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Robb and Rae rode next to each other. They spoke back and forth very causally. They were learning little things about one another. She smiled at something he said as he chuckled causing her laughing. It was enough to draw the attention of few of the lords. The ones that believe she was Targaryen smiled as she and Robb flirted back and forth. Roose and Ramsey they looked displeased. It clear despite her being based born she had grown very close to their King. Lady Raenera would have to be taken care of soon enough they both decided.
"So you found my sister trying to catch a cat" Robb asked.
"It was part of her sword fight classes. It called dancing lessons" Raenera said
"That sounds more like Arya." Robb laughed.
Raenera laughed looking at the road ahead of them. Robb smiled over her taking in her profile. She looked beautiful with sunlight hitting her face. It illuminated her eyes even more could see the sparkles of pale blue in her purple eyes.
They came to spot where they would make camp. Robb order tents to be erected as he dismounted his horse. He came over to Raenera on her horse. He reached up taking a hold of her waist placing her down on the ground. They locked eyes with each other. They look like they would kiss any moment.
"Your Grace" Greatjon called out.
Robb turned for moment to address Greatjon. Raenera place her hand on his jaw. Robb looked back at her. She leaned up kissing his cheek.
"My uncle will not stop." Raenera stated.
"I know Rae. Marry me please Rae. You belong in Westeros." Robb tried.
Raenera looked so tempted by him. He met her eyes as sad look came across her face. Once of his hand caressed her jaw. There was look of longing on both of their faces.
"Excuse me your grace" Raenera teased.
"Robb" Robb stated.
"Robb" Raenera said turning to walk away heading over to the wounded.
Robb watched her walk away. His eyes never left her retreating form. Greatjon came over to him.
"You love her." Greatjon said.
"She is something" Robb muttered.
"I could have told you that. At times she reminds me of Lilliyan. But she's more than that. You can see it, it's in the way she carry herself. You can see the royal blood in her. I want you to know when we get to narrow sea. I will fight with you to keep her here. She belongs here even if she doesn't want to admit it." Greatjon said watching her interact with wounded.
"She does belong here." Robb agreed.
Later Robb found Rae with a group of soldiers. She was reading a letter that came from King's Landing. She looked over to the water that was near the camp. She heard people muttering "Your Grace". She turned and smiled at him folding up the letter.
"Rae, this is a beautiful spot." Robb said
"It is it reminds me of spot I use to sit at in King's Landing. Although, I think one may be better than it." Rae said looking off at the water.
"Rae, something is brothering you." Robb said.
"It's nothing Robb."
"Rae" Robb said taking her hands.
Raenera looked up at him. She sighed sucking on her bottom lip. She looked away with nervous energy.
"You know I wonder if I will ever find my half sister if I cross the narrow sea. I wonder if I will be alone all over again. I don't know if I can handle that." Rae admitted.
"You know you can always stay here." Robb stated.
"Robb…" Rae started.
"Robb" Catelyn said.
Robb turned. Raenera folding her hands at her middle.
"Mother." Robb said.
"Lady Umber" Catelyn said.
"Catelyn it's good to see you. Excuse me, I have to reply to this" Raenera stated.
Raenera walked off with her reply to Lord Varys. Robb watch her walk off to Maester Davith.
"I miss you" Robb said.
"Yes, you look positively forlorn." Catelyn commented.
"You surprised me, that all. I didn't think I'd see you today." Robb stated.
Catelyn eyes landed on her as she helped a man to his feet. The soldier smiled at her. She had raised so many of the soldiers sprits Catelyn could tell that. She also knew that Raenera planned to cross the narrow sea. And the deal Robb and Rae had struck.
"Does she still plan to cross the narrow sea?"
"Yes,"
Robb and Catelyn stood looking at each other for a moment. Roose came up to them with message.
"Your Grace. My Lady. News from Winterfell" Roose said.
Robb looked over to his mother. Then his eyes landed on Raenera. Raenera looked up meeting his eyes. She made her way over to them. Roose looked at her in distaste but quickly hide it as she took Robb's arm. Catelyn caught that look. Then she looked over to Robb who was cradling Raenera arm in his.
Robb sat in front of his war plans. Catelyn stood to off on same side of the table. Raenera stood closer to Robb. Robb was reading the letter. Roose and Raenera met eyes.
"This cannot be true" Robb said
"We've had ravens from White Harbor, Barrowton, and Dreadfort. I'm afraid it is true" Roose stated.
"Why? Why would Theon?" Robb said trying to understand.
"Because the Greyjoys are treasonous whore" Roose stated.
"My brothers" Robb asked.
Raenera placed her hand on his shoulder showing her support.
"We've heard nothing of them" Roose said.
Catelyn, Robb and Raenera let out sighs of relief. But Raenera met Roose's eyes; she knew it would be short lived.
"But Rodrik Cassel is dead" Roose stated.
"I told you, never trust a Greyjoy!" Catelyn yelled.
"I must go north at once" Robb stated standing up.
"There's still a war to win, your Grace" Roose tried.
"How can I call myself King if I can't hold my own castle? How can I ask men to follow me if I can't" Robb raged.
"You are a King." Roose started as he stood chest to chest with Robb. Raenera placed her hand on Catelyn shoulder. "And that means you don't have to do everything" Roose finished.
"Let me go and talk to Theon" Catelyn tried.
Robb turned to look at his mother. Raenera looked at Robb. Things were spinning nearly out of control in her mind.
"There will be no talk. He will die for this" Robb growled.
"Theon holds the castle with a skeleton crew. Send my bastard with a few hundred men and retake Winterfell before the new moon. We have the Lannister on the run. If you march all the way back north now, you'll lose what you have gained. My boy would be honored to bring you Prince Theon head." Roose stated passionately.
