A/N: Hey guys! New chapter for you, hopefully it won't be as tough to read as the last one.

A quick note as I'm sure some of you are wondering, we will find out who poisoned Erinne, but it will be next chapter not this one.

Thanks to you all again, hope you enjoy the chapter.

:)


Arrivals


Seagard


"Greyjoy!" Shara called up the stairs, "Looks like your cavalry has arrived!"

Theon pulled himself off the bed at her words and moved a little too eagerly towards the door, almost falling over as his body was not used to such quick movements. His leg was healing nicely now but he could do little more than hobble. He had forgotten that in his eagerness to see a familiar face and had to grab hold of the doorframe to stop himself collapsing to the floor. When he steadied himself he moved a lot more slowly, his hand clinging to the bannister as he made his way down the steps. Shara was stood at the bottom just watching him as he took it one step at a time. She had refused to help him at any point and refused to let him walk with any kind of cane. It had frustrated him beyond belief at the time but he was glad of it now as her tough approach had made him work even harder to try and regain his strength and movement. He was still slow but at least he could still walk, he focused on that as he came to the bottom of the steps and allowed himself a smile of triumph as the sound of approaching hooves reached his ears.

He felt immense relief mingled with a sudden grip of fear as he thought of who was coming to him. Would Ser Ralf be angry with him? He got on well enough with his good-father but Theon wasn't stupid, he knew the man made more of an effort when Adele was around but she wouldn't be here this time. He swallowed hard then as the man himself appeared in the doorway and he fought the urge to take a step back as he crossed briskly towards him. Before Theon could say a word Ser Ralf had caught him up in a tight embrace that had relief flooding his body at once as he willed himself not to cry. Finally, he was so close to her, just under three weeks ride and he would have Adele in his arms again and be able to beg her forgiveness. Right now though he clung to her father and thanked the Gods over and over, out loud or in his head he didn't know. After what seemed like an age Ser Ralf shoved him gently away and Theon saw his eyes searching him and he swallowed hard, wondering if he would pass his good-father's appraisal.

"How's your leg?" Ser Ralf finally asked.

"Better," he nodded, his throat thick, "Adele?" he asked then, almost fearfully.

"Better now she knows you're coming home," Ser Ralf answered, "and fit to burst"

"Is the baby alright?" Theon asked him then, desperation evident in his voice.

"Aye," he nodded, "running out of room though, it will not be long now"

"No," Theon said faintly, dropping his eyes and feeling the shame rise up in him.

"It wasn't your fault lad," Ser Ralf said gently, "believe me, if it was I wouldn't be here"

"Does she hate me?" Theon asked, lifting his eyes to meet his good-father's again.

"She loves you," he told him, "loves you more than anything in this world, she has been sick with worry but she never once blamed you"

"I don't deserve her," Theon said, shaking his head.

"There was a time I would have agreed with you," Ser Ralf smiled slightly, "but I know what you mean to her, and I know she needs you back with her"

"Thank you," he nodded, swallowing hard and trying to compose himself.

"Best we get going then lad," Ser Ralf said, nodding his head and turning towards the door.

"Aye," Theon said faintly, his eyes drifting towards Shara; "thank you for everything"

"You're welcome," she smiled.

"I would have died if it weren't for you … I will never forget this," he said, hesitating before kissing her cheek lightly.

"You take care of yourself Greyjoy, and take care of that wife of yours," she said, patting his cheek.

"I will," he nodded, "believe me Shara, once I am back with her I will never leave her side again."


Winterfell


Adele made a noise somewhere between pain and frustration and fought the urge to slap Serra away as she mopped a damp cloth over her forehead. It had been hours. Hours, and still her baby was refusing to make an appearance. Maester Luwin had told her that everything was progressing as it should but she felt as though everything was progressing rather too slowly for her liking. Damn it all it hurt, she had known it would hurt but she had never imagined this much for so long. Dany squeezed her hand then as she moaned out in pain again and she gripped her back tightly as the Maester went to examine her again.

"How am I not dead?" she moaned.

"You'll get through this … you will, I promise," Dany tried to soothe her.

