

Jon felt nervous all of a sudden, his hands clammy and his heart rate picking up. He was sent like a dog by Stannis to do his bidding, and to the woman considered his good sister of all people. A woman hell bent on getting revenge for his brother.

He was led to a solar, which was surprisingly empty. Jon was led inside anyway and gestured at to sit down in a chair. He conceded and sat down, albeit nervously.

The same guard stayed there, stationed by the door. He supposed they were to wait for the Queen.

The door opened and Jon turned around in his seat, standing up immediately to greet her like a gentleman.

Fianna Bua-Stark was a rather beautiful woman, with cascading brunette curls and bright grey eyes that held a knowingness to them. She carried herself like a lady, but there was a set to her jaw and shoulders that relayed her underlying fierceness.

"Your grace," he greeted, rather awkwardly. Fianna was silent for a moment, processing her guest herself.

"Are you the Jon Snow?" She asked, closing the solar door behind her.

"If by the Jon Snow, you mean the half brother of your late fiancée then yes. Yes, I am," he nodded, wondering if it was proper etiquette to bow. He remembered bowing to Robert when she arrived at Winterfell, but he doubted Fianna would enforce it.

"Oh..." she kept her eyes on him, scanning his features. He wondered if she was looking for any similarities to Robb.

"So here we are," she stated, as she slowly walked past him and around her desk to sit on the other side.

"Here we are," he agreed.

"Is there a reason you came to see me or are you just interested in meeting me?" She questioned, looking slightly on guard.

"Stannis Baratheon sent me."

Her face twisted in confusion, trying to decipher this. Why would Stannis be at the wall, consorting with the night's watch?

"Why?"

"He wants you to bend the knee to him and get the North to fight for him," he admitted bluntly, without sugar coating. Fianna chuckled in shock and surprise.

"And why does he think I would agree to that?" She scoffed.

"He has offered, if you do, to name you Wardeness of the North and retake Winterfell."

Fianna shook her head, turning and looking out the window to the side, her eyebrows furrowed in thought.

"I'll hand it to him, he's got balls."

"Shouldn't all Kings have balls?" Jon asked.

"Perhaps, but I don't, do I?" She quirked her eyebrows. "If he managed to take back Winterfell and reclaim the North, then sit his pretty little arse on that Iron Throne and rule the seven kingdoms I'd imagine he wouldn't do a bad job of it."

Jon thought for a second that she was willing to agree to his terms, but of course it wouldn't be that easy.

"I'll never bend the knee. Not again. Not even if my kneecaps were ripped from my legs."

"The Northern families have bled enough Fianna, you have suffered enough," he sighed, sitting back down in the chair finally.

"Yes I have," she tilted her head, "and that's exactly why I will be the one to do all that Stannis has offered to me. Except I'll be doing it as Queen, not the Warden of the North."

"You're stubborn I'll give you that," Jon shrugged, "I bet that led to some fights between you and Robb."

Fianna let out a low laugh, feeling good that she was finally able to discuss Robb with someone who actually knew him.

"I mean no offence, your grace, but I have been thinking over and over about it in my head, and I can't wrap my thoughts around why the North would name you their leader."

"If I tell you, I'll be telling the brother of my husband, not the envoy of Stannis Baratheon. Okay?" When he gave the slightest of nods, she proceeded. "Let's just say, I suppose my Queen title should be accompanied by another word. Regent."

Jon's lips parted in surprise, that was not a factor he ever considered would come into play.

"You birthed my brother's babe?" He asked in shock.

"Babes," she corrected, her eyes tinkling watching his reaction. "I am the mother to a son and a daughter. You're an uncle."

Jon shook his head, kicking himself for agreeing to come here at all and persuade the mother of his niece and nephew to give up her chance for revenge and a title that is rightfully hers.

"You came here to ask on behalf of Stannis and I have given you an answer. The people of the North have trusted me to lead them, if I take back Winterfell, I will do it myself."

"Will you promise me something, then?" He asked, causing her to tilt her head.

"What?"

"Promise me you'll avenge my brother."

Fianna's expression softened, she gulped before nodding her head with sincerity. "Of course I will."

It was a silent for a moment until Fianna gestured with a nod to the remaining guard in the room, prompting him to leave. Jon was confused and slightly nervous by the action, until the door opened again and a small voice sounded through the room.

"Jon?"

He whipped around in his seat with such force it knocked, eyes wide with shock as his youngest brother came into the room.

"Rickon," he breathed, his voice thick with emotion as he pushed forward and dropped to a knee in front of the smaller boy, who seemed so much older and taller now.

Rickon fell forward into his arms, the brothers clutching onto each other tightly and refusing to let go. They stayed like that for a few minutes, before Jon let go and turned to look at Fianna over his shoulder, who was in the middle of wiping away stray tears that had fallen.

"How?" Was all he could bring himself to ask, her lips lifted at the question.

