Ana's POV

We had moved camp further into the Riverlands, taking stock of the movements of Tywin's movements, but it was the movements of other would be kings that soon began to take over our thoughts.

"Renly…" I repeated quietly in our tent. I stood, watching Robb as he leaned over his map.

Robb nodded, "The younger brother."

I shook my head, "Does he have a claim any more than Joffrey?"

"You know the rumors," Robb returned.

"And you have a man who could confirm those."

"Part of me does not even care," he replied, turning to face me. He ran a hand through his messy curls. "Stannis should be king before Renly, but if either would swear to leave our people alone, I would support him."

I stepped closer to him. Something had changed in him after the battle. He was still angry and hurt, but I could see some of the barriers he had raised were wearing down.

"Well then, perhaps we should talk to Lord Renly and Lord Stannis," I suggested. "Maybe we can avoid all of this nonsense."

"Nonsense?" A wry smile crept upon Robb's lips. "You mean the war?"

"It would be a lie if I said that I would not love to return home, just be in Winterfell with you."

"You never aspired to anything more than being the Lady of Winterfell?"

"I never aspired even that far," I returned, grinning. "Then I met you."

Robb's grin grew wide and genuine as he pulled me close into him, wrapping his arms around my hips. I had not seen such a smile for quite some time. Pressing my lips to his, I began to smile into the kiss as Robb lifted me up and laid me down on the table.

He climbed on top of me, leaving a trail of kisses down my jaw and the neckline of my dress. I let out a soft moan as his hand moved slowly up my inner thigh, underneath my skirts. Robb's fingers worked their way up, pushing aside my small clothes as I moaned into his kiss.

I quickly leaned forward and reached out to unbutton his doublet, pulling it off of him as he worked quickly at the ties of my dress, helping it off my shoulders. I stood as it fell to the ground and began to remove Robb's breeches.

He had barely touched me in the past few days save for a few kisses or holding me as we slept. The wait made me all the more eager to ensure nothing interrupted us. As his hands trailed down my chest and stomach, the skin grew warm to his touch and I arched towards him. Robb grew harder under my fingers, groaning softly as he kissed and bit my neck.

In a swift motion, he picked me up again. His hand swiped behind me, pushing pieces on his map to the floor and setting me back down in their place. He opened my legs and pushed inside of me. He leaned forward to kiss me as we began to move in a rhythm. Pushing my hands above my head, his fingers laced with mine, holding me there until we both cried out in our release.

Robb's head dropped onto my chest. We were breathing hard, likely thinking the same thing: why had we held back from that for so long?

Robb's whiskers tickled me when he placed one kiss on my breast. He lifted his head, looking at me with a mischievous grin, his blue eyes bright as he kissed me once more. It was slow, smoldering, and left me completely breathless when he pulled away. I could feel his smile on me through my closed eyes.

"Robb, Ana!" It was Theon's voice from outside.

Robb quickly covered me with a fur while I sat up. He managed to pull on a pair of pants before Theon came bursting into the tent.

"Seven hells," he swore and turned around.

"Have you heard of knocking?" Robb demanded although his tone suggested he was a bit amused.

Theon let out a snort. "I seem to have missed the door."

"The tent flap was shut."

"Not to me."

I giggled to myself, happy to see them back to normal again.

"I was planning to train Ana in swordplay. The metal kind not the kind you were just using," Theon added.

Robb let out a discontented sigh, "Now?"

"Of course now. This is the only time before you assemble your council today," Theon returned.

Robb turned his sad eyes to me, but I was already finding my clothes to get ready. In a few moments, Theon was allowed to turn around once more, and we were on our way to train.

"I thought Will was going to work with me today," I commented as we walked a distance.

Theon shrugged, "Eh, he was, but he said something about writing a letter to Sansa."

"I hope she's doing well. It would be hard to have a child when your husband is far away."

Theon turned an utterly disinterested gaze upon me.

"Of course, this is none of your concern."

"I am happy for everyone and their children," he returned with a bow before unsheathing his sword. "But that is not what we're here to do."

"Valid point," I returned and took out my own sword, ready for training.

We practiced for quite a while in the cold before Theon suggested we break. For once it was my cold fingers that ended the training rather than a sore arm or back. I had grown better at managing through long training sessions and consistent blows. Will and Theon were always quick to remind me that there was be a large difference between sparring and war – you rarely had a break between opponents. Obviously, I knew that, but my patience was wearing thin.

Hal interrupted us, leading Theon away to discuss some matter regarding the Karstarks, so I was alone when Jaime Lannister called to me.

"You have good form."

I turned towards him. Jaime was sitting in a makeshift prison, confined to the mud. Despite his unpleasant circumstances, he still wore his charming grin as he sat as nonchalantly as possible with his elbows resting on his knees.

