Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. I was away, but here is the second chapter. I hope you all like it! Thank you for all the reviews, follows and Favs!

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones, or anything you recognize from it. I own Anna.

Chapter 2: Home part 1

"And as you lean in to steal a kiss

I'll never need more than this.

We all share the pain of our histories"

Anna's p.o.v

It was not until Anna rode through the gates of Winterfell that she truly smiled. She had been miserable the whole trip from the war camp, missing Theon and Robb with every mile that came between them, but seeing her home felt good. She rode into the courtyard to see her youngest brother standing there waiting for her, a smile upon his face.

"Rickon!" Anna jumped from her horse and ran to her little brother.

"Anna." He was still so small.

Anna picked her brother up in her arms and spun him around. She had missed the young ones, but that did not out weigh how much she wished to be at the camp. She belonged beside her brother, they came into the damned world together they would leave it together as well. It did not help that she missed her love, Theon.

"I missed you. Is mother with you?"

She saw her brother look over her shoulder but she knew the only thing he would see was Ser Rodrik and Grey Heart, her direwolf.

"No, my love, she is with Robb but they shall both be home soon. I promise brother will bring mother home, with Sansa and Arya."

Anna knew there was not of word her youngest sister, and she worried for her. Arya was stubborn, willful and she would not bow before the prick Joffrey. She could only hope her sister was safe, and only hope Sansa was as well.

"He was going to bring father home too." She saw the tears form in her younger brothers eyes.

Anna knelt down to his level, looking into his blue eyes. She reached out and wiped the tears from his eyes with a smile.

"They will pay for what they did to father, do not worry, little one. Now come you must bring me to find food while Ser Rodrick speaks to Bran of urgent matters."

As her little brother took her hand Anna bid Grey Heart to stay outside, she did not doubt the wolf would find her brothers soon. Anna could tell she was missing Grey Wind, but like her and Robb the wolves would be united again soon.

Ser Rodrick entered the castle while Rickon pulled Anna into the town, no doubt to find sweets. A town not far from Winterfell was under attack, and it was up to Ser Rodrick to convince Bran to send men to defend it. She worried the Mountain had come north to attack Winterfell directly, but she would die before she let that monster put hands on her brothers. He was a child killer, and that she would not stand for.

She did not want to worry her youngest brother of the men attacking the town near by, she did not wish to bring him more fear. She did not doubt he had been scared in the absence of his family, and Anna would not make it worse. She was his sister, she was to protect him from everything. She would die protecting her loved ones, just as she knew her brother would, just like she knew her father would have. It was what the Starks had always done, they took the risk of fighting for what was right even if it meant death.

"It's not fair that mother has to be gone. She isn't coming back I know it."

"I promise, do you hear me, I promise you mother will be before you know it."

She was lying, she knew it would be some time before her mother, her brother returned from war. She just hoped they both returned well and alive. She could not lose another person to the Lannisters, if she did she would personally kill them all.

They had pushed her brother from a tower, they had tried to kill him twice, and the bastard king had her father executed for speaking against him. She would not allow the Lannisters to hurt another person she loved. She could only pray her sisters remained safe while Robb held the damned Kingslayer as a hostage, that was their only hope. She needed Robb to win, she needed Theon to pull through for them and she needed her mother to come home. Anna didn't want to be home, away from her twin but she knew once she saw Rickon it was her place. The young boy was lost.

Anna did not get the meal she sought, instead she found herself eating honeycakes and sweets with her brother. She could see his face light up as she spoke of Robb, of her mother and how they would be home soon. She lied through her teeth but seeing the young one smile brought her heart warmth. Anna had love for many, but the love she felt for her family was an unending pool. She would do anything for them, it was something her father had taught them all. She knew lying to him was wrong but she needed him to smile once more.

Once they finished their sweets, they walked hand in hand through the small town. Anna knew she was a mess, but the people knew who she was and they bowed their heads in respect. She was the the Princess of Winterfell, her brother the King in the North. She knew her place, but she never felt like she belonged to it, her father blamed it on the wolfs-blood inside of her. He told her constantly she was her namesake in all but looks, he also told her that she and Arya would have made their Aunt proud. Lyanna was a hard subject for their father to speak on but he never failed to remind Anna of who she was named for.

