"He rides to Casterly Rock," Cassandra spoke as she sat on the stool of her dresser. Her eyes continued to read over the letter which had been sent to them by the King. Her eyes traced over it and its briefness. Theon stood behind her, his hand on her shoulder as he read it over her shoulder one more time.

"What will you do?" Theon asked from Robb.

The acting Lord of Winterfell shrugged his shoulders, his lips taking a chewing to. His eyes remained fixed on his sister as she had her back to him. He wondered what their father would have wanted him to do. Would he want him to march on to King's Landing? Would he want him to declare war with the Lannisters? Robb was pretty sure that he wouldn't.

"You cannot do anything," Cassandra spoke slowly. "Father recovers. He has the King and his protection. We cannot trifle with the Lannisters, Robb. They have more control than we do. If they were to hear that you plan to travel to Casterly Rock for the Kingslayer then they could easily do something. They could easily do something to Sansa or Arya...even father. They are closer to them and have more power."

"But the Kingslayer has harmed your father," Theon pointed out. "He cannot get away with it. Something needs to be done."

"And I am sure the King will do something about it," Cassandra said. She stood up, pushing her stool under the dresser before looking at Theon and then Robb. "We cannot declare a war. That is not what father wants. If he did want it, then he would have asked for it."

Robb regarded Cassandra and her comments for a moment. He nodded in agreement with her. She was right.

"As much as I would like nothing more than to kill the Kingslayer myself," Robb inhaled sharply, "I cannot declare war on the Lannisters. I need to think of father...Arya and Sansa..."

"I know," Cassandra agreed with him. "We should send a raven to father as soon as possible. We need him to know that we are here for him if he should need us."

"First thing in the morning," Robb bluntly agreed. "We should try to sleep. It has been a long night."

"Agreed," Theon easily said.

Robb shook his head, motioning to the door.

"Go to your room, Theon," Robb ordered his friend. "I will sleep easier knowing that your grubby hands are kept to yourself."

Theon sighed as he looked to Cassandra with an arched brow. She nodded once in agreement with what her brother had asked from his friend. Theon kissed her quickly before leaving the room, assuring her that he would escort her to breakfast the following morning. She smiled softly at him, holding onto him for a moment.

Robb remained stood where he was, his eyes intently focused on his sister. She shrugged at him, pulling her robe tighter around her body before perching on the side of her bed.

"Bran wishes to go out riding tomorrow," he informed his sister. "I will tell him of father after he has ridden. He does not need to know before...I do not think I can crush his spirits more than they already have been."

"I understand," Cassandra promised him, a small smirk on her face at the thought of Bran becoming able to do something he loved again. Her little brother had not had an easy time of recent. "Everything will be fine, won't it, Robb?" Cassandra suddenly worried from him. "Father...mother..."

"I don't know," Robb admitted to her. He couldn't lie to her. He couldn't let her get her hopes up for he knew that he would only crush them again. He didn't know everything.

Cassandra sighed once. "I just want them all to come back home...back to Winterfell..."

"It's gone too far for that to happen," Robb said, sitting beside Cassandra on the bedside. She wrapped her arms around one of his arms, her cheek resting on his shoulder as she did so. Robb tilted his head, his own cheek lowering to sit on the top of her head. He moved his hand across his body to run it down one of her arms.

"Why did father have to become the Hand?" Cassandra wondered. "Why could he not say no? Why could he not stay in Winterfell? He knows that winter is coming."

"I often ask myself the same question," Robb informed her. "I do not know why he did it, Cass. I know he had to. I just wish he didn't...Winterfell...it is not mine. It is fathers."

"You're doing a fine job," Cassandra promised him.

"Apart from finding myself unable to keep mother's command," Robb said to his sister. "She asked me to keep Theon from you. It's quite impossible."

"Starks are stubborn creatures," Cassandra muttered. "So are Greyjoys."

