It had been hours since escaping Kings Landing. The sun had come up and Torrhen and Ned had not stopped riding. They were riding the horses so hard they anticipated the moment they fell over from exhaustion. There was to be no rest until reaching the Riverlands where it was safer for the two of them. Finally they were beginning to ache from the riding and stopped figuring there was enough distance between them and the capital to fake a few minute break to rest up and water the horses. Stopping near a creek they led the horses over allowing them some time to get hydrated while checking their own supply of water.

Ned sat down beside the river taking a moment to rest. He was not as young and resilient as he once was. Opening his water skin he took a swig of water cooling off.

"How much longer until we reach the Riverlands?" Torrhen asked.

"A few more hours at least." Ned said gripping at his leg which had been flaring up since beginning their ride.

Thankfully it was healing and within the next week may not be so bad. Torrhen nodded and filled up his skin only having a little bit of water left. After a few minutes and seeing they had enough water to get them further they mounted back up and continued the ride towards the Riverlands. There was still a ride ahead but hopefully soon they would come across Robb's camp or Riverrun.

Serena was laying in her bed attempting to get some sleep when the bells began to toll. She knew they had discovered the empty cell. The city began to stir and men began to run around the city shouting. Serena even heard mentions of 'the traitor' and 'the Hand'. Soldiers began to stir inside the Red Keep as well. The amount of movement made it seem like a battle was about to take place in the capital.

Getting out of the bed she walked over to the window seeing men with torches running through the streets of the city looking for Eddard...hopefully they managed to get out in time. It wasn't long before she heard steps approached her door and it flung open with two soldiers entering her room. She stepped back in from the balcony to see the men.

"Lady Serena if you would please come with us."

"What is the meaning of this? What's going on?"

"My Lady if you'd come with us all will be explained."

Reluctantly she went with the men who escorted her through the keep. From the path they were taking it appeared they were going to Cersei's chamber. It took a few minutes to get there and inside the room was Cersei and the King talking to a City Watchman.

"Keep the city gates closed and check everyone coming in and out and double up patrols...we don't want him slipping out if he's still here"

The soldier bowed and left the room. Cersei turned around and saw Serena and dismissed the soldiers. They bowed leaving the room closing the door behind them. Cersei poured herself some wine and Joffrey looked at her angrily. She wondered if it was her turn in a cell again or if this was just a general interrogation about her father's escape.

"Please sit." Cersei commanded.

Serena walked over and sat the desk and tried to hide the fact that she took a hard gulp. She was in a room with one of the most dangerous people in the world...Joffrey. Cersei was dangerous but Joffrey was unpredictable and a hot head. Cersei had a bit of sanity to her to see clearly in the future to figure out the consequences of that decision. Joffrey just did as he pleases.

"Do you know why you're here?" Cersei asked.

"From what I gather Lord Stark escaped." Serena started. "I was raised in Winterfell and am free to roam the castle so naturally you assume it was me."

Cersei took a sip of her wine and set the cup down.

"Did you?"

"No." Serena lied. "I've spent the night exactly where your men found me...in my chambers asleep until the ruckus started."

Cersei smiled. Serena didn't know if her lie worked. Did her face give it away? Was she like Bran and her face gave away the lie.

"If not you then who?" Joffrey asked anger filling his voice.

"My brother Torrhen. He was away on Dragonstone when we were arrested."

"I had forgotten about him...treasonous cunt." Joffrey said.

Cersei tried to calm Joffrey down but he wasn't having it. He began to go on a rant and mentioned 'heads,spikes,and walls'. Serena was gutted by the comments but showed no emotion as not to make anyone question anything. Sure he was talking about her brother and adoptive father but she needed to show loyalty to the throne...at least until she could get Sansa out. She didn't care about herself but Sansa was a Lady and had to escape but she needed more friends to help her out. With war burning and Ned's escape there would be very few ways out of the capital for a long time unless help was provided.

"Well in any event we can depend on your loyalty?" Cersei asked.

"Yes. My loyalty is to the King."

"And if this brother of yours returned to the capital to rescue you or your sister?"

"I'd arrest him myself." Serena started. "If he was fool enough to return to the capital."

Just then a soldier entered Cersei's chamber quickly with news. Cersei jumped up in her seat and Joffrey looked with curiosity wondering if they had captured the traitor.

"Your grace we discovered two guards wounded near the Mudd Gate. They claimed to have stopped the traitor but were attacked by a boy."

"The prodigal son." Cersei said. "Send some men to the beach and see if you can pick up a trail."

The man bowed and Cersei called in another soldier. Who bowed upon entering the room.

"Take as many men as you need and hunt down the traitor...search every piece of land between here and the Riverlands. I want them found alive. Anyone kills them they will find their head on on a spike."

The soldier bowed and left. Serena then felt the eyes of the King staring at her. It was hard enough to gain his trust after killing a Kingsguard but now with Ned's escape it would take longer.

"So that clears your name." Cersei said. "As we have witnesses placing a man with your father who we could assume to be your brother."

Serena was relived. If the Queen believed her story so should the King since she has his ear.