"Will you see Bran now?" They had reached the entrance of the great hall when her brother spoke up. She smiled upon the young one.

"I shall. Will you make sure Grey Heart is looked after, I am sure she missed Summer and Shaggydog."

Anna knew her wolf missed it's kin. She was sure her pup missed Lady, Nymeria, Shaggydog, Summer and Ghost just as much as Anna missed her own blood. As she walked into the hall she thought of her siblings, and how they once filled the great hall with laughter, and yelling. She longed to run with Arya again, dodging Septa as she tried to drag them back to lessons. She missed Sansa, and she wished they could walk together again sharing stories of far off loves. She longed to speak with Jon, her father's bastard son but her blood nonetheless. She knew her mother was never fond of the boy but that never stopped Anna, or any of her siblings, from loving him. She loved Jon for everything he was, and she wished he could be there to give her the calm advice she knew only he could give. She wished for the gently hand of her twin on her shoulder, his voice guiding her. She wished her family was whole once more.

She would never have her father back, and she doubted she would ever see her sisters again. No one in Kings Landing was to be trusted, and she feared unless her brother stormed the city they would never get her sisters back. She wanted her family. She wanted everyone she loved home again, and that included Theon Greyjoy, his home was with her.

"I am sending Ser Rodrick and some men to defend Torrhen Square." She found Bran in the seat which Robb once occupied, and their father before him.

"I could only imagine you would. I would like to go assist him."

"No, sister, you shall stay here."

She watched Bran's face looking for any sign of humor but she found none. Her once happy, lively brother now wore the face they mocked in private. The Lord's face. She would sit with Bran and mock her twin as he switched from Robb to Robb the Lord, but now it was Bran who had changed. She had not been gone but for a few months but her young brother had become a Lord. He had lost some of his youth by their absence, and by the loss of their father.

"They will need me, don't do this Bran."

"Robb told me you are not to leave, and I agree with him. We need you."

She saw the sadness peak through his eyes, she saw the worry in them. He was much too young to have worries.

"Our bannermen need good fighters."

"What if they come here? I can no longer defend myself or Rickon, we need you."

She knew he was right, and she knew her place was home with her siblings but she could not shake the need to fight. She was a solider, she was a solider who fought for the North, she could not sit safe in her bed.

"I understand." She did not enjoy taking orders from her child brother, but she they were coming from the mouth of her twin.

For a moment there was a pause between them, and Anna could hear a door shut in the far corner of the room. Once the door was closed a true smile fell upon the young one's face. He had been holding his Lord face until whoever was watching them left. She knew the act, she did it herself when she was in the company of officials. To the men her brother led, to her brothers, she was a solider but to the officials, to her mother, she was a Lady or as much of one as she could be. Her mother had known of her part in the battles, all she asked was Anna remained proper and for her sake she had truly tried.

"I am so glad to see your face in this hall again, sister."

"I am glad to see you, so very glad." Anna walked around the table and hugged her brother where he sat.

She regretted the anger she held for Robb when he told her she was coming home, seeing her brothers made her realize it was her place. She wanted to be a solider, she wanted to fight, but as the eldest female it was her job to watch the children in their parents absence. She had left them, abandoned them, for love and for war. She knew her place now, and she would not let love and war pull her from them again.

"How was your trip home? How is mother? How is Robb?" Her brother was full of questions.

"The trip was full of anger, I did not wish to come home. It was not until I saw the walls, the gate and the smiling face of our younger brother did I find peace. Mother is well, sick with worry and sadness, but she will be home soon. Robb is a King now, and his Lord face has improved justly." She never saw reason to lie to Bran. He was almost a man grown.

"I miss them."

"I do as well and they miss you but they work to bring our sisters home."

She knelt down beside her brother a smile on her face. She brushed the hair from his face, she wanted to look upon his whole face. Anna wanted him not to worry, she wanted him to be happy just like Rickon had become. Anna was their sister, she was to guide them in being happy but she knew there was nothing she could do to shelter Bran now. Her father's voice rang in her head, Winter is coming, and Bran would have to brave the winter, they all would. She could shelter Rickon, he was much too young, but Bran was out of her reach now. She felt helpless, and she knew all she could do was protect her younger brother with her sword just as she protected the north.

