Theon collapsed besides Cassandra, sweat dripping down his forehead as he tried to catch his breath. The pillow sank beneath his head as Cassandra turned to glance at him. She smiled wearily at him as he moved his hand out to stroke her cheek.
"How are you feeling?" he asked from her.
She shifted to lay on her side, wincing as she did so. He looked down at her as she pulled the furs higher to her chin.
"Tired," she whispered.
Theon couldn't help the smirk which escaped him then as he kissed her once more. She nestled closer to his side, her head tucked against his chest. He wrapped an arm over her waist, his hand splaying on the bare skin of her back. The candles had dimmed down, most of them going out and bathing the room in darkness. Cassandra was breathing softly on Theon's neck, her eyes closed.
"You'll be sore," Theon said to her. His comment earned him a snort.
"I'm aware," Cassandra promised him. "I'm glad it was you."
Theon had never felt anything like he did at that moment in time. All of his times with Ros had never been like that one time with Cassandra. He had been gentle and caring. He made sure she was alright with everything he did. Not once did he want to hurt her or take her for his own gain. Theon Greyjoy was slowly falling in love with her. He knew it. But it did scare him.
"Me too," Theon said. "I doubt you will ever have anyone like it again."
Cassandra laughed at hearing him, pushing her hand to her head. She propped herself up onto her elbow as she looked at him.
"I was serious, Theon," she said. "I don't care what anyone says. I want you...and if I have to marry you...then so be it..."
"Is that what you want?" Theon asked from her, his dark orbs searching hers. Her lips parted for a moment, her throat drying up as she nodded at him.
She inhaled sharply. "I love you, Theon."
The famous smirk returned to his face as he heard those words. He moved in for another kiss again, Cassandra only too willing to agree with the movement. She smiled into it as his lips moved against hers. Theon's hand moved to run down her hair, brushing the drying curls with his fingertips.
"I promise that I will come back for you," Theon said, determination full in his voice. "We will bring your father home."
"I hope so," Cassandra said. "I'm scared, Theon. This is war. It is not something which you or my brother has seen before. We do not know what will happen. The unknown scares me more than I care to admit."
"Robb and I will handle it," Theon said. "He has Bannermen willing to fight alongside him. The Lannister army won't know what has hit them."
Cassandra said nothing, not indulging in Theon and his optimistic attitude. She didn't know what would happen and neither did he. She knew he was being brave. Theon was always brave, never scared of the thought of battle. But that was in the practice ring. It wasn't in real life.
"I should leave before Robb comes to say goodbye," Theon informed her. He kissed her on the forehead once more before pushing the furs from his body.
Cassandra watched his muscular form move around the room. He gathered his clothes and slowly stepped into them. Cassandra moved from the bed, keeping the furs wrapped around her body as she did so. She looked to the sheet which she had slept in, the sight of blood unwelcome on them. Theon followed her gaze before he scrunched the sheet up, pulling it from the bed and screwing it up.
"I'll deal with it," Theon promised her. "I'll also see to it that Maester Luwin has some moon tea brought up."
Cassandra nodded at him.
"Will the Maester not ask questions?"
"Possibly," Theon said. "Although I think he will be shocked that we haven't asked for it sooner."
Cassandra said nothing as she cleaned herself up with the cold bath water which lurked behind her screen. She finished that before pulling her nightgown over her head. She walked back into her room, her legs still aching as Theon finished pulling his cloak over his body.
"Will you come back?" Cassandra whispered. "Before you go...will you come back with Robb?"
"Of course," Theon said. "I didn't want him finding you in this compromising situation. You know what he would do to me, Cassandra. If he had any inclination that we...well...we had..."
"I know," Cassandra agreed with him. She imagined Robb would have his head on a spike if he knew. "Make sure that Robb says goodbye to Rickon and Bran. I don't want them...they're too young to understand what is truly happening. Rickon, especially."
"He was going to see them after the feast before readying himself. I assume he will be on his way here in a moment."
Theon moved across to her, his hands resting on her shoulders as she felt the tears begin to well up. She knew that she shouldn't cry. She had to be strong. She had to show the boys that she could cope and look after them. Yet as Theon held her, she felt anything but strong. She felt weak.
"Look after Robb," Cassandra urged Theon. "He needs you...you need him too."
"I will," Theon assured her.
"Dear Gods," Cassandra said, forcing a laugh to stop her sobs. "I must look an absolute sight."
