A/N: This is the last proper chapter guys! I'm still working on the epilogue so it might be a few days away. Sorry to have kept you waiting on this one - they don't have wifi at festivals! :)

Special thanks to guest reviewer Isabelle for such lovely words, I'm glad you enjoy the story and I'm touched that you think I'm a good writer (that's the dream!)

Thanks: darkwolf76, crazychic94, FireLioness, Destiny911, everyone else who follows & anyone else who's reading! :)


My Kingdom Come

I sighed happily as I gazed down over the courtyard, more people were arriving as I rocked my two month old son to sleep in my arms. He gurgled slightly then and I looked down on him, his eyes still wide and bright as they gazed up at me. Robb had been right, his eyes had changed over the days and weeks after he was born and now it was like looking at my own, at my mother's.

"I wish you'd sleep, I have guests to greet," I told him and he smiled at me, waving a fist.

"There you are, Robb is asking for you," Lady Stark's voice sounded behind me then.

"He's refusing to sleep," I sighed.

"Give him here, I have never failed to get a child to sleep … give me ten minutes," she smiled.

"Thank you!" I exclaimed in relief, shifting him over to her.

"Now are you going to be a good boy and sleep for your Grandmother?" I heard her coo at him as I hurried from the room.

Robb was waiting in the entrance hall for me and he smiled in slight relief as I hurried down the steps towards him. We had been doing this all week, more and more guests were arriving every day for the coronation which would take place in two days. He gave me a one armed squeeze briefly before the doors of the keep opened to reveal our latest guests. I didn't recognise them but I assumed they must have fought alongside Robb from the warm welcome he gave them. I played my part, I was warm and friendly and courteous, but all the time I wanted to be back upstairs with Tristan.

"You can stop smiling now," Robb whispered in my ear when the guests were ushered to their rooms.

"Was I obvious?" I asked.

"Not to anyone but me, and you almost had me fooled," he smiled at me.

"Not quite though hmm?" I smiled back.

"No, not quite," he said, glancing around before pressing his lips to mine for a moment.

"Am I going to get you to myself at all before this coronation?" I asked when he pulled away.

"You mean our coronation … and I promise, tomorrow night I'm yours," he assured me.

"But not tonight?" I questioned, letting my hands trail his chest.

"Are you missing me?" he teased, twirling a lock of my hair around his fingers.

"You know I am," I almost moaned, I was desperate for him but he had been kept so busy lately.

"Tomorrow you can show me how much," he whispered in my ear, making my knees weak.

"You tease Robb Stark," I muttered under my breath as he walked away.

The day before the coronation was all dress fittings and wine tastings and the Septon telling us over and over exactly what had to be done. I tried to look interested as he droned on and on, stifling a laugh when I looked over at Robb and saw that his eyes were completely glazed and unfocused. Thankfully I managed to escape after dinner as I had to make sure everything was ready for the children. They would be attending the coronation and under the charge of Lady Stark and Arya, I hoped they'd behave. I had already explained it to Ned and he seemed to understand, I wasn't completely certain I got through to Alienna, her eyes glazed over exactly the same was Robb's had earlier. There was nothing to be done about Tristan, he was a baby, all I could do was fill him with milk and hope he'd sleep through it all.

I grew impatient waiting for Robb, pacing up and down in front of the fire, throwing another log on it every now and again. It was a little foolish I supposed, but I really wanted to have him one last time as Robb, tomorrow he would be King, a true King. Tomorrow things would all change for us again, no longer would we be pretenders to some lost throne, we would be King and Queen in the North – properly, officially, unquestionably. I couldn't deny that that fact scared me. When he finally came through the door I stopped in my pacing and stared at him.

"Sorry," he said at once, no doubt catching my irritated mood.

"Bed," I demanded and he raised his eyebrows at me; "now," I added, and he grinned.

I watched him hungrily as he slowly stripped off his clothes, standing on the opposite side of the bed from me. He was teasing me I knew that much and I narrowed my eyes at him which made him smirk. I decided I could be just as bad and so I loosened my robe, letting him see that I had nothing on underneath. His eyes darkened then and it was my turn to smirk, I had him now. He practically tore off the rest of his clothes and I dropped my robe to the floor, both of us going for the bed at once, meeting in a furious kiss, our hands roaming everywhere as we sank back into the pillows and furs.

I ended up astride him and I grabbed at his shoulders, pulling him up to me so I could press my body against him, his lips going for my breasts before trailing up to my neck, making me dig my nails into the hard muscles of his shoulders. He let his teeth graze my neck then and I was lost, a moan escaping me as I pressed my body even closer to his, shifting myself so he could slip inside me. One of his hands moved to my upper thigh then as he groaned against my skin at the contact. I was already breathless as I began to move slowly, his other hand tangling in my hair as his lips somehow seemed to kiss me everywhere.

One of my hands clasped around his upper arm as I continued to move, the other pulling through his hair, dragging him up from my neck so I could claim his lips with mine. He seemed more than happy to oblige, deepening the kiss at once, his hand tightening on my thigh as I kept up my slow movement. I could feel myself getting close, the slow pace was building my pleasure deliciously and I was finding it hard to keep kissing Robb as my breathing became more and more laboured. He pulled away, obviously sensing my need for air and attacked my neck again, I turned my head so I could kiss along his temple and forehead, giving him better access to my throat as I did so.

I moaned out then as he hit the most perfect spot, his hand trailing away from my hair and coming to rest on my other thigh, his grip on both tightening as I got closer and closer. He could feel it, I knew that as he encouraged me to quicken my pace a little. I obliged him and he growled out against my skin as I climbed even closer, I was on the edge now and then I fell, crying out his name as I did so, hearing him groan out my own as he reached his own end just after me. We stayed entwined for what felt like an age, our arms tight around one another, breathing hard against each other's shoulders.

