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Chapter Text

Clinging tightly to one another the two women sat in near silence as they hear the clanging of swords and smashing of whatever wooden fixtures stood between them and the outside. Another loud crash and there were voices shouting. The smaller of the two women dragged her companion from the room as they fled down a hall.

“Here girls!” one of their men called opening a door and ushering them through it quickly.

The dark damp stairs just kept going downwards, the blonde suddenly came to a stop. She was clinging to her dress holding the now stained hem of it up above her feet as she looked.

“Sir, this leads to the docks” she argued “surely you cannot mean to take us there, they will have blocked off the sea.”

“How would you know such a thing?” the man demanded.

“It is the first thing my uncle would do to any keep with a dock. Do they really teach you nothing here?” she argued tilting her head to the side making her blonde hair topple from it’s updo, before the man could respond there was a large crash somewhere above them.

“Jo please! The dark-haired woman pleaded.

“Can you swim in a corset? Because I don’t want to learn if I can today” the blonde turned on her heal and marched back up the stairs. It took a few pushed to open the door, a broken chair lay on the floor and  body not far from it.

Without looking she stepped over the man, thankful for her crimson dress as she heard her foot dip into something wet and sticky. Swallowing hard she took a deep breath and kept her pace down the hallway, trying to walk how her mother had taught her. The sounds now were dull and mostly from outside. As she made her way into the hall she paused.

“Olyvar?” she managed looking at him.

“Jo?”

“Olyvar!” the girl cleared the space and wrapped her arms around his middle hugging him tight for a long moment “what, no, no, that can’t be.”

“I’d like to think it is not” Olyvar admitted “you are, here?”

“Mother was away, I, well” Jo looked up at him for a moment.

“Olyvar!” someone snapped from the other side of the room “put the Lannister girl with the other women, the king needs tending.”

“Uncle?” her voice was serious and laced with an undertone only years of being an only daughter could supply.

“You will not be harmed, your uncles and cousins will be your guards” Olyvar promised.

“How many of you are here?”

“Jo, I cannot tell you that” Olyvar sighed “your father?”

“The capitol last I heard, after Tion and Cleos, and all that he, well” she looked down.

“I know I”

“NOW BOY!” someone hollered.

“I can see myself to the lady’s chamber, I know the castle well enough. Do not worry to me, I am smart enough to not cause trouble” Jo promised and kissed the man’s cheek “I’ll see you later uncle.”

“There are many other’s around, you’ll find friendly faces” Olyvar promised.

“No offense, but I’d hardly call you friendly faces” Jo admitted.

“Jo” Olyvar started but she was already walking away from him leaving small red smears and smudges as she went.

She pushed the door open and something smacked her hard before the woman who hit her let out a shriek dropping the book she was holding to the ground and grabbing the red clad woman’s arms.

“Where is Jeyne?”

“Last I saw of her one of your men was taking her to the docks, you didn’t plan that?” Jo offered pushing the woman’s hands off her so she could move into the room “I told her that was a bad plan and left.”

“YOU LEFT HER?” the woman shrieked.

“I told her why it was a bad plan” Jo snorted “she made her choice to stay.”

“HOW DARE YOU LEAVE HER?” the woman wailed.

“Pull yourself together” Jo looked at the woman as she poured herself a glass of wine “she won’t be harmed if they catch her.”

“You cannot be certain of that!”

“Half of those men are my uncles and cousins, they’re not stupid, well, alright they are stupid, but they aren’t ruthless. Most of them aren’t anyway. As for the north men, Lord Stark was always honourable enough, I’m sure his son is, fine.”

“Fine? You’d risk my daughters life? Her safety? Her Virtue for FINE?” the woman snapped making the blond laugh as she held her glass up “and now you laugh?”

“Virtue is a strong word” Jo offered “but she whatever is left I’m sure it is intact.”

Before the woman could respond the doors opened and a small chestnut haired girl was nearly shoved in by one of the men clad in grey.

“MOTHER!”

“Eleyna!” the woman wrapped the young girl hugging her tightly “your sister? Brothers?”

“I didn’t see them” Eleyna admitted “or uncle, will they be okay?”

“Of course sweet girl” the lady cooed to her daughter.

The woman all sat quietly, the blonde picked at her nails as though she were impatient, anxiously picking away any errant skin. The three of them all looked up as the door swung open, and a looming figure stepped in.

“WALDER!” Jo nearly dove into the man’s arms hugging the dark-haired man who just let out a bit of a grunt.

“Lady” he snorted a bit but wrapped an arm around her.

“Finally someone with a brain, please tell me that you have thoroughly stormed this place so I might return to my room and no longer be stuck in this sullen prison?”

“I have missed that candor” the man offered though the inflection told them nothing of whether it was the truth “your mother really put you in a spot.”

“Well, she likes to choose the winning side, I’m surprised to see my dear grandfather even put a piece in this war” she offered and the man smirked.

“He was promised a ransom, one of you lot” Walder smirked “now come on, the King in the North wants to see all his noble prisoners.”

“I’m honoured to count” Jo’s voice was mocking as she gave a fake bow.

“Come on you, at least I’ll have something prettier to look at then the ruins and merchants sows around here” Walder grinned.

“I wish I was given the same relief, Black Walder.”

The man smirked as he wrapped his arm around the girl’s shoulder the two others following close behind them as they walked. Jo rested against the man’s side not saying a word as they walked to the hall. It was a small hall, and the tapestry hadn’t been cleaned in far to long, the once bright colours were lost to time and grime. Only one fireplace was built and it was barely burning. Dozens of men stood around talking as a group stood at a table arguing over maps.

Black Walder let the blonde go and stepped over the table loudly clearing his throat to get their attention.

“I brought the others” he snorted.

“JEYNE” Sybill nearly shoved the blonde over as she ran to the dripping wet girl who was standing huddled near the fire.

“Mother!”

“Jeyne! Sybill!” a man stepped forward but was immediately stopped by a large man who was keeping two men corralled to the side, a younger boy sat by the fire watching carefully.

The large man looked at two of the men at the table who nodded before letting the woman pass to embrace the soaking wet woman before sweeping down to scoop up the young boy by the fire. The blonde stood watching the scene not moving from her place. She was trying to make out the faint outlines on the men’s clothes, any symbol or sigil to tell her who exactly they were.

“You Lannister” someone barked and Jo tilted her head to look at the man “are you deaf?”

“Not that I’m aware of” she informed smoothing her dress.

“I told you to move over there with the rest of them” he snapped.

“Yes, my Lord” she offered looking to see his response but he gave none. Jo walked over and warmed her hands on the low burning fire.

Another man appeared, his shirt was soaked with blood though he seemed unharmed as he leaned over the shoulder of the man at the table. All Jo could hear were the words arrow and king, she could feel the hair on the back of her neck standing up.

“Take the Westerling’s to their quarters and the Lannister girl to her room as well” one of the men at the table ordered standing “put them under guard and have the Maester sent for.”

“They don’t have one” Jo informed looking at the men.

“You have something to say Lannister?”

“I’m not a Lannister” Jo offered “But I was saying this run down hell hole of keep can’t afford a Maester, they do not have one.”

“No Maester? Are you sure girl?”

“Do I seem unsure?” Jo asked crossing her arms.

“And you are?” the other man asked.

“Jo Frey” she offered looking at him.

“Her name is Joanna” a man interrupted “Joanna Frey, my dear traitor brother’s daughter.”

“Uncle Bryan” the woman offered straightening up a bit “my father is hardly a traitor, unlike what I can say for my dear grandfather.”

“Your father is hiding like a coward in the capitol” Bryan started.

“And you hold your own nephew as a prisoner, I hope the gods are forgiving to you for that” Jo offered smoothing her dress.

“This girl, is a Frey?” the large man asked.

“That’s what her mother claims” Bryan informed.

“She certainly doesn’t have the look about her” another mumbled.

“So, what now Uncle?” Jo demanded “or am I to stand here answering your benign questions all night?”

“You said this place had no Maester, who cares for the injured here?”

“The Septa, though they often end up dead in her care” Jo paused “so really no one.”

The men were whispering to themselves as the woman in red moved to stand closer to the fire and the conversation to hear what was being said.

“So, you talk big game about your abilities until they’re needed?” the other woman demanded and Jo looked at her with a glower.

“I hardly think my ability to stitch small cuts or scratches or skin an animal makes me qualified to tend war wounds” Jo informed.

“If it’s all we have” the large man sighed “come with me girl.”

“Lady Frey” she informed straightening a little bit jutting her chin out.

“Just walk” the man grunted reaching for her arm, she jerked it away and began slowly following him down the hall. Another lord whispered something as they left the hall and made their way down one of the many cramped hallways.

Blood was smeared on the wall but whoever had left it was gone, bloodied paw prints covered the hall as though a dog had been running back and forth. The door they stopped at was old and weathered, the hinges protested as the man opened it leading the girl in.

Jo froze, the man was half propped up on the bed, a large slash ran along his side and an arrow was protruding from his shoulder. Blood matted his hair as a cut on his head dripped down his face. Still he was talking in a low voice to a few people but stopped when the two entered.

Jo couldn’t hide the look of shock or the little gasp, she was shocked he was awake let alone sitting up and talking. When the men in the room saw her there seemed to be a moment of confusion at the girl’s appearance.

“This is the best they had to offer” the large man informed.

“Lord Umber” the man on the bed started.

“It was all they had” he said again the man nodded as though accepting that.

“Alright then” he agreed flinching as he tried to take a deep breath.

“What do you need?” another man asked.

“Uh, some thread and needles, boiled wine, uh, firemilk, there will be some in storage, some nettle and goldenseal, and mugwort, probably some crescent seeds” she managed “and something for his pain, as well, someone to hold him so I can get that arrow out.”

“Right” the larger man relayed the information to a boy she knew to be one of her one of the many uncles who quickly scampered off.

Slowly Jo moved to the edge of the bed, the man watched her, his blue eyes were incredibly unnerving as she looked closely at the arrow, it was lodged in his shoulder but not protruding out the back.

“Ser” she offered pushing her hair back a bit “I have to push the arrow through. It’s safer than pulling it out.”

“I’m aware” he managed and almost chuckled but stopped with a wheeze.

“My lord, hold him” Jo took the fletched end and snapped it off, she looked at the man for a brief moment before pushing with all of her weight. The feeling of the arrow ripping through flesh made her flinch and when he let out a roar of pain she nearly fell away from him.  

Finding her balanced she reached for the head of the arrow and gently pulled it free of the man’s shoulder before pressing some clothe to the wound in an attempt to stay the bleeding.  As Jo regained her breath she realized he was gripping the side of her dress.

When the things arrived she doused the wounds in the firemilk, earning more pained grunts from the man who refused to give in and show the true amount of pain. Still his face had gone ashen and the vein in his neck looked as though it may burst from the effort. Even as she stitched the boiled thread through his side he simply grunted and gripped the fabric of her dress more tightly. As she cleaned his forehead she felt him slump into her chest.

“Ser?” she pushed him back, his face was so white it matched the dressings she had wrapped around him. Jo leaned down and put her ear on his chest, thanking every god out there when she heard his heart pounding in her ear “He needs rest. Pain relief and rest. There’s nothing more I can do now.”

“Fine, someone escort her to, wherever she’s supposed to be” the large man instructed.

“I can make it to my rooms on my own, thank you” Jo stood flattening her dress “I hardly think there is any sense in the idea that I would spend all this energy helping to suddenly fight you.”

“You’ll be under guard like the rest of the household” the man crossed his arms “but fine, get yourself to your room Lady Frey.”

“Lord?” Jo looked at him expecting a name.

“Go.”

Jo walked quickly to her room, she had her shoulders back and head up as she tried to maintain a solid pace, fighting the urge to break into a run. As soon as the heavy door closed behind her she began to pull at her the dress. The silk ripped as she threw the dress into a pile. Looking down she saw that the white underlayers were all smeared red.

Jo fought back a sob as she tore it all away, seeing that even her skin had smudges of blood. Then she started to scrub herself, the water dripping pink and staining the fabric around her. She scrubbed until she was unsure if the redness on her skin was blood or abrasions from the rough fabric. Gathering everything in her arms she threw the silk and linen into the fire and felt bile rise in her throat as it billowed black smoke.

She wrapped her arms around her nakedness and trying to stop the shivering as her stomached turned and suddenly every bit of food she’d managed to eat earlier that day came up. Her whole body was shaking as she clambered slowly up into her bed wrapping her arms around legs trying to feel some sort of warmth.

Chapter Text

Jo didn’t know what time it was but there was loud voices then the door crashed open. Jo just hugged her legs, keeping her eyes clenched shut she silently prayed that they would just leave her. The  blanket was pulled away, Jo thought she might scream but instead just whimpered.

“Up, come on girl” the voice was a woman’s but not one Jo recognized, the hand that wrapped around her arm was rough but warm as she was pulled upright.

Jo was startled to see a bush of black hair around a wind reddened face, a broad nose and what might have passed for a smiled had her eyebrows not been knit together.

“Please, no” Jo managed shivering.

“Come on, let’s get you dressed” the woman nearly dragged her from the bed “quickly Lannister.”

“Frey” she managed “Lady Frey.”

“They mentioned you’d say that” she smirked a little bit “been stuck around a lot of Freys, none of them look like you.”

“I look like my aunt and mother” she mumbled as the woman slid the slip over her head.

“You’re lucky then” the woman threw a heavy cloak over the small woman.

“And who are you?”

“Lady Mormont, come.”

“Yes my lady” Jo managed and held the cloak tight, sliding her feet into her slippers she followed the larger woman out.

For every step the Lady Mormont took Jo had to take two, nearly running to keep pace with the northern woman. They entered the hall, like the night before everything had been moved around but now the chairs had been set like a high table. For the first time in Jo’s memory all the fires were lit and burning.  Sitting in the largest chair was the man she had treated last night. He was still pale, and was propped up with several furs. He was talking with the men around him and seemed like he was in command of them all. Jo saw the great beast laying on the floor and faltered.

“Lady Frey!” the large man from last night hollered and everyone froze to look at her.

“Lord” she managed pulling the cloak even tighter to hide herself.

“Come on then girl” Lady Mormont took her arm and led her towards the assembled men.

“Lady Frey” the man in the chair looked at her “I owe you a great debt.”

“My lord, it was, necessary” she managed, without her fancy dress and layers of decoration it felt hard to keep her head held high as she’d been taught.

“You shall address the king properly girl” the large man snarled.

“You are Lord Stark” Jo offered quietly “I should have known, you look like your uncle and grandfather.”

“You’ve met them?”

“I am a Frey of the Riverlands, I have met my Liege Lord, and it is my honour to meet his Grandson, the Lord Stark of Winterfell.”

“She says she’s not a Lannister but she certainly struts around like such and makes such noise” one of the men snapped.

“Well there are rumours.”

“Uncle” Jo managed “perhaps you should remember, my father…”

“Is a spineless maggot who cowers before his wife’s wretched brother and is a traitor” he shot back.

“You will not speak so of my uncle, nor my father and mother!” Jo snarled back.

“Oh we all know who your real father is” the man spat back “and it’s not the traitor she’s married too.”

“My father is no traitor” Jo could feel her fists shaking “perhaps you should look at the man who has locked up your nephews! You imprison your own family uncle!”

“They chose to take arms against our king!”

“I SEE NO KING!” Jo managed “my cousin, as wretched as he is, is king!”

“Another bastard born of incest like you, Joanna” the man spat out the name.

“ENOUGH!” the man rose from his chair, Jo could tell it was taking him great effort to get up.

“Lord Stark, you shouldn’t” Jo started thinking of how delicate torn flesh could be.

“I am fine” he interrupted looking at her “Lady Frey, you are to send word to your father, and your uncle, tell him we have taken the Craig, and tell them that those here will remain our prisoners until my sisters are returned. Am I understood?”

“You think to trade me for your sister?” Jo asked.

“A more than fair trade” he informed lowering himself into his seat “now go and write the letter.”

“My Lord” she turned to leave.

“And Lady Frey, thank you, for saving my life.”

“My Lord” she mumbled and continued walking, she now noticed the Westerlings who just stared at her as she slowly made her way from the room.

Jo just let her feet carry her instead of thinking and found herself in the Sept where she knelt before the mother, her head nearly on the statues feet. Part of her regretted her decision to save him, to help at all.

The men had been arguing for hours, the king was resting in a great bed as his counsel argued around him. Everyone seemed to be of a different mind and he was very away of the young Westerling girl who scurried in to bring him wine.

“What did she mean, about her father?” one of the northern lords finally asked the Frey who was pacing the room.

“Her father is the second eldest son of the first wife, our brother, Emmon, is my elder brother. There are many rumours that his supposed children aren’t his.”

“Whose would they be?” Lord Wells asked.

“The rumour is Tywin, Joanna is named for his late wife, who was also his cousin. She looks the part.”

“But, she is a Frey, at least in name?” Lord Umber asked “and is recognized by the Lord Walder Frey?”

“Lord Umber?” the King looked at him.