"Why won't it come out?!" Adele demanded of the Maester.

"It will soon," he reassured her, "on your next pain I want you to push Adele"

She could only nod then and Dany braced herself for the crushing her hand was going to get, remembering the agony that Margaery had been in and trying not to think of how many months she had left before it would be her turn. Today wasn't about her, it was about Adele and right now she likely felt as though she was being tortured. It didn't help that Theon was still gone and that there had been no word yet from her father. Ser Ralf had promised to send word as soon as he had collected Theon from Seagard so Adele would know exactly when they would be home but so far no word had come. Dany felt Adele's hand tighten around her own then and she knew that another pain had come for her and she let her other hand come and rub up and down her back as she gritted her teeth and pushed down hard.

"Perfect," Maester Luwin praised her, "keep it up."

Adele did as she was told. The pain was excruciating, never in her darkest moments had she thought that it would hurt this much. She had known it would hurt but not like this. Never like this. How could someone endure pain like this and survive it? Oh Gods, what if she died? What if she died without ever seeing Theon again, without holding her baby in her arms? Oh Gods. Oh Gods. Another pain came then and she pushed down automatically, her body had been urging her to push all afternoon but the Maester had forbidden her to do so until she was ready. Now he had given her permission it was all too easy to obey her body's commands even though doing so made her feel as though she was being torn in half.

"Once more," the Maester said then and again she did as she was told, the pain burning through her again before she finally felt the tiny body slide from her.

Her head collapsed back against the pillows then, her head swimming as pain still throbbing between her legs. It was far duller now and she could barely feel it through the haze of knowing that her baby had been born. Her baby. Why was her baby not crying? Panic came for her then and she pulled herself up sharply just as a loud cry pierced the quiet and she almost laughed in relief, a smile spreading across her face as she listened to the sound that told her the baby was alright.

"A strong, healthy boy," Maester Luwin beamed at her then as he wrapped the little bundle up.

"He's alright?" she breathed, "Truly alright?"

"Truly," he confirmed and her smile widened even more as she stretched her arms out to take him.

"Well done," Dany murmured then and she spared both her and Serra a glance and a swift smile before she moved her eyes to her son.

He was such a tiny little thing now she had him in her arms. His brow kept furrowing in confusion as he blinked up at her and she wondered at the tiny hand that poked out of his blankets, her finger going to lightly touch the smooth skin of the back of it. There was a sprinkling of dark hair atop his head and Adele could already imagine him being the image of Theon as he grew older. She bit her lip then to stop the tears welling up. She would not cry now, Theon was coming home and she had their son safe and secure in her arms. Her baby moved his little hand then and clamped his tiny fingers securely around the one she had lightly touched him with a moment before. In that moment she thought that her heart had exploded as she gazed down into his baby blue eyes. Never had anything been so perfect in the world. Never had anything been so right in that moment and she felt herself just fill with what she could only imagine was pure love.


Moat Cailin


Victarion seethed as the row boats were pulled ashore, Euron winking at him as he stamped up the beach towards him and he clenched his fists. Euron had been irritatingly chipper since he had been returned to Balon's good graces and only Victarion seemed able to understand that that was not a good thing. If something was making Euron happy then he was likely to be plotting something in that twisted mind of his that would make thousands of others miserable. They were tasked with taking Winterfell over and dispatching Theon's wife and as many Starks as they could get their hands on but Victarion would be his sword arm that Euron was looking to do more. Theon would likely be back behind the walls and Victarion could see quite clearly that Euron would not be in the least bit upset if the heir to the Iron Islands was sent to the Drowned God. That would make Euron heir and King now that Balon had declared independence from the Seven Kingdoms again. Victarion had tried to warn Balon but he wouldn't listen, part of Victarion was convinced that his brother was following his wife into madness and he dreaded to think how much further he would sink while they were away. He still pined for Asha and was still convinced that he could get Theon to come home if he destroyed any other option the boy had. Victarion wasn't stupid though, he imagined that Theon would rather die than be dragged back to Pyke.

"You shouldn't frown so much brother," Euron stated then, clapping him on the back.

