"I wish I could be with you the first time you set foot in Winterfell," Robb lamented, his hand caressing his wife's hips through her furs.

Margaery ran a hand through his beard, a bittersweet smile adorning her face. "I do as well, but I'll be there waiting for you. Just don't take too long, or you may not recognize me. I'll be trying to conceal a stomach the size of a melon beneath my dresses."

"And you will still be the most beautiful woman in Westeros," Robb said, stealing a kiss. "I hope my Mother has not been too smothering since she received the news. It is a long journey to Winterfell and it is a rather confined space in the carriage."

"She has been perfect, Robb," Margaery stated. "She's just excited for her first grandchild. I'm sure she will have much to teach me about being a mother and the management of the castle."

"She will. I'm afraid I have to let you go now," Robb sighed. Arm in arm, he walked his wife to the carriage outside the walls of Seagard that would carry her, Robb's mother, and Princess Shireen to Winterfell. Arya had insisted on riding horseback, and neither Robb nor Jon had it in them to tell her no. They had decided that it would be the safest for Shireen in Winterfell, as far away from Stannis as possible. After saying his farewells to his mother and sister, he walked to where Jon was seeing to his own horse.

"This doesn't feel right," Jon stated, as Robb ran his hand along the horse's mane. "I should be with you when you take Casterly Rock. Who is going to make sure you don't die doing something heroically stupid?"

"I've got many good men who I trust to follow me into battle," Robb noted. "However, there are few who I would trust with the safety of my Queen and our family."

"Well when you say it like that, you make me sound like a whiny cunt."

"You're often a whiny cunt," Robb smirked. Robb pulled Jon into a tight embrace. "Be safe."

"You as well," Jon ordered.

"I expect we'll have taken Casterly Rock by the time you reach the Wall, so I will send you a raven there once it is ours. You can fill me in on what's happening there. Be wary of Roose Bolton. I fear they've been left to their own devices up there for too long."

"I will. If I can, I will gather more men on my approach to the Wall. Perhaps some of the mountain clans will join us, especially if they've been dealing with the wildling incursions as well."

Robb watched solemnly as Jon mounted his horse and rode to the front of the column where Robin Flint and Hellman Tallhart waited. Robb waited until each of his three thousand men had disappeared into the distance before retreating back into Seagard.

XxXxXxXxXxXx

The sea air was crisp as it blew across Robb's face. He stood next at the helm aboard the Golden Gale, watching the ships ahead rise and fall with the waves. Being at the rear of his army was not his preferred position, but in this case it was necessary to their plan. They had left port in two detachments, the first led by the Blackfish's landing party, then followed after by the rest of their force. The small boat that they would maneuver to the Rock was strapped down on the deck of the Gale. It would be just large enough for the eleven men who would enter the mines, plus Ser Davos.

"You look tense," Theon noted from his side.

"Trying to work out every possible scenario for how this could go wrong," Robb answered.

"Probably should have done that before we left."

"I did, I'm just doing it again."

"Love this fucking air," Theon exclaimed. "This is where a Greyjoy belongs…on the open water on a fast ship."

Robb looked to his right, where Theon stood, seemingly content. "You aren't my prisoner, Theon. All you have to do is ask it, and I would see you safely back to the Iron Islands."

"I know you would," Theon stated. "I've dreamt of it for years…taking my place as heir. When you were named King, I thought it may be wise to approach you about an alliance with my father for his ships. Your wife came through on that front, though, before I could."

"You're proud of your family name, Theon. I could not fault you for that, whatever I may feel for them. But I don't believe I could ever trust a promise of alliance from your father."

"Why is that?"

"Because your people take pride in a way of life that preys on those weaker than them. Any offer of alliance that I made to your father would come with the requirement that the Ironborn abandon their raping and reaving ways forever. I'll be damned if I look the other way while innocent men, women, and children are attacked along our northern coasts, or anywhere else for that matter. I fear if you return there, then it is inevitable that one day you and I will be on opposite sides of a battle."

"What else am I supposed to do, if not return to my family?"

"Don't go back. Make your own path. Eventually, when all of this is over, the Redwynes are going to take their fleet back to the Reach. However, I believe it is time that the North had it's own fleet of ships. I'll need someone to oversee such a substantial undertaking."

"So, you'd have me build ships for you?"

"Not just build them, but command them as well…be my Master of Ships. And such an important position would come with certain benefits…land, a holdfast, a lordship."

"You'd turn me into a proper northern lord?"

"Theon, you've been a northman just as long as you've were an Ironborn. You just have not admitted it to yourself yet."

Theon looked to his right, staring out toward where the Iron Islands rose out of the sea. "It's a generous offer, Robb. I'll need to think on it."

