"How long do you think it will be until Robb knows about Theon?" Cassandra asked her mother. Catelyn had snuck out to go and change her own clothes, shedding her robe and changing into her grey dress. She stood behind Cassandra, her hands tugging at the laces to the dress which she had been leant. Cassandra's hands wrapped around the post of the bed as she waited for her mother to speak.
Catelyn took a deep breath. "A day or so. The main concern was bringing you and your brothers home. All that matters now is that they come back to us."
"Rickon and Bran will be safe," Cassandra said with confidence. "They had good company for their journey. They will be fine when they reach Jon."
"I don't want them anywhere near him," Catelyn muttered, venting her anger by pulling the laces to Cassandra's gown. The girl winced as she felt the motion and rolled her eyes.
"He loves them as much as any of us. He may not be their brother, but he cares for them."
Catelyn had no response to that from her daughter. What more could she say to her? That was all there was to it. Jon Snow was a walking, talking reminder of how her husband had betrayed her. But the boy cared for his half brothers.
A knock on the door turned Cassandra and her mother's attention to the wood. Catelyn finished with the laces to her daughter's dress before walking over to it. She opened the door to find Robb stood there, his face sombre and lacklustre as he glanced across to his sister. It pained Catelyn that her own son barely paid her any attention. She knew that he was angry, but she did it for Arya and Sansa. She could not lose anymore of her children.
"Do you have news?" Cassandra whispered; her voice soft. The worry was apparent as she clasped her shaking hands together, her eyes wide as she watched Robb. He closed the door behind him, glancing around the room as he spoke.
"Winterfell is ashes. The men burnt it down...torched the entire place..." Robb drawled. "Maester Luwin is dead and Theon Greyjoy is nowhere to be found. None of the Ironborn men have returned to the Iron Islands. A Frey banner came across them in the woods. None of them were alive. Theon was not with them."
Cassandra shook her head, looking at Robb with puzzlement for a moment. She didn't know what any of this meant. She took a second to inhale sharply, controlling her breaths whilst she feared the worst.
"So where is he?" she wondered. "You said that Lord Bolton's son went to get him. Can you not ask him?"
"I will," Robb promised her. "I will send a raven to Lord Bolton. I will send another to The Dreadfort. It is the home of the Bolton's. He could be there somewhere."
"Thank you," Cassandra said with a small nod. "I should never have left him. I shouldn't have gone...he should have woken me before he went. I should have done better to stop him."
"He knew what he was doing," Catelyn said, her distaste for the Greyjoy boy coming out in her tone. Cassandra did her best to ignore her mother and her words. She knew who Theon was. She wouldn't let him be until she found out what had happened to him.
"Aye," Robb agreed, "it does not excuse him, Cassandra. He ruined Winterfell."
"I know it does not excuse him," Cassandra said back to him, doing her best not to snap at her brother. "I know what he has done, Robb. I also know why he did it. Do not tell me anything else about it. I will not leave the matter be until he is found."
"As you wish," Robb reluctantly agreed with his sister. "Breakfast is in the main hall. You have to be hungry after your days travelling."
"I seem to have lost my appetite," Cassandra admitted to her brother.
"You are underfed," Catelyn said to her daughter. "You need to eat something, my love."
Cassandra had no choice but to agree as Robb offered her his arm. She took hold of her brother as Catelyn watched the two of them leave. She watched as her daughter walked away with her head bowed. She worried what had happened to Cassandra. She wondered if she had damaged her daughter. If her marriage to the Frey boy had damaged her.
Catelyn didn't know truly. She did know that it could not continue on.
"Theon should have let me know what he planned to do," Robb said without a moment of hesitation. "I would have understood more than I have done. I cannot help but see him as a traitor. He has gone against me. I trusted him like a brother."
"He did it for me," Cassandra said. "Leave it be, Robb. Theon should be allowed to return to the Iron Islands if you find him. You should let him go back to his father and sister. He will be safe there. Balon Greyjoy failed to take the North. He will be weak now."
"You think that I will send him back there?" Robb asked her.
"Where else could you send him?" Cassandra whispered. "The Northerners want him dead for what he has done. The Southerners hate Theon for being in an alliance with you. There is nowhere else for him to go, Robb. You know that as well as I do."
"I didn't really think about it," Robb admitted to his sister. He glanced down at her as she looked straight ahead of her, apprehension taking hold of her features as she did so. "I had a raven from Lord Stevron this morning."
Wincing inwardly, Cassandra kept her face emotionless. "What does my dear husband want?"
"He is riding to RIverrun as we speak," Robb said. "He will take you back to the Twins. His father would have you cast aside if he had his way. A second hand bride is not good enough for the Freys. Lord Stevron seems to think you are still acceptable."
"How lovely of him." Cassandra said; her voice sarcastic. "And what does Lord Frey think of you casting aside his offer?"
