A/N:

Holy moley I had no idea it was almost 10. Where does the day go? But anyway,

Thanks everyone! I will be annoying and repeat this every chapter, but I LOVE getting reviews and readers and faves so I must express my gratitude. Thanks!
And also special thanks to all my reviewers since my last post: Guest (get ready for more Jaime time), HermioneandMarcus, Narsilia Stark (I want to! But he disappears so often. Tyrion's my fave.), Guest (aw thanks!), Darksnider05 (Oh I did not know that! Also I think my writing of mild Jon Snow angst is more subjective. Of course his actual angst just makes me sad. I also sort of agree with the multiple options thing. But I guess George needed some guy over there!), and StarkStruck11 (your penname makes me giggle with happiness).

Also thanks for all of those offering some advice! It's really helpful.

Disclaimer: Please don't sue.

Now to things you care about...

It wasn't much later that Bran fell.

Cass did not hear it, but the people who did said his yell was otherworldly, that he collided with the earth with a thump and a bang that sounded like he was falling on solid ground and water simultaneously. She was both surprised and relieved to hear he survived the fall. But she did not visit him. It was not her place to. Lady Catelyn stayed forever by his side, and she remembered the screams that evaded the door when Jon stepped through and soon out.

"He's still my brother."

She caught him in the godswood soon after, following the white fur of the wolf off the castle grounds to see Jon sitting beneath the crying trees. "I know."

"She...she never liked me much. And I don't blame her, not really. I must remind her of some prostitute her husband fucked and that's it."

Although she knew that was likely true, Cass didn't believe what Catelyn was doing to Jon was exactly right. He wasn't her son, but he was Ned's. He was a Stark despite his name, and he deserved more respect than a stranger. Cass changed the subject, rubbing her hands together in the cold. "How is he?"

"Bran is strong, but..." Jon scowled. "He wanted to be a knight, Cass. He wanted so much out of life, and if he doesn't wake..."

"I can't imagine he wouldn't. He did not survive that fall to lay in bed forever."

"I have to leave before he wakes up." Jon obviously did not want to, but he was returning to the Wall with his uncle, and Tyrion, surprisingly enough. "I hope he heard me say goodbye."

She hugged him. Cass didn't really know what she was doing, but she hugged him and wished he would stop feeling like this. It ate at her chest. Her heart bumped and pounded, repeating to herself that none of this really actually mattered to her. She had no connection to the Starks and especially Jon Snow, but she couldn't help but think that these people did not deserve this at all. Cass sighed. "You want to be alone?"

Jon looked at Ghost who had been sitting behind him, and the white direwolf walked away into the trees. Cass started to follow but stopped to say, "I'm sorry this happened to you all." I'm sorry that you have to go to the Wall. And that my family is taking your father too. She swallowed those thoughts. The heart tree seemed to be staring at her even as she moved.

Jaime was in a wretched mood. She wanted to train, but instead, she was dragged to Jaime's room and was sitting on his floor, watching him pack. Jon Snow had left already, and they were to leave for King's Landing soon too. It will not be fast enough. Cass's initial grim image of Winterfell was slowly becoming reality. Her black dress wasn't warm enough for the stone floor at all. She must have been pouting.

"You look like you're at a funeral."

Cass didn't respond, but just continued to watch Jaime Lannister fold so carefully, piece after piece, and pile it into his boxes. "Do you not have some servant to do this for you?"

"Packing cleanses the mind."

"You should fuck a girl." Cass didn't know where that came from. Maybe she was tired of Jaime always having that suggestion for her that she decided to throw it back at him. "I hear that cleanses the mind quite well."

"Now you sound like my brother."

"Or yourself. Perhaps it is a Lannister mindset. You think if I buy Joff a girl he'd be less of a prick?"

Jaime seemed to redden at that, in anger more than anything else. "Joffrey is not of age. And you should not call the prince and your nephew a prick."

"I suppose you're right." She knew she would not win that battle. "I'm sorry, Jaime. Something is obviously on your mind."

He didn't answer.

"Is it Bran Stark?"

Jaime stiffened and shook his head. He just kept piling clothes into his luggage.

"What then?"

"I'm just anxious to get home, Cass. I'm not training you today. You can go if you wish."

"You are the one that dragged me here." She remained on the floor though she knew he wanted her gone suddenly. "Must got some reason for that."

