"I should be with child," I whispered quickly.

"Hmm?" Robb asked sleepily as we lay naked in bed.

"You're the acting Lord of Winterfell. It's been a year. We should have children."

"Do you want them?"

"Not now."

"Then, you should not be with child," Robb returned simply, turning onto his stomach with an expectant stare. He knew from my silence that I was not in full agreement.

"Ana?" he pressed.

I shook my head softly, "Sometimes, it does not matter what we want. It matters what—"

"—Do you know what's exhausting about you?"

I started to laugh aloud, "That I'm not letting you sleep?"

Robb chuckled, his sleepy eyes opening wide. "No, that you always think you need to be doing more."

I gave a soft smile. "I just…worry."

Robb cupped my face with his hand, kissing me softly as the concerns started to melt away, just as they had when he was between my legs not too long ago.

"You will drive yourself mad, and me with you. Because of a lack of sleep," he teased, his smile lighting his face. "We've been cautious, and sometimes not, so if it's meant to happen, it will. I refuse to push this when I know you aren't yet ready."

"Would you mind sharing that with your mother? Each time Will mentions Sansa, I get the most uncomfortable look from her."

"You are overreacting. Don't make me distract you."

I smile crept across my lips, turning my head back in his direction. "I would really like you to."

"Be careful what you wish for, Ana. You might get distraction, and in nine months time, get an even bigger one."

"If it's meant to be…" I repeated teasingly, pulling him close for a kiss as I quickly added, "But, do try to pull away before—"

"—I know, love," he interrupted, moving himself on top of me and pinning down my legs and arms.

We had not slept much along the road, either having lively discussions about where or how we should approach King's Landing or simply because of each other. The next day we continued on our path South.

"Realistically, we are going to ask them to have negotiations outside the city walls, but what then? How many of us are going into King's Landing?" Will asked.

Theon raised an eyebrow, "You've already walked into and out of there. You afraid to do it again?"

"I'm not afraid of that, Greyjoy," Will returned.

"No, the man is relishing it!" The Greatjon cried with a loud laugh.

The enthusiasm was impressive, but it had begun to wear on me some as we came nearer to the city. Granted, we had far to go, and perhaps that was part of the problem.

"We cannot march all of our people into the city," Robb returned, knowing they were aware of this. "Should they agree to deliver us my father, then it will be small. They have asked for my mother, Ana, and myself, but I will be sure our larger households are represented as well."

"A show of strength," Lord Whyte commented.

"I'm sure it would more thoroughly demonstrate the support of our Northern houses," I spoke up.

"Conniving," Lord Whyte muttered, attempting to hide a small grin.

It had been my biggest task to knock down some of the walls that Whyte had built around himself. I needed more guidance, and he was slowly beginning to be someone I could nearly call slightly agreeable. At least, that was how Will phrased it. It seemed fitting.

Our progress was slow given the size of our company and we were soon camping again.

"Chimera and Chiran were not made for this pace," Will commented as we fed our horses.

The men of Plenair were all looking after their own horses while our companions looked on.

"Do you love that horse more than your husband, my lady Stark?" the Greatjon laughed.

I chuckled in reply.

"Lord Robb and Lady Sansa must be awfully jealous. The Samelsons forever put their steeds above all else," he added, getting a laugh from the men standing by.

Will smirked, "As long as Chiran brings me home, I doubt Sansa will mind."

"Robb does have Grey Wind. I suppose it's only fitting we all have to compete for attention," I jested, getting a great laugh from the giant man.

A loud thump soon called my attention away from Chimera as Theon slapped down a quiver of arrows at my feet.

"Ready?" he asked.

I nodded, "As always. I thought it was swords today."

"Well, we need more food, so target practice."

"Have fun!" Will called after us as we walked into the woods.

"I can't imagine what food we'll find here. We've been making too much noise," I pointed out.

"If we go far enough, we'll find something," Theon returned, walking briskly forwards. I followed closely as we trailed further into the woods, crouching behind bushes.

"This is less fun than swordfighting," I whispered.

"You've never truly enjoyed hunting. I can't understand that."

I shrugged, "It's disappointing that I can't hit you."

Theon cast his eyes up, but both of us stopped in our tracks as we heard a light rustling. I furrowed my eyebrows, glancing towards Theon. I didn't enjoy hunting, but I knew that was an odd sound for an animal. Theon put a hand up, telling me silently to stay in my place. He stepped quietly out of the bush and behind a tree. As another rustle came clearer.

With a loud cry, Theon dove towards the rustling.

"Idiot!" I exclaimed, standing up upon hearing the sound of another man's surprise.

Both seemed to be struggling as I neared. Theon was on top, punching the man, but soon was kicked aside. He rose quickly as the other man pulled out a knife. With one swift motion and a steadying breath, I loosed an arrow, hitting Theon's opponent in the shoulder and forcing him to drop the knife.

Theon turned towards me, his eyes flashing with anger. "I had him."

Casting my eyes to the heavens, I walked to his side, "A thank you is sufficient."

"I had him!" Theon reiterated, kicking aside the man's weapon.

"I owed you!" I shot back as the man struggled in pain. "You protected me once. Now we are even. You can go off and do whatever you like now."

Theon still fumed at me, but he turned his rage to the man before us, laying a boot into his wounded shoulder.

"Theon!" I cried, my stomach twisting a little at the man's cries. I pulled at the Ironborn's arm, but he grabbed my own arm and rooted me to his side.

"Who sent you?" Theon demanded.

The man remained quiet a moment longer before Theon twisted his foot. No matter how deserved, I still hating seeing this.

"Scouting! Scouting," the man cried, taking in a welcome breath as Theon released some of the pressure.

"For. Who?" Theon demanded. There was not a trace of kindness in his voice.

"Lannister."

Theon removed his foot entirely and slowly asked, "Now, why would Lannisters be scouting? Why would we not expect a warm greeting party from King's Landing, coming out to meet us?"

"Theon," I said softly, my mind working quickly.

The Ironborn turned to me with a softness in his eye as he heard the strange quality in my voice.

"I must get to Robb," I replied.

Theon's expression grew stern again, and he turned back to the scout. "Well, I suppose you shall come with us. Robb can determine what to do with you."

I hurried ahead, my head throbbing with hundreds of thoughts. It should have been a party. They did not need spies. We would not have acted while they held Eddard. They knew that.

I hazarded sharp glances back as Theon pushed along our captive, but my feet were carrying me quickly to the edge of the encampment. At that point, Theon tossed the man aside towards the guards.

"He's our captive. We must speak with Lord Stark," Theon added, forcing propriety into his tone.

"Lord Stark is not speaking to anyone at the moment," the guard replied.

"Why not?" I asked, feeling the dread begin to fill inside of me, threatening to pour over.

"There was a raven…"

And in that instant, my heart sank.