A/N:

So sorry for the delay! I've been so busy with things, and now I feel guilty.

Thank you thank you to all my readers and a special thanks to those who have reviewed! (here's the list since my last update):

Aeryan (the fanfic author in me is too nice), purple sky always (I don't think it'd be satisfying at all if she didn't :D), ThatGirl54 (It's sort of what she wanted...haha. the plot is getting too thick to move! Thanks!), Kaleighsu (Whoa, thanks! Cersei is actually super fun to write. And I'm glad I can induce the same level of hatred, haha), Guest (Thanks! And yeah, the Hound...someone on that side needs to be the tiniest bit for her side of things. And compared to Cass' speech, I guess his was nothing to them), Guest (Thank you! I try to keep you guys wanting to read :D), Guest (thanks thanks!), meri (Oh Cersei. If only she had a legitimate child this mess would be done), MorraHadon (Wow, that was exactly it. I'm glad you're getting into Cass' head so well! and thanks :D), DamonSalvatoreLover (Glad I could surprise you!), Lisolotte (Thanks so much! Hope it keeps you interested!), and Dido (I just found it amusing petting someone who can so easily kill you the in the next week or so. So I guess it's like the lion, ha. And oh Jaime. There will be more of that!).

This chapter is somewhat explanatory and may be boring...bear with me :D

Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire or any of the places, characters, or...anything else actually owned by GRRM.

They were on the road within a few hours.

Joffrey had made the announcement, appearing a compassionate king that honored his late father's wishes. "For a father's wishes are above all others". Cass snorted at the fresh memory of the young king's speech on the Sept. She wondered what his real father, Jaime, would say under these circumstances. He'd order me dead at his feet. That she was sure of. She remembered what he thought of the Starks and couldn't help but think if she'd ever see the Kingslayer again.

Cassana would be announced kidnapped the following morning. The ravens would fly all around Westeros of the news, especially east. She did not know what sort of lies Cersei would cook up nor could she think of a way out, a way to put things back the way they were. To the world, Ned Stark was holding her against her will, and the one place he took her from was the one place she did not want to be. I cannot go back there. I will not. But she wanted no trouble for the North. She did not want her brothers hunting the Starks down. Renly would know better. Cersei did not know he would. He had talked to Ned and had liked the Starks. He would not believe the Lannisters, and when he united with Stannis, all would be solved. Cass held on to that thought as they rode through the cold night air.

They brought multiple banners: a stag, a wolf, and Joffrey's own lion and stag combination. Stupid of them to change the sigil. As if the suspicions of Joff's birth weren't bad enough. Cass could not comprehend why they would sew a lion on his banner. A part of her was grateful for the severance from her own house, and she did not question as they flew past town guard after town guard. The North was a long journey, but this trip would be faster than her previous one to Winterfell that seemed ages ago.

Ned was in a caravan behind her and the guards. He was too sick to ride. His leg...Cass did not know if he could keep it. It was crushed and broken and infected from small cuts. He'll die out here. Cass swallowed. They had already been traveling for so long and were a week away from Winterfell, in Tully land, and the Tullys were a friend of the Starks.

"Lady Cassana." The Lannister bannermen were not so bad despite what she initially thought. You cannot judge a guard by their masters. Their captain, Henri, was an older man with graying blonde hair that looked silver. He was an honorable man, Cass knew. He would not betray his lord, but he was not a monster either. He respected her nobility, and seemed to look at Ned Stark with nothing but pity. "I received a raven from Lord Tywin."

"Lord Tywin?" She did not know why the lord of Casterly Rock would be sending ravens to this party. "What does it say?"

"There is war already brewing, my lady. Robb Stark has assembled his army to get back his father and sisters. The Lannisters are fighting over their brother's false accusations and defending the crown. Lord Tywin has received word from Queen Cersei about our travels and has a host heading towards the Trident and the Green Fork, and I think we should be two days ahead of them."

