"Who am I? I'm just a writer. I write things down."-Richard Siken

Chapter 7

Mal had found herself walking along the courtyard of Winterfell looking for something to do. Ever since she and Robb had announced her pregnancy Lady Catelyn had thought it prudent to ease up on Mal's duties, leaving Mal to have a lot of free time on her hands. At first Mal had relished in all the freedom but she soon found herself growing bored.

"I wonder if it's possible to die from utter boredom" She had been looking for Robb but was informed by one of the guards that Robb had left for a afternoon hunt with Lord Stark and a few others. "He'll probably come home with another pelt for our bedchamber."

From the moment she had told Robb he had become very attentive to her every need. He'd insisted that she move into his bedchamber so he could take care of her. He'd also gotten into the habit of surprising her with animal pelts to keep her warm during the increasingly colder nights; he didn't want her to feel the slightest bit of discomfort for the duration of her pregnancy. "Soon we'll have our own menagerie."

Mal was lured out of her thoughts by quick thumping sounds. Deciding to follow her curiosity, Mal hunted down the source of the sound. "If it's Theon messing around with another serving girl, he is going to get an earful from Lady Catelyn"

To Mal's surprise it was not Theon bumbling about with a maid but in fact Robb's bastard half-brother hacking away at practice dummy.

"Has that dummy insulted you in some way, Jon Snow?"

Jon spun around with his blade raised but when he saw it was just Mal he sheepishly lowered the blade. "Forgive me, Lady Stark, you frightened me. I did not mean to raise my sword to you." He said with a bow

"You don't need to apologize, Jon; I shouldn't have snuck up on you. My uncle always warned me to never sneak up on a man with a blade, unless you are carrying a weapon yourself." She finished with a grin. She had yet to spend any time with Jon. She'd see him sometimes at dinner and training with Robb but whenever she was around Jon would respectfully lower his eyes and leave as quickly as he could.

It seemed Jon was still not comfortable being around her as he was now trying to come up with any excuse he could to get away from the situation.

"You'll have to forgive me, Lady Stark, but I promised Arya that I would show her how to shoot properly with a bow and I'd hate to disappoint her. So I have to bid you farewell." He bowed low before starting to move away.

Mal made a move forward and held her hands up. "Normally I would allow you to scurry off to wherever it is you go to when you try to get away from me. But unfortunately for you, Arya is with her mother today. Septa Mordane refuses to watch her after Ayra accidently threw a mud pie at her."

Jon raised an eyebrow at her. "How do you accidently throw a mud pie at someone?"

She let out a little giggle. "She was aiming for Sansa."

Jon joined in on the laughter. Mal soon sobered up and stared at Jon with a serious look in her eye. "Do I make you feel uncomfortable, Jon Snow? I know how much your brother loves you and I wish to be on friendly terms with you as well. You are my good-brother, after all."

Jon chucked at that. "Beg pardon, my lady. But I'm your husband's bastard half-brother. I admire your attempts at being cordial with me but you don't have to do so. I understand that my station in life is far beneath yours."

"I don't think you are beneath me at all, and I know Robb doesn't think so either. My cousins are all baseborn, and I grew up with them as my equals." She said as she put a comforting hand on his arm.

"There are a lot of people who would disagree with you." He said softly.

"Doesn't matter what they think, it only matters what you think." Mal kissed his cheek and gave him a reassuring smile.

It was in that moment that her babe decided to make itself known by giving her a little kick.

Mal gave out a little yelp and she put her hand on her stomach. Jon was alarmed at once. "Are you okay, is it the baby? Shall I find Maester Luwin?" He asked in a rapid manner.

She held out her hand to stop him. "It's fine, Jon. The babe is just kicking," she gave him a sweet smile. "Would you like to feel?"

Jon's face started reddening to the very roots of his Stark dark hair. "N-no, I don't think it would be appropriate. You're Robb's wife and I'm-"

"You're my babe's uncle, the same as Rickon and Bran. You're allowed to feel." She stubbornly told him as she grabbed his hand and forced it on her stomach. The babe chose that moment to give an extra hard kick. "I think she likes you."