"Don't speak like a fucking peasant."

"I am not, Ser Jamie. And must I remind you that you may be a sibling to a queen but I am one to a king." She stood up. "Do not speak to me like I am some common peasant. You have no right."

He turned to look at her. "Lady Cassana..." Jaime paused.

"What?" She was angry now. Now she wanted to leave, but she stood and waited for him. "Well? Spit it out."

"Forgive me." She wouldn't have believed he said that if he had not said it with such authority. "I am acting...strange."

"I will forgive you for acting like this if you explain what you mean." She sat on his bed.

He didn't follow her but started to pace about the room, hands crossed and eyes narrowing in such a way that would have made most men look ugly. But that seemed impossible for him, and Jaime just circled about before stopping. "I do not like the Starks in the Red Keep."

"What has that to do with anything?"

"Nothing. I'm not sure. I do not have the mind for politics and games that don't involve embedding metal into someone's chest. But Ned Stark is a naïve pup and I don't want you taking him in."

This was not what she had been expecting. Maybe a lecture about Jon Snow or even, if he heard from Robert, Robb Stark, but not Ned. "I don't understand."

"Come on, Cassana." Now he sat by her, and Cass looked away. "We are going home. The Starks are coming. I see how you smile with them around you."

"They are nice people."

"And we all know how well nice works in the Red Keep. You were a nice little girl once too. And now you're...you're..."

She huffed, "I'm what?"

"Strong." Jaime finished. "Which isn't a bad thing at all. But Ned holds a different strength that does not suit well for the Iron Throne."

"He was not the one that sat on it when Aerys was killed." Cass said it jokingly, but Jaime grimaced and did not look at her. She bit her lip. She shouldn't have said that; she knew how much Jaime hated to think about that man, about what he had done to stop him from burning people alive. "Jaime, I'm sorry."

He grunted. "For what?"

"The man was mad. For gods' sake he's called the Mad King. I don't mean to bring up those memories again. It wasn't a good time for you, I'm sure."

"It's fine." He turned at that, smile there, face lighter, and Cass thought that maybe it was actually fine. She wondered if anyone had ever said that to him before.

"And do not worry about Ned Stark, and certainly do not worry about me. He and I are no fools. I believe he will be a good Hand."

"That is why I am worried."

Cass groaned and threw a folded shirt into Jaime's chest. "This will change nothing, Jaime. And with all luck, I'll be married within the year and sent away from King's Landing."

His face paled. "Yes. I suppose."

"Who do you think the highest bidder will be?"

"I do not waste my time thinking of such trivial shit."

"Maybe the little Arryn. He's the Lord of the Vale now. Good match. Robert and his father were friends as you know."

Jaime would have choked had he been drinking or eating anything. "Gods you can't be serious. I'll kill him now if you are. How old is he? Five? Six? Never mind. You'll eat him alive yourself."

She ignored Jaime's suggestion. "Or the Martells maybe. Perhaps they'll even wait until after our wedding before they hang me."

That one earned her a laugh, which was exactly what she had been aiming for, but a part of her was also curious so she asked, "Who would you have me wed, Jaime?"

"I only know what my siblings would say to this matter." Jaime started to fold again. "Tyrion would say to find a good match—a man who would treat you with the respect you deserve but someone with enough power for your house. Cersei would probably have you move to Essos."

"Essos?" That took her by surprise. "Why?"

"Her proper advice would have you be queen. But of course not of Westeros."

"Perhaps I can rule the Wildlings." She grabbed a shirt and started folding, until she remembered what day it was and what she should have been doing. "Jaime, I have to go. If you need more help, look for me in my room, yes?"

"Yes, yes." He waved her off. "I'll pack in peace with you gone. Cass?"

"What is it?"

"Meet me on the grounds tonight."

She smiled at the door and he returned the expression. Whatever foul mood Jaime was in seemed to have passed.

Her handmaiden had already packed everything for her, and she went to Sansa and Arya's rooms to see if they had done the same. The two were distracted with Bran—not that Cass could blame them—but they were leaving tomorrow morning, and Cass asked the two girls before what they would want to bring with them.