Cass nodded. She wanted to go to Riverrun and give Ned Stark to a Tully maester, but with Lord Tywin Lannister's host so near, Captain Henri would not allow it. She stared at him, waiting for him to break the news to her, but he didn't. He is waiting for my decision. She wondered if he really did think she was Ned's escort and not...exhiled. Cass did not want to risk asking to go to the Tullys, but she did not want to see Tywin Lannister either. She had always felt uncomfortable around that man. "We will ride before him then. Fly my king's banners, Captain Henri. I will not waste time traveling with an army, but it will be good to know the Lannisters have our back." It was hard to swallow those words.

Joffrey's banners flapped forward as they rode past the Green Fork and over the Trident. Ned had a fever, and Cass went to him most days, pretending to be tired from riding, but really soaking Lord Stark's head with cool water. He slept more and more, and she could smell the death from his leg. Cassana shuddered and sat by him, waiting for Ned to wake from his sleep. She had no milk of the poppy, and Cass wondered how Ned could go to sleep like that, so fully.

It was not too much time later that her party of ten Lannister men, her, and Ned Stark's caravan, stopped completely. There was a host ahead, but it was not Tywin's. They were out of eyesight from scouts, Captain Henri had said, and Cassana knew that they would not risk going further. "Join Lord Tywin's ranks if you like." She ordered some men to have Ned taken out and ride on horseback. Cersei wishes to crush us here. She did not know how advanced this war was, that Robb was already marching, and Tywin and probably Jaime were coming to meet him. They have no chance against the Lannister army. She means for us to die in this war. Cassana swallowed and led Ned's horse on foot.

There was no one to hold the Stark banner for them. Their party was already retreating back, a day away from the Green Fork and Trident and their true lord. As Cass came closer, her heart was dropping. They would not kill a maiden and a sick man, especially when they recognize him. But the first banners she saw were not a direwolf. They were towers, and she recognized them to be of Walder Frey, a man Robert had often spoke poorly of. There were others too...she did not know them. They must be Northern men. Cass swallowed. They could shoot her down at any second, but she continued to walk towards the hordes of grey tents.

There were horses approaching, still not of the direwolf though. The banners flew four chains linked by one circle, flailing in the cold wind and light drizzle. She had no weapons to drop to show she meant no harm; so instead, she knelt down in the mud as the great man dismounted his horse and walked forward, bannermen flanking him.

"We are just passing through, my lord." Cass did not know who this man was, but he must have been a lord. "We are to Winterfell."

"Winterfell. Aye, you'll never make it there with this man." His eyes were only on Ned Stark, still unconscious with fever, and Cass could not determine if they were pleased to see him or not. Her question was soon answered, "Gods, Ned. I thought you escaped, and yet this girl leads you to your camps half-dead."

Cass stayed knee-deep in mud, not saying a word as the big man grabbed the reins of Ned's horse. He turned to her, "Who are you, girl? Your travel clothes are too fine, but you cannot be the Baratheon."

"I am she." Cass stood, still unsure if that was the right answer or not.

"Then why did you not run?" He had still not offered his name, but Cass saw he was missing two fingers on one of his hands. The gloves were flopping in those spots. "Why stay with the man who holds you hostage?"

"The Lannisters held me hostage, my good Lord." This was a northern man, Cass knew it for sure now. Cersei had sent a letter ahead, but she did not know of what. "Did the lions beg for my return? Was that it?"

"Aye."

In case my brothers intercepted the note. Cersei had probably sent several ravens addressed to the Starks east instead of west. "I can explain more of your lord and mine's escape. But I am tired and need rest."

"And a good bath." He sniffed and laughed, "My apologies, my lady. I am Lord Greatjon Umber."

"Pleased to meet you." She smiled weakly. "This is the camp of the Starks then?" It was hard for her to understand that Robb had done this, that he was in charge of this all. "...is the acting Lord of Winterfell leading you against the Lannisters?"

"No, my lady." Lord Umber clearly saw her confusion and he smiled. "The King in the North leads us."

