A/N:

Oh vacation. Not only did it delay my posting but I also came back to learn I missed the Red Wedding and now have to somehow force myself to watch it. Eh.

Well, thanks to everyone who kept reading and reviewed while I was gone :D I still really, really appreciate it and makes my day!

Special thanks to reviewers from last post:

MutiaRawr (Aw, I missed posting! And I hope this makes up for it!), Aeryan (Yes, Robb or Jaime..this is my problem exactly. Stupid Freys. I still hate them. Even if they still don't do anything in this story), Allimba (thanks!), and cutepenname (I am updating now! I hope that is soon).

Disclaimer: I do not own this series in the slightest.

It was loud.

Cass stirred on the floor. She was sleeping on furs in her own tent when she heard the sound of hooves and metal. Catelyn had left her tent hours ago, though to Cass the conversation felt like days. She had an uneasy sleep and her head hurt. Torches shone through the grey cloth, and she threw her body up, hugging her knees to her chest. People were yelling. It was an orchestra of incoherent shouts and strong, tired voices. But the air was filled with excitement, tense with pressure, and she didn't know what banners flew outside.

It's okay. It'll be okay.

She changed first. Cass was sleeping in her underclothes, but she quickly put on a grey dress over them. Catelyn had given it to her after Cass had bathed and became frustrated with her crocheting. It was a simple dress, very plain with silver embroidering on the high laced-up neckline. She had been given a few other dresses as well, but the coverage over her breasts made this choice easy. Cass was a maiden in a camp full of soldiers. If Jaime were here, I wouldn't have to worry.

But no. She didn't want Jaime to be here. That would mean Robb was captured or...

"The King in the North!"

The cheer caught her off guard. Jaime wouldn't be here. Neither would Tywin Lannister or any other Lannister soldier who wasn't a simple prisoner of war. How did they win? Cass dared to walk towards the entrance, listening to them shout again, "The King in the North!"

The yells continued on and on as the men walked back to their tents to collapse or rally again in celebration. Cass stayed by the fur covered door. There would be lots of drinking and sex. That's what Robert loved about war. And even though these were northern men and she was not their enemy, she did not want to leave the tent.

But it did not take too long for someone to enter.

When she heard the leather boots approaching and the slurred, deep speech that came with them, Cass moved her body to the side of the door, back against the fur covered cloth. As the flap lifted, she remained silent, seeing, maybe, that this was someone who did not mean her any harm before she would do anything. But even though she recognized this man, Cass remained on her toes.

"What are you doing here, Theon?"

Theon Greyjoy jumped back, obviously not knowing she had slipped behind him. His bow and arrows were gone, but Cass knew he hadn't changed or bathed since battle. Whatever armor he was wearing was off, but his leather jerkin was ripped. There were stains on the rest of his clothes, and Cass wondered if it was water or blood.

"Gods, why are you over there?"

Cass didn't answer the question. "What are you doing here?"

"That's it? No congratulations for keeping the lions from dragging you back to King's Landing?"
Cass bit her lip. He was right. Her defenses fell. "Are you hurt?" Is Robb hurt? She was confused why Theon was here, that if any man were to casually visit her, it would be Robb Stark and not him. "I'm sorry. All the noise before..."

"Thought it might wake you up."

"I didn't know who would be coming back," Cass said carefully, though Theon seemed reasonable about it and not offended. "I was a little nervous."

Theon grunted and laid out on one of the small chairs. "There are much easier cunts to be getting in these places, Lady Cassana."

He was drunk, Cass knew, but Theon's comment rang true. "I suppose that's...good to hear."

"Don't worry though. Robb's never liked the idea of that. I think he has the stupid idea that he'd have to marry them after he fucks them."

She felt the hair on her arms bristle. "He's alright though?"

Theon nodded. "I said I would get him a surprise. I think he thought I meant the wine..." He jostled an open bottle that Cass hadn't noticed before. "He'll forgive me for drinking some, though, if you come with me."

"To see Robb?"

Theon stood. "Yes. You're not that tired are you?"

"No." Cass moved out of the tent before Theon could come up to her. He wasn't expecting her to agree so readily, but Cass would feel safer not alone. And she wanted to see Robb. "…Can I have a drink first?"

Theon smirked and handed her the bottle. "No cups. Just take a good, long swig. Maybe two or three. That's right."

She handed the bottle back to him after the wine swam down her throat. It felt nice even though it was a cheap one. Not from the Arbor like Robert always had, but she drank it anyway, wholeheartedly, before following Theon out.

