Disclaimer, I own nothing! I own nothing except the original characters. Warning, this story is not edited, please try to ignore all grammatical errors.

Chapter 24

"Her wound seems to be infected," the maester was saying, looking down at the sleeping woman, concern in his eyes. "The blade may have closed the wound but the infection had already begun by then. The blade merely stopped the blood I'm afraid, your grace, my lady," he finished, nodding in their directions.

Robb could see Ser Daavos frowning out of the corner of his eye, the older mans face pale with fear.

"When will she wake?" Robb found himself asking, he could feel his mother looking at her suspiciously and swallowed loudly. If she wakes up.

The Maester seemed to not know what to say, his face looking rather lost as everyone in the room was staring at him intensely. His mother, himself, Ser Daavos and Jon included.

"If she makes it through the night your grace, she will have a good chance of awakening soon after. If not. . ."

Silence. The tent grew tight at what the Maester implied, and if it was at all possible, Daavos grew even paler at his words.

"Your grace, beg my pardon, but if you do not mind me asking how she was wounded? Perhaps if we know the source of injury, we may be better prepared," The Maester asked hesitantly.

Robb tried to ignore the dark look Daavos sent a hesitant looking Jon, and felt sick at the sudden realisation that he in fact did not know what had happened to Everra.

"Jon?" Robb asked, turning to look at his brother.

Jon's dark brown eyes flickered up to look into his blue ones and Robb noticed how they had flickered suspiciously at him, before going blank.

"I'm not sure," he answered finally, shifting on his feet, "It was dark and as Lady Catelyn recounted to us all earlier, hectic and chaotic. I arrived just as the figure had run off and noticed that Lady Everra had been stabbed."

Robb looked at Daavos carefully, noticing his slightly thankful expression and how his body had relaxed slightly at his brothers words. Robb resisted the urge to frown at him, somehow knowing deep in his gut that he was lying. There was some truth to his words and Robb did not suspect him of doing it himself, but there was something that he had changed. Robb looked towards his mother and did not see any sign of her noticing Jon's untruthfulness. Finally, Robb nodded, his eyes flickering downwards and then turned to stare at the Maester in front of him.

"Very well," he said, his voice taking on an authoritative tone, "Do what you must to save Lady Everra. Tell me of any changes in her wellbeing."

The Maester nodded and Robb turned to glance at everyone else, feeling his suspicion build inside of him. Robb nodded at them and then turned away, leaving the tent as fast as he could.

Daavos looked down at Everra, his eyes lingering on he face from where he sat on the chair next to her. He had not left her side since it had happened, having food be brought to him and merely left the tent to relieve himself.

How had he let this happen? How?

Daavos sighed loudly and gripped onto her hand tighter, watching her chest rise and fall slowly. He was terrified, more than anything, that it would stop moving and that she would. . . He couldn't bring himself to say the word, let alone think it. He couldn't even think of a world where she was no longer there. She was, quite literally, his life. His loyalty, his body, his mind, his words. . . they all belonged to her. Regardless of whether or not she felt the same way for him, he knew somehow, despite how she acted, that she cared for him in her own way. That was enough for him. Even if it was all she would -could- offer him. He saw her for who she really was, the strongest and most intelligent person he had ever known. Someone who had risen against the odds placed against her and had fought with every part of her to overcome them.

He had tried to take her away and ruin her even after she had tried to help him. He wouldn't try to do anything to the young boy but by the gods, if she stopped breathing he would regret the day he was born.

It was only then that Daavos became aware of another presence in the room and he stiffened, letting go of her hand and reaching for his sword.

"There is no need for that Daavos, we are all friends here," Lord Edwin said calmly, walking closer to him.

Daavos's eyes narrowed at the Lord whom was gazing at Everra calmly and felt this urge to shield her from his eyes, from anyones eyes.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, not bothering to try and be polite.

He had not seen the Lord much since they had joined Robb Stark, he was occasionally brought by Everra to sit on Robb's war councils but other than that, the Lord had somewhat disappeared. Daavos had seen him talking to his small group of soldiers, whom had surprisingly managed to survive both of the battles they had fought in. He remembered what Everra had said about him, about how his allegiance to her had already been proven years ago and so he slightly relaxed.