"Why don't I get Hodor and we can go for a ride together?" She had not ridden with her brother since the day the Wildlings had attacked him.

"I would like that."

She waited upon her grey mount while her brother was lifted onto his own horse. Grey Heart and Summer sat beside them waiting for them to begin their ride. Anna caught the eye of Osha and she smiled at the Wildling woman. She had been weary of the woman at first, but they had found a common bond. They were both women who wanted to be soldiers, but unlike Anna,Osha had no restrictions.

"You are dreaming of the raven again, young lord?" Osha was helping Bran upon his steed as she spoke.

Anna felt her body stiffen, she was not aware of any odd dreams her brother had been having beyond the one when he awoke. He told her of flying, and a raven. She worried then, and when she heard Osha speak on it she worried more.

"Dreams are powerful things, young Lord. What did you see this time?"

"I saw the sea came to Winterfell. Waves crashed upon the gates, and water spilled over the walls, flooding the castle. Drowned men floated in the courtyard, and Ser Rodrik was one of them."

Anna kept her mouth shut, she kept her grip on the reins of her horse. She could feel a chill come over her body, the sea was leagues away but she felt a fear in the way Bran spoke. He called it a silly dream, but she did not feel the same way. Trouble was coming to Winterfell and she knew it would not be pretty. War would soon reach the doorstep of her family home.

Her ride with Bran was spent laughing, and enjoying the Wolfswood. Summer and Grey Heart dashed ahead of them, no doubt in search of food. The young wolves that she had seen in Robb's arms the day he brought them home had grown larger with each passing day. She had seen the ferocity of the beasts, but each wolf had a quality that matched their owner. They were more than part of their House sigil, they were extensions of the Stark children.

She remembered how Theon had saved her brother's life on their last ride through the wood. She remembered the anger in Robb's voice, the ice in his tone but Anna was thankful to the Ironborn, he saved Bran. She knew Robb would have hesitated, she herself did, and she knew someone had to save the young one. Theon was brave, and a strong archer, he would have never missed his target. She missed him, and as she rode through the Wolfswood she wished for him to be beside her once more. She wanted to smile over at him, sharing secrets when their eyes would lock. She longed for his love, however impure , unfaithful that love may be.

"It is getting dark, Bran, we must return." She saw the sad look upon her brother's face. "We will ride again on the morrow. I need rest."

They rode back to Winterfell, the walls looming ahead of them, with smiles on their faces. Slowly Anna knew her family would be put back together, slowly she would find the peace she sought. She would stay in the walls and defend her brothers from whatever evil planned to crash against their gates.

After Anna put her brothers to bed she found herself in the Godswood. She needed rest but she had to pray to the old Gods first, she needed to. She had not been in the company of a true Godswood in sometime, and she would pray fully to the Old Gods. She prayed first for Ser Rodrik, Torrhen Square and all the men fighting there. She prayed the Old Gods kept them safe, kept them from harm and brought them home safe. She prayed for Sansa, she prayed that Robb would bring her home soon and that the vile King kept his hands from her. She prayed for Jon in the north, she prayed he was safe and she prayed for the finding of Arya. She prayed for her mother, for Renly's compliance and she prayed for Robb. She begged the Old Gods to keep her twin safe, she was not there to do it herself. Last she prayed for Theon, she prayed that her love would return to her safe and sound. She prayed that their love would find a true home in the light.

She made her way to the castle, with only the full moon as her guide. She thought of taking Grey Heart to her chambers, letting the wolf curl up in the bed with her but she knew it would be unwise. She wanted the wolf to get used to being outside once more, and not in the bed with Anna. In the war camp the wolf had never left her side, unless Theon found his way to her.

"Anna."

Anna was in the kitchens searching for a last minute sweet when she heard a voice call out to her. She spun on her heel to see the Wildling spearwife standing in the door way.

"Osha, what may I do for you?" Anna picked up a sweetroll taking a small bite.

"I do not seek anything from you, I just wished to tell you I am glad for your return."

Anna respected Osha, over time, but the woman still unnerved her at times. She had told Anna tales of twins beyond the Wall who were connected by dreams, and she told her brother stories of wicked storms and the Others.

