I waited anxiously for the men to return. There was a band of Lannisters that they had ridden out to fight late that morning. The night before, I had a vision and awoke, suggesting to Robb that he build up the left flank more than they had discussed the day before. Now, I sat atop Chimera nervously, worried that perhaps I overstated the danger. Or, maybe the men I had taken from elsewhere would cause another issue.

"Was it Robb that you saw hurt?" Lady Catelyn pressed.

I shook my head, "No, they were breaking through easily on the left, though."

Catelyn nodded, never breaking the firm line that her lips made as they pressed together, awaiting her son's return. Chimera danced underneath me, picking up his feet in boredom.

"He does not seem pleased to stand here," she commented.

"No, he belongs on a battlefield." I did not add my thought that I did as well, but I felt Catelyn's eyes on my face, giving me the same look that I had always seen her turn on Arya when she picked up a sword.

My eyes fell towards the ground as my thoughts drifted to Robb's younger sister. We had heard nothing from her. She was so brave, so quick to fight, that in my heart, I could not imagine she was gone, but I had no proof.

I felt the lump in my throat grow, but the images in my head of playing with Arya soon turned to a real battle. It was Robb fighting, raising his sword and bringing it down into a man between the links of his armor. A moment later, though, another sword came so close to his neck that as Robb stopped and pushed off the sword, his helmet was struck and pulled from his head.

His name escaped my lips before I even knew what I was doing. Kicking Chimera on, I heard Catelyn calling after me. I had a head start on the men who had stayed to protect us; moreover, my horse was as fast as any of theirs, and he practically flew across the fields towards the battle.

Riding closer, I could see it was all but over – a few skirmishes here and there – but our banners were still held high as Northerners began to take stock of the prisoners. My eyes scanned for Robb as I neared.

The smell of blood rushed into my nose while Chimera danced his way through the bodies of the dead and the collapsed heaps of the injured. The moans and cries sank into my ears, but my mind was focused on finding only one thing.

He was near the front of course, only now taking his helmet off. My brother had just reached his side, nodding towards me. Robb's expression fell, stunned and fearful of what would bring me here.

"Ana, what—"

I interrupted him as I dismounted quickly, "—I saw something more about you. I didn't think – I just—"

"I'm fine," Robb returned, putting his hand on my waist and pulling me to his chest. I chuckled as his armor rattled.

"I see that," I whispered.

Robb looked over my shoulder, hearing the approach of hoof beats. It was a small group of the men who were supposed to protect Catelyn and me. I could see the ice start to come into his eyes as his lips tightened into a firm line.

"Robb, it's my fault. I took off. No one can catch Chimera," I explained as tried to turn his head to look at me.

When he assented, though, his expression was unimpressed. "An arrow could."

"Ana doesn't need much protecting, Robb," Will added, putting an arm on his friend's shoulder. "And she is right. Once Chi took off, there was nothing could stop him."

He looked proudly at his old horse, who seemed to stand taller.

"We'll speak of this later," Robb added, turning away from me and beginning to give orders to his men.

I glanced towards my brother, who gave me a proud smile. Theon eyed me with his typically overconfident smirk. He soon followed Robb while my brother remained with me.

"Should you go with them?" I asked.

Will shook his head, "No, it is best to let your husband cool off, especially since I will side with you."

I grinned and followed him towards the hill I had come racing down. Chimera walked with us without any prompting as did Will's horse. The men were always surprised to see them act without commands. All but one of our men still had the horses they brought to camp even several battles in. No other house could say the same.

Will and I sat overlooking the field littered with swords, arrows, and bodies. Men were being rolled away for burials or injury cleaning before we could move on.

"We lost many more than we should have," Will commented, staring down at those who lay below us.

"I think that after every battle," I returned, remembering this conversation had happened before in a dreams.

Will nodded, "Maybe I've become too used to it."

"I hope you never do."

"Perhaps if you fought in a battle—"

"—I should be fighting!" I cried, standing up. "It's ridiculous!"

"Take comfort in the fact that one person likely won't make a difference."

I shot him a look, "Oh, shall we test that? You can stay behind with me. What is one person?"

"Excuse me," Will returned with a laugh, "I meant that for anyone but a Samelson."

"And what am I?" I demanded.

"A Stark." Will was smirking at me now, enjoying how worked up he had me.

I rolled my eyes but had to smile. Looking over at the dead, the seriousness returned to me. I was a Stark, but I was also a Samelson, and a wife, a daughter, a sister, and all these men…they were many things too.

"What is the difference between a Stark or a Lannister?" I asked absent-mindedly as my eyes fell upon a banner embroidered with a lion.

"At present? Victory," Will suggested. "Complete. Indisputable. Victory."

I sat back down next to my elder brother with a sigh. His confidence could be exhausting.

"I forgot you are invincible after all."