Jon was quiet for a while as he stared at her belly in wonder. He lifted his head and gave her a small grin. "She? I think you are mistaken, it's a boy." He told her ruefully.

Mal rolled her eyes. "You Starks are all the same."

The two shared a laugh but were soon interrupted by Ser Rodrik.

"Ser Rodrik, has my father returned from his hunt?" Jon greeted his mentor.

"Unfortunately no, the guards have caught a deserter of the Night's Watch," he became aware of Mal's presence and bowed his head. "My lady," Mal smiled in greeting. "Your lord father as commanded me to bring you and Theon back out for the execution."

"Execution? What execution." Mal asked suddenly alarmed.

"Pardon me, my lady but deserters of the Night's Watch must be executed when caught."

"They cannot abandon their vows, it's punishable by death." Jon explained.

"And Robb is there as well?" She asked slightly fearful for his safety. If this man from the Night's Watch was automatically condemned to die then there was a chance that he would lash out at his captors in an attempt to flee.

"He is my lady," Ser Rodrik could see that the girl was concerned for her young husband. "He and Lord Stark wait patiently for Jon and Theon." He finished with a pointed look to Jon.

"I'll find Theon and then we'll meet you there." Jon told Ser Rodrik while laying a hand on Mal's shoulder in farewell. "I'll tell Robb that you send your love." Mal gave him a look of thanks.

"Perhaps you should lie down, and don't worry yourself, Lady Stark. It's not good for the babe." Ser Rodrik smiled reassuringly

"Thank you Ser Rodrik, your kindness is much appreciated." She said as she made her way back to her and Robb's bedchamber.

Try as she might, Mal could not rest her mind. It had been an hour since Jon and Theon had left to go join Lord Stark and the rest of their party for the execution. The urge to make sure Robb was okay was too strong to resist. Getting out of bed she traveled out to the stables to get some news. She had asked several servants on where Robb was and while a number of them had no clue on Robb's location, a kind stable hand had informed her that Robb was deep in the godswood.

The godswood were damp and dense. A thick mist hung onto the trees and it seemed to Mal that eyes were following her everywhere. "These trees know that I am a stranger, even with a Northern babe in my belly." Trekking a bit further she came upon Robb praying at the foot of the heart tree. The face carved into the weirwood was as primal and unnerving as the day she and Robb wed.

Not wanting to disturb him Mal silently moved to kneel beside him watching him as he knelt there with his eyes closed seemingly hundreds of miles away. Her eyes traveled his face and body making sure everything was in place and that he wasn't harmed in any way. When she was satisfied with her inquiry her eyes rested on his peaceful face. "He's at peace here, with his gods," flicking her gaze from Robb's relaxed face to the face of the weirwood Mal said a little prayer. "Keep him safe, whatever happens keep him safe," she lowered her hand to rest over her womb."Both of them."

She felt Robb's hand cover her own over her womb. "Jon told me that the babe was moving earlier." He softly remarked.

"Yes, but I'm sorry to say that the babe has gone to sleep." She said with a sad smile.

"As should you." He lightly scolded her. "Ser Rodrik told me that you've worked yourself up over this execution business."

Mal scoffed at her husband's remark. "Forgive me, but hearing that my husband is in the vicinity of a dangerous man does tend to put me on edge."

"He was hardly a dangerous man, Mal. He was a boy no older than 16. A skinny whelp of a thing, I think Bran has more muscle on him than this boy did." He said as he gathered closer to make her feel more comfortable.

"Why did he run away?" She asked him quietly as she tilted her head up to look at him.