"I am glad as well. I do miss my family who is not here though." Winterfell lonely without them.

"I am sure you will see him again, Anna, you can always find him in your dreams."

Anna knew of what Osha spoke of. The wildling woman seemed to think she and Robb had a bond beyond blood, beyond normal siblings, but that was not the case. Her brother was her twin, and any connection they shared was innocent, pure and without magic. They had the blood of the first men in their veins but they did not have the magic of the Children.

"Of course, Osha. Now I must be off to bed, I am in need of rest." She took her last bite of sweetroll before she left the woman in the kitchen.

Osha was a Wildling, and it did not matter what bond she had formed with her family, she could only be trusted so much. She told wicked tales, and stories of horrors beyond the thick ice wall meant to keep her kind away. Anna did not believe in the horrors that were meant to live beyond the Wall, but she knew Osha did. Osha spoke of White walkers, and a soon to be long winter filled with endless darkness. Anna did not have time to worry of what may linger behind the Wall, she had a war to focus on. Her family was fighting for their lives, for their freedom and that was her concern.

Anna found her chamber just as she had left it, empty. The bed was made, and dust had begun to settle on the desk in the corner of room. She no longer felt at home in her chamber, it was empty to her now. Her trunk sat the end of her bed holding everything she dared bring home from the war camp, clothes and a sword.

"Seven Hells." She cursed as she sat on her bed.

Nothing was the same, she knew that, but she wished it was. She knew Winterfell was where she was needed, she knew it was where she would do the most good but she felt like a stranger among her old things. The girl who left Winterfell was different then the woman who returned. Anna was always fun loving, wild and spirited but she was more in control of herself now. She remained spirited but the wildness inside of her had been tamed, and at the loss of her father only her blood could make her smile. Not even Theon could bring her true happiness after her father's death, but she never let him know that.

Sitting among the ghosts of her past Anna felt herself begin to let her mind wander. She thought back to the first time Theon had kissed her, the first time she had an idea of how he felt. As she looked to the door of her chamber she could almost feel the passion of the moment, feel his gentle touch.

Anna was spent when she entered her chambers, a Nameday celebration was held in honor of her and Robb. Anna had spent most of the night dancing with Lords who wished to claim her as a bride one day, but her father told them she was too young yet to wed. Fourteen Namedays and she was still too young to wed. Anna would not complain of course, she did not wish to marry, she did not wish to leave her twin, or give up her sword fighting lessons. She wanted to remain as she was.

"Anna." She was in the midst of getting undressed when her door was opened and shut. She looked the boy who entered.

"Theon, what are you doing here?"

Anna fixed her dress and pulled at her auburn hair with nerves. She was enamored by the older boy, he was always so handsome. He had an air of confidence that she did not find in many other Lords who spoke to her, and the way his eyes would light up when he shot an arrow made her smile.

"I didn't give you a Nameday gift." Anna looked him over but saw nothing in his hands.

"It is alright Theon, I don't need anything from you." She smiled at him.

Anna spent every moment with her brother, her twin, and Theon did as well. They had built a friendship over the years, ever since he had come to Winterfell. Anna kept her growing feelings for the Ironborn a secret, she knew her brother would only mock her for it and she did not doubt Theon would as well. He was popular with the women in town, and with the whores in the brothel.

"No, I must give you a gift."

The older boy found his way to standing in front of her, his body inches from her own. He reached out and placed his rough hands upon her waist, pulling her hips flush against him.

"Theon.." She was concerned by his actions.

He did not speak, he just held her against him as he looked down into her blue eyes. She tried to smile but she couldn't she was too drawn in by his gaze. She had never seen him look at her with such intensity, with such emotion before. When she tried to speak again, to break them both from whatever was drawing them in, he leaned down. His lips found her own with skillful measure, she knew it was not his first kiss. She did not move her lips against his, she just felt his linger for a moment, a warmth filling her body before he pulled away.

"Happy Nameday, Anna."

She felt his hands leave her hips, and she felt him move from her but she did not want it. She was beginning to miss the warmth of his body against her, to miss the feel of his lips against her own. Before he could turn away Anna let her lips find his and she watched as his eyes widened in shock. It did not take more than a second before his hands were pulling her close again and her arms found their way around his neck.

