A/N Thank you to CalliopeGalaxy for the beta! So sorry for the delay! Lately my muse has ADHD!

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Chapter 5

Deirdre walked with Adair to the solar nearby their chambers. She was pleased to find Jeyne already there. The two had developed a friendship since their time at The Crag that helped Deirdre quite a bit. Jeyne wasn't someone under Robb's command like Dacey and Deirdre felt she could speak of things other than wars and battles.

"It's good to see you, Your Grace," Jeyne said, rising to kiss her cheek.

Deirdre had left Adair outside the closed door, so she sat down and lightly admonished Jeyne, "I've told you there is no need to call me that when we're alone. I grow weary of titles among friends. You'll notice that Dacey and Smalljon frequently forget when we're in a small group."

"Jon is not the best person to model my manners and courtesy after," Jeyne said, rolling her eyes slightly. She picked up something she had been stitching and began working again. "At times, he and his father mortify me." Despite her words, Deirdre could see the genuine affection she had for both of them.

"Liar." Deirdre couldn't restrain her laughter. "You enjoy the fact he horrifies your mother too much to be too mortified by his behavior. I heard what happened last night." Apparently, Lady Westerling had offended Smalljon at supper with Ser Edmure and Ser Brynden last night. Smalljon had taken Jeyne's hand and rose to leave. When her mother had asked where he thought he was going, he told her they planned to spend the rest of the night creating an heir.

Jeyne's cheeks flared red. "How did you hear so quickly?"

"Edmure told Robb in front of me," Deirdre smiled slightly before growing thoughtful again. "At least, it made Robb smile. There have been too few of those lately."

"Has he still not recovered?" Jeyne asked, concern filling her eyes. "I would have thought his wounds would have all but healed by now."

"It's not his wounds. He's still suffering from heartache. Losing his brothers and then having the Karstarks betray him so soon after; he struggles with it."

Robb had beheaded Lord Karstark the day they'd found Tion Frey and Willem Lannister murdered. As she had promised, Deirdre had stood watching her husband as he did his duty, biting her lip to prevent herself from crying out in protest. She knew he had to do what he'd done but the woman inside her felt that perhaps the penalty had been too severe and had been gruesome as well. Afterward, she'd been ill. Catelyn said later that she'd grow used to hearing of beheadings in the north, but hopefully Deirdre would witness very few. Robb had spent the remainder of the day in the Godswood. She'd attempted to get him to join her for supper, but he'd refused to eat. That night he'd tossed and turned in bed so much, neither of them slept much. Eventually she'd taken him in her mouth, attempting to distract his mind with his body's desire. It had worked for awhile and then he slept for a few hours. But he never slept much.

The following week had been filled with similar behavior. She attempted to comfort him at night when he'd come to bed with the weight of his kingdom crushing down on them both. His face was drawn and he had dark circles under his eyes. Plus he barely ate or slept as he and his men poured over maps and scouting reports. He'd also sent letters and ravens out, including one to Lord Frey. Robb needed the alliance back if he intended to return north. Right now, they were trapped between the Lannisters in the south and the Ironborn in the north with no way to go home. Home. There was little home left to them with Bran and Rickon dead. Robb's sadness was shared by her and she took comfort only in the fact that their child would soon be born.

"He's a good king that cares so much for his people, even those that betrayed him," Jeyne said quietly. "I doubt Joffrey suffered any guilt when he took Lord Stark's head. But I was surprised that His Grace did it himself instead of using a headsman."

"It is the way of the north. Lord Stark taught his sons the old way, that the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword," Deirdre replied, a shiver running through her. Changing the subject to another difficult but less bloody one, she said, "I suppose Smalljon has told you that Robb must make peace with the Freys."

Pain crossed Jeyne's face and she nodded. "I know and I understand, of course. I wasn't even one of King Robb's subjects when it happened so it makes no sense for him to lose a powerful ally…"

"Jeyne, that's not it," Deirdre interrupted. "It has nothing to do with who your family's loyalty. This is the only way the Northmen can return north. If Black Walder were still one of his subjects, he could punish him: force him to take the black or something. But now, he can't. He also has to ignore the fact that we know Black Walder wanted me killed. Since he didn't attempt anything, Robb cannot assume that he would have hurt me."

