The men began to arrive swiftly over the next several days, turning Winterfell and our surrounding lands into a sea of tents and sigils. I told Maester Luwin to stop bringing me the figures being eaten away by this stay. We had enough to focus on without thinking of the costs. If we did plunge into war, it would be much worse anyway.

Robb had taken on the air of the lord with every action since the letters arrived. Grey Wind always stood at his side to the point that I sometimes felt a bit secondary to the hulking direwolf.

Although Robb would still ask my opinion, he had started to pull away ever since I brought up Willem.

"Can he meet us halfway?" I asked with hope.

Robb furrowed his eyebrows, "We need everyone, Ana."

"I understand that, Robb, but he's so newly married. I…" My dreams began to flash through my brain, causing me to stop speaking for a long moment. "I just want him to have some time with his wife before…before anything happens to him."

"So this is the start." It wasn't a question from Robb; he knew it the moment he opened the letter. And yet, he had not admitted it to himself.

"I think so," I whispered.

Robb's jaw jutted forward, "He can meet us so long as those loyal to your family come as well."

I nodded, "They will."

"Perhaps Sansa…" he trailed off.

I waited for him to continue, but Robb shook his head. "It…we can worry about who will be safest where later. Negotiations have not failed yet."

"No, not at all," I agreed.

We walked together to the courtyard to welcome the next group of men. It seemed like an endless stream as we took as many within Winterfell as possible. The others were stationed around our castle.

I found myself yet again in a small room, training with Theon, and missing Jon terribly.

"If you think you are going to fight with us, then you need to hit harder," Theon stated.

"Do you realize how irritating you are, or does that not connect with you?" I returned.

"Do you realize that I would rather not die, and your current state of sword play does not inspire a great bit of confidence?"

"I miss Jon."

"You miss him because he goes easy on you."

"I miss him because he was like a brother to me. I want him here because he could help us, and I would rather he were here because you are literally pushing me to my last wit, Theon Greyjoy!"

"Good, use it," he returned and came at me.

Initially, it was anger that motivated me as I brought my sword against Theon's, but it wasn't anger that got me to the point of so much swift hitting, poise and balance, that within two minutes, I saw Theon's weakness, found my opening and knocked his sword to the ground.

"Well, done, my lady. See what anger can do?" Theon stated, brushing himself off.

"It wasn't anger," I replied. "I thought of Jon, and how even though I wish to the gods he were here, I am so happy that he's far away from all this on the Wall. And, I want him to stay out of it if he can."

"That was touching. Let's just leave it at: I am a brilliant teacher."

"Let's just go again."

Theon smirked, "Fine. You know the more you win, the more credit I take."

"I suppose I will just have to surmount that by laughing at you as you fall to the ground."

"Good luck, Ana." He returned with a smirk, kicking his sword up into his hand.

Robb came in to watch us on the next pass. He watched with a grimace, but at moments when I won, I could the pride in his eyes. A few moments later, however, it seemed to always fall back into nervousness.

"I'm getting better," I offered.

"Thanks to me," Theon added.

Robb nodded, "Yes, I can see that."

"We're about to practice archery," I added. "If you want to train with us."

"I would love to," Robb replied. "But I can't. There's too much happening outside."

"Do you need me?"

"Always," Robb answered, kissing me softly. "But you stay here. I will see you soon."

My archery had not suffered at all despite my lack of practice. I couldn't help but look towards the heavens, thanking my father for his constant help with that when I was a child. I returned to the courtyard soon after, speaking with the heads of household of various families.

My father had always told me that a smile and a laugh could go as far as an authoritative word or title. Armed with that and a small piece of information about their family or their histories, I put as many of them at ease as possible before leaving to find Robb.

"I cannot imagine there would be any family we are missing," I commented.

"Almost," he answered, his voice sounding distant.

"Who is not yet here?" I asked Robb as I walked closer.

"The Umbers," he stated.

Our chamber was in utter disarray as Robb searched for everything he felt he needed as we went South. I leaned against the windowsill, my arms folded in front of me.

"Where are my clothes?" I asked.

Robb raised an eyebrow, sifting through books. "You aren't going."

"Like hell." I pushed myself off the window as Robb stood.

"Ana…" His tone was a warning.

"How dare you! How do you think you can leave me here and discard your wife."

"Discard?" He demanded. "I'm trying to keep you safe. I asked Will to send Sansa back; you'll be protected here at Winterfell."

"I'll be safe with you!"

"Analysa."

"No, Robb! You are not leaving me here. You made a vow to me."

"I didn't swear to bring you into danger with me."

"I can take care of myself."

Robb shook his head, "Just because you can use a bow and a sword does not make you a soldier."

"No? What does then, Robb? Bravery? Do you think me weak?"

"No."

"Isn't being a soldier about honor and the will to fight for your family?"

"Yes, but—"

"So what is the problem? Is it that I am not a man? Is that it?" I demanded.

Robb didn't look in my eyes, "Soldiers fight in battle. They kill people, Ana. You're too good to—"

I laughed aloud, "Don't act like I'm purer than you; I've killed men, Robb, more men than you to date. I believe that makes me more of a warrior and far less good than you, my lord."

"More of a warrior?" Robb demanded, his eyes alternating turning to sheets of ice. "You'll see a battlefield when Theon Greyjoy falls in love."

"Fine, go on, Robb. The second you are out the gates, I will follow you. What will you do, keep me in the dungeons to prevent it?"

Robb raised his hands in frustration, "Gods, I have half a mind to! Do you know what happens to women in battle?"

"Oh, I thought this was still negotiations."

"I hope that is all it becomes. Say this goes poorly, say I am killed in a skirmish, do you know what our enemies will do to you? They will rape you repeatedly, beat you, and you will be begging to die before they give that to you. If they do."

"They won't have a chance."

Robb scoffed, "Will you strike them all down with your bow?"

"No, I'll kill myself before they can touch me."

For the first time that night, I saw fear flash through his eyes. He held his breath for a moment before exhaling long and slow, studying me as though he wanted to remember every detail. I had to be a sight, red-faced, my brown eyes wild from anger…and fear. I didn't want to die, and I didn't want him to die either.

"Do you think for a moment that you saying you'll kill yourself if we lose will entice me to take you with me?" Robb's voice shook as did his whole body as I stood in front of him. I had never seen him so furious.

"You'll stay where it's safe. 20 men can hold Winterfell, and I'll see you protected."

"Robb," I started.

"Stop, Ana. I will hear no more tonight!" Robb yelled, putting up a hand to silence me.

I had much more to say, but I held my tongue as the anger coursed through my blood. I knew fear was powering his words more than anything, but part of me didn't want to care. The other part of me was too furious to say a word, so I left. As I turned away, though, Robb grabbed for my hand. He did not look at me, but he held on for a moment, squeezing my wrist, before letting me go.