"I never thought you were that stupid . Seriously Robb , are you out of your mind ?!" shouted Thessana , pacing in her tent .
"Keep your voice down ! If the men .."
"Fuck your men Robb !" she cut him , facing him .
"Really ? It's thanks to them that we won battles !"
"Winning battles makes you brave not clever . And obviously they are not . And you are their right leader indeed . You've done stupid things in your life but this one it's .. Aaaaaargh !"
"Tell me how being King in the North is stupid !? I think this is what the dwarf meant when he saved me and told me that I was born to achieve something great ..."
"Because Robb ! This is treason ! Stannis is your king ! The rightful king ! You are nothing but a lord ! And you should have stayed at your place . "
"I am your king now maybe you should learn how to treat me like that .."
"And by extension I'm a fucking queen now . So I don't need to treat you in some special ways . You're already acting like a prick , great ! "
"I need to plan the Oxcross' battle .. You should leave ."
"This is my tent , you leave . "
Robb sighed and took some of his maps , ready to leave .
"Robb !" Thessana said . Robb stopped and looked at her . "Something happens to my sons because of your stupid king idea , I'll make you pay . Do you hear me ? I'll kill you myself ."
Thessana found herself alone when all the men left for the battle . Catelyn was in mission in the Stormlands trying to ally Renly to their cause . She couldn't sleep that night . A part of her was still scared for Robb and Tommen's lives but at the same time she couldn't care less for Robb . He was stupid , brainless , acting as a brat and it was consuming her with anger . She had to protect her sons , before somebody could do something to them . Tommen was safe around her but Rickon was now prince , reigning on Winterfell but alone . She needed to go back there and she could rule the North instead of him . It's by the morning that she moved to the new camp in the Westerlands . The field near them was covered by dead bodies . She smiled when she saw her son , once again covered in mud but this time not injured and nodded coldly at Robb .
"Why are you angry at father ?" asked Tommen , walking with her in the camp , once he was cleaned up .
"Because he's a prick . Don't repeat that . But he is . Being king is an important decision that can't be taken lightly . Look at your father , parading .. Gods , I want to make him eat his sword ."
"You know the blacksmiths are making crowns ? One for you and one for father .."
"I'm not going to wear this . "
"Our men have faith in father . Why do you complain ?"
"Because he's a traitor now . I mean I did not care about Joffrey because he's not the rightful king but now he committed treason against Stannis . He put us all in danger .."
"I assume you're not aware of his last decision then .."
"Which one ?"
"He sent Theon back to his father , asking him to join their forces to ours ."
Tommen cocked an eyebrow when he saw his mother frowning in anger , sparkles of magic coming out of her hands . She turned and start to walk fast to his father's tent where he was talking to his council .
"Where are you going mother ?!"
"Kill your father !"
Tommen smiled and resumed his walk until he came in the healing camp to see one of his friend . A woman was next to him , stitching his hand .
"Why is he asleep ?" asked Tommen , worried .
"I gave him milk of the poppy , your grace .."
Tommen felt uncomfortable at the last words . He looked at the healer . She was young , her hair black as her eyes . She was beautiful . More than any northern women he ever saw .
"What's your name ?"
"Talisa .."
"Talisa what ?"
"Just Talisa .."
"Good morning Lady Maegyr ..."
"How do you know ...?"
"I know all the nobles family in all the realms . The perks of having a mother from Asgard I guess .. May I ask you a question ? Why a lady of Volantis is working as a healer in Westeros ? "
"Long story .. And I wish you keep that to yourself .."
"If you agree to have dinner with me ."
"I can't .. Your mother will .."
"My mother is more occupied by my father right now . So ?"
"Fine .."
"Theon ! Theon ! Oh Gods what have I done to deserve the stupidest person ever as a husband ?! I already thought that being King was a fucked up idea but sending Theon back to Balon Greyjoy it's .. It's .. I don't even have a word ! What is wrong with you ? Seriously Robb ? You took two decisions by yourself and you fucked up everything ! I am so done with you ! "
"I trust Theon .."
"Robb that's a thing to trust someone . But sending him back to his father , who tried to kill your father , seriously ? "
"I trust him ."
"He'll betray you . Take my word on that . Never trust a Greyjoy . I let you the pleasure to announce this to your mother ."
"Announce me what ?"
Robb and Thess turned to see Catelyn , standing at the enter of the tent , looking at them waiting .
"I sent Theon back to his father to ask him to join his forces to mine ."
"Are you out of your mind ?"
