"How can you let this happen ? Ned we have to do something !" said for the hundredth time Catelyn , pacing in her room .

"What do you want me to do ? This is the AllFather choice Cat ..."

"She is promised to Robb !"

"But Robb is dead .."

"He's not . I can feel it in my guts . My son is alive . "

"Cat , we talked about this several times already .."

"This is not what matters right now . We have to do something . This wedding is a joke . She's being forced obviously … I can't let this happen .."

"They're already kind to let us spend some days here for the wedding so don't make them regret that . "

"Kind ? Oh please I take that as an insult . First they kill my son then invite us at the wedding of his bride with another man !"

"She didn't want to marry Robb . She told me so .."

"That's why she mourns him ? That's why she spends all her time in the Godswood praying for him ? This is another trick from this Loki trust me . She liked Robb and was willing to marry him . Both Robb and Thessana were tricked and I didn't see anything coming … What kind of mother am I ? .."

"Oh come on Cat love ..." said Ned , holding his weeping wife in his arms . "If I could do anything I would . But it's impossible ..."

Thessana looked at the women dressing her in differents gowns for the upcoming wedding . Everytime they asked for her opinion and everytime were greeted by silence . All Asgard was buzzing since the announcement . It was the first royal wedding since centuries , even millenium . Asgardians were coming everyday , paying their tributes then hoping to be part of the ceremony . Delegations from other realms were already coming too . All Asgard was happy about this . All except Thessana . Robb's death and her wedding with Loki shook her to the bone , leaving nothing of her except tears , grief and rage . Everybody was all smiles and laughs but her . As soon as somebody was with her , she was wearing a mask of indifference and coldness , not talking nor paying attention . She couldn't even mourn Robb properly . She soon understood that seeing her cry Robb made Loki happy . For him it was a symbol of his victory over him . And she couldn't give him that satisfaction . The only moments she could let herself go was with Jon or in the Godswood , where nobody came to disturb her or talk to her about this pitiful wedding .

"Silk or lace my lady ?"

She looked down at the woman , who was holding two pieces of fabric , both white .

"Which one is the stronger ?" asked Thessana . Everybody in her chambers stopped and looked at her . It was the first time that she was speaking or answering one of their questions .

"Silk .."

"Then take the silk one and hang yourself with . "

The woman gasped in shock and left running , tears in her eyes . The door was wide open as she rushed out and Thessana sighed in relief as she saw Jon , standing there , cocking an eyebrow .

"Is this a bad time ?"

"No . Come in ."

"But Lady Thessana your dress .." said one of the woman .

"If it isn't that obvious , I don't care about this dress . Leave now . All of you ."

They all left as Thessana went in her bathroom , taking the gown off to put one of her dress . Jon was sat on her bed , playing with a piece of silk . She went next to him , lying on her back , looking at the canopy .

"How do you feel ?"

She did not answer , just closing her eyes and breathing slowly .

"Sorry stupid question .."

"No actually … Nobody asks me anymore how I am … How I feel … They all assume I am full of joy but hide it because I'm a rebellious piece of shit . "

"So how do you feel ?"

"Empty but full at the same time . I don't feel anything since his death , it's like I failed in the only thing I had to do . And at the same time I am full of anger . I want to kill them all … Starting by this shit of Loki .. You know what's the worst ? During all those years I was sure he was my friend … I was the only one talking to him or playing with him because everybody hated him .. Be nice , they said . Look where being nice led me . "

"I think Loki really loves you in his own weird way … He knew he couldn't stand against Robb so .."

"Don't find him any excuses ..."

"I am not . He's probably responsible for the death of my brother ..."

"You loved him very much ..."

"He was the person I cared about the most … I was jealous of Robb my whole life . The way my father looked at him , I wanted that . He was better than me at everything . Fighting , hunting , riding , and girls . Gods , the girls loved him … I wanted to hate him , but I never could . Because he was my brother and I loved him more than anything … "

"Girls loved him ?"

Jon cracked up and start laughing as Thessana . It felt good to be able to laugh , felt almost normal .

"Jealous ?"

"Me ? Maybe who knows .."

"Girls loved him but he wasn't paying attention , wasn't seeing them . He was more absorbed by his future duties as Lord of Winterfell , trying to do his best .. Oh no , he never paid attention to any girls . The only time I saw him attracted to a girl it was you … When he learnt that you didn't want to marry him , he became depressed .. I told him it was impossible that you said that but he didn't believe me . And I understood how insecure he was … How scared he felt ..."