Jeyne was silent for a moment before she nodded. Deirdre felt awful about the Frey business. She knew her uncle had told the truth and Black Walder wanted her dead but he didn't actually do anything to harm her. He, on the other hand, had raped Jeyne. Nothing could take that horror away from her, especially so soon after.

This conversation was entirely too somber and it was not making neither of them feel better so Deirdre asked lightly, "How are you enjoying your new marriage?" Where before Smalljon always seemed to be at Robb's side except when Robb and Deirdre were alone, he had scarcely been around since his marriage. His father laughingly mused that he was totally besotted with his little wife.

A pink flush crept up Jeyne's cheeks as she said, "He's wonderful to me. Despite his size and manners, he's very gentle. And he's been patient with me about…you know…" Her pink cheeks blazed bright red now. "The first couple of nights he just held me. I thought perhaps he didn't want me since I was ruined but when he caught me crying about it, he explained he didn't want to rush me so soon after what happened."

Deirdre smiled, thinking back to her wedding night. Robb had also offered to be patient because of her love for Jon yet they ended up making love because they both wanted it. She'd never been able to resist her husband. "Smalljon is a kind and honorable man. Your mother might not like him, but it's unlikely any man from the Crag to the Wall would treat you more gently."

"He makes me smile. The first night I watched over your husband, I saw the genuine affection he felt for his king. Then we talked about many things throughout most of the night. I knew he was different from most soldiers. But when I saw how gentle he was with you and how concerned he was about your well-being, I knew he was not merely trying to impress me. I know his manners are ghastly and he's outspoken when he shouldn't be. Mother says he's a fool and a heathen but he's not," Jeyne exclaimed with frustration and a flash of anger. "He's very clever, but he doesn't speak up all the time. He prefers to listen to every viewpoint and then make a judgment before speaking. Usually his father has spoken by that time. Lord Umber is very rash and vocal while my Jon is introspective, not stupid."

"Robb relies on him for his opinion. Both of the Umbers are close to us both as friends and allies. Excuse me for saying so and I know it's wrong of me to speak ill of your family…"

"Feel free," Jeyne said with a smile.

"Your mother is a bit of a prig. She thinks because the Northmen don't put large importance on courtly manners, expensive finery, or such things, they're heathens. The Northmen have to survive a harsh environment year-round. Their focus is on feeding their people through the winter and making certain they are protected from Wildlings. They scarcely have time to worry about titles and putting on airs. I was there in the summer and it was snowing. Robb remembers times when it would snow as high as his father's shoulder for months at a time. And the Umbers live even further north," she glanced up and saw Jeyne looked concerned. "Don't worry. I've heard Last Hearth is a stout keep and you'll have plenty of time to adjust to the north before Jon becomes the Lord of House Umber. The Greatjon is going to outlive Walder Frey I suspect. One thing I know you'll love about the Northerners is the honesty of the people. It was such a shock to me from how I grew up."

"I do like the Northmen. And you're right about my mother. She's very critical of Jon and it makes me so frustrated and angry. You would think she would want my happiness more than anything else but that's not the case. You weren't very close to your family either, were you?" Jeyne asked cautiously.

"Some of them but I never was close to Tywin's children growing up because they lived in King's Landing when I moved to Casterly Rock. When I went to King's Landing, I became very close to Cersei's younger children and Tyrion. Even Ser Jaime was kind to me," she admitted. "It's hard to imagine but I think he actually cares about me in some manner, or he once did. My family is so hard to explain. Even my own mother…" she trailed off, unwilling to talk about her. Any talk of her family made her feel strangely so she avoided it usually. "At least I was able to see my uncle before they exchanged hostages for him. Some day if this war ever ends and we both survive it, perhaps I will see him again but if not, I know his feelings for me."

"Clearly the king adores you. You can tell by the way he looks at you. Even if he's stern or serious, his eyes soften when he glances in your direction. You seem to calm him. I'm envious. I hope that someday Jon looks at me that way," Jeyne admitted with smile.

"Someday? He already does. You don't know it because you didn't know him before but you've tamed the beast that was Smalljon Umber," Deirdre exclaimed with a laugh. "How you managed to ensnare him so quickly is a great topic of speculation."

Jeyne laughed despite her blush. After their chuckle subsided, she asked, "Will we go north with them or stay here when they cross The Twins?"