But there were no handmaidens there. Only boxes of luggage and dust on the floor. Cass pulled the list from her skirt pocket and walked to see if anything was left in the room when she heard a knock on the open door. "Robb..." Her head turned down, and Cass found herself curtsying. She did not know why he brought out such...such...formality, but Cass went along with it. "I did not see you."

"Thought I may find you here." He eyed her curtsy with puzzlement. "I was with Bran...Arya mentioned that you were checking things for her. That is kind of you."

She shook off the compliment. "How is your brother?"

"Still sleeping." Robb bit his lip. "My father does not wish to leave with him resting."

"A part of me feels your father does not wish to leave at all."

Robb did not say anything about that. His blue eyes took in the empty room before him and he walked slowly inside. "Everything is changing. I did not think that would happen should the king come. And yet here you are and here this is. I feel stuck in this wind."

"Robert did not mean to steal your family in such a harsh time. It is just...difficult for him to rule alone. If you would have them stay, I can..."

He shook his head before she could finish. "It is time I learn how to run Winterfell, I think. I will miss them. But they will return in time."

She was grateful he refused her. She didn't exactly know what she could say to Robert at all. Cass nodded, still looking at the list and checking off the items. Everything seemed to be tucked away in the luggage. "You said that you were looking for me?"

"Yes. Uh, yes I did, didn't I?" Robb scratched his hair. "I just wanted to talk to you if we didn't get a chance to tomorrow morning before you set off. It was nice meeting you, Cassana Baratheon."

"We've already met before, do not forget." Cass smiled and nodded. "But yes. It was nice to meet you, Robb Stark."

"Bran falling..." Robb shook his head. "He never falls. He's climbed those towers thousands of times. It does not make sense. How luck and fate can change like that... it makes me think."

"About?" She moved the luggage cases so that they were square.

"Time, I guess." Robb swallowed, "And just that I would like to meet you again-maybe sooner than 15 years if it please you."

"It would please me." She continued to move the cases in various ways, not looking at Robb directly. Gods her face was red. Thoughts of marrying Robert Arryn of the Vale filled her head again. "Very much so."

"Good." He laughed a bit which made Cass turn to see him staring at his shoes. She did not know what he was doing here. He looked completely unlord-like, messy hair and dark, unadorned clothing, but she did not mind. "This...it's silly, but I thought we may forget each other once again when you return home."

It was then Cass noticed that he was twiddling something in his hand. It was silver—a ring—and Cass felt her heart stop. She was sweating. She had been told too many stories before about boys and their rings. Robert and Jaime had warned her too many times about this possibility. Her brother had always told her it would be some insignificant bannerman's son. And Jaime just implied that whoever he was, he was idiotic. Robb did not seem to be any of these things yet. "What's that?"

Robb jumped at the question and stared at the ring. "What? Oh? It's just a ring. I got it from Maester Luwin when I was just a boy. It...it doesn't fit me now." He handed it to her without anymore explanation, and Cass stared at it. It was very plain, silver, with no markings except a small outline of a wolf on one side. She looked up at him, stunned, and unsure that he knew she could never wear this in public. The wolf was too much a mark—too strange for a Baratheon to wear, especially an un-betrothed, female Baratheon. Cass looked up again at his face, and she saw he knew nothing of this. This was not a proposal or a mark of ownership, and Cass thought that maybe it was exactly what Robb said it was: an innocent memento.

"Thank you. I'll..." Her hand went to her neck. "I do not think it will fit even my finger except the smallest, and even then it may be too tight." She did not try it on. It may have fit just fine. "Do you mind if I put it on this chain?" It was a long chain—a gift from Stannis when she was thirteen-representing something ancient and old that she had long forgotten. The ring would be hidden underneath her bodice.

Robb shook his head, overeager. "Of course not." His hands went to her neck and he tried to snap the chain off the metal hooks. He did with some fumbling, and handed the metal links back to Cass. She slipped the ring on and had him re-hook the chains, letting the ring be exposed for now.

"It's lovely, Robb." She bit her lip. "Oh wait." The lady in her wanted to return the favor, but the Baratheon thought of what she would give that would go unnoticed by Robert and Jaime. "I...I..."

Robb kept laughing at her as she turned to the rings and bracelets she was wearing, examining each one carefully only to give up on it and move to the next.

Cass frowned. "I'm sorry...everything was my mother's and my brother would send me to Essos if I gave it away. But I'll..."

"I did not give you something in hopes of receiving something back, Cass."

