A/N:

Sorry for all the semi-boring previous chapters of politics and getting things out of the way. Westeros is very expansive!

I want to thank all the people who decided to favorite and follow this story. I've been getting so many emails and it's lovely to see that people care enough about this story to follow it! As always, special thanks to my reviewers:

HermioneandMarcus (Thank you so much!) and StarkStruck11 (he's becoming more influential than I thought!)

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Ser Davos was sailing the boat that would bring her to Riverrun. It was a small boat and fast—a smuggler's ship. Cass was surprised at how quickly Stannis had agreed, but the letter that came only days later from the western shores was rushed, forced. Melisandre does not want me around. Cass could not complain. She did not want to be around the red woman either.

She did, however, want Ser Davos to take her, and was glad when Stannis gave the man the task. Lord Beric accompanied her as well, along with a few other Stark men. The fleet Stannis had brought to the Iron Islands had been only a part of his navy, and Davos planned to bring more to Riverrun from Dragonstone. But for now, it was just the small boat. There were no warships, no soldiers—just her, a few guards, and Theon Greyjoy in chains.

Cass didn't want to see him, but days and days on a boat with nothing else but guards and herself for company drove her to curiosity. True to his word, Ned Stark had Theon board the ship before she did. Cass had not seen Theon, but the boat was small, and he was easy to find. She hesitated as the guard stepped away. This was the third time she'd be visiting a man in chains, and each time the man behind the door appeared guiltier to her before she went in. And each time that I've left them, I've been determined to get them out. Nothing was black and white. Nothing was easy. When they got to Riverrun, Robb would want Theon's head. And he should have it. He should, Cass.

She turned away from the door and walked back up to the deck of the ship.

The smuggler's ship was small, and as such, Cass had visited the deck several times a day for the first week or so to lean over the side and steady her body. The boat rocked wildly in the waves until they reached the Bay of Crabs. From there, the water settled. A large number of Stannis' fleet had met them in the calm water, and they then made their way past Maidenpool and down the Red Fork.

"Move!"

There was a man rushing from one of the cabins below, dragging a body with him. Dondarrion was tugging Theon's shoulders across the wet deck.

Well, at least Cass assumed it to be Theon.

The only hint she got was that the man was in chains. If Jaime had thought the Starks had treated him poorly or if Cass thought Ned was in bad shape at the Red Keep, Theon would have been unbelievable to her. He was white, his skin almost transparent, as if the Leech Lord's son had sucked his life force out of him. His dark hair was almost falling off his head, and his eyes looked hazy and small—scared by something.

"Lady Cassana, move!"

She did, realizing she was right in Lord Beric's way, and allowed the man to drag Theon almost to the edge of the boat. Theon was pushed onto his stomach. "Go ahead. We can't have you dying too early, boy."

Theon gagged and coughed, pouring out the contents of his stomach into the sea. Slowly, he crawled up onto his hands, many of his fingers missing some of his skin. The stringy muscle stood out, red and bloody, against his white complexion. "…thank you."

Lord Beric did not say anything, but waited until Theon caught his breath before dragging him back up. Greyjoy's eyes met Cass, and she couldn't help but call him. "Theon?"

Theon seemed to be trying to laugh, but only coughed as a response. Lord Beric was dragging him back into his room, and Cass, upset, went to find Davos.

What happened to him?

The Theon she remembered was cocky, arrogant, but healthy. He could not have even captured for that long. But she saw the skin peeling from his fingers like dried up fleshy ribbons, and she remembered the skinless man banners on Winterfell's ground. What did Ramsay plan to do to you?

It was strange though, Cass thought. He was a baseborn bastard and yet he flew his father's banners, used his father's torture methods.

And they say Lord Bolton is not familiar with his son's actions? Maybe I should speak to Theon.

She spoke to Davos first, asking if that was how they found him. Davos said no, that Theon was actually skinnier then and that the skin on his hands and feet should have been healing by now.

"We tried feeding him some mashed up fish for the first time, but I don't think it sat well with him. He hasn't eaten solid foods in a while. Some of his teeth are missing. Don't know if you noticed that, Lady Cassana."