Thessana looked at Robb like "I told you" and left his tent , angrily .
Robb and Thessana weren't talking to each other anymore . The rumour that the king and the queen were each day closer to the end of their marriage was running in the whole camp . When Robb was loved , Thessana was feared , known for her ruthlessness .
"It is true ?" asked Talisa , laying naked on Tommen's chest .
"What love ?" answered Tommen , half asleep .
"Everybody says that your parents are going to end their marriage . Since your father is king he has that power ."
"No never they would do that . They love each other like crazy but they are too stubborn . Once they didn't talk to each other for a year . And one day , they were laughing and joking like nothing happened . Mother is just angry because of all the decisions father makes but at the end of the war , everything is going to be fine .."
"You think so ?"
"I'm sure ..."
"I need to leave now before someone comes here .."
"Do you have to ?"
"Yes . Moreover , I need to talk to the king . I need supplies and since he's going to the Crag for the surrender .. Do you think he'll agree to bring me back some supplies ?"
"Make a list . It'll be easier ."
"Fine .. Now I have to leave .."
They kissed goodbye and he looked at her , smiling , as she hurried outside .
Robb was in the woods , looking for some peace and quiet when he saw one of the healer coming out of his son's tent . She was looking around to search if someone was outside then hurried to the healers' tent .
"Oh Gods ..." whispered Robb , looking at the sky , worried .
"You need to be more patient with Robb , Thess … He acts as if he was an old man , wise .. We both know sometimes he's a fool but he's a proud fool ."
"I can't ! I simply can't .. Are you sure you don't want a glass of wine Brienne ?"
"No thanks your grace . I want to have my full senses in case something happens . Especially now that the King is not around ."
"Yeah … Do you have news of Bran ?" asked Thessana , looking at Catelyn .
"No .. I'm riding back North … I'm going to ask Robb to accept my request .."
"I accept your request . If I have to be queen I can , at least , do something useful .."
"Mother ! Mother !" Tommen rushed in the tent , out of breath . "Lord Karstark wants to kill Jamie Lannister !"
Thessana and Catelyn followed by Brienne and Tommen ran outside and saw Jamie , on his knees , Rickard Karstark ready to kill him .
"Lord Karstark enough ! This is our prisonner ! You will not harm him !" said coldly Thessana , standing in front of Jamie .
"This man killed my son !"
"And crippled mine !" added Catelyn . "But do you see me a sword in my hand , ready to kill him ?!"
"He will answer for his crimes . But you will not touch him now ."
"I will have his head ! And I you try to stop me ..."
"You will strike me down ?" cut Thessana . "Have you forgotten your place Lord Karstark ? Or mine maybe ? Do you want a freshly reminder when King Robb will be back ?"
"And where is the king now ? At the Crag with the foreign bitch !"
"How dare you ?!" shouted Catelyn .
"Threatening my lady is an act of treason . Same goes for the queen !" said Brienne , drawing her sword .
"As the queen in the North , I give you the order to draw back your sword Lord Karstark . Harm the Lannister and you'll be dead . Touch him and you'll be dead . Is that clear ? "
"I will have his head .."
"And I'll have yours if you don't obey me ."
Lord Karstark left , shaking because of the anger and pushing everybody on his way .
"Well thanks for this your grace . Thanks for defending me . I'll think about it in the future ." laughed Jamie .
"Take him back to his shithole and chain him as a dog ."
"Yes your grace .." whispered some soldiers .
"I guess we , now , know who's the real wolf here !" shouted Jamie .
"And gag him !"
"You may not want to be queen but you surely act like one .." laughed Tommen , sat on the dry leaves , on the ground .
"Because I'm forced to .. I think I'm going to ask Loki to go to Winterfell and keep an eye on Rickon .." said Thessana , already gathering her magic to send a message to Loki .
"I don't think father will like that idea ..."
"I don't give a shit about your father . He can die at the Crag with his whore . A healer , I heard them say … I'm going to kill him but first I'm going to kill her . Gods , why this doesn't work ?!"
"Mother .. About the healer .."
"Your Grace ? A letter from Winterfell ."
Thessana turned to look at Lord Bolton , a paper in his pale lean hands . As always she shivered under his stare and took the paper .
"Is the King back already ?"
"Not yet , your Grace … Should I tell him to join you once he's back ?"
"No , it's okay . Thanks , Lord Bolton , you may leave . "
He bowed at her and left silently .
"I don't like him .." whispered Tommen , pouting .