"You said as much in Winterfell, though under much different circumstances," I replied.

Jaime chuckled, "Yes, I suppose so…you need to lead with your head when you turn."

"What?"

"When you turn and spin to avoid a blow, you need to lead with your head. That Greyjoy boy is letting you get away with it much too easily."

"Too easily? He doesn't let anyone win if he can help it."

Jaime challenged with a raised eyebrow, "He's letting you. I wonder why that is."

I shook off his teasing smirk, stepping closer to him. The guards moved towards me with a warning, but I held my hand up, "It's fine. I won't go too close."

"If you can help yourself," Jaime jested when I took another step. There was still the metal of the makeshift prison between us.

Jaime raised his hands, imitating that he was holding the hilt of a sword. For a moment, my eyes lingered on his hands. There was a cut there that needed to be closed. However, he was focused on training, "When I strike like this—"

"—And I turn," I started to step aside and turn myself around, remembering to lead with my head.

"See how much more you see?" Jaime asked. "I probably only would have lopped off your arm rather than cut through your chest…though either would be such a waste."

"As always, Jaime Lannister, you flatter me."

The man laughed again, his eyes alight with amusement. I knew he was popular in court with his looks and charming smiles and likely the allure of danger, but I could never help but feel that there was more to him. While others were quick to call him the Kingslayer, somehow, however naively, I still thought there was something good in his heart.

"Are you being fed well enough?" I asked.

"I am being fed," he returned. "I appreciate your concern although I would doubt your husband would."

"I'm sure you would feel as he does if you were looking at a man of a family that killed your father."

"Is that not your ultimate ambition?"

"My ultimate ambition is to go home, my lord. If your father would leave us alone, we would march North tomorrow, but you and I both know that will not happen."

"Be careful, my lady Stark. Once your husband gets a true taste of power, he might find that he quite enjoys it. It may not be so easy to just go home."

"You do not know Robb."

"No, but I know men," Jaime returned with a long look.

I shifted on my feet, giving his hand one more once over. "I shall see what I can do about your hand."

Jaime shouted after me about what his hand could do for me, but I did not choose to respond. It felt like a lifetime ago when the royal family visited Winterfell. Yet even with everything that had changed, he had not. He was just as improper with familiar remarks, teasing smiles, and knowing looks, and I still felt there was something more to expect from him.

My hands were beginning to turn to ice by the time I made my way through the encampment to the tent where the representatives of the Stark bannermen were assembling.

As I took my seat next to Robb, he leaned into kiss me. "Your face is cold. Theon came in long ago. What madness kept you out there?"

"No madness, just conversation," I returned with a smile and ran my fingers through Grey Wind's fur to try to warm them.

The direwolf was sitting at Robb's feet, keeping his ever-watchful eyes on my husband, but he seemed perfectly willing to accept a few pats from me.

The topic of conversation within the tent, however, was centered upon matters further South of us. The men had all clearly entered the tent knowing whom they supported. It seemed the vast majority were for Renly, but Robb was quick to point out that if Cersei's children were not to be considered, then by rights, the throne belonged to Stannis.

The Greatjon had been oddly quiet up until that point but made up for it by spitting at the thought of either king. Instead, he began to earn the cheers of the men seated about the tent by suggesting that the North should rule itself.

I glanced at Robb to see his serious expression; his mind was working three steps ahead, trying to anticipate where Lord Umber's comments would end up. But the shock on his face revealed that he had not reached the right conclusion as the Greatjon took out his sword and pointed at Robb, "There sits the only king I mean to bend my knee to. The King in the North."

Instinctively, Robb stood, replacing his surprise with the same serious look towards the older man. I knew my open mouth and wide eyes revealed my own amazement and quickly pulled them back, making my expression impassive as Robin Flint gave his own oath.

My brother stood next, catching my eye as he did. Will took a place beside the kneeling Greatjon, adding, "I am finished with the Lannisters, to hell with them and any who get in bed with them. You are my brother, and I will fight for you and no one else. The King in the North."

"Am I your brother now and always?" Theon asked.

And as the words "Now and always" came from Robb's mouth, a sinking feeling hit the pit of my stomach. The swords were raised and the chants of "The King in the North" rang out from all of the men inside.

I glanced towards Lady Catelyn, who sat with a face of stone. Behind her eyes, though, I could see the worry eating at her heart. I looked up at Robb just as he turned to me, his eyes searching for an answer that I could not give. Instead, I could only nod and manage a small smile, trying to mimic his strength.

He turned back to his men, standing as tall as he could, holding his head high, and not displaying the disbelief and questions I knew were running through his mind.

He had not asked for this. None of us had, and now, what choice was there?