They made camp at Wayfarer's Rest, a castle nestled at the base of mountains amongst a forest which cast a rather magical look upon it. The town was not overly large but indeed welcoming, men coming from their homes and shops to help the army set up their camps and tents whilst the women brought ale and food, Lord Vance opening his home to Robb and the lords who followed him still. Lord Karyl Vance attempted to invoke joviality in his guests, treating them cordially and preparing food and beds for them all but all were too sombre to partake of any kind of festivities. Robb pardoned himself to Lord Vance, promising to offer his thanks for his hospitality after he had seen to his sister and Lady Rhaena's comforts. Quietening himself, Lord Vance bowed his head acceptingly and offered his sincerest condolences before having the ladies taken to where they were given a room to themselves as Rhaena managed to whisper that they would share. She did not wish to leave Sansa alone in a strange place, especially not with her in such a condition. Robb could only watch helplessly as Rhaena did everything for his sister. Washing her face, her hands and feet, brushed out her hair and fed her by hand when food was brought to them. The soup was rich and creamy, Sansa would like it if only she would realise she was being fed. Robb collapsed into a chair and pressed a hand to his mouth whilst holding himself together by the barest of threads. "Has she not spoken a single word?"

"Not one. I believe she is in shock. If a maester could look at her condition it might help us to understand, perhaps he might have a remedy to help soothe her." Rhaena spoke but her voice broke several times over, her hands beginning to shake as emotion welled up in her throat. "I do not know how to help her. Oh Robb…I am sorry. I failed you. I failed them. Sansa is all but a walking corpse and your mother…your wife…I failed you all!" Her hands could no longer keep their grip upon the bowl of soup and so it clattered to the ground as Rhaena lost the strength to stand. Lady whined softly as she stood up with worry but did not approach for Robb was already with her, bringing her into his burly arms and burying her into his chest whilst she sobbed. He wept with her but silently, his own pain rising in the presence of Rhaena's until both were utterly unable to console the other, only share in their misery. They remained that way for a while but a knock upon the door disturbed them and Robb was called for, for he was still king and he needed to give his men orders. At that moment he wished they had never named him King in the North, for all he wanted to do was stay with Rhaena and his sister in order to comfort them however he was able. But he could not, and Rhaena knew it. "Go. We shall wait here for you. Go to your men, encourage them but let them see your grief. Let them share in it. They will rally behind you if they feel your pain and take it as a personal assault." Still trying to be the voice of reason and wise counsel, Robb murmured Rhaena's name as he stroked her face to rid her of the wet trails down her cheeks.

"Do not think of anything but yourself, Rhae. Cry if you will, or scream, anything that you need. Do not think of me, not even of Sansa. See to your own pain. I will return soon." Pressing a kiss firmly to her brow, Robb then rose to his feet and kissed Sansa also before sweeping from the room, wanting to complete his duties swiftly so that he might sooner return. Feeling the imprint of his kiss still branded against her, Rhaena drifted thereafter to ready Sansa for bed. Someone came to light the fire and bring wine as well as some honeyed oatcakes but Rhaena had no appetite. Lady had already licked the floor clean of the soup and devoured the goat's leg which had been brought for her so she was now gnawing and crunching upon the bone, licking at the bone marrow within. Once Sansa was in bed, Rhaena helped herself to a shawl and draped it over her shoulders before settling by the fire, once more feeling empty of all tears and too exhausted to do anything other than stare at the flickering flames as the light wore itself away. By the time Robb returned it was completely dark, entering after a soft knock and hearing the quiet voice which invited him inside. He looked first to Sansa, asleep in the bed, before then turning and walking to where Rhaena sat by the fire with her feet tucked up against her, holding herself in such a manner which made her seem far smaller than her true height. "Rhae?"

"How are your men?" Swallowing back the thick swell in his throat, Robb gradually sank into the chair opposite her to join her by the fire.

"Tired. They tire of fighting, tire of marching. They want to go home, and I do not blame them. We have not even won the first war before another has taken its place. Their loyalty keeps them at my side…but I know they want to go home." Looking at him, Robb too seemed to shrink in the wake of long shadows cast by the flames within the hearth. He looked like a boy once again, lost and confused and utterly finished. "I do not think I can continue like this."

"Perhaps then it is time to put down the sword, Robb."

"And allow Frey and Bolton to take their victory without challenge? You know I cannot do that. They killed my wife who was carrying my child. They killed my mother. They would have killed you and my sister too had you not escaped." His biting voice made Rhaena flinch though she knew it was not meant for her. Bitterness hung over them both and Robb possessed an anger he was unable to release for his enemies who deserved his wrath were still far beyond his reach. "How did you escape?"