"You're both too stubborn for your own good," Robb softly spoke back to her. "Just don't get hurt, Cass...not you...I don't know what would happen. We have enough to worry about at the moment."

"You don't need to worry about Theon and I," Cassandra promised her brother. "We're old enough to know what we are doing."

"I hope so," Robb said. He quickly kissed his sister on the top of her head before he stood. He stretched his stiff limbs as Cassandra remained sat where she was.

"Get some sleep," Robb urged her. "I shall see you tomorrow. We write to father and then ride with Bran."

"As you wish," Cassandra said. "Goodnight, Robb."

"Sleep well, Cass."

...

Cassandra sat on top of her horse, watching as Bran rode on his, rushing through the trees. His squeals of delight rang through the air as he found himself unable to believe that he was on a horse. Cassandra laughed along with him, simply content at seeing him so happy.

Robb and Theon sat on a log, the pair of them wrapped up in their fur cloaks as they spoke to each other. Theon had been watching Cassandra for a while, observing her as she pushed her hair behind her shoulders and cheered Bran on.

"Not too fast!" Robb called out as he saw his sister join in riding with his brother.

"Bran!" Cassandra called out to him as his horse moved through the tress. She tried to keep up with him, looking around and wondering where he had gotten to. His screams of delight had died down, no sound at all in the forest.

"Bran!" Cassandra shouted again, looking behind her as she realised that she had left Robb and Theon behind her. "Bran!"

Cassandra climbed down from her horse as she noted Bran in the distance. She hiked up her skirts, holding them in her hands before rushing closer to him. Dirt managed to cover her boots and the end of her blue riding dress as she stood beside him.

"Don't ride off too far," she urged her brother. "I didn't know where you had gotten to."

"Cass," Bran whispered to his sister as his eyes widened with panic. She followed his gaze before noticing a group of men and a woman approaching closer to them. She gulped loudly, looking around before moving her hand up to grasp onto Bran's hand. The small boy reached out for his sister's grip with a sense of urgency.

"All alone in the deep, dark wood?" the female asked the two of them.

"My brother is with us," Cassandra declared.

"I don't see him," a man spoke, his voice gruff. "I think you're lying to us, girl."

"I am Cassandra Stark of Winterfell. This is my brother, Brandon. There will be people looking for us if we are harmed," Cassandra warned them.

"I say we take the girl and harm her in ways she's never been harmed," a voice snapped out. Cassandra froze at the sound, her body beginning to tremble as she looked at the woman, wondering if she would find any comfort from her. Apparently she wouldn't.

"Get the boy off the horse," one man demanded her.

"No," Cassandra said simply. "Leave him alone."

The man pushed past her, looking to the saddle which Bran sat at. Another man grabbed onto Cassandra, holding her tightly in his grasp with a firm arm around her waist. His other hand went into her hair, pulling at it to keep her in his arms.

"What are you?" the man asked Bran, noticing the straps which kept Bran in his saddle. "The boy is a cripple."

"I am Brandon Stark of Winterfell!" Bran yelled at them. "And if you don't let us go then my brother will kill you!"

Another wave of laughter took over the men before Cassandra saw her brother. Robb stood a few feet away, his sword held tightly in his hands as he watched the group of men.

"Let them go," Robb demanded easily. "And I will make your deaths relatively painless."

Cassandra wondered where Theon was, for he was nowhere to be seen. She didn't have much time to dwell on the thought as the first man lunged towards Robb. Her brother dodged his attack quickly, moving his own sword to knock the man out. The next one attacked with haste, hitting Robb. He didn't seem to be in pain though, for he managed to push the other one to the floor too.

The female remained on her knees where Robb had pushed her. She cowered silently, watching as Cassandra was held tightly against her captor's chest. He held a knife to her throat, waiting to slit it without a moment of hesitation. Cassandra felt sobs slowly escape her body whilst she tried to urge herself to be quiet. Crying wouldn't do her any good.