She hadn't. "Ramsay Bolton is dead, my lord?"

"Lord Stark tends to keep his word, as I hear it."

"Perhaps Theon would like to know that."

Davos gave a knowing smile. "I bet he would."

As she approached the door to Theon's cell, Cass was reminded of Jaime once again. I do take in lost puppies, don't I? Thinking of the knight did not make her feel any better. I wonder if he's okay. I wonder if he made it back to the Red Keep. She hoped he did. She prayed to the Seven that Jaime was safe and not enduring anything close to what Theon did. There were much worst things than being hunted by a wolf.

He was on the ground, curled in a ball, hugging his knees to his chest. Guards didn't bother to follow her, though Lord Beric stood outside, the door to Theon's cell still open.

"Theon?"

He did not reply. The man stayed motionless on the ground, and Cassana thought he might be asleep. She called him again, "Theon? It's Cassana Baratheon."

There was still no response. Cass turned back to Lord Beric. "I think we should remove his chains."

"Lady Cassana, he is a captive."

He did not kill Bran or Rickon though. She stared at the boy on the ground, wallowing in fear and something else recognizable to Cass. Shame. "Do you know where we are taking you, Theon?" She waited for the young man to acknowledge her, but he didn't. "Robb…Robb loved you." He trusted you. He trusted me too. "He…tell him the truth. Tell him everything."

She gritted her teeth from seeing him like that, realizing that he was not only afraid of what Ramsay had done, but what his friend was going to do to him. He knows it. She saw it in the whites of his eyes. Theon knew they were bringing him to die. And a part of her knew he deserved it.

Why do I see myself on the floor with him? Why do I think I need to be in chains too?

"Lady Cassana?" Lord Beric called for her. She must have looked ridiculous. She felt ridiculous. Cassana stumbled away from her thoughts, shaking her head and wiping the sweat beading from her forehead.

"Ramsay is dead." Cass said. "I think that will make you happy."

"…it doesn't," Theon gasped, his voice low and broken.

Cass looked back to Dondarrion, but then turned around when Theon began talking again. "…I wanted to kill him. I want…my family…"

"Balon Greyjoy is busy with my brother."

"Balon? No… Ro…"

"You betrayed Robb, Theon. You're a turncloak and a Greyjoy. Don't expect forgiveness from him," Cass said harshly. She turned away from him and walked out of the room. Lord Beric closed it behind her.

"I don't know why you bothered talking to him, Lady Cassana." Lord Beric locked the door. "Robb Stark will make sure he is as good as dead. There is no glory in a betrayer and a boy who burns children alive."

I betrayed Robb too. She nodded at Lord Beric but retreated back to her room. Cass had to think of what she would say to Robb Stark when she saw him again. How even though she should have been thinking of ways to beg for his forgiveness, her mind didn't regret the action at all. She wouldn't have taken it back. If Jaime were in Theon's place now, she would have Ser Davos sail to Lannisport and free the Kingslayer all over again. But she did not want to betray Robb. That she regretted—not the action, but the reaction and turmoil that came from it, the honor that was lost to her. She could never gain that back again.

I should be in chains.

When they passed through the Water Gate, it was the middle of the night. Ser Davos had the Stark men go ahead with Lord Beric and Theon when they finally docked. Cassana had never been to the seat of the Tullys before, and Riverrun was an ancient castle, old like Winterfell, and large. The circumstances of her arrival felt strange to her. Before when she walked into his camp, she was tattered and worn. She had been leading his father by horse, and yet still she was nervous of what Robb would think.

That was the same. Deep in her gut, she felt her stomach turn, twist as the boat unloaded the men. But she was not tattered. Her dress was a fine silk. She wore jewelry on her wrists and fingers. She was still wearing the boots she had worn with Jaime, though. And the man she was bringing with her was someone Robb would want to kill, not kneel to.

Lord Hoster did not meet them. Another man was there, obviously a Tully, though Cass did not remember his name. He approached Dondarrion first, shaking his hand and then telling some Tully guards to take Theon away.