“A favoured niece of Tywin Lannister who is also a Frey, Lord Alyn, would your grandfather accept that?” Lord Umber looked at the man.

“He may, he doesn’t particularly like her, or her brothers, but she is a Frey” Alyn admitted.

“Gods be good” Lady Mormont mumbled “your grace?”

“She’s hardly an option” Robb argued “she’s barely Sansa’s age, and she would not”

“You don’t have to do more than say the words” the Lord Umber laughed “wrap her in a wedding cloak and call her your wife. Send word Lord Alyn, the king can decide after we know if it’s an option.”

“Of course my lord.”

“Lady Frey.”

Jo sat up, she’d fallen asleep during her prayers, she was still kneeling but her face was flat on the father’s alter. Taking a deep breath before looking at the person who had interrupted her.

“Ser” she managed trying to look as dignified as she could in her night dress with drool dried on her cheek.

“Lord Slate” he offered not unkindly “the king has asked for milk of the poppy to help him sleep.”

“Of course” Jo stood slowly, her knees aching as she tried to straighten her legs “I will collect the items, I can make my own way.”

“Of course, you know that if you aren’t prompt” he started.

“Lord Slate, I am well aware of the presences within this keep right now” Jo assured.

“Of course Lady Frey.”

Jo wiped her face with her sleeve as she made her way through the hallways. Even with all the new people it was still drab and grey. Jo gathered what she needed and headed to the King’s room. When she knocked there was silence so she knocked again.

“Lord Stark?” she knocked again.

“Lady Frey, enter” the voice was hoarse and sounded laboured.

She pushed through the door and froze, he was on the floor slumped against the desk that was there, his face was pale and clammy. Jo walked quickly and knelt next to him pressing her hand against his face but he pushed it away.

“I am fine, I just, the pain over came me, I had planned to send for my squire but” he had to stop to catch his breath.

“Come, you should be resting, let me help you” Jo mumbled getting to her feet and bending to help him to his feet.  It was awkward, he was a head taller than her and easily two stone heavier but she managed to help him to his feet and once up he was able to stumble to the bed on his own falling heavily into it.

“Rest” Jo sighed as she walked over “I brought you milk of the poppy and you should be resting.”

“Rest does not come easily to me” he admitted as he watched her gather his things from where he’d dropped them all on the floor.

If it wasn’t for her constantly reminding them he would never know her as a Frey. Her hair was golden blond and fell in waves to her hips. She had a round face with large bright green eyes that reminded him terribly of the Lannister Queen. Where she differed was her nose, it was small and pointed upwards slightly, and that her full lips curved upwards instead of a permanent scowl.

“Good rulers know how to find balance” she informed pouring the thick white liquid into his cup and bringing it to him.

“Thank you” he mumbled.

“I could hardly let you die now” she offered.

“Lady Frey” he started.

“I should go” she informed turning quickly to leave.

“Lady Frey” he called making her stop “I wanted to ask, where did you learn to do all this?”

“My uncle” she admitted.

“Tywin Lannister?”

“Yes” Jo managed.

“He doesn’t seem the type.”

“He isn’t, it was, an accident” Jo admitted.

“Sounds like a strange accident” he managed a laugh and noticed her go rigid.

“A tragic one actually” Jo muttered.

“Tell me, what happened?”

“I’m not sure I should my lord” Jo offered feeling her nails cutting into her palm.

“Please, I fear I’ve had very little company that isn’t war talk” he offered a slight smile.

“If I must” Jo slowly made her way to the chair by his bed and sat on the edge of it “it was my tenth name day, my uncle Tyty, Tywin, missed it, he was at the capital at the time, but he swore when he returned he would give me the greatest gift. For many of my birthdays he’d thrown me great parties with tourneys and the like. When he arrived he said my gift was that I could choose to do anything I wanted. I pleaded that I wanted to learn to hunt, I wanted to shoot a stag.

“My uncle protested this as you would expect, not appropriate or proper all of that. I pleaded and pleaded because he had said anything. I told him it would give me sympathy for what my husband would one day have to go through. He found that amusing and told me any man he chose for me would not have needs to hunt, only want.”

“He would have chosen your husband?” Robb interrupted.

“He said my grandfather failed my mother so greatly and he would insure no other maiden under his care would suffer such misfortune” Jo explained pulling on a stray thread on her sleeve.

“Yet you call yourself a Frey” Robb laughed.

“I did not choose my father” Jo snapped “I did not choose to live my life with those towers over my head and I will one day have the name and banner I was meant to!”

“By that you mean the Lannister one?” Robb asked watching as she lowered her head and blond curls hid her face.

“It is no longer important, as my uncle reminds, war changes all the plans of men both great and meek” Jo offered “should I finish my story? Or would you like to continue this interrogation?”

“Finish please” Robb muttered.

“He eventually gave in, he would personally take me to hunt a stag, he would allow me to kill the stag and he would show me how to skin in. Then I was to never ask for such ridiculous things again” Jo tugged harder at the string “we were supposed to be gone a day, my mother would not agree to longer. We tracked and found the stag and Tywin held me in front of him on the horse as he helped me level the crossbow, a crossbow that still hangs in my room at Casterly Rock.”

“And you missed” Robb laughed.

“I didn’t, a clean shot, right into it’s eye, as though my uncle could ever miss, but the stag was, a fighter. It was on the ground and one of the men approached and the thing flung it’s head back, catching him in the chest” Jo swallowed hard, she could hear the horns cutting flesh “I could see his bones, and blood pumped so fast. Everyone moved so quickly but, there was no maester or septa to tend him, but I had my needlework. I, I was tasked with sewing him closed, the first few stitches the ripped the skin away like it was moth eaten silk. I was drenched in blood but I managed it”

Jo was pulling the string so hard that her sleeve was unravelling it was all still so vivid in her mind. The red rivers flowing over her hands, staining her sleeves, the blue silk string, and the ground around them. The heat of it, the sound of the skin giving away as she attempted to stitch.

“Tywin told me, he told me that that man would live or die at my hands, for it was my whim and puerility that got him there. I tended him every day, I dressed his wound, cleaned it, resewed it when it opened again. Treated his fever and fed him water soaked bread. I did everything right but, on the fourth day he died. He died because of me. So, I devoted to learning healing. Tywin allowed it, he saw it as a good use of my time and penance for what I’d done.”

Silence fell and she could feel him looking at her, her sleeve was now to her elbow but she couldn’t stop pulling on the string. She seemed like she may unravel the entire thing.

“I’m sorry that that happened” Robb offered “losing someone is, life altering.”

“Yes well, I uh, I was sorry to hear about your father. Everyone says he was a good man.”

“He was” Robb managed “you should go.”

“Of course, I’ll come tomorrow to change your bandages.”

“Thank you, Lady Frey.”

“Lord Stark” she offered with a bow, he smiled a little bit, she’d saved him yet still only called him Lord, it amused him, but also reminded him of the days before, when he was simply, a Lord, and a Stark.

It was a more peaceful night than the last, still Jo struggled to sleep, when the sun began to creep up she gave up on the idea of rest. Then she gave up on peace when she heard the cries of the ravens. An entire murder was making its way into the confines of the tiny rookery, over filling it by over a dozen birds she was sure, filling her room with the sounds of their cries and quarks.

Chapter Text

Like every morning within the seven hells of the Craig Jo followed the same routine. She scrubbed herself clean with cold water that had been left for her, carefully dressed herself, the dress was a deep red with golden tower details but in a heavy wool.

People were busy but Jo moved past unnoticed as she made her way to sept and began her morning prayers. When she was learning from the septas and silent sisters how to heal she had gotten into the routine of their prayers. Every morning and every evening. She went through the six statues, bowing and saying her prayers to each. As she placed her head on the smith’s feet she heard something and shot upwards. The great beast that had been prowling around appeared from behind the statue. Stretching like it had just woken up.

Jo froze staring into it’s eyes as it shook it’s huge head and made it’s way past her. She swore the thing was the size of a horse but walked near silently. It sniffed at her foot for a moment before heading to the door. Jo stood slowly and watched it leave before she made her way towards the maester’s quarters where the things she needed for the Lord were kept.

Her hands were kept busy which kept her mind distracted for some time. It was so repetitive that it helped her find a rhythm. She remembered the septa’s explaining that being able to clear one’s mind of all things was something very few were able to achieve. She certainly had never achieved a completely clear mind but now she was just counting the number of times she circled the pestle.

Jo gathered her things again and stepped out of the small room, she could hear voices and arguments somewhere. More ravens crying outside, dozens of them. She stared at them as their black feathers glistened under the sun. They screamed for food, and for a moment Jo wondered if they had someone to mind the rookery, certainly it had never really needed minding before. When she turned the corner she paused and looked at the two who were standing there whispering.

“Lady Westerling, Ser Rolph” Jo offered with little in way of warmth.  

“What are you doing here?” Sybell demanded.

“I could ask you the same thing” Jo informed “but I am here to deliver medicine to the Lord Stark, as well as change his bandages as I have been ordered.”

“The king is busy” Rolph informed stepping closer to her.

“The LORD’S men have given me specific orders” Jo snapped back “but I know for merchants the difference is probably a small one.”

“You watch your tongue!” Sybell snapped “now go.”

Jo was about to speak when there was a low growl and the great wolf appeared again, it’s hackles raised and teeth bared as it looked at the siblings. It was like their mere presences made the wolf angry.  

“What is he doing in here?” Rolph snarled but stepped away from the horse sized beast that snapped at him.  

“He seems to wander where he likes” Jo observed “he doesn’t seem to like you, a feeling that is mutual for us.”

“Go, get the kennel master to get this beast in check!” Sybell snapped at the girl.

“I am hardly here to be ordered around by you” Jo snapped “go boy, off with you now.”

The beast looked at her, shook his head and padded off forcing Rolph to push back against the wall to let him pass. Still a low growl emanated from the beast as he walked down the hall, shockingly silent as he disappeared down a flight of stairs.

“Now it’s your turn, if you have an issue ask the king’s men” Sybell snapped.

Jo rolled her eyes and turned walking off towards the hall where she knew the northern men would be gathered. With a little sigh she prepared herself to face the men in the hall. As soon as she walked into the room she realized how morose the mood truly was.

“Lady Mormont” Jo offered to the woman she recognized “What has happened?”

“The king’s brothers have been murdered” the older woman explained and Jo covered her mouth with her hand.

“The poor man” Jo admitted “they were just boys weren’t they? Children?”

“Children, and one crippled he likely was pleased to see you, bring some relief and sleep.”

“I have yet to see him” Jo admitted “I was turned away and I thought I’d find answers here, but I left him some extra fire weed so maybe he saw to his own pain.”

“Hardly, he nearly broke his fist on the wall” Lady Mormont explained.

“Lady Westerling” Jo started then her eyebrows knit together in the middle “I should see to him.”

“Do that” Lady Mormont stood “I’ll walk you.”

“It’s fine, I’ll be alright” she promised “mourn with your friends.”

Jo didn’t wait for an answer, she nearly ran, hiking her skirts up so she could take the stairs two at a time. She ran down the hall and didn’t bother knocking, she threw the lords door open. Clearing the room she grabbed the woman’s arm and pulled her back.

“What are you doing?” Jeyne cried “you’re hurting me!”

“Are you a complete moron?” Jo demanded walking her to the side of the room.

“Mother said” Jeyne started.

“I’m sure your mother said many things but let me speak some sense to you, what comes of this? What do you think will happen?”

“I love him” Jeyne started.

“You have known him a few days, he is in pain and mourning, you don’t even know him!” Jo argued shaking her slightly “Jeyne, we have known each other since we were girls, listen to me! Dress yourself and leave here, no one will have to know and we can be thankful things did not progress.”

“But he wants me” Jeyne whispered, and Jo looked at the man, it was obvious that he delirious, she could see the remnants of the fire weed in his beard.

“He isn’t even sober” Jo reminded “please Jeyne, do not do this to yourself! Perhaps when you bring him his wine and supper he has given you the wrong idea, but please Jeyne.”

“It’s easy for you!” Jeyne sobbed suddenly.

“None of this is easy” Jo whispered “as my friend please, leave, and as the child of a high lady, listen to me, this will not be good! Your mother wants power, not your happiness. Now go! This never happened.”

Jeyne let out a little wet hiccup and kissed Jo’s cheek before turning to leave. Jo slowly made her way to where Robb was laying in the bed. His chest was bare and his cheeks were tear stained. Jo sighed and lifted his hand to inspect his knuckles. He groaned and his eyes fluttered but he was hardly conscious. It appeared he had taken the fire weed recently, remnants of the breakfast Jeyne had brought sat beside the bed. Pushing his curls back she felt how hot his forehead was.

“Get some rest, it won’t make the news less painful but it will help you have the strength to fight it” Jo promised, leaning to help tip the milk of the poppy into his mouth.

Jo felt his fingers wrap around her wrist and squeeze tightly. Jo sat on the edge of the bed and sighed letting him hold tight to her. Instead of trying to leave she just began reciting the prayers she usually said on the most important religious observations, prayers for safety of loved ones, of guidance for those gone, prays that were entirely made up. On and on she prayed, hoping perhaps it would bring some relief to his mind.

“Lady Frey” a hand on her shoulder brought her back and she realized she had at some point fallen asleep while praying over the man. She was slumped against his pillows half wedged between them and the wall.

“I’m sorry, I was praying and” she started.

“Of course, how is he?”

“As well as he could be, but I haven’t changed his bandages, he has been asleep the whole time I’ve been here.  I didn’t wish to disturb him” Jo admitted.

“Will he be alright till the morning?” the man asked.

“Yes, he’s healing well, he is very strong” Jo admitted trying to stand, her legs ached and she stumbled.

“I’ll help you to your room.”

“I’m fine, truly, but thank you” Jo managed and made her to the door, when she pushed it open the great beast rushed past into the room and for a second she thought he was looking at her in an almost human way. Shaking it’s great head it padded by and placed it’s head on the bed, it’s hot breath ruffling the man’s hair.

“Lady Frey?”

“Yes, sorry I just, the beast, what’s it’s name?”

“The king calls him Grey Wind my lady” the man explained.

“Alright then Grey Wind, you take your watch now” Jo offered.

“Most are unsettled by him” the man admitted “I’m surprised the lord here has allowed him into the keep.”

“I imagine keeping him out of the keep would be a bigger struggle than avoiding him inside” Jo admitted “but I do not find him so fierce, he just seems, sad.”

Jo sat by her fire, her stitching sat in her hands unmoving as she stared into the flames. Her mind was wandering far away, back to here home where her and her cousins would play. To where her mother would comb her hair and her father would sneak her sweets. Of her warm bed with flowing gold curtains. The smell of the sea, and the echoes in the tunnels below.

The yellow and red flames danced in front of her and reminded her of all the banquets they used to have. Of sitting on her brother’s shoulders to watch the jousts and sparring. Of sitting her lessons with her brother Walder. Jo felt the waves of sadness hit as she thought of their current fates.

Tion had promised her when she had been leaving for the capitol that when she returned they would have orange cakes and the tea from Essos she liked. Then he hugged her tightly before she went to bid farewell to her uncles and cousins. Tywin had gifted her a new dress for her debut at court and Kevan a new book because he knew she would adore it more than anything else. That book was tucked between her pillows already well read.

It was about the Prince of Dragonflies, one of her favorite histories. One of her favourite tales of love beyond measure. Just as her uncle had had, she dreamed of a love match and once had thought she would find it. Then her nephews were born and she became acquainted with her sisters and knew her stars led a different direction, still she could read the old tales and imagine what it must have been like to be Jenny.

Jo woke to her door crashing open, she sat up pushing her hair from her face to try and see who was there. Sleep swam in her eyes as she blinked rapidly and tried to focus. Jo hadn’t even managed to speak when she was being pulled from her bed, nearly tripping as her feet were tangled into the blankets.

"You ungrateful whore” Sybell nearly threw the young woman to the ground “you ruin everything!”

“It is far too early for your pointless jabbering” Jo snapped as she tried to regain her balance.

“Where were you last night?” Sybell snarled.

“I was here sleeping, as you might have noticed from the fact I was still in bed.”

“You think you are so very clever” Sybell slapped her again “I asked you, where you were!”

Jo stumbled backwards, she managed to grab her door and thought for a moment before throwing it open and going to flee. Hoping that Sybell would not make a scene, to keep something of the peace. Her plan was foiled as she smashed into Rolph who was standing guard a few paces from her door. Jo had barely registered who she had hit when Sybell grabbed a handful of blonde hair and started hauling her backwards. Jo screamed trying to break free of her to no avail when she heard it. A low snarling growl and the sound of paw pads.

“That beast is supposed to be in the kennels!” Sybell hissed to her brother.

Jo could see the wolf moving closer teeth bared as it inched towards them growling again. Sybell dropped her and Jo sprawled onto the stones scrambling to put the wolf between her and the siblings. The wolf snapped at the pair.

“CALL HIM BACK!” Sybell shouted at the blonde who was pushing herself up the wall to her feet.