"Drop the blade," the man demanded from Robb.

Robb's eyes caught sight of Cassandra's orbs. He watched her for a moment, waiting for the man to let her go as he slowly bent down, placing his sword into the dirt. The man stopped Cassandra from worming around in his hold with a swift of her hair. She shrieked out loud as the knife began to press against her skin.

And then she felt the weight from behind her disappear. She thought it was her who had been struck as she heard the sound of an arrow. But the man behind her fell to the floor. Robb rushed forwards then, moving to his sister as she continued to shake. He placed his hands on her waist as she wrapped hers around his upper arms.

"You're safe," Robb promised her, looking over her shoulder to where Theon stood, his bow in his hands. Cassandra turned her gaze behind her, watching as Theon looked up to Bran.

"What do you think you are doing?" Robb snapped at him. "You could have killed her!"

"I saved her," Theon replied. "I did what had to be done."

"You were reckless," Robb blamed him. "Look at her." He gestured to Cassandra who was leant against him.

"And she'd have been even paler if I didn't do what I did," Theon replied, tired of Robb and his curt attitude. "Are you alright, Bran?"

"I'm fine," Bran promised them.

Robb looked up to his brother, curtly nodding at him as he did so.

"And what about her?" Theon wondered from Robb, looking to the wildling who was on the floor, still trembling.

"Please...my Lord...I can cook...clean...just don't kill me..."

Robb regarded her for a moment, his voice quiet as he did so. He knew that she was defenceless against him now. Her group had been slaughtered and she was too weak to fight Robb.

"I shall spare your life," Robb spoke quickly. "You will go to Winterfell and work there as a prisoner."

"Thank you...thank you, my Lord." She sobbed again.

Theon regarded her for a moment, not too sure if he trusted her or not.

"I'll take Cass back to her room," Theon declared. "You need to talk with Bran. Do you want me to take the wildling?"

Robb said nothing, not too happy with the thought of leaving his sister alone with Greyjoy. Cassandra tried to compose herself. She stood up straight, running her hands down her eyes to remove the tears which had built there.

"I can manage the wildling and my sister," Robb spoke.

"Theon is right. You need to speak with Bran." Cassandra sniffed. "I'll be fine, Robb. I promise."

She kissed her brother on the cheek, watching him with a forced smile.

"I'll come and check on you once I have seen to Bran," Robb promised her.

Bran wondered what he was needed for so urgently as Cassandra looked to him for a brief moment.

She nodded once, turning around and reaching out for Theon's hand. She took it quickly as he led her through the forest towards her horse. Her legs continued to shake as she moved, her fingers trembling inside of his.

"You're shaking," Theon informed her, stopping for a moment before he turned to face her. He ran his hands up and down her arms, her furs rubbing against her bare skin as he completed the motion.

"I think it is nerves," Cassandra said after a gulp. "Theon...what if you hadn't have been there? What if you hadn't saved me?"

"Don't think like that," Theon snapped at her, his hands on her shoulders and shaking her roughly. "I was there, Cassandra. I was there and you are safe. You are safe and nothing shall happen to you again."

She managed to nod at him, keeping quiet as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her forehead before resting his against hers, his breath hitting her cheek as kept silent for a while.

"You Starks are hard to kill, Cassandra. Never forget that."

"Thank you," she breathed out, kissing him tenderly for a few moments before he stepped back, his hand still in hers.

"Come on," he spoke. "We need to get you back to Winterfell or your brother will have a fit."

...

Robb received another letter only a week later. The letter which would change everything. His father had been declared a traitor. The King had died. Joffrey was now ruling. Rage had boiled up inside of him as he had read the letter. He knew what he had to do. He should have done it as soon as the Kingslayer had attacked.

But now he had no choice.

He kept the letter with him, informing Maester Luwin that they needed to call the banners. They would need as many men as possible. The maester had agreed, rushing away and sending ravens without a second of hesitance. And then Robb had gone to find his sister.

