A/N: Right, I'm back! For now at least. Got a busy few weeks coming up to Christmas but I'm going to do my best to update every weekend. Wish me luck! Wanted to say a big thanks to you all again for being so patient. You're awesome. Hope you enjoy the new one!

Guest: Thank you! Some Theon POV coming up!

Boramir: Thank you very much, things seem to be looking up!

Right-ho, on we go!

:)

Tourney

Tywin could think of better ways to spend his day, but it would not have looked good if he had not turned up. He would attend this first day of the tourney but he would not be bothering with the next two, not when there were still so many plans to set in place. Renly had finally got back to Steffon, and he was on his way from Storm's End with a healthy retinue of men. Scouts along the road had his number at a few thousand at most. Not enough to cause a war, but certainly enough to cause trouble. He had also received word from Winterfell this morning that Lord Stark was preparing to take his men to the Wall now that they had a healthy supply of dragonglass. He had been hoping to hold off to gather more but the wildlings were threatening and he felt he could hold off no longer.

Stannis had already sent word back to Dragonstone for the mining to be increased even further, and more ships sent along the coast to White Harbour. Tywin knew that men from the Riverlands were prepared to move north should Lord Stark have need of them. He was hopeful that it wouldn't come to that, but at least Renly would be under their watchful gaze by the time any such situation may arise. Considering it was Sansa's name day celebrations he had decided to keep news from Winterfell to himself for the time being. He would inform Steffon quietly later and leave it to his discretion whether or not he told his wife right away or kept it quiet for a few days. Robb, he would have to tell by the end of the day, but there was no harm in letting them enjoy a few hours of relative happiness before he gave them all something else to worry about.

"Presenting, Steffon Baratheon, first of his name, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and rightful King of Westeros!" the announcer piped up, to tremendous applause. "And his queen, Sansa!" If anything the applause increased even more, and Tywin allowed a slight smile of satisfaction to grace his lips as the royal couple took their places in the royal box. Sansa was positively glowing now, her condition obvious to all in attendance. The smallfolk had been whispering excitedly for the past month at least, about when exactly they imagined a royal heir would make an appearance. They were a popular King and Queen, and that at least allowed Tywin to sleep a little easier at night. In three moons time, or there about, the child would make an appearance, and he could only hope that all went well.

"Welcome!" he turned his attention to the royal box to see Steffon stood with his arms outstretched and a smile on his face. "Thank you all for attending on this most special of occasions. As we are here to celebrate the queen's name day, it is only right that she be the one to begin proceedings!" A roar met Steffon's words and Tywin saw his smile widen as he reached out his hand to encourage Sansa to her feet. She rose gracefully, and Steffon placed a kiss to the back of her hand, much to the delight of those watching. Tywin almost smirked, they certainly both knew how to play the crowds, though he knew well enough that the affection between them was real. It didn't hurt to play up to it in public though, the people delighted in seeing it.

The first two riders took their places as Sansa moved close to the edge of the box, her favour in her hand as she took her place. She held up the fluttering grey silk, that he knew was embroidered with the Baratheon stag, and the two horses pawed at the ground, their riders inclining their heads to their queen before they pulled down their visors. In the next moment she let her favour drop and the two thundered towards one another. Tywin didn't watch their progress, his eyes instead fixed on Steffon and how he would react. Given what had befallen his father he had been uncomfortable with the thought of a joust, but he had known well enough that the people would grumble if it wasn't included in the tourney. His grandson's face didn't betray much as Tywin heard the familiar splintering of lances, but he could see his knuckles stretched white on the arm of his throne.

Sansa's hand came to rest on his knee and he shared a smile with her, Tywin seeing his wife's eyes showing her concern. They leant in closer to one another in the next moment and exchanged a few words, after which Steffon's grip on his throne slackened somewhat. Cersei had refused to attend the morning's entertainment, the thought of enduring a joust had been far too much for her. She had heard a false rumour that Steffon had been intending to compete and had been near inconsolable when she had burst into council in a flurry of tears to forbid him from doing any such thing. It had taken the best part of an hour to calm her down, and when she was reassured that her son would not be jousting she had gone down to the vaults and not emerged again until the evening feast. Cersei would usually be so calm and composed that Tywin had barely known how to react to her despair. He had been glad that Steffon seemed to possess the comforting words and reassurances that he himself had been unable to muster.