The Tully acknowledged Ser Davos next, and when Cass finally stepped off the smuggler's boat, he bowed. "Lady Cassana."

"I'm sorry…"

"Edmure Tully."

"Edmure." Cass curtsied, knowing the name immediately once it was said. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

The red-haired man looked at her closely and then the boats behind her. "The King in the North and my sister would gladly like to see you in the Great Hall."

Would they? She forced the smile back on her face. "Of course." Cass looked to Ser Davos and beckoned him to follow her.

Her skin felt like it was pricked thousands, millions, of times as she walked through the walls of Riverrun. Edmure led her and never looked back to her face. There is no love for me here, Ned. She should have known that they hated her, that the sight of her would only incite anger, not induce any love for the Baratheon name.

Though some of the guards she passed, the ones with fish and wolves and other patches on their chests, had a look of pity. They looked almost amazed that she was there, and that only seemed to bother her more.

The Great Hall of Riverrun was a large room made for councils and plans. Lord Hoster Tully was not on the main seat, and Cass looked to Edmure. His greeting was an honor, not a slight. He is the true Lord of Riverrun. She had heard nothing of Lord Hoster's condition—whether it be sickness or death. These fish keep things underwater.

But no one was sitting in any high seat. Robb was the closest, but he was walking across the horizontal length of the hall. His hands were behind his back in fists, clawing at each other. Catelyn looked at her son impatiently but stiffened when her younger brother called out to her. "Cat, I've brought the Baratheon men."

Robb stopped in his tracks and turned, arms falling dead to his sides. He was looking at her, staring, blue-green eyes digging into her face, and Cass had to look away. She did not want to see the pain there and what her betrayal had done to him. Did I make up for it now or am I just stealing his crown away from him?

The Stark men were kneeling, but Stannis' weren't. They carried his strange banner and looked to Cass, waiting to see her response. Do I bow to him to? She smiled. He may not be king, Cass, but he's still a lord. Maybe not of Winterfell but… Cass curtsied and Stannis' men followed her down. "Robb." She used no title, hoping that he would not mind the lack of formality. He hated when I called him 'Your Grace', didn't he? "…I…" Was she supposed to address it right away? Defend or explain herself? "I…" She was supposed to have this court love her, but as she looked around to his captains and men, Cass saw nothing but shock. "I've brought you men. I hope that makes up for the one that was lost the last time I was with you."

Robb's face darkened, but still he was silent. Catelyn put a hand on her son's shoulder. "We've received the raven from the North, Lady Cassana, and my son wishes to speak to you about it. Isn't that so, Robb?"

The Young Wolf did not seem to hear his name or even what his mother had said. Cassana still felt his eyes on him, and then his body was there in front of her. His hands were on her upper arms, and Robb leaned his head over hers, pressing his chin into her hair. "I missed you."

She laughed, relief and the memory of that sentence coming back to her. "I missed you too." Cass wanted to lean in to his chest and let him hold her. But her mind would not stop. He doesn't know. Looking at him, she thought of dyed brown hair and green eyes. She saw an older man in his place, and Cass felt herself moving away. "But your mother's right. We need to speak."

"Yes, yes." He backed away and grabbed her hand. "I want to speak to you."

"I wish to speak to your mother too, Robb." The response made him give her a questioning look, but Cass persisted. She looked to the Stark men around her and swallowed. "I hear Riverrun has a godswood."

Robb turned to his mother. "Let's go now then. Lord Karstark, Lord Bolton?"

She hadn't noticed the captains standing to the sides of the room. Lord Karstark looked at Cass with disdain, and Lord Bolton seemed emotionless, apathetic. His eyes still looked like darken milk to her, but Cass did not dwell on it for too long, only wondering briefly why he was not at Harrenhal.

The King in the North continued, "Please speak with Lord Dondarrion and Ser Davos. See to it that they are well and get numbers of how many men they have brought."

"Yes, Your Grace," Lord Karstark said, still looking as if he wanted to kill Cassana.