“Grey Wind! Enough!” a new voice snapped and they all turned to see the man standing at the end of he hall “to me!”

The wolf stalked back to it’s master snapping slightly at the man who was cowering against the wall but slowly sat down next to it’s master with a head shake.

“Your Grace, I am so sorry but this girl” Sybell started bowing to the man.

“Lady Frey, are you alright?”

“Fine Lord Stark” she managed and he nodded curtly.

“Lady Westerling, explain yourself.”

"I hardly think there is anything to explain" Sybell offered looking between the man and the young woman.

"Then explain what there is" Robb snapped.

"Your Grace" Rolph started.

"I am talking to her!" the wolf snarled.

"We just, are feeling taken advantage of "Sybell started "had we known about her, well, lack of morals we wouldn't have opened our home."

"Lack of morals?" Robb looked at the young Frey.

 "Being in men’s rooms at night" Sybell managed.

"You best not mean mine lady Westerling" Robb interrupted a scowl etching itself unto his face, Jo thought he looked rather angry, like this was his true state of being. It unsettled her, especially given how the wolf beside him began to snarl at the woman.

"I'm not sure" Sybell began, wringing her hands anxiously.

"Lady Frey, your uncles have requested your presence. There are things to discuss.”

"Yes my lord" Jo sighed, bowing her head she began to make her way down hall.

The keep that had never been busy now bustled with people, people with familiar faces. The face of her brothers and father. It almost unsettled her. Reaching the doors with the two towers hung on them she pushed in without knocking. Several of her uncles and cousins were sitting and talking in hushed tones.

"Jo!" Olyvar jumped to his feet.

"Uncle" she managed spotting the letter on the table.

"Sit" one of the men nodded to a chair.

"Is he finally dead?" Jo was almost hopeful.

"You shouldn't joke about such things!"

“So no?" Jo lifted an eyebrow.

"No."

"Then what do you need me for exactly?” Jo looked around at the gathered men, repeating the lessons her mother had drilled into her over and over.

Head up, shoulders back, nose up and look down at them. Reminding herself that as much as she was a Frey she was a Lannister, she was a lioness and she would not be intimidated in her own land. Men expect her to wail and be a fool, she would not be such.

“A letter” the man slid it to her.

Jo took it without breaking eye contact from the man then lifted it to her eyeline. The words were shaky, and the ink had splattered in places giving it a very messy look, she could see where drips of drool or sweat had warped the page. She knew it was written by her grandfather before she even started reading. The words felt as though she was being repeatedly hit in the stomach but she repeated her mother’s words before putting the letter down.

“He is not my father” Jo informed going to stand.

“It doesn’t matter” the man across from her stood before she could “he has given his blessing, so it is done.”

“IT is not done” Jo started then stopped, it was done,, she knew deep down there was little she could do “I wish to speak to this boy lord.”

“His Grace has agreed and” Olyvar started.

“I do not care, I will speak to him” she snapped, her mind racing.

“Olyvar, get the king.”

The silence was so dense, Jo could count her uncles’ breaths as they stared her down. She puffed her chest out a bit letting the golden chain and double lions head show. When the doors open the wolf arrived before his master sniffing the girl’s hand before rushing to lay in a far corner. When the man entered he looked even angrier. Jo knew she was going to have to be careful with her words. She rose and bowed her head slightly to the man before turning to the men who were clambering to her feet.

“I wish to speak with him alone” Jo informed them.

“That’s hardly appropriate” the one who seemed to lead them argued.

“Given you plan to sell me to him I do not see what could be misconstrued here” she snapped looking at them “now, go.”

“It is alright, leave us” Robb instructed and with muttered honorifics the Frey men left the two alone “I hadn’t realized they told you.”

“When would they tell me my lord? Perhaps as they held me down on the marital bed?” Jo offered dumping one of the glasses of wine and pouring a fresh one.

“Lady Frey” Robb started.

“You may as well call me Jo, or Joanna if that pleases you more, but most just call me Jo” she admitted.

“Which do you prefer?” Robb asked.

“Jo” she admitted “it draws less comparison between myself and my aunt.”

“Then Jo, I had hoped they would have handled this better” Robb admitted.

“You expected this flock of Frey’s to handle something with any sort of tact? It is a wonder you have achieved anything” she offered then sighed “sit, I do not wish to spend another night sewing you up, and how is your hand?”

“Blackened, but I can bend it well enough” he admitted as he sat.

“Then it is unlikely to be broken” she assured “now, this will happen even if those absolute twats I call uncles have to haul me to the alter, though I hope we can find a more amicable way.”

“And how could we do that?”

“I have some terms” Jo sat looking at him and pouring him some wine “that you will order my brothers Tion and Cleos, and cousin Willam freed, it would not look good to keep your own brothers by law in chains.”

“But not the kingslayers?”

“I know that you would not, I’m not some fool” she drained her cup and refilled it “my brothers will remain with me, that way while free thye cannot return to my parents. As for my parents, they will be pardoned.”

“I can promise I will not execute them” Robb admitted “But little else.”

“A bare minimum really, and I expect no harm to come to my cousins’ kids, the younger two at least. They are kind and gentle.”

“I wish no harm to come to the princling or princess” Robb promised watching the girl gulp down another cup of wine.

“And should you insist on having my join the march I will have my own tent” she filled the cup and swallowed it in one sip hoping it would take the edge from her nerves.

“Ah” Robb looked at her and nodded “a wise choice, I don’t know who snores worse, Grey Wind or me. Is there anything else?”

“We will be married in the Sept in front of the seven.”

“I will take this all to my counsel” he assured “anything else?”

“No” Jo managed.

Silence fell, and both stared at the burning fire when Robb finally stood and looked at her. For a moment with the red reflected on his hair he swore he saw Sansa, the way she looked before she left Winterfell. Big eyes and a round face that spoke of youth. Robb wanted to say something, especially as she looked up at him with those huge green eyes but he had no idea what to say.

“If you need anything” Robb managed.

Jo wanted to scream that she needed to go home, that she needed her mother, that she needed to anywhere but in this decrepit keep surrounded by a family she tried so hard to forget. Instead she said a simple thank you and bowed her head as he left the room. She went to pour more wine and realized the jug was empty.

Chapter Text

The walk back to her room was hazy and she fell into bed staring at the stone wall wrapping her hand around the book that was tucked away there. Curling into a tight ball she fell asleep, praying that maybe this was a bad dream and she’d wake to her mother’s laughter back at the rock. To her brothers and cousins arguing in the courtyard. Her uncles ordering people around and the gaggle of workers filling every space with chatter.

So, when she woke to the bare grey stone she felt the pit in her stomach sink deeper. Pulling the blankets over her head she took several long breaths before sitting up and following her familiar morning routine. Wrapping the golden chain around her neck she repeated what her mother had taught her when she’d been gifted it.

It had supposedly belonged to Lannister woman since they’d adopted the lion and while it had been protested by some that she didn’t deserve it, her mother had insisted it was hers to give. Since then it had been her pride and joy. Her brother said it made her strut like a peacock. She felt she could use some of that confidence today.

When she arrived in the hall she found many people already gathered, there seemed to be an argument going on as they all yelled at one another. Jo had no interest in what the argument was about. As she made her way to where Jeyne was sitting she froze, the girl’s face was red and puffy as though she’d been crying.

“What happened? Are you alright?” Jo went to touch the girl who rapidly pulled away.

“Don’t pretend!” Jeyne managed “you did this on purpose! I could have been happy but you took that! You have everything! EVERYTHING! Why did you have to take him too?”

“I don’t understand” Jo admitted earning a red eyed glare.

“You are going to marry him! You knew I loved him!”

“You don’t love him” Jo snapped “and you think this is truly what I want? To marry some savage who holds my brothers and cousins in chains? Sometimes I think you are as stupid as your mother!”

“FUCK YOU!” Jeyne shrieked before bursting into another round of sobs.

“Lady Frey” one of her uncles called and Jo turned and made her way to where the men were gathered around the young lord.

“My lords, Lady Mormont” she offered.  

“What did you do to that poor thing? She’s been sobbing all morning?” Lady Mormont demanded looking at the blonde.

“I saved her from herself” Jo offered trying not to betray herself.

“Lady Frey”

“Lord Stark” she offered as he stood.

“The council has listened to your proposals and, they have agreed to all, except your cousins will not be set free, they will be kept at Riverrun and pardoned when all is done” Robb informed her “your brother will be kept as a ward at Riverrun, not with you.”

Jo nodded slowly trying not to betray that she was relieved they had accepted any of it.

“Thank you, my lords,” she managed trying to keep her voice even.

“Does the Crag have a sept?” Robb asked her.

“It does.”

“Then we shall proceed tonight.”

Jo could see the strain in his voice, the way he looked as though he wanted to hold off as much as she did. In this moment she knew that this hadn’t been his decision, perhaps they were more aligned in their dislike of the idea that she thought.

“Jo!” Olyvar’s voice brought her back.

“Sorry?” she blinked resembling a spooked deer.

“The King wishes to know if there is someone who you wish to give you” Olyvar explained.

“Walder” she looked at the man who was standing off to the side arms crossed “cousin? Would you?”

The man chuckled looking at the girl, it seemed only he recognized the bold move she had made in her choice. Nor did they notice the implication she was reminding her surrounding family of.

“If it is what my fair cousins wants” he assured watching the other Freys around them shift uncomfortably.

“My mother once said you were more tolerable than our other ilk” Jo informed and the man barked with laughter making a few other’s flinch.

“I found her easier to look at than any of my ilk too” Walder informed.

“Then it is settled Lord Stark, my dear cousin will give me away.”

“So be it” Robb informed before any protests could be heard “Lord Walder, please see she is at the sept at sundown.”

“Your grace” he assured looking at the blonde.

“Good, Lady Frey I” Robb started then shook his head “Walder, see her to her room.”

“Come along” Walder took Jo’s arm and led her away as the two walked together down the long hallway, Jo having to nearly jog to keep up “that was bold.”

“You are the closest to the Lord of the twins present, it seemed right” Jo offered smiling at him.

“My dear uncle will never forgive me” he laughed looking at her.

“He is far to scared of you to ever say it” Jo reminded.

“So he should be” Walder smirked at her “you not being afraid of me has always confused me, you used to cower at the shadows of mice.”

“I grew up, and I grew up under the eye of Tywin Lannister, the only daughter of his only sister, to a man he never saw fit to have wed her” Jo sighed “it makes one braver and bolder, much more so than scuttling around the stench filled pit you call a keep.”

Black Walder burst out laughing and for a second she thought he was laughing at her words but then realized he was laughing at her.

“He taught you the words and the walk but he cannot hide the way you tremble and your eyes flicker around the room” Walder told her “you are bold, but boldness and bravery do not always go together.”

“Perhaps I am just a nervous bride.”

This time he was laughing at her remark and he shook his head.

“I will pretend that is true if it makes you feel better” Walder opened her door “I’ll be here at sunset. You’ve got your mother’s tits, you should wear something that shows them off.”

Without a word Jo closed the door listening to him laugh on the other side of it. Jo walked to her desk and paused, a stack of letters was where it always was but a new one was on top. It was sealed in black, not red but it was a lion. She knew Kevan often used black wax to separate himself from his brother but she didn’t think they gave it to her on purpose. They never would have.

Cracking the seal she unfolded the letter, freezing when she saw the heavy handed writing she knew all to well was her uncles.

Shover the letter into the pile so it was hidden amongst the others her heart crashed in her ears. She had a million questions, so many conflicting ideas that was rushing around inside her head. Jo wished her mind would quiet for even a moment so she could make a plan.

Jo walked with Walder in silence, she wasn’t sure if it was stubbornness or defiance but she had chosen a deep red silk dress with rich golden swirls. The thread twinkled, she had gotten it her last time at King’s Landing. She’d tied her hair up with rich golden ties and wrapped her neck in rubies.

The corset wasn’t tight but she was still breathless, feeling as though she’d never regained it since she read the letter. As the smell of burning candles got closer she wondered if she should run, or if her fate was already sealed.

“Don’t worry little Lady Lannister” Walder teased “when the times comes, drink plenty, strip naked and bend over if you don’t want to see his face.”

Jo opened her mouth than closed it again, she had been so caught up in the letter that she forgotten to think about what would come after he wedding.  Despite her feeling like she wanted to run her feet kept moving forward.

The Sept was packed with people, it stunk of smoke from old candles and the sweat of the people packed in. It looked like a thousand Frey faces were staring at her, melting into the northern ones as she made her way closer to where the man stood.

Before all of this she knew she would have found him handsome, and likely charming. He was well spoken and not unkind. His eyes twinkled and his curls were copper in the candlelight. She remembered Kevan saying they would do well to marry her to one of the sons of the Wardens, she supposed Kevan was having his way.

“My lady” someone said her name and Jo realized she had tears streaking down her cheeks “the words, my lady.”

“The words?” Jo gaped slightly realizing that her groom and the septon were staring at her.

“The words” the septon hissed again.

Jo swallowed heavily, she had pictured her wedding since she was a girl and the sour looking man and her grim faced groom were not part of it. Her and Martyn had often played at it when they were little, holding hands in the septs and repeating the words they’d seen said there a hundred times, then giggling as they kissed each other’s cheek before eating cakes they’d stolen from the kitchen. Then her voice had been light and full of giggles. Now it took every part of her to even say the words, with a wavering voice and tears threatening to once again spill down staining her cheeks. A heavy cloak was thrown over her, she’d had no bride’s cloak here, and the one he tossed over her was the one he wore day to day.

His lips were warm, softer than she thought they would be, and his stubbles scratched her face. It was incredibly brief when he pulled back and gave her a small nod. Jo lowered her head It was done now, she belonged to this man. A man who for a brief moment she had thought not to save.

“Jo” Robb’s voices broke her from those thoughts as they walked from the Sept.

“My lord, sorry” Jo managed “I didn’t”

She couldn’t think of any words.

“It’s alright, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay, you haven’t stopped crying” Robb admitted “my sister she uh, she used to do the same thing when she was upset but didn’t want to speak of it, if you don’t want to talk.”

“I am simply, distracted, my lord” she offered.

“You should be addressing me by my name, please” Robb helped her to sit on the small dais that had been set for them in the hall.

“I suppose if I am to be your wife” Jo looked at him properly for the first time.

Silence fell again and Jo returned her eyes to her plate. People were eating and talking, it wasn’t a grand thing but the men seemed to be having fun. Jo pushed food around her plate, she had no appetite and she didn’t want to even try to eat. Instead she drained her cup and filled it again and again till the jug on her table was empty. She understood now why everyone said her mother got fat after marriage from drinking.

Jo watched the last few drops of wine drop into her cup before suddenly she was being lifted from her seat. She tried to fling herself free of the hands but they were holding her tightly. The sound of silk ripping hit her and she wanted to scream but it wasn’t forming.

By the time she even managed to squeak she’d been dumped onto a bed she didn’t recognize in a room she didn’t know. She suddenly wished she’d chosen a different slip, perhaps one that was longer and thicker as she saw all the people crammed into the room. Then her new husband who looked unimpressed.

Jo pushed herself to sit in the corner pulling her slip down so she was more hidden. People trickled out of the room with hoots and hollers. Once the door was slammed shut the yells and cheers didn’t stop. The wall was cold but she just pushed further into it. She could feel him staring at her.

When he moved towards her she flinched but she realized he was wrapping her in a blanket, his hand lingered on his shoulder but he stood up again as she pulled the blanket closer.

“Would you like me to undress?” she asks finally.

“No.”

“I could roll over” she started and he held up his hand.

“No” Robb interrupted her.

“I won’t fight it” Jo offered and she could see the shift of emotion on his face.

“Enough, please, just, enough” he sat heavily on the foot of the bed “I’m sorry I just, I hadn’t planned this, this wasn’t my idea, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry does little to soothe my nerves” Jo curled tighter into the blanket “but thank you.”

“I had thought to wait, at least until we got to Riverrun. You weren’t supposed to be involved” he leaned forward putting his head in his hands. Jo instinctively reached out to touch his back then paused before letting her hand rest on his back.

“I am involved now” Jo reminded “that is the lot of life every noble woman shares I suppose, but you are kind for not, well.”

“And I have no plans to” Robb looked at her “you should just rest, we will be leaving tomorrow. Back to the Riverlands.”

“When we arrive at Riverrun can I see my brother?”

“Of course” Robb smiled at her, there was an air of loneliness in it, she thought he likely was thinking of his own sisters.

“I saw Sansa, before I left the capitol, she looked well, as well as she could, and as horrid as my cousin is my uncle wouldn’t allow anything senseless to happen to her” Jo promised “as awful as it is, she’s a very important political piece. Though I suppose that’s why they wanted you to marry me and not one of my aunts or cousins.”

“That had a lot to do with it” Robb admitted “the men said it was a way to honour my pact while also spitting in Tywin’s face.”

“It means he’ll be angry, he’s not usually someone people want to provoke” Jo admitted.

“When people are angry they make mistakes.”

“Tywin Lannister rarely makes mistakes” Jo told him.

