A/N Here is the second part of the last chapter. Not sure when next update will be but reviews and comments certainly help with the ass-kicking when it comes to writing Prepare for fluff...

Chapter 15 – Don't go.

After having eaten and being with familiar folk once again, Olivia felt much better. So much so that she began to feel angry with the way Theon had behaved towards her that evening, it was damn disrespectful! She excused herself from Alyssa who she could see was looking pretty tired herself, camp life clearly taking it out of her.

She spotted Theon alone, making adjustments to some arrows for his bow.

"Theon," she waited until she was a metre away from him before calling his name. He clearly hadn't noticed her coming, as he jumped slightly when he turned to look at her.

"I don't have anything to say to you," he sneered. "I thought I made that pretty clear earlier," and he turned his back on her.

"All you made clear earlier is you're an absolute prick. I've been gone for months, had my own shit to deal with and the one person I was really looking forward to seeing pretty much ate my heart and shat it out in front of me!" she seethed, annoyed at herself for saying so much. Theon stopped what he was doing and turned to face her again.

"What, you talk about the shit you've been through? I'm riding to war here. If I hadn't been Eddard Stark's ward I would probably never be in this position. Luckily, I feel for Robb like he's a brother. Perhaps more so than Jon, though Robb would never admit that."

"Be careful what you're saying," warned Olivia. "This isn't about you and your war. This is about you being an ass," his arrogance infuriated her.

"And why do you think that is? I've not heard anything from you. When you left, all I could think about was you and hope I would hear something. I wasn't with anyone else for a long while before i gave in, telling myself you'd forgotten about me and i was stupid to think there was anything else," Olivia was taken aback. What he was saying was incredibly heartfelt, and the anger and passion in his voice hurt and enticed her at the same time.

"Theon, I couldn't write. The Queen and her twin fucking hated me, there was no way I could tell you about it. And I didn't want to lie, and to be honest I didn't know how you would feel about me in the long run," tears threatened to appear again in response to the extreme conflict of emotions she was feeling.

Theon sucked in a breath through his teeth. He realised he'd behaved harshly and out of order. In his selfishness he assumed that she hadn't contacted him because she was fucking pretty southern knights, Lords and god knows who else. He felt guilty about his display earlier, and remembered with a groan the two girls were still in his tent where he'd asked them to wait whilst he met with Robb. Setting down his materials he sat down and invited Olivia to sit with him.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

"I'm sorry too," she responded, shaking her head. "But if you're going to be this defensive and hot-headed, then i don't know if I can deal with you,"

They were interrupted by a messenger requesting Theon's presence back with Robb and the other Lords to discuss their next move.

"Can we talk later?" asked Theon. "If you wait with Alyssa I'll find you. I'm sorry I hurt you," She nodded her approval and as he got up to leave, he kissed her on the cheek. She did not respond, just stared after him, before rising and heading back to see if her cousin was indeed still awake.

Catelyn Stark had joined the men as they discussed their options and nobody protested.

"We need to cross the Twins," Robb pointed out, indicating on his map. "It's the best move for us, the only problem is convincing Lord Frey to grant us access,"

"I don't trust that bumbling fool," spat Great Jon. "Tricky, those Freys. I imagine they will be tempted by Lannister gold,"

"Although he is sworn to my father," Catelyn interjected. "That must count for something, despite his unreliability,"

"Nevertheless, we'll march toward the Twins and make camp nearer whilst we decide the best course of action. We cannot afford to waste time," Robb ordered. It was a reasonable enough plan, and they had to get through one way or another. Catelyn felt another jolt of pride as her son demonstrated even further his leadership skills. He did not tell her that her presence made him feel more confident.

A small commotion erupted as some of his men entered the tent, dragging a man behind them.

"A Lannister spy my Lord," one of them declared, shoving the spy to Robb's feet. "He was counting men,"

"Kill him!" came cries from around the room; the poor spy looking terrified as he looked into eyes full of hatred. Robb silenced them and turned his attention to the trembling spy before him.

"How many did you count?" he asked, his voice level.

"I got to 20,000 my Lord," was the reply, voice shaking. Robb looked away to face his men.

