A/N:

This is my penance for long waits. Expect normal posting here on out :D

It's also an award for my lovely reviewers! (I swear if I get a hundred, I may burst).

FollowtheSun22 (ah thanks! and here it is!), Befham (from ch1. I'm glad her being his sister is a fresh start! Daughter sounds way too risky with a ms. Cersei Lannister, And feel better!), MutiaRawr (Hehe, well here he is :D), Lawsy89 (Ah, it's great to know you're liking Cass! Though she may be doing some stupid things soon), 100MonkeyGirls (Stick around Team Jaime :D ...past this one though. And your English is pretty good, so don't worry. Much better than my French, anyway), CeliaSingsSongs (I will keep updating :D and Thanks!), Aeryan (Haha, I just couldn't picture Robb doing it. Poor Robb. I'm making him a bit more of a puppy than a Young Wolf, but I think I don't mind.), Guest (4000's short? Huh, well this one's longer! My longest yet, so I hope that's better :D), Like-a-Slasher-Film (Definitely not as long! And their interaction is...interesting.), SeerStormborn (Thanks! And I couldn't wait to write him again. He's too much fun), and honor is a horse (I have a couple of twists in my back pocket. And I guess my only defense-not that it matters-is that she knew Jaime for her whole life, where as Robb...well she didn't. But the scale will even out shortly. That I can promise, though maybe not in this one).

I'm loving all this feedback. All of it. Thank you guys so much again.

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire, or anything else like that.

Grey Wind followed her every step, like a shadow, as she followed some other guard to where the prisoner was. Robb did not come. He was organizing some groups to help pack up camp so that they could leave soon, but Cass knew he wouldn't have (and shouldn't have) accompanied her anyway. There were too many guards stationed outside the makeshift cell, too many for one man. There were other cells further away with lesser men together, but Cass did not recognize them besides their blonde hair. They were most certainly Lannister men, but she remained focused.

The direwolf by her side was the only evidence she needed that Robb had sent her. Or maybe they know I'll be their queen one day? The thought sent panic through her. If the guards here knew, then Jaime would too. But they seemed to move away more because of the wolf than her, and Cass breathed before approaching the makeshift bars that separated her from the man inside.

He was sitting on the ground, in his own filth, head down and hair shaggy. A beard was already starting to grow over his cheeks, and he reminded her of Ned Stark back at the Red Keep. She briefly thought how everything was a manner of perspective, how she could have easily pitied this man here instead of Ned. And there was something in her chest, something that could have been pity but felt completely different. She didn't know what it was, really. "Jaime."

He didn't stir, but Cass was certain she had spoken loud enough. She started circling around the cage, but Grey Wind didn't follow, as if he wanted her to stay there on the other end, as far away from the prisoner as possible. But Cass kept walking, holding onto the bars as she circled closer. "Jaime, it's me."

He sniffed but still didn't look up. "I was hoping that was a fucking trick."

Cass didn't go any closer. There were several yards between them, but she was afraid if she approached him further, Jaime would stop speaking. "What was?"

He stared at her, green eyes piercing through the dark filth of his face. "Your voice."

She shivered. Cass felt suddenly cold, like she was just now realizing how north she was. She remembered when she saw Ned, how her body fell down to his level, to stare at him in the eyes and tell him everything was okay. But she didn't react that way with Jaime. If anything, her shoulders stiffened, pulling back to make her stand straighter, taller. And she didn't know how to get him out of this...or even if she wanted to. Robb told you to talk to him. She swallowed, embarrassed at herself. What was going on in her head? This was still Jaime.

Cassana knelt, causing Grey Wind to take a step closer. She shifted her borrowed dress around in the mud and said, "It wasn't though. I'm here."

"Why?"

That took her off guard, and for a while, she didn't know what to say to him. "Your sister sent me here."

Jaime sniffed then shook his head, greasy bangs moving across his muddied forehead. "That makes no sense."

"She sent me as bait for my brothers...as punishment for helping Ned Stark."

"So that's what they say. But she's not a fool. Why would she send you away when she could hold you hostage in the Red Keep?"

Cass didn't know. "I'm telling you the truth, Jaime. Cersei was the one who sent me here."

He tried to stand, his metal chains clanging, and Jaime cursed passionately before sitting down again. "You ran away with Ned Stark. Just admit it."