"He wants a formal apology and a marriage in its place," Robb said to her. "We shall discuss it later. For now, you need to eat."
Cassandra pursed her lips together as Robb led her into the main hall. She looked around the basic room before she noted a woman sat on a bench, a letter in her hands as she picked at some grapes in front of her. Cassandra looked up to her brother, anger building inside of her.
"You must have picked her for her looks," Cass whispered.
Robb nudged her in the side before releasing her arm from his hold. He moved over to his wife who turned to look at him, a smile widening on her face as she stepped out from the bench. Cassandra watched her move with grace before she pressed her lips against Robb's. Cass turned away, her eyes closing as a sense of nausea came over her.
"You must be Lady Cassandra." The woman said, moving over to Cassandra with a smile. Robb kept an arm looped around his wife's waist as Cassandra eyed her with suspicion.
"And you must be the Queen in the North," she said, her voice laden with distaste.
Robb groaned softly. She was more like mother than he had thought.
Talisa took it all in her stride, knowing full well why the girl had not warmed to her. Robb had told her that this might happen when he returned to her the previous night. She nodded once in agreement, choosing not to bother arguing with the girl.
"It would seem so," she agreed with her. "Robb has told me a lot about you."
"Has he?" Cassandra drawled out, moving past Talisa to the bench.
Robb turned around as he watched his sister and then he caught the raised brow of his wife. He shook his head, his hand resting on her shoulder as he saw Cassandra sit down and pick at the food.
"Has he told you how I am married to a sixty year old man?" Cassandra checked, popping a strawberry into her mouth. "Did he mention that I had a deal to keep?"
"Your husband must be a lucky man," Talisa said.
Cassandra snorted. "Quite the opposite. To be married to a woman in a loveless marriage is hardly lucky. Then again, it seems only certain Starks have agreements to honour, others do as they please."
"That's enough, Cassandra," Robb warned his sister as she glared at him.
She ate another strawberry, her eyes straight ahead at the fireplace opposite her as she listened to Talisa.
"I love your brother."
Cassandra picked up a goblet and drank the water from it. She allowed the words to sink in before she slammed the goblet back down on the table.
"That makes everything much better then," Cassandra said. "So long as you love him then I suppose this war does not matter. I suppose Lord Frey will understand that."
"It is not Talisa's fault, Cass," Robb reminded his sister.
"No," Cassandra agreed. "It is your fault for going back on your word, Robb. It is your fault for being unable to follow through your promise. Did you think I wanted to marry Stevron? Did you think that I wanted that for one moment? No. You knew what I wanted, but you didn't care. You sold me off for some bridge. Then when you face the same prospect you run away. You marry the prettiest girl you can find because you are scared that one of the Frey girls will be too ugly for you."
Robb listened to Cassandra's vent before he shook his head. He didn't think she would be this annoyed with him. Never before did he think that she would be so angry that she would yell at him so loudly. He almost wondered what he had done.
"I understand that you resent me, Cass," Robb whispered. "I know that I hurt you...and Theon...but...the bridge was important."
Cass shook her head at that, standing up and pulling her skirts up her legs as she did so.
"Clearly it wasn't that important for you," Cassandra whispered. She continued to watch her brother for a moment, his eyes wide and his face emotionless as she wondered what he could say to appease her.
"Let me know where Theon is," Cassandra said without another word. "I'm going back to mother."
"Cass," Robb snapped quickly as Talisa watched the girl sweep past them.
She nudged her husband on the shoulder. "Go after her."
"Why?" Robb asked. "She won't listen to me."
"You are her brother. It is your duty to look after her."
Robb crumbled under his wife's threatening glare before he moved off and after Cassandra. She hadn't gone far, for he found her in the corridor, her back resting against the stone as she doubled over. Small sobs came from her as one arm wrapped around her stomach and the other held her hand underneath her nose.
Robb stood still for a moment, his gaze intent on his sister as she barely recognised his presence. He moved closer with hesitance, each footstep cleverly thought out. She looked up, her eyes finding Robb's lurking figure. She stood straight and wiped her eyes, once again glaring at her elder brother.
"Cassandra," Robb whispered her name. "You..." he trailed off after realising he had no idea what he should say to her.
She didn't snap at him or yell. She remained silent before she felt Robb move quickly. He wrapped his arms around her waist before pulling her closer to him. She resisted for a moment until his hand found the back of her head and cradled it. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around his neck, her head resting near his shoulder before he felt her begin to cry again.
"I'm sorry," Robb said. "I'm sorry for everything...all that has happened..."
"Don't let him come back," Cassandra whispered hesitantly. "Please, Robb, don't let me go to the Twins. I don't want to go with him...I can't..."
"Does he treat you badly?" Robb wondered, pulling back for a second. She kept quiet for a few seconds before shaking her head.
