Robb and I stood transfixed, staring at each other. His chest rose and fell with quickly, his breath matching mine. After a moment, Robb's eyes widened as a realization passed over him. I knew we shared the same thought: we could still be attacked.

Our heads swiveled around as we raised our swords. Everything seemed contained, however. The men of Winterfell were the only people left standing.

"Check off the road," Robb said to his closest guard. "Make sure none ran when they saw us coming."

"Yes, my lord."

I stared at Robb in disbelief as he nodded at his guard. His timing was impeccable but more than anything, my thoughts went to my tightening chest and stinging eyes. Seeing him in front of me seemed almost too good to be real.

Robb took a step towards me and wrapped his arms around me, crushing me into him. I put my hands on his face, wet with sweat, and pulled him to me in a kiss. For a moment, I stopped breathing entirely as I felt his lips, his tongue familiar against mine. As he pulled me back to his chest, holding me tightly, I found breath again.

"I love you so much," I whispered.

"I love you too. I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner," Robb kissed my forehead, still holding onto me as though he were afraid I might slip through his fingers.

I rested my head against his forehead. My heart felt like it was swelling as I touched him, tears falling down my face. I had missed him, but standing in front of him made me realize how much. Still, practicality somehow tugged at my mind.

"Are there are any alive?" I asked.

Robb looked towards his men, "Can any speak?"

One of the guards looked to the man whose arm I hacked off. "He won't be with us much longer."

I glanced up at Robb with an apologetic look. He returned with disbelief, "Are you sorry? You have no reason to be."

We walked towards the man, but he was delusional from the loss of blood and couldn't respond to our questions in any intelligible manner.

Robb turned, "Search the bodies. Find what information you can."

"We are safe," I reminded Robb, seeing the self-doubt in his eyes.

I took his hand instinctively, hoping to make him feel better but also because I needed to touch him.

"I should have come sooner," Robb said, his eyes swimming as they fixed on my face.

"We had it managed," Theon returned from behind us.

Robb turned to face his best friend.

"You have an arrow sticking out of you," Robb pointed out. His tone was an odd mix of concern and wry humor.

Theon shrugged and then grimaced, instantly regretting his decision to move his shoulder. "Just a small wound. Nothing—"

"—Stop!" I exclaimed before Theon could rip it out.

"Why?" he asked.

"You're an archer. You know as well as I do the arrowhead and shaft are not often strongly united. You pull that out and the head will stay lodged in your muscle," I replied.

"So what do you suggest?"

I glanced towards the dagger on Robb's belt and said slowly, "Something you won't like."

"Gods, what are you suggesting?" Theon demanded, his eyes widening upon seeing where I was looking.

"Again, the arrowhead-" I returned.

"Can we test that first?" he interrupted in a panic.

My heart tugged in my chest, seeing the fear in his eyes. Knowing pain was to come was often much more agonizing than the surprise of it.

"I'm not trying to hurt you, Theon," I said as calmly and with as much comfort as I could. "You took an arrow for me. I just want to help you."

Theon stole one look at me before nodding. I glanced up at Robb, "Maybe we just ride quickly and Maester Luwin can remove it."

"You want me to ride a day like this?" Theon demanded. "Like hell."

"Theon!" Robb and I exclaimed as Theon grabbed the arrow and pulled. All he came up with was the shaft.

I shook my head as Theon swore. I held back the strong desire to remind him of my warning and just sighed, "We should just ride. I might make it worse by cutting out the arrow. It could get infected, and if it starts to close, we'll have to reopen."

"We'll be at Winterfell before it stops bleeding," Robb returned. He gestured towards the shaft, "Besides, it wasn't that deep."

My stomach already began to twist, thinking of the blood and muscle. Theon appeared to be in so much pain when he moved just the smallest inch. I couldn't imagine riding the rest of the way like that. "Hold him down, Robb. I need clear water."

As the men worked to ensure I had something to try to wash the wound with, I handed Theon a piece of wood to bite down on, preemptively apologizing, "I am so sorry."