The men outside barely looked at her, but Theon was still by her side as they walked deeper into the camp. The guards outside of Robb's tent, however, did stare at her closely, and then turned to Theon. "Don't worry." Theon handed her the bottle back where she took another sip. The lack of food and sleep must have made her head start to swim. Theon had that stupid smirk on his face again. "Remember, he'll marry you afterwards." And pushed Cass through the fur flaps.

She dropped the bottle as she was pushed through, and it rolled across the rugs, not cracking or opening. Cass stumbled to get it and then stumbled again to stand seeing Robb stare at her from a set of chairs only feet away. She flushed and dusted off her skirt before looking at him.

He was exhausted looking. Bags hung under his blue eyes like deep shadows, and his skin was pulled tight over his cheekbones, red hair looking prickly and uneven. His sword lay lifelessly on one of the furs, bloodstained and unattended. Robb was not alone though. Grey Wind was next to him and turned to look at Cassana.

"Cass!" Robb stood up and Grey Wind followed him. The direwolf seemed equally as exhausted, Cass noted. "What are you doing here? Why are you awake? You should go back and…"

"Here." She held out the bottle to him and Robb took it. "Theon said he wanted to give you a surprise? I suppose he's sorry he began without you. I can go out and get..."

He interrupted her and dragged her to his chest after dropping the bottle on the ground. Cass stiffened, until she felt his arms hold her tightly, hugging her body, his breath hitting her neck as Robb just stood there, not saying a word.

"It's okay." Cass rubbed his back. His shoulders were high, his muscles hard and tight. Cassana felt his chest rise and fall against her, and she pushed her fingers through his auburn hair. He's too young for this, Cass thought again. She knew how her brother loved war. She knew he was a fighter, a knight, but she and Robb were children of summer. She and Robb were both scared and the Stark words hit her hard as his grip tightened. Winter may be coming, but war is already here. "Robb?"

"I'm...sorry." Robb's voice was low, deep, and he edged back from her and turned around. "Where are my manners?" He picked up the bottle and jostled it. Robb grabbed two metal goblets from his desk and poured the red wine. "Do you want wine?"

"Yes." She took it from him and gulped the red liquid down, her throat and nerves still thirsty. Some of it ran down her mouth, and Robb's thumbs wiped it away. She flushed. "You should be sleeping too."

"Ha." He finished the whole glass. "I cannot sleep this close after a battle. It's…difficult to calm down."

"Robb..." Cass saw the cuts over his face, but instead approached Grey Wind, setting her glass down and grabbing another cup and a pitcher full of water. "It's okay." His brown fur was matted with blood. He's hurt.

She saw no fabric around, so Cass tore at the edge of her dress and dabbed the grey fabric into the water. I hope Lady Catelyn was not expecting this back. The wolf flinched as she pressed against him, wiping the wet blood to reveal a shallow cut. "You must have fought bravely." She was speaking to Grey Wind and Robb simultaneously, though only one of them answered.

"I owe him my life several times over."

Cass wiped the blood off. The wound was not deep and already beginning to scab over. Grey Wind licked it when she dipped the rag again into the water. "They must fear you—the Lannister men." She was still speaking to both of them, and she stroked Grey Wind's nose. "Though right now I can't imagine you being so fierce."

"Cassana?"

"You're cut too." She pointed to a spot above his eye and grimaced thinking about how close the blade must have been to his face. "Who did that to you?"

"My mother must have talked to you."

She approached him again. "Robb, I..."

"You'll want to see your brothers, I'm assuming."

Oh. She had thought he meant to talk to her about marriage, though why her mind immediately went to that she could not say. "She seemed quite surprised when I told her just the opposite."

He gaped for a minute, scratched his hair, and then took off his leather gloves, throwing them aimlessly on the floor. "Then you'll go to Winterfell after my father. I'll send some of my men to..."

"Or I'll go to Riverrun with your host."

"No."

Cass grunted. "You cannot order me to..."

"I am a king," Robb said easily. "You will respect my wishes. You should go to Winterfell if you do not wish to go with my mother."

You are not my king. She respected Robb, but Robert was her king. Robert would always be. Cass didn't back down. "I want to go with you."

"No," Robb was adamant. "It is not safe. We were lucky today, but if the Lannisters come to pay their debt..."