She was stood opposite Rickon, a wooden sword in her hand as her brother clumsily hit against her. She backed away from his advances, pretending that he was easily beating her with the wooden stick. Cassandra didn't have a clue about swordplay. She had seen Theon with Rickon and decided to try it for herself. Theon was still there, sat on a barrel as he watched Cassandra. He laughed as she pretended to be hurt by the attack on her arms.

Robb moved down from the wooden platform which he stood on, walking into the training ground, his eyes full of stubbornness. Cassandra stopped playing with Rickon as she saw the look which Robb was sending her. She remained still for a moment, watching her brother as he stood behind Rickon.

"Rickon," he called out to the young boy. "Go to Bran. He's having a lesson."

The young boy dropped his wooden sword and nodded at his elder brother. Rickon held Robb in high esteem, thinking that he could be like him one day. He hoped he could be.

"What is it?" Cassandra worried as Theon moved from the barrel which had entertained him. He stood by Cass's side, waiting for Robb to deliver the news.

"Father has been declared a traitor by the Lannisters. The King has died. Joffrey takes his place...Sansa wrote a letter...but it wasn't her words. It was the Queen's doing."

He handed the letter to Cassandra and she read it, unable to believe what she was hearing. She had been naive to think that her father would manage to handle himself in King's Landing. Theon's hand rested on the small of Cassandra's back as his eyes met Robb's orbs. He knew what this meant this time. Theon was well aware what would happen.

"Robb," Cassandra whispered. "What are you going to do?"

Robb took the letter from her hands.

"I have told Maester Luwin to call the banners," Robb informed his sister. "I will fight the Lannisters. They cannot do this to father."

Cassandra felt her heart sink at the news. War. Robb would declare war against them. And she knew he had no other choice. She knew that breaking point had been reached.

"I want to come with you."

"Absolutely not."

"Not a chance in the Seven Hells."

Robb and Theon expressed their distaste at the same time. Cassandra looked between the two of them, her own head shaking back and forth as she did so.

"You cannot keep me here," she complained.

"You need to be here for Rickon and Bran. A Stark must always be in Winterfell, Cassandra. Bran and Rickon are too young."

"And I do not know how to hold onto Winterfell," Cassandra complained to the pair of them. "I don't know what to do. I can't sit here whilst you go against the Lannisters. I cannot do it, Robb."

"You have to," Robb urged his sister. "Mother would never permit me to take you into battle. I would never be able to forgive myself if any harm came to you. You need to be safe. You need to stay here."

"Those boys need you," Theon told her. "We will be fine in battle. We will manage against the Lannisters."

"And if you don't?" Cassandra whispered to him, her eyes wide as she thought of what could happen. "I know that you have to go...but...staying here..."

"There is no other option for you," Robb told his sister. "I need to go and speak with Maester Luwin. Hopefully the Bannermen will be here by the evening. It is not your place to be there, Cassandra. You shall stay with Rickon."

"Why?" Cassandra snapped.

"The tactics of battle would be wasted on you," Robb informed his sister. "You need to be with Rickon...he's too young to understand this...stay with him and make sure he is as safe as possible."

"I can't believe you," Cassandra said to her brother. "I need to come with you! I need to come! Sansa and Arya are in King's Landing! Mother...the Gods only know where she is...and father..."

"None of them need you in the battle camp so close to death," Robb promised his sister. "It is an order, Cassandra."

"You are ordering me what to do?" she checked, her voice one of disbelief and annoyance. Robb nodded in agreement with her question.

"If he doesn't then I will," Theon promised her. "You are not coming with us. Rickon and Bran need you more than the battle does."

Cassandra winced, gulping loudly. She knew they were right. They were always right. It just hurt Cassandra to know that. Theon was the one to run his hand down her long hair as she continued to stare at Robb, wondering what he was thinking.