"I heard about her," Lord Edwin said, "How is she?"

Daavos eyed the man suspiciously before saying, "She'll be fine."

She had to be.

Daavos turned around and sat once more, looking at her, his eyes filled with an intense emotion.

"You remind me of myself," he heard Lord Edwin say.

His eyes didn't leave her face even as he replied, "How so? If I may ask, my lord?"

"We both fell in fell with people whom we were not supposed to. We would have died to protect them even exchange our lives for theirs if we could have."

Daavos turned to look at man, albeit reluctantly, and noticed how his voice had become bitter at the end of his sentence. He suddenly felt rather sick as he realised that he could turn into him. An unmarried, bitter man whom would spend the rest of his life mourning a love that could never be his.

But when he his eyes flickered from the man and back to Everra's unconscious form, he could not bring himself to care.

Jon sat down on his bed sighing, running a hand through his hair. The tent that he usually shared with some other of the unsullied was empty and for once, he was thankful for it. His thoughts plagued him and there was this flutter in his stomach that never went away. Jon had never felt this before, this feeling of being torn. He knew his brother, he loved his brother, his brother was his best friend, but he had changed. War had changed him, made him harder, stronger, less of the boy whom he had once played with in the snow in Winterfell. But had he changed so much that he would want to kill someone whom was his ally? No. Jon knew that was true. Robb would never do that, he knew that. The proof was there however, Jon had seen his brothers face on that shadow, no matter how dark and haunting it may have been. Jon would recognise his face anywhere.

But how? Why?

The words were ingrained in his mind and Jon feared he would never have the answers. Renly was killed by a shadow, he knew this. He had seen it, even if Lady Everra had not.

Jon froze where he sat, his eyes widening slightly. No, he thought, how was that possible?

Lady Everra had not seen Renly being stabbed, she had not been there, so how had she known? Perhaps he had told her, he said to himself, trying to ease the sudden suspicion, before he had told her about Robb.

Jon stood up from where he sat and exited the tent, his hands itching to get on a sword. He needed to think, heck, he needed to breathe. He did that best with a sword in his hand.

He wondered what that said about him?

He had changed too. War had changed him, his fathers death had changed him.

The sight of a small blond haired girl far from him made his thoughts run to a stop and a sudden happiness rise in his chest. He had missed Anna in his time away, she had grown on him. With her kindness and her words, she had helped him through his mourning.

Jon ignored the voice deep inside him that said he liked her a little bit to much before changing his direction towards her and not the weapons.

He frowned as he saw her enter a tent, presumably the one she shared with some other healers before walking faster, not wanting to lose her.

When he reached the outside of the tent, he stopped abruptly, his heart pounding in his ears, before hesitantly opening the entrance and stepping in. Her back was to him and she was humming quietly and the sound made Jon smile because it had been so long since he had heard anyone sound slightly cheerful.

"Anna?" he asked, and regretted saying anything because at the sound of his voice she immediately stopped humming and whirled around, bring a hand to her chest in shock.

"Jon?" she asked, her eyes widening with shock.

Jon blushed at her reaction and began to fiddle with his thumbs, regretting his actions, "Sorry, I just wanted- to uh-"

He was cut off by the feeling of her small body barrelling into his, making him take a few steps backwards by the force of her. Her arms had winded around his neck as she hugged him tightly and despite his shock he managed to wrap his arms around her waist, placing his face by her neck.

"I'm so glad that you are alive," he heard her whisper "They said that you were dead and-"

"Shh, it okay," he said cutting her off.

The stood there for a long time, relishing in the fact that they were together once again.

When they pulled away, Jon did so with great reluctance and looked down at her, smiling widely.

Something had changed. Jon noticed it the moment he had pulled away from her, there was something else he was feeling. A warmness that he had never felt before, a. . . happiness that no one else had ever made him feel. His eyes flickered down to her lips and then back up to her eyes and he was slightly taken aback by the nervousness in her eyes, and the fear.

He began to lean forward, his eyes focused on her lips and just as they were about to touch, he felt someone enter the tent behind them. They sprung away from the other immediately, their cheeks automatically flushing. Jon looked at Anna and was surprised that her eyes had widened once more, with embarrassment, he frowned and was about to speak to her before she cast him a look and spluttered out, "My lady!"