"Good," Robb said. "Think hard and long, because when those Ironborn ships come after our coast, it would be you who I would send to break them and send them to meet their Drowned God."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXx

They sailed on for two days, making excellent time on favorable winds and calm seas. On the third day, Robb stood out on the bow of the ship and saw smoke rising in the distance as they passed the Fair Isle. The Blackfish had clearly reached Kayce and begun the siege there.

Robb retreated back to his cabin, pulling off his furs and slipping on his leather jerkin and greaves. They would need to move swiftly and quietly through the mines and into the castle, so wearing loud and burdensome steel armor would be impractical. After he had secured his belt and sword, he walked back on deck where the men were preparing their small boat with weapons and provisions.

Each man would carry a bow and quiver of arrows with them, as picking off guards quickly and quietly was imperative. Gendry was not much of a marksman, but Robb would count on him to do as much damage with his war hammer to the defensive positions as he could. While it was unpleasant, they would also carry bags of dried manure to burn strategically through the castle. The thick smoke created by the manure would serve a two-fold purpose, the first to provide them cover for their movements and create confusion, the second as a signal to the rest of their army that they had successfully breached the castle and to press the attack.

When their ships drew even with Kayce, Robb could see that the Blackfish was well on his way to taking the town. There were arrows flying from all directions, but the skirmishes on the ground seemed to be limited. As Robb had ordered, his Great Uncle had set up defensive positions to the rear to meet the reinforcements, who already had appeared to to show up, whether from Casterly Rock or surrounding towns, Robb could not say. Bells from inside the city rang continuously as the attack pressed on.

The true madness came when they finally reached Lannisport. It was clear that word had reached the castle and the city about their imminent arrival, because they were set upon harshly as soon as they entered the harbor. The Lannisters had a small fleet, but they were making use of any vessel they could commandeer to mount their defense. Small fishing boats full of Lannister archers were making their way into the action, shooting flaming arrows at enemy sails to try and set them alight. Meanwhile, catapults rained massive boulders on them from defensive positions in the city. Robb watched on as one such boulder tore a massive hole into the hull of a ship just in front of them. Water quickly began to seep in, sinking the bow and forcing those onboard to abandon ship. While the sight was disheartening, he knew his focus needed to be elsewhere. Casualties in war were unavoidable.

Turning away from the heart of the action, Robb looked to his men. "Now is the time. Anchor here and let us get the boat into the water." Using a system of ropes and a significant amount of manpower, they were able to lower the boat into the harbor. A ladder made of ropes was thrown over the side to allow them access. Davos was the first man down, followed one by one by the rest of his Kingsguard. Robb would be the last man down. Grabbing an axe, he severed the ropes that were still securing their small vessel to the Gale, before hustling his way down the ladder.

They were crammed tightly into the boat, but he gave little thought to comfort as they used a set of oars to push away from the Gale. In their preparations for the attack, they had meticulously planned the formation of their ships in order to create as much cover as possible. The fleet was fanned out widely in the harbor, and Robb was confident they would be unseen, or completely ignored as a not presenting an imminent threat. As soon as they had rowed to the rear of the Gale, Davos unleashed the sail and they took off toward their destination.

There was no question that Casterly Rock was impressive. As Robb stared up at the massive piece of earth, he could just barely make out the walls of the castle. It would be no short trek up through the mines…if they made it there. The closer they came, the harsher the water came beneath them. Robb tensed as he saw the waves crashing repeatedly into the base of the Rock.

"Everyone keep an eye out for the access point," Robb called. "We'll need to move quickly."

They were almost fully to the rear of the Casterly Rock when Patrek Mallister exclaimed, "There, your grace! I see it!"

Following Mallister's gaze, Robb indeed saw what they were looking for. The mouth of the cave was barely visible, but it was clearly there, tucked into a cove created by a space between the Rock and another steep island some distance away. However, it readily became clear that there was a problem.

"It's too fucking high," Davos called from the rear, where he steered them closer. The man was correct. The opening was meant to accommodate larger ships, and difference in height between their ship and the opening was at least the length of two men. It was a serious problem, and Robb pondered desperately for a solution. He looked up and found his answer. About half way up the height of the Rock, a foot bridge connected the main structure to the other island, which appeared to house a Sept. The bridge was situated right above their targeted entrance.

"Someone hand me a length of rope," Robb stated, as he reached down to pull his bow. He blindly pulled an arrow from his quiver before taking one of the end of the rope that Theon had located. "Davos, get us as close to the Rock as possible. We'll need to be precise about this." Robb tied the rope in a knot just behind the head of his arrow, before nocking it on his bow. He aimed the bow towards the sky, just above the footbridge. He held his breath, drew back, and as soon as Davos had them in place, released.