"Well I suppose that is all we can do tonight. You should get some sleep Joff you have a busy day tomorrow...I shall have you woken if any news comes in."

Joffrey listened to his mother and went to bed as it was very late and there were things that needed to get done early the next morning. This left Serena and the Queen alone in the room. Nothing happened and Cersei let Serena leave with a goodnight.

After what felt like years Torrhen and Ned rode up a hill and at the peak saw the large expanse of Robb's camp. It was signaled by the Stark banners as far as the eye could see. Thousands of men moved around the camp doing their assigned jobs and going about their business. Finally they were in the clear from the Lannister men and we back amongst friends. Slowly they trotted down the hell wanting to ride hard to get to their family sooner but the horses deserved a good rest getting them this far.

Some men noticed the men riding towards the camp. They rode to them to ask what their business was but wen they got closer they saw their liege Lord alive and well and stopped bowing in his presence.

"My Lord...we didn't know you got out."

"I managed to escape...is my son here? Where's Robb?"

"He's back in the camp...we will take you to him."

Ned thanked the men and they rode down the hill into the camp. As they rode by men stopped and cheered at the sight of their liege Lord alive and well save for his leg that was flaring up as they rode. Seeing the camp and hearing the cheers reminded Ned of the rebellion. Him and Robert fighting side by side in the field and the men cheering after each victory,the sounds of the smiths sharpening and forging new blades,and the general sounds of the camp gave the Lord of Winterfell a flashback. It felt like just yesterday he rode off to war with Robert. It feels like just yesterday he was riding home and stumbled across that farm where he found Torrhen an Serena two of the most amazing children in the Seven Kingdoms along with all his natural children.

As Torrhen looked around the camp he wished his sister was here. The twins were inseparable but now for the first time in their lives they had been separated hundreds of miles apart in a time of war. He was in a Stark camp and she was practically a captive in Kings Landing with Sansa. They would be together again he knew it in his gut they would be reunited hopefully sooner rather than later.

Finally they came up upon a large tent that was located in the very center of the camp that had to be the commanders tent. Ned was practically shaking on his steed. It had been months since he had seen Robb and now he was just feet away after making his peace with the gods believing that his death was near. Hearing the commotion Robb exited the tent to see what it was all about. Before he could ask he saw his father sitting atop his horse alive with his adoptive brother Torrhen. In that moment his heart sank...they're alive! Ned dismounted his horse and Robb ran to him wrapping him up in a big hug never wanting to let go. Finally he did and Ned pulled back to look at his son who looked well with not a scratch on him. Robb turned to Torrhen and gave him a big hug as well.

"How did you escape? I heard you had been arrested by Joffrey."

"I was but Torrhen and Serena helped me escape."

"Where is Serena?" Robb asked.

"In Kings Landing." Torrhen replied. "She bent the knee to stay and protect Sansa. There wasn't a opening to get her out."

Robb rubbed his bearded chin.

"I don't like the thought of Sansa being with Joffrey and the Queen but I feel a lot better about it with Serena there."

Ned looked around noticing Theon wasn't there.

"Where's Theon?" Ned asked.

"I've sent him to treat with his father."

"What!" Ned exclaimed before taking a deep breath. "We will talk later."

Before anything else could be said a loud 'Ned!' was screamed from behind Robb. Ned and Torrhen looked up to see the red hair of Caitlyn. What was Cat doing here? Ned was happy to see his wife however and ran over to wrap her into a tight hug and gave her a kiss.

"Oh Ned I'm so glad you are alright. We heard you were arrested by the Queen and feared we would never see you again."

"I thought so too...Torrhen and Serena helped me escape."

Cat walked over to Torrhen and hugged him tightly as if he were her own son. She looked into his eyes a tear forming in her own.

"When Ned brought you two back to Winterfell I wanted to ship you off to Wintertown. Commoners shouldn't be raised along with the children of Lords and Ladies but you've been good...and you've saved my Ned. Thank you."

"I was just doing my duty My Lady." He said.

"What of your sister?"

"In Kings Landing in the claws of the lion."

"We have to get them back." Robb chimed in. "This war is not over. Sansa and Serena are still prisoners in Kings Landing and a boy with no claim to the Iron Throne still sits on it."

Ned turned to his son after his speech and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You're right...this war is far from over. You should return to Winterfell and I will take command here."

Robb's eyes lit up.

"Father I've been leading these men for months. I've won every battle and have the Lannister's on the run."

"You've done well." Ned said. "But there must always be a Stark in Winterfell and you are my eldest heir."

"I have to learn how to rule...I have to learn how to fight. I have to be out here. If I am to be Lord of Winterfell I have to fight for it. If I don't fight for them why should they were follow me."

"Your father's son indeed." Cat said.

Ned sighed knowing he would never change his sons kind and could not send him back north.

"You can stay but you just obey every command I give to the letter is that understood."

