Hey guys! I'm back with a new post. It's been a pretty hectic couple of weeks for me, but I'm doing my best to write whenever I can. I'm writing three stories at the same time, and I'm slowly working on a few new ones which I won't publish soon (A few GOT fan fics too :) ). At the same time, I'm getting a bit better in a little, irrelevant thing that's called time management, so I'm still managing to keep it up. I hope you like the new chapter. I'm leaving it on a bit of a cliffhanger. I promised you more drama, and I'm delivering. Tell me what you think. Thank you for your patience and love for the story, especially for the kind words. I need them, and they always bring a huge smile to my face. So, let's do this. Expect a new chapter in, let's say, five days or so? :)

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"Do you want to talk to him?" Robb asked.

Do I? I finally have a chance to speak with my brother, under my conditions, nonetheless. The day I left King's Landing, I didn't even want to give him a chance to say goodbye, let alone anything else. I will never forgive him, no matter what he says or does, but I might need some sort of explanation.

"What do I say to him?" I asked him.

"Ask him questions you want answers to." Robb said. When he says it like that, it sounds simple, like an everyday task I've done thousands of times before. It would have been like that, if it wasn't for my emotions. I have always carried my heart on my sleeve, and now, it seems to me that I have loved people too much throughout all my life. Like it's said, love is giving someone the ability to completely destroy you, but trusting them not to do so. Will I ever learn?

"My questions will go unanswered Robb." I whispered, already guessing how my conversation with my brother would end if I actually went through with it." And if he does answer them, what am I supposed to do with the answers? I know why he tried to kill you. He's trained to do that, and it was expected from him. When it comes to Jaime and war, there is no guilt or moral. And if I ask him about Cersei? Do I really wish to know why they did what they did?"

I tried not to think about that too much. Gods, have I tried. It would creep up on me when I least expect it. My mind would wander as I was sitting in silence, and I would remember those times. And reminiscing of both the good times and the bad I had at King's Landing would inevitably lead to their sick… I still do not know how to call it, what the two of them had. The closest explanation is a sick affair.

To this day, I can't imagine what would drive them to do that. I keep thinking, remembering, trying to find an explanation or a sign. And that is the worst part. Now that I am aware of it, I remember the signs I chose to ignore at the time. My subconscious worked against me as I didn't want to see it.

No one wanted to see it. I keep saying that Robert was an idiot, but the truth is, he wasn't stupid. Now I know that he must have sensed something. He did not know for sure. If he did, Jaime and Cersei would be dust by now. But there is no doubt in my mind that he would look at Joffrey and know that that is not a true Baratheon. He probably thought Joffrey favored his mother's side, but he never could have guessed just how much. We didn't want to see it. It was there, right in front of us, every day, and we all chose not to believe it. And now we're here.

"It is your decision Elena, you know that." He said." I thought you might want an explanation."

"I do. I do want an explanation. But I would rather live without one, than start an avalanche of secrets and emotions. I have a feeling I wouldn't make it out sane this time around." I admitted. I was scared of what I might hear, and Robb needed to know that. Of course, I know he's not going to make me talk to Jaime; he said so himself, it is entirely my choice. As usual, I don't even know what I want.

We've avoided it for two whole days. For two whole days, we barely left the tent. We chose not to think of my brother, of the war, of anything other than the two of us and our family. Now was the time to face the harsh reality, and to make some decisions. And the first one was on me.

"You do not have to do it now." Robb suggested." The way things are going, he will be our prisoner for a while. You can take your time." He said, and I nodded.

"That is what I'll do. I can't do it now." I said, and he nodded. He went back to getting dressed, and I only sunk deeper into the covers on our bed, the cold air getting to me." What are you going to do now?" I asked. There was no official council meeting today, and I wasn't needed elsewhere, so I was actually looking forward to doing absolutely nothing for the whole day, except wait for him to return.

"I'm going to talk to him. And after that, I have to talk to the bannermen and your other brother. I think we might be approaching the time to try and negotiate with Renly." He said, and I immediately jumped up. Does this mean that I'll finally have a chance to do something useful in this damned war?