The camp was large, but she knew from all of Robert's old talks that it was nothing compared to the Lannister army. Cass walked forward, the Greatjon as he was called beside her, and another man leading Ned's horse. "Please take care of him."

Lord Umber seemed shocked that she had asked that question at all but nodded. The Starks took care of their own men. She had done her duty and Cassana sighed, her shoulders feeling lighter.

She was not, however, brought to a tent to rest, nor was she brought to bathe as the Greatjon had kindly suggested. Men escorted her to a large tent towards the back center of the camp, and Cass froze a bit before being pushed forward. "The young wolf wishes to see our guest."

They call him that? She remembered herself saying the name. She meant it as a slur, but she was glad to hear Robb and his men had taken it as their own. Her breath became ragged as she approached, though she did not know why. You're safe here. You're okay. You are no longer in the lion's den.

They pushed the flap of furs covering the door aside for her. She had been freezing before entering the tent, the large fire in the pit providing light and so much warmth. Cass couldn't help but think of Stannis as she stared at the fire, and she wondered if they would use her here as leverage too. You have trusted the Starks so far. They did not fly her banners, but she was willing to see what they wanted, what Robb wanted. Her dark eyes looked throughout the room until she spotted the auburn hair, red and deep in the light of the flames. He was turned around, holding papers over a desk, shoulders and floors and everywhere covered with thick dark furs. Men were by his side, one having the grey eyes that reminded her of Ned and the other a more familiar face—Theon Greyjoy. Perhaps he has more loyalty to the Starks than I give him credit. There was one woman there too, but she was not there long. Catelyn Stark exited the tent quickly at the sight of Cassana, and the young girl felt insulted until she realized who Catelyn was running to. She knows I bring home her husband. Cass stomach lurched at the thought of her seeing him half-dead.

"Your Grace." The word was weird to hear from the guard leading her, addressing Robb. He bowed his head, and Cass did the same as Robb turned around to face them both.

She heard the papers drop and footprints padding across the furs, leather boots cracking and squeaking at his force and speed. Cass noticed she was shaking. The cold was gone from her body and still she was shivering. She stared at the floor and did not look up, did nothing but curtsy in front of Robb, in front of this...new king.

"Cassana Baratheon."

His voice still wavered. But there was a deeper confidence somewhere—a different confidence than the one a man should have when speaking to a lady. She followed the Stark man's example and kept her head down, "Your Grace."

"I've received word that my father took you as hostage in place of my sister. I did not believe it to be true, but tell me if I am wrong."

Still she looked down, "You are not." She stammered, "Your Grace."

Robb chuckled. That sounded the same, and soon, he said, "You all should go and see to my father. Judge his story and I will judge Lady Cassana's. We will see if they match. Do not come back in until I give word."

Theon was snickering; she recognized that too. But Cass heard all of the men leave the tent and the fur was replaced over the entrance. Robb grabbed her hand then, leading her up. His hand went to her chin, and she was forced to look at him. He...he was not clean shaven. His auburn hair had spread and expanded into a beard on his face, and his blue eyes stared at her, full of worry and confusion and a power that had not been there the last time they had met. "Cass, what happe..."

She did not let him finish before she hugged him, head falling onto his shoulder and arms wrapping around his leather jerkin and fur covered body. He smelled like the north. He smelled of snow and wolf and of all the things that had once made her feel uncomfortable, but now seemed to do the complete opposite. Robb was stunned it seemed, frozen, but soon he returned her hug with equal power. His hands rubbed her hair down, her dark, matted, dirty hair. She did need a bath, Cass realized, and she let go of Robb in fear that she smelled. Her eyes were wet but not running, and even through the misted screen, she saw Grey Wind approach, smell her, and sit. He did not growl or bark, but continued to stare at her before lying down next to Robb's feet. Cass was comforted by the wolf too even though he had grown since she had seen him last.