"I could stay like this forever," I whispered.

"If only," he whispered back, kissing my shoulder lightly before shifting me off him.

He didn't move me far, pulling me down against his chest so I was cradled protectively in his arms, his lips pressing against my hair as I listened to the familiar thud of his heart. It was always so easy to fall asleep in Robb's arms, even with the weight of the occasion ahead of me I was still asleep within minutes of him pulling me to him.

Theon came to see me the next morning just as I finished getting ready, I was glad to see him when Lady Stark let him into my rooms, thinking that he would help calm my nerves. He smiled widely at me and I couldn't help but return it as Lady Stark excused herself and went to tend to the children.

"You look lovely," Theon told me.

"Thank you," I smiled, smoothing the front of my green and silver silk.

"I brought something for you from Radlan, I think it was your fathers," he said then.

"Show me," I breathed, my eyes wide and he reached into his jacket pocket.

He pulled out a chunky silver brooch in the shape of the leaf of Ardenne that my father had always worn on special occasions. I stared at it for a moment, blinking a few times to see if it was real, I had long assumed my Uncle had frittered away anything of value.

"Where did you find this?" I asked him as I took it with shaking hands.

"Hidden, under a loose board in the main rooms," Theon told me.

"He must have put it there to keep it safe," I breathed.

"He never told you?" Theon questioned.

"His illness took him quicker than expected … I suppose he never got the chance," I smiled sadly.

"Well, you have it now," he smiled back.

"Thank you," I told him meaningfully, "thank you so, so much Theon!"

"You're welcome," he said, smiling even more widely before I embraced him briefly.

Robb came up not long after and he and Theon also shared an embrace before Theon wished us both luck and left us alone. We simply looked at one another for a moment before he came towards me and folded me into his arms. I took a deep breath to try and stop myself from shaking, feeling him place a kiss to the top of my head before I pulled away to smile at him.

"Nervous?" he asked me.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I questioned.

"I can give the North back if you want," he smiled and I shook my head.

"No, I mean … me … Queen in my own right," I said, keeping my eyes on his.

"Ailsa you're my wife, my Queen, and I want you ruling by my side," he said firmly.

"It's just so …" I struggled with the words.

"Unconventional?" he suggested and I smiled.

"I suppose," I agreed and he gripped my shoulders firmly.

"I know you don't want to hear this …" he began.

"Then don't say it," I said, shaking my head again.

"But if anything were to happen to me …" he continued.

"Don't Robb," I stopped him.

"I wouldn't want anyone but you ruling until Ned came of age," he finished, ignoring my protest.

"But …" I began, but he cut me off with a kiss.

"The Lords agree with me, I won't change my mind," he almost growled when he pulled away.

"I know," I sighed in defeat.

"You have already done so much, our reign can only get easier," he smiled.

"I love you," I told him then after a moment of just looking into his eyes.

"I love you too," he said, kissing my forehead, "are you ready?"

"Give me a minute," I said, stepping away from him and walking to the mirror.

I took a deep breath as I stared at my reflection, I looked the part that much I could admit. I took another breath, as I smoothed a flyaway bit of hair down and checked for any creases in my dress. When I was satisfied I picked up the brooch Theon had brought me, my hands shaking slightly as I fixed it to the bodice of my dress so it nestled between my breasts. I wondered what my father would think of me today as I moved my hands away, noticing as I did that they no longer shook. I smiled at my reflection then, my nerves suddenly leaving me. He would be proud I knew that, not just because I was a Queen, but because I was happy. I turned to Robb then and nodded, taking the arm he offered me.

I was ready.

"I proclaim you in sight of the Old Gods Robb Stark of Winterfell, first of your name, King in the North, the rightful ruler and protector of its people – long may you reign!"

"Long may he reign!" the people chanted behind us and I took a deep breath as the crown was lowered onto Robb's head, knowing my turn was coming.

"I proclaim you in sight of the Old Gods Ailsa Stark of House Ardenne, first of your name, Queen in the North, the rightful ruler and protector of its people – long may you reign!"

"Long may she reign!" the people chanted again and I kept my head bowed as the Septon lowered my own crown onto my head.

Robb and I looked at one another then, small smiles gracing both our faces. It was done.

"People of the North – your King and Queen!" the Septon declared then and we rose to our feet and turned to see those who had come to witness our coronation knelt before us. Even Ned and Alienna were on their knees with their heads bowed and the sight made me want to laugh. I contained myself though and took Robb's arm again.

We walked through the crowd, thanking them all as they congratulated us, I had never seen Winterfell so full of smiles and it was infectious. I couldn't even remember why I'd been nervous as I felt Robb's familiar, reassuring presence at my side. Now that it was done I realised just how much it had meant to be. All the fighting, all the death and the pain, all the struggles each one of us had endured had been worth something in the end.

The North had its freedom. We had our peace. Our glorious celebration that was for each and every man and woman of the North as much as for us.

I looked up and Robb and smiled then, seeing him already looking down on me, a wide grin on his own face. I knew then, I knew that no matter what we would always be the same. Once all the splendour of the day was stripped away it would just be me and Robb.

How it always had been.

How it would always be.

How it would end.


A/N: So that's the last real chapter! Hope you enjoyed the end, I can't thank you all enough for sticking with the story, it's been a long old journey and I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.

I'll be posting another Robb/OC fic very soon called 'Paying the Toll', so if you guys wanted to check that out when it's up that would be amazing!

I'll get the epilogue up as soon as I can!

Thank you all again for your follows/favourites/reviews/views. I am just so grateful to you all :)