Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or anything related. It belongs to George R.R. Martin, the creator of this wonderful universe and David Benioff and D. B. Weiss who created the show.

Face Claim for Queen Sanira: Caitlin Stasey.

Chapter Forty-One: Planning for the Future.

The halls of Winterfell were busy with everyone hurrying about trying to prepare for the day, it had been a long night and it was clear that it would drag on into the day now that the sun had risen. There had been no rest since King Robb had returned triumphantly from the South, there had been grand celebrations before the hard work had begun to prepare the realms for the coming winter and what came with it.

Robb had named Jon to his council, much to Catelyn's upset but she had been quickly silenced on the matter. Servants moved about preparing for the day ahead, all of them knowing that something important would be happening that day; there was much to be done before the day was over. They quickly bowed and ducked out of the way as Robb moved through the hallways of his keep followed by some of his loyal supporters; there was still much work being down and rebuilding Winterfell had taken it's time. No one could have imagined that this was how things would work out after what had happened at the Twins when the Boltons and the Freys had betrayed them; the North had suffered greatly and now was a time of healing for all.

"How has Karlon been?" Robb asked looking towards one of the maids that had come with news about what was happening, it was hard to believe that he was five already and he was becoming his own person. Karlon had spent the last five years being dotted upon by his grandmother, Catelyn had been the main focus of his life for many years while the war was happening and it had been a big adjustment for them all to come home. However, it seemed like they had never been away once Karlon had been introduced to his parents; he had stuck to Sanira like glue once he had set eyes on her.

"He's been asking for his mother… poor mite, he has no idea," the maid informed Robb, the five-year-old had no idea that his mother was in the progress of delivering him a baby brother or sister. It was still unreal that she was pregnant and Robb had thrilled watching her belly swell with each passing day as their baby grew inside of her and soon he would be able to meet them.

"You are doing wonderfully Sanira," Catelyn Stark encouraged holding her daughter-in-law's hand while she continued to struggle with the birth; it had already taken most of the night and there was finally signs of progress. It had worried her a little when the labour had dragged on most of the day before and all night, especially considering what had happened last time but there was hope yet that the child was finally on it's way.

Sanira gritted her teeth when another contraction ripped through her body, she was exhausted, and she just wanted this to be over already so that she could hold her baby in her arms. It felt like it was never ending and Sanira cursed, her body hurt and she wanted to sleep but she knew none of that could happen until she had pushed this baby into the world.

"I can see a head," Maester Tylan said from his position, he had settled into his new position as the Maester of Winterfell after the death of Maester Luwin when the King and Queen had returned. It had been strange for him to step into the position that had been held for years by the other man, but he was doing well since he had arrived in the Northern capital to work under the Starks.

Sanira was relieved at those words, she was tired, and she didn't know how much more of this she could take; she groaned starting to push knowing that she had to do this. She couldn't remember labour being this hard with Karlon and Sanira wasn't sure how her eldest would take the news of a new sibling after five years; especially since he'd only gotten to spend time with his parents in the last few months. It wasn't long before the sounds of a new-born's cries echoed around the room and everyone couldn't help but feel relieved that the baby was finally here.

"A healthy boy, Your Grace," Maester Tylan announced to the room, an heir to the throne that secured the succession for the Starks; it was clearly a sign from the Gods that the North and her realms were blessed.

Robb took a deep breath when he reached the bed chamber that he shared with his wife, the news had just reached him that their second child had been born and he was relieved that it had finally happened. It had been a long time coming and Robb was just relieved that Sanira was alright, he had been worried when the labour had dragged on longer than it had done with Karlon. Catelyn and Sansa Stark walked out of the room with smiles on their faces, they couldn't believe how adorable the newborn was and they weren't surprised to see that Robb was outside to greet them already.

"Congratulations," Sansa said stepping forward and kissing her brother's cheek, she stepped away from him just relieved that she didn't have to go through that yet. After her marriage to Tyrion had been annulled, Sansa had little interest in marrying again anytime soon; especially after everything that had happened, she wanted to spend time around her family before starting one of her own. Moving warily into the bed chamber, Robb stared at Sanira with a small smile on his face; he leant against the door admiring the sight of her fussing over their youngest son.

