Seems like the last chapter was indeed better - thank you for letting me know in your reviews. Now, news for Robb and and ending that will lead us to more exciting scenarios.

Chapter 10 : Ice Dragon

Before she could speak whatever she wished to tell him, and the reasons that had brought her to him, Robb led Daenerys to his tent. One look to his mother told enough – he needed the privacy with his wife.

As much as he had missed her, Robb had been honest when telling her she must have stayed in Winterfell. She represented a big piece in this game, in war – her blood put her in danger and therefore, him and his family. She had been right when she pointed out that they were family but as such, he felt it was his duty to protect her.

While he walked with Daenerys, he told Theon to find a proper place for Irri and the dragons. His friend didn't seem too happy about the task but he complied. At least there was one man in Robb's army that already knew about the dragons and how not to provoke them.

As chivalrous as he was, he held open the tent for her and Dany walked in, studying every inch of the makeshift room. He had to admit that being Lord had its benefits such as having a better place to sleep in but still, maybe she thought it was an awful place to be in.

"It's not our bed in Winterfell," he apologized but as soon as the words left his mouth, Dany turned to him wearing a shy smile.

"I'm not worried about the bed," she said, shaking her head. "This is better than what I had in Essos." She approached him and cradled his face in her hands. "I was famished, had no water or shelter. You should know by now, Robb, I'm not your regular lady."

A smile he couldn't help was carved on his face. "No, you're not." As if they had a will on their own, his hands fell possessively on the sides of her face. And he kissed her again, passionately and with need. She was pliant in his arms and kissed him back with as much longing as he felt.

Not having her for so long had made him realize he had grown fond of her. Daenerys had become a part of his life and one person he relied on when he felt he had to hide his weakness from the rest. Most of the time he just needed comfort – and she gave that to him.

Having her being defiant and going against the rules only made things better. She was an equal on her eyes and – even if he had his concerns – Robb knew she was very capable of doing unimaginable things for a woman. She had survived through so much; this was probably just another story for her.

"I've felt cold," she complained as she tugged on the furs draped around his shoulders. "You took your warmth with you."

He snorted a laugh.

"Don't laugh at me, Wolf." She buried her face in his chest and felt the coarse hair of his beard against her temple. Her arms wound around his waist and, for the first time, Robb felt like he had been neglecting her but also that her shell was cracking and she was no longer that cold woman who only sought revenge.

He often wondered if he was the only one of them who was starting to believe their arranged marriage could be more than heated nights and cold days, just looking for solace in each other's bodies.

"Dany," he whispered against her hair and she shivered in his arms, tightening her embrace.

"Don't make me leave you. Not yet, please." Her voice was unlike any other time – little and scared. "I cannot sleep knowing you are in danger. You are the only thing I have."

His heart ached. "Promise me that if things are too bad, you will go back. And you will follow my orders."

She looked up at him. Her expressive violet eyes showed mischief and defiance but her plump lips seemed to form a beautiful and innocent smile – and she was all that, which was his weakness. Robb knew he'd do anything for her, to keep her his.

"Orders?" she quipped. "I don't take orders from anyone. You should know."

"You'll take them from me," he replied sternly. "You're mine to protect and I will do so."

"If you promise to take one order from me," she spoke seriously and quietly. He waited for her words, not daring to go against her wishes. "Don't die and leave us alone."

Soon his brow furrowed. To whom was she referring to when she said us? It didn't go unnoticed for him because for too long she had spoken about her and only her, as if all those years of exile had forced her to only think of surviving.

She seemed to read his mind when she continued. Dany held his hands in hers and looked up into his eyes. There was something about her eyes; he could see them full of emotions he couldn't quite recognize because she had never worn them before.

"I know we don't know much about each other and most of those many nights we shared together in our bed were because we felt better having someone in our arms – I felt better when you held me." She heaved a shaky sigh and smiled. "You don't like me."

"Dany," he pled, his brow furrowing because what she said wasn't true. He cared about her and was learning to like her but life had been hard and fate had chosen not to give them more time.

She chuckled, caressing the side of his face. Her touch, her soft hands reminded him of what his life could be in times of peace – had he not needed to fight for honor, he would be happy with her. Had they met under different circumstances, he would've tried to romance her because she was the most beautiful woman he had seen and her sharp mind kept him on his toes.

Leading one of his hands to cover her stomach, she muttered gently, "I just hope your dislike for me doesn't translate in a dislike for our child."

His eyes that had been trained on their twined hands, snapped up and widened as he searched for clues in her face. Her eyes were full of tears but her mouth was curved in a feeble smile.

"An Ice Dragon is growing inside me," she whispered. "One who will rule the world. One who will breathe ice and fire over his enemies."

Robb didn't quite know what to say or do. He just stared at her and placed both of his hand on her stomach.

Knowing what it meant to be born during war, Robb doubted this would be easy for them. His parents had conceived him right after their wedding and he hadn't known about his father until the war was over. But unlike Dany's, his father had returned to him.