"I didn't."

"You're a fucking wolf. I can smell it on you. That beast follows you around. You've saved a Stark and promised yourself to another. You're a traitor to your family."

"What family!?" She couldn't help but yell at him. The direwolf started to growl, but Cass ignored him. She wanted to hit Jaime through the bars, throw mud at his face or go to Robb and ask for his execution. But she would do none of those things. She was too angry to move from her position on the floor. "Tell me what family I have left, Ser Jaime. My brothers are killing one another for a seat. My oldest brother—someone who was the closest to a father I would ever have—was murdered and has only left a pile of bastards in his wake." She sniffed, ignoring his paling face. "Your sister intended to sell me to the Starks, and I have welcomed it. I am a Baratheon, but my house is dead. Tell me what I am supposed to do when my brothers are gone and the kingdom is left to your bastards?"

He couldn't look at her. Cass was staring at him, waiting for his head to rise, but it didn't. His green eyes were stuck on the mud, on his feet, on everything that wasn't her. And it wasn't because she had yelled at him or because he was stuck as a prisoner. It was because of what she knew.

Cass could finally stand. "You..." She swallowed. "...Jaime, I don't understand."

"I don't expect you to," he finally replied sharply.

She shook her head. The words were weighted, incredibly hard to say. They seemed to stick to her tongue, but she spat them out, letting them fall. "You love her."

It wasn't a question, but Jaime nodded anyway.

She squirmed. She didn't understand it. She...wouldn't. I wonder if Tyrion knows. Or Lord Tywin. She was almost certain the latter did not. But the facts weren't fitting together in her head. The Jaime she knew and the Jaime being revealed to her were two different things. This is the Kingslayer. She had to remind herself. "Don't kill any of Robb's men."

"You mean any more of Robb's men." He coughed. "Shouldn't you be calling him King Robb? How lovely. You'll get to reign over snow and shit just as you dreamed."

"This wasn't what I dreamed of."

"Me either."

She exhaled. His voice was low, weak. Her thoughts suddenly became a little worried. Perhaps Robb did not intend to kill this man, but how many others thought the same? How many of these northern men would let the Kingslayer live amongst them? "Please, Jaime. Please do not do anything stupid."

"I think it's already late for that, but yes. I promise. I swear it if you trust my word at all."

"Of course I do."

Jaime stiffened. "Right. Well, you'll see me tomorrow then? Make sure I'm well behaved?"

The request confused her, but she nodded. "Yes."

"I'm so glad our relationship hasn't changed, Cass." He spat, venom sticking to his words. "And here I thought you'd think differently of me."

His sarcasm stung at her, calling back all the moments when she had thought differently of him, of how she still did. She wanted to call him out, say that maybe she didn't know him properly at all, that she was finally seeing his true skin, but the words felt false. There was a rare weakness and sadness in his eyes that Cass did not understand. And for now, she didn't want to. "Goodbye, Jaime."

She retreated back to Robb's tent, Grey Wind licking at her heels. Cass stopped and knelt down to the wolf, hugging his fur and letting the warmth envelop her. The direwolf was stoic, steady, but Cass didn't mind. She inhaled the smell of smoke and ash and blood on his grey fur and stepped back.

Robb was with his men when she came back into the King in the North's tent. He was talking strategy, talking war, and Cass did not understand much of it. But he didn't tell her to leave. His blue eyes clearly saw her, and he just smiled at her before turning back to his captains.

Cass watched him with curiosity. The terms he was using were foreign to her, but she recognized a few from being around her brother. His mind was tactical, Cass realized, which shouldn't have surprised her but did. He beat Jaime in battle. These men were following a boy who was just man grown. There must have been a reason for it. It was then it hit her that there was a lot she did not know about Robb Stark.

When the captains were dismissed to pack up their tents, Robb still didn't call her over. His mind was pouring over maps and documents laid out seemingly haphazardly to Cassana. His sudden voice in the room had her stiffen, taken off guard. "I'm sorry about earlier."

The details were vague, but Cass knew immediately what he was talking about. She was sorry for it too. She was sorry that she almost..."It is my fault as well."

"It...it wouldn't have been...I mean...it would have been nice."