"I hear we have another son," Robb said catching her attention, he was happy either way on what they could have had but he knew a lot of his lords would be thrilled at the news of a second son. Many stating that it was a sign that they were blessed, that they held the Gods favour for what they had done and the line of succession was now secure in Karlon and his younger brother.

Karlon might not like the idea of sharing his parents with his new younger brother, however it was something that he was going to have to get used to. Robb had felt the same when Sansa had been born, he had never had to share both of his parents before since Jon was only his half-brother; that had all changed when his younger siblings arrived. Sanira looked up from their son and smiled at him, she adored him already and she thrilled at holding him in her arms after everything that had happened.

"I was thinking that we could call him… Osric," Sanira suggested watching Robb as he came to sit next to her, she looked back down at their son knowing it wouldn't feel right to call him after Eddard or Rolan. The names had been considered for her second pregnancy and that had only ended in tears, it was not something that Sanira or Robb wished to repeat for a second time.

Robb considered the name for a moment before he nodded his head, it wasn't a name that he had heard often, and he was sure that it would be perfect for him. It was like Karlon, he was named to honour an ancestor but he would be his own person that Robb was sure. He sat down on the bed next to Sanira, a smile upon his face as he admired the dark head of hair on their son's head that matched Sanira's own colouring.

"Prince Osric Stark," Robb mused gently reaching out to touch the soft curls on to of Osric's head, it was hard to believe that they were actually having this moment. After everything that had happened, there were moments that it felt like a dream; there had been so much work to do especially in settling the Golden Company into the North.

The couple were silent for a moment while they admired Osric and they both knew that this would only secure their hold on the North even more than they already had. There were realms that depended upon them, that needed their leaders to be strong and they had to secure the line of succession not just for the North now. Stannis was already trying to secure his own succession, he was seeking strong matches for his daughter and there were even talks about having Rickon or Deston go South as a possible match for Princess Shireen.

"He's perfect," Robb said knowing that he would do anything for his family, there was much still to come and Robb knew that his talks with Jon were cause for concern. He wasn't sure what would happen if he told Stannis about the news that Jon had gotten, that he wasn't the bastard son of Ned Stark but the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.

"He really is," Sanira whispered brushing her fingers against Osric's hand, a smile on her face wishing for this moment to never end that everything would stay this perfect. There was a knot in her stomach knowing that trouble was coming, that her children would both know fighting and war; the dead were marching this way and the North had to prepare for them.

Gasping awake and clutching at her chest, Sanira tried to catch her breath as the sweat poured off her as if she had been trapped in a fire; she looked wildly around the room unable to escape the word that echoed in her ear.

Dracarys

It was a word that sent chills down her spine and she peeked at the bed next to her where Robb was sleeping soundly, her husband undisturbed by her waking as she sat next to him in their bed. Greywind lifted his head from his position at the foot of the bed, his dark eyes peering at Sanira as she slowly and carefully climbed from the bed.

It was cold in the chambers and she shivered a little pulling on a wrap before peeking at Robb for another moment. Then she made her way out of their bedchamber, making her way down the halls towards the chambers that she knew housed her spy master. There was one question that echoed on her mind, one question that she needed answering and she knew that Lysono Maar would be the only person that could answer her questions.

"Your Grace?" Lysono Maar greeted surprised when he opened the door to his chambers to find her outside, he had not expected to see her especially not so soon after she had given birth. He allowed her inside, a confused look upon his face as she held her wrap tightly around her; she looked pale and he hoped that all was well.

"Tell me what you know of Daenerys Targaryen," Sanira said turning to look at him, she needed to know what she could about the woman that now seemed to plague her sleep. The woman that had uttered the word that was ringing in her ears, the woman that she knew was seated upon a throne across the ocean that had always been a distant threat.

The vision lingered in her mind, the warmth of the flames still felt like they licked at her skin and Sanira needed to know just what they were dealing with before Daenerys Targaryen made her way back to Westeros with her three dragons.

TO BE CONTINUED IN... THE QUEEN IN THE NORTH!

Author's Note:

This is the end of War for the North... please keep an eye out for the sequel.

Thank you to everyone that has read, commented and rated this story, I couldn't have done this without any of you xxx