"I know, but you should get something anyway. Just give me a minute to think of what."

He kept laughing at her, but Cass did not relent. She started running her hands through her hair and found one of her pins holding her braids. It was unadorned, really. A simple gold pin with a blue sapphire on the edge. She had many of them, and no one would notice it gone except the braid she took it from. "This also has been mine since I was little, though it still fits. I do not know what you can..."

Robb took it without question and slipped the pin through an empty hole in his belt. "We are even now?"

"Yes." She felt like a Lannister for some reason. She held out a hand and Robb took it. "It was nice meeting you."

She tried to turn out of it, knuckles digging into the stone and getting cut. Her muscles hurt. Her right arm was held behind her back, crooked and awkward, but she wouldn't yield. Cass tried pushing him off with her back. She tried twisting her hips around, the bone sliding across the abs and ridges of his chest, but he readjusted too quickly. He mounted her again. His strong legs pushed against her sides, squeezing her and holding her body hostage. He let go of her arm in the process, drawing instead a small dagger from his belt and holding it up to her throat. The metal felt cold and rigid against her skin.

Cass pushed his legs, but he didn't shift. "Jaime!"

He said nothing but moved the dagger to the chain across her neck. It was hard for Cass to see much in the moonlight, but she could see his green eyes "You shouldn't wear jewelry."

"Yes." She was sweating. Cass stared at his green eyes as the weapon fiddled with the chain around her neck, the chain she was too stupid to take off. "Though other times you say to make this as realistic as possible." She tried to move his hand away but missed as he moved his arm. Jaime was wearing a thin cotton undershirt only, and Cass moved her head away from his, suddenly uncomfortable. "I yield."

"It's incredibly like Stannis to give you something so mundane."

He was still on top of her, his legs not letting her hips move at all. "I yield, Jaime."

"What's this?"

Hells. Cass grabbed his wrist and moved the dagger away from her face. "You are supposed to warn me if you plan on using a weapon."

"Realism, Cass. You were absolutely right about that. Will some sellsword give you warning right before he rapes you?" Jaime sniffed and let the dagger fall from his hand. "This ring is not from Stannis."

She kept her voice calm. "The Starks gave it to me. It's a memento."

He eyed her coolly, but his legs were still pushing against her. Jaime lowered his head down so that he was closer to Cass' face "You can't wear that in court."

"I'm not an idiot, Jaime."

"They'll think you're sold to them." Jaime became expressionless, and it was only a few awkward silences later that he shifted off of her, grabbed her dagger, and held out his hand. When he helped her off the floor, he asked, "Did you?"

The saliva was caught in her throat at the question. "What?"

"I know we've joked about this earlier, Cassana."

She nodded, "So it surprises me know why you seem so serious." He did. Jaime's usual smirk had faded, and in the dark she could see the shroud under his eyes, like he hadn't been getting sleep. "Joffrey is the only Baratheon betrothed to a Stark. But why are you so worried about this?"

He hesitated and created more space between them, leaving Cass cold in the wind and air of Winterfell. "It's just becoming more real. My nephew is engaged and you are not. It is only a matter of time."

"You're right." Cass moved up to him. " I'll be leaving King's Landing soon." The thought made her upset. She disliked the Red Keep sometimes—it got boring, and when it wasn't boring it seemed that everyone was stepping on glass, avoiding or telling secrets behind everyone's back. But it was her home. She would miss it whenever she left for good.

"If you knew how to use a sword, you could join the Kingsguard."

She laughed at his joke and handed him the white cloak Jaime had thrown on the ground before. "And stay in the Red Keep forever? Never to marry?" She realized her tone was mocking and Cass inhaled before asking something that had always been on her mind. Jaime had forfeited so much for this—to protect her brother, a man he did not even know. He lost his inheritance, lost his chance to have children, all for what? "Do you ever regret it?"

And even though Cass had thought of all those things and knew how hard the Kingsguard was, she was still surprised when Jaime looked at her and said, "Every day."

A/N:

Some brief notes. I used Robert Arryn instead of Robin because well...I guess I'm following the books more than the show? (though the show is pretty darn most times).

Also, Robb may seem awkward because I imagine he is awkward and dumb around girls because of..something. This has nothing to do with how he is as an actual lord. I need to stop speaking now before I ruin things.