"I missed you." What a stupid thing to say. Cass bit her lip. She was speaking to a king, like this. Instead of explaining how she brought home his father, she said something completely worthless, meaningless. Cass tried to recover. "It was a long journey to Winterfell from the Red Keep. Lannister men accompanied me and your father here." That was important information. Robb was in the middle of a war. "Lord Tywin is not but two days from here."

Robb nodded, not appearing shocked at all by Tywin Lannister. "That I know much about. But your...escape. Sansa writes from the Red Keep." Robb moved to his desk and handed Cass the letter. "It's in her hand."

Dear Robb,

I miss you brother, but life in King's Landing is bearable. I wish our lord father had not committed this treason, but my betrothed has promised to allow him to take the black with his admittance, something our father has spat upon. He has escaped Robb! And I know he is coming to you. I expect you to take him in with open arms, for I do not understand your rebellion. He has stolen Lady Cassana as a hostage in exchange for me, but I am fine here and engaged to be queen. Joffrey says that he will pardon you too and Father if you come and swear fealty to him, and the dear queen has also offered Lady Cassana to you in good faith, if it please you, on your return. The Starks and Baratheons can be united twice-fold, and your marriage to Cassana will quell her brothers in the east. Please, Robb. Please consider this.

Your Sister,

Sansa

It was in Sansa's hand, but Cass saw Robb's doubt. It did not take much to force someone to write a letter. "This is not all false."

Robb seemed surprised. "It is not?"

"Most of it is, of course. Your sister is not happy, nor do I feel she is keen on her wedding to Joffrey, though she hides her disdain quite well."

"Sansa is a natural lady." Robb grimaced and Grey Wind seemed to stiffen at the last word. "What of the rest?"

"Your father did not escape, nor did Joffrey pardon him initially. I spoke to Cersei and asked for Lord Eddard's release, and she assured me that he would be pardoned and allowed to take the black as the letter suggests."

"But?"

"But Joffrey is a prick and intended on executing him instead. I..." Cass still sweated at the thought, that she could have easily been killed had her nephew or Cersei had been in any worse mood. "I told the crowd at Baelor of my late brother's will. Ned Stark was supposed to be king regent, but Cersei stopped that from becoming public. I threatened to tell everyone about...everything. Cersei could not kill me without my brothers coming for blood." Though they already are.

Robb sat down on the furs, absorbing the information and gesturing for Cassana to follow him down. She did, and it felt good to sit on something that wasn't a leather saddle. "So she banishes you to the North instead?" He wore a goofy smile. Cass could not figure it out.

"I suppose. She has released Lord Stark to take the black and me to bait my brothers. She hopes that they will unite against you for your...kidnapping." But Sansa's letter suggested a backup plan as well. She was sure the ravens sent east did not hold that plan.

"Like my father and your brother did for Lyanna."

She had not thought of that. Was that what Cersei was thinking of? The thought made her even more uncomfortable. "Perhaps."

She expected more questions from Robb Stark, but they did not come right away. He stretched out, took off his gloves, and looked again at her face. "And this?" Robb touched her cheek and she flinched back. The wound from Joffrey was scabbed over but it still hurt. "What is this from?"

"My nephew." Cassana looked away. "He hit me after I stopped Ilyn Payne from executing your father."

He was angry at that. She saw his face redden until it fell to her breast, and Cass moved to cover herself, but Robb reached first, not for her body but the silver circle on top. "This seems so long ago."

She had to agree. "If I knew this was to happen, I would have told Robert to give the Hand to Stannis." Maybe things would have been better then. Hells, he could have given it to Tywin, made the Lannisters happy, and just be done with it. She had no stomach for wars and here she was sitting in a war camp. "I am sorry."

"Do not apologize. You have brought home my father, and I am indebted to you."

Neither of them made any mention of the other part of Sansa's letter, and Cass was grateful for it. "You should see him, Your Grace."

Robb smiled at Cass' last two words but quickly focused on her first few. "Is he alright?"