"You do," Theon promised her. He smoothed her hair out from where it had ruffled. She rubbed at her eyes, reddening them further and making them look a mess. "But it is a sight which is one to behold."
"Be quiet," Cassandra spoke, a small smile on her face as she blushed.
"You know I am right," Theon winked at her. "Stay here. I shall go and seek Luwin, and get rid of this sheet."
Cassandra said nothing as Theon swept from the room. She lit some more candles on her own, looking into the flames as she did so. She knew there was no point sitting in darkness when she couldn't sleep. She waited patiently for Robb to come and announce himself, knowing full well that saying goodbye to her brother would be difficult.
"Cass."
Robb's voice called out as he knocked on her door. She rushed over to it, pulling it open to reveal him stood there. He was dressed in his warmest furs, his sword by his side. Evidentially he was ready to leave in a moment's notice. Cassandra flung her arms around his neck, burying her face into the crook of his neck. He held her back, his arms around her waist as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Look after yourself," Cassandra urged him. "Please."
"You do the same," Robb said. He didn't want a long goodbye. He didn't know if he could stand to have one. All he wanted to do was run off. He wanted to run away and get the war over with. He wanted his father back and a quiet life in Winterfell.
"Bran and Rickon are in bed," Robb said. "I said goodbye to them earlier before I went to look for Theon. I assumed he would be here."
"He was," Cassandra said. "He went to look for you."
"He's back."
Theon's voice declared his presence before he entered the room. He looked around at the two of them, his face set in stone as he folded his arms over his chest. Robb nodded at his friend briskly.
"The Bannermen are ready to leave," Robb said to him. "We ride as far South as possible tonight."
"Fine," Theon agreed limply.
Robb pressed his lips to Cassandra's forehead as she squeezed his hand tightly. He regarded her with a brief smile as she remained quiet, silent tears rolling down her cheek. Robb stepped back as Theon took his place. Theon wasn't as subtle as he had been in front of Robb in the past. His arm instantly wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him before his hand cupped the back of her head. His lips crashed onto hers as Robb turned away awkwardly.
Cassandra wrapped her hands into his hair, pushing her closer to him. She had never kissed Theon with such force before. He tended to be soft with her, refusing to be forceful. But not for that one last kiss. He refused to go away without showing her how much she meant to him. Theon pulled back, briefly kissing her forehead as he stepped back from her.
"Be safe, Cassandra," Robb urged his sister.
She nodded at him, her arms folding over her stomach as she watched him back out of her room. Theon followed him, turning his head over his shoulder for one brief look back. Cassandra said nothing to him as he watched her for another moment, taking in her features and everything about her. She would wait for him. And he would come back.
Cassandra could do nothing more as the two men closed her bedroom door, leaving her in the silent room. She sank down onto her bed, her breaths coming out in short, sharp pants. She couldn't understand why this was happening. She couldn't understand anything that was happening. Cassandra took a few moments to compose herself, standing up before she looked out her window, the sound of hooves hitting the floor capturing her attention.
Robb led the congregation with Theon by his side. It took a few minutes before they had all left the walls of Winterfell for the cries of battle.
"Lady Stark."
Cassandra winced. She wasn't Lady Stark. That was her mother. She didn't know what Robb expected her to do. She didn't know how to run Winterfell. She would probably run it into the ground.
"Come in," Cassandra called, her eyes still focused on the distance of the walls of Winterfell.
Maester Luwin stepped into her room, glancing around until he saw her back. Her hair hung in waves down her back as her eyes remained fixed on the window. He noted that her bed was unmade and messy as he set down the goblet on her dresser.
"Theon came to me earlier, my Lady," he explained, finally gaining her attention as she turned to face him. "He told me that you required some moon tea."
Embarrassment took hold of Cassandra's face and her cheeks blazed red. She didn't think that she would ever have this discussion with Maester Luwin. She could only imagine what he thought of her. Yet she failed to care. She didn't care what he thought of her. Cassandra loved Theon.
"Thank you, Maester Luwin," Cassandra said. "Theon was correct."
Maester Luwin said nothing. He knew it was not his place to say anything. He just hoped she knew what she had done. If word got out about Cassandra's loss of maidenhead then her mother would not be happy. Nor would her father.
"Make sure you drink all of it, my Lady," he urged her. Cassandra did as she was told, draining all of the liquid from the goblet. The taste was bitter in her mouth as she swallowed it all. She looked down to her stomach, wondering what would have happened if she had not taken the tea. Would she be carrying Theon's child?