"Why not? There is precious little to smile about," he replied coldly, wanting to shrug him away.

"Are you not looking forward to the thrill?" Euron asked him almost hungrily.

"The thrill?" Victarion repeated, raising his brows.

"I can see it now, the grappling hooks over the wall, the men dying … the women screaming; do you not live for it as I do?" he asked.

"You and I are very different people," Victarion snapped before stamping away.

Euron smirked as he walked away, getting under his brother's skin was one of his favourite past times and he couldn't help but push his limits. Truly though he was relishing the thought of taking Winterfell over, the thought of teaching those northern bastards a lesson. He could almost smell the smoke and it had him almost ravenous, what he needed now was a woman and he turned towards the town, wondering whether the men had brought any spoils back yet. After a few minutes a shout went up and he went to investigate, a smile spreading across his face as he took in the three young women. Two of them looked to be shaking as the Ironborn eyed them all hungrily but the other, while keeping her eyes on the ground, did not appear as frightened as the others.

"Only three?" Euron said, "You will be busy tonight girls …"

"First pick my Lord?" one of his men said and he smirked.

"Captain's rights," he agreed, coming forward to appraise the women.

He put his hand under the chin of the least frightened one and forced her head up so she looked at him. For a second he saw a glimmer of defiance in her eyes and it had him smiling widely. Northern girls were always a good fuck and he imagined this one could be quite the wild thing given a little persuasion.

"What's your name?" he asked her.

"Helena," she told him, meeting his eyes and he smiled again.

"Are you a maid Helena?" he asked then, his fingers trailing down her neck and towards her breasts.

"Yes," she said and he could feel her heart rate accelerate under his touch.

"Farmers daughter are you?" he asked then, circling her for a moment before fisting her skirts in one hand and pulling her closer to him.

"Yes," she said again, a slight shake in her voice now.

"I bet you never imagined being deflowered by a Lord," he breathed against her ear, gathering her skirts up so he could slide his hand under them.

"You don't look like a Lord," she told him.

"I don't fuck like one either," he growled at her, cupping his hand between her legs; "are you really a maid Helena?" he whispered.

"Yes," she almost whimpered and he pushed two fingers inside her.

"Well, well," he chuckled, "she might be telling the truth after all lads, a nice tight fit"

Laughter surrounded him then and he moved his eyes to Helena's as he rocked his fingers in and out of her a few times. She breathed in sharply but he could see it in her eyes that she was enjoying his touch despite herself. They always gave in in the end. Even his own brother's wife had given in in the end. Euron always got what he wanted. Always.

He slipped her fingers out of her then and grabbed her hand, dragging her away from the others. The camp for the night was still being set up and he had no patience to wait for his tent to be pitched so he pulled her down to the beach, eyeing some sand dunes that would at least partially conceal them from view. He had no qualms about fucking her out in the open but she might have some objection and it was always better when they were warmed up too. One thing he could say was that he had never forced a woman. Women had been reluctant but he had always been able to coax them with his touch and his tongue. Helena would be no different, she may be a maid but she was far from shy, he had seen the look in her eyes and he had already decided that he would not be sharing this one with any of the others. It was too soon to think about taking her back to Pyke as his salt wife but she could keep his cock warm whilst he was here in the North at least.

When they came to a halt he came behind her, sliding one of his hands down the front of her dress and letting a hand cup one of her supple breasts. It fit perfectly in his palm and he massaged it firmly as she stood stiff and unmoving. She was forcing herself to stay still but he could feel how ragged her breathing was as he leaned in to press kisses down her neck. He let his touch become more insistent then, twisting her hardening bud around in his fingers before pinching down just hard enough to make her gasp out. She leaned back into him then and he knew he had her, smirking against her neck before he bit down gently on her tender skin. His other hand came to pull up her skirts then before he encouraged her to her knees. He knelt down behind her and slipped his hand between her legs again feeling the beginning of her arousal. A slight whimper of pleasure left her lips then and he could see the blush rise on her cheeks as he pressed his thumb against the spot that would drive her wild and began to tease her. It wasn't long before she was soaking for him, her hips grinding into his touch, the motion causing her bottom to rub up against him and making him hard in an instant.