"No," she whispered. "He treats me...like a husband should. But he is forceful, Robb, in everything that he does. He refuses to leave me alone. He refuses to let me be. All he wants me for is an heir. He does not care for me at all. I do not care for him. But...you know what the Freys are like, Robb. You've heard of Lord Walder. What will he say when I go to the Twins? I don't want to go."
Robb took a deep breath, watching Cassandra for a few seconds before he kissed her forehead.
"I will see what I can do," Robb said. "I do not know what will happen, Cassandra. I shall try and stall your husband for as long as possible. I cannot promise you anything. You know that, don't you?"
"I know," Cassandra assured him. "I don't hate you, Robb. I just...I cannot stand you being able to marry for love when I couldn't. My own happiness does not surpass yours...I just want it to equal it."
"I know," Robb said. "After what Theon has done, there is no hope for you two. I don't want to be brash, but you need to know the truth."
"I don't care," Cassandra said. "I just want to know where he is. I want him safe, Robb. He deserves that much."
"As soon as I have word, then I shall let you know," Robb promised her.
"Cassandra!" A sudden voice called out. She looked around in her brother's hold as her Uncle Edmure made his way over to her. She smiled at the uncle she had never truly known. Edmure had only visited Winterfell a handful of times. Cassandra barely recognised him.
Robb released his sister and allowed Edmure to wrap her into his arms for a moment. He pulled back and looked down at his niece, a smile gracing his lips as he saw how she had grown.
"I heard what happened in Winterfell," Edmure said. "Nasty business with that Greyjoy boy. I heard how he was going to annul your marriage to Lord Stevron. Tell me; is he as ugly as his sisters? They say that no Frey is blessed with good looks."
"Uncle, it is hardly appropriate, is it?" Robb wondered.
"No," Cassandra interrupted. "It is fine." She turned back to Edmure. "He is sixty and a true Frey. Take from that what you will."
Robb smirked for a second as Cassandra brushed past Edmure. He watched her retreat down the hall, her head high and her hands laced together in front of her.
"She seems in a frightful mood."
"Once again, your skills of reasoning are expanding," Robb snorted before moving back to the hall and his wife.
...
"No word has come back from Lord Bolton," Robb informed Cassandra the following day. His sister had spent her day in her room with Catelyn. Her mother was continuously apologising to her for the negotiation which she had made.
Cassandra had listened to everything which Catelyn had said. She had told her how she had been scared what would happen to Robb for going against the word of Walder Frey. She knew that an apology would not be good enough. Something else would have to happen. Catelyn said she tolerated Talisa. She managed to endure the woman for Robb's sake. But after that, there was nothing else.
Robb looked up from the cheese which he was eating as Cassandra picked at the meat.
"But we have heard from Farlen, the kennelmaster."
Cassandra dropped the chicken which she had picked up as her eyes remained firmly set on Robb. Catelyn folded her hands over her lap, glancing across to Robb. Talisa remained silent, picking at grapes whilst Edmure sat at her side.
"What news has there been?" Cassandra asked.
"Winterfell has been burnt to the ground. He wrote to tell us of the Ironborn men who have also been killed. But, he seems to believe that Theon Greyjoy was taken North. He saw someone in his armour being taken to the Dreadfort. His head was covered, but he is certain that it is Theon."
"The Dreadfort is home to the Bolton's. Ramsay Snow is the castellan there...he must be holding Theon for ransom."
"No," Robb said to her. "Who would pay for him?"
"His father," Cassandra said. "He may not like him, but Theon is his son. I have to go...I need to find Theon..."
"No," Robb said to Cass. "You are not going to the Dreadfort."
"I have no other option," Cassandra said. "I need to see for myself that Theon is safe. I need to make sure of it."
"You will anger your husband more," Catelyn warned her daughter.
"Fuck my husband," she replied bluntly.
"Cassandra!" Catelyn snapped in disapproval. "That language is most unbecoming on a lady."
"I don't care," Cassandra replied. "I want to go there. The Boltons fight for us. They are on our side. I shall tall Ramsay that Theon is to be returned to the Iron Islands in return for a good ransom."
"But there is no ransom," Robb reminded his sister.
"Does the boy need to know that?"
"Lord Bolton will see that as a treacherous act. When he finds out that you released him with no consequence then he will see you as a traitor. And what about the Freys? We require their support. If you ran off then your husband will be angered."
"You've already gone against them," Cassandra said. "Send my dear husband my apologies. Tell him that I had to do this. Tell him that when I come back he will have his damned heir."
"We all know that your idea is madness," Robb said to his sister. "You owe Theon Greyjoy nothing, Cassandra. I shall send my men at first light tomorrow to the Dreadfort to see what has happened to him."
"And your men will bring him back. What happens after that?" Cassandra wondered. "If he stays North then he will be killed for what he has supposedly done. He needs to go back to the Iron Islands. It is the safest place for him. Besides, what does Lord Bolton's bastard want with him?"