"I don't know how much I can say about their plans and I never know them all but I think Jon intends to send you to Seagard before Edmure's wedding so you don't have to see Black Walder. After the wedding, Robb and I will go somewhere until the baby is born. Then Lady Stark will return to Seagard after the baby is born and remain there with you. I don't know about myself and the baby but I don't think Robb wants me and his mother to be in the same place for our safety. Everything depends on Moat Cailin being secured. It's really the only way for a large army to cross into the north safely."

"Are you excited about the baby?" she asked.

"I cannot wait to meet this little one." Deirdre rubbed her stomach. "But I'm terrified that something will go wrong."

"It will be well. Your family deserves some happiness and I just know that things will be perfect."

x-x-x

Deirdre studied the two Freys sent to them as envoys. One of them was actually a bastard named Walder Rivers and the other a crippled man name Lothar, or 'Lame Lothar' behind his back. They had appeared so soon after Lord Hoster Tully's death that Lord Edmure had exploded in a rage. While Robb and Ser Brynden were speaking with them and making accommodations for their stay, Lady Catelyn attempted to calm her brother before she too withdrew in silence. Deirdre could see the pain of her father's passing was of greater import to her than her brother's anger so Deirdre kept close to Edmure, soothing him as much as she could. At least, he tended to listen to her. With Lady Stark he tended to act like the little brother he was and be irrational and petty. With Deirdre, many years his junior, he calmed with a few soothing words and sympathetic gestures.

The Frey alliance wasn't an option at this point, it was a necessity. For that reason, Smalljon Umber and Jeyne had remained out of sight until the funeral and even then, they were with the men of House Umber, far away from the Freys.

Deirdre watched in silence from the battlements with Lady Stark, Lord Edmure, and Ser Brynden as Robb helped the other six men guide the funeral boat out into the river. She was moved by the touching farewell even if she had only met Lord Tully twice and both times he was so unaware of his surrounding, he didn't know who Robb was, much less who she was. He kept confusing Robb and Edmure since Robb was similar to coloring and build when he had been Robb's age. And Deirdre was pretty sure that he thought she was one of the servants if he even acknowledged her presence.

In a selfish way, she was glad that Robb had not been close to his grandfather. She didn't think he could handle another loss. But then she'd feel guilty because Lady Stark had lost more than anyone should. Her good-mother rarely spoke to her anymore or anyone else for that matter except perhaps Ser Brynden. Occasionally, she'd politely ask about Deirdre's health or the baby, but Catelyn had withdrawn from everyone and, unlike Robb, Deirdre didn't know ways to draw her out. The only smile Deirdre had seen from Lady Stark since before she released Jaime had been when Robb told her that their baby would be named Brandon.

She wished she could heal the growing distance between her husband and his mother. They both felt so guilty for their part in events that lead them to this place: Robb for trusting Theon, Catelyn for setting Jaime free. Neither one truly seemed to blame the other anymore, but the gulf between them still grew. She'd tried talking to Robb about it and he had acted dismissively about it, and then changed the subject.

After the funeral, she suggested that Robb speak to his mother alone but first he wanted to talk to Deirdre privately. He asked his mother to wait for a moment while he took Deirdre to the Godswood.

"What is it?" she asked, laying her hand on his arm. He looked beyond miserable.

"I had a raven this morning and I don't know how to tell Mother…" he trailed off and her heart pounded with fear. Before she could ask, he said, "They married Sansa to Tyrion."

After a moment of stunned silence, she said, "Robb, I know this is not good news and you didn't want your sister married to a Lannister but there are worse fates that Tyrion. At least, it's not Joffrey or Tywin. Don't forget, Tywin had once thought to marry me to create another heir rather than Tyrion. He could easily have married Sansa despite her age."

"I don't want my sister married to any Lannister," he ground out and her eyes widened slightly. She knew he didn't mean it as an insult to her but his tone had been harsher than she'd expected.

"Robb, one thing you need to do is calm down. Telling your mother this news when she's just lost her father is going to be hard enough for her to hear. If you use that tone of voice with her, it would be a slap in the face," she replied as calmly as she could. "At least, Tyrion won't hurt Sansa. I can't say I feel the same faith in anyone else in my family."

"If anything happens to me and you, Sansa is my heir. The Lannisters would gain Winterfell and the north."

She shook her head. Tywin as usual had caught them in a trap but what upset her most was that Robb seemed more concerned about Winterfell than the fact it would take his death, her death and their child's death for Tywin to gain anything. Surely, Robb had not reached the point where he cared more about a castle and the north then their family.