She did not want to lie to him. "No. He's very sick. Jaime Lannister has wounded his leg, and I'm afraid." Cass did not need to say her real worries to Robb. He seemed to understand and quickly stood up, offering his hand to help her stand.

"I will call someone to help you settle in here. You will have a tent near my mother's."

The thought of sleep excited her. "You are too kind, Your Grace."

"Alright, that was nice to hear the first few times, but it's a little unsettling hearing you call me that. Unless I should call you Lady Cassana from here on out?"

She smiled at Robb, "No, Robb. I would not like that."

"Makes us out to be strangers and not best friends."

His light-heartedness reminded her of better times. Cassana smiled and looked down again. She saw her gold pin on his belt.

Her sleep did not come right away, for soon another red-headed Stark was there in her new tent. Catelyn looked aged and tired from when she last saw her, and the woman sat next to Cass on the pillows, telling the handmaiden assigned to her to go outside and see to her husband. "I wish to talk to you alone." She grabbed the hairbrush, and Cass stiffened as she felt Catelyn brush her hair. "I wanted to thank you."

"It was nothing," Cass said, feeling awkward but at the same time comforted by the action. Cass had her hair brushed by handmaidens hundreds, thousands of times, but this felt different. Is this what having a mother is like? She saw Catelyn in the reflection of the mirror, looking focused on her dark locks. It was then she recalled that Catelyn Stark had raised her for two years when she was just a girl.

Lady Stark shook her head, "My husband's life is not nothing. You have delivered him back to me." Her strokes were delicate, and soon Catelyn finished and started braiding her hair. "I cannot thank you enough. I do not know how I could have dealt without him"

"I wish I could have given you your daughters too, my lady. Is Eddard okay?"

"He is very sick. The maesters are looking over him now." The braid was beautiful. Catelyn wrapped it into a bun on her head, and Cass was almost sad that she'd have to go to sleep now and ruin it. "I have spoken to Robb. He tells me Sansa's letter is mostly false."

"Yes, my lady. I fear Cersei made her write it."

"It was hard to believe my husband would do such a thing-kill Robert or take you."

"Lord Stark is one of the most honorable men I have ever met." Cass bit her lip. "It killed him to admit to a treason he has not committed. Forgive me, but I would hate it for Robb to do the same."

She nodded. "That is the question in most of our minds, Lady Cassana. What do you want? You are a Baratheon, but yet you are here. That is not completely by choice or am I wrong?"

"It isn't." Cass admitted. "My brothers are still alive and my allegiance is to my house. But..."

"But?"

"Even if I were to go to Storm's End or Dragonstone, I would be betraying one of them. They are feuding with each other over that metal seat." Cass sighed and she felt her fingers tighten on the furs beneath her. "I fear my house has died with Robert."

"Robb and his men are riding to battle tomorrow."

She knew that was coming, but her stomach tightened anyway, and she thought she might retch. Taking on both Lannister hosts with these few men was a death sentence."Lord Tywin's men."

Catelyn did not say anything concerning that. "I say that we discuss in detail then what you are to House Stark. It will...help us keep our minds off the battle."

She swallowed, "To House Stark?"

"Rumors say you are our hostage and others say you are our consort for the new king."

She blushed. Hearing those words from Catelyn's mouth was embarrassing. Cassana fidgeted. "I am not sure what I am. Cersei would have me be both."

"And if you want, you could be neither. You are a guest, Cassana. I promise you will always have a bed in the North, but it is your choice if you wish to lie in it. I would have it no other way." Catelyn stood up at that, leaving Cass's hair pretty and perfect. The woman moved towards the tent exit, just before saying, "But do keep in mind, my son almost gave up the Twins for you."

Cass did not know what that meant, but she was sure she would hear of it all tomorrow.

A/N:

Thanks for reading everyone! and sorry again for the delay!

Oh, and to all the Jaime fans that miss the beloved Kingslayer, I just want to mention that she's with Robb's army. And they're fighting the Lannisters. That's it.