A/N: Here's another chapter for you lovely people! There is a little time hope at the beginning, it should become clear how much it is through the character interaction so I haven't specifically labelled it. It isn't a hug amount, don't worry! Thanks as always to everyone, hope you enjoy!

unnamed visitor: Thank you, thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed their alone time together and the interaction. I can promise that Robb and Amy will visit Casterly Rock at some point, but it won't quite be that soon. Yes, Amy certainly knew how to knock Theon down a peg or two! I have similar feelings about Theon, I hate what he did to Robb but I don't think anyone deserves to be locked in a room with Ramsay *shudders*. Amy and Sansa will have a chat in this chapter but it might not quite be a heart-to-heart. I think their personalities are likely to clash, expect some tension there. Yes, I agree that there is a bit of hope for a good relationship between Tywin and Robb when they meet. Tywin will obviously need time to observe him first to make sure he's good enough for his precious granddaughter! Well, here is the update you so wanted, hope you enjoy!

GuestLiz: Glad you felt spoiled! Yes, Theon will be Theon but Amy certainly more than handled herself! Glad you liked the interactions. There is definitely going to be a bit of growing tension between Sansa and Amy (see below!) As for Amy and Robb, they are just going to have to fight those urges for a while haha! Jaime and Lana will reappear soon, you'll probably work out how soon from this chapter. Thank you very much, here is your update, I hope you enjoy!

Right-ho! On with the chapter!

:)

Closer

"Good shot!"

Arya turned and grinned at her words, triumph dancing in her eyes as she looked between Amy and the arrow that had just sailed right into the middle of the target. It was the first time she had hit dead centre and Amy was thrilled for her, seeing how much it meant to the younger girl. Theon swaggered towards them then and Amy quietly prepared herself for whatever impropriety he would come up with this time. He had made no more advances on her but that didn't stop him being arrogant and lewd and just damn right irritating on occasion. Despite that he could be immensely good fun to be around and Amy could just about see why Robb regarded him as such a good friend. Just about.

"Is it not bad enough that you humiliate me daily, now you've trained up an even younger one to aid you in your wickedness," he said exasperatedly.

"What's the matter Theon, can't handle the competition?" she asked with a raised brow.

"I can handle anything," he winked, "just ask Ros"

"I'd rather not," she said dismissively.

"As you wish," he grinned, "happy name day by the way"

"Thank you," she smiled.

"What time are your parents arriving?" he asked.

"Mid-afternoon if all goes to plan," she answered him.

"And so Winterfell will get to see the famed Kingslayer," he said almost excitedly.

"I'd advise you not to say that to his face," she warned him, "he doesn't like it"

"As you say," he said lightly.

"I mean it Theon, you may think it fun to goad me but I am much more tolerant than my father, believe me he would have no problem being known as Theon-slayer," she told him.

"Alright, alright," he raised his hands up, "I understand"

"See that you do," she said firmly.

"Have you seen Robb yet this morning?" Arya asked her then, breaking the tension.

"Not yet, why?" Amy asked, turning to see her looking a little sheepish.

"No reason," she said innocently.

"Is there something you'd like to tell me Arya?" Amy asked her, her eyes boring into hers.

"No there is not," Robb's voice interrupted then and she looked instead towards him, a smile tugging at her lips as it always did when she set eyes on him.

There was a twinkle in his blue eyes that made her instantly suspicious. She had told him that he ought not to make a fuss about her name day, especially as his mother had gone to so much trouble to organise a feast and especially with the wedding looming ever closer. Her parents arriving was the only gift she needed but she had a feeling that Robb had completely ignored her and had something else up his sleeve. "Happy name day," he said then as he came to a stop in front of her, his hand finding hers and bringing the back of it to his lips. The feel of them on her skin made it tingle as always, a faint twisting feeling in her lower stomach. "Thank you," she smiled widely in response and he dropped her hand after a moment of just holding it in his. "Would you care for a walk?" he asked her then and she looked at him suspiciously for a long moment before taking the arm he offered her. "I know you're up to something," she told him quietly as they made their way across the yard. He said nothing in response but when she peeked up at him she saw that a wide smile adorned his face.