"I will come to you later," Robb promised his sister, his finger curling under her chin as she tried not to let her emotions gets the better of her. He kissed her tenderly on her forehead, his own eyes closing as he did so. He wondered if he would see her again. He was determined that he would.

"Theon...I need you to come with me," Robb said to his friend.

Theon nodded quickly.

"Go and rest, Cassandra," Robb urged his sister. "No doubt this news has drained you."

She nodded limply at him. Theon pressed his lips against her cheek, his other hand resting on the side of her neck as he did so. She watched him as he left her stood alone in the middle of the training ring, conversing with Robb hastily as the two of them moved to the Great Hall.

...

Sitting on her bed, she ran her hands through her wet curls on top of her head. She waited for Theon to come to her and she hoped her wouldn't be long. Night had fallen over Winterfell, clouding it in darkness once more. She said nothing as she waited patiently.

Theon eventually snuck into her room, his clothes covered in the stench of alcohol as he bolted the door. Cassandra moved away from the bed, standing tall and folding her arms across her chest.

"What happened?" she wondered from him.

He took a deep breath, shrugging his shoulders once as he did so.

"The Bannermen are willing to support Robb. We leave for battle before the sun comes up."

Cassandra's orbs widened at that sudden news, her mouth hanging open as she did so.

"So soon?" she checked.

"We need to attack quickly," Theon said to her. "We don't have a lot of time to be together, Cassandra."

"Dear Gods," she spoke, sitting back on the edge of her bed. Theon shed his cloak and his other clothes until he was in his shirt and breeches. "I can't believe this is happening."

"Really?" Theon checked. "The Lannisters have been asking for this. The Kingslayer should never have harmed Lord Stark. We both know that."

"But...war?" Cassandra wondered. "Theon, who wants to go to war?"

"No one," Theon promised her. "But, we will come back with Joffrey's head on a spike."

Cassandra winced at hearing that as Theon sat beside her. He moved quickly, his lips capturing hers with a sense of urgency. Cassandra's breath caught in her throat as he continued to kiss her hastily, his lips refusing to ease up on hers. She gasped for breath as he began to kiss down her neck.

"Theon..." she groaned his name as he pushed her to the mattress of the bed, crawling over her as his lips never once parted from her neck.

And then she realised why he was being so urgent. She wouldn't see him for a long time. He was going to battle. Who was to say he would come back from it? Her heart swelled with the information and she moved her hands to his cheeks, moving his lips back onto hers as she kissed him quickly. His teeth nipped on her lower lip, demanding access to her mouth. She failed to deny him it.

"Cassandra," Theon groaned as she moved her hand over the planes of his stomach.

He pulled back for a second, gathering his breath as he watched her. He watched her and saw the fear in her face. The fear of never seeing him again. The fear of losing the only man she had ever cared for. And that fear was enough to spur on her next sentence;

"Take me."

The two words were enough to make Theon choke for a second, his head shaking back and forth. She didn't want him to. He couldn't.

"I would dishonour you," Theon shook his head. "You need to bleed for your wedding night, Cassandra."

"I don't care," Cassandra said. "I don't know if you will come back, Theon. I want this...weddings do not matter when war is on the horizon...and even after the war...when you come back to me...I will marry you...I want you, Theon. I want you and no one else. Please."

"You're scared," Theon said, giving an explanation for her sudden behaviour.

"Yes," she agreed with him. "I'm scared that I will never see you again. Please, Theon. I want you. Only you."

Theon watched her for a moment, nodding his head slowly in agreement with her. He saw her eyes build up with tears. Her legs parted as Theon lowered himself on top of her, kissing away her tears as he ran a hand over her cheek.

"There's only you, Cassandra." Theon promised her. "I'll come back for you."

"I know," Cassandra said in a whisper before he began to kiss her again.

...

A/N: Thanks to anyone reading. In relation to a few questions, yes, this story will mainly follow the series of events. However, Theon's betrayal will have another purpose, as you shall see. Do let me know what you think!