Thessana looked at Ned , leaving with Arya and Sansa , alongside King Baratheon and his people . Jon was leaving too , to become a knight of the Night's watch . It was the beginning of something . She looked at the snow , melting in the mud and knew that it was the beginning of the end .

"Mother ! Mother !"

She turned as a little boy clutched her leg . It was Rickon , her second son . She ran a hand in his brown curls and kneeled to face him . His cheeks were wet with tears and fear haunted his big blue eyes . As much as Tommen looked like her , Rickon was the spare image of Robb .

"What is wrong ? Is Bran fine ?" she asked , worried .

"Yes but Grandmother said he could die ..."

Since Bran had fallen from the window , Rickon was all the time , either , crying or sleeping . He had dark circles under his eyes , because of the nightmares he made every time he closed his eyes . He's still a boy thought Thessana . He doesn't have to face all of this ..

"Bran is going to be fine . Your father told you that already no ?"

"Yes but .."

"No but . Did your father ever lied to you ?"

"No … Is father lord of Winterfell now ? I don't want him to become serious and stop playing with me . Tommen said that Father will let us alone and forget about us .. Is it true mother ?"

"Of course not ! Your father loves you and he's ready to do anything for you . Never he'll let you down . Never . Neither do I . Nothing will happen to my little baby ."

"I'm not a baby . I can fight with a wooden sword !"

"Indeed , sorry , you're a little man now . What about a little nap though ? You look tired and a man needs to be at the top of his form all the time .."

"Can I sleep in your room ? I used to sleep with Bran but now .."

"Sure , sweet one . Go there , I'm joining you soon ."

She looked at Rickon , running , his cloak floating behind him .

"When I was his age , my biggest worry was the ending of the summer . I was so carefree … He put so much pressure on himself that's scary ..."

"And you're not helping him .." said Thessana , looking at her eldest son . His blond curls were tangled and snow was melting in them . His piercing blue eyes were scrutinizing the sky .

"He's getting on my nerves .. He cries all the time mother … I don't know how to deal with him ."

"Saying that your father will forget about him is not helping the situation .."

"He believed this ? Gods … Father loves him so much how can he believe all I can say about that .."

"Because Rickon looks up at you . So be nice to him ."

"Fine mother .."

"What about you?"

"What about me ?"

"How do you feel ?"

Tommen looked again at the sky , frowning . He was a man now , taller than her but he was still a child deep inside .

"Winter is coming .." he finally said , looking at her .

"Winter is coming ..."

"I'm scared of what might happen ..."

"As long as we're still a family nothing will happen ."

"I'm going to check on Rickon . He's in your room ?"

Thessana nodded and kissed her son's forehead as he leaned over her . He smiled quickly and left in the castle . She was scared , for her family , for the future . She was scared but couldn't do a thing about it or even tell Robb . He was lost , as scared as her so she needed to be strong for the both of them . Without the kids running around in the yard , screaming or fighting with their wooden swords , the yard felt empty , Winterfell felt dead . GreyWind , Robb's wolf came and licked her hand , Shaggydog behind him . She remembered Rickon crying hard when he understood that he didn't have a wolf of his own and how Tommen gave his black wolf to his little brother and the stupid name he gave him . Shaggydog . Thessana smiled at the name , as always and patted their heads .

"Protect my boys and Robb . Don't let anything happen to them .."

The wolves howled like they understood her then left near the tower where her room was . She , herself , headed there to see Bran and Catelyn . As always since his fall , her heart squeezed up at the sight of the boy . His legs were in an unnatural angle under the furs , his skin was pale and he was thin , terribly thin . Catelyn was the ghost of herself . The woman she looked up to before was , now , broken . She was making a prayer wheel , half prostrate over her son's body . Thessana sat on the edge of the bed and took Bran's hand , warming it between her fingers .

"The girls are gone ?" asked Catelyn with a shaky voice .

"Yes … They didn't want to leave Bran and you though .."

"But they're gone now . As Ned . And I'm alone here .."

"You are not alone . Robb is here . Bran is here . Me too . You need rest .."

"No . I need to stay here , with my son ."

"Bran is going to be fine . He's not dying ."

"How do you know it ?!"

"I just do ! Bran is a fighter , a northman . Moreover , the Starks are hard to kill you know .."

Catelyn said nothing , still working on her prayer wheel . Thessana sighed and left the room , knowing that Catelyn will listen to no one , at least not until her son was awake .

"What do you mean she captured Tyrion ?!" asked Thessana , looking at Maester Luwin with a frown .

"She said in her message that he was the one who tried to kill Bran .."

"Impossible . Why would he want to kill him then help him ride again ? That's beyond stupidity . Where's Robb ?"

"The Lord is in council with Theon , my Lady ."

"Council ? With Greyjoy ? What a joke . I'm going to Asgard , Queen Frigga asked me to come there , she wants to see the boys . Can you tell Robb that I'm gone ? "

"Sure , my Lady ."

"Thanks Maester . I should go now .."