He was steering her out towards the gardens and she tried to think about what he might have planned out there for them but she could think of nothing. When they were near the glass gardens Robb brought them to a halt and she frowned up at him slightly. "Close your eyes," he instructed her and her frown deepened for a moment before she did as she was told. She felt his own hand come across her eyes then, his other one coming to rest on the small of her back to encourage her to walk forwards again. Her mind began racing again but she could barely concentrate on anything other than how close Robb was to her and the feeling of his hands on her. "Here we are," he finally said and she stopped in her tracks, his hand still not moving from her eyes. "I know you didn't want a fuss but I wanted to make one," he went on and she smiled despite herself. "I hope you like it," he said, finally moving his hand away from her eyes.

There was a large blanket spread out on the grass with a selection of different foods lain on it and a flagon of wine with two glasses. She turned to look at Robb then and saw him looking almost nervous as he took in her reaction. "I thought we could have luncheon out here, just the two of us," he explained, "everyone will be fussing later and your parents will be coming, I just wanted you to myself for a little while is all …" he tailed off then and for some inexplicable reason she wanted to cry. She blinked her eyes rather rapidly then and in the next moment his hands came lightly to her shoulders. "You don't like it," he said fearfully, "oh Gods Amy I'm sorry … I thought you'd like it, I thought …" he trailed off then as she vigorously shook her head, taking a deep breath to try and compose herself before she trusted herself to speak. "I love it," she promised him, "it's so thoughtful Robb, truly it is, it's just perfect – thank you," she smiled up at him and he instantly looked relieved, squeezing her shoulders lightly before steering her to the blanket. She sat herself down then and he settled down next to her, moving to pour wine for both of them. "It's from the Arbor," he told her as he passed hers to her, "I persuaded my father to let me have a bottle."

"It will mean one less for the wedding," she said teasingly.

"I'm sure they will manage," he replied in a similar tone, raising his own glass to her.

"I'm sure," she agreed, clinking hers to his before they both raised them to their lips.

"Do you know what time your parents will arrive?" he asked her then as they both moved to fill their plates with food.

"Mid-afternoon most like, provided they're not delayed," she answered him.

"You'll be glad to see them again," he stated.

"Very much," she agreed with him, smiling slightly wistfully.

"I have something for you," he said then and she saw the slightly nervous look about him.

"A gift?" she questioned and he nodded, his hand sneaking into his doublet.

"I hope you like it," he said as he drew out a simple leather pouch and handed it to her.

"You didn't have to," she said as she undid the strings and carefully tipped it so the contents fell out into her hand.

"I wanted to," he told her as she turned it over in her hand to examine it.

"Gods it's beautiful," she breathed as she took in the brooch he had evidently had made for her.

It was a golden lion much like the one she wore around her neck but it was entwined with a silver direwolf, the sigils coming together perfectly. Tears stung her eyes again then but she blinked them away before looking up to meet Robb's eyes that were filled with such intensity it made her falter for a moment. "You truly like it?" he asked her softly and she nodded her head, unable to find any words as he inched slightly closer to her. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she let her own body lean in closer to him. He had an almost look of apprehension in his eyes then as he closed the gap still further and her stomach clenched in anticipation as she knew his lips would soon be on hers.

"Robb! Amy! You have to come back to the keep!"

Arya's shout had them pulling back from one another at once, a blush rising on both of their cheeks as they jumped up from the blanket and looked towards her.

Robb was thoroughly irritated as he and Amy hurriedly followed Arya back towards the keep. Could she not have interrupted a few minutes later? He had been building up the courage for weeks to kiss Amy and now when he had finally been about to press his lips to hers he had been scuppered by his irritating little sister. Damn it all. Amy had wanted him to he knew it, she had leaned in to him and he had seen how quickly her chest was rising and falling as he leaned in closer to her. She had wanted him to kiss her, that at least soothed his irritation a little as they crossed the courtyard, his mother coming down the steps of the keep then as they approached. A rather serious expression adorned her face and she had a letter clenched in her hand that he prayed would not be bad news. Not today. Not on Amy's name day. She deserved a perfect day. She deserved a never ending stream of perfect days.