“And direwolves don’t live south of the wall, now, rest.”

Robb stood and began to dress himself as Jo awkwardly clambered to the middle of the bed.  

“You aren’t staying?” Jo asked “I mean, I mean, they’ll know the marriage isn’t, complete.”

“You said you’d maintain your own room so I thought” Robb started “but you are right, if you’re comfortable with me staying here.”

“You could have raped me the moment you stepped in here, why sit here and discuss philosophies and families if you had plans to?”

“I never plan to.”

“It would be your right” Jo offered “I know enough of marriage to know it is not unusual.”

“I’m not one of your southern lords” Robb snapped “I just, I honour the women in my life and I would never, will never.”

“I suppose I should be grateful then” Jo mumbled “I haven’t been to the Riverlands in so long, will you make me go to the twins?”

“It was the plan” Robb admitted “part of the deal of marrying you means, another marriage, especially now that Arya is gone.”

“I never met her, but I am sorry” Jo offered quietly.

“My mother holds out hope” Robb admitted.

“I imagine one has to when it’s their children” Jo leaned back into the pillows “lay down?”

Robb slowly sat down and leaned back into the pillows next to her, staring up at the ceiling above them both.

“Sometimes I worry that hope is dangerous, that hope makes us make worse decisions than anger does" Robb admitted to her.

“Sometimes hope is the only thing that makes us wake up and keep pushing through” Jo offered she was on her side looking at him, for the first time she noticed he had a spray of freckles under his eyes.

“What if we wake up only because we know not moving forward means falling backwards?” Robb offered.

“Then we hope that one day it’s either safe to fall, or we can be comfortable staying still” Jo returned.

“And we are back to hope” he smiled at her and she nodded a bit.

“Then let us hold onto hope” Jo offered quietly “you said before, if direwolves can live south of the wall, anything is possible.”

“Anything” he sighed heavily.

“Get some rest.”

“I haven’t rested in months” Robb looked at the blonde who nodded a bit.

“Lay down close your eyes” she instructed “you are still healing, you need rest.”

“I understand that I have to close my eyes” Robb sighed but did so.

Jo ran her thumb down his nose, then up again repeating the movement over and over again as she began to hum a song her mom used to sing to her as a kid. She would have her head rested on her mom’s lap as she rubbed her nose and sang to her It was one of her favourite ways to fall asleep. Sometimes she’d be laying in front of the fire, while her mother talked to cousins and friends. Her favourite part was waking up in her bed, tucked up with the stitched lion her uncle Gerion has brought her. The memory brought her so much joy.

It filled her with a strange mix of emotions to be performing this ritual with a man who should be her enemy. Who she should hate, yet now found herself dependent on to survive. As he began to snore she laid quietly, rubbing his nose and formulating her next plan.

Chapter Text

Jo woke up late, the sun was streaming in and a steady thump filled her ears as she squinted against the sun. A loud snort broke her from her thoughts and she realized she was drooling. She sat up and looked at the redhead who was still sound asleep. Crawling from the bed Jo peaked out the window, the sun was creeping up and everything glowed orange over the water.

Jo noted fresh clothes had been left meaning someone had been in the room while she slept. Usually it wouldn’t bother her but the idea of someone seeing her sprawled across him made a pit form in her stomach. Or maybe the pit was from knowing she simply had been. Either way she had to push it out of her mind and shoved free of the blankets.

Washing her face and neck she began to dress, pulling the fresh slip over her head before awkwardly shuffling the other one down her body. The silk rustled as she began to pull it over her shoulder and started the several ties.

“Jo?”

The man’s voice made her jump as she turned to look at him sitting up. He was wiping the drool from his chest pretending like he didn’t realize where it was from. Jo wrapped the dress tightly around her.

“Lord St- Robb” Jo offered back “sorry if I woke you.”

“No, you didn’t, well you did, but not” he paused “it was cold, I usually sleep with more blankets but you, well you’re warm, when you sleep I mean.”

“So I’ve been told” Jo admitted “I was just, there was some things in my room and I, well you should see it.”

“Your room? What is it?”

“Its better if I show you” Jo offered turning as he crawled from the bed.

“Let me dress” Robb mumbled.

“Right, here” Jo held out the small bundle of clothes that had been left for the man.

“Does it make you feel weird when they come in and do this? I’ve woken up to Olyvar trying to polish my armour and some of the women in the camp leaving my fixed clothes. It is always unnerving” Robb mumbled as he dressed.

“I was thinking the same, I never used to, I used to know all my ladies, at the Rock I mean, I knew them all, they were mostly cousins of some such. Here it’s different.”

“I’ve never had people bring me clothes or armour before.”

“You are their king” Jo paused “for last night, thank you, you have been kinder than I expected.”

“I hope in time we can at least be friends.”

“If my mother can learn to be fond of my father, then I think there is hope for many married couples, do you see a necklace? It’s a golden chain, I can’t find it” Jo began searching for the chain.

“No, it’s likely in your room, we can get it when we get whatever you have to show me.”

“I could have sworn I put it here” she admitted touching the table but shook her head “come.”

When the door opened the small group that was gathered outside jumped to attention, they were looking at the young pair with smirks.

“A late morning, your grace” one of the men offered.

“Please send a letter to my uncle in Riverrun so he can prepare for our return” Robb instructed then offered the woman his arm leading her away from the group.

Jo kept some space between them as they walked, she had laid awake for quite a long time the night before thinking. One thing she was thankful for was that he was kind, honourable. If nothing else he would e good to her for as long as they had. Jo opened the door to her room and froze when she saw Rolph tearing through the things on her desk.

“Lord Spicer” Robb snaped and the man whirled around to look at the pair.

“Your grace” Rolph managed after a moment.

“What are you doing?”

“I know she is now your wife, but she has stolen from me, I was simply trying to retrieve what she took” Rolph managed.

“I didn’t steal it” Jo offered walking past the man calmly “it was mistakenly given to me, and I’m sure you wouldn’t mind my husband seeing it.”

Jo looked at the several letters on her desk, four had that black seal, slowly she selected one from the pile holding it up for the two men to see. The black lion visible to both, as she made her way across the room.

“You read my mail you bitch?”

“You’re right, a letter from my uncle on my desk, how could I have known?”

As she stepped past him Rolph lunged, grabbing and twisting the letter from her hand. The dry parchment shredded and pieces fell to the ground, fluttering all over the room. Rolph offered her a little smirk but Jo finished her march producing another letter from her pocket and holding it out to her husband.

Robb took the letter looking at the seal for a long moment before finally unfolding it, Jo looked at the man who was standing there with a handful of shredded parchment. For a moment the look of hatred made her feel better but a horrible feeling took over. The betrayal of her people for the ones who had invaded them. Jo reminded herself it wasn’t for them, it was for her, to protect herself.

“Well then” Robb looked at the blonde, then to the man “this is treason.”

The word made all the hair on the back of Jo’s neck stand up and a shiver run down her spine as she thought how that exact word was scrawled on the paper in his hand along with her name. Jo was struggling to swallow when there was the sound of steel brought her back. Rolph was pulling a knife. Jo barely had time to recognize what was happening when the ball of grey fur smashed past her.

Blood splattered hitting her in the face as the wolf grabbed the man’s arm whipping him about like a doll sending the knife clattering to the floor. Jo felt her stomach churn and she suddenly she threw up, stumbling as her head swam, a pair of arms wrapped around her keeping her on her feet. She clung to her savior’s chest feeling like she was on the edge of toppling over.

When she looked up she could see Robb’s lips moving but she had no idea what he was saying to her. Suddenly he was lifting her and moving her over the threshold, away from where the man was on the floor. Jo pressed tighter to him as people rushed by and could tell he was shouting but not what he was shouting, it was just a rumble in her ears.

“Jo? Joanna?”

Finally she realized he was talking to her, he had her face in his hands making her look at him. She swallowed hard as she felt how rough they were, how surprisingly warm they were.

“Yes?”

“Are you alright?”

“I threw up on you” she managed trying to catch her breath.

“You aren’t the first” he promised “go with lady Mormont.”

“But I should” she started to protest.

“Go, I will talk to you later” Robb ordered“and I’m sorry, for what your family is doing.”

“My family” she managed feeling like her stomach was churning again.

“Go, have something to settle your stomach” Robb touched her forehead.

Jo nodded and stepped slightly away from him, she swayed a bit till a hand grabbed her arm guiding her away from the scene. They’d barely made it to her room when Jo bent over and vomited again.

“To think I thought you had a stronger stomach for gore” Lady Mormont laughed helping her into a chair.

“Sorry, I can clean that up” Jo managed trying to stand again.

“No, sit, drink some water, I’ve got five daughters, I’ve cleaned my fair share of sick.”

“Five?” Jo balked.

“Not much to do in the North in the winter, you’ll find that out soon enough” she laughed and watched the shadow pass over the young lady “take your dress of and lay down before you pass out.”

Jo realized her own dress was smeared with sick and felt a touch of guilt that she had likely smeared it all over her husband when he’d grabbed her. Jo’s hands were shaking so badly she couldn’t untie the laces of her dress and she felt Lady Mormont move to help her pulling the ties and helping her unwind the silk that she was wrapped in. When she was down to her slip the woman guided her into the bed.

“I had a book, in my room” Jo managed.

“I’ll have someone bring it, and someone clean up this mess, rest. If you’re sore now you’ll be worse tomorrow.”

Jo said nothing, instead she turned onto her side and pulled the blankets all the way to her chin. Hoping that by curling into a tight ball she could shut out the outside world even for a few moments.

The sound of the door slamming shut made Jo bolt upright, in the doorway was a woman she had seen a few times but hadn’t actually met was standing in the door with her arms full. Jo sat up feeling conscious that her slip had fallen down but she refused to fix it. Not wanting to look like she cared.

“Who are you?”

“Dacey, my mother said you wanted your book, and I brought you some fresh clothes” Dacey offered placing the items on the chair.

“Oh, Lady Mormont is your mother?”

“It surprises many” Dacey offered “how are you feeling?”

“Better, thank you” Jo sighed a little bit “Robb?”

“In counsel” Dacey looked at the blonde who was crawling out of the bed.

“Right, and Rolph?”

“The Spicer man?” Dacey looked at the floor as the girl fixed her slip and started dressing “dead.”

“I am stuck, I feel like I should say I am sad and it is a tragedy, but I don’t fully believe that, nor do I think that aligns with my new alliances” Jo admitted with a sigh.

“It was a stupid and preventable death.”

“Stupid is a very apt word for the Spicers” Jo was digging through the small bundle of things “when you were getting these, did you see a golden chain? It has a lion pendant on it?”

“I didn’t.”

“Are you sure?” Jo rubbed her neck feeling vulnerable without it.

“If I saw a golden lion I would remember, why do you want it?”

“It’s a family heirloom, my mom gave it to me, and I” Jo cleared her throat “I just, I’ve worn it constantly for so long.”

“I’ll keep my eyes open” Dacey offered.

“Thank you, so Rolph is dead, the others?”

“The Lady is imprisoned in her room, the older daughter has been in the sept sobbing hysterically, the boys are both locked up and the younger girl is in her rooms.”

“I imagine the kids knew nothing of it, my mother has a lot of opinion on the now Lady Westerling, none of them nice. She wants power and to win.”

“Don’t tell me, tell your husband” Dacey informed.

Jo froze, she hadn’t even thought about that, she had the ear of the man who made all the decisions. Or she believed she did, last night’s conversation had been a strange moment where she felt like they could just talk openly.

“I’m still the daughter of the enemy” Jo finished clipping her hair back “a pawn to make my grandfather happy and piss of my uncle. Make him misstep in his strategy, he won’t. Either you’ve all over estimated my worth, or underestimated his ability.”

“I think that it’s a numbers game” Dacey admitted “you, the king slayer.”

“My brothers and cousins, yes I am very aware that.”

“They’re alive” Dacey countered.

“And many of my cousins are not, I have married the man who murdered them” Jo let the words slip out before she could stop them.

“Every man in the north is my cousin, and your family have cut down just as many” Dacey reminded.

“And now those men and my own wish to cut me down.”

“He won’t let that happen” Dacey admitted.

“You know him well?” Jo finally really looked at the woman, she was lovely, her dark hair and full lips against her sharp cheek bones. A far departure from her mother.

“Very” Dacey crossed her arm “so much so he trusts me to be your guard.”

“Well, if you’re going to kill me, poison, at least then I’ll still look nice” Jo offered and Dacey laughed loudly.

“I can’t say I have much experience with it, and I’m not big on reading in my free time, so I think you will be safe” Dacey assured “now come on.”

Jo followed, her mind couldn’t help but ponder the idea of how well this beautiful northern woman knew her husband. Burying those thoughts deep down and followed her to the chamber where all the men were yelling at each other about their neck move.

“Your Grace” one of them muttered when she walked in and Jo hid her clenched hands in her skirt.

“Your grace” the chorus followed as they stood from where they were standing.

“My lords” Jo nodded her head “I am sorry if my fit has delayed us.”

“Not at all” Robb answered but she could see the others were masking silent disagreement “are you well?”

“As well as I can be, given everything” Jo smoothed her dress “I heard Rolph was dead, a pity, but I had wanted to speak with you of the others.”

“It has been decided, the older boy will be a prisoner, the younger one will be a sent as a ward to White Harbour, he will be treated well enough. As for the girl’s, they will be escorted to Riverrun where they will remain in custody” a man interrupted her glaring at her with deep set eyes.

“And the Lady Westerling?”

“Hung herself from her bed linens” the man answered.

“Gods be good to the little ones” Jo went to grab her necklace but it was absent.

“We will leave within the hour, we have a carriage if you don’t feel up to riding” Robb offered.

“I’m fine, I will ride” Jo interrupted and he smiled a bit.

“Good, I will see to it you have what you need then.”

“Thank you.”

“Da- Lady Mormont will fetch you when it’s time” Robb promised.

Dacey hoisted the blonde up onto the great charger that had been chosen for her. Jo had spent much of her youth riding but the horses she had grown up on were lean and accustomed to the rocky ground, not these great beasts. Still she could feel the eyes of all the northern men on her and she fixed herself in the saddle and kicked off. The horse snorted but began to lumber.

Dacey was quick to follow and she felt like she realized that the dark haired beauty would be her constant shadow. Jo righted her shoulders and kicked her horse to pace with the rest of the people who were leaving. Ignoring the looks that those who had been camped outside the castle and not seen her were giving her.

“You might want to pick a more comfortable pace” Dacey offered from a few paces behind her.

“I’m perfectly comfortable thank you” Jo looked at the woman in leathers behind her.

“Tell me again in a few hours” Dacey laughed kicking her own destrier onwards till she caught up to where Jo could see a familiar head of red curls under a heavy crown of spiked metal.

The way they greeted each other caused the hairs on her neck to bristle, for which Jo scolded herself. She hadn’t even wanted to marry the man but now she felt strangle possessive of him, she wouldn’t have minded a whore, or a mistress, if she didn’t insist on being so familiar with him right in front of her.

Jo reminded herself to wipe her face of those emotions, create a stone face and keep her head up as she rode. She recited the many prayers she had been taught, then many of her favourite stories and histories. Then simply named every house she could think of as well as their words. Even that was not enough to occupy her mind. No one seemed to want to talk to her and she refused to put down her walls and start anything. So she continued her lists and stories to try and pass the time. At least thankful that the keep was fading into the background.

By the time the man at their lead signalled for camp to made her back ached and her thighs burned. The whole day had gone without more than a few moments pause. One of which was only long enough for one of her many uncles to bring her some cheese and dried meats. It didn’t fill her but it kept her stomach from growling.

No one paid her any mind, rushing around to get tents set up and fire pits made. Jo sat for a long moment then finally flung herself down from the horse. For a moment she thought she was going to go sprawling into the mud but a hand grabbed her arm.

“Walder” she sighed a bit “tell Olyvar I want my things taken to my husbands tent would you? And someone to put up my horse.”

“Your husband’s tent? From what I heard is you had plans for your own tent” Walder laughed.

“Perhaps the wedding night was so splendid I wish to see more of him” Jo snapped but quickly righted herself “now Walder.”

“I do wonder if you really are related to us, I’ve never know a Frey to be able to spit orders without literally spitting” Walder laughed “but I’ll do what you need. Do you know your way?”

“I think I can find the giant tent in the center of a war camp” Jo muttered.

“Alright, waddle your way there.”

With a snort Jo tried to walk with as much dignity as she could given the sound of her hips grinding with every single step. The twin towers gave way to Giants and bears, and axes of so many kinds. Then finally the great grey wolf flapping over a large tent.

Laughter broke her from her trance, she’d bee staring at the fire, her stitching laying forgotten in her hands as she was lost in her thoughts and memories. Visions in the brazier that twisted and told of her time back home. Jo twisted in her chair to find the source of the laughing, pausing when she saw Robb and Dacey together.

“Jo” Robb managed and she stood and bowed a bit to him.

“Robb” she offered.

“Your Grace” Dacey awkwardly bowed.

