"Gods, who taught you your form? A blind man?" Theon demanded as I swung my sword overhead in an exercise.
I whirled around, "My father, and my form is significantly better than yours, Theon Greyjoy. I've watched you in sparring."
Theon's lips curled into a smirk, "Been watching me, Ana?"
"Yes, to see what not to do in a swordfight."
Theon's mouth fell flat as I glared at him, but Robb got between us, "Alright, you've both had your say. Now, Jon, care to tell us why we're here and why my wife is swinging a long sword about?"
"After I leave for the Wall, Ana will need someone to drill her. Robb, you won't fight hard enough against her to truly test her. I know Theon will not have the same problem," Jon explained.
Theon puckered his lips at me, which seemed like an invitation to take the sword to him now, but Jon interrupted again.
"That said, Robb's the better swordsman, so he should at minimum critique the drills."
"Can we start?" Theon asked, surly from Jon's last comment.
Jon handed him a wooden sword, "Sure. Remember your footwork, Ana."
Jon traded me the heavy sword for a lighter sparing tool. I took a swift swing and walked towards Theon. Robb sat at the end of the room, and Jon took a seat on the same bench.
When Theon took a step towards me, Robb yelled out, "Wait!"
Theon dropped the sword slightly and looked up at him, "Yes?"
Robb shook his head after seeing Jon's disapproving look, "Go on. Never mind."
Theon nodded and looked back at me. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking if I was ready. I nodded and took my initial stance. Jon and I played cat and mouse with our first attacks, watching the other steadily. I had no doubt Theon, however, would come at me.
I was not disappointed.
Theon stepped forward, his attack largely visible with the angling of his body and sword. I readied myself and lifted my sword, perfectly timing his first strike, but yet again, Robb called out.
"Wait!"
"Why?" Theon and I both demanded, turning to him in irritation.
Robb's expression seemed confused, "I can't help it. Every time you go after her, it just comes out."
"You need to bury that, Robb. Your wife needs training," Jon returned.
"Why does she need training?" Robb asked, turning to his brother. "I can protect her."
Jon offered a sympathetic smile, already apologizing for what he was about to say, "You weren't there in the skirmish when she was to return to the plains. Even her brother couldn't protect her from that wildling. Ana had to take care of him herself. You never know what she might have to face, Robb."
Robb's expression darkened. His eyes met mine with hurt, knowing what I experienced. I never regretted killing that wildling. It saved myself and my brother, but when I thought about it too long, it still made my physically shake with anger that I was not about to save anyone else.
"Go on," Robb repeated.
This time, he held his tongue when Theon struck. It was only after I turned around when Theon hit with so much force it knocked the sword out of my hand that I learned why. Jon was literally covering Robb's mouth with his hand as Robb's eyes grew with irritation. Jon let go after a moment.
"May I speak now?" Robb asked with an edge to his tone.
"Oh come off it," Jon returned, punching his shoulder.
Robb returned an easy grin and looked to me, "You know when they say don't hold your sword too hard. Hold it harder than that."
"Your footwork was decent," Jon added.
"It would have taken you much longer to die than I expected," Theon continued.
I raised an eyebrow at the smirking Ironborn. That was possibly the nicest comment I had ever received from him.
"Again," Jon instructed.
Theon likely was the best person to practice against. He had little sympathy, was not afraid to hit as hard as he could, and enjoyed showing off. Even Jon had held back and I could only imagine how pathetic training with Robb would have been.
We exited the room, observing our surroundings. No one was about, so we grew more confident as we got further away, laughing aloud and making a good bit of noise. When we walked outside, however, Theon and Robb pulled to hard stops. I looked up to discover Lord Eddard, greeting us with a curious glance.
"Where have you four been?" he asked.
"Training," Robb answered. "Just a bit of sword work."
"On you go," Eddard returned with a doubtful grin.
He started to walk away, but I quickly followed him.
"May I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course," he replied with kind eyes.
I glanced back at Robb, Jon, and Theon, who all returned my look with curiosity. With a wave of the hand, I told them to move along and turned back to Lord Eddard.
"I don't know where to begin really…"
I had spoken with the Lord of Winterfell on many occasions, but I had never counseled a father about raising children and felt extremely foolish as I began to do so. I could feel my face burning red.
"I have been helping Arya with archery," I stated.
Lord Eddard regarded me with an amused grin and raised eyebrows. "Yes, that is a poorly kept secret."
Laughing aloud with him, I began to feel slightly more at ease. "Yes, but I do think it has helped her a bit with the womanly arts in a way. She seems more at ease after an archery lesson than without one even if she must go to stitching."
"You think she should continue in King's Landing?"
"I just know she will have a hard time, and she will miss Winterfell greatly. Perhaps having an outlet may help her."
Lord Eddard smiled at me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I think you may be right."
A relieved sigh escaped me. I hadn't realized I was even holding my breath.
"You have a good heart, Ana. I'm happy that Robb has you."
I smiled back at him, "I'm happy to have him."
"Marriage is never quite what you expect. You say the vows, lucky husbands and wives fall in love, but it is so much more. You have responsibility to another person, every action reflects on them as well, and when you have children—" Lord Eddard paused upon seeing my wide-eyed expression.
He chuckled and added, "Well, that we'll leave for another discussion. I am just happy to know that my son loves you and that I am leaving Winterfell in very capable hands."
Inside, a warm feeling of pride began to swell in my chest, pushing a happy smile back onto my face.
"We'll do everything we can to make you proud," I promised.
Lord Eddard smiled softly, "I don't doubt that."