"Do you want me?" he growled into her ear and she tilted her head back and moaned softly as he continued to tease her.

"Yes," she whispered out her consent and he moved his hands to her hips, one coming to the small of her back to bend her over.

He pulled her skirts up over her hips then and swiftly unlaced his hardness, positioning himself behind her and rubbing her arousal over him before he pushed inside her. Her first cry was that of pain as he tore right through her innocence but he had warned her that he didn't fuck like a Lord and she was about to understand what that meant. His pace was relentless as he slammed himself as deeply into her as he could on each thrust, her cries of pain soon turning into moans of pleasure as he hit her harder and harder. When she rocked her hips back in time with his he almost smirked at her eagerness as she seemed to want to quicken their pace even more. She was tight and warm around him and he groaned out his appreciation as she seemed to close in even further around him. He loved to make a woman come, it made his own release all the more satisfying. Her arms gave out as she came to her peak and had he not had hold of her hips she would have collapsed down into the sand. As it was he kept going, thrusting into her for several moments more before spilling himself inside her with a growl of ultimate relief. When he pulled out of her she really did collapse down against the sand and he smirked as he laced himself back into his breeches.

"You'll be staying in my tent from now on," he told her.

"Yes my Lord," she agreed faintly, her breathing ragged.

"The other's will be instructed not to touch you," he continued.

"Thank you my Lord," she said.

"Don't keep me waiting," he said as he stood up, "I have plans for you tonight."


Maidenpool


Jaime was tense as he led the men towards the camp, it had been spotted over a league ago such was its size but only now was he close enough to see the banners fluttering overhead. The direwolves and the dragons he had expected, what he hadn't expected were the falcons and the spear pierced sun. Tyrion had mentioned in his letter that he was hopeful of gaining Dorne but he had made no mention of the Vale. As they came closer he saw the Tully fish as well but that was no surprise to him. There were several more banners from lesser houses but he could see men turning his way now and he knew that his lion banners may not be quite as welcome as the others had been. Tyrion had warned him that he had a lot of explaining to do and he knew he would have to answer to Aegon Targaryen about the death of the Mad King. He did hope, however, that he would not have to answer to him about the deaths of his mother and sister. That had not been his doing, he could never have done such a thing and it had not been him who had knighted those responsible. It had been his father who sent the men and Robert who rewarded them, he had merely stood there in his Kingsguard armour and said nothing. Would that make him culpable in Aegon's eyes? He didn't know, but he supposed there was only one way to find out.

They were on the outskirts of the camp now and he called him men to a halt, their banners driven deep into the earth. He would not take a guard with him, he didn't see the point. Only one person was coming with him into the heart of camp and he glanced sideways at her to see her gaze already on him and an expression of concern on her face. Jeyne had been looking at him like that more often than not the further they had come towards Maidenpool and there were only so many reassuring words he had for her. She was worried about the fate of her father and how she would be received after what she had had to endure. Jaime had tried to tell her it wouldn't matter, he couldn't speak of her father's character but he knew Ned Stark's well enough and he knew that Jeyne would be welcomed back to the North. He would miss he though, miss her more than he would ever let himself admit to her. It was selfish of him to want her to stay with him and the children and so he never voiced it. She deserved to go home after everything that had happened to her and he would not be the one to stand in her way no matter what it cost him.

He dismounted his horse then and handed the reins to a squire before helping Jeyne down from her own, unable to resist keeping his hands on her hips for a moment longer than necessary. When he let her go she looked up at him, a slight frown on her face which he smiled to before offering her his arm. She took it and they fell into step as they walked through the encampment of men. Jaime kept his eyes straight ahead and fixed on the two highest waving banners in the centre of camp. His mind was racing but he didn't let his fear and apprehension show on his face. He didn't know what to do, did he thrown himself on Aegon's mercy or did he calmly explain the truth? It was hardly in his nature to beg and deep down inside he had no regrets about killing Aerys. He would explain himself and hoped the young man understood, could see past the fact that the King had been his grandfather and realise the truth about him. It was undisputed that he had been mad, but only Jaime knew how mad he had truly been. He had thought to take the secret to his grave and yet here he was walking steadily closer to the point where he would have to tell it to men who were no friends of his. Gods he hoped Tyrion would be around, at least if his brother was there he could draw some strength from him. He was pulled out of his own brooding when Jeyne suddenly came to a halt at his side, his own steps stumbling as he hadn't expected it.