"You will be dead and I will not know it," She said sharply. She could not just sit back and wait, but Robb looked too determined. He would send her to Winterfell—she knew that—unless she could try and convince him otherwise in a different manner. She rolled the ring on her finger. A part of her could not help but smile at this Robb, this commanding authoritative Stark that she had never seen in Winterfell. His eyes showed a fierceness, a challenge, and Cass made an attempt to face it."Can you understand why I wouldn't want that?"

Robb didn't say anything. He turned away, too tired to argue. "I don't know what Theon was thinking. I do not have time to speak about this. I need to plan our next step."

Cass agreed. This was the least important thing that Robb should have on his mind, but she would not be sent away to her fighting brothers or Winterfell. She would not leave him like this."Fine, but could you answer something first?"
"What?"

She bit her lip, wanting to take another sip of wine before asking, "Why did you refuse Lord Frey?"

Robb stiffened, then inhaled. "A girl told me once that I shouldn't make promises I wasn't sure I could keep."

"They why are you turning me away?" She walked up to him, setting a hand on his shoulder. "I have not known you long, Robb Stark, but I want to come with you. You said you wanted to travel this world, and that girl also told you that you should not do it alone."

Robb looked flushed, uncomfortable. He poured himself more red wine and began to drink. "And you want to do it with me?"

"Yes." The words were slipping out. "If you'd have me."

His eyes grew at that, blue and deep and wide. He started pacing, and Grey Wind was following him, pink tongue lopping out of his mouth. "Cassana Baratheon," Robb stopped and looked at her. "Are you suggesting that we..."

"Let me be honest." Cass was not sure she was making the right decision. She remembered her words to Catelyn before, but she could not stay idle for long. Her brothers would be at war, and Robb Stark had just defeated Tywin Lannister's army. And where would she be? Sitting in a winter keep waiting for someone to steal her and drag her to a different camp? I will not be an idle figure. That was exactly what Cersei wanted, but Cass would not do it. I will not be a simple piece in these games . Cass remembered what Jaime had said to her. Tyrion would want her to marry someone worthy of her—a good match. Cersei would suggest her to be queen. And Robert. Robert loved the Starks. "My brothers are at war with one another. Cersei thought they'd come after you, but I am not as valuable as a crown."

Robb said nothing to this.

"She sent me here as your hostage or consort. But I have no desire to sit in chains."Cass looked down, exhaled, and looked at him again. It was somehow easier to look at him. "Robb Stark, if you want me, please say so. If you refused Walder Frey to marry me instead, then I wish to know it." Cass walked closer and touched his face, "Please, Ro..."

He moved in and kissed her, dragging her closer and closer to his thick leather clothes, pressing his chapped lips against her own. Cass didn't know what to do. She had never...kissed anyone before, never been this close to a man unless she was training with Jaime. She broke away quickly, touching her lips and feeling how warm and wet they were, and before Robb could even begin to mouth an apology, Cass grabbed his wrist and connected their lips again. She still didn't know what to do, and Robb seemed equally as confused but much more passionate. His hands moved to her cheek and then her hair, the left one staying as the right stroked its way down her neck until it rested on the small of her back.

Cass could feel her spine shiver, feel his rough hands carve across the fabric of her dress, pressing it firm and flat so that he could touch her body. And she began to feel the same way. Cass touched his beard. "This feels like rough cotton."

"Does it?" He was flushed, heavy breathing hitting her in the face. "Want me to shave?"

"No." She shook her head and her hands went to his leather jerkin, noticing briefly that her chain and ring were not around his neck. She shrugged that off, not asking and instead concentrating on his clothes. Their outfits are just as complicated as our own. But her hands were deft with laces and it was soon untied. Cass didn't know what she was doing. All this talk of war, all the shouts and wine must have gone to her head for she did not care that she was undressing Robb Stark. She did not care that she had practically proposed to this man, this man who months and months ago seemed only a boy looking for adventure. Catelyn fell in love with Ned. She did not know how she felt about Robb. Love was strong. Love was scary and risky, and to be honest, she could not think of one marriage that was first made out of love and not advantage.

Robert loved Lyanna and looked how that turned out.
The thought only seemed to stir her on. His jerkin was on the floor. Cass bit her lip as she felt the thin, white cloth underneath her fingers, watched as Robb stared at her dress's neckline and moved his fingers to its own lace. Cass grinned, surprising herself. "Where is your honor, King Robb?"

Robb touched her collarbone, "I think I've held onto it long enough." He continued to push away the laces, but then froze as he heard the flaps to his tent open. Cass spun around, red and embarrassed, and started covering herself up. Robb's undershirt was loose, hanging out of his pants, but he did not move to fix it.

