A/N: Hello there! Hope you are all well. Here's the new chapter for you all, hope you enjoy it!

unnamed visitor: Thank you very much, it was a tough day at the Capitol but at least it's over with now. I'm sure a royal progress will go north at some point, but I can't promise that it will be within the fic. It might just be something hinted at towards the end. Glad you like the more human side to Tywin and Cersei, and all the goings on at the Rock. There is some more to come from Jon/Elia, glad you're enjoying them.

Guest: Thank you, indeed they are happy. Not sure what you mean by "doing something about Theon"?

Boramir: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. I doubt Ser Barristan would be annoyed with Jon, after all, it was agreed that he would only travel to Dorne to help out initially. Once there he was free to travel as he pleased. The wildlings are being settled, but obviously the walkers can't be sorted just like that. As for Targaryens in the east, I think they'd be crazy to even try attacking Westeros at this point.

Right-ho folks, on we go!

:)

Leaving

Amy held onto her little brother as tightly as she dared, pressing a kiss to the top of his golden head before she unwillingly made to hand him back to her mother. "I'm going to miss him so much," she said regretfully as her mother took him back into her arms. "I'm going to miss you all so much," she continued, looking between her mother and father. "We'll see you soon enough, Amy, we promise," her mother told her firmly, and she nodded her head determinedly. "He will be old enough to travel by the time you have the babies," her father added in hushed tones, and she smiled at him. "I know," Amy said firmly, and her father came forward and gathered her into his arms in response. "You look after yourself, and do whatever it is the Maester says is best," her father murmured almost warningly, squeezing her tightly. "I think it best that my father doesn't suffocate me," she told him in an amused tone, and he loosened his hold, pressing a kiss to her forehead before he released her entirely.

"Here, give him to me so you can say goodbye," her father turned to her mother, already easing Willem from her arms. "Come here," her mother said simply when her arms were free, and Amy walked obediently into them in an instant. "I will be there for you when they come," her mother said quietly as they embraced, "I would not leave you to do it alone again." Amy closed her eyes tight at that, so the tears would not spill out. "You did not leave me alone," she told her mother firmly, "it was my choice, and I had Lady Stark with me. I would very much like you to come this time though, if it is possible."

"I will be there," her mother promised firmly, a kiss being placed to the top of Amy's head. "Now you'd best go before Aedan gets impatient," her mother said in an amused tone, breaking their embrace. "Indeed, I'd best had," Amy agreed, "I love you all," she added, looking between her parents and her baby brother all bundled up in her father's arms. "We love you," her mother and father returned simultaneously, and Amy beamed between them before turning to approach the carriage where Robb was waiting with Aedan sat on his hip. "Ready?" her husband asked her, and she nodded her head. He held his hand out in response, and she took it, allowing him to aid her up into the carriage. She settled herself before reaching down to take Aedan from him, her son rather uncharacteristically clinging tightly to her as she brought him to her chest. Usually he would strain and grumble whenever they were confined to the carriage, not content unless he was almost hanging out of the window.

She savoured the moment, feeling her babies move within her as she settled Aedan above the small swell her stomach had become. It was already obvious, she hadn't had to tell Tyrion and Geanna, her uncle had winked at her before she had left and they had both wished her luck. She was leaving it to her parents to tell her grandfather, though she had left a note in their possession for him, she imagined he would prefer to hear it in person when he arrived to meet Willem and Tybolt. It was a shame their visits would not overlap, but it was high time she and Robb returned to Winterfell, especially now she was pregnant again. She wanted to be settled, and back where Maester Luwin could keep a close eye on her. Robb wanted the same, she had seen the relief in his eyes when she had not fought him on his desire to go north as soon as possible.

"Are we ready?" she heard Robb ask the men who were accompanying them, hearing them call back their confirmation. She pressed a kiss to the top of Aedan's head, knowing they would be moving as soon as Robb climbed up with them. "Robb," she recognised her father's voice. "Yes?" her husband returned. "Just you make sure you take care of her," she heard her father murmur, a smile twitching at her lips as she recognised his concern. "I will," Robb answered him firmly, "you have my word on that, I will always take care of her. Of all of them." Amy's smile widened at that. She didn't know why her father was bothering to tell Robb to take care of her, it was something he did naturally without any thought. It was just the way he was, and she loved him for it. "Safe journey," her father said, and Amy peeked out of the open door, seeing Robb swiftly embrace him before he turned back to the carriage.