"He's been here the whole time," she looked at him with a soft gaze. "My cousin found him after Winterfell was ruined, he's been staying here. We've kept him safe."

"Thank you," he murmured quietly, and Fianna nodded in return. Jon gave Rickon another tight hug before standing up straight, keeping one hand on his lost brother's shoulder. "And Bran?"

"We never found Bran," she shook her head sadly, "Rickon said that he went to the wall. I assumed he was going to you."

"He never made it," Jon murmured, pushing his sadness aside to look at his remaining brother and remind himself of the relief his presence provided. He never thought he'd see Rickon again, assuming him to be dead along with Robb and Bran. He also knew there was even more of a chance he wouldn't see Sansa or Arya.

"I'll give you two some time alone," Fianna murmured, making her way towards the door. "I'll be in the nursery with the twins, come later if you want to meet them."

Jon nodded at her before turning back to his brother, ready to spend all day, if he had to, with him.

Fianna was seated alone in the nursery a few hours later, trying not to doze off as she relaxed into the rocking chair positioned in the corner. Eddie and Aifric were asleep in either of her arms, dozing soundly.

Her head lifted when the door to the room opened, the candle lights of the room illuminating Jon's face as he entered and walked towards her.

"Your grace," he greeted with a nod, which she returned. She caught his eyes lingering on the small babes in her arms.

"You can hold one if you'd like," she offered. He paused for a moment in thought before eventually agreeing and moving forward to take Eddie from her arms, allowing Fianna to stand and put Aifric in the crib.

"What are their names?" He asked, gently rocking the sleeping babe who's head was tucked into his elbow.

"That's Eddie, short for Eddard, and this is Aifric," she gestured towards the other babe in the crib. Fianna crossed her arms over her chest as she watched her good brother interact with his nephew.

"Eddard and Aifric," he hummed, "controversial names." He dared to smile in amusement, the first smile Fianna had ever seen on him.

"And destined to be just as great," she smiled in return, enjoying the new relaxed atmosphere between them.

"He's got Robb's hair," Jon remarked, causing Fianna's smile to dim considerably.

"That he does," she sighed, any mention of her deceased husband still to this day would bring down her mood.

"I heard stories about the two of you, even at the wall. He loved you greatly, it seems."

"And I loved him even greater. He often told me about you, I always longed to meet you," Jon smiled again at her words, the ache in his chest of his brother's loss coming back in full force. The two of them had spent so long not talking to anyone about Robb, now that they were reminiscing about him, the pain was back. And as powerful as ever.

"I can't take Rickon with me," Jon said suddenly, his eyes still fixated on his nephew.

"I wouldn't let you even if you hadn't acknowledged that."

"He seems to be growing up well here, and he's well protected. He's too young to lose any more of his childhood than he already has by being forced into the night's watch. Especially with Stannis Baratheon staying there."

"We'll look after him Jon," she assured him, "I promise."

He responded by nodding and then stepping forward to her, gently jostling Eddie forward and handing him back to his mother.

"Are you leaving so soon? You're more than welcome to stay. Permanently, if you'd like," Fianna gushed, in truth she wouldn't mind if Jon had stayed. He was the only person who's grief she could relate to.

"I swore an oath," he explained with a shake of his head, "and besides, Stannis will expect me back soon or else I'll pay for it."

"It was nice to meet you then, Jon Snow," Fianna placed Eddie next to his sister so she could say goodbye properly, holding her hand out politely too him. He surprised her by ignoring her hand and taking her in for a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

"And you, Fianna Bua."

Jon and Rickon finally had the reunion the show deprived us of!

I hope you all liked his introduction with Fianna, and before anyone thinks it, no they will not become romantically involved. Their relationship is strictly familial and friendly.

I also changed Stannis asking Jon to get the free folk to fight to getting Fianna to fight first, because it makes more sense strategically for him to ask someone that's hell bent on taking down the Bolton's instead of the free folk who have no ties to Westeros.

No Robb this chapter but he'll be back soon!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and thanks as always to anyone who reviewed and read it! If anyone missed my author's note that I posted and now deleted, I have another book on my profile for Winter in my Heart where I'll post one shots for this story, the first one is up and it's a modern AU full of Robb/Fianna and some other characters too, read it if you're interested x

ZabuzasGirl- Thanks so much! I hope you enjoyed this one too!

Guest - Oh yes, really ;)

Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967 - Wonderful to hear! I hope you liked this one too x

purple-pygmy-puff16 - so close yet so far :(

starevolution1273 - I'm actually so glad that you agree it would have been too soon for them to meet again, the reunion I have intended for them is gonna be so big and it would have been wasted on the last chapter. I was worried others would be starting to get frustrated by that but I'm glad you agree it was too early! Thanks so so much for your review!

Shannan- I kept that in mind by leaving Grey Wind out, there's no way he wouldn't have noticed Robb so he stayed behind to protect the kiddies. Thanks so much for reviewing as always, I always look forward to reading your theories! x