His tone was so different with her, so much more unsure than it was when he was leading armies. The thought made Cass laugh aloud. "Oh, would it have been?"

She stood up and started to walk closer to him, and even though Robb was looking down, she could see his face redden. "I do not intend to dishonor you though."

"No. You intend to marry me." She said it bluntly, letting the words sit in her mouth, tasting them, unsure of how she felt still. Her mind suddenly jumped. "I talked to Jaime Lannister as you asked. He says he will not kill anymore of your men."

Robb sighed. "Let us hope he is being honest."

"To be honest myself, Robb, I do not know why you thought of sending me to speak to him."

"It worked though, didn't it? I can relax the guard a bit there. One man should be enough to defend against a man in chains, regardless of what man he is." Robb turned back to his papers on the desk. "Cass?" His hands were suddenly on her upper arms, and he smoothed them over the sleeves of her dress, over her skin as he asked, "Are you alright?"

She didn't lie to him. Cass didn't say anything. She looked down, her breath feeling heavy and stuck in her throat and lungs. It became hot. Her forehead felt sweaty and warm and Cass wanted to sit. Robb led her to a chair and knelt down, holding her hands as he looked at her.

"Cassana?"

"I'm sorry...I don't..." She shook her head, and rubbed her eyes. "I'm not okay, Robb. I'm not. I don't know what to do. My...it's falling apart."

Robb stood up, still holding her hands. "My mother will talk to your brothers."

"And what if they don't listen, Robb? What then? What side am I supposed to take?"

He hesitated. Robb ran a hand through his auburn hair and paced around the room, turning his back away from her. The King in the North was cautiously thinking over his next statement, "I think you already took one."

Your side then. She swallowed, a large part of her feeling uneasy, nauseous at the thought. "And what if they fight you too?"

"I don't want the Iron Throne," Robb said plainly to her for the first time.

"Do you want any of this?" Cass stood this time, wiping away the sweat from her face and walking towards this young king. Her words surprised her, that they were able to come out so easily to Robb Stark, but she felt safe here, protected. She knew Robb would not hurt her, but she was curious to see if he would be insulted by the question. "Robb?"

She touched his shoulder and Robb turned to face her, his eyes dark and wary. His face was pallid, white compared to her own tanned skin, and she remembered talking to him in the godswood. This boy wanted to see the world, not march through it. He wanted to live life, not take it away from those weaker than he.

"No, Cass. I don't."

Her voice automatically wanted to ask why then. Why was he doing this? Why was he marching through these lands away from his home? Why was he holding Jaime captive in his camp? But she knew why. He wanted his sisters. He wanted honor and respect and the love of his people, and for that he waged war with lions. "This was not how I intended for you to see King's Landing."

"I hope to meet your brothers at the door, Cass. I do. I just wish for sovereignty of the North." He laughed, though it seemed forced. "What would your brothers want with a bunch of snow and wolves anyway?"

Pride. But Cass didn't say anything. "Maybe I should go with your mother to speak with Renly." If they were going to listen to anyone, it would be someone of their own blood, Cass realized that now. "They will both wish to speak to me at least. And I am...on a different side than either of them now."

Robb did not smile. "Is that what you wish to do?"

"I wish to preserve my house, Robb, no matter what. I know it's dangerous to travel alone, but the Lannisters will be focused on your camp more than a traveling band to Highgarden."

"My mother is not going until we see to my grandfather first. And...I insist that once we are there..." Robb grabbed her hand. "Cass, I...I would want to do this anyway."

She didn't know exactly what he meant. Even if there wasn't a war? Even if marrying her didn't form a powerful alliance between two armies? "We have Cersei to thank for delivering me to you. Perhaps we should invite her."

"Perhaps we should set Jaime loose from his chains and minister the whole thing. Though I'm not sure he knows much of the old gods ways."

Cass laughed. "I do not know of them either."

"You will get to." Robb took her hand. "This is what you want?"

"Yes." She nodded and looked at him, face forming a light smile. This wasn't exactly what she had been expecting. Yes, she supposed to some degree she thought she'd marry a man like Robb Stark one day. The son of a great lord and house. A handsome son. A noble and smart man that challenged her. But why do I feel so hesitant? She did not know him. She did not love him "This is what I want." This was the best option she had.