"Of course this is war, and it is inevitable that men and sometimes women will lose their lives. However, my father is a man of honour and one thing he taught me was mercy and compassion. Just because this man is a spy does not mean we should spill his blood." He turned to the spy and dragged him to his feet. "The Gods shine upon you today man, for you are to go back to Lord Tywin with your life. And while you're there, be sure to tell him that Winter is Coming with 20,000 men,"

"Yes my Lord, th-thank you my lord," the spy gushed, bowing and almost running out of the tent into the night. Robb turned back to his men. "That will be all for tonight," he sighed.

"Hang on, why did you let him go?" called out one of them, confused.

"Yeah, he was a dirty Lannister spy and deserves to die! What are you doing letting him live and sending him with messages for Lord Tywin?" another piped up. This set all of them off, but a look from Robb and a growl from Grey Wind called for silence.

"And how accurate is the message that Lord Tywin will receive?" he pointed out, to a chorus of quieter murmers and laughter. Catelyn felt another rush of pride, her once little boy was now a men commanding other men in his own right. Ned would have been so proud of him too, if only he was up here and not stuck in that horrible viper's nest.

Theon caught up with Robb as he left the war tent and headed towards his own.

"You're not so stupid after all, Stark," he grinned, clapping Robb on the back.

"Watch it Greyjoy," his friend grinned in return. "Clearly not as stupid as you, I notice Lady Dorsinger has joined us and you are heading towards my tent and not your own," Robb knew he had hit a nerve when Theon's face fell and a pout replaced his grin.

"Maybe I have been a bit stupid. There are two girls in my tent Robb and I don't know what to do about it," Robb stopped in his tracks and didn't know whether to laugh or box the older man's ears.

"Seriously? You're something else Theon. Where's Olivia?"

"In your tent with Alyssa,"

"I see, you've got a mess in yours so you plan on using mine?" Robb raised his eyebrow.

"Come off it, I just thought she'd feel better with Alyssa there. Sounds like she's had a bit of a rough time down south,"

"I'm only joking," Robb pushed him in jest. "But seriously, what are you going to do? You can hardly take her back to your tent with the current...extra company,"

"I was thinking maybe she could stay in Alyssa's tonight, I can get rid of the others on my own,"

"You are unbelievable," Robb laughed, flinging his arm around Theon's shoulders.

"Not like that!" he insisted, but fell silent as they entered Robb's temporary canvas haven. Both girls were asleep, curled up together on the bed. "There's a sight," he grinned, earning an elbow to the ribs. Robb tutted. He felt really bad about having to wake them, but if they were to march soon he would need his rest. He gently shook Alyssa's shoulder as she was nearest to him and whispered her name softly.

"Come on beautiful, time to wake up," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her temple. Both girls stirred and opened their eyes.

"What time is it?" yawned Alyssa, sitting up and looking around her.

"Bed time," Robb smiled.

"Then why wake me up?" she moaned, then remembered Olivia. "Oh yeah, i suppose it would be a bit cosy with us all in here," she noticed Theon then and glared at him, Olivia had told her about their talk but she was still annoyed with him for his behaviour. Robb knew better than to tell her what was in Theon's tent.

"I'm going, don't worry. I'm just hoping Olivia will come with me," Theon held his hands up in protest.

Alyssa shrugged and stood so Olivia could get up and pull on her cloak.

"That's the best sleep I've had for a long time," she smiled sleepily, stretching her back and limbs. "Thank you Alyssa, and sorry for taking up your bed Robb,"

"No problem," he smiled, "At least you've warmed it for me,"

Alyssa and Olivia hugged goodnight and she left, followed by Theon who was being a very quiet boy.

Once they were alone, Alyssa pulled Robb down to join her in the now-warm furs once he had removed his cloak. She helped him out of his boots and armour, tutting at the light film of dirt on his face and other exposed skin. "I'm not letting you get in the bed like that," she protested, getting up and retrieving a cloth and jug of water from the side.

"I hope you're not planning on using that cold water," he moaned as she plunged the cloth in and squeezed out the excess water.

"If you want me in your bed with you then I want to know I'm not going to wake up covered in camp dirt," she replied matter-of-factly, returning to Robb and gently wiping his face and arms. He scowled yet let her continue, he probably wouldn't be capable of remembering to change his clothes without her there reminding him for which he was grateful. Out there he was Robb the Lord, and in here he was Robb whose heart was held by this wonderful lady. "You'll do," she sighed, stepping back to give him a once-over glance.

"Thank you Lady Arryn," he winked. "Am I acceptable to sleep in my own bed now?"