"Perhaps you should wait to tell your mother anything until you realize what's wrong with what you just said to me," she replied shortly. When he studied her in confusion, she said, "Sansa is your heir if you and I and our child die. Forgive me if I care less about Winterfell and the North than I do if I were to lose you and our child."

A flash of anger crossed his eyes before he turned away for a few moments. His shoulders sagged and he said quietly. "Deirdre, you know what I meant. I am your husband and my family is important to me but I am also a king. I have a responsibility to my people."

Coming up behind him, she reached up and ran her hands along his neck and shoulders, attempting to massage some of the tension out. "I married Robb Stark, not the King in the North. I understand you must take care of your people but do you remember why this war began?"

He turned his head slightly. "I wanted to rescue my father and sisters."

"This war began because of your love for your family," she said. Coming to stand before him, she stood up on her tiptoes to kiss him lightly. "Don't forget that what you're fighting for." He nodded slightly and he looked so weary, it hurt her heart. But there was nothing more she could do for him.

She left the Godswood and Lady Stark came to speak with Robb. Deirdre hoped Robb was gentle with her. Catelyn seemed so fragile right now. Deirdre felt eyes on her and noticed Walder Rivers and Lame Lothar watching her. The yard was still full of Northmen and Lord Tully's men plus her guards were barely a shout away but she felt uneasiness none-the-less. Lothar smiled at her with a nod of his head. He seemed to be very friendly and she hoped he was more like Olyvar than Black Walder but she felt better when Dacey and Ned walked her way.

"Is all well?" Dacey asked and Deirdre nodded. She'd felt like such a fraud lately because she rarely spoke the truth when asked if things were well. She didn't want to let anyone know how Robb was truly struggling lately with his anger and pain or about the strain of things with Lady Stark. Or even how most of the time Deirdre felt like everything was slipping away from them.

When she came south with Robb, she had no doubts in him or his cause. But over time, this war had become pointless. With Lord Stark, Bran, and Rickon gone and now with Sansa married, she wasn't sure what they were fighting for anymore. She honestly didn't believe Arya was still in King's Landing. Robb didn't want the Iron Throne for himself so all this effort had been for nothing. If they beat the Lannisters, would Robb take the throne? Deirdre knew Robb would never stop as long as Joffrey sat the throne, but she had begun to feel like the cost was too high now. She wanted her child born and raised in the north. The only way that could happen was if they went home which was his intention if they achieved an alliance with the Freys again. But after they regained Winterfell and the North from the Ironborn, what was next? Would Robb just hope that her family and Joffrey forgot that he openly rebelled and let him live in peace? Or would Robb just go home to prepare for a repeat of this whole affair? If that was true, she didn't know if she could stand it once again. She wanted peace even if it meant subjecting themselves to bowing to Joffrey. But she could not ask Robb to do that. Joffrey had killed Ned Stark and that crime must be punished. The question remained though: what price was too high for Robb to realize he'd had enough?

Ned Stark wouldn't want everyone to sacrifice so much to avenge him.

x-x-x

Deirdre was preparing for supper when Robb came to their chambers. She could see by his face that his day had not gotten easier. After her handmaidens were finished with her hair, she excused them. Robb sat on the bed staring into space when she walked over to him.

"She wants me to bend the knee," he said quietly, not glancing at her. "Bend the knee to the boy that killed my father."

Deirdre saw how betrayed he felt that Catelyn had suggested it and felt guilty for her earlier thoughts of the same thing. She didn't know how to answer him. Admit her thoughts had been the same and make him feel further betrayed or comfort him with false words?

"She worries for you," she said quietly. "As do I. With all that she's lost, she doesn't want to lose anymore. I understand…I fear losing you as well."

His gaze flickered to hers for a moment then he sighed, looking away. "You agree with her."

"I want my husband and child safe. I want your men to go home. I don't know what else to say other than the truth. I don't know how this will end and it frightens me. You've lost so much but you're still alive. If you defeat the Ironborn, what will happen with Joffrey and the Lannisters?" she asked, sitting down and taking his hand. "I just want you safe Robb and our child. That's more important to me that anything."

"They killed my father…" he began, glaring at her.