Robb hauled himself up in the next moment, closing the door firmly behind him before shifting himself to sit at her side. She turned to smile at him and he returned it. "Ready to go home?" he asked her, and she nodded. "So ready," Amy told him, and his smile widened. Aedan pulled away from her then, his eyes finding Robb and a grin spreading across his face at once as the carriage began to move. "I can believe you were worried he'd forget you," Amy said in an amused tone, and Robb chuckled. "Me neither now I'm back," he said, reaching out to take Aedan from her arms. Their son exclaimed happily, clinging to Robb the way he had just been clinging to her. "I don't know what's gotten into him, he is never usually so clingy," Amy said, shaking her head slightly. "Perhaps he knows things are changing," Robb said, eyeing her stomach, "likely staking his claim as favourite."

Amy rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "There will be no favourite, I will love them all the same," she said certainly, and Robb smiled. "I know that," he said, kissing the top of Aedan's head, "but he is so young, it will be a change for him with two new little ones about the place." He shook his head in a slightly dazed manner. "Two," he continued, "I still cannot fully believe that." Amy giggled at him, her hands coming to rest on her stomach. "Well there is no denying it, not with how big I am already," she told him, and he chuckled. "You are as beautiful as ever, I cannot wait to feel them both moving in there," he told her, and she bit down on her lip before resting her head down against his shoulder. "You always know just what to say," she sighed happily, his arm coming around her, "and believe me, they are already moving in there, and strongly at that."

"Oh, I'm going to miss this little one," Cersei fussed over little Robert, rocking him slightly in her arms as his big blue eyes blinked up at her. "You will only be gone a few weeks mother," Steffon reminded her in an amused tone, and she nodded her head. "I know," she agreed with him, "but he will still likely have doubled in size."

"No doubt, give how greedy he is," Sansa replied, and Cersei lifted her head and smiled widely at that. "He takes after his father in that regard," she said, laughing slightly at the affronted look that crossed Steffon's features. "You ought to get yourself down to the courtyard, grandfather will be waiting," Steffon said gently, an almost regretful look in his eye. "Would you rather I didn't go?" Cersei asked him quietly, and he shook his head at once. "No of course not, you ought to go, there are little ones at the Rock you have yet to meet. You and Eleanor go, and have a wonderful time," Steffon urged her, Sansa nodding her agreement at his side. "If you're sure," she said.

"You're all packed now," Sansa smiled, "and Eleanor is so excited. We will miss you, but we just want you all to have a wonderful time, and give everyone our love." Cersei couldn't help but smile at that, her good-daughter always knew the right thing to say. No doubt it was one of the reasons she was such a popular queen. Cersei had never felt unloved by the people, but she had never experienced the sheer adoration that they projected towards Sansa. Not that it bothered her. Years ago she imagined it would have, but knowing that Sansa was so popular meant that Steffon would be too. That was the best outcome for her son, being the beloved king of a beloved queen. Little Robert's birth had cemented their popularity, tens of thousands lining the streets of the Capitol to get a look at the young and beautiful family as they had been transported to and from the Sept in an open carriage.

"Thank you, Sansa," Cersei told her good-daughter sincerely. She meant for everything, and the look in the younger woman's eyes had Cersei believing that she perhaps knew it. "It is my pleasure," Sansa said with a smile, "now, you really ought to get down to the courtyard. "Yes, come on, hand him over before you take him with you," Steffon chuckled, stepping forward to ease his son from her arms. She couldn't help but melt a little inside whenever she saw her little boy as a father. It didn't seem long ago at all that he had been a babe in arms, with his father fussing over him. Now he had taken on the role himself, and he was such a natural at it already. Sansa was looking at him adoringly, and she knew then that they would be just fine at the Capitol without her for a while. It may even do them good to be alone for a little while. If they managed it well enough then likely she would be more comfortable leaving in the future. Whether it be to go to the Rock or to hopefully visit Karenza in Dorne.

Her daughter had written excitedly on several occasions, telling her how different everything was, but that she felt most welcome. Karenza assured her that her betrothed was most kind to her, and very gentlemanly. Cersei had been glad to hear that. Her daughter was a sweet and innocent girl, and Cersei would have it stay that way for as long as possible. "Shall we, mother?" Steffon drew her attention as he settled his son against his chest. "Yes," she smiled for him, let's." At that she turned and walked out of the queen's apartments, inclining her head to the guards and making her way down the hallways, hearing Sansa and Steffon following on behind her. They were speaking in hushed tones, and she didn't need to hear all the words to know they concerned her. She knew Steffon was worried about her being back at the Rock after what had happened last time.

In truth, she was apprehensive about how she would react to being back there again. When she had returned last time she had been worried about being back in her childhood home. Back in the place where she had lost her mother, and contemplating being around Jaime again. Now she at least knew there would be no conflicting feelings where her twin was concerned. Truly, she was thrilled for him and Lanette. She had seen with her own eyes on countless occasions what doting parents they were to Amy. It was cruel indeed to think that they had only had one chance at it. Now they had another, and she honestly could not be happier about it. It was not the thought of seeing them that had her nervous, it was the thought of returning to the place where she had lost her husband.