"In truth I do not entirely know myself, Robb. Something happened I cannot understand." So she told him of how she had felt this sensation which began in her stomach pass throughout her entire body when something had felt amiss at the wedding. She described how she had gone to fetch Lady as Sansa was too drunk from wine to remain awake and needed to retire for the night. She related how the song had begun and she had vomited, had seen the men in their chainmail and swords go out to slaughter their guard and how when she had run back to the hall, she had seen the massacre of the wedding guests. Although it was difficult to hear, Robb wanted to know the truth. He needed to know exactly how it had happened so that he would never forget what he owed Lord Frey and Lord Bolton. Death. Horrific deaths. Dishonourable deaths, for they had no honour themselves. His only regret was that Rhaena first had to relive the experience before he could know the truth. Still, Rhaena did not falter, even when her throat constricted and her voice almost became lost, she forced herself to continue recounting what had happened. She told him of his mother's bravery, bargaining with Lord Frey for hers and Sansa's safety, how she had screamed at them to run before she had been killed in cold blood. It was then Rhaena began to explain the sight of fire surrounding her in between fainting and rising back to consciousness, how the heat had danced through her body whilst she held Sansa, how she had wanted nothing more than to turn everything to ash but wanted Sansa somewhere safe first. She described how the light and heat had swept forwards and engulfed them and the next Rhaena knew, she was awakening in a forest far away from The Twins with Sansa and Lady beside her and a few paces away, the earth had been scorched by fire but it had not spread any further than a few feet in a round circle. Her story, a potent mix of horror and mystery, held Robb silent for a long time as he could not keep the images rising to his mind of his wife bleeding on the ground and his mother's throat being cut open.

"I can only thank the gods you and Sansa were saved. Perhaps it was they who delivered you from that place." He decided finally though he doubted it keenly. If the gods were that merciful, they would have saved his wife and mother, his men. So many dead. So many fathers and sons, including his own child whom he would now never meet. "Rhae…I do not know how to keep you and Sansa safe from this. My army is broken. Our lands are lost. We have nothing left. There is nowhere I can go where I can keep you safe from the Lannisters." Reaching out for her, Robb placed his hands upon hers as they held her knees close to her chest. His mournful gaze would have shattered her were she not already so broken. "There are no more allies to call upon. No one I can turn to. We have lost."

"I do not believe that." Shaking her head, Rhaena summoned her courage and uncurled herself from her chair in order to place her hands within Robb's more firmly, looking back into his eyes unflinchingly as her unwavering resolve began to rise from where it had been sleeping inside her. "There are still those out there who oppose the Lannisters, oppose Joffrey. Stannis Baratheon is one of them. He still seeks to claim the Iron Throne. If you chose to pledge yourself to him, he would be a means to ridding the world of the Lannisters for good. You could then petition him to help you reclaim the North and the Riverlands, to depose the traitorous usurpers. If nothing else, Stannis believes in firm justice. Once he learns that Lord Frey broke the sacred tradition of guest rights, he will agree with your cause. He cannot stand traitors. I am certain he would gladly help you hang them for their crimes." Tightening her grasp upon him, Rhaena was determined not to see Robb give up hope just yet. Not whilst there was still reason left to continue seeking justice and vengeance. "And there is someone else. Someone in the east across the Narrow Sea. My sister. I hear she has raised an army and possesses three dragons. I can go to her and take Sansa with me. We will be safe with her and once she has the ships she requires, I do not doubt she will sail west to lay claim to the throne herself."

"More fighting. More war."

"It would be nothing to do with you. By the time she has gathered her full strength, I imagine Stannis would have already weakened the Lannister armies. They will exhaust one another, whilst you and your men either stand with him or pick at Frey's and Bolton's defences, weaken them gradually until they do not have the strength left to oppose you, then by that time, it would take very little to bring the North and the Riverlands back under your control." Her eyes burned brightly, more alive than they had been in days, capturing the image of the fire in their violet depths. "My sister has three dragons. She will no doubt ride one. I too am a Targaryen. If I can bond with one of them, it will allow me to ride it into battle. When the time is right and the dragon is grown, I will return and fight alongside you, Robb. What army can withstand the might of a dragon? I will burn their siege engines and destroy their armies. I will turn them all to ash if it means you and your family will be safe and in their rightful place." Staring at her, Robb could scarcely imagine Rhaena riding on the back of a dragon and flying to his aid. His mouth twisted into an amused expression, thinking how terrifying such a sight would be.

"You dedicate your heart to us so firmly, Rhaena Targaryen. What did we ever do to deserve such unwavering faith and devotion?" Turning her hands over so that he could envelop them completely, Rhaena lowered her head until her brow met against his fingers.