"Do you still think that your mother and I should be the ones to do that?" I asked. With all that has happened, I'm afraid he'll change his mind. He wasn't too eager to let us speak to Walder Frey, but this different. Renly and I have a much better connection than anyone of us has with the Frey's.

"To be honest, I would rather do it myself." He admitted. That I knew already. I know him, and if there is a remote danger, he'll rush to put himself in it instead of anyone else, especially his mother and his wife. But Renly's not a danger. He might be an enemy for the time being, but he wouldn't hurt us." But I have to be on the battlefield. I have to lead an army. And you do know Lord Renly." He said.

"King Renly." I corrected him, and I could see a ghost of a smile on his face. There is too many of them. By the end of this war, I'm afraid we will have to do a King body count, just to be sure." I am not a negotiator of sorts. You know that. But I know him. We weren't close, but we were friends. We were both trapped in a place neither one of us wanted to be in. Misfortune brings people closer." I said.

"I did not need to hear that." He said with a grimace on his face. I started laughing." It's bad enough I still remember that King Robert wanted to marry the two of you." He said.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I am not his type?" I asked, and he laughed.

"You seem eager." He said, and I rolled my eyes." Would you have married him?" He asked, and this time he was serious.

"Yes." I said in a heartbeat.

"Care to elaborate?" He asked, and I smiled. He's jealous, even in this situation.

"Well, that's simple, really. First of all, I wouldn't have a choice. I would have had to respect the King's desires. Second of all, in this world, this time and place, Renly wouldn't be a bad husband. There would be no love, he would probably keep Loras close, but at least there would be some sort of respect between us. There would be far worse options for me than Renly. And last, but not least, at that point, you would be nothing more than a friend and an unexplored possibility. So, to avoid any further questions, yes, I would marry him, but no, I wouldn't be happy as I am with you. Not even close." I said.

"Hmm." He hummed, and I raised my eyebrows. At least he was smiling." I don't know. I have never met him, but he sounds like quite a competition." He teased. What an idiot. He knows there's no competition, not with Renly, not with anyone." And he is married to Margery Tyrell. You may say he prefers someone other than her, but still…" He said.

"Oh Robb, that was a logical step and Loras's doing." I said with a smile." But I must say, if anyone can make him change his mind that has to be Margery." I admitted.

"Is it true what they say of her?" He asked.

"That she's the most beautiful woman in the Kingdom and that she's a snake?" I asked, but before he could answer, I continued." Absolutely. She's not evil, that I know. But she is smart, very smart. And if she wants something, she will get it. As for the beauty… Cersei was a competition back in the day, but Margery is the fairest of them all. Come to think of it, it's a good thing you won't be the one giving our offer to Renly." I said.

"Don't be ridiculous." Robb said, and I shrugged.

"You haven't seen her." I said. That girl could be the death of me, if only she wanted to, and if Robb wasn't as good and honorable as he is. Thankfully, I'm safe, so I can tease him about it.

"I don't have to." He said, and he walked to the bed. He kissed me, and before I knew it, he was leaning in and shifting so that he can lay on the bed as well.

"You have tasks to attend to Robb." I reminded him, even though I didn't want him to go.

"I know. I just want to lay here with you for a little while longer." He said, and I smiled so wide that my face was in pain. We have our moments, but when it's good between us, than it's amazing, unbelievable, wonderful, magical, worth saving. No Baratheon, Tyrell, Martell could ever make me feel the way this Stark does. My kind, northern wolf.

"Robb?" I asked, and he looked up at me." I love you." I said, and he smiled.

"At this point, I would be in distress if you didn't." He said, and I started laughing. These past two or three days were filled with genuine laughter, and that was a nice and welcomed change. It reminded me of the better times, and at the same time, gave me hope that the times far ahead can be good too. There is simply no more room for negativity. It's bad enough as it is.

"Yes, that would be quite a problem, wouldn't it?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Good thing I love you too." He said with a smile, and I leaned in to kiss him. We were quiet for a while, and with no words, he got up and walked out of the tent. And he probably went to talk to my brother.

I didn't have much to do today, so I decided to take the time and write a few letters. One to Bran, one to Sansa and another one to Arya. Once I reassured them that all will be find and that we are well, I put the letters aside. I'm still in my sleeping gown, and I can't walk out of the tent like this.