"That is something which I have yet to find out," Robb said to his sister. "Ramsay will give up Theon. My men will bring him here. After that...well...I shall decide what is to happen."
"He is a traitor," Catelyn spoke. Cassandra began to interject before Catelyn raised a hand to silence her. "But he is a traitor who protected your sister. He did what he thought was right. He went the wrong way about it, but he tried."
"I know," Robb whispered. "But, are the men really going to see that as a good enough reason to keep him alive. He has supposedly hung Bran and Rickon outside the gates of Winterfell."
"Supposedly," Cassandra repeated the word. "Tell them the truth."
"And tell them that it was simply two farm boys?" Robb checked. "Do you think that makes things better, Cass? He killed two innocent boys. It cannot be tolerated."
Cassandra kept her lips pursed for a few moment, unsure of what more she could say to Robb. He shook his head before watching her turn to look at the food on the plate before her.
"We need to see what happens. No more can be done. You shall not ride North, Cassandra. That is my final decision."
"Fine," Cassandra huffed like a little child.
"Your Grace."
Robb turned his attention to the squire who had made himself known in the hall. Robb arched a brow at him, waiting for him to say something. But he had no need. Lord Stevron Frey came dashing into the room, his cloak flowing behind him as he watched the five people at the bench stand on their feet.
Cassandra felt an initial fear swell in her. She didn't think he was supposed to be here so quick. Apparently he could be fast when he needed to be. He moved forwards, bowing down in front of Robb for a moment.
"Lord Stevron," Robb said. "It is a pleasure to see you here. I hope your ride was amicable."
"With the news that the Greyjoy boy has been captured, and my wife safe, yes, it was rather pleasurable."
Stevron walked over to Cassandra, taking her hand and pulling her from her seat. She stood before him, quiet and worried as he ran his hands down her cheeks. He examined her from head to toe, making sure that no damage had been done. He noted small bruises on her arms but said nothing. He knew that they were there before Theon had taken Winterfell. His wife normally wore full sleeves on her gowns to hide them.
"Did he hurt you?" Stevron wondered.
"No," Cassandra assured him. "He did nothing of the kind."
Stevron met her challenging gaze and kept his mouth shut. He saw the way she was looking at him. He always did. She looked at him as if she was always trying to anger him.
"I am glad to hear it," Stevron said and turned away from his wife to look at Robb. "And what of the Greyjoy boy? Where is he hiding?"
"It is not known, my Lord," Robb blatantly lied.
Cassandra's eyes widened as Robb's gaze flickered over to her for a second. No one said anything to the lie which he had told.
"Winterfell was burnt down. Many Ironborn men were burnt with it and slaughtered by Lord Bolton's men."
"My father's men arrived just after that. They assured them that business had been taken care of."
"Then there is no concern regarding Theon Greyjoy," Robb said, forcing himself to smile. "Why not sit down and enjoy the feast with us?"
Stevron eyed Robb with caution. "I would prefer to speak to my lady wife for a few moments."
Cassandra hesitated before she felt her mother answer for her, assuring Stevron that there was no issue. He wrapped his arm around hers before leading her away from the hall. She kept quiet, wondering why Robb had lied to Stevron. She remained silent as he instructed her to take him to her chambers. She did so, closing the door behind her as Stevron glanced at her with hesitance.
"I was worried for you," he admitted.
Cassandra snorted. "That's funny. I blatantly remember you calling me his bed warmer before you left."
"I was angry," Stevron replied, running a hand along his temple. "I was angry with him for thinking that he could come back and claim my wife...but...I have been worried, Cass."
She shook her head, folding her arms over her chest before looking out the window.
"There is no need to be," she assured him. "I am perfectly fine to care for myself. I managed, didn't I?"
"Only because he used you to get to Winterfell."
"That's not what happened," Cassandra denied with haste. "You know nothing of what happened."
"I know enough," Stevron promised her. He moved closer, his bony fingers encircling her waist as he looked down at her. "I know that I will take you back to the Twins. No harm shall come to you there."
"I would prefer to stay with my brother and mother," Cassandra said.
"It is not an option. It is not safe in Riverrun," he told her. "Tywin Lannister will see to that. Besides, I need to keep you safe for when you become pregnant."
She winced at that, looking down at her stomach for a second before she coughed gently and awkwardly.
"It is getting late," Cassandra said. "Why don't you rest here whilst I eat with my family?"
"I know what you are-"
"-I want to spend as much time with them as possible before I go," Cassandra lied, doing her best to keep her face emotionless in front of him. "Please, Stevron. Let me have this."
He regarded her with curiosity, but nodded regardless. She smiled forcefully, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. She left her room without another word, making her way to the stables. She would find Theon Greyjoy if it was the last thing she did.