"Long ago your father saved my life, Robb." She murmured quietly as her head remained bowed over their hands. "He saved me, and I lived because of his kindness and honour. I admired and respected him from a young age, loved him even as my mysterious saviour. Imagine my joy when I was informed that the entire court would be journeying North and I would finally be able to meet the man who had saved me all those years ago. Your father was everything I envisioned him to be and more. I loved him instantly. I wanted to repay him for my life, but in my position, I had nothing of value to offer." Recalling the past, Rhaena slowly began to smile despite her aching heart, thinking of Bran appearing at her window and Rickon's sleepy smiles when she carried him with her, of Arya demanding stories and Sansa walking arm in arm with her. "Your entire family welcomed me and made me feel for the first time in my life that I had a place in your home. Your siblings brought me joy, your mother treated me as one of her own and your father…he swore he would protect me and take care of me. Promised that I would never suffer again and had he lived, I knew I would have lived a happy life under his protection. I felt love and kindness unlike anything I had ever received before, and it was all because of your family, Robb." Now lifting her head once more, Robb could see her face was fluctuating between resolute and despairing. "I will defend your House to my dying breath, Robb Stark. I love your family. Your sisters and your brothers, like they were my own. I love you. I love you fiercely, and I will not allow anyone to cause you harm. But now someone has hurt you, I will rain dragonfire down upon them until they are nothing but ashes." To hear such passionate words, Robb could not help but feel moved.

The love which Rhaena spoke of was an uncertain one. He did not know if he meant her love for him was that of a sister or a woman, or somewhere in between. Perhaps it was something else entirely, but right now, he could only stare at her in silent admiration. Already he could feel his own resolve rising to meet hers, determined to see his mother, his wife and unborn child avenged. Rising suddenly to his feet Robb pulled Rhaena up with him and placed her against his chest to embrace her once more, holding her close to him and breathed deeply. "East." He finally whispered into her hair. "You should go east to your sister, and take Sansa with you. I know you will keep her safe, and the further she is from this place the better off she will be. Perhaps she will heal in time and awaken from whatever it is that keeps her from being herself." Rhaena prayed this would be true, but the moment she thought of leaving a cold dread settled upon her.

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know, I'll have to think about it. I could join Stannis like you suggested…or I could go North. To the Wall. The Night's Watch are facing the King Beyond the Wall and his army of wildlings. Jon will be there and fight against them, but the Wall has been severely undermanned for a long time now. They won't hold. Not without reinforcements." Even as he spoke Robb sounded uncertain. Would his men still follow him? They had been fighting for near enough three years now, they would want to go home. "We failed to take Casterly Rock." Speaking quietly, Rhaena lifted her head to signal she was listening, looking into Robb's face which was wrought with emotion. "We were so close to victory, we would have taken the damn castle and everything Tywin Lannister loved, but then word came of what happened at the wedding feast and the Frey soldiers turned on us. They took us by surprise, killed most of my men before we had even understood who we were fighting. It was a butchery. Were it not for Grey Wind and Nymeria, I would have been killed by one of Frey's own sons. Came at my back with a knife but Grey Wind tore him apart and Nymeria jumped on another before he could skewer me with a spear." Drawing in a deep breath Robb slowly sank back into his chair, no longer having the strength to remain standing and drew Rhaena with him, settling her upon his lap where she seemed to naturally curl up against him, his arms curling around her so that she nestled neatly against his chest and shoulder. "I do not think I was meant to be a king."

"You were meant to be a leader, Robb. No one can deny that." Rhaena reasoned softly as she gazed wistfully at the fire. "A king's crown is always a heavy one, and you've already been fighting for so long against impossible odds. You have been betrayed time and time again, but still you fought. It is a king's duty to uphold justice, but it is important to also listen to his people. If your men are ready to go home then send them home. Winter is coming. Homes needed to be tended and food gathered from the fields. They long for their wives and their children, for their hearths and their own beds. If that is what they want, then that is what you should give to them. Loyalty and love will decide who goes and who remains with you, but if you give them the choice to go, then you will find far more are willing to stay. Present them with a plan. Show them that you are not yet beaten and they may still choose to fight for you." It was strange how much comfort Robb took in Rhaena's words. They were almost the same age and yet her voice was wreathed with wisdom and intelligence, tact and reason.

"Perhaps you should lead them. Give them a smile and any man would follow you even into the seven hells." Drawing his fingers through her hair, Robb wondered how it had come to be like this. His parents murdered, his home burned to the ground, three of his younger siblings lost, Sansa mute and unmoving, and his wife…agony welled up inside him every time he thought of Talisa. Her family would perhaps never know of her fate. He would not even know how to write to them or what language to convey his words in, not that he would even be able to speak it. "I made so many mistakes, Rhae."

"Everyone makes mistakes."

"A king's mistake is a deadly one, and I have made many." Sensing his heartache Rhaena hushed him gently, placing her hand firmly against his chest over his heart. They remained wrapped in one another's arms, each drawing comfort from the other as there was no one else who could understand the true cost of their losses, the mournful sorrow they felt. Rhaena brushed at Robb's hair as his fingers rubbed gently circles into her back, pressed so tightly against one another they might have melded into one as she continued to hush and soothe him with her lulling tone.

"Then you learn from them," she instructed simply. "You learn and you honour those you harmed with your mistakes by never making them again."