"And avenging him won't bring him back. Robb, I will stand by any decision you make and I trust you to make the right one but as you consider it, remember, nothing will bring Lord Stark back. And he wouldn't want you to sacrifice your own life to avenge his. You know he wouldn't want this," she exclaimed. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek and he watched her with miserable eyes. "You can't bring him back. You can't bring back Bran and Rickon. As much as it hurts, I need you to know that you realize nothing will bring back what you've lost. Is it worth it to lose more?"

He thought for a moment before he said, "I believe in justice and honor. If I allow Joffrey to go unpunished then I will betray all my beliefs. But the Lannisters aren't my concern now. I must win back the north and then perhaps I will know the answer."

"I hope so. But whatever you decide, I will always be by your side," she promised and wrapped her arms around him. "I just don't want to lose you."

He held her for a few moments then sighed again. "The Freys requested your presence when we discuss the terms of our arrangement. I know it's a lot to ask…"

"I said I'd be by your side. I can manage to suffer the Freys," she said with a smile. "Let's go to supper now before people begin to wonder if we've run off together."

x-x-x

After the feast had been cleared away, everyone had left the hall except the two Freys envoys, Robb, Deirdre, Lady Stark, Ser Brynden, Lord Edmure, and a handful of bannermen from the RIverlands and the North. Deirdre hadn't wished to stay honestly, but it had been requested by the Freys.

"Our lord father wishes to settle the matter between our houses, Your Grace. It would be a great honor for the marriage alliance between Lord Tully and his daughter by Bethany Rosby, Roslin Frey. However, we request that the marriage take place before you march north rather than waiting for another pact to be broken," Lothar spoke graciously.

"And how did I break our pact? I agreed to marry his daughter if my wife was not with child within a year. As you see, she's heavy with child and it has not yet been a year. Our conflict at the Crag had nothing to do with the agreement I made, nor did I break it," Robb replied, his voice firm but calm.

"Your Grace, you took the word of Lannister soldiers and bannermen over our brother in the matter of the queen's safety. No one in House Frey wishes ill to befall your queen or your heir. We rejoice in the fact that soon there will be a prince to carry on the Stark name," Lothar said. "Of course, our lord father wished to be grandfather to a future king, but that does not mean he would plan such treachery against your queen. He wants an apology face-to-face from you, Your Grace, for this slight."

Robb's hand tightened on hers as he held back from possibly jumping over the table and throttling the man. Lord Umber, enraged, opened his mouth to speak and Robb quickly said, "As Lord Frey has conditions, so do I." Deirdre noticed that Catelyn tensed quickly, obviously unaware of Robb's conditions or she didn't approve of them. "If he expects an apology from me, he must see that Black Walder is not in attendance of this wedding, nor is he to have any contact with myself, my wife, or Jon Umber and his wife, Jeyne Westerling. I'm assuming you recall that your brother raped an innocent girl at the Crag."

Walder Rivers blurted out, "According to her! That is not…"

When Lord Umber, jumped to his feet, Lothar quickly interrupted while grasping his brother's arm. "My brother is a soldier, not a diplomat. He speaks without thinking. Forgive him." After a few moments, Lord Umber regained his seat and Lothar continued, "The incident at the Crag with one of the Westerling girls was unfortunate, but Black Walder has assured me that was just a misunderstanding. But my brother's moods and temper often lead him to do and say things he should not. I do not doubt that it's possible that he has done this and my lord father has already requested that Black Walder not have any dealings with Your Grace or your people. He will be sent to another holdfast until your departure from the Twins."

"By his denial, he is continuing to call Lady Jeyne a liar," Deirdre pointed out. "That's not an apology, that's an accusation, yet your father wishes Robb to apologize for believing what you refer to as 'lies' about Black Walder. Is that hardly fair?"

Lothar was quiet for a moment before saying, "Perhaps not in your mind, my queen, but my father does not need this alliance. He is providing His Grace an opportunity to put the conflict to rest and align with him once again."

"And if the king chooses not to agree to his terms? Will he then bend the knee to the Lannisters?" Deirdre asked, curiously. "It seems to me that Lord Frey needs this alliance as well for Tywin Lannister does not suffer traitors and would not make peace with the Freys. And unless I'm mistaken, Lord Tully is still his liege lord."

"Not according to King Joffrey," Walder Rivers pointed out. "Lord Baelish has been named Lord of Harrenhal and Lord Paramount of the Trident."