"I wish I knew him better .."

"Maybe you two would be married by now and we would have been back in Winterfell .."

"Yeah maybe ..."

"I should go .. I think rumours about how the bastard is close to the future bride are already running in all Asgard .."

"Who cares .. You're my friend Jon . I love you .."

"I love you too Thess .. I am glad I met someone like you ."

Robb woke up and shivered . The gloomy atmosphere of the cave , the salty taste of blood in his mouth , the ache in his bones , everything was driving him mad . He knew that he was close to his death and he couldn't do a thing about it . The chains around his wrists , bounding him to the wall seemed to be larger but only because of the weight he lost . Robb didn't know since when he was taken prisonner . Days , weeks or even months . He lost track of the time when the dwarves started to torture him . At first it was only few slaps and punches . But they understood that it didn't hurt Robb that much . And they started to use swords to make cuts on his chest , whip his back or even burn his skin . But never he begged for his life , for mercy . He knew that his family would think that he was dead . They would mourn him for a few days then get back to their lives and try to make a new heir . Or give Jon the Stark name . This thought made Robb truly happy . Jon would make a great Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North . His eyes closed slowly , dead tired of his condition and the darkness surrounding him . But soft footsteps woke him up again . More torture was coming for him . His jaw clenched as the footsteps were closer . But instead of a whole group of dwarves , a single one was standing in front of him , carrying a lantern . Never Robb saw him , or maybe he came when he was unconscious . The dwarf looked scared and was rolling his eyes , trying to catch a noise or a stare .

"Nobody's here …" said hoarsely Robb .

"Nobody came while you were asleep ?" asked the dwarf , still worried .

"No or they would have woken me up don't you think ? Are you here to kill me ? Do it fast i'm kind of bored to be honest ."

"Oh don't play it tough with me Robb Stark . I know you . And I am not here to kill you but to give you your freedom back ."

"Is it some kind of trick ?"

"Sssh they could hear you … "

The dwarf broke the chains and Robb felt on his knees , exhausted . The dwarf tried to make him stand but impossible . Gathering his last forces he stood and followed the dwarf in a maze . After what seemed hours , Robb saw natural light and rushed towards it . He was greeted by snow and he started to laugh hysterically , the coldness soothing his pain .

"No time for this Robb Stark , we must move fast before somebody sees us !"

"Where ?"

"To my house . You're going to hide there until you'll feel better . In this state never you would make it to Asgard ."

"I am not from Asgard .."

"But they're the ones who sent you . Anyway hurry up Roob Stark ."

"You can call me Robb you know .."

"Oh I wouldn't dare Robb Stark .."

Robb frowned looking at the weird dwarf . He had something in his mind , Robb could bet on it . But he wanted to live and leave this place so he followed him anyway .

Dinners were silent now . Nobody even tried to make conversation . Even Thor was more serious , more solemn . Thessana knew it was just a phase . Soon he'll be back , the foolish , reckless Thunder man . Only Loki was grinning all the time , proud of himself , almost parading .

"You should stop drinking so much wine love ..." said Frigga with a gentle tone .

"Is it an order ?" replied harshly Thessana . "You think you haven't done enough ? Let me have this last little pleasure . " as she took another sip .

"It dulls the senses ."

"Yeah that's the point of it , thanks your grace ."

"We all should go to rest . Tomorrow is a big day . " said Odin , cutting short any protest .

Thessana stood the first and left to her chambers , locking herself up . After warming the water , she took a bath and sat there , thinking . The night after she'llbe married and will have to share her bed with a man she despised . She wanted someone to confort her , to sooth her pain but she was alone . All alone . She held her kness against her chest and started to cry . She wanted to flee , be free of this situation . The persons who had saved her when she was a baby , were now her jailers . She needed to talk to somebody . She went in her room , put a robe and left silently , walking through the corridors . Never she needed this kind of person . She grew up alone , her life fulfilled with joy and laughs . But now she felt the loss . She needed a mother . She knocked at the door which opened quickly after .

"I hope i'm not bothering you … I need to talk .."

Jon came in the tavern and immediately spotted Theon , sat in a corner , drinking . He didn't even noticed the girls who were walking around him , trying to catch his eye . But Theon was only focused on his drink . Jon took a beer and sat in front of him .

"Notice those poor girls , Greyjoy . Stop pretending to be sad ."