"Amella, there is word from your parents," his mother said kindly.

"What word? Are they delayed?" she asked almost fearfully and his mother nodded.

"I'm afraid so, they were delayed at the Trident but had hoped to make the time up. Unfortunately they haven't, they won't be arriving until late tomorrow," his mother told her.

"Tomorrow?" she repeated quietly, "I see …"

"Amy are you alright?" he asked her then, coming to lay a hand on her shoulder.

"Yes," she said in a falsely bright tone, "of course. What is one more day? Would you excuse me? I really ought to return to my chambers if I want to bathe before the feast"

"Of course," he said, moving his hand from her shoulder.

"Thank you," she smiled for him, the action looking more than a little forced, before she picked up her skirts and hurried up the steps of the keep.

Robb sighed heavily as he watched her go, thinking that perhaps he could have thought of something a little more sympathetic to say to her. Obviously she wasn't alright, she had been excited for weeks knowing that he parents were coming earlier than planned so they could be there on her name day. He looked towards his mother then who smiled sympathetically at him. "She'll be alright," she said soothingly, "I know she's disappointed now but it will all be forgotten when they arrive tomorrow."

"Aye," he agreed, "likely you're right … I'd best go and clear up the gardens."

Robb was starting to worry. The feast had started almost an hour ago and still Amy hadn't made an appearance. He didn't think he would be able to sit still in his chair for much longer, his heart was screaming at him to go and find her. What if she was upset? The thought of her upset made his stomach clench painfully. Bran and Arya let out a tirade of raucous laughter then and he could stand it no more. This was supposed to be Amy's name day feast and yet everyone was here enjoying it but her. He got to his feet then, refusing to look at his mother whose eyes he could feel boring into him, and hurried down from the high table at once, striding purposefully towards the doors. Once through them he made for the stairs but stopped in his tracks as he saw Amy at the top of them. He stared at her, she looked breathtakingly beautiful as always, her dress an emerald green embroidered with silver thread. It brought out the green in her eyes more and he blinked stupidly as she smiled widely at him, somehow remembering to hold out his hand for her to take. "I'm sorry," she said as she placed her hand in his, "I've kept you waiting."

"You're more than worth it," he told her, seeing a slight blush rise on her cheeks.

"I'm sorry for earlier as well, leaving like that when you'd gone to so much trouble," she said.

"It was no trouble," he said, his eyes sliding down and seeing she had the brooch he had gifted her pinned to the front of her dress.

"I've just never had a name day without them before," she told him.

"I know," he said softly, his thumb coming to lightly brush the cool metal of the brooch, his eyes seeing the quickening of her heartbeat as her chest rose and fell enticingly.

"But at least I can spend this one with you," she almost whispered and he moved his eyes back to hers.

This was his moment now. No one else was here but them, everyone else was oblivious to where they were. Now was his chance to lean in and capture her lips with his. Nothing could stop him now as he bent his head down, her own tilting up as he did so. He moved in closer then and she did the same. Her lips were so close to his now that he could feel her breath on his own, he could practically taste how sweet she was they were so close. So very close.

"I'm not interrupting am I?" Robb whipped his head around in annoyance but it died in his chest as his eyes found the familiar figure.

"Jon," he laughed out and his brother grinned at him, coming further towards them with Ghost on his heels, "what are you doing here?"

"I couldn't miss your wedding now could I?" Jon chuckled and he grinned, dropping Amy's hand and embracing his brother fiercely for a moment.

"How are you? How's the Wall?" he asked then.

"Cold," Jon said simply, "and cold"

"I'll bet," Robb said, seeing his brother's eyes slide to Amy and realising he ought to introduce her; "I'm sorry," he continued, "this is Amy, my betrothed. Amy, this is my brother, Jon."

"A pleasure my Lady," Jon bowed for her.

"Amy is fine," she smiled at him, outstretching her hand, "it's a pleasure to finally meet you"

"And you," Jon smiled back before lightly kissing the back of her hand.