The man at the door was stuttering, "My...a-apologies, Your Grace."

"What is it?" Robb's voice wasn't too snappy. He seemed upset, yes, but he held his chin high. He is a king to these men first.

"It's our prisoner."

Cass turned back around after lacing herself, the buzz and heat in her head immediately going away. She could curse herself. Where is your honor? She moved to the back of the room timidly, Grey Wind following her. She picked up her old goblet and started drinking the wine again as Robb asked, "What of him?"

Now he sounded annoyed, and the northern soldier shrunk back. "He is giving some of our men a hard time."

"He is in chains. What can he do?"

"He says he will not stop banging them against the bars until you come and speak to him."

Robb cursed in a whisper, started walking out, but then turned back to Cassana. "I will come back. I'm sorry."

Cass shrugged. She was more concerned about the soldier now staring at her, the soldier that saw them start to... "Alright, Your Grace." Maybe he doesn't know me.

Robb looked confused but left, pointing to the soldier to stay there in his tent with Cass. The man was rubbing his hands together, and Cass lounged on the chair, not caring that her dress's skirt was approaching too far up her leg. "Who are ya?"

The soldier looked at her briefly and then turned away. "Maven, my lady."

She sniffed and pretended to cough. Whores, from what she knew, always seemed to be coughing. "Do ya know who I am?" Gods, I hope this works.

"No, my lady."

"I'm no lady. I can tell ya that much." She suddenly remembered Jaime scolding her for talking like a peasant. A chill went down her spine at the thought. "Ya said the king has a prisoner causing so much trouble. How can one man do that?" They don't take "peasants" as prisoners. They take lords and knights. Cass drank more of the wine.

"Because he's not just a man, girl." The soldier was suddenly insulted. "He's the Kingslayer."

Her goblet fell on the ground, and Cass felt the warmth drain from her face—all the blood and fluid and life falling to pieces in her body until they seemed to puddle in her heart. Jaime's here? Her composure fell. Cass fumbled and moved her skirt down and stared at the soldier guarding her here. She suddenly no longer wanted to be in Robb Stark's tent. "Look, Maven. I don't want to be around any Kingslayer. Let a lady go?"

"You're not a lady."

The flap to the tent opened again, and Cassana cringed as she saw Catelyn. She had spoken to her son already it seemed, for it did not seem like she was looking for him. It also seemed like she expected Cass to be here. "Lady Cassana, may I speak with you?"

She smiled awkwardly towards Maven, casually let the hem of her skirt fall back down, and followed Catelyn outside. The men were still drunk and shouting, but there was silence as she passed them, and she remained equally unaffected. To her surprise, however, Cass was brought back to the entrance to her own tent. She didn't know what to say. The shame was coming back two-fold. "I...was just seeing how your son was."

Catelyn raised an eyebrow. "Yes, that's very kind of you. Do you know why my son was dragged away from his tent?
Yes. "No."

Catelyn swallowed. "One of our captives is Jaime Lannister."

Hearing it like that, his name from her mouth laced with disdain, made Cass feel uncomfortable, unwelcomed suddenly in the Stark camp. She said the only thing that could come to her mind at the time, "Why didn't Robb kill him?"

"He's worth more to us alive." Theon Greyjoy was coming out from her tent. He seemed much more sober than he was before, the hilt of his belted sword in his hand and not the bottle. "He challenged Robb openly on the battlefield-one on one combat. Robb refused."

"Robb's not an idiot," Cass said simply. There was no way the King in the North could win that fight. "Why were you in my tent, Theon?"

Catelyn stepped in again, "I'm leaving soon for Highgarden, Lady Cassana. You are still welcome to come with me."

"And I'm to Winterfell and then to Pyke, most likely, once Robb finally decides to send me as his envoy."

He's sending you back to Pyke? Cass reminded herself that she did not know Theon as well as Robb did. "And I am staying here or going to Riverrun. Lady Catelyn, I doubt you are leaving so early before seeing your lord father again."

"No, I am not. But I will not lie to you. Now that we have captured the Kingslayer, a deal could be made with King's Landing for my daughters. I can understand if you have changed your mind about being around this camp."

Cass wasn't sure if that really changed anything, if the small council would agree to give back Sansa, and an Arya they didn't have, all for Jaime Lannister. Cersei would. Cass fidgeted and turned away from Catelyn. She...she wanted to see Jaime. As strange as that was, she wanted to look him in the eye, accuse him of those things she knew were true, and try to find some reason behind it. I won't though. I don't have the courage to ask him about that. Nor do I have the courage to wait in Winterfell or face my brothers.