Robb replied with a 'yes father' and all was agreed upon. They entered the command tent and by that point all the other Lords at the camp had arrived after hearing of Ned's arrival. They greeted their Lord with glee happy to see him alive and well besides for his leg which was feeling a bit better now than before. Robb eventually sent all the Lords off and wanted his father and adoptive brother some time to rest after the long ride from Kings Landing to the camp. They were definitely beat and a good nap would do them some good especially Torrhen who hadn't gotten much sleep in the last few days. Some men were ordered to prepare some tents and have some food and water brought to them. 'Finally a good meal' Torrhen thought to himself stopping the drool from coming at just the thought of a fresh meal.

Some men came back and escorted them to their tents. Robb moved from the Lords tent giving it to his father and moved to another tent next to Torrhen. Baths were drawn for the pair and they got in taking their time. Torrhen sat in the tub soaking in the warm water soothing him. The water began to cool off and he exited and got dressed. Afterwards he fell onto his bed and fell asleep within moments.

Serena was laying up in her bed staring at the ceiling unable to sleep. Did Torrhen and Ned make it out of the city? How far did they get? It was a while before the cell was found empty so they had time and no news had arrived indicating they had been captured and that would he big news if he had. They had to have reached Robb's camp by now and have been bathed and fed at this point. That was all she could hope for at this point.

Her thoughts then shifted back to the golden haired woman who was the Queen. She thought back to that night after dinner when Cersei had kissed her. The Queen played it off as being drunk but compared to how the northerner had seen her drink she was no where near drunk that night. She remembered the softness of her lips pressing against her own and could remember the taste of the Arbor wine on them. It was carved into her memory a moment she could never forget. Nothing was able to stamp it out and make it disappear.

Serena was there thinking to those feelings. She was in love with the Queen. She knew it was wrong. Cersei was a woman and still somewhat fresh widowed at that. Everything about it was wrong yet it seemed they both wanted it. Nothing Serena said or did changed that. She thought back to what Cersei had said. "Our marriage was purely political." It appeared to be true. Her and Robert didn't appear to be the happiest couple. When Robert wasn't ruling he was fucking his whores getting drunk off fancy wine from the Arbor or Dorne leaving his own wife and Queen behind without a care in the world.

Cersei was ruthless but a Queen needed to be to hold the Seven Kingdoms together and raise the Princes and Princess despite the fact that they really were not Robert's. This fact along with Cersei being a woman would smear Serena's honor. She was raised in Winterfell to value honor and always be as honorable as possible but the thoughts and feelings wouldn't go away. It got to a point where honor no longer mattered. Despite never wanting to fall in love she remembered a conversation she had with Caitlyn when she asked about falling in love. "

"When you fall in love you know. There's no mystery like in the songs...there's no playing around you just know. When I married Ned I just knew he was the man I wanted to be with until the end of my days. It's a feeling in your gut. Once you find the one you follow your instincts and wrap your arms around them never letting them go."

Those words echoed in her head as she lay there thoughts of the beautiful blonde. 'Fuck it!' She yelled at herself. She sat up and got out of the bed and exited the room walking through the empty halls of the Red Keep. It took what felt like forever to get to her destination sweat beginning to trickle down her forehead from anxiety. Slowly she lifted up her first to knock on the door and stopped midway. There was still time to stop and turn back nothing had been done yet. Everything was fine. 'Knock' 'knock'. Now the damage had been done...or maybe there was still a chance to turn back?

However those thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind when there was a click at the door as it swung open. Serena's blue eyes fell upon the green ones of the Queen. Cersei was going to ask why the girl was at her chamber at such an hour of the night but could see the answer in the girl's eyes. She moved out of the way to allow her inside as the coming conversation was not for peasants ears. Serena wanted to try and come up with something to say but without thought everything just came pouring out.

"You were right the other day at dinner." She started. "There are feelings in the pit of my stomach whenever I'm around you. I never really knew what it was but when I found out what it was I hid it. It's wrong in so many different ways. I was raised a Stark with the Starks by Eddard Stark himself. I was raised with honor but...but I didn't want to besmirch my name and..."

The words stopped pouring out as Cersei's lips collided with hers. At first she was shocked but remembering this is what she came her for began to kiss back. The Queen's kiss was passionate and longing desperate for her new companion. The taste of a fine Dornish wine lingered on the blonde's breath. A rush went over the inexperienced girl who didn't even know if she was doing this right at the feeling of the soft lips moving over her own. A moment of clarity hit her...this is wrong. However if it was wrong why did it feel so amazing?

She stopped pulling away in that moment of clarity. Both were breathing deeply staring into each other's eyes. Cersei stroked the girls cheek with her soft hand.

"We...we shouldn't. This was a mistake." Serena said going to leave.

Cersei grabbed her by the back of the neck holding her in place.

"We should..you're already here. Forget what everyone thinks. Your not a Lady or Princess no one cares what you do...no one will even look twice at you. No one has to know...it's our little secret."

Serena didn't know how to reply. She just looked deep into Cersei's green eyes taking the words in. Cersei had a point. None of the Lords and Ladies cared about what commoners did. Sure she was raised in a castle with Lords and Ladies but she was not of any kind of noble blood and no one cared...except maybe Northerners. She stood there thinking about it. 'Fuck it!' She said to herself jumping back into the action. The pair kissed moving towards the bed tearing each other's outfits off along the way falling into the bed giggling along the way.