It was only thinking about Robert himself that gave her the strength to keep walking down towards the courtyard. Robert would not have wanted her to avoid the Rock nor her family just because it happened to be where he had met his end. If all had gone as it should, he would have died here at the Capitol at a great age with his family surrounding him. Had she outlived him then would she have been unable to remain here? Of course not. Because part of her belonged at the Capitol, just as part of her would always belong at the Rock. She took a deep breath as she crossed the entrance hall and made her way out of the open doors. Eleanor was indeed excited about their trip, it was just what she needed given how much she was missing her sister. She would not spoil her excitement by moping, it wouldn't be fair of her.

"Mother! Mother, are you ready?!" Eleanor herself was calling out to her as she made her way down the steps of the keep. She smiled, finding it came easier when faced with her little girl's excited eyes. "Of course, I just wanted a little moment with my grandson," she said smoothly, and Eleanor beamed in response. "We are ready when you are," her father said, and Cersei swallowed hard, meeting his eyes. For a moment she imagined that he understood all too well what was going on in her mind. He inclined his head slightly, before he averted his eyes, moving to give some last minute orders to their guard. "Try and behave yourself for mother," Steffon addressed Eleanor, moving to embrace her in a one armed squeeze as she bounded towards him. "I always do," Eleanor replied brightly, and he chuckled at her, a slight laugh leaving Cersei's own mouth.

"Of course you do, my darling," she said drily, to which Eleanor only grinned. "Are you ready, mother, can we go?!" Eleanor asked her excitedly, practically jumping up and down. "Yes, yes, come on, go and get yourself into the carriage. I will be right there," Cersei told her exasperatedly, and she bounded off after a quick embrace from Sansa and hurried goodbyes to her brother and his wife. "Look after one another," Cersei looked between Sansa and Steffon, her son rolling his eyes. "We will be just fine," he said in a slightly exasperated manner, and she smiled, reaching her hand up to pat his cheek affectionately. He scowled slightly, but she knew he didn't really mind, his eyes gave that away. "We'll be sure to write when we arrive," Cersei told him, and he nodded his head, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Enjoy yourselves," he implored her, and she nodded determinedly.

"Goodbye, Sansa," she turned to her good-daughter and embraced her carefully. "Look after those boys," she murmured in the younger woman's ear. "I will," Sansa replied happily, and Cersei was satisfied, pulling back from her and smiling between them once more. "Go," Steffon urged her, and she smiled, nodding slightly before she turned and made her way to the carriage. Eleanor stuck her head out of the door as she approached. "Hurry, mother!" her daughter insisted, and Cersei shook her head in exasperation, picking up her pace slightly.

"Ready?" her father appeared as she reached the carriage, and she nodded. He held his hand out in response, and she took it, climbing gracefully into the carriage and settled opposite Eleanor. Her father nodded to her, and she returned the gesture, to which he closed the door firmly. In the next moment they were in motion, and Eleanor practically bounced up and down in her seat. "Gods, I am so excited! Are you excited, mother?!" Eleanor demanded of her, her bright eyes shining. "Of course I am, darling," Cersei replied, surprised that it didn't feel like a complete lie, "I am most excited."

"Jon," Jon turned his head to see Prince Oberyn striding towards him, and he swallowed hard, trying to read his expression. "Prince Oberyn," Jon replied, inclining his head slightly as the prince came to a halt in front of him. "I hear you are whisking my El away to the water gardens," Jon could not decipher his tone, and he swallowed hard. "Well…I…she…" Jon stammered out, and the prince began laughing at once. "Relax, Jon," the older man implored him, "I am glad to see that one of my daughters at least has some inclination of settling down. I myself have found lasting happiness with Ellaria, and while I allow my daughters the freedoms of Dorne, I know that merely sharing flesh with another cannot sustain someone forever. We are made to love, and be loved in return. I want that for my girls, and if El has chosen you, then I can only hold out my hand and wish you the luck of the Gods."

"I don't know if she has chosen me," Jon confessed, grasping the prince's hand, "but I will gladly take your hand, and assure you that I have chosen her." Prince Oberyn looked at him strangely at his words, tightening his grip on his hand for a moment before he released him. "El is a passionate girl, she needs a passionate man. You need to show her what she means to you," he told him, "she is inclined to believe in love, but she needs proof of your worth before she will surrender her heart to you. A man hurt her once. He will not do so again."

Jon swallowed hard at that. He had not missed the threat with which those words had been spoken, and he couldn't help but wonder whether the man who had broken Elia's heart was still breathing. "I won't hurt her," Jon said certainly. He could be certain of that. What he could not be certain of was that she would not hurt him. "Fight for her, Jon," the prince grabbed his hand again and pulled him closer. "Fight for her, show her you can be strong. El appears to be unwavering and unaffected, but she is not. I know my daughter, and I know that you could be just what she needs," he told him, and Jon nodded mutely. "Good," the prince released him, a relaxed smile on his face. Jon was bewildered by his sudden change of mood, but then he saw Elia approached them and he understood it well enough.