"Your Grace." Roose Bolton called to him. "What do we do with the Ironborn?"
"Leave him," Cass told Robb before he could respond. "Leave Theon for now, Robb. I wish to speak to you about many things."
The name sparked some anger in Robb, but he nodded, and they left together to the godswood.

This didn't really seem like a godswood to her. It was a wood, of course, with redwoods and dying flowers and many, many streams. But the heart tree was not here. The white tree with the crying face was gone, yet Cass could still feel some of the old gods leftover.

Catelyn handed Cassana a piece of paper immediately while Robb was smiling, going on about what battles he had fought, always smoothly saying at the end that his campaign came out victorious.

She heard briefly how they had just invaded the Westerlands. Robb had been hurt and received the letter that Winterfell was burning.

"That was it though?" Cassana looked up from the letter Catelyn had handed her. The letter was from Ned. "That was all you heard?"

"Yes, Cass. Why? Is there something else?" Robb asked curiously.

She shook her head and kept reading. And then there it was, in even script, standing out to Cass even in the lengthy letter:

"Lady Cassana left with Jaime Lannister. Do not tell Robb, Cat."

Cass folded the letter and handed it back to Catelyn, swallowing. "I don't agree with that."

"I do." Lady Stark said coldly. "There's a reason why Ned sent this to me."

Robb groaned, half playfully. "Strange for these two women to be holding secrets from me. Mother? Cass?"

"Let him read it, Catelyn." Cass said. "Or I will tell him myself."

"Ned writes that there is something more important to talk about."

That is true. "You have not heard any rumors then?"

"I have chosen to ignore them," Catelyn admitted, to Robb's surprised. The Young Wolf had obviously been too occupied with war, but his mother must have heard. She did not hide it. "I will not believe my sons and daughter are dead until I have seen the bodies, Cassana. There are lies swimming everywhere."

"I know nothing of your daughter, truth be told, but all of your sons still live. Ned though wishes us to pretend otherwise."

Robb looked at the paper in Cat's hand. "Is that what father writes of? He says to pretend my brothers are dead? Why?"

"Theon staged their deaths when he took over Winterfell for a short time." Cass shrugged, "I can't tell you why, but I am curious to hear his reasons. I'm also curious to know about his time with the Bastard of Bolton."

"Keeping them dead may keep them safe. Bran is the heir to Winterfell now and mine too." Robb looked up at the falling leaves. Autumn would be short, and even as he stared up with his blue eyes, Cass saw the Stark in him again. She saw him watch the red leaves fall and knew what he was thinking. "I did not think you would take me so seriously, Cass, when I said I did not want this."

"My brother did not give me much of a choice."

"Neither of us have any true issue here." Catelyn said. "The Kings in the North are an ancient line. There are new gods now, as well as old ones. I do not see why we cannot have two kings just in name."

"Stannis will not like that, even if it is just in title." Cass frowned. "…did you receive a letter from your father, Robb?"

"Yes."

"Did you…think on it?"

"It's tempting. The men he offers…"

"Not the men." Cass felt her cheeks burning, partially in anger. "He offers you another thing."

Catelyn, surprisingly, grabbed her hand. "I was with Lord Renly when he was murdered, Cassana. I'm sorry for your lost, but…"

Robb spoke up. "I do not intend to steal the Baratheon seat. It is yours by right and will be ours, Cass. It's a hollow offer."

Gods, I have to tell him. "We are not married yet, Robb."

"Half the world already thinks we are and the whole world already knows Renly is dead although there is talk of his ghost fighting with the Tyrells. I do not believe that, but the other thing can be true. Storm's End is already ours through a different type of alliance."

She exhaled. "You don't understand."

"I know Jaime Lannister took you, if that's what you mean." Robb gave a look to his mother, but the woman didn't leave. Cass was grateful for it. The Young Wolf continued. "I don't care if he did anything to you, Cass. I know how he looks at you. I've known ever since you both arrived at Winterfell, but I don't care if…I don't care if he touched you though I will have his head for it."

The image of Jaime on top of her came back. Jaime kissing her, brushing her hair back, smiling, telling her that he loved her. "Jaime did not rape me."