"It's Amy's name day," Robb said then.

"Happy name day," Jon said at once.

"Thank you," she said happily, looping her arm through Robb's, "ought we to go in? I'm already late as it is"

"Aye," Robb agreed, "will you join us?"

"No," Jon said, eyeing the doors warily, "I think I need to get changed and cleaned up"

"Afterwards then," Robb persisted.

"I don't think Lady Stark would approve," he said and Robb sighed heavily.

"Meet me in an hour by the stables, if Amy can spare me a while we can share a drink," Robb said.

"Of course, you must," Amy insisted.

"Alright," Jon agreed, nodding his head in defeat, "an hour."

Amy felt immensely comfortable as she danced in Robb's arms, closer to one another than was strictly appropriate but no one seemed to mind. She certainly didn't mind resting her head against his broad chest, feeling his hand warm on the small of her back through the thin silk of her dress. His other hand was enclosed around hers as they slowly rotated to the music that was playing. She sighed happily then and his hand squeezed even more tightly around hers. Amy looked up at him then, seeing his blue gaze already turned on her, the sight bringing a smile to her lips. "You look happier," Robb said then and her smile widened as she nodded to him. "I thought if the weather was fine tomorrow I could finally take you to the hot springs," he continued, "seeing as your mother and father aren't arriving until later in the day."

"I'd like that," she told him and he grinned in response.

"So would I," he said.

"Shouldn't you be heading out to see Jon?" she asked him then.

"I should," he agreed, making no move to release her from their dance.

"I'd much rather stay here too," she said quietly, "but you can't leave him out there alone"

"I know," he smiled, "I'll not be long"

"Take as long as you want, he's your brother and no doubt he will not be staying long once the wedding is over with," she implored him.

"Thank you," he said lowly, pressing his lips to her forehead for a moment.

"You're welcome," she smiled as he finally released her, looking at her slightly regretfully for a moment before he turned and made his way towards the doors.

Amy had no desire to stay out amongst the dancers now that Robb was gone and so she weaved her way around them and back up to the high table. Lord Stark had a rather amused expression on his face when he caught her eye which made her want to blush for some reason. At least he didn't look angry about her and Robb's familiarity with one another. Gods. She had so badly wanted Robb's lips to touch hers, both out in the gardens and out in the entrance hall. Her mind wandered to the hot springs then and she hoped that the weather would be fine when she woke in the morning. She settled herself down then and poured half a glass of wine before topping it up with water. Lady Stark caught her eye then and sent her a sympathetic smile before she was gathered up in conversation by her husband. Amy turned to see Sansa a few places down then and smiled tentatively at her. She had spent precious little time with Robb's other sister as they had little in common aside from a fondness for fine dresses. Sansa smiled back at her almost shyly and Amy took it as an encouraging sign and got up again from her chair so she could move to seat herself next to her.

"You're not dancing," she commented after a few moments.

"I've seen how men's hands can wander," Sansa replied.

"I see," she said lightly.

"And I'm betrothed after all, I wouldn't want the Prince to hear any false rumours," Sansa went on.

"Of course not," Amy agreed, taking a sip of wine for something to do.

"He's your cousin isn't he?" Sansa asked then.

"Yes," Amy nodded, "but I confess I've never met him"

"Never?" Sansa looked rather shocked.

"Never," Amy confirmed, taking another sip of wine as Sansa looked at her curiously.

"Isn't your father his mother's twin?" she asked then.

"Yes," Amy confirmed again.

"I don't think I could go so many years without seeing my siblings, even Arya," she said disbelievingly.

"Well, my father is very busy at the Rock and my aunt is Queen, so …" Amy tailed off.

"I suppose," Sansa said but Amy heard the slight scepticism in her tone and it made her uneasy.

"When will you be wed?" she asked, determined to change the subject.

"When I'm sent for," Sansa said, "likely within the next few years"

"Are you excited about moving south?" Amy asked her.

"Yes," Sansa nodded, a new spark in her eyes, "I am very much looking forward to it, to all the grandness and the tourneys …"

"I wish you every happiness," Amy said sincerely.