"I hope you have not been trying to scare my Northman away, father," Elia said teasingly as she came upon them, her hand sliding down to rest on the small of Jon's back. Her touch made him shudder, but he tried to disguise it given the company of her father. "I wouldn't dream of it," the prince smiled easily, "I was merely warning him not to get too attached to the water gardens. They are a place of such beauty. I would hate for him to smuggle you there and never let you return." Elia laughed heartily at that, her hand leaving Jon's back as she moved to embrace her father. He held her back tightly, and for the first time Jon saw a look of overwhelming devotion cross the prince's usually relaxed and jovial features. He loved his daughter as any man did, despite how different the culture of Dorne was, he did not want her hurt by any man. Even one of her own choosing.

"We ought to go, the guard is ready," Elia said when she pulled away, kissing her father on the cheek before she turned to smile at Jon. "Are you ready?" she asked him, and he slid his eyes to her father, seeing the intense look he was being fixed with. Suddenly this trip to the water gardens held a lot more weight to him. He swallowed hard, before he nodded his head. "Of course," Jon said, and Elia smiled happily, her hand coming to lace with his at once. "Goodbye, father, we will be back before you have time to miss us," she practically sang, and the prince smiled. "Enjoy yourselves, stay safe," the prince urged as Elia pulled Jon away. "We will, father!" she replied happily, and Jon looked back over his shoulder, locking eyes with him once more. He mouthed one last thing to Jon, something that had him nodding determinedly in response. Don't let her down.

Robb exhaled in happy satisfaction against Amy's bare stomach as he listened to her slowly regaining her breath, her hand sneaking below the covers to twist around his hair. "What are you doing down there?" she asked him breathily, and he smiled widely before placing a kiss to the swell of her stomach. "Wondering over my incredible wife," he told her, and he could practically sense her rolling her eyes. He didn't care if she thought him foolish, he would continue wondering over her. He couldn't help it. The knowledge that she was with child again still had not fully sunk into him. One new baby would have been one thing, but two? He could still not quite comprehend it. He was thrilled and terrified in equal measure, and praying to the Gods that everything would be well.

Childbirth was dangerous, even for a high-born lady, and Amy would have to bring two babies into the world. He remembered her screams echoing down the hallways when she had been birthing Aedan. The thought of her having to do that twice in a row. It made him shudder. "Come up here," Amy commanded him softly, lightly tugging on his hair to encourage him to re-emerge from under the covers. "You're worrying about something," she said knowingly, her hand coming to slide down his cheek as he propped himself at her side. "I just can't help feeling…" he trailed off, "apprehensive? I don't know if that is the right word…"

"Apprehensive about what?" she asked him with a slight frown. "Knowing what you will have to go through," he said, slipping his hand over her stomach. "I have done it before, I hear it gets easier," she said matter-of-factly, and he smiled slightly. "There are two this time," he reminded her, and she sighed heavily. "Women have birthed twins before. My own grandmother managed it, why shouldn't I?" she asked him, and he rubbed his hand over the swelling lightly. "Do you wish we weren't having them?" Amy asked him when he made no reply, her tone quiet and scared. "Of course I don't," he protested at once, meeting her eyes so she knew he meant it. "I am thrilled about them," he insisted, seeing her features slowly relax, "but that doesn't mean I won't worry about you."

"You didn't worry with Aedan," she said, and he smiled slightly. "I worried every single day, I just didn't say anything to you," he told her, and she sighed heavily, her expression somewhere between frustration and amusement. "Robb…" she started, but he cut her off by shifting himself closer and pressing his lips against hers, kissing her slowly for a long moment. "I just can't stand the thought of something going wrong, of losing you," he whispered against her lips when he pulled back, "and you can shake your head and call me silly all you want, but having two makes the risk higher whether you like it or not."

"It is not as though we can change it now. Wish one of them away," she said irritably, and he pressed a kiss to her again. "I would never wish that," he promised her, "I just wish I could know for certain that you would be alright. I don't know what I would do without you…what they would do without you. I need you. I have always needed you." Amy moved her hands to his cheeks and pushed him away from her slightly so she could meet his eyes. "Nothing bad will happen to me," she told him firmly, "believe me, Robb Stark. I know in my heart that the Gods meant us to be together, and I know that they would not tear us apart. You and I will be as one until our last breath. Many, many years from now. I know that. I believe that with everything I have, and I need you to believe it too. Because I need you, Robb, and I always will."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! More next weekend!

:)