"How much longer must we wait?"

Catelyn had grown used to the talk of her daughter over the past few days. Cassandra was a constant bag of nerves. She was always worrying about the outcome of battle, genuinely praying that Theon would come back to her.

Cassandra had never been a big believer in the Gods. She had never seen them do anything for her before. They had taken away her father. They had scattered her family. They didn't seem to be on her side at all. She saw no time for prayer when things could be done instead of spoken. Catelyn had learned not to push her daughter on these views, knowing that it was for the best if she kept silent on them. Cassandra was a young woman, capable of forming her own opnions.

And didn't Catelyn know it.

"They say Robb is marching on King's Landing. Dragons roam the skies and the Lannisters have no hope to prevail this time. The one Lannister who has slight power is the Kingslayer. He marches down from Riverrun to protect the capital."

"How many more days do you think it will be until it is over? I have seen the dragons on the voyage from Pyke, mother," Cassandra spoke. "I have seen the size of them and the power of them. Surely no one can win against them."

"You would have thought so," Catelyn nodded in agreement.

She turned her head as she sat on her horse. They had been travelling around Westeros for a while, doing their best to stay off the King's Road. Catelyn did not consider it wise to linger in one place for too long. Besides, she preferred to keep moving so that her nerves did not grow as anxious as they could.

"Cass," Catelyn spoke when she saw her daughter wince.

Cassandra's hand rested on her stomach as she held it tightly. She had grown beyond belief, and Catelyn couldn't help but think that her time was near. She did not know how many months had truly passed since she had learned she was pregnant, but judging by the swelling of her stomach, she would say that many had gone.

"It is nothing," Cassandra shook her head. "I think the baby is simply kicking."

"Are you certain? You have been holding onto your stomach for the past few days, my love," Catelyn reminded her daughter.

Cassandra allowed a shrill laugh to escape her before she shook her head.

"This little one has been told to wait for her father to return," Cassandra spoke. "I do not think Theon will be too far away. I do hope not, anyway. War looms. Men march and they come closer to King's Landing."

"You forget, dear, children wait for no one." Catelyn replied.

"I know that," Cassandra scoffed. "I just don't want the babe to come in the middle of a wood."

Catelyn offered her daughter a small and sad smile, knowing full well that there was a chance Theon would not see his child be born.

...

"I honestly didn't think that I would be seeing you here again."

Theon looked up as he finished off checking his bow and arrow. His gaze found the man who had once been the King in the North. Now he had to settle for the title of Lord Stark. A small smirk played on Theon's lips as Robb sat on the log besides Theon, looking around the encampment which had been set up.

"I had hoped that I never would be in a battle encampment again," Theon admitted to Robb, his gaze still set on the arrows he was finishing off.

"That makes both of us," Robb said as Greyjoy soldiers passed them.

A small smirk escaped Robb's lips as he shook his head in disbelief. He struggled to believe that he was now an ally with the Greyjoy family. It had never been something he thought would happen. Theon looked around for a moment, following the gaze of Robb.

"I know that you're still struggling to believe it," Theon informed the man he had betrayed. "The Greyjoys are working with you. What a strange world it is."

"Indeed," Robb grunted, noting a man in the distance.

An eye patch covered one of his eyes and his glare was set on Theon. Robb looked over to the hostage, noting how he too was glowering.

"I see that the man you are glaring daggers at wears the same uniform as you," Robb declared. "And if my history lessons serve me well then he is Euron Greyjoy. The man with the patch."

"True enough," Theon scoffed. "He's had an issue with me ever since we set sail from Pyke. Well, his issue doesn't lie with me as much as it does with your sister."

Euron stopped looking at the two young men, deciding that he had better things to do with his time. He moved away into the camp and Robb turned to look at Theon, his face scrunched up as he wondered what Cassandra had done to deserve Euron's hatred.

"My uncle took a shining to her," Theon said. "She refused to give him what he wanted. As soon as she told me then I refused to let her out of my sights. Ever since she rejected my uncle he has classed her as my whore."

Robb took a deep breath, knowing that he wanted to do nothing more than go and protect his sister. It was all he ever did. Protecting Cassandra seemed second nature to him. Just like he would protect any of his siblings.

"I know that you want to go and kill him," Theon said. "I wouldn't mind having a go myself."

"Did he touch her at all?" Robb wondered.

"He tried. You know your sister, she's a fighter."

"She's brash," Robb scoffed. "I cannot blame her. Tell me, when this is over, and we...well...hopefully win...will you come back to Winterfell?"

"If that is where Cassandra wants to be, then so be it," Theon spoke. "I suspect that is where she will want to go. I will follow her, of course...only if you allow me to."

"The people of Winterfell want your blood; you know that, don't you?"

Theon inhaled sharply, nodding in agreement.

"I destroyed their city. I know that. I will apologise for that. I am sorry for it."

"I know you are," Robb nodded. "We will discuss it later."

"Aye," Theon said. "I suppose we should get a decent night's sleep. Tomorrow we ride on King's Landing."

Robb stood up whilst Theon remained sat where he was for another moment. Robb looked down at Theon, his gaze wide as he thought of what he wanted to say to him.

"I know you're sorry," Robb said. "You're still like a brother to me, Theon, even after everything we've been through."

Theon gave a limp smile in agreement with what he heard before Robb turned on his heel and left him.

...

"No," Cassandra gasped for breath.

She had one hand resting against a tree, her back bent as she doubled over, pain radiating through her stomach. The guard stood back, keeping watch as Cassandra screamed out in pain, unable to stop herself from doing so.

Catelyn had a hand on her daughter's back as Cassandra laboured breaths echoed through her ears.

"It will be okay," Catelyn promised her daughter. "Everything will be fine, my love."

"No...how can it be? I am not due yet...I am too early..."

"The water has broken, my love. The baby is coming regardless of whether or not you want it to."

"No...no..." Cassandra shook her head. "I don't know what to do. Mother, I don't know what to do."

"Sh, darling," Catelyn urged her. "I am here with you. I shall see you through this. Do not fret, my love."

Cassandra took another deep breath and found her mother's gaze. Catelyn sternly nodded at her eldest daughter before helping her to sit on the ground. She only hoped that she could deliver the babe safely.

...

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed and read. Do let me know what you think!