Robb's throat seemed to get caught at her words. He coughed. "…I'm glad to hear it."

"Jaime did not kidnap me either."

Catelyn tugged at her arm. "Cassana!"

"I went to visit him, Robb. I wanted to talk to him before we went to Riverrun, and he managed to get out. He told me I was a traitor to my house." She looked him in the eye. "I realized he was right."

He cringed, his shoulders and hands shaking. Robb Stark turned his back from her and ran both hands through his hair, not knowing what to say, not knowing how to act. He was breathing too deeply and loudly, and both Catelyn and Cass went up to him. Cat first called to him, "Robb?"

The Young Wolf didn't answer. He was just staring straight ahead, his body suddenly completely still. Cass touched him on the shoulder. "Robb? Robb, let me finish. I can explain."

But his body was already falling. Robb was on his knees, eyes closed, and looking lifeless.

Lady Stark shook him on the ground, tears streaming from her eyes. "Robb!"

"Shh, Catelyn." Cass knelt down next to the woman, worry pervading her own chest. She wanted to scream out too, but the gasps from the woman next to her made her refrain. "Stay here with him."

Cass sprinted back to the hall in Riverrun, finding first the Smalljon and other men to come back to the godswood with her. "I don't know what happened." She tasted no salt on her cheeks, but she could feel the sensation in her throat. It felt dry, sticky. "He…he just fell."

The Smalljon was not a small man. He picked Robb up and placed the king over his shoulders. His iron crown was left on the ground. Catelyn grabbed it and followed the Smalljon back in. Cass' chest hurt again. She thought Robb would yell at her, scream, or maybe even hit her. That was what she was used to. Robert had been cruel a few times when he was alive, and Jaime had yelled the few times he had lost his temper with her. Is he okay? She started to retreat from the godswood, but footsteps behind her drew her back. Cassana turned around to see blue eyes turning yellow between the trees. She flinched. "…The Seven."

It felt weird thinking of those gods in a place like this, but on reflex, it was all Cass' mind could go to. As she watched Grey Wind approach her, his long face seeming laden with sadness and anger, Cass understood what happened. Even though she had never seen it before, she knew this was a warg. "Do you understand me?"

Grey Wind only stared. Is this Grey Wind at all? She knelt down to the wolf's level. "Robb, did you mean to do that? Come…come out of there, please. I just want to…"

The direwolf bared his teeth and then sprinted back into the forest, and as much as she wanted to run after him, Cass decided that she should go after the body of the man instead. Catelyn was waiting for her inside, tears still on her cheeks. She did not hesitate to approach Cass and say, "Do not repeat what you have said to him. Do you understand?"

Her voice was firm, cold, almost stone-like. Cass nodded. "Yes."

"You know why I ask this of you, don't you? We can't have our men think the Kingslayer was released. I…I have thought of it myself, but seeing the aftereffect, I now know how damaging it can be. You coming back to us at least supports the fact that you were taken."

The information shocked her. "You were going to let him go?"

"And my loyalties are not even nearly as complicated. I was going to have him delivered to King's Landing in exchange for my daughter."

Poor, Sansa. The only luck that girl has had, it seemed, was Margaery Tyrell."Where's Robb?"

"With a maester. Even mothers are not allowed in so I doubt you will be able to see him."

"He's fine." Cass breathed. I think he is fine. But he is…he's a warg. She was so unfamiliar with that word, and thought of Melisandre for some reason. She thought of the fire and shadow and then the cold coming in. Her head felt dizzy. She felt like running away again. "I delivered Jaime to King's Landing instead, Catelyn. I told him to try and stop this war." Melisandre hissed in her ears, "I have seen worse enemies in the flames."

Catelyn did not seem hopeful. "We'll see if the oathbreaker keeps his word."

Robb would not see her.

There were men running in and out of Riverrun, discussing things she was not a part of. This is not what Stannis intended. Robb had not renounced his title. He had not said anything concerning Storm's End or even Winterfell, but he had been using Stannis' men to round up Lannisters and chase the Mountain around.