Tommen was already ready , waiting for her with Rickon . Thanks to her magic , they travelled there quickly . Frigga was waiting for them , smiling widely as Rickon jumped in her arms .

"You are so tall ! Last time I saw you , you were a little boy !"

"And now I am a little lord ! Like Tommen !"

"Not as me , Rickon . Your grace , it's always good to see you .."

"Oh Tommen no need for that . Come here my boy .."

"Is Loki here ?" asked Thessana .

"In the gardens . I'm going to take care of the boys .."

Thessana nodded at Frigga with a smile then left , looking for Loki . Indeed he was in the gardens and held her in his arms when he saw her .

"What a pleasant visit Thess .. Or should I say Lady Stark ."

"Oh shut up . Are you free right now ?"

"Why ?"

"I need your help ."

"Let's walk and tell me everything ."

"Ned became hand of the king as you may know now . But during the journey of the King in Winterfell somebody pushed Bran from a window . The boy is crippled and his mother is going through a crisis , she wants the head of the person who've done this ."

"And she found it … Let me guess , she took one of the Lannisters and now Tywin is declaring war ?"

"Not yet but soon . She took the Imp to the Vale for a trial and she expects a death sentence ."

"I don't think Tywin is ready to start a war for the black sheep of the family ."

"Tyrion is a Lannister . Tywin will never let this unpunished because it make them look weak . We need to go to the Vale and free Tyrion and send him back to his father before Robb does something stupid ."

"Like sending men to fight Tywin ..."

"Exactly .."

"We need to leave now then . Before it's too late ."

"Thanks for helping me Loki ."

"I'll always help you Thess , no matter what ."

She looked at the sun , rising in the blue sky . It's been two days that they were there already , hiding in the forest , waiting for the trial . Tommen and Rickon were back in Winterfell but she pretended important matters . She hated the fact that she had to lie to Robb but it was the only way .

"I think our friend is coming back ." said Loki , standing and crossing his arms against his chest .

"Finally !"

"Bronn ! Here !"

"I thought you wouldn't make it ." said Thessana , looking at Bronn and Tyrion .

"I don't understand ..." whispered Tyrion , looking at Bronn , Thessana and Loki .

"I think it's pretty clear .." started Loki . "We're trying to avoid a war so we paid Bronn here to fight for you during your trial ."

"You need to go back to your father and quickly . He already start marching North ."

"I owe you my life Lady Stark . You truly are an extraordinary person .. Never failed to surprise me ."

"I'll remember that you owe me a debt Lannister . I want you to protect Sansa and Arya in King's Landing . I don't care how or why just do it ."

"I swear by the Gods I'll do my best and hide this from my father or any of my family ."

"Go now .."

Tyrion nodded to them and left with Bronn , whom Loki paid again for his services .

"Now just hope that Robb didn't gather his bannermen .."

She want back to Winterfell as Loki headed back to Asgard . At the gates , she heard noises . Too much noises for this empty castle . She came in the yard , a stable boy , helping with her horse . She couldn't help it but cursed at the sight of the several horses and men fighting . They all bowed as she passed through them , looking for Robb . He was in council with the lords of the North . She recognised many of them as they bowed to her .

"Lady Stark , pleasure to see you ."

"Thanks Lord Karstark . Robb , can I talk to you ? In private ?"

"Sure . Excuse me my lords .."

He left the room , following her in the corridor .

"What the fuck Robb ? What is happening in here ?!"

"Joffrey put my father in chains and asked me to come kiss his arse ."

"So you're planning a war against him ?! This is insane !"

"He got my father ! I have to free him ! Moreover Tywin Lannister is marching North I have to stop him and show him that the Northeners are here , ready to fight him ."

"That's crazy ..."

"Houses Bolton and Umber are coming before tonight . I want you by my side during the dinner when I meet them ."

"Oh so now you want my advices ?"

"Thess .. Please understand .. I didn't have any other choices ."

"There's always a choice Robb .. See you at the dinner then ..."

"Thanks .."

He kissed her and rested his forehead against hers .

"Stay by my side , all the time . I need your help ."

Thessana nodded as he smiled softly . He needed her . More than he thought . Once again she needed to be strong for them two . And for their sons . He went back in the room as she joined her sons in their rooms . Rickon was crying , shouting and kicking at Tommen , who tried to calm him down .

"What is wrong with all of you ?!"

"He doesn't Father to march South .." replied Tommen , looking exhausted . "He didn't stop for days . He even kicked Old Nan .."

"Rickon ! Come here !"

"No ! I don't want Father to go ! I want him to stay here ! If he leaves , you're going to leave as Tom' and you're all going to die ." screamed Rickon , still crying .

"Nobody is going to die Rickon ! Please stop . Your father is going to be fine okay ?"

"No ! I don't want to see any of you anymore !"

And he stormed out . Thessana sighed as she looked at Bran then smiled . He looked scared too but wasn't showing it .

"Are you fine Bran ?"

"I just want my parents back .."

"They'll be back .. I promise ."

"I'll free your father Bran , I swear it ."