Cersei had seemed composed enough at breakfast, warmly wishing Sansa a happy name day and promising that she would be present for the hand to hand combat in the afternoon. He sincerely hoped that it would not be too much for her, there was no point in her sitting through it if she would only end up upsetting herself. Likely Steffon would keep a close eye on her and order her inside should the need arise. Karenza and Eleanor were absent as it was, and would remain so for the entirety of the tourney. They would not be able to avoid such situations forever, but Cersei was adamant that this was too soon for them and Steffon had agreed. Tywin turned his attention from his grandson and towards the tourney ground, thinking that it was past time he actually started paying attention to what was going on.

"If they see me sat with you then -," Theon began in hushed tones, his eyes darting about the place. "Then I will tell them you are here at my invitation," Margaery cut him off smoothly, patting his knee for a moment before settling her hands in her lap. "They wouldn't like it, I'm supposed to be with the household, in case they have need of me," he gabbled out, and she turned her eyes on him and contemplated him for a long moment. "You are a lord, not a servant," she told him firmly and he nodded slightly. "But I am their ward, and they are my masters for as long as I am still with them at Winterfell," he said in a pained voice, keeping eye contact with her. "You must miss home," she said softly after an intensely long moment of scrutinizing him. Theon swallowed hard, hoping that his facial expression was tormented enough. "I don't remember it well enough to miss," he said and she smiled sympathetically at him.

His words were not entirely false, that was probably why he had been able to utter them with such ease. It was true that he barely remembered the first years of his life that he had spent on Pyke with his family. All he had were vague memories of a weeping woman he assumed was his mother, and the cold indifference of his father. Even if he could remember properly, he couldn't imagine that he would ever miss it. Winterfell was the only home he had ever truly known, Lord and Lady Stark had always been good to him, and he had brothers and sisters in their children. He could admit to being curious about his true home and family, but it was easily pushed to the back of his mind, especially since none of his family had ever bothered to try and correspond with him. Once, he had plucked up the courage to ask Lord Stark if they were banned from making contact with him and he had been told heavily that they had not. Theon didn't know what to make of that, only that he had likely done the right thing making himself home at Winterfell.

Now was not the time to think of all the good times though. Now was the time to convince Margaery Tyrell that he was a miserable wretch who quietly despised the Starks for keeping him captive for all these years. "I'm sure you'd give anything to go back, wouldn't you?" Margaery raised her brows at him and he nodded slightly before quickly shaking his head. "No…no, I'm happy and lucky to have the Starks as my masters," he said quietly, his eyes darting about the place. "Don't worry, no one here is paying any mind to us, all their eyes are on the tourney," she soothed him and he slowly nodded his head, his eyes still darting around slightly. "It isn't right for them to treat you as a servant, has it always been that way?" Margaery asked him softly when he made eye contact with her again. "I was never treated as the others were," he said mournfully, "but I used to get on well enough with Robb…until she came."

For the first time he had allowed some bitterness to seek into his tones and Margaery seized on it at once, leaning in closer to him. He had to remember to concentrate as she came in close, her breath warm against his cheek when she spoke her next words. "You mean Lady Amella?" she asked quietly, one of her brows raised. Theon bit down on his lip and paused for dramatic effect before he nodded his head slowly. For a moment he could have sworn he saw a look of triumph in Margaery's eyes but it was quickly replaced with concern. He supressed a smile, trying not to think about just how hard he and Amy would laugh about this later. "She did seem rather hard on you the other day at luncheon," Margaery mused, and Theon nodded his head meekly again. "You must get frustrated sometimes, wish there was something you could do to get away," Margaery continued and Theon twisted his hands together for a long minute before he nodded his head once more.

"Perhaps I could help you Theon, if you were to help me," Margaery said after another lengthy pause, and Theon looked up at her, trying not to feel too pleased with himself. "I could never ask that of you my lady," he said and she smiled widely at him. "Nonsense, we are friends are we not?" she raised her brows and he nodded again. "If you would like us to be my lady," he said, his eyes meeting hers and holding them fast. "I would like that very much," she said softly, her gaze not flickering from his. "What would you want me to do my lady, I could not do anything against the Starks…for I am afraid what…what…" he tailed off and she lay her hand on his upper arm and rubbed up and down soothingly. "I would never ask you to," she said smoothly, "I'd merely like you to tell me about your life with them at Winterfell, perhaps...a little of what it was like before Lady Sansa became queen."

"Why would you want to know about that?" Theon asked her suspiciously. Amy had warned him not to appear too compliant, and he had agreed with her. If he was too willing to aid Margaery in her schemes then likely she would soon become suspicious of his true motives. "I'm just curious, there is no harm in being curious is there?" Margaery asked him innocently and he frowned. "I suppose," he said slowly, not letting the suspicion leave his voice entirely. "The truth is, Theon," Margaery was turning her body towards his now. "The truth is I am not sure the queen likes me very much, and I'd like to change that as I think she is a wonderful woman," she continued quietly, "I just thought that if I knew a bit more about her and her tastes then perhaps I could appeal to her. Find some common ground…it would make my role as one of her ladies much more bearable." Theon allowed his eyes to soften at that, a small smile gracing his lips. "Very well," he nodded, "I suppose there would be no harm in it."