Cass had seen him though. More often than not, he would be in the Great Hall, talking with his captains about strategy and alliances and things they should have been talking about. Cass had insisted Lord Beric Dondarrion join the discussion, and he did. Ser Davos had been called back to the Iron Islands where her brother's victory drew near.

They questioned whether Stannis' fleet would come back to join them or head to Dragonstone. That Baratheon seat had been left scarce, an inactive enmity with King's Landing. Many expected that Stannis would return and then attack the capital by route of Blackwater Bay, but Cass doubted as much. Melisandre wants to stay North. Gods know why, but she thinks something is there.

They questioned what to do with Theon Greyjoy as well. News about Bran and Rickon's death came to Riverrun with Cassana's arrival, and the council had decided some time later that he would be executed after the wedding.

"What wedding?" Cass stayed in the room given to her. She was tired of politics, tired of running around smiling at people that she did not remember the names of. Dondarrion seemed surprised that she didn't know.

"Lord Frey has requested we find him a different match since the loss of the young Stark boys." Dondarrion chuckled. "Can't imagine why no one has volunteered yet."

"Robb hasn't?" She said without thinking.

His chuckle turned into full out laughter at this point, but he didn't give Cass any reason as to why. At seeing Cass' confusion, Dondarion settled down. "Why, no, my lady. Why would he?"

She didn't know exactly how to respond to that. Cass gave Dondarrion another fake smile and wandered off, now thoroughly determined to find Robb Stark.

He was not in the Great Hall with his men. Nor was he with his mother up in the solar. Cass didn't dare go up there. Lord Hoster was sick, extremely so, and Cass had no right to go up lurking about, searching for his grandson. But Edmure had informed her that Catelyn was there but that he hadn't seen Robb ever since their first council that morning.

The godswood was her last realistic option to find him, and luckily, Robb was there. He was seated on the ground, crown off his head, and Grey Wind by his side. The sight of both them together reminded Cass of what she had seen earlier. She knelt down, letting the leaves rub up against her knees, even though Robb and the direwolf were still a yard or two in front of her. "You saw me with Jaime."

Robb still didn't look at her. He turned away, back to her face, and looked at the trees. "How would I have?"

"There was a wolf there—a direwolf that looked exactly like Grey Wind only I swore that he had blue eyes."

His shoulders hunched, and Cass could tell his back muscles were tensing even through the layers of armor and fur. Robb turned his head a bit, "Do you remember I told you I have bad dreams?"

"Yes." She made no move to get closer to him.

"I don't think they're dreams at all."

"You're a warg, aren't you? I've heard of them before. I thought they were just stories, but you can go into his skin."

"You don't know that."

"Robb, don't lie. It doesn't suit you. And when you fainted, I swear it was just…"

"Cass." He turned back around, voice bitter, stained with anger. Robb hands were in the dirt, digging into the firm topsoil. "You should not be talking to me."

"But I have things to talk to you about."

"I don't care." Robb exhaled. "I don't wish to speak to you."

Cass stood up, getting annoyed. "You haven't wished to speak to me for days. Robb, we don't have time for you to be angry with me. There are many things my brother expects with your alliance, and I am here to guarantee that they happen."

"I don't think it's in your best interest to speak with me about alliances either."

She did not want to speak to his back or listen to him hold in his emotions, hiding them behind some pretense of nobility and manners. Cass crossed her arms, looking at Grey Wind in slight fear before speaking again. "I ran away with Jaime. I set him free and we went to White Harbor together."

Robb stayed on the ground. "I know."

"He was my friend. He still is my friend. And he kissed me."

His head bobbed down, "Cassana, stop it, please."

"No. He kissed me and I …" She froze at the realization. "I liked..."

"STOP!" Robb was standing. He hadn't warged, but he was angry, furious with her. As soon as he recognized the emotion, he tried to suppress it, taking deep breaths, but that wasn't what Cass wanted. "I'm sorry."

"No you aren't. I was supposed to marry you but instead I ran away. Tell me how you feel about it."

"You don't want to know."

"That's where you wrong." Cass edged closer to him. "I want to know exactly."

