so, this chapter may seem rushed but this is bearing in mind that this chapter is situated nearly a month and a half after Clara and Robb met and nearly two weeks since my last chapter, so I feel that the rushed part of this is justified. Again, thanks to MakorraLove97 again for your amazing review. I love reading them and they motivate me- so here's another chapter for you.

Enjoy!

Clara lay beside Robb, who was asleep. He had worn himself out from the day planning what had to be done now that his father was dead and Clara had convinced him to sleep. She stroked his cheek softly, enjoying the soft smile that come from his dream-induced state. She wondered if he felt her presence while he was asleep. She certainly hoped that he did.

"I can tell you're staring at me, Clara. You've been staring at me for the last few hours now. Since you made me sleep." Robb opened his eyes, smiling softly at her, watching the way that the light of the cool morning reflected on her hair. She looked down and then back up at him. He could see the light tint of pink that had taken place on her cheeks.

"I can't help it... you're so... beautiful when you sleep. I noticed that on my fourth day here. You looked so peaceful. So calm. It was perfect..." Clara looked at him, lightly pecking his lips.

"Well, you look even more so, my Clara." Robb smiled. Clara closed her eyes. My Clara. She could get used to hearing that. She opened her eyes again, moving closer to him and nestling her head underneath his chin. She felt the vibrations of his small chuckle as he wrapped his arm tightly around her.

"What are you going to do now that your father is gone, Robb? You never told me what the plans were." Clara asked. She felt Robb stiffen, the recent news still affecting him. She looked up at him. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have brought him up. It was wrong of me. I spoke out of turn. I-" Clara was cut off by a kiss. She melted into it and felt his smile.

"It's fine, my love. But I'm still thinking about what must be done. All I know is that I'm to be the new ruler of Winterfell." He kissed her again, holding her soft cheek. He rolled onto his back and Clara rested her arms and then her head on his chest. "In all of my time at Winterfell, I've never felt this kind of feeling before. Not for anyone. Ever... And then you come along and turn my whole world upside down, like it's no effort at all." Robb laughed softly.

"Maybe I'm just different. Maybe I'm a whole lot different to anyone else out there." Clara smiled, giggling when she saw Robb's look, that immediately told her 'no kidding'. She let her arms drop and just rested her head there.

"So tell me, Clara. What would you like to do today?" Robb looked at her.

"Steady... steady... now!" Clara pulled back the bow and hit the target. She gasped and shouted in happiness, running to Robb and hugging him. He lifted her up as he hugged her, kissing her in happiness. "You did it! You hit the target! You did it! You did it." He celebrated with her. He watched her joy turn into determination.

"I want to try it again. Further away..." She said, looking over the target with a motivated look. She took another arrow from the box and began aiming again, making sure that she had it lined up. Her eye closed. She pulled the string back, ready to release the arrow any second-

"Robb!" Catelyn Stark had emerged from the castle, in her furs, like Clara and Robb. Robb smiled and signalled to Clara that he would be one moment and walked through the muddy marsh to his mother, who was looking at Clara with a watchful gaze. "Have you begun a relationship with this girl, Robb...?" Robb looked over at Clara, who was about to shoot an arrow.

"I have... harboured feelings for her since she... woke up. She is perfect. She is kind and gentle and loving, but she is not afraid to show her feelings when she is angry or upset. She is very much a woman that I... I have hoped to find since I've become a man." Robb looked over to her as she hit the target. "Well done Clara! Keep going!" He shouted to encourage her.

"Need I remind you that if you have begun a relationship, you must then wed her? I do not think that she is a suitable match for you. You need someone with ice and fire in their veins!" Catelyn's eyes pierced his. He looked away from her steely glare. "Have you forgotten that all of the honour we have built up over the years-"

"-Is long gone with my father!" Robb shouted. "It died with father, when he was wrongly accused. I will not listen. She is a kind girl and if she believes in taking our time with this, then we will." Robb spared his mother his glare and made his way back down to Clara, feeling very much thankful that she was there for him like she said she would be.

In her chambers, Clara was changing into her new nightgown. She had forgotten what light clothing looked like. She heard a knock at her door and flung the nightgown over her head, so that she would be presentable for whoever it was. She walked to the door and opened it.

"Robb... are you alright? You wouldn't talk to me very much after you spoke with your mother..." Clara asked, looking at him. He hugged her, closing his eyes. "You left after and I didn't see you again... where were you...?"

"it doesn't matter, my Clara. All that matters is you. My mother does not approve of our relationship but I don't care. I love you, Clara. I'm in love with you..." Robb poured out the middle of his heart and he was letting her use that in any way she wanted. She saw he felt vulnerable. She hugged him back, closing her eyes.

"I love you too..."

R + R :)

~Jas