Will's easy grin spread across his face. I had seen it all my life and it had driven me utterly mad, but now, I wanted to believe in it so badly.

"How is Sansa?" I asked, thinking of the only thing that could stop him from his foolhardiness.

Now, his smile turned to one of true happiness as his eyes brightened, looking off far into the distance.

"She says she is visibly with child now. She said she was somewhat pleased I am not there to see; she thinks I would not find her attractive," he said, grinning to himself, dropping his head down with his messy brown hair eclipsing his eyes.

Laughing, I added, "That does sound like Sansa. Though, I think she is just trying to be strong without you. I know she wishes you were there."

Will nodded, casting a knowing look back at me. His eyes betrayed a hint of sadness as they softened.

"You'll see her again, Will. I swear it."

Will shook off his expression. "I know. I know… If it's a boy, we'll name him after Father."

"And if it is a girl?"

"Arya," he answered. "It's what Sansa wants."

"Excellent choices," I replied, leaning my head on Will's shoulder as a small lump grew in my throat.

He accepted it for a few moments, but Will was rarely overly sentimental. We were soon on horseback again, riding towards the encampment while night fell around us. It seemed we were a few steps behind; the men were beginning to disperse after a rather large meeting. They had clearly already discussed our next steps without us.

"What happened?" Will asked Lord Whyte.

The elder man's eyes were dull as he answered us. "Nothing of much interest. Renly, Stannis, Baratheons all over the place and one masquerading as such. Our king plans to send peace terms to King's Landing and someone else to Renly."

"Renly will be more likely to treat with us than the Lannisters will be to accept our terms," I stated.

Will shrugged, "If any one is likely to…"

I glanced towards Robb, who seemed to be in serious conversation with Theon. I could not imagine the Ironborn being the one to speak with Renly. If anyone, I would send Will. It was nearly impossible not to like Willem once he put his mind to being your friend.

"Robb," I called, walking towards him.

"We'll need to all share a drink after I see my mother. Theon leaves tomorrow," Robb stated, wrapping an arm around my waist.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Tomorrow? So soon?"

"If our peace terms are not met—"

Theon interrupted Robb. "And they will not be."

Robb nodded, "Then, we will need ships, so Theon is returning to the Iron Islands."

In my mind, I started to consider the map. If he was the one to go South to Renly, we would surely know that he took forces to Winterfell. At least, we would know with enough time to stop his progress. If Theon was in Iron Islands, however, he could get there before we were able to get in his way.

"I am sure it will be quite the homecoming," I offered, careful not to show my distress in my tone.

"I'll be back," Robb said, kissing me softly. I felt the worries melt for a moment, but they came right back once he stepped out of my sight.

"I think you should stay," I stated, turning to Theon.

He raised an eyebrow, one side of his mouth curling into a smile, "Will you miss me that much, or are you afraid for Robb if I were not at his side?"

"Theon, this is no joke."

"Well, perhaps I am not joking," he returned. His expression was still playful, yet his tone was not.

"I think you are going to make a terrible mistake," I answered. Now, the tone in my voice began to quiver. Theon's eyebrows furrowed, his mouth opening slightly. He tried to form words, but for once, nothing came out.

"I saw you make a decision that Robb and I will never be able to forgive you for," I explained, trying to keep the tears out of my eyes as the feeling of hearing that Robb's brothers were dead came swelling back.

"You won't forgive me?" he asked.

"I wouldn't know how to."

"What do I do?"

"I hope you choose to do nothing, but I think your family will convince you to do something horrible, or you will make the choice on your own. I have no idea why you would ever do something this terrible, Theon, but if you go tomorrow, please, please, just come back to us the second you can," I pleaded.

"Ana," Theon's voice was soft as he took my arm. "What do I do?"

"Just promise me that you will come back to us. Please," I added.

As I stared into the eyes of the man who had been my friend for over a year now, I could not imagine him hurting Bran or Rickon, but I knew war changed people. I knew you could never come back the same. I just couldn't believe that Theon could actually hurt these boys that he grew up with, much less hurt his best friend in such a way.

"Of course, I'll come back to you," he insisted. I'd never seen the same level of sincerity in his hazel eyes as he gave to me then.

"Swear it."

"Ana, what has you so scared?"

"Can it not be enough that I am asking you for your promise?"

Theon stared at me for a long time, searching my eyes. This man had been the one to push me, to fight with me, even in the midst of everything else he had to prove. He'd been Robb's friend for years upon years, his right hand man since we had left Winterfell, and he just gazed at me, hoping for more of an answer as he kept a hold of my arm.

When I still offered him nothing, he simply replied, "Yes, Ana, that is enough. I'll come back within a month. I swear it."

I knew he meant it, but his words still fell hollow on my ears. Nevertheless, I nodded, assenting to his promise. And praying internally as he hugged me that his words were true.