Robb sniffed. "I want you gone, Cassana—away from here and out of my sight. What you did is unforgivable to me. I thought...I thought you would be family, but you betrayed me." He turned to her. "Why would you do that?"

"What would you have done, Robb, if Bran and Rickon were out there fighting each other?" Cass knew it was a poor analogy—that the bond Robb shared with his brothers was leagues better than she had ever experienced, but still she persisted. "I wanted to help Stannis."

"My mother says that he murdered Renly."

"It's true." She knew that. It killed her to think about, but she held her chin high. "He is the only family I have left—the only true Baratheon."

"I've heard the rumors, Cass. Joffrey is born of incest."

That truth killed her even more. "I know that."

"And yet you still defend Jaime Lannister? You…" He grabbed at his red hair. "What is it that I have done? Why did you run to him? Why did you let him go, Cass? I would have brought you to Stannis. I would have sent you with guards and horses if you just asked it of me."

"I couldn't." She wanted to hear his anger and have him talk to her, just tell her how he actually felt, but the words still hurt. "I couldn't become a Stark first. I know how that sounds, Robb, but I don't know if Stannis would have listened to me if I came as your wife and not his sister."

"Cass, do you want to marry me at all?"

Jaime had asked her that question too, and it irked her, bothered her immensely, that the answer was still the same. "I don't know."

Robb squirmed. "Why not?"

I don't know. I don't know why I am so hesitate about this. But Robb had an answer for her.

"Is it because you love him?"

Her mouth dropped a bit, and Cass licked her lips. There was that, maybe. She wasn't sure if she called what she felt for Jaime love. Just as she was unsure that her feelings for Robb were love. There was care there, so much care and want, but love was unknown to her. Love was dangerous and at the moment, meaningless. "When I was 15, I used to pray to the Maid about my husband."

Robb didn't seem amused by her story, but he was too polite to interrupt her, so Cass continued. "I know it seems a foolish thing. My brother was still king then, and I had enough suitors. But women are married off usually when they have flowered and I wasn't. I was worried." She felt silly suddenly, telling this story to him, but Cass needed to finish it now. "And I never asked her that I marry a man that I love, but that I marry a man that…was better than me."

She coughed, still uneasy, "What I'm trying to say is, even if I did love him, it…it wouldn't matter. He's a Lannister. If my brother wins this war…" Cass exhaled deeply. "He'll be dead."

"I don't know what you mean by someone who is better than you."

"You are." Cass said immediately. "You are better than me. You are loyal to a grave fault and smart and handsome too."

The flattery barely seemed to affect him. "I still do not understand, Cass. Why won't you…"

"Because I'm afraid you'll die." She spat out loudly, suddenly—confusing and stunning herself. "I'm afraid I'll marry you and then you'll be killed. Your cause will be lost and I will be forever branded as a wolf with no way out." It was the truth. There. The realization came to her, and she felt no better because of it. "I'm…terrified that my brother will reject me. I'm afraid of going back to the Red Keep and seeing my nephew smile over my head on the Sept."

"That's why?"

Yes, and Jaime too. She bit her lip. I'm afraid of seeing him again. I…we can never be together. I know that. I'm afraid that I do love him and marrying you will show me that. But she could not bring herself to say those things to Robb. They were hard enough to admit to her own head. "I don't know what else to say."

Robb didn't seem to know either. He crossed his arms, thinking hard about her words and then his own. "I'm going to marry Walder Frey's daughter, Cassana." His blue-green eyes stared at her, looking confident, though she could see his face paling. "You are my ally, and that is all. I will not take Storm's End from you, but I will rule the land above the Neck. Tell your brother that. I will be the Warden of the North, but these people's laws are my laws and mine alone—not King's Landing's. Do you understand?"

Her mind was still stuck on his first sentence, but she nodded and managed to grumble a low, "Yes."

Robb started to turn away from her but then said, "You should have been honest with me. I deserve that much. You can tell me that you love him. At least then I could understand your actions."

He was waiting for her response, but Cass found herself unable to say anything.

A/N:

There will be more action soon. Quite a bit actually. Maybe too much.

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