"Tommen , you're not thinking about going to fight alongside your father ? " asked Thessana .

"I am not going to stay here while father fights . I want to go with him . Why would you go and not me ?"

"Because once your father gone you'll be Lord of Winterfell . You think Rickon can do the job ?"

"Bran and Maester Luwin will help him ."

"Your father will never let you go ."

"He already accepted .."

She clenched her fist and left the room , ready to kill someone . During the dinner , everybody was shouting , drinking loudly and cursing . Lady Maege Mormont was one of the few women with Thessana . Her daughter , Dacey Mormont was looking at Tommen with a shy smile and several times Maege talked about how a wedding could unit their families . GreatJon Umber was the loudest of them all , but it wasn't the scariest . Lord Roose Bolton was looking at Robb , with narrow eyes , pale as death . His stare made her uncomfortable , almost scared . Rickon was smashing his potatoes on the wooden table , giving death glare at everybody .

"I'll fight where I want to fight boy ! If you do not let me , I'll take my men back home !" shouted GreatJon , drunk and loud . Robb tensed as she rested her hand on his knee to calm him down .

"You are welcome to do so , Lord Umber . And when we are done with the Lannisters , we will march back North , root you out of your keep , and hang you for an oathbreaker ."

"Oathbreaker ?!"

GreatJon stood and drew his sword , ready to fight Robb , who stood as Theon and other bannermen . Thessana stood too , ready to shield Robb with her magic but GreyWind had already jumped on GreatJon , knocking him on the ground . When he came back between Robb and Thess , his muzzle wet and red with blood . Thessana looked at GreatJon who was standing up with difficulty holding his hand as she saw that he missed two fingers .

"My Lord father taught me that it was death to bear steel against your liege lord , but doubtless you only meant to cut my meat ." stated Robb with a cold voice .

"Your meat … is bloody tough !" laughed GreatJon , holding his hand in front of his face , laughing harder and harder . Other men started to laugh as Robb . Thessana cocked an eyebrow thinking about how strange the situation was when she noticed that one man wasn't laughing . His pale eyes were starring at her hand . Looking down at it she noticed that green sparkles of magic were still forming in her palm . She stopped it and looked back at the pale eyes . A few persons knew about her magic . But now Roose Bolton was one of them .

Robb took Bran to bed himself as she took Rickon . The little scene with GreatJon had scared him and he was even more worried about the coming war . He curled up in his bed under the furs , holding her hand between his two little ones .

"Please don't march South … Try to convince father ..."

"Your father doesn't want to march South but he has to . Imagine for a second that it's your father who was a prisonner in King's Landing . Would you appreciate if Bran begged his father to not march South ? "

"Probably not .."

"Bran wants , as you , his parents to be safe . As your father . That's why he needs to march South . And he needs me . "

"I need you too .."

"I know my little boy .. But Bran needs a friend here don't you think ? And you are now Lord of Winterfell while your father is away . "

"Am I ?"

"Yes . And I'm sure you're going to do a great job .."

"I am a kid .."

"Isn't you who told me you were a little man now ?"

"Yes … You think I can do it ?"

"Yes , I'm sure . Now time to sleep love ."

"Good night mother .. I love you more than anything in the world . "

"And so do I . You're my son , my precious little boy . I will love you til my last breath ."

"Please come back . With everyone . Safe . Promise me ."

"I promise .."

He sat and hugged her tightly in his little arms . He was crying silently in her neck . She heard footsteps and looked at the door . Robb was there , ready to go . Rickon looked at him and cried harder , forgetting the previous conversation with his mother . He clutched at Robb's leg and begged for him to stay . Robb's face remained cold as he told him to go to bed and stop acting like a child . Rickon stopped crying and looked at his parents , clenching his fists . Shaggydog came in the room and snarled at them .

"If you leave I know you won't come back ! And I don't care ! I don't want to see you anymore , any of you !" scream Rickon .

"Rickon , love .." started Thessana .

"No !"

He slammed the door at them and she heard cries . She wanted to come back in there but Robb held her arm .

"We need to go now . The maids already packed some of your things , just go put your cloak . He's going to be fine Thess . I promise you . No one will harm him .."

"What about Tommen ?"

"You know I can't ask young northeners to fight by my side if my eldest son is at home . It's impossible ."

"When are you going to take a decision by yourself instead of taking in account what people are going to say or think ?"

"We're leaving in 5 minutes ."

He left in the yard , leaving her alone in the silent castle . She went in her room to take her cloak and gloves when she noticed a pile of books . The maids didn't pack them , seeing no use in them . It was all the notebooks she filled with informations she found useful during her researches in the library , now burned . With a flick of her wrist , they disappeared in the limbo , as Loki taught her years ago . She , then , went outisde and rode her horse next to Robb's . She looked back one more time at Winterfell , her home . Robb looked back too , for the last time of his life ..

Thanks for reading this guys :) some reviews would be great because i don't have a single clue if you actually like the story or what you think about it .. So send some reviews ! :)