On his knees he fell, kneeling before her. Robb rested his forehead against her belly and wound his arms around her waist, making the silent promise to return to her and their child. Family was his reason to fight and, what better than that to keep him alive?

"You finally bow before your queen," she said as her fingers rubbed his scalp in a soothing manner.

Lifting his head, Robb smiled. "No. I bow before the mother of my child," he murmured.

-o-

Grey Wind's low growls could be hear as he slept on the ground right next the entrance of the tent, guarding it like always.

Meanwhile, in bed, Robb lay awake with a naked Dany in his arms. In the dark he could see little thanks to the faint light of a candle about to be completely consumed. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, gently sweeping his finger along her forehead.

A soft wrinkle appeared between her eyebrows as she crinkled her nose.

He couldn't find it in him to feel guilty, even if he knew he was lucky to have his wife with him, unlike his men. Robb couldn't even begin to worry about his mother's disapproval when he informed her Dany would be staying with him for as long as he deemed prudent.

It was perhaps reckless of them both to do this but they thought it was better than to not have parents, than to miss their child's growth, than to miss each other so terribly they could not focus on anything else. The last reason was of course unspoken because they were too prideful to admit it.

"Robb," Dany whined. "Go back to sleep," she admonished and he felt the need to chuckle. "You need your rest."

He did indeed. Next morning they would put a trap on the Kingslayer's army, pretending to attack Tywin Lannister but going for him instead. It would be enough to distract them, so their large army wouldn't have time to prepare for the surprise attack. Still, for this ambush, he had to send two thousand men to a sure death.

"Robb?" she called and this time her voice was laced with worry. She opened her eyes and locked it with his. "Sleep. Don't think of this as being cruel or a bad leader because they understand this is for the greater good. Do you believe that?"

"I wish I wouldn't have to do this."

She snuggled closer to him and nuzzled his shoulder. Her hands were flat on his back and he let himself hug her. "Your strategy is perfect. They won't expect it from someone as young as you. They think you're weak but you're not."

"War is easy, what comes after is what scares me."

"I think otherwise but I'll be here for you. And you're here for me now." She dropped a tender kiss on the left side of his chest and he felt his spirit filled with courage and more importantly, faith. "Sleep, Wolf."

"Dany," he called softly and she only hummed her reply. "I do like you."

She paused for a moment and then Robb heard her soft chuckle. "Just because I'm carrying your child."

"No. Long before that." He buried his nose in her hair and pecked the crown of her head. "It is as if you had a spell on me."

"You think I am a witch? Good to know," she jibed.

He snickered.

This was what he had needed. Someone to talk to without fear of being seen as weak or childish – someone who understood the weight of his position now. She was the last of her house and he the leader of his.

"They think I am a boy. Nothing more. And they think I'm fighting for you to get the throne."

She looked up at him, frowning. "A boy? You have a wife and child on the way. You're doing what many have been afraid to do. You. No matter how much I tried to plant seeds on your mind to manipulate you, you're too good for that and I'm glad for that."

"You're glad I didn't help you with your wishes?"

"I'm glad you made me see differently. You disagreed and let me know. I just hope you hear me when the time comes too."

"Were you always wise?" Robb grinned at her when she smiled.

"I'm not wise. I'm fortunate."

"Hopefully our child will be because I am not wise either if I married you and if I'm going to fight two armies."

"Wisdom can be cultivated. Your instinct and my luck, those go with blood." She tugged the furs covering them and sunk in the bed. "Now close those eyes, you need your energy and I'm tired."

"As you wish, Your Grace."

-o-

He returned victorious from his battle and as he rode his horse back from the field, in sight came his mother, Ser Rodrik and Dany whose smile was small but her posture on her horse showed how proud she was of him.

In some ways, he knew he had to prove himself before his men and his enemies but also, deep inside him, he felt the need to win for his unborn child.

And when his men dragged Jamie Lannister, his prisoner, on the ground before them, Daenerys kept herself hidden behind his mother and Ser Rodrik, under the hood of her cloak. Her fury and her sadness couldn't be concealed, though. That man had killed her father and his father had ordered to murder her family.

Despite his situation, Jamie Lannister kept mocking them, answering Lady Catelyn's demands for her daughters and husband with sardonic remarks, not showing fear or hiding it under his words.

"Cut his head. Send it to his father," Theon said with a smile.

Robb had felt the urge but he knew. "He's more use to us alive than dead."

His mother ordered, "Take him away and put him in irons."

But the lion kept pushing his luck, tempting Robb with a duel to end everything. Lannisters against Starks in a match that would surely end with one of them dead and more likely the Young Wolf, since he was still inexperienced.

"If we did it your way, Kingslayer, you'd win. We're not doing it your way," Robb spat through clenched teeth.

It was only then, as Greatjon took Jamie away, that the lion saw the girl hidden under the cloak. His brow furrowed and his gaze fell upon Robb as if he searched for answers. Women weren't something usual on a battlefield, much less ladies.

Robb wasn't about to introduce them, but he knew sooner rather than later, Daenerys would meet her father's murderer and she would want revenge.