"You don't have to call me Your Grace, Theon." Rose giggled.

"Not so bad once you get used to it".

Rose smiled. There was a time in which she believed Father would try to force her to marry him. However, he was a hostage. One that kept Lord Balon in line. Mother spoke often of this. "You know the Lannisters won't care about your terms or threats. Even with your victories, we can't force them to the table."

"Of course."

"You can fight them in the field as long as you like, but we won't beat them until you take King's Landing."

"How do you expect me to do that?" Rose yelled.

"We can't take King's Landing without ships."

"Lord Renly is planning to. If he sides with me, we will have a hundred and thirty thousand men. The weakest gate is the Mud Gate," said Rose, recounting a book she had once read, "but there are other gates we can hit. Besides, by the time I'm that far south, the Lannisters will have barely any fight left. Besides, I intend to ally with Renly, who has the Redwyne fleet. Please don't say such silly things. IF Renly is with us, they'll sue for peace and I will get my sisters back. I need not the help of Lord Balon the oathbreaker and rebel."

Theon gritted his teeth but dared not rebuke his queen.

"As you wish, Your Grace."

Poor Theon, Rose thought, but I am counting on Lord Renly to help me win this war.

Joanna entered the tent.

"What was that about?"

"You need not worry, little sister. Another stupid idea from my bannermen. First being this bloody crown."

Joanna giggled, "But I like it. You're good at this. Ruling."

"If you say so...It ends with me taking Joffrey's head. Then I may just accept fealty to the new southern king."

"Your bannermen will hate you."

"Did they hate King Torrhen?"

"..As you say, elder sister."

"You know I can legitimize you, Joanna." Jo looked as if she was about to cry. Become a full Stark? Beyond her wildest dreams and all she had ever wanted.

"Your mother-"

"Can shut up and deal with it. I'm queen." Rose grinned. Joanna giggled and hugged her.

"As long as I am with you, elder sister."

They were getting closer, Rose thought. She couldn't help but blush as Joanna's breasts pressed up against her own.

"Go get my mother. I wish to speak to her."

"Do you think it was wise, turning Theon down?" asked Rose.

Mother nodded, saying "You don't want Balon Greyjoy as an ally. Your father had to go to war to stop his rebellion."

Rose nodded, "Yes but Father did too. And now I am. How the world works out."

"We're not just rebels. Did you forget about your sisters?"

Rose was shocked, "Of course not! But if I trade the Kingslayer for two girls, my bannermen will kill me by morning! I am struggling desperately to hold their respect as it is."

"You want to leave Sansa and Arya in Cersei's jaws?! What are we fighting for if not for them?"

"I'm fighting for all of my sisters, Mother. All of them. You've always hated Joanna..."

Catelyn's jaw tightened. "She has nothing to do-"

"Really? Joanna is here now. Fighting with me. You never wanted either of us to learn, but now I'm leading 20 000 hard men to war. You can't go back to Winterfell. Not yet. I am sending you to negotiate with Renly Baratheon. I can't go myself because I'm in the middle of a war. But if we-"

"Why in the world-"

"Let me finish. If we ally with Renly, we'll outnumber the Lannisters three to one. Tywin's on the back foot. I can't draw him out and he won't come for me when the capital's in danger. If we follow Renly in, we can save my sisters. Tell Renly, attack the capital immediately. My host follows within the fortnight. Tywin will feel the jaws beginning to shut...and we'll get Sansa and Arya back in a peace deal. A real peace deal. Don't worry...I'll send Lord Umber to protect Winterfell and the girls with 5000 men."

Catelyn shook her head, "It's a risk, Rose..."

"...I know. Take Theon with you. You can control him better than me." Rose giggled. "In the meantime, I will send a raven to Lord Balon myself. He can either join us in this new world or die in his old one. If he betrays us, I want Winterfell protected." she turned to Lord Umber. "Ensure. my lord, that you protect my sisters."

"As you wish, my queen." he nodded.

"I haven't seen Renly since he was a boy!" Catelyn continued to protest. "Send-'

"Who do I trust more than you? If I could go myself I would. I need you to do this for me, Mother….I love you."

Catelyn's tears fell from her cheeks as she cuddled her eldest girl, "Y-your father would be so proud of you, baby."

Rose smiled sadly.

"He'll be proud of me when I win this thing."

Rose marched her army to Oxcross. With a mighty shout, her men surged forward to attack the encampment, led by Ghost, Grey Wind and herself.

And the name they cried on their lips was "QUEEN IN THE NORTH!"

After the battle, Roose Bolton confronted her.

"In my family, a naked man has few secrets. A flayed man, none."

"We may not be in the North, Lord Bolton but I will not give the Lannisters any excuse to abuse my sisters any more than they doubtless have already. No. Prisoners will be given quarter."

The fate of the war hung in the balance.