"Same .. "
Tommen looked at his mother as she opened the letter and saw her face go blank and white . He called her several times but she did not answer until he stood and shook her . She blinked and looked at him , lost .
"Uhm .. Go give this to your grand-mother . Go . I need to stay alone for a while .."
Tommen nodded and ran to Catelyn , the letter crushed in his fist . Catelyn reacted the same as his mother and he took the letter to read it . Anger rushed in his veins . Theon Greyjoy had seized Winterfell and crowned himself Prince of the castle . His brother Rickon , and Bran were prisoners .
"We need to act .." said Catelyn , looking determined .
Robb put his mother under surveillance without even asking why . She had freed the Kingslayer , it's the only thing that mattered . He was lost . Almost all the persons he trusted , betrayed him . Now all his trust was put in Theon . He was barely listenning to Lord Bolton and only focused back when he saw Thessana coming in his tent .
"Leave us ." said Robb , looking at Roose who nodded and left . "Sit please .."
"Theon took Winterfell and now Rickon and Bran are prisoners …"
"What ?!" He read the letter and sat back , his whole world falling to pieces .
"How am I supposed to be king if I can't even protect my home , my own family , my son … When everyone was shouting King in the North , I told myself … Swore to myself that I would be a good king , as honorable as father , strong , loyal to my friends and brave when I faced my enemies .. Look where I am now .. A boy wandering in the woods with an army , not even able to control his own men , too stupid , too proud .. "
"Everyone makes mistakes Robb .." whispered Thessana . "I should have protected my son better .. I should have done something instead of giving you a hard time .."
Her voice broke and he saw tears rolling on her cheeks . He stood and held her against his chest , kissing her hair .
"I'm done with this war Robb … I want to go home . I want my family back . I'm tired to be strong . I want to weep and be weak . I'm tired of fighting to keep everything straight . I'm tired to be the one that scares everybody … We're already fighting a war on a battlefield , I don't want to fight a war in our couple ..."
"I swear to you that Rickon will be here , with us within a week maybe two . But he'll be here ,safe . With Bran . I promise you my love .. I'm sorry for everything . I love you .. I fucking love you .."
And he kissed her , holding her face between his hands . His beard was tickling her but she kissed him back , surprised by how much she missed him and his touch . But she remembered the words of Karstark earlier and she broke the kiss . Robb kept kissing her neck but she pushed him .
"What love ?"
"What were you doing with the healer you brought with you to the Crag ?"
"Fuck ..."
"Please tell me you did not … Please Robb everything but this . I know I can be a cold hearted bitch but never I will be unfaithful to you . Never ."
"What ?! What do you think ?! No ! No Thess , you're the only person I shared my bed with and the only one I will be sharing my bed with . You're my wife , you're a part of me . Never I will cheat on you ."
"Then why did you bring her with you ?! "
"She's pregnant ."
"I don't see why it's a concern of yours . Send her back to Volantis , end of the story ."
"Tommen is the father ."
Thessana let herself go against the table and burried her head in her hands , cursing softly . Robb held her again and started to stroke her back .
"I offered her money , everything I could but she doesn't want to hear a thing . She claims she loves Tom' and wants to spend his life with him . That's this child is a gift from the Gods .."
"What are we going to tell to the Freys ?! Gods this is bad . This is really bad ."
"A word of this will not leave our tent . I will convince her to keep it to herself either . Tommen will marry Roslin Frey as we promised to Walder Frey and everything will be fine ."
"But what if it doesn't go well . If they learn about it .. Never Lord Frey will accept this . He'll take it personally and make us pay for it .."
"Trust me ! I'll take care of everything . Do not worry ."
"I trust you .."
"Good … You need to rest . It's been a hard day for all of us .."
She nodded and burried her head in his neck , breathing the leather , trees , the cold ocean , the winter . He was a northmen , a real one , built in snow and coldness . She loved him . She could be angry at him , hate him but at the end of the day , she would always love him .
Tommen looked at his parents , in each others arms . He smiled and looked at Talisa .
"See ? Told you .."
"Are you sure this is the right moment ?"
"Yes . The perfect one . Look at them ! "
"I'm not sure .."
"You'll see ..."
Tommen cleared his throat and came in the tent . His parents looked at them , cocking eyebrows and looking worried .
"Your grace … My Queen .." whispered Talisa .
"Father , mother … I wanted you to meet my wife Talisa Stark . And we are expecting our first child . Maybe a boy , future heir .." said happily Tommen , waiting for his parents to cheer . But nothing came .
"Tell me Robb , how are you going to fix this ?" stated Thessana looking at Robb .