“I didn’t think you were going to be here” Robb admitted to the blonde.

“I can leave” Jo lowered her eyes, her mother always said to lead her body with her eyes.

“No, no of course not” Robb assured “Da- Lady Mormont, you should return to your mother and tell the Little Jon he and his men have first watch.”

“Your Grace” Dacey nodded then turned and left.

Silence settled over the couple and Jo stood pouring two glasses of wine taking one to the man who nodded as he took it.

“You have a crown” Jo looked at the thing.

“I do, it was made in the old style” Robb admitted pulling it off his head “I had thought, you wanted your own tent?”

“I was lonely, it was a long ride, by myself” Jo swirled the wine in her cup unsure why she was being this honest with him.

“I hadn’t thought, I’m sorry, you should be up with me tomorrow” Robb assured.

“I couldn’t, you’re obviously, close, with those around you” Jo mumbled quietly.

“I should have assigned you a guard, and ladies, I don’t know anything about how Queens are supposed to be treated” Robb admitted looking at the blonde “I had hoped when we get to Riverrun, when we meet up with my mother, she would help me, well you.”

“A Queen” Jo mumbled “I suppose I have to get used to that, I don’t expect any of that of you, I hardly expect you to treat me as a wife, let alone a queen.”

“You are a queen” Robb awkwardly stepped closer to her and paused “are you hungry?”

“Famished.”

“Would you eat with me? Then I’ll have to go to council, but I want to eat with you first” Robb smiled awkwardly.

When food was brought and the wine freshened the two sat at the small table together as they pick at the food. Jo was trying to pretend she wasn’t starving, eating small bites and pausing between them.

“I hear it snows in Winterfell even in the high summer” Jo finally offered.

“It does, I miss the snow” Robb admitted “when it had been hot for days and suddenly the snows sweep in on the North winds, it would be the most refreshing thing. The snow peaches would ripen and we’d all sit in the snow eating them.”

Jo could see the far away look in his eyes, he stopped being a king and for a moment he was just a young man missing the simplicity of home. She liked this look far better than the face he wore most often.

“I can’t say I ever enjoyed snow” Jo admitted “but I loved the thunder storms we would get, you could feel them in the air, and hear the rain cascading down the walls into the caves below. We’d sit with the windows open and my uncle would tell me stories while my mother brushed my hair and my brother’s and I would often fall asleep on the floor around the windows.”

“Storms were never a event like that, and my sisters used to hate thunder” Robb admitted “I also cannot imagine Tywin telling stories.”

“Oh not Tywin, my uncle Gerion” Jo laughed “he was wonderful.”

“Was?”

“He’s gone, likely forever, he went to Valyria” Jo admitted “I have four uncles, or had, a pox took Tygett, Gerion is gone, then there is Tywin and Kevan.”

“I hadn’t realized your family was so big, I feel as though I have failed some great test” Robb admitted.

“Hardly, if Tywin could pretend none of us existed he likely would” Jo sighed “though it seems none of your men realized that when they made you marry me.”

“Sometimes I think we in the North forget not everyone is Northern” Robb laughed a bit and she smiled.

“Maybe we cold all learn something from you Northerners” Jo smiled and felt herself relax a little bit.

“Have you ever been to Riverrun?” Robb asked.

“I can’t say I have” Jo admitted “I’ve been to Oldstones and of course the twins but never Riverrun, we had never been invited. I fear your grandfather and my grandfather don’t exactly get along. Not that I can blame yours.”

“Well, when we get there we will have time to rest and to plan” Robb offered.

“I imagine planning a war is exhausting” Jo admitted stifling her own yawn just thinking about rest.

“I have council, but you should get some sleep, or I can have Olyvar bring you a water for a bath or” Rob trailed off when he saw her smile.

“You’re alright if I sleep here? I hope I didn’t ruin any plans by joining you” Jo was wondering if he’d admit anything.

“Not at all, I just hope you’ll be comfortable” Robb admitted “I can sleep elsewhere if you like.”

“I wouldn’t put you out and wouldn’t it be suspicious if I turned my husband out in the first few days of our marriage?”

“Then I will have hot water sent and will try not to wake you.”

“I have slept through my cousins jousting in the hallway, do not worry about waking me.”

Robb nodded a bit and stood he paused looking at the blonde who seemed to scrutinize her for a long moment before he turned and left.

It was late when he returned, the fire was nearly burnt down when he got back and the food had been tidied and a small pile of sewing was left heaped on the table, the golden thread glinting in the dim lighting. He was pulling his doublet off and making his way to the bed when he froze. Unlike their first night together, she was sprawled on top of the blankets, golden hair spilling in every direction, her thin night dress falling off one of her shoulders, the dark shadows under it showing through.

As though sensing his gaze she let out a little huff of air and stretched rolling onto her side, hiding those shadows from his view. Robb shook his head and finished undressing, covering the blonde in a fur he crawled into the other side and pulled his own blankets up.

Chapter Text

Robb woke up to the smell of citrus and jasmine, when he finally opened his eyes strands of blonde were obscuring his vision. Brushing them to the side he rolled to look at her. It was obvious she’d flipped around a lot in her sleep, the fur was wrapped tightly around her hips and her slip had been pulled down off her shoulders, one arm wrapped under around herself and the other thrown over her eyes. She was sound asleep, mumbling to herself in dreamy sleep.  Robb felt like he shouldn’t be watching her, like he was invading her privacy.

“YOUR GRACE!” the tent flap flew open as a voice broke the silence.

Jo bolted upright, blond strands sticking to her face, her breasts on full display to whoever had intruded on their morning. Shoving her hair out of her face and squinting against the light the intruder came into view.

“Dacey” Robb managed sitting up as well.

“Sorry, the council requires you immediately your grace” Dacey explained finally peeling her eyes from the blonde.

“Of course, I’ll uh, I’ll be there soon” Robb promised.

“Right, Your Grace, My lady” Dacey nodded and turned sharply before leaving.

Silence sat for a moment before Robb slowly crawled from under the furs and began to dress trying not to look at the blonde who was trying to free herself from the bed.

“Should I expect to be woken up like this often?” Jo yawned.

“Usually there is more tact, and less” he flushed slightly catching side of her fixing her slip and pulling it over her breasts.

“I hadn’t meant to embarrass you” Jo nearly whispered, not wanting to admit that it was her who was embarrassed.

“You didn’t” Robb assured “though I’m sure by the time I make it there Dacey will have told everyone, and I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Well, at least they won’t question the legitimacy of our marriage” Jo offered and he nodded a bit.

“Today, you will ride with me alright?”

“I would enjoy that” Jo was able to say honestly with a little smile.

By the fifth day her whole body burned and ached, she was hardly able to walk and even sitting hurt. She just wanted to lay face down on something soft. After limping her way to the large tent in the centre she was met by one of the camp women who had started to help her in places of maids. There was a steaming bath waiting and Jo wished she could dive in. Even the time it took for the woman to undress her was excruciating.

She had no clue how much time had passed, the once near boiling water was now just warm but the floating sensation took away from the pain she was in. Hair hung over her face and clung to her neck as she breathed deeply feeling like if she left her eyes closed much longer she would fall asleep. Despite the unbearable pain she had learned a lot and had truly come to enjoy the company of some of the northerners.

Each night when she was eating with Robb he would tell her stories of his childhood and she would try and learn as much as she could about what her new life would be like. It hadn’t been long but she realized that the course had been set and there was no point in fighting it anymore.

Heavy foot steps brought her back to the present, she sat up and twisting in the water relaxing a bit when she saw Robb. His curls pushed flat and smears of dirt from the ride still on his face.

“I’m sorry” he started.

“Hardly, I’ve been in here far too long” Jo sighed “but it’s so hard to get out. It’s the first time I’ve felt warm in days.”

“Well then I can leave you” Robb mumbled trying not to look at her.

“Don’t” Jo interrupted “I actually wanted to talk with you.”

“Now?” Robb swallowed hard.

“Please, you don’t have to pretend to bashful” Jo muttered sitting up a bit “come, let me wash that filth from your face.”

Robb did as she bit sitting on a stool next to the tub, Jo dampened a clothe and began wiping away the grime on his face. Robb breathed deeply the smell of lilac was strong in his nose. When she was done she paused and looked into his eyes for a long moment.

“What did you want to talk about?” Robb asked his ears turning red as she sunk back into the water.

“Well, we have been married nearly a month and, well I have had time to get to know you, and our situation” Jo ran her fingers through the water.

“I have enjoyed getting to know you as well” Robb admitted.

“Undress” Jo instructed “I can see the mud in your hair.”

“I couldn’t” Robb swallowed hard.

“I am your wife, I will see you naked eventually” Jo teased “now come, or you’ll be sleeping with Grey Wind.”

Robb chuckled but flushed and shook his head a little bit.

“I shouldn’t” Robb mumbled “I can’t.”

“You are my husband, are you not? Come.”

Robb swallowed hard but began undressing, dry dirt and sad from the ride falling out of his tunic as he pulled it over his head. His britches were covered in mud and horsehair as well as grease from a meal eaten on the ride. He turned his back as he unlaced them feeling awkward as he kicked his boots off and shoved his pants down. Leaving his small cloths on he crawled into the warm water watching it spill out around him.

“You are blushing your grace” Jo teased taking her clothe as she began to wipe his shoulders.

“I’m just red, from the wind” Robb mumbled but leaned into the touch.

The water was warm, and her hands were soft as she wiped his back down. Other than when she slept next to him he rarely got to relax and be affectionate with someone. As her fingers combed through his hair he finally let his eyes close as he laid back against her. Flushing darker as he felt her breasts against his back.

“I fear I may be trying to scrub some of your freckles off” Jo admitted tracing the lines of muscles on his shoulders.

“When I was a kid I tried to scrub them off too” Robb admitted with a sigh.

“I think they are dashing” Jo admitted leaning I to trace the line of his neck with her fingers “turn, I want to look at you.”

Robb awkwardly turned and moved to the other side of the large tub trying to avoid looking at the blonde across from him. He felt the clothe on his chest and sucked in his breath as he saw those green eyes smirking at him.

Jo swallowed and pushed a little further forward, leaning in to run the clothe along his neck. He made a small noise and she felt her heart beating harder and was flooded with memories.

Jo was seated quietly amongst her cousin’s ladies, some of whom were her other cousins or daughters of noble houses. The smell of the great city baked by summer sun wafted in through opened windows. Women she’d known most of her life and was now made to sit amongst as they made idle chatter surrounded her. It had turned to the fact that recently Tywin had rejected a young lord for her hand.

“Why do you think it is?” one of the women finally asked of the young woman who slowly lowered her stitching.

“Well” Jo chose the words carefully “my uncle was always unhappy with my mother’s marriage, so, he is being more careful.”

There was a bark of laughter as the queen peered over her cup at her young cousin.

“You truly believe that?” the laugh was derisive and more cutting than words “its because like all men he is convinced your cunt it worth so much ore than any part of you and no one has yet been able to pay the price for it. “

“Your grace I hardly think” one of the women started.

“Oh you all know it’s true, they think when we are young we are sweet and fuckable, then they fuck us till they have decided we are no longer so and they move onto the next thing. Hopefully by then you’ve whelped something, or you will be entirely replaced.”

“That is not what the woman I was raised by taught me” Jo snapped.

“That is where I have the advantage, I didn’t have a mother to lie to me about such things” Cersei returned.

“My mother raised you as much as she did me, perhaps I just cared to listen.”

“You and your mother think too highly of yourselves. Lady Frey.”

Jo knew that was meant to cut her down but she had learned not to let it bother her quite so much as she had when she was young. Tyrion had always advised her to not let words hurt her but to instead give them strength.

Jo slid forward and straddled his lap. Taking his face in her hands she kissed him. Their first kiss since their wedding. His lips were warm and chapped, his facial hair scratched at her face but it wasn’t unpleasant.

“Jo” he began as though to protest.

“Shh” Jo silenced him with another kiss.

She has made up her mind. Cersei wasn’t entirely wrong but she would fuck her husband, she would be in control not him, and she decided that now was the time.

His chest hair was course and scratched at her as she pressed to him letting her lips trace up to his ear where she nipped him gently. His hand gripped the tub and Jo could feel his uneven puffs of breath. It took her a moment to position her legs and as she leaned back to free him from his small clothes she realized he was staring. Those deep blue eyes locked onto her. Heat rose in her chest but she kept moving.

Jo felt like she may hurt him as she wrapped her fingers around him and guided him. For a moment Jo feared he would not fit but after a moment she felt it. A tight strain as she pushed herself down. She hadn’t realized she was making noises until she’d stopped moving. She had been prepared that it would hurt but it didn’t. It was strange and she felt like heat was pulsing between her thighs. Closing her eyes she began to move her hips. Rolling them against him, her fingers digging deeply into his shoulder leaving red welts as she circled slowly. The feeling of him inside her overwhelming. Her own breath was coming in heavy pants now as she bounced her whole body.

Just as quickly his body tensed, fingers clutching the sides of the tub before he slumped down, head falling backwards as he panted. Jo felt him twitch within her as she came to rest on top of him watching as he panted and sagged into the water. She had not been prepared for it to not last, if this was all she wondered why women complained so. It had not hurt as she thought it would and was over faster than many tedious tasks in her life.

Then a thought tickled the back of her mind, perhaps it was supposed to last and she had done something wrong. He had looked almost pained at the end. Jo hadn’t planned what to do in that case, or any case truly she had surprised herself by acting at all.

After what felt like an eternity of heavy silence Jo realized she hadn’t moved, carefully she pushed away.

“I hope that was to your standard” Jo said quietly “I have never been with someone so…”

“My standard?” He interrupted pushing his damp curls out of his face.

“Just that, I am not experienced as some others, or yourself” Jo finally managed the words felt thick as she tried to get them out.

“I am not” Robb’s ears were red “that was my first.”

“But Dacey? I thought….”

Robb let out an awkward burst of laughter as he realized she was serious.

“I’m sorry I just, I thought” Jo sunk into the water feeling dumber by the moment.

“Hardly” Robb managed “Dacey has no interest in me.”

“Then why does she become so, abrasive when I am here?”

“I hope it does not offend you but, I believe her interest lies more in you than myself” Robb explained.

“In me?”

She gasped a little bit as the realization dawned on her. She sunk deeper into the water and realized that it was starting to go cold. Jo wasn’t sure if the shiver was from the cold water or the overwhelming emotions that were running through her.

“Let’s get out, before you freeze, here” clambered from the water and gathered a blanket in his arms, holding it out so she could step out into it.

Jo felt awkward as she clambered from the great metal tub and half fell into his arms as he wrapped her up in the blanket. His arms were banded with muscle and she cold feel them circling her body as she leaned against him.

“You must be cold” she whispered shifting to better look at him.

“I like the cold” he admitted.

“Strange beastly things you northerners” Jo teased but she was transfixed on his eyes, they were so blue and they were looking at her in a way she’d never seen before.

Then he kissed her, Jo dropped the blanket and let her arms wrap around him. That hot feeling was back and despite the cold air she felt like she was on fire. She let her fingers trace down his chest feeling the course dark hair then letting them come up till she felt his beard scratch her fingers.

When he finally broke the kiss she was breathless, it felt like her body was alive with fire as she stared up at his hungry eyes. She was breathing heavily, she felt like she was sharing in that hunger. Robb nearly tore the blanket as he pulled it away from her staring at her nakedness. Jo flushed feeling his eyes on her as they worked their way over her body. His rough hand was tender on her cheek as he touched her face.

He kissed her tightening his arm around her middle and laying her down in front of the brazier that was barely burning. His hips were between her thighs, his mouth biting at her neck and collar bones making her arch against him. The thrust made her gasp as she dug her nails deep into his back clinging tightly to him.

Unlike her slow movements his thrusts were rapid and full of need. His facial hair was scratching at her neck and breasts as he panted against her. All Jo could do was whimper and wiggle under him as his hands gripped her hips almost painfully tight.

With a grunt it was over, Robb nearly collapsed on top of her panting and twitching in her like he had before. Her moans turned to whimpers as she shivered against him. He kissed her so gently as she trembled, small wells of blood forming around her nails.

When they had both recovered they sat quietly together watching the last of the coals burning down to nothing before Robb finally stood and helped his bride to her feet and supporting her as her legs trembled under her. Gently he lifted her and laid her in bed before laying down next to her.

“Are you okay?” Robb finally asked.

“What?” she looked over at him.

“You’ve been staring into space since, well” his ears turned red and she smiled.

“I was just, I’m happy” she admitted “despite everything, here in this tent with you, I am happy.”

Their new happiness seemed to be noticed by all but they were not deterred by each. Each night they would slip into their tent and find each other wanting.

Jo found despite their first time her lord husband seemed to enjoy being in control. Burying his face in her breasts as he thrust rapidly or turning her onto her belly, hands tangled into blond curls.

At first Jo waited for it to hurt, or for him to grow board of her but neither seemed like they were going to happen. Sometimes he would even sweep her away in the middle of the day when the caravan had halted for food. Lifting her skirts he’d press her into a tree or the hard earth and take her there.

