"You wish for me to leave Winterfell and return to my House?" I repeated.

"Not for long. Travel will take you four days each way, you shall stay no more than a fortnight, but yes, I do need you to return home and be convincing," Lady Catelyn stated.

I laughed, "Convincing? How? I – I am not six and ten. I am strong, but they will see me as a child."

"You cannot be a child anymore, Analysa. When you return, you carry yourself as a woman grown. Tell your brother to host a great feast. Speak with every lord, and more than charm them – remind them that you are your father's daughter. Show them that the family they sided with, the family they fought for, is still the same even though its lord has changed."

"Fought for? We are not at war, Lady Catelyn," I reminded her. "This is still conjecture."

"You must feel that something is very wrong, do you not?"

I thought back to Bran, that man with a knife far beyond his means, and my recurring dreams of future battles and loss. Robb would need as much support and protection as he could get.

Slowly, I lifted my eyes. I could tell from her surprised expression that they were much harder than I intended.

"I know very much that something is wrong," I replied quietly but with determination. "When must I leave?"

"As soon as possible. We must gather a small host for your protection although I imagine you don't need much help. I know you have received training. You shall write your brother today, and tell Robb tonight."

"And carry this with me all day?" I asked, laughing at the thought of being able to hide this from him.

Lady Catelyn smiled softly as she tucked a sheet of blond hair behind my ear, "Yes, I shall begin to make preparations for us both."

"And where are you going?"

"King's Landing. My husband must know what has happened."

I stared out the window, thinking three hundred thoughts at once. Images of the plains raced through my mind like horses, scents of the hearth at home, the spices that flavored our food. That was probably the greatest expense of our land – and also the greatest draw for supporters and lords – but for every happy memory of the plains, came a happy memory from Winterfell: walking into the godswoods to say our vows, seeing Robb's face for the first time, kissing him, the touch of his hand, our first night as husband and wife, even something as simple as laughing together.

"Ana?" Lady Catelyn asked with urgency.

I shook my head, "I will miss Robb."

"You shall see him soon. Now, go."

I hurried to write a letter to Willem, something that would not worry him but would draw his attention:

Will,

Good news! Your sister shall soon return home. Look for me on the fifth day after receiving this letter. I have much to discuss with you in our fortnight together. I hope you will show the same hospitality to your guest as Father would have. It would be a pleasure to feast with our lords and all dear friends of our family yet again, and I am quite sure they should be happy to share our plentiful wine and stores. Please send them word as soon as you can.

Ana

With the message flying on the wings of a raven towards House Samelson, I went about my daily activities before returning to the keep to find Theon and Robb. They were sparring to pass the time until I arrived for training. I could tell when I arrived, however, that something was off.

Robb did not look at me as I opened the door and shut it behind me. Instead, he kept striking Theon with a ferocity and speed that the Ironborn had difficulty withstanding, slowly falling back as his teeth clenched tighter together.

"Robb?" I asked.

"When." Strike. "Did." Clash. "You." Clang. "Plan."

"Gods, Robb!" Theon exclaimed as his sword flew from his hand.

"To tell me?" Robb faced me finally, his face red from exertion, matching the fire igniting in his eyes.

"Tonight," I answered honestly. "I did not want to distract you through the day."

"No, you did not want to tell me because you knew I would be furious."

Theon interjected with a wide smile, "Perhaps you two should fight each other. Rage is a powerful ally."

"Shut up, Theon," I shot back.

"Leave Theon alone. He's been a great help to you," Robb replied.

Theon looked utterly pleased with himself, and I couldn't remember a time I wished so badly to smack someone's smug face.

"Yes, a great help because you are afraid to train me yourself!" I exclaimed.

"Oh, forgive me for not wanting to fight my wife!"

I raised my eyes to the heavens. "Yes, tourney blades are so dangerous."

"Not when you're wielding one," Theon commented under her breath.

"Shut up, Theon," I repeated, glaring at him.

"They can be! Do you know how I would feel if anything happened to you?" Robb demanded, throwing his sword to the ground. He stepped towards me; his mouth in a firm line that matched the stiffness of his jaw.

"Yes, I do! Because I would feel every bit as miserable if anything happened to you!" I cried. "And that is why I am leaving!"

"Awww, so sweet," Theon added.

Now, both Robb and I turned to him, "Shut up, Theon."

With that, Theon stood at his tallest and turned a haughty shoulder, striding out of the chamber.

"I am trying to maintain Winterfell," Robb explained. "I need you here to help me."

"And if your mother is right, then you will need an army to maintain the North and protect your family. I can help you raise one, or at the very least ensure that the loyalties my father had in place remain. My brother and all men bound to him by oath will come to our aid should we need it, but I believe we can get twice as many to join us if I can keep those that were simply bound by respect and trust. I have to speak with them again in person, to talk about you, to laud my brother, and to remind them why they fought for my family."

Robb sat down with a rueful smile, "My mother chases attempted murderers, my wife finds me an army, and I? What do I do?"

"You lead Winterfell. I can say as many pretty words as I want; if you do not live up to your father's standards, Robb, there is little I can say to keep an army. My words will stir them and hold them for a time, but your behavior must inspire and keep them."

Robb looked aside playfully before he met my gaze with a small smirk, "Are you using those same pretty words on me?"

I could not resist that smirk. I put my hands on either side of his face and pulled him towards me.

"Here are three pretty words: I love you," I whispered before kissing him.

Robb rested his forehead against mine, "I love you too. You come back quickly."

"I will be home within a month. I promise."

"You better," He added before leaning forward to kiss me.