Robb did not seem to fully believe her, but he kept hold of her hand and dragged her deeper into his tent, towards his bed, where he sat down casually with her beside him. He did not move to remove her clothes, and he actually kept a fair distance away from her. Cass arranged herself on the furs, warming her one free hand deep in the brown hairs. Robb touched the ring on her finger. "My maesters always said I'd marry you."

She stiffened, suddenly nervous. "Is this what you want then?" Or am I just some expectation? The thought bothered her enormously, incredibly. Cass felt her stomach lurch.

Robb grinned at her paling face. "Let me finish. They always said I'd marry you, that my father and your brother were great friends and that this would be some sort of...renewal of the vows your brother and my aunt once had."

"I hope you do not intend on being Lyanna Stark in this case."

"I didn't intend for any of this." Robb let go of her hand and shook his head. "I...I refused to believe them. I thought my life was set up enough for me. I was destined to be the Lord of Winterfell, but I wanted my own choice of who would be there beside me. I...I did not want you."

She felt cold at his words and anxious."And you changed your mind?" Cass exhaled when Robb nodded. "Why?"

"I met you." His anxiety faded. Robb stared at his hands, not at her face, and smiled to himself as he continued. "I did not remember you at all, and I had heard from everyone that you were beautiful, and I knew that would not be enough. Beauty shouldn't be enough and it wasn't. I mean, yes, I was attracted to you, Cass." He scratched his head. "But...you're smart too. You have something in you—a fire—that is more beautiful than any physical thing."

She couldn't help but blush. "You do not fully know me."

"And you do not know me." Robb agreed. "But I like what I do know. All I ask is that you think the same of me."

She did. Cass leaned forward, feeling the warmth permeating from his cheeks, the flush of his skin so like her own. She realized they were the same in a sense. They were lost in this mess, lost in a battle of alliances and betrayal forged before either of them was born. He just wants his sisters back. Cass pressed herself forward more, reaching closer to his lips and waiting for Robb to close the gap.

"Cass?"

"You're a king, Robb." The words felt true to her now. She saw his strength when he thought she wasn't looking, and she wanted him to display it, bask in it. "Don't ask me. Just do it."

He did. All the lust from before was gone. All the desperation and pain and anxiety was absent from this kiss, and Cass could only feel Robb, completely exposed. She felt his timidity, his strength, his charisma and pride between those chapping lips. And when they broke, eyes stuck to one another's, Cassana knew he saw the same in her. She was bare to him, and Robb dragged her closer so that her head was resting on his strong shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Cass. I'm sorry that your brother died."

It was the first time anyone had ever said that to her.

Someone gave her a horse. She did not ask what happened to its original owner, for she was sure he had probably died in some way that would only make his friends and comrades sad. She was riding side by side with Robb, Catelyn riding behind them. They are marking me. It went without saying. The men in Robb's army treated her differently, with more respect than she had ever garnered in the Red Keep. I was a lady there. Here I am a queen.

She wasn't yet, not in title. But it was only a matter of time. When they arrived in Riverrun, Robb and she would marry and she would be Cassana Baratheon no longer.

Cassana Stark. It wasn't bad, she supposed, but something in her still felt hollow. She wondered what her brothers would think of it. She had talked more of their upcoming journey west with Catelyn. Ned and Theon had already left to Winterfell, where Theon would then go off to Pyke. Catelyn assured her she would not have to stay, that she would be a Stark then and if her brothers disagreed and would not align, she would return with Catelyn back to Robb. I'd be a Stark. I'll…

"I don't know why betraying both of them seems easier than only one."

Robb glanced at her and then looked forward. "I hope you do not think of our marriage as a betrayal."

"They will. Maybe." Cass forced herself to laugh. "Renly always joked that if the Others ever came, they could just take the North and be done with it. I hope he holds the same feelings for you."

"I'll have to..." Robb suddenly stopped his horse, causing the lines and lines of men behind them to also stop.

"Robb?" Cass steered her horse closer to him. He looked...distracted. "Is everything okay?"

"It's nothing." He shook his head. "Where's Grey Wind?"

"I saw him run off to the woods before." His eyes looked wild, lost. "What's wrong? Is it something with Grey Wind? Is he alright?"