Raenera made her way over to Robb. Robb was considering Roose's answer to problem. Roose met Raenera eyes as she place her hand on Robb's shoulder. It was enough to make Robb look at her.
"Robb do you trust me."
"Of course"
"Don't send Ramsey. Lord Bolton plan is smart but he would be of greater use here with his father. Lord Karstark has two sons both seasoned in battle. Send them with few hundred men. Were not the Karstark once part of the Stark family?" Raenera started. Robb nodded his head to her question. Catelyn watched as Raenera started to play the game better than Roose could ever hope to play. She noticed the look on Roose face when he realized how much of hold she had over Robb. "Then who better to retake Winterfell for you, Your Grace, than member of the Karstark family." Raenera finished.
Robb turned to one of the soldiers in the room.
"Bring me Lord Karstark and his two sons" Robb ordered.
Raenera could feel the hatred burning Roose eyes as he bored holes into her. Raenera turned toward Catelyn. She gave her a weak smile. Raenera realized how the world was turning out of Robb's control. She slowed realized she was living her whole life with her true self in chains. She embraced the fact she was bastard so it could not hurt but not the Targaryen part of her. Catelyn came over placing her hand on Raenera's shoulder.
"I feel it best if I retire for the night, Robb, Catelyn, Lord Bolton." Raenera said.
Robb and Catelyn nodded their head. Lord Bolton bowed his head as she passed him exiting the tent. There was sense of unease about her. Her fire that burned within her had been sparked. She did not trust Lord Bolton. And she knew without a doubt he didn't like or trust her.
Raenera knew what she had to do. She was heading back to her tent. Gendry quickly intercepted her on her route. He grabbed her arm. She turned and looked at him not pleased.
"Raena whoever made you mad it was not me" Gendry removed his hand from her and held his hands up.
"Sorry Gendry; I just have something I have do."Raenera stated.
Gendry and Raenera stared at each other for a long while. He was one of the few people that treated Raenera the same after they learned she was Targaryen. Most of Northern Lords looked at her in fear or did not believe it.
"You know I always knew you were meant for something more."
"So are you Gendry meant for more too, I hid it most of my life."
"I'm a bastard my father I don't know and my mother was blonde bar maid who died."
"Being a bastard of king does not make it any better Gendry. I know who your father is. I feel it not my place to tell you."
"You do? Tell me."
"If anyone finds out it is dangerous. I heard Cersei had all the rest of his bastard killed. You escape that fate because of me."
Gendry thought for a moment. Why Cersei would had all of them killed, unless they were her husband's bastards. Showing her own children was not her husband's. He met her eyes with wide eyes.
"Robert?" Gendry asked
Raenera nodded her head slightly.
"It does not make better does it?" Raenera started. She paused for a moment. He looked away from her for a moment. Before he looked back to her then looked down. "You are better than them. Don't let this change you like it changed me. Robert was good. He didn't always make the best decisions but who does really? Don't let it chain you."
Gendry nodded his head looking at in shock. She placed her hand on his shoulder. Arya called his name. Gendry turned head over to Arya. Raenera smiled watched the pair interact. She turned and head back toward her tent knowing now what she must do. She lived her whole life in chains since she was five years old. Worried about what would happen to those around her if anyone found out. She always knew her fate if anyone found out. She would like be killed.
Arya found Raenera with a pile of papers as the sun was setting. She was signing her name to them. She had wax melting over a candle. Starlight resting her head on Raenera lap. She was wearing a strong front but on inside she was screaming. This would change her life forever. She signed the last letter. She blew on the ink letting it dry. Before, she rolled it up and sealing it with wax; then pressing stamp into the wax. The stamp was picture of a three head dragon with chains breaking behind it. She went through each letter sealing them the same way.
"What are you doing" Arya asked.
"Arya, I'm doing what I have too"
"What does that mean?"
"I will be staying here in Westeros"
"You will marry Robb"
"Arya, Robb and my fates are going in different directions. He is King in the North. And with this I…"
"You'll what Rae what do they say?"
"I'll have the Iron Throne if all goes well."
"But I thought…"
"I don't. In this time I spent with your brother and your family. I have grown to love each of you. And I know I will always be welcome in the North. I have seen too many people I care about die. And I refuse to let that happen to rest of your family. So with this I declare my intent to take back what was my family legacy."
"So should I call you Your Grace?"
"Don't call me that, Princess"
"I'm not a princess"
"Yes you are. The Starks were the Kings in the North for ages. Robb is the first since my ancestors brought all the kingdoms together under one king."
"Aegon, Visenya and Rhaenys"
"Yes."
Arya and Raenera looked at each other for a long moment. Arya looked unsure. Raenera rose with the letters placing her hand on Arya's shoulders.
"Arya let me tell you something. Power is dangerous. But that power, that danger, is everything. This single action will give me the power to stop the Lannister in their tracks."
"You don't have to do this"
"When you are older you will understand that I do."
"Robb won't like this"
"You right he won't. But it will save his life."
Raenera walked out of her tent with the letters. Arya stood at edge of her tents with wide as Raenera walked away. Starlight stood by Arya. Arya looked down at Starlight then back at Raenera. Raenera was carrying herself like Robb did now. She was a queen.
Raenera found Maester Davith he looked up from what he working on. He looked at her in slight shock.
"Lady Umber"
"Maester Davith can you do something for me"
"Certainly child, what is it?"
"Can you mail these out"
"What are they?"
"Something that have been holding me back."
"Alright child."
Raenera watched as the ravens were sent out. In a few short weeks she would learn what action would cause. Where she would have an army of her own to join Robb's army or she would have people trying to kill her or both. Either way she would save Robb's life. She just made herself a bigger target.