Analysa Stark

"That was excessively boring," Robb commented.

I nodded my agreement. We had divided our men to strategic locations, having each stay ten days, hoping one of our groups would catch the men setting fire to our lands. Each night, we split up to cover as much of the fields as we could.

Robb and my position turned out to provide nothing of value other than farming lessons from the local people.

"I suppose we could start a farm should this whole lord position not appeal to you in a few years," I added.

Robb smirked now, "Always finding the good in bad. We will need to procure a few goats, though."

As we reached the inn, I was surprised by how empty it was. Our company was almost the furthest away. When we walked in, the innkeeper met us with a smile.

"I have a letter for you, milord," he explained, handing a note to Robb.

Robb took it, reading for a moment when a smile touched his lips. "Theon."

He handed me the note and turned back to the men, beginning to give orders. I scoffed the instant my eyes touched the paper.

You're welcome.

I'm returning to Winterfell with a few items of interest. They belong to the family we expected. I would regale you with the story, but it was incredibly easy for me to collect them. It can wait until you get home.

Theon

"Have six parties come through already?" I asked the innkeeper.

"No milady, you are the fifth," he answered.

"Please leave this for our last group. I should expect them in a few days."

He bowed his assent as I walked back to Robb, who stood with his men with a great smile.

"We'll tell my father and the king of what they've done under the Lannisters' command, and we'll start to show what kind of people they are."

He gave further instructions to his men to rest a short while, so our horses could refuel themselves and then we would be off. His bright eyes and enthusiastic smiles were almost enough to make me forget the nagging concern in the back of my mind. Only almost.

"What is our end game here, Robb?" I asked quietly after the others had dispersed.

"To show the king what the Lannisters truly are."

"You know none of this will make Bran walk again."

Robb's face fell for a moment, betraying the disappointment he wanted to avoid. Quickly, he replaced it with a firm jaw, raising his head. "I know that. I just want them away from our lands."

"I want that too. I just want to make sure that will be enough."

"It will," he promised, taking my hand. "They need to leave us alone. Forever."

"Then let's get home and get the Lannisters out of our lives."

Robb took my arms and kissed me. We let go for a moment as he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist. My mind went completely blank until he slowly pulled back, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear while I stared at him, breathing heavily and smiling like a fool.

"I love you," he added like it was a promise.

"I love you too," I replied, lost in his blue eyes.

The three more days to Winterfell felt much longer than they should have been, but when we got there, I was not surprised to find Theon, essentially holding court, gloating over his great capture. As Robb went to speak with the men, I found myself stuck reliving the story for the second time.

"So, wait, Theon you were in two places at once?" I interjected.

Theon looked at me in confusion, so I explained, "Well, the first time you told this story, I thought you were on the north side, rounding them towards the others, and now it would seem like you were the one making the final capture on a threat of force?"

Theon glared at me, so with a small shrug, I simply added, "I'm just trying to understand. I know Robb will want to rewards the entire group handsomely."

I began to walk away, but the Ironborn chased me down, "Why must you always ruin my fun?"

"Oh I though we were having fun, teasing each other as friends do."

"I retract my friendship."

I cast my eyes towards the heavens, "Oh no, whatever shall I do."

"You should be glad to have me," Theon shot back, the humor gone from his tone.

Unwilling to have this battle, I turned to face him, "I am glad."

He regarded me with suspicion, so I further explained, "I am truly happy that Robb has you on his side, Theon."

That seemed to sufficiently silence him with surprise. We were going to Maester Luwin's study to find Robb after his conversations with our arsonists. As we reached the room, however, it was clear from Robb's face that something had gone terribly awry.

"What has happened?"

"My mother took the Imp, who is now free. She is returning home. My father has been attacked by Jaime Lannister, who has run away, and your brother for some reason is flying to Winterfell. He should be here in a matter of days."

My mind tried to work through these pieces of information as quickly as it could, but I kept turning up more questions than anything else.

"Are they going to bring Jaime to justice?" I asked.

As if no time had passed since the royal family's visit, Robb's eyes shot an icy stare in my direction, jealousy and frustration jabbing into him.