That was it, she realized. She was afraid to go back home, to pick a side, to be so cemented to something that she was not sure would work out in the end. She wanted to be on the winning side and the right side and the side of the people she loved, but all of those were scattered. All of those things did not coincide, and she could not pick between brothers.

"I will stay with your son." Cass had already promised Robb she would. She could not go back on that.

Catelyn surprisingly smiled at this. "Then I am done convincing you. If your brothers ask, I will tell them you are well."

She didn't think that Catelyn should lie to a Baratheon, but she nodded and went back into her tent to be alone and try to sleep again.

In the morning, Robb came to see her. He was shaken looking, seeming nervous, and Cass watched as he paced through her room before grabbing a trunk. "No one has told you to pack?"

"None of this is really mine." Cass had a few borrowed dresses and brushes but that was it. "Robb?" She walked towards him, and he inched away, an uncomfortable look in his blue eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Noth..." Robb paused. "Can I sit?"

Cass smiled. "A king does not need to ask for my permission." She gestured to a chair.

Robb surprisingly did not sit down at her words. "Perhaps that's how your brother saw it, but my father and mother were always equal in this sense." He pointed to a chair by Cass and she sat, stunned by his words. It was only after she sat that he followed her down and began, "Tell me that I should not trust Lannister lies."

"You should not." Casss bit her lip. He had been talking to Jaime. "What did the Kingslayer say to you?"

His eyes grew at her question. "So you knew he was here?"

Cass nodded. "Yes."

"And you do not wish to see him?"

She stiffened, not really understanding where that question came from. Cass did want to see Jaime, but Robb wouldn't understand it. She didn't understand it. "Maybe only to figure out what he has said to you."

"Yes." Robb smiled, laughing at himself. "Of course. And you're right. These things aren't yours. When we're in Riverrun, I'm sure my grandfather has some clothes and things you can more permanently keep."

She would like to feel settled. Although she had not been in the war camp for long, she was already getting tired of it. She did not know how Catelyn managed. "I would like that."

"My mother will leave soon after for Highgarden and hopefully talk to one of your brothers to agree to our..." he blushed. "I suppose I should ask you properly first, shouldn't I?"

"I'm under the impression I already asked you, Robb." She smiled nervously, wringing her hands together. Was it just hours ago that she was ready to undress him completely? To give herself to him? Cass was suddenly hesitant, but her words still stood as they did before. "Where's Grey Wind?"
"Outside," Robb said clearly, with pure conviction even though he couldn't have known exactly where Grey Wind was. "We're leaving for Riverrun in a few hours. You can ride by me, Cass."

"Are you taking Jaime with you?" She internally cursed. She should not have used his name. He was notJaime to Robb, just the Kingslayer. He was the man who fucked his own sister and killed Robb's father's men. Nothing more.

Robb didn't comment on her choice of name. "He'll be brought to a cell there, yes. But Cass?"
"What is it?"

"He's...he's being unmanageable. Some of my men are afraid to approach him. He knows you're here."
How? Her blood ran cold. She was hoping Jaime would never find out anything about her and her connection with the Starks. It was a ridiculous notion, of course, but it was disappearing when she realized what Robb wanted her to do. "You wish for me to speak to Jaime Lannister now?" She shook her head. "Do you not remember what the Lannisters could have done to me? What they will do to me when they find out about our...arrangement?" Jaime will go insane.

"I know." He leaned forward in the chair across from her and grabbed her hand, rubbing it gently, but all Cass could feel was the coarseness of his leather gloves. "I did not want to ask you. Theon thinks it may help though. Jaime threatened to kill the first man who drags his chains. I have good men watching him, and I cannot afford to lose anymore."

It was a simple request, really. Robb thought she had some hold over Jaime Lannister, which was ridiculous, but Cass would try for him. Perhaps it was worth the embarrassment of confronting this man again if there was a slight chance Jaime wouldn't kill the first man who touched him. He would too, gods know. "Would you like me to speak to him now?"

He nodded. "Grey Wind will go with you. Do not go inside the cage, Cass." Robb stood up and dragged her up with him, kissing her cheek. "It's for your own safety."

Cass nodded and touched the spot where his lips met her skin. The hard grip of Jaime's hands around her neck came to her head, the metal dagger at her throat, the force weighing her body down as he straddled her.

She would most certainly not go in that cage.

A/N:

Guess who's coming back next chapter? yeah, it's a really hard question

Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a comment. Hope this was worth the wait.