"Hold the other end! Don't let it go!" His arrow flew high and true, over the covered bridge and arcing down on the opposite side. It crashed into the water, and Robb turned back, relieved to see the other end still held tightly in Theon's hands. "There is our way up, lads."

Davos brought their boat to where the arrow and rope were bobbing the in the waves, and Robb retrieved it quickly. They anchored the boat, but it slammed back and forth into the rock repeatedly to the point Robb began to feel he may be sick. Steeling himself, he handed his end of the rope to Smalljon Umber, knowing his massive build was best for the job.

"Hold it steady, Umber," Robb ordered. Throwing his bow and quiver over his shoulder, Robb took the rope from Theon and began to climb, while the Smalljon pulled. In no time at all, Robb was level with the mouth of the cave. Gripping the ledge, he hauled himself over and instantly drew his sword. There was no one waiting for him, but Robb was not able to see any deeper inside. He turned and a saw that the others were already well on their way up. When the Smalljon, the last of them, was finally up, Robb looked back over the ledge.

"Get yourself back to the fleet, Davos," Robb said.

"No plans to stick around, your grace. Good luck."

Trusting that Davos could handle himself, Robb turned and look to the other who were waiting for his command. Theon had managed to procure a torch, and was looking deeper into the cave. "Don't see any sign that someone's been down here recently," he stated.

"That may be, but still be vigilant. There's a chance someone may have seen our ascent."

They began the trek upwards, a slow-going trudge through narrow shafts with treacherous footing. The mines were vented every so often, but the air was still stale and thin, and Robb could feel a burning in his lungs at the exertion of every step forward. They moved as quickly as they dared, but many of the support structures appeared to have been built a century ago, and the fear of a cave in was always lingering. Robb was almost certain that no mining had taken place in quite some time.

After hitting numerous dead ends, they finally came to a large set of double wooden doors. A faint bit of light peaked in through the seams, and Robb put his ear to the door, but could not hear anything from the other side. He pushed against them, however, they did not move even a bit.

"It must be barred on the other side," Robb stated, stepping back.

"I can break the hinges, Robb," Gendry suggested, holding up his massive hammer.

"It will likely draw someone's attention," Wendel Manderly cautioned.

Gendry looked around and strode over to a corner of the room where it appeared a bundle of leather tarp had been left abandoned. "Put this over the hinge. It will muzzle the strikes…not completely, but enough so steel won't hit steel."

Robb grabbed the fabric and spread it thickly over the lower left hinge. He stepped away, watching as Gendry raised the hammer over his shoulder. With a mighty downward swing, the hammer struck, completely separating the hinge from the door. Their had been an audible thump, but Robb thought they were still in the clear. After repeating the process with the upper left hinge, the were able to pull the door away and remove the bar on the other side.

They entered into what appeared to be a large storage room for the miners. Carts and rack of picks and other equipment were lined up along the walls. "We're in the castle properly now," Robb advised. "If you see a guard or solider, take them down. Avoid any unnecessary killing of innocents. We're taking the castle, but we won't be savages in the process."

Robb nocked an arrow on his bow and began to cautiously move through the storage room and into the next hallway. He saw passages approaching on the left and right. Glancing back, he saw that his men had split into two separate columns, no instructions needed on their approach. Counting to three in his head, Robb turned on the last count, entering the left-side room.

It was immediately clear that they had made their way into the castle's dungeons. Cells lined each side of the wall, most of them apparently empty. At the end of the hall, a guard sat on a stool, not paying a bit of attention to his surroundings. Robb loosed his arrow, which hit its mark in the guard's neck, not allowing the man a chance to alert others. Robb heard arrows being loosed in the other room behind him, but did not stop to look.

He made his way towards the dying guard, looking for any other threat, but finding none. The guard post was at the bottom of a set of steps, and Robb's goal was to keep moving higher in the castle. Robb looked back and saw that his entire group was with him again. "How many were there?" He questioned.

"Two guards, both dead," Theon answered. "There was no outlet that way, so this must be it."

Robb led them up the steep stairway until they reached another door. Luckily this one was unlocked. As they stepped through, Robb, for the first time, could hear the sounds of battle raging. It pained him not to know how things were faring outside of the castle, but he could only control his own task. The new room they stepped into looked to be some sort of barracks. It was currently unoccupied, but by the way the room was haphazardly left, it looked to have been abandoned quickly upon commencement of their attack.

Robb pulled the door to the barracks open a crack, and saw that they had finally managed to reached the main level of the castle. Guards and castle inhabitants were scrambling for cover as arrows flew over the walls. The bells were ringing incessantly.

"This is it," Robb stated, briefly meeting eyes with each of his men. "We're entering the jaws of the beast, eleven men versus hundreds. Be on the lookout from all sides. There is no help coming for us. We'll split into two groups. I'll head east, and the Smalljon will lead his group west. We meet at the gates or we die trying."