"Jeyne, what is it?" he asked her, seeing her wide eyes staring off towards something.

"I can't do this," she whispered as he followed her line of sight to see Littlefinger emerging from one of the central tents.

"Yes you can," he said furiously, "it's him who should be ashamed not you"

"Yet I am the one who is ruined, spoiled," she choked out and he grabbed her shoulders in his hands and forced her to look at him instead.

"You are not," he almost growled at her, "you are the sweetest, gentlest woman I have ever known and I will never let him make you feel any different"

"I'm ruined Jaime," she whispered, meeting his eyes.

"No more than I am," he smiled slightly, "we make quite the pair"

She smiled faintly back at him then and he had to fight to urge to kiss her. That had not gone well the last time and he determined that he wouldn't make an advance on her again and frighten her. She had enough bad memories without him adding to them. He could hear Littlefinger's voice then and it made his blood boil as a Northern accent answered him. How was it fair that Jeyne was here terrified and ashamed and yet he was allowed to strut around the camp and make small talk with whomever he pleased? Jaime let her go then and turned abruptly, his anger peaking when he saw that it was Robb Stark that Littlefinger was speaking with. He marched towards them then, Littlefinger seeing him first and frowning slightly at the look of pure fury on his face. Robb turned then but before he could open his mouth and say anything Jaime had raised his fist and smashed it into Littlefinger's face as hard as he could. The man staggered backwards, clutching his hands to his face and Jaime could see the blood trickling through his fingers. Jaime made to swing for him again but Robb grabbed hold of him as Jeyne shouted out to caution him.

"Let go Stark!" Jaime said furiously, shrugging away from him.

"Jaime don't!" Jeyne ran towards him and caught hold of his hand.

"Jeyne?" Robb said, staring between her and Jaime.

"Jaime leave him … please, you aren't here to fight," she implored him, ignoring Robb.

"Say the word and I'll kill him," Jaime whispered to her, meeting her eyes.

"You will not," Robb said then but again he was ignored.

"He's not worth it Jaime," Jeyne said soothingly, "please … don't get yourself into trouble before you've even properly arrived"

"Would someone like to explain?!" Robb demanded impatiently then and they finally looked at him.

"Why don't you explain?" Jaime sneered towards Littlefinger who was dabbing at his split lip with the hem of his sleeve.

"Have I done something to offend you Ser?" he asked sarcastically.

"Me?" Jaime almost laughed, "Look at her!" he demanded, pulling Jeyne to his side.

"I've never seen her before in my life," Littlefinger said, shrugging his shoulders.

"I said, look at her!" Jaime growled out.

"Why don't you give me a clue," he said mockingly and Jaime wanted to punch him again.

"Jeyne Poole," Jeyne spoke up then and Jaime saw the understanding cross his face although it was quickly veiled.

"You remember now?" Jaime snarled, "You remember what you did to her? You remember sending a frightened girl to be abused in a brothel when all she wanted to do was go home? Tell me Baelish, was it your own idea or my sweet sister's?"

"What's going on here?" a commanding voice joined them then before Littlefinger could answer.

"Ser Jaime's arrived," Robb said after a moment of silence.

"I see," came the reply and Jaime turned to see who could only be Aegon Targaryen, flanked by Ned Stark, a man Jaime didn't know and Tyrion.

"Tyrion," a relieved smile came to his face as he named his brother who looked rather exasperated.

"Jaime," he returned, his eyes sliding from him, to Jeyne and then to the bleeding Littlefinger; "you always did know how to make an impression brother."


A/N: Another one down, hope you liked it! Jaime and Aegon will have their little face off next chapter - couldn't fit it all in here!

:)