"Wonderful," Margaery clapped her hands together. "Perhaps you and I could head out for a walk in the gardens tomorrow afternoon?" she asked him, batting her lashes and looking at him coyly. If only he could blush on command. Instead he looked shyly away from her and twisted his hands together again as he allowed a small smile to grace his lips. "I would like that very much, my lady," he said meekly and her hand came to find one of his for a moment. "I can hardly wait, we will have a wonderful time, I am sure of it," she said before releasing his hand. Theon said nothing in response, turning his eyes back to the day's events and trying not to let his inner smugness show on his face. Margaery's voice had been laced with triumph but she could not know that he was feeling a thousand times more triumphant after their conversation.

Cersei made her way carefully down the stands, intending to take a place in the royal box until she saw Amy turn her head and smile tentatively at her. There was a space next to her niece that she could take, Robb already occupying the one on her other side. He too turned his head as she began to approach them, a small smile gracing his own lips, though she saw the slight apprehension in his eyes. Amy looked surer of herself the closer Cersei came, her smile widening as she came to sit herself down next to her. "Did you enjoy your morning?" Cersei asked them in what she hoped to be a jovial manner. "It wasn't incredibly eventful, but some skilled men appear to have put their names down for the hand to hand contest," Amy answered her. "What did you occupy yourself with?" Amy asked, her eyes showing her hidden concern, something that had Cersei swallowing hard before she answered. "I went to the seamstress with the girls, Karenza needs new attire for Dorne," she smiled.

"I will have to visit her and see what she has acquired," Amy said and Cersei nodded her agreement. "I'm sure she'd like that, how is Aedan?" she asked, remembering what Amy had said about his teeth coming through. "One new tooth," Amy reported and she smiled. "Well, that is one less to trouble him in the future," she said, to which Robb chuckled slightly. "Until they begin to fall out again, Rickon used to howl whenever one of his came loose," he said and Amy snorted. "Rickon is a sensitive boy, I always used to find it rather fascinating when mine began to wobble," she said.

"Steffon used to push his back and forth relentlessly when they came loose, he was desperate for them to come out and a new one to come in its place. I blame Robert for it, he would always say that you were not a man until all your baby teeth were gone and replaced," Cersei shook her head slightly, a small smile on her face as she lost herself in the memory for a moment. She was glad that neither Robb nor Amy made a comment, no doubt astute enough to realise that she needed a minute of quiet contemplation. Robert had been creeping up on her more and more over the last few days. Never had a day gone by when she hadn't thought of him, but he seemed to consume her more and more recently. Likely it was because of all the things that were changing, all the things that he would never live to see.

He would never see Karenza married, never walk her into the Sept to say her vows. Cersei knew well enough that he would have given her betrothed a serious talking to before the wedding. The thought of her scaring the poor man silly had a half smile twitching her lips. Neither would he be here to greet his first grandchild. He should have been here to tease her about being a grandmother, and how she ought to start doing more needlework and keeping an eye out for grey hairs. She smirked slightly at the thought, he would have driven her mad, but he would have been so thrilled to have another baby about the place, and so proud of Steffon. She sighed heavily and cast her eyes about the tourney ground in the hopes of finding something to distract her from thoughts of her husband. It didn't take long, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight.

She turned her attention back to Amy, seeing her head close to Robb's, amorous words no doubt passing between them. Cersei was loathe to interrupt them but she deemed it necessary, nudging Amy slightly in the ribs with her elbow to draw her attention. "What is it?" Amy asked her curiously, and Cersei nodded towards a spot in the crowd. "That is your ward is it not? The Greyjoy boy?" she asked, raising her brows as a slight smirk graced Amy's features. "That's him alright, it seems as though he is doing rather well," her niece said rather happily, and Cersei's frown merely deepened. "Is there something I'm missing?" Cersei asked her and Amy turned her attention away from where Theon and Margaery were sat, perhaps just an inch too close to one another. "I told you I had hopes that Margaery would trust someone, did I not?" Amy raised one brow carefully and Cersei smirked, finally understanding.