With free time on my hands, I started thinking of Renly.

We were by no means close. He was simply someone to talk to. I could see through his careful disguise; and I don't think many people could. Robert was blissfully unaware. I, on the other hand, suspected, and I have a feeling Renly was aware of my suspicions. None of us ever said anything; it was some sort of a quiet secret. I knew he would probably lose his head over it, and I never thought that loving someone you're not expected to love is a reason to execute someone. Come to think of it, I'm sure Renly knew that I know. Once, he caught me sneaking out of the castle. It wasn't exactly late, but it wasn't during the day either. He just nodded his head, and walked away in the opposite direction. There was some sort of silent agreement between us, and I respected it. I wish I could say I respect it still.

Stannis, on the other hand, is a man of steel. I never got to know him well, although I can't say I tried. He intimidated me even more than Robert. There is no doubt in my mind that he would have been a better King than Robert ever was. Stannis isn't easily bought. He doesn't fall to women and drinks, he stands his ground. That is why Renly is a better choice for us; despite the fact Stannis has a claim to the throne.

The two of them will never join forces, we can be sure of it. Renly knows that it's safer for him not to show his face in front of his older brother, and Stannis, well… Stannis isn't giving up the throne. That is why he still remains as a last resort for us. The only way that agreement would work is if he is seconds from losing a war, and is willing to lose a half of the Kingdom he might win. The same situation would be with Renly, only unlike Stannis, I do know him well enough.

It all falls on me and Catelyn. The mere thought of leaving Robb and going my own way makes mi sick to my stomach. Quite literally too. All of a sudden, I felt dizzy, and I sat on the bed. I'm not taking any chances anymore. It could be anything, from stress to a serious illness.

If I go, I might not return. Or I might have no one to return to. That is why I need to remind myself, constantly, that there are more people I need to think of. People we left behind in Winterfell. Either one of us would have them to come back to.

If we do it right, we should be reunited in no time. We need to start preparing, fast. Today even. There should be a council meeting; I need to suggest one to Robb. Besides, I'm sure he needs to talk to them about my brother, who managed to kill a few very good men who were fighting on our side. It wouldn't be Jaime if he didn't fight until the last moment.

Jaime. What are we going to do about him? Father already knows, I'm sure of it. As I am sure of the fact that he wants to kill me now, with his bare hands, even more than he wanted before.

I'm lucky Robb decided to keep him imprisoned. This way, we are not trying to play my father. We might offer them a peace term, in exchange for Jaime. If we were threatening to kill him, he would know we were bluffing. I know the man better than I would like to admit; he'd know I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to Jaime.

And I don't. In all honesty, I don't want to see him dead. At the same time, I don't want to see him walking away unharmed either. I don't want to see him at all, that's the problem. He doesn't deserve it, but I don't want to see him dead. Even though he tried to kill Robb, I don't want that to happen.

If he died in battle, that would have been a different situation. All is fair, right? But to have him executed? I wouldn't stop Robb, but I wouldn't watch it either.

Robb walked in the tent, and I immediately got up on my feet. He doesn't look too happy.

"He's not admitting to anything." He said. I would be surprised if he was." And he wants to talk to you."

"I don't know if I can talk to him at all."

"You're not going to do it just because he asked you to." He said. In a second, he was not just a King, but a protective husband as well. My beaming smile turned to a grimace in a second." Elena, are you alright?" Robb asked, as he could clearly see that I am in pain.

"No." I said, and I my knees gave out in a second. If Robb didn't come running towards me, I would have hit the ground, but that's the least of my problems. I was in pain. It felt exactly as I would imagine what being stabbed in the stomach feels like. It pierced right through me. I wanted to scream from the top of my lungs, but no sound was coming out of me, other than gasping.

"Elena?" Robb yelled as he was trying to realize what's wrong with me." Gods, Elena, you're bleeding!" he yelled. I looked down and my knees gave out once again, but this time, Robb was prepared for it. He lifted me up, and I could see it again. A blood stain on my night gown, growing bigger with each passing second. I'm bleeding, and not like I bled before. Once again, the pain hit me, like a thousand spears going through a single part of my body. I couldn't hold back my screams this time.