Cassandra pushed the thought from her mind, handing the goblet back to the Maester before she turned around to look back out of the window.
"Thank you, Maester," Cassandra said, dismissing him from her room. He bowed to her before leaving her to her own thoughts. The sound of the door shutting rang through Cassandra as she contemplated going to see Bran and Rickon. She doubted they were sleeping.
Pulling her robe onto her body, she pushed her boots over her feet under her nightgown. She tied her hair behind her and moved out from her room. The corridors were quiet in the night as she wandered through them. The entire castle seemed quieter than normal in comparison to a month ago.
"Robb's gone," Bran spoke as soon as Cassandra entered his room. He noted she was dressed in her nightgown still, her appearance dishevelled as she sat on the side of his bed. She perched on the edge of it, noting that Rickon was sat on the other side of the bed.
"I know he has gone," Cassandra said. Rickon stood up and moved around the bed until he came to stand before his sister. She picked him up and settled him down into her lap. His arms wrapped around her neck as she ran her hand down his hair.
"He'll come back, won't he?" Bran checked. "He has to come back."
"Of course he will," Cassandra promised both of them. "He will come back with mother and father. Sansa and Arya will be with him too. And then we will all be safe."
"They're not coming back." Rickon was the one to speak. "I know they're not."
"They are," Cassandra said; her own voice full of determination. Her tone was strict as Rickon's words rang through her. "They will all come back."
She closed her eyes as she rested her chin on top of her brother's head.
"Will you marry Theon when they come back?" Bran was the one to ask. "He came to say goodbye to us and he made sure that we would look after you whilst he is gone. He says that you and he will marry when he returns."
Cassandra kept quiet for a few moments, a sad smile on her face as she turned to look at Bran.
"Let's just see what happens," Cassandra whispered to her brother, closing her eyes as Bran watched his sister. "For now we all have to stick together. Winter is coming and we need each other."
Bran nodded at her and she ran a hand over his hair, ruffling it up as she forced herself to smile for them. She had to be strong. Bran and Rickon needed her.
...
Theon was settled beside Robb in the war council's tent. They had been travelling for days before setting up an encampment. It was a large one, not one which should be trifled with. They rested near the Twins, Theon having shot down several ravens which left the castle. He had read each message which the ravens had contained and he had not been entertained by any of them. Lady Stark had come across their camp, reuniting her with her son. Theon had seen the look of joy on his face as his mother came to him; shock another emotion which was held on his northern features. Theon had been dismissed from the tent, his mind turning back to Cassandra as he saw Lady Stark's red hair.
Catelyn had told her son that she would go to the Twins to speak with Walder Frey. She knew they needed an alliance with the man to secure a crossing and an alliance.
Robb waited for his mother's response, wondering what Walder Frey would agree to. It took less than a day for her to come back to him. Robb sat in the war council as she walked in, her eyes downcast. Robb stood up, his hands resting on the table as he waited for word.
"What has happened?" Robb asked from her.
"Lord Walder has allowed your crossing." She informed her son.
Theon felt a small smirk pass his lips, knowing full well that Frey was no idiot. He knew the North was stronger than the South. That much was obvious. Theon drained some of his wine as Robb remained stood up, hesitance etched over his face. His eyes refused to leave his mother's orbs. He knew there was something else.
"What is it?" Robb asked.
"He requires for one of his sons to squire for you," Catelyn said.
Robb waved a hand. That was not important. It was not the thing which was eating away at his mother.
"What else?"
"He...Lord Walder has multiple daughters, Robb," Catelyn declared. "He wants for you to marry one of them."
The tent went silent at that piece of information. No one dared to speak as they listened to what Catelyn had said. Theon remained mute, a small tug of his lips at Robb's next sentence;
"Did you get a look at them?"
"One or two may be...well..." Catelyn trailed off, not too sure what more she could say to him. Theon shook his head, smirking down at the table. Robb inhaled sharply, settling back in his seat. He drained some of his wine as Catelyn remained stood, her hands held in front of her. She glanced to Theon. The hostage caught her eye after a moment and the smirk instantly fell from his face. Robb looked at his mother as she refused to sit down.
"Mother," Robb spoke, "what else is there?"
Catelyn took a deep breath, knowing that she had to tell Robb. But she knew that this news wouldn't hurt Robb. It would hurt Theon, there was no denying that.