"I need to rest." He dismounted from his horse, walking through the grass without saying another word. Cass grew worried. This was not how Robb normally acted at all, and Cass jumped off her own horse and started walking quickly towards him.

Her boots crunched through the iced dew, and Robb had moved deeper and deeper in the surrounding forest. Cass had yelled back to the men wanting to follow. She wanted to figure this one out for herself. The Young Wolf was standing by a muddied puddle, staring at his reflection before turning back to Cassana. "I apologize."

"No need to apologize." She put her hands on her hips. "Especially if you explain what is actually going on."

Robb narrowed his eyes. "I don't really know how to explain it."

"You can try though." Cass gave him a gentle push on the shoulder. "Please?"

"It happened after the battle." Robb pointed to the thin scar on his cheek. "Jaime Lannister gave me this."

They had been too close to each other. They still are. Cass turned around briefly to the army they had abandoned, where Jaime was still in chains. I'd promised I would speak to him. "Is it healing?"

"Yes. But I was...terrified. I'm not too proud to admit it. Jaime wanted me to fight him one on one, but after this...I..."

She kissed the mark. "You are no fool."

"But ever since then I've been having nightmares." Robb scoffed."My cowardice is haunting me."

"What are these nightmares?"

Robb looked uneasy, "They're feral. I'm..." He swallowed. "I'm a wolf. I'm hunting or stalking a prey, an enemy scout. I hunt him down and rip his head off. The wolf was doing what I was supposed to. Only..." Robb looked away from her, fists clenched, and Cassana did not know what to say. She was no stranger to bad dreams, but they should not have affected Robb so greatly.

"You are under a lot of stress." She rubbed his shoulders. "Maybe after our wedding we will sleep better together?"

He smiled. "Maybe. Look, I am being foolish. Let's go back. It's not right for a king to just run away into the woods like some beast."

When they returned, Grey Wind was waiting by Robb's horse. The direwolf looked at them both, and Cass hesitated to remount. Catelyn approached her son. "Is something wrong?"

"I just needed a rest from my horse." Robb stretched out his arms. "Perhaps we should stop for a while and all rest." He turned to his captains who all nodded their heads and yelled the orders to the back lines to be carried through.

Cass knew she had to see Jaime. It was almost midday and she had not gone to talk to him as she promised. She did not want him to do anything that could get himself killed. She looked to Grey Wind. "Will you come with me?"

The direwolf still looked to his master, who read Cass' face easily. "Go."

She shifted through the men, all of them quieting as she walked along with the direwolf. Grey Wind's dark fur looked dirty and bloodied, and Cass thought of what Robb had just told her. Why did it bother him so much? Though it was bothering her too. The look on his face...this wasn't normal. She remembered one of her Septa's stories of wargs but pushed the thoughts aside. She may as well believe in living dragons too.

Jaime was in an enclosed cart. There was one small window. It didn't make for good conversation at all, but she hesitated before asking to go in. He wouldn't hurt you. Cass exhaled. You know him. You've known him all your life. This is Jaime.

She thought she knew him. She thought Jaime had showed her all his demons. Cass swallowed the bile in her throat and said, "Let me see the Kingslayer."

Robb must have talked to the guards, for they barely gave her a second look at the command. The suspicion was still there, as it should have been. They were both from King's Landing, both of them serving King Robert Baratheon and not Robb Stark. She bundled Catelyn's dress in her hands as she took the first step on the wooden cart.

"Do you want me to leave the door open?" the guard asked. Grey Wind was pacing outside.

"Do and I'll escape." Jaime's voice echoed from the back of the cart. He was sitting all the way inside, hands crossed in his chains, looking the part of the ideal, complacent prisoner. Although Cass thought his face read differently.

She flashed the guard an awkward grin. "I'll be fine. And if he kills me, King Robb will probably let you return the favor."

The guard made no argument and offered a hand as she took another step inside the small cart.

It was dark when he closed the door, the only light streaming from the small, barred window. The cart had a long L-shaped bench. Jaime was on the opposite end of the door, and Cass sat away from him and across from the window. The light made her feel safer, which she thought was stupid. It's Jaime, Cass. This is no different than when you visited Ned Stark.

But it was completely different.

Jaime did not look weak. Yes, he was physically weaker. The Starks had not been feeding him appropriately and his face was covered with a thick beard. But Cass could feel the relentless power in his body. His spirit was not broken, nor did Cass think it could be.