Afterwards her cheeks would be pink and she could only answer questions in breathy giggles. Her favourite was when she would wake to him pressed to her back and the soft kisses on her neck and shoulder contrasting the scraping of his beard. His hands would trace over her hips then he’d roll her over to face him with a little smile. Sometimes she’d watch the sun light their tent as he tangled himself into her.

Despite the discomfort from days of riding she felt as though she had more energy than ever and felt lively, so lively that despite still feeling like an outsider amongst his king’s guard, she was at least able to speak softly with them.  As the little Jon helped her from her horse she saw the huge keep in the distance.

“Why are we stopping? We have plenty of daylight” Jo wondered walking with the giant of a man.

“The King wants us to be fresh when we arrive” he teased “you have to finally meet his mother.”

“She’s not nearly as scary as the women already in my life, plus, my brothers are also behind those walls” Jo admitted with a little smile.

“Don’t be too happy to see them” Jon laughed as they came to a stop where Robb was talking with some of the other men.

Jo knew not to interrupt as the lords planned and her husband tempered them into some sort of coherent plan. When he was ready he would turn his attention to her but not before. It was an important hierarchy that she had to respect. Still he gave her a small nod and she felt that little shiver forming.

“Jo” he finally greeted as the plan was finalized, Jo took his arm with a little smile.

“Your grace” she teased a little bit and rested her head against him with a smile “I never thought I’d be so happy to see a keep in the riverlands.”

“We’ll be there tomorrow” he assured “tonight we rest.”

“I will want to see them first thing, if that’s allowed” Jo looked at him “my brothers, and cousins, even Jaimie if you’d allow it.”

“Eventually” Robb sighed “the men worry that you are still too sympathetic to your uncles cause, so your brothers will be brought to you, but under guard, and, if there is time you will see your cousin and the kingslayer.”

“They have to understand my life is as tied to this cause as yours is now” Jo looked at him “I am an accomplice to your crimes.”

“My crimes?” Robb looked at her.

“Your accomplishments?” Jo teased and wrapped her arms around him with a smile “your victories.”

“Better” Robb leaned in and kissed her.

“We should wash you, your mother will be shamed with how you smell” Jo snorted wrinkling her nose.

“I’ll have Olyvar send for a hot bath” Robb promised.

“I promise I won’t try and wash off your freckles this time.”

The sun had barely risen but they plodded along, the breakfast of cold porridge barely making a dent in her hunger. Lord Glover had woken them well before sunrise and for a long moment Jo was convinced the lord may have pried her husband right out of her arms. Robb had barely acknowledged her before he left. By the time she mounted up he had a grim look on his face.

“Your Grace, the king plans to ride ahead, the pace may be hard for you” Lord Glover informed “myself and a few others will stay back with you.”

“Of course, thank you Lord Glover” Jo managed watching his copper hair disappear over a hill.

Jo cursed the pain that had bloomed in her hips and legs, not to mention how tender she felt from her nights and morning with her new husband. If she was better rested or not as uncomfortable she would have kicked her mare hard until it galloped to a froth so she could ride next to him. Instead she sat quietly on the mare surrounded by lords who only barely suffered her presences. Grey Wind ran past her making the horses skitter before taking off rapidly.

The sun had fully risen when she arrived at Riverrun, the others hadn’t even finished crossing the great trench when she threw herself from the horse and rushed into the hall. She could feel the eyes on her as she walked quickly deeper into the hall. A man stepped in front of her blocking her path. A grizzled old man with white whiskers and a sneer.

“Move” Jo snapped, pushing her shoulders back and jutting her chin out.

“Lannisters don’t give orders here” he reached out to grab her arm “you should be in holding with the others.”

“You will not touch me” Jo snapped and it was punctuated by a snarl as Grey Wind appeared next to her.

“Joanna” the voice made her turn to see Robb.

“You know this woman?”

“Lord Karstark, my wife, the Lady Joanna Frey” Robb introduced.

“My Lord” Jo offered with as much courtesy as she could muster “your grace I had hoped.”

“I know what you hoped but now is not the time, Dacey escort the Lady Frey to my rooms.”

“Of course your grace” Dacey stepped over and touched Jo’s arm.

Jo thought about arguing, but she could see it written all over her husband’s face that nothing she said would sway his mood.

Jo had not argued, she had been taught all her life how to play the proper lady and bite her tongue till it was the best time to use it. So she didn’t argue, but allowed herself to be confined to the rooms of her husband. She lit a fire to ward off the damp chill and stripped off her dusty dress. None of her things had been brought up so she sat in the window watching the tents and men gather below.

When she had lost count of the fires a dozen times she walked to the door and flung it open startling the two guards that were standing in the hall. Jo eyed them wondering if they were to keep her safe or to keep her in her place.

“My things” she snapped “I would like my things, and I’d they cannot be found I would like a book, some parchment, ink, or some thread and silk.”

They both just stared at her as though she were speaking Dothraki and not the common tongue.

“Did you not here me? NOW!”

With an awkward bow one of the men skittered off without a work, Jo let the door slam and went back to her window perch. The sun was well last it’s highest point and she wondered what business kept her stuck.

When the knock finally came Jo flew across the room and threw the door open hoping against her better senses that she would find Robb. Instead Dacey stood there with a chest of things for her.

“On the table please” Jo sighed but once the Mormont woman was in the door Jo slammed it shut.

“Your grace?” Dacey raised an eyebrow.

“Enough with the formality, tell me what is happening and why I have been locked away?”

“I don’t know”

“Don’t lie to me” Jo stepped closer and took one of the taller woman’s rough hands in her own “please, Dacey, please, tell me what is happening?”

“The lord Hosted Tully is gravely ill, your husband attends him and” Dacey stopped looking at the blonde.

“Please” Jo implored.

“There is trouble with the lady Catelyn but that is all I’m privy too” Dacey admitted “I brought you silk, thread, and some books. I’ll have food sent and Robb will be here soon enough.”

“Thank you, I am glad to have a friend amongst these unfamiliar faces.”

Dacey nodded and left the blonde to her boredom once more. The silk was dark blue and the thread grey but still it was good quality and she began to cut and sew it. Her slip had become filthy from her time on the rode and she had a mind to make herself a new one. Usually a quick job was seeming to drag on as she became distracted and switched from task to task.

Most of the fires were low or put out ad her own was nothing but coals by the time the door opened again. Jo nearly flew to her feet and rushed to meet the man freezing when he still saw that grim look plastered on his face.

“You’re still in your armour” she tilted her head letting her hair tumble in front of her “are you alright?”

Jo touched his cheek, the fur on his cloak tickling the back of her hand as the wiry hair of his beard scratched her.

“Joanna” Robb moved her hand away.

“Joanna?” her nose wrinkled “what has happened that you feel the need to use my full name, next thing you’ll be calling me lady Frey.”

“Sit” Robb instructed.

“You sure I shouldn’t help you undress first you can’t be”

“SIT!”

Jo flinched at the sudden noise and lowered herself into the chair, nearly sitting on the needle she had discarded there earlier. Jutting her chin and trying to keep her back straight as she stared up at him. That terrifying figure she had come to recognize before that night in the tub. She felt like her heart was pounding in her throat.

“I’m sorry, I, I have news, and” Robb took a deep breath like he was trying to reshoulder some sort of heavy weight “my mother has taken upon herself to free the kinglsayer and one of his Frey cousins, one of your brothers.”

“Which one?” Jo spoke without thinking.

“Does it matter?” Robb snapped at her.

“Would it not matter to you?” Jo demanded.

“The point is that my men are on edge, I have had to confine my own mother and now they see I have brought the image of the enemy into their midst, they are on edge and unhappy” Robb continued ignoring her demand “the men who have come with us know you’re not the enemy but many don’t. From now on you must show that you are more Frey than Lannister, you must hold your tongue and most importantly be silent in your want for your family that are prisoners.”

“I understand” Jo managed and watched him sag.

“I will have some dresses brought for you” Robb offered “and I will let you see your brother in a few days, when things have calmed down. The men just need to feel reassured.”

“Well, you saw the letter, my fate is as tied to this as theirs if not more, I am invested. Plus if my count is right well, my life is fully in your hands.” Jo bit her lip “Your grace.”

“And the boy, it was the older one I believe.”

“Cleos then” Jo tried to hide the tremble in her voice “I’m sorry I just, I have not seen my family in so long and Cleos, he is good, his two young sons, not so young now. Soon they’ll be men grown.”

“He is with the kingslayer, he will be fine” Robb tried to comfort her.

“Jamie is a good man” Jo sighed “but him and my brothers were never close.”

“How good could a man stab the man he vowed to protect in the back?”

“That man killed your uncle and grandfather” she reminded “there are no good people in war. Just those who survive and write the histories. That’s what Kevan used to tell me when we discussed my cousins moniker.”

“You are far to smart for your own good and that is the kind of speech you need to reign in.”

“I will not hold my tongue when it’s just us” Jo snapped and he smiled just a touch “now tomorrow, my brother, please?”

“Tomorrow, now rest” Robb sighed.

“Are you not staying?”

“I have things to attend.”

“Attend me!” Jo didn’t mean to sound petulant but she did “attend me, tell them I begged, tell them I had need of you, please, don’t leave me to this loneliness.”

He softened a little bit and reached out to touch her cheek with a little smile.

“I have some things, but I will be back quickly” his thumb traced her cheek bone “we leave for the twins soon, perhaps you could have an aunt or cousin come with you as a lady’s maid?”

“Do you want me to throw myself from a window?”

“Understood” Robb kissed her lightly “douse that fire and warm the bed.”

“Without a fire I will freeze” she argued.

“Then I best be quick.”

By the time he slid into the bed she was shivering in the cold and he immediately slipped his arms around her naked form. She made a happy noise as she pushed up against him. They didn’t speak, just wrapped themselves around one another. When Robb was finished he held her tightly and told her of everything the lords were arguing about.

Jo was thankful to have the pounding of his heart in her ear as she fell asleep. The steady crash reminded her of the echo of the waves below the rock. It was the perfect beat to comfort her. But even the steady crash couldn’t drown out the sudden clamour and yelling that echoed. At first she ignored it then their door slammed open.

“Your grace!” the man was breathless and panting heavily looking frantic.

Robb lurched up and Jo nearly tumbled from the bed when he did so. She grabbed his arm tightly feeling slightly terrified by the look on the man’s face and his frantic tone.

“What is it?”

“You’re needed your grace, it’s the prisoners” the man rambled.

“The prisoners?” Jo spoke first.

“His grace is needed.”

Robb flew from the bed and was halfway down the stairs pulling his shirt on when he realized that he could hear the foot steps behind him and Jo was following. Wrapped in only her night dress with her golden hair in tangles around her face and her feet bare. When they entered the hall it was silent, then it was shattered with the sharp intake of breath.

Then she screamed, Jo felt it rather than heard it, felt her whole body crumbling. She didn’t remember the steps forward but she was staring at a face she knew all too well. A face she had looked at every day of her childhood. Pushing stray strands of brown hair off of his face and gently shaking him as though she was trying to wake him despite the blood smearing over her night coat.

Sobs shook her as she clung to him, seeming almost like a cornered animal, howling and holding him tightly.  Her blonde hair forming a curtain over the boy’s face as she kissed his head.

Jo could only imagine what she must look like, her hair tangled, her night coat smeared in blood falling away as she cradled him tightly. Refusing to look at the pale blonde a few feet away, but without looking she reached out and grabbed the other’s hand, fresh howling sobs broke through.

“Come” a voice broke into her howling bubble and a hand wrapped around her arm.

Jo felt feral as she screamed at them and tried to pull free, she would never let go. She simply couldn’t let go, instead she clung more tightly to the limp body in her arms. An arm wrapped around her middle and lifted her away from the body and placed her on her feet. She was looking up at the little Jon who was trying to guide her back towards where Robb stood.

“My, my brother” she managed gasping “my brother.”

“Who did this?” Robb’s voice brought her back for a moment “that is my wife’s brother, WHO DID THIS?”

Jo melted against the little Jon sobbing again, the word set her off. She just wanted to return to him, hold him. As she tried to push around the little Jon she saw Willem and wanted to reach out to grab him to scream at him till he woke up like she used to when they were kids and she was bored, but his normally pink cheeks were grey and his chest was stained rusty red.

Jo was only mildly aware that there were other people in the room, she felt Jon’s hands helping fix her coat hiding her from them.

“Breath” he whispered looking down “wailing will not bring the back, they need you to serve them justice now. Go to the king.”

Jo nodded and wiped her snot on her sleeve trying to look composed as she walked to her husband’s side, keeping her eyes trained on the ceiling as she held her breath barely aware of the people all around her. All she wanted to do was collapse but she refused to look weak as the man she had briefly met before was marched in. Jo felt her blood run cold as she looked at him, she had hated people in her life but this was something primal.

“No” Jo’s voice caught “no, he won’t die, death is too kind, to fast, he murdered my brother, your brother in the god’s eyes, I want him to rot. I want him to know fear.”

“Lady Frey” Robb started.

“Frey?” the white haired man laughed “Lannister whore, I hope her cunt tastes like honey and that it’s worth it.”

“You will NOT speak like that of my wife, take him while I decided what is to be done” Robb snapped.

“The others your grace?”

“Hang them.”

The moment the doors had closed behind the men Jo flew to the floor again. She carefully cradled his head placing it in her lap and staring down at him.

“Jo” Robb knelt next to her.

“He liked plums, I would make him sugar plums, when we were little. We would swim in the rock pools together. He was full of laughter, he was my mother’s favourite son.” Jo rubbed her thumb down the boy’s nose humming a little bit “our cousins called him tiny Tion because he was so short compared to the others, till he sprung up.”

“Jo, come now” Robb tried to make her stand.

“I’ll never see any of them again will I?” she looked up at him “Tion, Martyn, Cleos, Jamie, my mother and father, I’ll never see them again.”

“I, I don’t know” Robb admitted “I thought I thought I’d go home to my family too, but now.”

Robb’s words caught in his throat and he wrapped his arm around her watching how she tenderly combed the boy’s hair with her fingers.

“I will stand vigil” Robb promised.

“Will you make sure they are returned home? They should be buried with our family, under my uncles empty graves” Jo managed “Willem always wanted to be like Gerion, so his cell will be next to his, and Tion would want to be by our grandfather, he felt proud of his name.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t prevent this” Robb managed “I hadn’t thought it of my own men.”

“Tion was courting a lovely girl, he wanted to get married so badly, being a squire was his dream come true. Now look at him, and Willem, he has a twin, it runs in the family, I wonder if Martyn knows, if he can feel it, they claimed they had some kind of link. I didn’t believe it but, they were so assured.”

Robb realized that she wouldn’t hear anything he said, though the sobs had stopped tears were streaming down her face, steadily dripping off her chin and nose. With her brother’s head in her lap she kept telling him about the two boys who lay in front of him. About their childhoods together and their dreams, hopes, how Willem once beat up one of their Lannisport cousins to defend her honour when they were young.

Jo finally seem to come back to the moment as the sun streamed in and hit her face, blinking back the final tears. She laid her brother’s head slowly onto the ground and seemed to finally realize she was half dressed in the great hall. She went to stand and stumbled; Robb rushed up to catch her cradling her against his chest as he lifted her in his arms.

“You need rest, and food” Robb whispered “like you told me, it won’t make it easier, but it will give you the strength to fight it.”

Jo nodded and rested against him, pushing her nose up against his neck and deeply inhaling the smell. It brought her a small comfort, he was warm and she suddenly felt the exhaustion hit.

“Promise me, that you’ll see them sent home, their mothers, they deserve to bury them, to weep and pray for them. Promise me?”

“I promise” Robb whispered and I seemed as though that was all she needed to drift off.

When Jo woke up there was a black silk dress draped over her chair and new underthings, among the items was a hair net full of black gemstones. Jo Carefully dressed, then gathered her curls under the black gems. Her eyes were still red and puffy, salt stained her cheeks and her whole body ached.

Jo walked slowly, she felt almost like she was dreaming but she kept moving. She could hear the clamour of voices, the yelling of lords and men at arms. They rang through her bones but didn’t bother her like they might have before. Jo pushed in through the large doors and the clamour immediately stopped.

Robb was dressed in black, she was surprised but gladdened by the fact he had taken on mourning apparel with her. All eyes were on her as she walked to where the man sat at the front of the head of the table. Jo was not accustomed to bowing, her uncle had never made her and she had avoided the queen and king as much as she could. Slowly she bowed, dipping her gem covered head below his before standing.

“Your grace” she managed.

“Lady Frey” Robb’s voice was soft as he greeted her “are you well?”

“I’m better” Jo sighed a bit.

“Good, we were just going to discuss Lord Karstark’s punishment, and, my uncle’s engagement. Sit."

"Your grace” a man stood and pulled the chair to her husband’s left, she stared at him for a long moment, he looked so much like Robb it caught her off guard but realized he was familiar.