Robb stared deep into his wife's eyes before answering her question. "The North is hard place to live, harder than you've ever imagined. And winter is coming and things will be even harder. As hard as it gets here, it's ten times harder at The Wall. The lad probably had no choice in choosing to join the Night's Watch, probably committed some crime and chose The Wall instead of receiving a punishment. It's more than likely he had no idea what he was expecting when he got there. When he saw it wasn't going to be an easy journey he fled at the earliest chance."

"Rickon told me that Starks have manned The Wall for years." She said absentmindedly.

"Have you been taking history lessons from a 6-year old?" Robb teased with a chuckle.

"I may have sat in on a couple of Rickon's lessons with Maester Luwin." She answered sheepishly with the faint hint of a blush on her cheeks.

Robb exploded with laughter and Mal soon joined him and their laughter filled the misty terrains of the godswood. After they calmed down, Mal sat up to address her husband more seriously. "You look worried about something," she traced the faint frown lines around his face as she stared straight into his eyes. "What has Robb Stark so worked up?"

He sighed before answering. "My father warned me about how the long summer is finally coming to an end. You've never dealt with snow or harsh winters have you?" Mal shook her head. "I thought not. That's what I was afraid of and add in the fact that you're about to have baby, things are going to be difficult for you and me."

Mal moved her hand from Robb's cheek to rub his chest in a reassuring way. "You can't focus on something like that. I'll be fine, and the baby will be fine. We have you, Robb and we have your family. I'm a Stark now, and this baby is undoubtedly a Stark, we'll survive winter. I may complain to you the entirety of winter, but I will survive."

Robb allowed a soft smile to grace his face. "My father always said that when the weather gets bad, wolves must band together in order to survive."

"The lone wolf never makes it out alive," she smirked. "Your father does have the penchant to tell stories throughout dinner. You Starks do love a good story." She joked.

"Blame it on Old Nan, she's been telling my father stories since he was Rickon's age. It's more than likely she'll tell our little pup the same stories." He gave her a passionate kiss.

Mal ended the kiss with a twitch of her eyebrow. "What's her secret d'ya think?"

Robb shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows, she's just incredibly lucky to have lived this long."

Mal stilled for a moment which alerted Robb. "What's the matter?"

She shushed him and grabbed his hand and put it over her stomach. The moment Robb's hand touched her stomach the babe started kicking like crazy which caused Robb to let out a little laugh.

"He knows who I am." He said in awe

"You talk to her every night; of course she knows who you are."

Robb didn't rise to her teasing and the two fell silent as they dealt with their own thoughts.

"Oh, I've just remembered. Before the guards found the boy, I caught a fox for you. You're going to need warmer gowns when winter comes, and maybe some new thicker gloves." Robb informed her as he rubbed her stomach.

Letting a smirk form on her lips she decided to further tease her husband. "Thank goodness it was just a fox. I don't think our bed could handle another large bear fur being thrown across it."

"You'll be thanking me when winter comes." Robb asserted.

"I'll be too cozy in my bed to even remember to thank you." She promised with a kiss.

"Will I be joining you in your cozy bed?" He asked in a suggestive tone.

Mal kissed him deeply on his mouth. "Maybe" she said with a devilish grin.

Robb returned her grin with a lusty one of his own.

The next day Mal found herself sitting on a bench in the courtyard watching Robb, Jon and Theon practice shooting a bow. Rickon and Bran were sitting on either side of Mal also watching their brothers with enthusiasm.

"When will you teach me how to shoot?" Bran impatiently asked.

"Soon," Robb told his younger brother. "When you're ready and when the time is right."

"But I'm ready now." Bran huffed as he wiggled in his seat.

"I'm ready too!" Rickon piped up.

Mal let out giggle before ruffling Rickon's hair. "I think you'll have to wait a few more years before learning to shoot."

Rickon pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. "It's not fair, I want to learn too!"

Sensing that the child was close to a meltdown Mal gathered the child in her arms and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Hush, little one. You'll learn in time. And then maybe one day you'll teach our son how to shoot with a bow."

"When will the baby get here?" Rickon asked curiously.

"Not for a few more months. Are you excited for the baby?"