Deirdre had not known that and realized by looking at the other faces at the table, neither had anyone else. There was a long uncomfortable silence before anyone said anything and saw a hint of gloating in Walder River's eyes when he watched her. Edmure appeared on the verge of another outburst so she put her hand on Robb's arm. When he turned her way, she gestured to his uncle and he nodded. Quickly he said, "If I apologize and Lord Edmure marries Lady Roslin, what is your lord father willing to commit to our cause?"

"He'll commit the same number of men that he did before until you drive the Ironborn out of the north. And he'll allow you to cross the Twins with your men to march north again. Once the north is secure, you will need to discuss with him the future alliance if you intend to wage war on the Lannisters again. It is a different matter for him to commit men to take King's Landing than it was to fight the Lannisters in the field and he will need to consider what is best for our house at that time based on the losses we take in the north," Lothar replied.

"When will I meet Lady Roslin?" Edmure asked sullenly.

"At the wedding of course," Lothar answered. "Which will take place soon."

"Wouldn't it make more sense if I meet her beforehand to see if we are a good match?"

"Roslin understands what she must do and she will do her duty. There is no need to meet unless you wish to count her teeth? Our lord father expects us to return with your men or the offer is withdrawn," Walder Rivers said shortly. "Lord Baelish is unmarried. Perhaps our interests would be better served…"

"Please excuse us sers, so we may discuss this," Lady Stark interrupted with a stern look to her brother.

"Of course," Lothar said, rising to his feet. "I do hope that we can set these matters to rest soon, Your Grace."

"As do I," Robb answered.

Lothar remained for a moment before saying, "There is another matter that you need to know but I did not wish to burden you with such ill-tidings on the day Lord Tully was laid to rest."

"What is it?" Lady Stark asked, her face pale and drawn.

"Our lord father had tidings from his grandsons that were your wards in Winterfell. The battle to reclaim Winterfell was lost and when Theon Greyjoy knew he was defeated, he put the castle to the torch and the Ironborn slaughtered the people. Some of the women and children hid in the Godswood and were taken to safety by Roose Bolton's bastard son," Lothar said.

"We've heard nothing of this battle," Ser Brynden argued at the same time Lady Stark said, "All of our people slain?"

"There is much confusion but two facts are clear, Winterfell has been burned and only a few women and children were rescued. They're at the Dreadfort," Lothar explained. "Forgive me, Your Grace, for bearing such grievous news."

Robb said nothing but nodded and turned away from them. Lothar and Walder Rivers departed and the Northmen and Riverlords all began speaking at once about Ramsey Snow, Theon Greyjoy, Walder Frey, and Winterfell. Edmure was lamenting that Walder Frey wouldn't allow him chose his bride as he had said Robb could. Deirdre was too numb to feel much of anything at this point. They had no home to go to, nothing left in the North. She remembered Robb's words at the Crag, "Winterfell has been held by the Starks for eight thousand years. It has never been conquered. And I lost it in less than a year." Turning to him she saw that he was still in shock. Perhaps that was a blessing right now: to not feel anything because he'd surely feel the pain and rage eventually.

Lady Stark was arguing with her brother. "Edmure, Olyvar Frey has spoken of his sister Roslin a few times and she is supposed to be sweet-natured and kind. I do not like this anymore than you do, but we must accept if we wish to…"

"Why must I be the one? I don't see you offering to marry Lord Frey or one of his sons," Edmure shot back.

"Edmure…surely you cannot expect your sister to marry so soon after her husband's death," Deirdre admonished. He was acting like a spoilt child now. She understood it was rather an unpleasant business but she'd been forced to marry both times and the first time had been to a horrible man many years her senior, yet she handled it with more grace and dignity than Lord Tully was showing now.

/The Blackfish said, "I am the last man in the Seven Kingdoms to tell anyone who they must wed, Nephew. Nonetheless, you did say something of making amends for your Battle of the Fords."

"I had in mind a different sort of amends. Single combat with the Kingslayer. Seven years of penance as a begging brother. Swimming the sunset sea with my legs tied." When he saw that no one was smiling, Edmure threw up his hands. "The Others take you all! Very well, I'll wed the wench. As amends."\\

"Good. Ser Brynden please inform the Freys," Robb said, suddenly rising and taking her hand to help her stand. "Pray excuse us. We will see you on the morrow." She looked in his eyes and saw that the shock about Winterfell was wearing off and Robb was excusing them so he could refrain from hiding his feelings any longer. Tucking her arm into his, she walked with him to their room.

/quotes from the text\\