"You clever girl," she praised her quietly, and Amy smiled widely. "Thank you, aunt," Amy added, and Cersei was more delighted than she could fathom at the familial address. "You're most welcome, how are you playing it?" Cersei asked her, glancing around to make sure that no one was paying them any attention. "I think it might be best to explain that privately, perhaps you could have a drink with us after the feast. I'm sure Theon will have a detailed report about his afternoon," Amy replied and Cersei nodded her agreement. She knew that it was mainly their shared dislike of Margaery, and desire to discover what she was up to, that had led to their reconciliation but she could not help but be incredibly pleased that she and Amy were back on good terms. "I would be delighted to join you," she smiled widely, "I'm sure it will be quite the entertaining evening."

"I wasn't expecting you so late, is something wrong?" Jon asked as soon as he opened the door to Robb. He shook his head slightly. "Not exactly," Robb said, "can I come in?" Jon agreed at once, opening the door fully and gesturing him inside. "From what Amy was saying the other day I had thought that you would be getting all the sleep you can," Jon said in amusement, as he closed the door behind him. "She's sat up with Theon and the queen mother," Robb said, seeing Jon nod his head slightly as he poured two glasses of wine. "I assume you want one?" Jon looked up after pouring the second and it was Robb's turn to nod. "Thank you," he elaborated as Jon handed one to him and moved to sit in the armchair opposite the one that he had claimed.

"Theon and the queen mother, that is quite an interesting mix of company," Jon commented after they clinked glasses a took a sip from them. "Amy's up to something," Robb said with a roll of his eyes, narrowing them slightly when Jon didn't appear surprised. "But, perhaps you already knew that?" he raised a brow and Jon sighed heavily. "I knew she was planning on getting to the bottom of why Margaery Tyrell is here," Jon said, "but I didn't know any detail. Do I even want to know what Theon's role in this is?"

"Probably not," Robb said wryly before he took another long sip of wine. When he lowered his glass again Jon was looking at him concernedly and he sighed, knowing that he would have to tell him the real reason he had come to him so late. He had planned on coming earlier but he hadn't the courage, it had been easier to sit there and listen to Theon's detailed report on the afternoon he had had with Margaery. "Was there another reason you came?" Jon asked, as perceptive as ever. "Tywin had some news this morning," Robb said and Jon leaned forwards in his chair. "From where?" he asked and Robb sighed before meeting his eyes. "Father has left for the Wall," Robb said, not able to think of any softer way to break the news. Jon nodded slightly, his eyes flickering to the glass in his hand for a moment before he raised them to meet Robb's again. "Wildlings, or…?" Jon tailed off.

"Wildlings," Robb answered, "for now at least." Jon nodded again, a slight frown creasing his brow before he lifted his glass to his lips. Robb knew how he felt, he himself had not known what to say when Tywin had broken the news to him. He supposed it was a good thing that something was being done, he just couldn't help but wish that it was someone other than his father who was leading the men. Still, he had fought battles before and had always come home, there was no reason for this to be any different. "He'll be fine," Robb voiced his opinion, trying to reassure himself as much as Jon. "He always has been." Jon nodded at that, a smile coming to his face that Robb suspected was false. He made no comment on it though, merely calmly taking another sip of wine.

"Did the King speak to you about Dorne?" Robb asked after several moments of silence, wanting to think of something other than his father marching into a potential war. "Aye," Jon nodded, and Robb rolled his eyes when he showed no sign of elaborating. "Well?" he asked almost impatiently, and Jon grinned sheepishly. "I don't know…" Jon said with a shrug, "it's an honour to be asked, but I am no knight." He was shaking his head at the end and Robb sighed. "And I am hardly qualified to sit on the King's council, and yet here we are," Robb said to which Jon chuckled. "You want to go to Dorne anyway," Robb said, "and when your duty to the Princess is finished then likely you will be given a knighthood."

"You think?" Jon asked, meeting his eyes. "I don't see why not," Robb said honestly and Jon nodded his head slightly. "It would be a shame to let your talent with the sword go to waste," Robb told him, holding his eyes. "I just can't help but think I should be putting my skill to use at the Wall," Jon said quietly and Robb shook his head. "You could best a thousand wildlings I have no doubt, but there is not much you could do to defend yourself when your former brothers are stabbing you in the back," Robb told him firmly and Jon smiled grimly. "You may have a point," he said and Robb snorted. "Trust me on this one Jon, this could be good for you," Robb told him. "What have you got to lose?"

"Absolutely nothing," Jon said slightly sadly, and Robb frowned. "Imagine what you could gain," he said encouragingly, "this is your chance to make a name for yourself, to forge your own path in this world." Jon was nodding by the end and Robb was glad that he seemed to have got through to him. "Likely you're right Robb," Jon finally said, "I will speak to Ser Barristan tomorrow and find out how much time I have to make up my mind."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! More next weekend with a bit of luck!

:)