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CATELYN

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"Gendry?" I called the boy, and he walked over towards me." Would you mind finding Jon? I need to talk to you both." I said, and with a nod, he walked away to find Jon.

Elena and I are leaving soon, and we can't leave alone. We will be accompanied with a few members of the guard, for our own safety, but we needed more than that. While I know she would have preferred to have her closest friend by our side, it is in no way smart to hand Gendry over to Renly, and that would be exactly what we would do. The boy doesn't want to fight for his rights, but he's still a threat to them, and we need to keep him safe.

If he stays behind, we need someone to take his place, and Jon is the best option.

He and Elena are close as well, and Robb trust him. I have tried hard to put my dislike of him aside. I did not forget, I just chose to ignore it. Every now and then, I would look at him, and I would imagine his mother, the girl who took Eddard away from me, even for a little while.

I tried to hold that against him, but I couldn't. At that point, Ned and I shared only one night together, and a son he didn't yet meet. I was angry, but I couldn't make the boy live without his father. He had already lost his mother, and I wasn't planning on being one for him.

Times have changed. He is not my son, but he's the closest thing to it. Now, when I look at him, I try not to see the woman I never met, but a young man, who would risk his life to save my children.

"My lady." He said once Gendry returned with him by his side.

"Jon. I wanted to speak to both of you." I said, and both of them nodded." In a few days' time, Elena and I will be leaving to try and negotiate with Renly Baratheon. Robb will appoint guards to accompany us, but I would like to suggest something, first to the two of you. Gendry, I know you've been Elena's guard and that that is something that is good for the both of you. I respect that, although, we need to think about you as well. And I do not see how bringing you in front of Renly Baratheon would be of help." I said. He's smarter than I imagined; I could see that he realized what I wanted to say with this.

"You think he would see me as a threat?" He asked.

"You will always be a threat, no matter how many times we try to explain that you do not want to be a King." I said." And Jon, this is where we need you. I would like for you to join us instead of Renly. Elena and I can't do this alone, especially not her. With all that has happened, she needs a friend by her side. And you have a bigger chance of surviving a meeting with Renly." I said.

It's is up to the two of them, and Robb. I am positive that he would agree as long as they do. They are smart young men; they will see why I am right. We need to keep them alive. Arya would never forgive us if we let something happen to Gendry. She did not say it to me, but a mother always knows.

"I agree with you. I'll go if you want me to. But it is not my choice." Jon said. One other thing I tried not to see was how much he reminds me of Ned. All of our children have his traits, his look, but Robb, for instance, favored my side. Jon, on the other hand, was a spitting image of Ned. Before, it use to bother me. It awoke vanity and jealousy I didn't even know I had in me. Now the tables have turned.

"I don't want it, but I understand why it's for the best." Gendry said. Even more than before, I could see what caught Arya's attention, and deserved her affection. Young girl that she is, she had probably felt it for the first time, and I understand it. The boy has good looks and a kind heart. He is selfless. And unlike so many others, he is not vain. He does not want to be King, even if he has every right to. I wouldn't pick him for my daughter myself, but I already know, I won't have the heart to disagree.

"Is it settled then?" I asked, and they nodded." Good. Now we only need Robb to agree." I said, with a smile on my face, already knowing that my son will know this was the right decision." I'm going to talk to him straight away; we need to be on the road as soon as…" I was talking, and I was cut by a scream. It sounded like it was coming from Robb's and Elena's tent. It was Elena. Are they…

"Oh, for the love of Gods!" Jon exclaimed, and both Gendry and I looked at him in surprise." I understand the saying that there is nothing like a woman after a battle, but the two of them are really living up to it!" He said. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or to pat him on the shoulder. At least they are still very much in love.

I was about to say just that, when I saw Robb.

He was carrying Elena in his arms, and she was crying. Never before have I seen that look on my son's face. Elena's scream wasn't a scream of pleasure. It was the scream of pure pain.

"I need a Maestar!" He yelled, but he was barely heard. Elena screamed once again. The sound made my blood freeze. My knees wanted to give in, but I found the strength in me to run towards them.