She kissed him lightly, trying to gain her footing but his expert lips would have none of her caution. He kissed her with ease and with passion. She felt a fire burn in her belly, and a warmth fill her as his tongue slid against her bottom lip. She felt as if the kiss could last for hours but it was not long before he pulled away for good.

"Goodnight, Anna."

He left her standing her chambers warm and wanting.

She wished Theon could be in that room again, stealing kisses and whispering to her. She longed for his touch. That night had been the beginning of the longest lie she had ever told, but the one that had been worth the most. She knew it was the farthest thing from honorable, but she wished it could be one day. She knew if Theon brought his ships back to her brother, and brought peace between the Iron Islands and the North, they could marry. Robb was reasonable, and Anna knew she could convince him to see things her way. She would just have to hold out till the war was over, once the war was over everything would be alright, her life would be whole once more.

Befrore she closed her eyes to sleep she pushed the thoughts of Theon from her mind, and began to dream of her brother. She dreamt he came home to her safe.

She was woken from the dream of her brother by screaming from her open window. She rushed to her trunk pulling her sword from the confines of her clothing. She did not know who was screaming but as she rushed to the window she saw men in the courtyard, her only thought was of her brothers. She ran from her room only to be met by a man dressed in black.

"Who are you?" She shoved the bigger man against the wall before he could reach for his weapon, her sword pressed to his throat.

He said nothing and Anna took her sword impaling the man in the belly. She ran to Rickon's room and found her brother huddled in the corner. She went to him, taking the child into her arms.

"You are hurt." His voice was frantic as she carried him through the halls.

"Not my blood little one. Come now, we must get to Bran."

She knew her brother could not fight, and she would not leave him to his own. She rushed to his room, the young one still in her arms. She found Bran awake in his bed, fear in his eyes. She placed Rikon down beside him and she smiled at them.

"No harm will come to you, I promise."

As she turned her back to them so she could face the door her smile faded. She could not defend them against an invasion but she would die trying. The men she had seen in the courtyard were too many for her.

"I wish you were here." She whispered under her breath, together she and Robb could do anything.

She held the sword her twin had made tight in her grasp, the blood of the man still lingering on the steel. She had killed before, she no longer felt pity for the dead. She killed for the safety of the ones she loved, she fought for the north and for her home. She would die for the north, and die for her kin.

"Who are they?" Rickon asked in a hushed whisper.

She had no answer for him, and she heard Bran speak to Rickon. He spoke in a tone she expected of father, or of Robb, he had been growing up. He was so much of their father, and of their brother that Anna felt herself proud of the man Bran would one day become.

"It is no matter who they are Rickon, we are safe."

She heard Rickon whimper as they heard someone approaching the room. Anna looked back at her brothers, her sword still tight in her grasp. She would cut down as many as she could, she would take as many to the grave with her.

"Forgive me father, forgive me mother and Robb. I will do my best." She felt a tear slip down her cheek as she stood ready, she knew she could not win.

The door to her brother's room was kicked open and Anna held her sword out to the man in front of her. For a moment she let out a sigh of relief, seeing his face filled her with comfort but as a man in black followed behind him she felt her comfort fade. She felt anger in her chest and she swung her sword at the man in front of her but he dodged her quickly. She kept swinging, screaming and hollering at the man before her. How could he do this?

"I have taken your castle." His voice was cold, and she found no love in it.

Anna did not speak on it, she just continued to swing at the man who dodged each blow. She cursed him, she cursed everything about him. The man who had come in with him grabbed her, forcing her to drop her sword in surprise. She fought against the man, kicking and writhing in his arms.

"How could you?" She was screaming, tears of anger falling from her blue eyes. A hand covered her mouth and she had half a mind to bite it.

"Theon?" Bran looked worried as he glanced the man before him, and at Anna.

"It's Prince Theon now."

Anna would kill this Prince, he was not the man she loved. She would kill him and every man he had in her castle. She continued to fight against the man who held her, as the one she loved looked upon her with sadness. She would kill him. He betrayed her, betrayed her brother and every Stark who ever dared to call him their kin.