But she thought, just maybe, she saw the wall he had constructed crack a little when he looked up to her. His bangs were in his eyes, and Jaime lifted his chains to move them back. Cass did not like the sound of the metal, and she shifted over to him. "How've you been sleeping?"

Her lips felt dry as she moved his hair back, feeling the grease and dirt embedded in the once yellow strands. She didn't wipe it on her dress, but Jaime took her wrist and wiped them on his pants. His fingers hesitated over the ring. "You actually came?"

"I said I would and I did." She took her hand back. "I heard you've been a good boy. Haven't killed anyone else."

"Not from lack of trying."

"Jaime..." Cass's chest tightened. She knew what she wanted to say, but it was becoming harder and harder to get the words out. She turned her eyes away from him, looking at the grey dress, and the wolf ring on her finger. "You were right."

He was silent for a while, but it wasn't because he was confused by what Cass had said. The cart became cacophonous with the hum of outside noises—captains shouting orders and soldiers laughing at their small rest Robb had allotted them. It only made Jaime's lack of response more obvious to Cass, and she moved a bit away, twisting her hands together. He just looked down at the metal on his wrists until finally he said, "I don't have to be."

"What else do you expect of me?" Cass didn't think she'd get defensive. "What do you expect me to do?"

"I expect you to be a Baratheon." His voice was low. "Go home, Cassana. Robert should have never sent you to Winterfell. You owe these people nothing."

"You said that to me once before." Cass felt her cheeks becoming hot. "You said he should have sent me to Casterly Rock." She looked up. "To you?"

Jaime didn't deny it. "I think I know why Cersei sent you here. Do you know why?"

She thought she did. Cass thought Cersei had wanted her to rot. Cass thought Cersei was treating her like the queen had once been treated. She'd be exiled and sold—away from her family and the home she once knew. "I told her I didn't like the Starks. She wanted me to suffer for what I did. And she thought sending me here would push my brothers away from the Red Keep."

"You disliked the Starks and yet you save the lord of their house from death?" Jaime sniffed. "Yes, that makes perfect sense."

"Cersei isn't perfect, Jaime." Her face was becoming even warmer now. "Though I know you disagree with that."

"I don't," Jaime said right away. "But sending you away was a big mistake. The Baratheons couldn't attack King's Landing with you there."

"Perhaps she knows Renly and Stannis would not hesitate to risk my life. They certainly do not care about each others. What's a sister to them?" Her eyes were getting blurry.

Jaime laughed at that as well. "And yet they are willing to wage a war with the North to get you back? Come now, Cass. You're smarter than..."

"I'm not!" She yelled, the water breaking through her eyes as she shouted. "I'm not smart. I can't figure this out. I am doing the best I can with what I have, Jaime. And I am sorry if you do not understand that. I'm sorry that this is not the way you thought it would be, but it is not what I thought it would be either." She wiped at her face, "My brother's dead. My house is in pieces, and you...you're just smirking at me?" She slapped him. She couldn't really think straight anymore. "I don't give a fuck why Cersei sent me here. I don't. Because I'm here now and I'm making the best of it. What did you tell me once? Cersei would have me be queen?" She continued to wipe at her eyes and looked at where her hand had hit his cheek. It was red. "That is exactly what I intend to be."

There was barking outside, and soon the door was opening and the guard was dragging her out before she could even get some hint of Jaime's reaction. Robb was there. He looked angry, and Grey Wind was soon running away as the two of them stared at each other.

"Did you hear me?" Cass asked. The tear stains were still on her cheeks.

"You shouldn't have gone inside." Robb rubbed the wet spots with his gloves. "Did he hurt you?"

"No." Jaime wouldn't. Cass was breathing heavy. "I don't want to talk to him again, Robb." She lowered her voice, embarrassed by her labored breathing and not wanting anyone else to hear. "Please don't ask me to."

"I won't." He dragged her into a hug and rubbed her hair. It almost made her forget what Jaime was trying to tell her. Almost.

A/N:

Happy reunion? Nah. Too easy.

And if you think things are falling into place a little too nicely, well...I got a few more tricks guys, and I'm really excited/nervous.

Thanks for a reviewing and it'd be lovely to see what you think!