“Thank you Ser” she slowly lowered herself into he seat and looked at the faces of the northerners.

“We know that the boys were your brother and cousin, and by the laws of the gods and the laws of men, kin to your husband” the man who had pulled out the chair explained.

“And as such he should be put to death” Robb informed the gathered men and there were murmurs.

“We should hold him captive!” another man who again resembled her husband argued.

“Lord Tully?” Jo looked at him.

“Edmure, your grace” he introduced.

“My uncle speaks out of turn” Robb informed.

“Yet I agree with him, lock him in the cell where he murdered them, let their ghosts torment him. Where he cannot ask for help from his gods” Jo’s words were like ice and all the men seemed to feel it “was it not my and your uncle’s men who were murdered?”

“She speaks truly your grace” Lord Glover informed.

“Is that what you want?” Robb looked at her.

“Yes, it will not bring my brother back, or ease my heart, but I put his fate in the hands of my gods” Jo looked down at her hands.

“Then he will stay here as my uncle’s prisoner” Robb agreed.

“What of his son?” Lord Umber asked “you think he will be content to see his father in chains?”

“The wall?” Another offered looking to the King who looked to his wife.

“That is the northern way” another added.

“It is” Robb agreed “we will send word to Harrion, tell him of his father’s crimes, and that he will be held here and imprisoned until it is such time we can send him to the wall to take the black. Harrion will inherit his father’s lands and titles immediately and will be expected to recall his men and come to reassure his faith with house Stark.”

“A good plan” the great Jon assured.

“Lady Frey?”

“Thank you for considering my thoughts on this” Jo managed.

“You are our queen” Robb reminded and she smiled a little bit “now, if you will all leave us we have some family matters to discuss.”

Everyone except the two men who looked shockingly like her husband, it was so strange, like looking into his future, which didn’t displease her. The man gave her a small nod and was smiling gently.

“It’s nice to see you Lady Joanna.”

“And you Ser Bryden, I did not recognize you under these conditions. I thought you were up in the Vale.”

“I was, but family called me back” he admitted “and I had thought that you would be safe behind high walls.”

“I am, I am here” she offered and caught Robb watching her.

“I didn’t know you knew my mother’s uncle.”

“And your aunt, though briefly, when I was a lady for my cousin” Jo explained “I just, hadn’t thought to meet him here, but it is a relief, now if you told me Ser Barristan was with you I’d truly rejoice.”

“Sadly he’s not” Bryden smiled a little “but we have many of our own good knights, I should introduce you properly to my nephew, ser Edmure Tully. Your uncle by law.”

“It is a pleasure to properly meet you” Edmure offered “thank you for making this one listen to me.”

Jo could see her husband bristle at the words, that sour expression he got when he was trying to contain his anger.

“My lord husband simply has to much northern blood” Jo offered with a little smile “and because of that he defends his family fiercely. Wolves are pack animals, family groups, right love?”

She saw him soften and smile at her, Jo had learned in their many nights together how to soften that hard northern exterior. Often though he only seemed to truly soften and relax after he’d rolled off of her panting. His touch would soften and he his shoulders would slouch like he had finally stopped being the king everyone needed to see.

“She’s not wrong” Robb sighed and stood going to look out one of the great windows “and where is my mother?”

“She was with Hoster, she’ll be here soon” Bryden informed.

Jo stepped next to him and placed her hand on his shoulders, she yawned a little bit and he wrapped his arm about her covering her in his great cloak and she leaned into him.

“You look tired” Robb’s hand circled her back “you should be resting.”

“No, I should be wherever you are” Jo argued touching his cheek “that is my duty, plus, my nerves are frayed and my stomach is upset so I could hardly rest even if I wanted to.”

“We can extend our stay here, if it would help you” Robb whispered.

“No, your uncle has already damaged your campaign, do not make any more faulty choices on my behalf, the time is critical” Jo whispered her huge green eyes staring off into the distance.

“You should not have to worry about my war campaigns, you could stay here, safe” Robb looked at her.

“And who would keep me warm at night?” her voice was a hushed whisper “who would kiss me? Soothe my worries and bring me bliss? And who would make you relax?”

His ears turned red but before he could say anything the doors opened and the couple turned to see the woman who had just entered. Jo felt outnumbered as the auburn haired woman entered, the family resemblance to the three men undeniable. Jo felt unusually nervous as she smoothed out her black mourning dress.

“I was summoned.”

“Mother” Robb offered then looked over at the woman “my wife, the Lady Frey.”

“Lady Stark” Jo curtsied deeply feeling very aware of Robb’s hand on her back.

“Lady Frey” her voice was cool but not unwelcoming but Jo could feel how she was looking her over, assessing if she was good enough for her son.

Suddenly Jo was very aware how tired she must look, the tracks that the tears had stained on her face, the fact that her dress didn’t fit quite right. Still she stood straight and tried to smile.

“I have heard so many good things for the lords” Jo offered “and I am so happy to finally meet you.”

“And you” Catelyn returned, the silence was heavy and awkward and Jo felt like she wanted to shrink and cry “I was sorry to hear about your brother and cousin, that should have never happened.”

“Justice will be served” Jo looked up at Robb and smiled softly at him.

“It will, but we have other things to plan” Robb turned to look at his uncle “lord Bolton did amazingly at bargaining with the Lord Frey over my wife’s hand, however, without Arya, well he believes we are not holding up our end. As much as he enjoys spitting in Tywin’s face, he wants his toll paid uncle, so you will pay it.”

Silence fell, Jo hadn’t realized that it was Lord Bolton who had thought of the idea, who had planned this all. She knew she had been a bargaining chip, but it felt weird to hear her husband say as much, and even weirder to know how little her grandfather thought of her.

“I never agreed” Edmure started.

“No, but you made it so I need every man I can after you ruined my plan, so you will be marrying one of Walder Frey’s daughters, and you will be thankful you are getting to choose which one” Robb growled at the older man.

“Perhaps if you had told me your plan” Edmure started.

“I told you what you needed to know!” Robb slammed his hand down and Jo flinched “now you will marry one of Walder’s daughter’s, you will give him a Tully grandchild and you will not argue with me!”

“He is right Edmure, you swore yourself to him as your king, and now that means you do as he commands” Bryden reminded “there are worse things.”

“Lady Frey” Catelyn looked at the woman who had said nothing but had almost shrunk into Robb’s side.

“Yes my lady?”

“When was the last time you saw any of your aunts?”

“His last wedding, just over a year ago” Jo admitted “my father insisted we attend.”

“And, did you spend any time with your aunts?”

“Not much one or two were, palatable” Jo admitted wringing her hands a little bit “meek, but one was jovial, though quite fat, and the other, a mousey thing, but kind and not so, chinless, as the others.”

“Then there are options” Catelyn informed her brother.

“Perhaps if my nephew had thought ahead I could have married the little Lannister” Edmure spat and Robb’s hand tightened onto his wife’s hip.

“Be careful what the next words out of our mouth are uncle” Robb’s voice was a low snarl.

“Robb, it is alright” Jo whispered to him “I understand how it feels to marry someone you don’t want to, he needs time to process, just as I did. Remember?”

“Fine, if my uncle wishes, let him be a weeping maiden, but he will marry, that is the end of it. We rest and soon we will ride for the twins.”

“All of us?” Catelyn asked.

“All of us” he answered “mother, please walk the Lady Frey back to her apartments, we have things to discuss.”

Jo wanted to argue, she wanted to cling to him so tightly her body would ache, she would draw blood like she did when she clung to him in bed. Still she knew better, she went onto her toes and lightly kissed his cheek.

“As you command” she whispered.

“I command you to rest” Robb told her “eat something, gain your strength.”

“As you command.”

Robb touched her cheek lightly for a long moment then she turned and walked from the room Catelyn moving to join her as the scended the stairs.

“If you wish, then return to your father” Jo said quietly.

“He is asleep, and I have spent all morning at his side” Catelyn admitted “I need reprieve, as well as food, you should eat as well, mourning is hungry work that makes you feel like it’s impossible to eat.”

“I feel as though I force fed Robb when he was at his worst” Jo remembered “I fear if I do not eat he will do much the same to me.”

“He is a kind man” Catelyn observed.

“To those he wishes to be kind too” Jo sighed “to those he doesn’t, he is a frightening enemy to be sure.”

“How do you know these things?”

“Was he not once my enemy?” Jo looked at the woman “I see no reason not to be honest with you Lady Stark.”

“You are Genna Lannister’s daughter aren’t you?”

“I thought done up in ill fitting dark clothes I might finally resemble my father” Jo offered sarcastically.

“It has been a long while since I have seen your mother, but I remember her wedding and you do resemble her so much at that age. My father said it was a crime when your parents were married.”

“My uncle would agree, loudly and often. My mother would have disagreed at first but now, she is happy, my father may not be the kind of knight the songs will remember, but he is good” Jo didn’t know why, she could handle the northerners making comments on her parents, but somehow this made her angry.

“I’m sorry, I had not meant.”

“How could you of? They all said it at first, but isn’t that what they say of all maidens marriages?” Jo looked down as she walked, tears had welled in her eyes at the thought of her parents.

“They must, and it is never easy, to leave the home and family one knows” Catelyn admitted “Robb was born here, I had only met his father, my husband once, we were wed, then he let to fight, we had known each other two weeks, but he gave me the greatest gift in that time. My son.”

“You were supposed to marry Brandon” Jo remembered “Jamie told me, Jamie said Brandon was the sort of Lord that the singers would have made great songs about.”

“He was” Catelyn agreed “marriage is, a difficult thing, but you seem to make my son happy.”

“He has been kind, kinder than I had any right to ask, and, we are friends” Jo admitted “he had never met my brother, but wanted to execute his killer so readily.”

“Robb is of the North” Catelyn admitted “honour and law they hold higher than anything else.”

“I told him not to” Jo admitted “death is too final and forgiving for what he did.”

“I understand how you feel” Catelyn admitted and the silence fell over them again as the climbed the stairs away from the arguing voices behind them.

“There are questions you wish to ask” Jo offered as they finally arrived at a small solar where lunch had been laid out “do not wait for my mourning to end, for when this ends I’m sure we will all have others to mourn or the moment will be to far gone, so please, ask.”

“You are the youngest? I met your brother Cleos, and Tion was the one who passed” Carelyn started.

“Second youngest, Cleos is the eldest then there is Lyonel, then Tion, myself and then Red Walder” Jo sat and began to pick at the food that had been left “we call him Red Walder, to separate him from the others.”

“I see, a lot of boys in your family” Catelyn admitted.

“Myself, Cersei, Janei and Joy” Joanna listed “we are very fond of T names for boys and J names for girls.”

“I hadn’t know there was a Joy.”

“Joy Hill, my uncle Geion’s natural daughter, she is ten, a sweet girl, wonderful really, but sad” Jo admitted “she is orphaned now.”

“And she lives with you all?”

“I’d say my uncle doesn’t have the heart to turn her away, but it’s, pride I think, she has lion’s blood.”

“I see” Catelyn looked at the girl she spoke well, sat high with her shoulder’s pushed back, a lion’s pride bloomed all about her “and how old are you?”

“Fourteen” Jo offered “near fifteen now, but I had forgotten how close my name day was.”

Catelyn paused, the girl was on a year older than her own daughter, still she held herself like someone twice her years. She was poised and seemed to understand her place in it all as well as how the greater world worked.

“So young” Catelyn admitted.

“No younger than my mother was when she wed” Jo admitted “I am the daughter of a great family, as such, I know it was to be. My mother was only thirteen when she wed and fourteen when she had Cleos.”

“I know, still, you are so young” Catelyn looked at her seeing the ghost of her own daughter.

“Youth is often a detriment in times of war and winter” Jo shrugged “or so I was told and next you will ask me about my bloods?”

“I assume you’ve had them?”

“Since I was nine” Jo assured “would you like to question me on my maiden head? I gave it to my husband on the road here. Any other questions?”

“No” Catelyn looked at her “you are much like your mother, had we not been at war this would be a prosperous match for the ages.”

“Well, given Lord Willas and Lord Renly had already been rejected” Jo admitted “I think Robb may have been the only man my age who was even close to the right status.”

“Why were Lord Willas and Lord Renly rejected?” Catelyn asked.

“Lord Renly was seen as too old, and there are rumours, and Willas well, my uncle said he would not hand me to one so crippled he preferred hawks to horses, which I thought unfair. Willas is a kind man, and splendid at conversation.”

“You know a great many people” Catelyn observed.

“Unlike the north, the rest of the kingdoms move freely together. I know many lords and ladies from here to Dorne.”

“I remember, I remember travelling much as a girl, but after I took Robb there, barely a year old, still pink, and I only left a handful of times.”

“Robb is of Winterfell and speaks of it so highly, but I cannot image living in the reaches of the North to be anything but terrible if I’m honest.”

“You grow used to it” Catelyn admitted “but the North is, only home to those who are of it, you will never be northern, no more than I am.”

“I understand that” Jo sighed a little “thank you, I have no appetite if I’m honest, I may just try to sleep.  I will need to gather my strength, my grandfather is intolerable at best.”

“I can’t say I disagree” Catelyn admitted.

When Robb returned to his room he found Jo sitting in the window, she was naked and the windows thrown open letting the cool damp air wash over her. He paused looking at how her golden curls flowed and how dark her nipples were against her pale skin. Green eyes staring at something unseen to him amongst the stars. There may have been innumerable women in the seven kingdoms but he truly believed she was the most beautiful.

“I thought you hated cold” Robb offered as he walked closer to her.

“I love the damp air, it’s refreshing, helps me feel clear headed, calm” Jo admitted “Especially right now.”

“Did you at least eat?” Robb asked.

“What I could, but I wrote nearly a dozen letters, trying to tell my mom, well, anything. Anything at all” Jo sighed “maybe I had some futile hope I could, explain it all.”

“I understand, I can have the silent sisters deliver one for you” Robb assured tracing the line of her back.

“I would like that, truly.”

“Good, now come, you should sleep.”

“Sit a while, the air is nice” Jo admitted with a smile.

Robb undressed and lifted her into his lap sitting in the cool air and rubbing her back. Soon she was asleep against his chest, curled into a tight ball.

Chapter Text

The day was late when they finally woke, Jo was clinging to tightly to her husband that even though he’d been awake a while there was no hope of leaving without waking her. Instead he enjoyed the small pocket of calm that they rarely got. A warm bed, stone walls, and the first slivers of sun filled the room.

His hint that she was finally awake but keeping her shut was the small stretch as she pushed her feet down and flexed her feet. He sighed and kissed her forehead.

“I do have to get up” he whispered.

“I’m still asleep” Jo protested scrunching her eyes shut.

“I know, but I have things I must attend” Robb rubbed her back feeling her shiver under the touch.

“Do you now?” Jo’s hand trailed down his stomach smiling a bit as her eyes finally cracked open.

“I do” he sighed grabbing her hand and pulling it away “and I have something you must attend to as well.”

“I am in no condition” she sighed sitting up and shoving the tangled curls from her face.

“I think you are for this, dress” Robb stood and pulled her up with him.

Jo begrudgingly agreed and pulled on the same ill fitted black dress she wore the day before. Combing her fingers through her hair she tied it up with a single red ribbon. Her reflection was hollow and exhausted with dark bags under the eyes. Jo rubbed her eyes and squared her shoulders.

“I am ready” she sighed.

“Trust me, please?”

“I always trust you” Jo promised touching his cheek.

Robb kissed her forehead and led her from their room. She expected them to go down but instead they went up. They walked up several flights of stairs, and through several twisted hallways before arriving at a door where two men she knew to be the Great Jon’s stood guard.

“Your Grace” they greeted and stepped aside.

With a nod Robb opened the door and stepped back so Jo could step into the room. Jo had no idea what she expected to find, or if she expected to find anything so it felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her.

“JO!”

“Martyn!”

Her feet were moving before her brain knew what it was doing and she was wrapped tightly in his arms. Tears were overwhelming her as she held tightly to hi being lifted slightly off the ground as he squeezed her closer. Jo stifled a sob into his shoulder as she began to kiss his cheek.

“What are you doing here? How did this happen?” Martyn whispered clinging to her.

“I, I was, I” the words wouldn’t come, a sob shuddered through her.

“Have they hurt you?” Martyn hissed his body bristling.

“No, not at all” Jo managed snorting back the snot that was threatening to drip.

“There is no rush” Robb’s voice was warm and strangely comforting “Joanna, you can stay with your cousin as long as you’d like today. Ethan and Ondrew will keep guard, you may come and go as you wish.”

“Her Grace is safe with us” one of the men assured and Jo managed a smile.

“Thank you.”

“I will have some food sent up” Robb assured before closing the door and leaving the cousins in heavy silence.

“There is much to tell you” Jo admitted “but I am so glad to see you.”

“You look well, I have had no news since Oxcross when….” Martyn trailed off “then, Tion and Willem.”

“Oh Martyn” she whispered and hugged him tightly.

“It is not proper to cry” he managed trembling in her arms “uncle would never abide by it.”