"He has a son," Catelyn spoke. "An heir to the Twins...and he is...well...he is to travel to Winterfell. He has no wife. An alliance was needed, Robb. He will preside over Winterfell until your father returns home. He needs an heir."
Robb took a moment to think about what his mother was saying to him. Theon didn't need to think. He knew exactly what she was saying.
"Cassandra," Robb finally whispered. "You intend to marry her to his heir?"
"What choice do I have?" Catelyn snapped at her son.
"How old is he?" Robb asked. "He is an heir. He is...he cannot be young..."
"He is in his sixties." Catelyn said.
Theon felt his throat clench as bile rose up. He couldn't contain himself anymore. He stood up, his chair falling to the floor behind him as he stormed from the tent. The council watched him, pondering what had come over him. Catelyn sighed, knowing full well what she had done to her daughter.
"Do you agree to these terms?" Catelyn asked her son.
A pained expression crossed Robb's face. He couldn't do it. How could he do this to his sister? A man in his sixties was not who she should be with. Theon would never forgive him. But what choice did he have? He needed to cross the Twins. He had to get to his father.
"Do I have a choice?" Robb wondered as grunts came from the council.
"Not unless you want to cross," Catelyn said. "You need this alliance."
"Cassandra will never forgive me," Robb whispered to his mother. Catelyn agreed silently, but kept her thoughts to herself, knowing it would do no good to air them to her son.
"Family. Duty. Honour." Catelyn recited her house words. "She does this for her family."
Robb took another moment to think before he nodded in agreement with what his mother was asking.
"I need to go to Theon," Robb declared.
"No," Catelyn said. "Let me go to him."
Robb settled back in his seat, needing more wine as Catelyn left the council alone to negate the terms she had brought to them.
It wasn't difficult to find Theon. He was on the outskirts of the camp, his bow in his hand. Arrows flew from the weapon, landing on the tree across from him. Catelyn regarded him for a moment, watching as his body shook with rage. She didn't trust the Grejoys. She didn't trust Theon to a certain extent. But she did trust the way he looked at her daughter. She had warned Cassandra not to become too involved with Theon.
Theon turned his head as he heard footsteps come closer to him. He saw Lady Stark stood a few spaces from him as he turned his attention to the tree he was shooting at.
"You sold her like a piece of meat." Theon snapped, unable to look into her eyes.
"Robb is also involved in this deal," Catelyn replied. "Cassandra knew that marriage would have to happen soon enough."
Theon dropped his bow to the floor, his hands clenching into fists by his sides as he regarded the woman with disgust.
"You intend to give her to a man more than three times her age," Theon snapped. "A leering leech. Cassandra deserves better than that. She deserves so much more."
"You mean she deserves you?"
"Yes!" Theon snapped at her. "She loves me. I would care for her. I would look after her...she would be happy..."
"You are a Greyjoy," Catelyn reminded Theon. "She could never be with you. I told her to stay away from you. I told her that she would have her heart broken."
"Not by me," Theon replied. "Surely this man has been married before...he is old..."
"Cassandra will be his fourth wife," Catelyn agreed.
"She will never forgive you for this," Theon snapped. "I will never forgive you for this."
Catelyn regarded Theon with a look of discontent for a moment.
"I do not need your forgiveness." Catelyn said. "Cassandra will come to realise that I had no say in this matter. I had to do what I had to do. She will come to see that."
"Will she?" Theon asked her, his voice one of disbelief. "I would like to disagree with that. If I could leave the battle now and go back to her then I would. I would take your daughter away from Winterfell and keep her safe."
"Don't you dare speak to me like that," Catelyn snapped at him. "Do you think that I don't know what I have done? I know what I have condemned Cassandra to. Robb needs to cross this bridge. I tried to persuade Lord Walder to change his mind...I tried...for her...and for Robb."
Theon shook his head, anger still coursing through his veins as he grabbed his bow. He stormed away from Lady Stark, unable to think of anything else he could say to her. he didn't want to see her again.
"I hope this bridge was worth it." Theon called back to her.
Catelyn watched Theon leave before she sighed. She shook her head back and forth, her hand running over her temple. She knew she had to write to Cassandra.
She was prepared to feel the fury of her daughter.
...
A/N: So no reviews for the previous chapter. Quite sad. However, this even is the one which will make Theon change now! If you are reading then I really would appreciate it if you could leave a review!