"Do you miss it?" she asked then.

"I miss my family," Amy nodded, "and I miss the sea … but I like Winterfell very much"

"I would hate to be stuck here in the North forever," Sansa seemed to shudder at the thought.

"I think I'll be very happy," Amy said slightly edgily before taking another sip of wine.

"I do hope so," Sansa said and she offered her a faint smile before sweeping her eyes around the room again. She caught Lady Stark's eye as she did so and the older woman sent her an apologetic smile which Amy did her best to return, all the while wishing that Robb would come back soon.

Robb found Jon sitting on one of the hay bales outside the stables and he raised the large flagon of ale and the two tankards he had liberated from the feast triumphantly above his head. His brother laughed his appreciation, shifting over on the hay bale so there was room for Robb to sit next to him. One of the tankards slipped as Robb sat himself down and Jon moved quickly to catch it just in time. "Good save," Robb said with a grin as he filled his own tankard to the brim before offering the flagon to Jon so he could fill his own. "Cheers," Jon said when his too was full, raising it to Robb and grinning when he bashed his against it. "It's good to have you back," Robb told him honestly.

"Have you missed me brother?" Jon said in a teasing tone.

"Aye I have, but I'll bet you've been kept busy at the Wall," Robb replied.

"Not as busy as you've been kept here, you neglected to tell me you were marrying such a beauty," Jon joked, nudging him slightly with his elbow.

"Don't you start, Theon is bad enough," Robb shook his head, a wide smile still on his face.

"Only a few days to go, are you nervous?" Jon asked him.

"No," Robb said seriously, "I honestly cannot wait to marry her … she's the most wonderful girl, more wonderful than I ever imagined"

"I'm pleased for you," Jon told him meaningfully.

"You will come won't you? To the wedding, the feast? I know it will mean enduring my mother but … I really want you there Jon," Robb met his eyes.

"Aye I will," Jon nodded, "I didn't come all this way to hear about it second hand"

"Good," Robb smiled, "I told father you're here; he said he'll sneak out later"

"It will be good to see him," Jon nodded again, "how are the others?"

"Irritating," Robb said and Jon snorted.

"Aye, nothing changes," he said, taking a long gulp of ale.

"What about the Wall, is it all you imagined?" Robb asked him in return.

"It's bloody cold, it can be hard at times but I've made some good friends up there," Jon nodded.

"Been out ranging yet?" Robb asked.

"No," he shook his head, "I was assigned to the stewards; to the Lord Commander personally"

"No chance of you being eaten by wildlings then," Robb joked.

"Not yet at least," Jon chuckled.

"I'm glad," Robb said, "how's uncle Benjen? Why is he not with you?"

"Out ranging," Jon said simply.

"Aah," Robb said simply, raising his own flagon to his lips.

"I warned him he'd miss the wedding, he said likely he'd regret taking the black watching you marry a Lannister beauty," Jon chuckled.

"I can't believe I got so lucky, Theon kept trying to convince me she'd be a troll. But it's not just how she looks … she's just so … I don't know …" he shook his head in confusion.

"You get along with her," Jon guessed, nodding slightly.

"Aye I do, I feel like I never have to pretend with her," Robb said quietly.

"Are her family here yet?" Jon asked and Robb shook his head.

"They were supposed to be but they were delayed, her parents will arrive tomorrow," he replied.

"Looking forward to meeting the Kingslayer?" Jon nudged him in the ribs again.

"It's giving me nightmares," Robb confessed.

"I don't envy you that," Jon sighed.

"I intend to have Theon constantly by my side, next to him I'll look like the perfect good-son," Robb told him then.

"Aye right enough," Jon laughed, "I wish you luck with it all"

"Thank you," Robb sighed heavily, "I have a feeling I'm going to need it."

A/N: Bit of a tactless comment from Sansa there! Hope you guys enjoyed the snippet of Jon. He won't be around much in this fic so make the most of him while he's here haha! You might have guessed our favourite golden couple might be making an appearance next chapter ... more soon!

:)