"Not just yet," she winked, all but diving on top of him to be met with eager arms to pull her close and cover her mouth in kisses. He made swift work of her light clothing and it wasn't long before he was thrusting deep into her, hard and fast. In his lovemaking he didn't have to be so controlled, and Alyssa enjoyed it when he really let himself go. After they were both spent, they lay gasping in each other's arms.

"We'll be on the move in a few days," he confessed. "And the more south we go, the more dangerous it's going to be. I need you to understand that,"

"I do," she replied, kissing him. "But I choose to go with you, otherwise who else is going to make sure you look respectable?"

"Someone who certainly can't act that way when alone in a tent with me, it would seem," he teased, grabbing her wrists before she could retaliate.

"If you don't like it I'll sleep somewhere else," she offered, already knowing what his answer would be.

"No, I think I'll keep you," he laughed, wrapping the covers snugly around them as they prepared to sleep.


Olivia shivered slightly, night had fallen and the temperature was dropping. Theon noticed and looked around for some more wood to throw on the fire. He said a silent prayer of thanks to the drowned God that she had asked him to walk with her to Alyssa's empty tent and not his own. They were currently sat by an abandoned fire, still going but only just.

"How was your journey?" he began, sensing a tension in the air and not the sexual kind.

"It was...interesting. I don't know where Lord Baelish finds these people but they were certainly not unfamiliar with swordplay or bloodshed," Olivia recounted what had happened, though left out the part with Jaime. Theon listened intently, his expression becoming harder and harder; especially when she told him that when Jaime attacked Lord Stark, Cersei had claimed that Ned was drunk and returning from a brothel when he attacked her brother.

"Cunts, all of them," Theon spat. "I don't know any more than you about Lord Baelish's intentions, but I'm glad he got you away from all that,"

"Yes, there is that. But I don't know where to go from here. I could go up to Winterfell, make a life up there. Or rejoin my father and resume the life of a 5 year old, where every move I make has to be chaperoned." She sighed, visibly shivering more now despite her heavy travelling cloak. Theon didn't know what to say.

"What do you want to do?" he asked, feeling more and more guilty about how he had behaved earlier.

"I don't know," Olivia shrugged. "Get warm. Sleep. Feel...secure," Theon nodded and slowly moved closer to her. She felt she had punished him enough, and leaned closer allowing him to wrap his arms around her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered again.

"Me too. Truce?" she smiled weakly. King's Landing really had changed her. Previously, she'd have told him to do one but she felt so vulnerable, and they had such great chemistry between them when in Winterfell without a care in the world. She closed her eyes as he kissed her gently on her cheek.

"I can't argue with that. Come on, you're freezing. At least let me make sure you're safe and warm in that tent," he offered her his arm, which she thankfully took and walked with him into the small tent with the unused bed. One of the servants had brought her things already, Gods bless the Starks and their efficient hospitality. Theon lingered around the entrance, not wanting to push his luck now they were on better terms.

"You can come in you know," Olivia smiled, more colour in her cheeks now. Her mood had picked up a lot, and the prospect of an actual bed for the night was just wonderful. Theon boldly strode in and took a seat in one of the chairs as Olivia checked through her possessions, finding her nightgown. Slipping behind the modestly screen, which felt stupid when she thought back to the obscene things her and Theon had done together, she slipped into it and dove into the soft blankets of the bed.

"I'm not sitting sentry all night, I need sleep too," he whined. "I'd better head off before it gets too late, and cold,"

"Do you have to?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No," his cocky smile returned and he took off his boots and clothes until he was in his undergarments. It was only a single bed, yet he found if he moulded himself around Olivia they fit perfectly. He'd missed her, and she sighed contentedly as he ran his fingers up and down her arms.

"I just want to get some sleep Theon," she cautioned him. "But I want you to be there when I wake up,"

"Understood," he replied against her hair, kissing her head. Olivia was soon asleep due to the exhaustion of travel and emotions, yet Theon lay awake for a while contemplating what she'd said. He was happy to let her take the reins, but did not want to lose her again. Who knew what the war would bring?

The following morning, after waking with Olivia and dressing he slipped off to his tent. Luckily, it was empty and there was no sign anyone else had been there. He sighed with relief and washed himself as best he could. Feeling a lot happier than he had in a long time, he strided to the planning tent to hear what Robb's decision would be.

They were to pack up and march for the Twins in two days' time; they would cross with or without the support of Lord Frey.