"No, they are not bringing Jaime anywhere," he replied his voice stressing that name.

I sighed, electing to ignore that comment. "And why not? If he attacked your father and his men-"

"-I understand the king thinks they were mutually at fault."

"Well, we have further proof that they are antagonizing our people!"

Robb nodded, "I know. I will write to them, but I don't have high hopes after this."

"Will must be making haste. The pace to get here…your father must be sending him with something important."

There was little time to debate and question what was happening as we heard of Willem's approach not even the next day. Robb and I had insisted upon riding out, catching the company while they were still preparing to leave that day.

My smile grew wider by the second as I saw Willem walk out of a tent. I had been so terrified when he first left that I would never see him again, and even in spite of my dreams, I was still worried. Now, he was in front of me, all smiles.

My grin softened after a moment when I saw an auburn haired girl come traipsing out of the same tent towards him. She threw her arms around his neck as Will smiled and picked her up in a strong hug. Both seemed to be giggling, though, I could not hear from our distance.

Suddenly, confusion spread across my face. That girl…it couldn't be. I turned towards Robb, who barely acknowledged me as he kicked on, racing towards them. I followed suit, Chimera chomping at the bit to beat the other horse and pushing even faster when he saw Will. My brother turned and watched us come towards him, giving us a happy wave and a proud smile.

"Robb!" Sansa cried, rushing towards her brother as he dismounted at a safe distance.

The stern expression on his face had fallen into a grin as his sister threw her arms around his neck, laughing. Robb picked her up and twirled her in a circle.

"It's so good to see you!" she exclaimed, tears running down her face.

Robb hugged her again, shaking his head in amazement, "You seem so happy even after a few weeks' ride."

She glanced back towards my brother with a small smile before adding, "I am."

Pulling Willem away, I left Robb to speak with Sansa. He seemed at a loss of emotions – happy, relieved, and furious all at the same time. I walked into Will's tent as he grabbed me gruffly, hugging me into him while we tried to walk.

"Gods, you're in a great mood," I laughed.

"How could I not be? I'm out of King's Landing with my life, with my little sister, and I am going to be married tomorrow."

There was something so easy in his smile that forced me to return it. Typical Willem, though, there was no way he had thought this through.

"You took Sansa from King's Landing," I inferred.

He nodded, grinning, "I'm in love with her, Ana. I'm in love with her."

As he stood, laughing and smiling, I had no choice but to follow suit. All of the contingencies and concerns racing through my mind about the reaction of the royal family, the ramifications on those still in King's Landing or those in our lands, even my initial concern that Eddard was not even informed were all forgotten with his jovial laugh and bright brown eyes, twinkling mischievously.

After another moment, his expression faltered when he looked beyond me. I turned to find Robb. His eyes shot daggers towards Will. I watched him in confusion, but before I could move towards him, Robb lunged at Will.

"Robb!" I cried.

"Are you insane?" he demanded, attempting to strangle Will.

Will was laughing and coughing while trying to fight off my husband, "It was a good idea!"

"No, it was not! And, she's been sleeping in your bed!"

"Robb! Robb!" Will said, attempting to extricate himself.

It was only after I put myself between the two of them that they stopped. With my hands on Robb's broad shoulders, his heavy breathing and furious expression began to soften.

"Your father supported my decision. I love your sister, and I will marry her tomorrow in the godswood!" he swore.

Robb was still fuming, loud breaths escaping his mouth as I glanced behind him to see Sansa's perplexed and worried face. Slowly surveying the scene, she moved towards Willem. He took her hand as she wrapped her other around his arm.

"Eddard could not be seen at the wedding. We knew that it would be a betrayal in the royal family's eyes, but I couldn't leave her there. Not for the world…so, once we had left the gates, we turned our course to Winterfell. I remember Ana saying once how even though she wished our father had been with her on her wedding day that she was so happy to have me and Philip there. I wanted Sansa to have her brothers as well."

At that Robb's fury subsided, I could see his mind working, weighing how angry this would make the royal house and what the consequences might be, but for the moment at least, that was put aside as he looked at his younger sister and her true smile and the man who was about to be twice a brother.