Jon whirled around, taken aback by the sight of Catelyn Stark looking at him fiercely.

"Go now," the cold woman said to Anna, " I would like to speak with Jon alone for a moment."

Anna looked very tempted to defend herself, her cheeks still a bright red before nodding and leaving the tent in a hurry, but not before casting Jon one last look.

Jon turned his attention towards the woman in front of him and was slightly surprised- though he dared not show it- at the look in her eyes as she stared back at him. For once, her pale blue eyes were not filled with distaste or hatred as she looked at him, they were still hostile and cold, but they were softer somehow, more considerate.

"I did not have the chance to say this before, my lady, but I am glad that you are well," Jon said stiffly.

He was though, he may have never been close to her but he did care for her. What he said to Lady Everra was true, she gave him his siblings, which was more than he could have ever asked for.

She nodded at him and they stood there in uncomfortable silence for a while and just as Jon was about to ask why she had wanted to speak with him, her cold voice had cut him off.

"I'm. . . glad, that your not dead," is all she offered him, her blue eyes piercing into his brown ones.

Jon could not find the words to reply and merely nodded his head, looking down at the ground.

She was gone before he could even begin to muster a reply.

Robb was staring at the empty seat near him, and felt the sudden pang of worry fill his heart before turning his attention back towards the men entering the room, taking their seats. Once they were all settled, Robb stood from his chair, gathering all of their attention.

"My lords," he started, "as you have all heard by now, my mother and Lady Everra's trip to secure an alliance with Renly Baratheon has failed, as Renly Baratheon is now dead. During an attack led by Stannis, Lady Everra, a most trusted ally in our fight to win the norths independence, was severely injured and may soon pass on because of her injuries." His eyes flickered towards the empty seat once more, before he pushed on, refusing to let his never-ending worry show.

"Lord Bolton," he said, directing his gaze towards the man, "You were right, since our attempt at an alliance with Renly has failed, we need another house at our side during this war. Now if anyone has any suggestions, speak now."

The room was silent as Robb sat back down in his chair, watching as they all looked around the room expectantly, waiting for someone to speak.

"Your grace," he said quietly, "if I may, there is an urgent matter which I think needs to be discussed. It is of concern to all of us in the room."

Robb frowned at the man before nodding, "Tell us of the matter you wish to speak about, Lord Bolton."

The man nodded and stood, the room growing quiet, "Thank you, your grace. Now as we all know, Lady Everra Legrath has shown us and his grace, nothing but loyalty and has helped us in more ways than we could have ever expected. Her wellbeing is something that I believe we all care for very much, and we wish that she can return to us sooner rather than later," he passed for a moment, his eyes flickering around the room. Robb glanced round as well, and noticed the uneasy looks the lords were sending each other. There was a frown on Robb's face, he had no idea what Lord Bolton was getting at.

"Continue," he commanded, his voice growing sharp.

"But I fear that despite Lady Everra's loyalty for our King, that her Lords, generals and army do not share that loyalty. Her army are unsullied, their allegiance is to their owner, the one who bought them, not the one their owners are fighting for. I fear that if Lady Everra dies, so does their allegiance to us. We all saw Ser Daavos's reaction to the possibility of her being dead, if she dies, they leave. Your grace," he said turning to look at him, "I am not suggesting that Lady Everra is not loyal to you, I am merely stating that the rest of her men aren't."

Robb did not reply and through his concern he knew that Lord Bolton was right. he had noticed it too, how angry Ser Daavos had been with his mother and him. Robb knew that he was only their because Everra had told him to be, same with the rest of her army. What he didn't know, was what Lord Bolton suggested they do about it.

"While you may raise a valid point, Lord Bolton, what do you suggest we do?" He asked, making sure to keep his voice neutral.

"We create an alliance that can not be broken even by death. The bloodlands are not a part of the north, you can not command their armies and can not call on them, however, if you have it in writing that when need be, you can rely on House Legrath, then they will come to your aid. At the current moment, we only hold their allegiance by their leader. If we create a pact that says that the north will help the bloodlands when need be and the bloodlands help the north when need be, their will be no reason for us to worry. The alliance, will be beneficial for both sides, your grace. Forgive me for saying so, but we can not afford to lose Lady Everra's armies to the Lannister's or anyone else for that matter."