"I'm excited. I don't remember when Rickon was born so it'll be exciting to have a new baby around here," Rickon jumped in with a loud. "I'm excited for the baby too!"

"Have you decided on a name?" Bran asked.

Mal shook her head. "We're still debating on it." She kissed Bran on his head and gave Rickon another kiss when he starting fussing.

"You should name the babe after me." Theon interrupted with a smug look on his face.

Jon let out a huff of laughter. "Not on your life, Greyjoy." Mal told him with a blank face.

Robb and Jon keeled over with laughter but they gathered themselves when they saw Lady Catelyn make her way over to them. The three men greeted her with a bow before returning to their archery practice

"Bran, Maester Luwin's been looking for you. It's time for your lessons." Bran's face drooped a bit before biding everyone a good-bye and heading off to find the Maester.

Catelyn took Bran's seat and joined Mal in watching the boys practice.

"You're good with him." She motioned with a nod of her head to where Rickon's head was lying on Mal's lap. Mal fingers ran through his hair trying to lull him into his afternoon nap.

"He reminds me of my youngest brother, Trystane. They're around the same age and prone to having the same sort of fits but he's a good boy."

Her good-mother smiled softy. "That he is," she cleared her throat lightly, "so how have you been feeling lately?"

Mal grinned widely. "Very well, Robb's been taking care of my every need so I've wanted for nothing. It's been an easy pregnancy so far."

"You're lucky. My first pregnancy was far from easy. I was sick throughout the whole thing; you cannot imagine how uncomfortable it was. I was holed up at Riverrun, you see, in the middle of Robert's Rebellion. But I had my family with me to help deal with it; it made things a little more manageable."

"That was when you were pregnant with Robb wasn't it? It must be hard to deal with all this. You're firstborn married and about to have his own child."

Catelyn let out a deep sigh. "It isn't easy. But at the same time, I was younger than the two of you when I married Robb's father. You're good for him– you're both good for each other. I have no concerns for Robb's future."

Mal hesitated over her next question before taking a deep breath and diving right in. "To be honest with you I am a little afraid of this whole situation, y'know having a baby and taking care of it, it's all a big mystery to me. And I know this is something that I should have asked my mother when I was younger but it's been years since I last saw her. She lives far away in Norvos, you see. She left not long after my brother Trystane was born. And I was wondering if, y'know, if I had any questions that I could—"

Lady Catelyn rested her hand over Mal's. "I would be honored to help you and Robb in any way that I can. Babies are not easy, but I will help you. I doubt it'll be very hard for you. You're a natural with Rickon."

Letting out a relived sigh, Mal smiled. "Thank you so much, I've had some experience with my little brothers, but I imagine it's an entirely different situation when it comes to your own children."

Catelyn nodded. "That it is, but you'll find that you would move mountains for your children and that all the struggles and hardships will be worth it once you see your child safe and grown."

Rickon had taken that moment to wake up and start whining about how he was hungry which made Lady Catelyn and Mal share a laugh over the 6-year old's impatience.

"Struggles and hardships?" Mal asked with a tilt of her head as Rickon started to cry.

Holding out her hands for Rickon to jump into her arms, Lady Stark nodded. "Believe me, this isn't even the hard part."

Mal looked over to where Robb was standing intently watching the two of them for any signs of trouble and grinned proudly. "I think we're ready for it."

A/N: Thanks so much for reading, reviewing, following and adding this to your favorites. I may have the labor happen in the next chapter but if not it'll most definitely happen in chapter nine. In my timeline there are about 5-6 months until the arrival of the Robert & Co in Winterfell (it's been about 7 months since the first arrival of Mal in Winterfell, meaning that she's around 5 months) just to give you a little feel on where we're at in the story. Again, thanks so much for reading this story. I really didn't expect to get this kind of reaction. I mostly just started this as a way to kill boredom and procrastinate from school work. But thank you for receiving it so well. It really means the world to me.