I stole a glance at Robb, finding some comfort in his blue eyes. I took the dagger from him and cut the entrance of the wound wider. Theon's widened to a grotesque size as he yelled a gut-wrenching scream that made me apologize repeatedly. Robb looked at me nervously as he clenched onto Theon's shoulders, holding him in place. I was able pull out the arrowhead. Red blood pooled around the wound steadily, but it was no worse than expected. I held the wound, slowing the bleeding until the water came.

The gash was wide, but I knew we had no tools to sew him. We bandaged it as best we could and began riding back to Winterfell to get him to someone far more schooled in healing than me.

"You'll tell us if you can't ride any more," Robb said to Theon in a quiet tone.

His teeth clenched, Theon returned, "I'll be fine."

It was difficult to talk with the speed of our journey home. Robb and I kept attempting, but could only catch a few words. I gathered something of Tyrion Lannister, Bran, and a saddle. Robb seemed to pick out a few of my words: army, Lord Whyte, controlling dreams. In the end, we gave up. I found myself looking over at him every few moments, still trying to convince myself he was real.

We arrived in good time, but not until night had fallen. Maester Luwin met us, taking Theon away to see to his shoulder. The castle was relatively quiet; no one expected our arrival until the morning.

"We'll have supper in our chamber tonight. Tomorrow, the rest of our company will arrive, hopefully with some news."

Robb seemed comfortably in charge as though he had grown into being Lord of Winterfell while I was gone. I hoped I had grown enough to match him. It was one of a hundred thoughts racing through my mind and preventing me from finding any words at all.

We walked quietly, awkwardly, towards our chambers. Even our wedding night did not feel this strange, but much had happened to both of us in a short time.

"So…" It was Robb who spoke first.

I looked into his eyes, repeating his word with a small smile.

"I missed you," he ventured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and cupping my face.

I leaned into his hand, closing my eyes at his touch. "I…"

Words failed me, but the moment I saw his blue eyes bore into mine, I realized words weren't necessary. My heart picked up its pace, and instinctively, Robb and I reached for each other.

Now, everything felt real as the desire coursed deep and low within me. Robb pushed me against the wall, ripping away my clothes. With each opportunity, I pulled at his, but I quickly found myself naked while Robb was still in pants and a doublet.

"Is this how you greet your wife? Strip her naked while you are still clothed. It seems unfair," I breathed, finally beginning to find my words again.

Robb smirked, "No, I'll greet her like this."

He kissed my neck, chest, slowly making his way down my body, kissing and licking me in my intimate spots. He remembered every inch of me and what I enjoyed most. It wasn't long before I was moaning loudly enough that I worried who might hear, but Robb kept going until I almost couldn't stand.

With a swift move, Robb pulled me down towards him, dipping me before gingerly placing me on the floor. His trousers were off in a moment and suddenly he pushed inside of me. The friction felt unbelievably sweet as we fell into a familiar rhythm. I smiled in the midst of my moaning, reaching my peak shortly before Robb.

We lay on the floor, next to each other for a long time, breathing hard, running fingers along each other's body. I sat up a bit and placed my head on Robb's chest, wrapping myself up in him.

"What is that about?" he asked, feeling my broad smile on his chest.

I could tell from his voice that he was smiling too, so I looked up, placing my chin on him as Robb looked down at me playfully with raised eyebrows.

"I missed you. When I saw you, I was convinced I'd fallen into a dream somehow. I was thrilled but I could hardly speak, and then just now, it all felt right…it felt like home."

Robb brushed the hair from my face again, "You are home. Thank the gods. When I saw you in the distance, the skirmish, the thought of losing you - I couldn't breath or think. I rode as fast as I could, trying to get to you. I was scared for Bran. I'm worried about my mother, but I've never felt fear like that."

"I'm here. I won't leave you again," I promised.

"That doesn't mean others won't come."

"No," I whispered. "It certainly does not, but we are not thinking of that tonight."

"No?"

"No, it's just us. For a few more hours of darkness, we can pretend at least."

Robb grinned, "I like the sound of that."

He rolled over, so he was on top of me again. His smile was infectious as I giggled underneath him.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you."