Daavos looked at Jon hesitantly dragging his eyes away from Everra's body. She was still alive, thank the gods. She had made it through the night, her fever had broken, and sweat was still trickling down her face, her usual pink coloured lips had grown pale and chapped but she was still alive. She was still there.

He had been meaning to say this to Jon since they had returned and had sent for him to say that very thing, but once he entered the words had escaped him.

"You called for me?" Jon asked, tearing his eyes away from Everra. Daavos could see the relief enter the boy's brown eyes and somehow the lost words made their way out of his mouth.

"Thank you," Daavos said and at the boy's frown he added, "For taking care of her when I could not. She would be dead if it was not for you, I won't forget it."

Jon nodded, his eyes drifting back towards the woman in question.

"Neither will she," Daavos answered, looking at Jon carefully.

"What will she do?" Jon asked, "What will you do? About-"

"Quiet," Daavos snapped, peering behind him. He rose from his seat, his eyes urging Jon to turn around and keep his mouth shut.

"Your grace," Daavos acknowledged.

Jon paled at the sight of his brother entering the tent, suddenly at a loss for words.

"Your grace," he stuttered out, he felt as though he was a child, being caught doing something wrong.

Robb nodded at him, something very akin to hurt flashing in his eyes for a brief second before it disappeared.

"Jon," he acknowledged.

There was an uncomfortable silence for a few moments before Daavos spoke, "Your grace, is there something either Jon or I may be able to help you with?"

Robb seemed to snap out of whatever phase he had entered and directed his gaze towards Daavos, "Yes, indeed there is. Ser Daavos I know that this may be a difficult time for us all but you are needed at the council to go over some important issues." At the sight of Daavos beginning to protest he added, "Immediately."

Daavos nodded, though visibly unhappily and made his way out of the tent, his shoulder almost brushing against Robb's. When he left, Robb turned to face Jon, the hurt in his eyes now evident.

"I'm 'your grace' now, huh?" He asked his voice slightly bitter.

Jon shifted on his feet uncomfortably and was taken aback at the look of betrayal in Robb's eyes, though it disappeared quickly.

"You are a king now Robb-"

"Just go, "Robb cut him off, the cold, reserved look in his eyes returning, "Please."

Jon nodded hesitantly, his brown eyes conflicted, "Robb-"

"Go," he commanded.

Robb shifted on his feet uncomfortably, waiting until Jon left the tent and when he eventually did, he let out a loud sigh of relief. His gaze then turned to Everra, and his heart tightened at how unlike herself she looked. How small and fragile she looked, so different from how she usually was.

Before Robb could even comprehend what he was doing, he was sitting down on the chair next to her bedside. He didn't do anything, he didn't say anything for the longest of times and merely sat there, relishing in the fact that she was still breathing.

"I don't want you to die," he confessed quietly. The relief he felt by saying the words aloud seemed to lift this horrible weight off his chest.

"I uh-" his heart was pounding in his chest and held one of her soft hands in his, "I have no idea what I'm doing."

He let out another sigh, his hand tightening his grip on hers, "I trust you. More than I trust anyone, surprisingly enough."

Robb's lips curled bitterly as he spoke, "I don't even know what I'm trying to say." He laughed, though it was without humour.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I need you here. Alive. I don't want you to die. I need you with me. Everra, you see me, just as I know that I see you for what you really are. Lost, broken, just like me. Yet your the strongest person I've ever known. I understand your demons just as you understand mine. I'm not in love with you . . . I can't be in love with you, but I do care for you. So if, wherever you are, you can hear me, please come back. Please."

Green eyes fluttering open was his only response.

A/N And we are out! Thanks guys, I hope you liked this chapter. Exams are over now, so I should be able to update like usual. Thanks for your response to last chapter guys! You guys are so awesome! Tell me your thoughts on this chapter guys. Robb/Everra? Daavos/Everra? Jon/Anna and Jon/Catelyn? Do you guys think it flowed nicely? Tell me your thoughts!