"Because only the true Starks can mourn ? Oh I forgot you aren't one neither ."

"I am more Stark than you . In case you've forgotten you are an hostage . You may have been raised with us , you're not one of us ."

"And yet , Robb was my brother . And you know he thought the same of me . I loved Robb . He was the only one who treated me as an equal . As his brother . Maybe more than you … "

Jon said nothing and took a sip of his drink .

"Once I remember , Maester Luwin told Robb to not trust the Iron born . Because they were rebels and weren't trustworthy . An Iron born will always stab you in the back . He said that to Robb . "

"What did Robb answer ?"

"That if he could , he would put his life in my hands and never regret it . "

"That sounds like Robb . Always seeing the people and not the story behind their names ."

"I hate him . I hate him for dying .."

Jon , once again said nothing , a sob stuck in his throat .

"Why are you doing this Loki ?" asked Thor , looking at the stars from the balcony .

"She loves me . I am the perfect person for her . " answered Loki .

"So perfect that she rather drink herself into oblivion . "

"Are you here to celebrate my last night as a single man or to say stupid stuff ?"

"Not stupid stuff . I know you think I am though . Stupid I mean . Several people think that . Sometimes I am , I don't deny it . But this time Loki you're acting foolishly . More than I'll ever act . Stop this madness . Let her mourn and live her life as she wants ."

He came back in the room and looked at his brother . He looked tired , paler , crazier .

"That's not her the problem … It's you Thor . You and your jealousy . You're jealous because you're still single in your miserable life . Bedding a different girl each night . Never you'll find love . You'll always be alone . You might be the all mighty Thor but it kills you that I got the woman of my dreams , of my fantasies . "

"Thessana isn't a fantasy Loki . She's a real person . If you think she'll bend the knee to you then I pity you . "

And he left . Loki screamed of anger and broke to pieces all the furnitures in his room .

Robb dry his wet curls with a towel as he came back in the main roon . At his surprise it was a normal house , like the ones of the farmers from the North . The dwarf had given him back the clothes he wore under his armour when he was captured . His wounds were still hurting but he felt better , clean and dressed . A pot full of soup was warming on the fire .

"Come Robb Stark and sit . The food will be ready soon . Let me pour you some tea . "

"Thanks for everything , really . I feel bad for having nothing in exchange ."

"Oh your life worth all of these do not worry ."

"About that .. I don't think I am the person you're expecting .."

"Are you Robb Stark ? Son of Lord Eddard Stark and Lady Catelyn Stark , born Tully ?"

"Yes but .."

"Then yes , you are the person I expect you to be . Here drink some tea ."

"How do you know me ?"

"I've read several things about you ."

"It's impossible .."

"Don't forget that dwarves have power . Other than making great weapons of course . "

"You can see the future ?"

"And you are born to achieve great things that's why I had to free you .. But your selflessness will lose you . "

"What great things ? Tell me .."

"I can't … But remember this . Family comes first , no matter what . Cause in the end of the day , they're always loyal with you from the start till the end . Never forget this ."

"If you know the future , do you know the past as well ?"

"You're wondering about Lady Stark ."

"No , not my mother .. About Thessana , the Asgardian ."

"That's what I said . Lady Thessana Stark . Do not move and drink ."

Robb took a sip of his tea and smiled at the warmth of it . The dwarf came back with a large book , almost too big for him .

"This is some kind of register ?" asked Robb .

"Sort of ..."

He started to look in it , quickly then tore off three pages .

"Take them with you . "

"Can't I look ?"

"Do you really want to do it without her ?"

"No .. Thanks for everything .."

"Let's eat . And after a night of rest , we'll see if you can leave ."

Thessana shed her tears and looked at the stars .

"The Gods always hear your prayers . They may let this wedding happen but Loki will be punished for his mischief … And remember that Winterfell is your home . You can come whenever you want ."

"Thanks Lady Stark … "

"You may not be a Stark , but you're like my daughter . Tomorrow we will sat on your side . And as I told you , Ned will take you to Loki . "

She looked at Catelyn and tears rolled on her cheeks again . It was almost dawn . The whole night , they talked about their lives , futures and the wedding . Never she thought she would come when she want to her room , earlier that night but she did .

"I wished my mother was like you .. Or at least alive .."

"Oh little love ..."

She held her in her arms , humming an old song . They both stayed there until the sun fully rose .