“Uncle is in King’s Landing, and I have shed enough tears to know it helps.”

Martyn said nothing but she felt the hot tears dripping down her neck and she just clung to him, burying her face into the familiar blonde hair. He even smelt like home which made her own tears begin to flow again.

By the time food was delivered she could no longer make any tears and her arms ached from how tightly she had been clinging to her cousin.

“Thank you Olyvar” she managed as the squire laid the food down and quickly retreated “eat Martyn, while it is still hot.”

“It’s hot?” he flew to the food and began tearing apart the steaming bread and sopping up his soup with it. He was halfway through the rasher of bacon when he saw Jo hadn’t taken an item “Jo you should eat too.”

“I am okay” she promised “I had something last night and have no stomach for it.”

“Are they feeding you properly?” he whispered “I know I a prisoner of war, but they must treat you…”

“I am well fed, Martyn, I am not, not a prisoner” Jo managed “I am wed.”

“Wed?” Martyn bristled “To Lancel?”

“Hardly, I have not seen Lancel in, a very long time. No to Lancel” Jo took a slow breath “To Robb Stark, at my grandfather’s words.”

“That pox ridden traitorous bastard!” Martyn snarled slamming his hand down on the table.

“Martyn, while I’ll not disagree with you about that, it is not so bad” Jo sighed.

“Not so bad? You’ve been sold to a traitor as some brood maire!” Martyn argued “to be mistreated and used!”

“I have not been mistreated a single day with him” Jo assured “we are at war, so I will not try and convince you of his goodness, but he has not mistreated me. He has been as good a husband as I could hope. I have grown very fond of him.”

“He slayed your brother!” Martyn argued.

“No, his lord did, and he hung the culprits. He allowed my voice to be heard at the deliberation of the ring leaders fate.”

“You have bedded the enemy” Martyn snorted.

“I have, and I have even hoped to be a mother by him. Uncle has written me off as a traitor simply for a marriage I had no say in. It was not a simple choice, but I have made the best of it, and I hope this will not sour the love we hold for each other.”

“Nothing could sour my love for you” Martyn promised and Jo smiled.

“I missed you all so much, I miss home. Seven hells, I may even miss Cersei” Jo laughed.

“A true sign of madness indeed” Martyn smiled a bit “so where did this savage north man steal you from?”

“The Crag of all places.”

Jo regaled her cousin with the story of how she ended up at the Crag, then the storming of it and her marriage and journey back. She shared stories of the different lords she had come to know, and the strange farce of a marriage growing into something more. She told him of the fate of the Westerlings, and even her last days at court.

“Why would Aunt Genna ever send you to the Crag?” Martyn demanded.

“There was fighting on all sides, Pinkmaiden was full of Riverland soldiers by that point, there were bandits all along the gold road. We made it to Deep Den but our scouts found outlaws along both the gold road and the River Road. We decided Golden Tooth would be safe, then to Ashemark, then the hope was from the Crag I’d be able to get a ship home. Before it was safe to do so the North showed up in the Crag.”

“Who in seven hells was in charge of your convoy?” Martyn demanded.

“Well, with Stafford dead, Tywin and Kevan planning a war, it was left to some house hold guard whose name I barely remember. One of Cersei’s picks I’m sure.”

“Ah our lovely dowager, how is she anyway?”

“I wouldn’t know, I assume vile as ever. I haven’t had much news since leaving the Crag. Or at least not from that side.”

“So what now?” Martyn asked.

Jo realized she didn’t have an answer for him, she had no idea what was about to happen. She took Martyn’s hand and squeezed it tightly in her own, it felt just as she remembered it. Warm with callouses from the lance he’d been practicing at since he was old enough to sit a horse. Tears pricked at her eyes when there was a loud knock and the door swung open.

“Lady Jo” Olyvar rushed in followed closely by Robb who smiled warmly at his wife.

“Uncle, Robb” Jo stood to greet the two as Olyvar began to lay a spread of fresh food on the table.

“I thought I might join you both for supper” Robb admitted kissing Jo’s cheek lightly.

Martyn was on his feet in a instant and looked like he might clear the table before seeing the look on his cousins face. Instead he cleared his throat and squared his shoulders.

“You are of course welcome, Lord Stark” Martyn ground out.

“We should sit, thank you uncle” Jo smiled as her husband’s squire nearly scrambled from the room.

Jo sat back in her seat and Robb pulled a chair up to sit directly across the small round table from the Lannister. Jo sighed realizing neither man was going to be enjoyable dinner company. Snatching up the wine she filled her cup and wondered if Olyvar would be smart enough to bring more.

“I hope the time was good?” Robb asked.

“Wonderful” Jo assured placing her hand on his arm “thank you for this time.”

“Yes, thank you, I suppose I should thank you for not letting me also be murdered” Martyn offered.

“Martyn!” Jo snapped.

“It is alright” Robb sighed “what has happened will haunt me till my dying day, which is why I’ve spent today making the arrangements I did.”

“Arrangements?” Jo asked “last arrangement to be had was not one that house Lannister looked well upon.”

“We are sending word for an exchange, you will be returned to your family as soon as the details are set. Lord Smallwood will see to it, and until then you will be under honour guard here.”

“You truly mean this?” Martyn asked “this decision, it is foolish, given that you have no other hostages.”

“Maybe it is foolish” Robb admitted “but I will never have another event to hold against my conscious. I’d rather you safely away, and to have my own men back. Can we break bread to that?”

“We can” Martyn agreed.

Dinner was awkward, there was few topics that both would talk freely to each other about. Instead Martyn found stories of his and Jo’s childhood to entertain his dinner guests. Jo filled in details and both were breathless with laughter.

“No, no the best one was when Tyrek convinced Lancel to go down into one of the caves and then cut the rope! It took hours to find him!” Martyn was laughing.

“I thought Kevan might actually murder someone! But remember what Uncle said?”

“If one is stupid enough to go down a rope into such a pit, it is his own fault.” Martyn managed in his best Tywin impression.

“I thought Kevan might finally disagree for once” Jo laughed but was smiling “I would have married that moron.”

“He is a moron” Martyn agreed “a tragedy that he was the eldest.”

“At any rate he stands to inherit everything, so you best be nice to him” Jo reminded.

“He would have been more bearable with you as a bride, you would have ruled him as your mother ruled all her brothers, well, not Tywin. I suppose you will still rule about.”

“This husband is not quite so much a pushover, but I’m figuring it out” Jo dramatically whispered and heard Robb snort slightly “but he is far smarter.”

“A rare compliment and I’ll take it” Robb smiled “and I should go, but Olyvar will fetch you for bed.”

“Thank you” Jo stood and walked him to the door, kissing his cheek lightly “and thank you for all of this.”

It was late when Olyvar finally came to fetch Jo, with a tired hug and kisses on the cheek Jo left her cousin. Rubbing her eyes softly as she leaned on her uncle as they made their way back to where Robb was already there when she shuffled in.

Jo barely managed a few words as she peeled off her dress and fell heavily into the bed stretching her arms up trying to pull the man into the bed with her. Once he laid next to her she curled tightly against him and found her eyelids refused to open.

Whenever Robb was in counsel Jo found her way back to the tower where her cousin was waiting. For a few hours each day she would be taken back to her childhood. Laughing and sharing stories together. For a little while she could almost forget that below her the man she’d wed was planning a war and readying himself for battle.

Jo was combing out her hair when Robb returned looking worn down and angry. Jo watched as he threw his sword belt to the side and kicked  his boots off and fell heavily into a chair. Jo stood, without a word she began to comb through his curls rubbing his scalp with her free hand. Robb closed his eyes and leaned into the touch.

“Would you douse the fire?” Robb mumbled “and open the window?”

“It was that bad?” Jo sighed but did as he asked.

“Worse” Robb admitted and watched the blonde as she leaned against the window frame “not one can agree on a single thing and Edmure is sulking.”          

“I’m sorry, will it be better once the wedding is over?”

“If we can even make it that far, why are you so far away?”

“Perhaps it is best that we retire for the night.”

“Perhaps.”

Chapter Text

The next morning it wasn’t one of their retainers that came to wake them but instead it was Catelyn who gently shook her son awake. Her eyes were red and blood shot, like she had been crying for a long time. Robb bolted up waking his wife with his start.

“What is? What’s wrong?” Robb managed already climbing from the bed.

“Lord Hoster is gone” Catelyn managed turning to face the wall as he quickly dressed.

“When?”

“Sometime last night, in his sleep. It was peaceful” Catelyn told him “Edmure is having the funeral prepared.”

“Are you alright?” Robb asked his mother.

“I said my goodbyes but, he was my fathers” Catelyn quickly wiped her eyes “dress and come down, he would want you to help put the boat to river.”

“Of course, I will be down shortly.”

“Both of you, it wouldn’t look good if you didn’t bring her” Catelyn reminded.

When Catelyn had left Jo crawled from bed, she was sore and tired, and had woken up several times but she carefully dressed herself then helped clip Robb’s black cloak to the silk doublet he’d chosen. Together they walked down to where the family was gathered, the lord and her mother by law, next to them were a spattering of cousins that Jo didn’t know.

The old Lord was laid on a wooden platform, a heavy tapestry with his coat of arms was laid over him. Stones had been placed on his eyes and the smell of some sort of fragment oil was heavy in the air. His shield and hunting horn were tucked on either side. Silent sisters stood off to the side, they had been praying over the body.

After several prayers and a blessing from the Septon, Robb moved to be with his uncles as they lifted the heavy wooden platform and carried him up and out to a small dock in the Red Fork. A small boat waited and they laid him into it, carefully placing his sword and shield with him. The seven men waded out into the river, guiding the boat to it’s path as the rapid river water swirled around their chests.

The air was wet and cold and Jo shivered as the wind swept over them. She stood with Catelyn atop the battlements. There were no words to say as they watched the current take the boat and the men clamber slowly back onto the dock. At his uncles urging the new Lord Tully got a bow. Jo said her silent prayers as the arrow whizzed through the air, and winced as it disappeared into the current.

Jo watched her mother by law reach out to the new young lord who seemed to not notice her. Jo quickly took her out stretched hand, tucking it into her arm with a small smile. Catelyn returned it and tucked close to the blonde’s side sharing the quite moment together.

Everyone filtered back into the hall a heavy silence had taken over. After Edmure had been embarrassed it had left those who remained even more on edge. Jo knew that everyone had their different customs but watching that boat bob down the river was almost serene. As serene as death could be she thought.

The blackfish guided the two women down the stairs to where the king was waiting. Jo let Catelyn’s arm go so she could embrace her son tightly.

“I wish I had known him better” Robb told his mother softly.

“So do I, but there are too many leagues between Winterfell and Riverrun” Catelyn offered gently touching her son’s cheek gently.

Jo took her place by her husband’s side touching his arm lightly before lowering her head and accepting the condolences of his many lords and bannerman. Each speaking similar words and offering praise to the late lord.

“I hate to take this time, but we must prepare” Lothar Frey interrupted, Jo shivered a little as the man offered an almost empty smile. Of her many, many uncles, Lothar possessed more than his share of the smarts. Knowing he was arranging the bride price told her that her grandfather was up to his old tricks.

“Of course my lord, we will sup together tonight and lay all our plans” Robb promised him.

“I am most thankful” Lothar offered bowing his head “I look forward to joining our houses over again. Lady Joanna.”

“As I’m sure my husband does also” Jo offered her uncle who kissed her cheek before leaving the pair to join a cluster of her many other relatives.

“Jo?” Robb’s voice was so low it was nearly a whisper

“I’m alright” she promised “after supper we can speak.”

Robb nodded and returned to the men who wished to speak with him. Another dozen had gathered around to share in his grief and offer their consolations. When they had all gone Robb touched Jo’s back lightly.

“You should rest, I’ll see you in our chambers after supper” Robb promised.

“If you are certain” Jo offered a weak smile.

“I am, I have things to attend and I have a suspicion my supper company is not the kind you enjoy.”

“Certainly not” she admitted “thank you.”

“Go rest” Robb kissed her cheek and she smiled, with a small bob she made her way back up to their rooms. Thankful to finally be away from everyone.  

Stoking the fire Jo tried to finish her letter to her mother. It was almost impossible to put what she wanted to put in words let alone on a single sheet of parchment. Finally she carefully folded it and had Olyvar take it to one of the Silent Sisters who would accompany her brother’s body. Then she took another piece of parchment.

Chapter Text

Several pieces of parchment found their way into the fire before Jo settled on the perfect working. she sorted all of her things away and pulled her old red silk gown from the trunk and redressed herself, pinning her hair back out of her face. Assuring she was presentable, Jo began walking down towards the kitchen. While it looked like the young serving girl wanted to argue with the young queen she eventually handed over the tray. Black Walder followed closely behind her as she descended the winding stairs to the prisons of Riverrun. The stairs were steep and slick with water and a build up of slime from years of dampness. It smelt like river sludge, and something worse. Stealing herself Jo took the last few steps stretching to step over a puddle of water.

Jo believed the man at the door to be an uncle, or an older cousin, she knew him as her father’s kin by sight. When he spotted her he seemed confused but with a look from Walder the guard simply nodded then opened the door for the young queen who stepped in smiling like she was going to greet an old friend as she put the tray down on the small wooden table.

“What the fuck are you doing here? You Lannister whore.”

“Lord Karstark, or, former Lord Karstark I suppose” Jo sat on the small wooden stool arranging the red silk around her “here you are, the cell you murdered my brother. I find it poetic, there is always justice for wrongdoer, just like the stories said.”

“The only wrongdoer is your evil incestuous family that murdered our liege” Lord Karstark snarled “I should have you join your brother.”

“You could, I have no weapon, but those men outside that door, those are my men, the men who will bring you your food, they are mine, and on, and on, and on” Jo smiled sliding the food towards him.

“So you can poison me?” Lord Karstark spat on the food.

“Unlike you I’m not stupid, I wouldn’t walk in here and openly hurt you, but I have a thousand uncles, and a thousand, thousand cousins. You took Tion from them as much as me, many are bastards with little to lose. So who is to say, you will spend many years of your life in this hole Lord Karstark, and a thousand accidents can happen on the way to the wall. My question for you is, how long will that life be? A day, a year, or till you give in to old age. Whatever it is, well, I wish you everything you deserve.”

The man stared at her dumbstruck, her smile was soft but there was something in her green eyes that spoke of a danger. Like a hunter that had their prey cornered.

“Why didn’t you just let the boy take my head?” the lord snarled and Jo just sighed.

“What good is your head to me my lord? Your life however” Jo stood “the wine is arbor gold, do enjoy.”

Without waiting Jo stood and with a flourish turned and walked from the cell, Black Walder took up walking with her. Neither spoke but Jo found him following behind her comforting. She ascended the stairs and walked past the hall where men were singing songs and drinking away their sadness. Jo knew she wouldn’t find her husband among them, nor anyone else whose company she desired at that moment. Instead she continued up, back to her room.

“Walder, go, drink with the others” Jo dismissed, he gave her a sharp nod before she closed the door.

Jo poured herself a large cup of that arbor gold and sat heavily on the bench below the window. The wine was sweet and the sound of the water running below the stone walls was soothing. Jo drank and thought.

It was late when the door finally opened, Jo looked up with a small smile but paused when she saw the look on her husband’s face. His jaw was tight, his brows were knit and it looked as though something heavy was sitting on his shoulders.

“Was the treating with my uncles that terrible?” Jo asked as she poured him a cup of wine.

“Yes, but it’s not that, or just that.”

“What’s going on?” Jo slowly sat across from him.

“I had news” Robb took a long sip and sighed “which was not so bad as having to tell my mothers.”

“Robb?” Jo took his hand and squeezed it “what has happened?”

“Sansa has been married off” Robb admitted “to the imp.”

“To, Tyrion?” Jo managed biting onto lower lip.

“That oath breaking bastard” Robb snarled and Jo tried to hide a snort of laughter “you find this amusing?”

“Only in the way one forced to marry her enemy can” she reminded “it is a very clever move indeed.”

“Clever?”

“Yes, oh quite, Not only does he remove Tyrion from his own line of succession he takes your heir apparent, it is clever, it is tactical, you can’t deny that.” Jo admitted refilling his cup.

“Removes him?” Robb looked at her.

“Tywin has sworn upon every god known that he will never allow Tyrion to inherit Casterly Rock, he planned for Lancel to inherit. Mostly by disallowing Tyrion to marry but, now, well he intends that when he does manage to retake the North from the Greyjoys he’ll instill Tyrion and Sansa” Jo explained.

“And when they find the North burned what then?”

“To my uncle, all the better” Jo sighed.

“I have lost the North, Winterfell is burned and my sister is wed to a monster” Robb managed and Jo refilled his cup “I am loosing this war.”

“You are not loosing, yet” Jo offered “but this war is as much a political game as it is about the battles you fight my love. The North has been isolated from such things but now you have to play this game, first you must name a living heir, one the north will follow, that shares enough blood to be called Stark but who will not be too strongly aligned with the other houses. Is there such a person?”

“Jon” Robb looked at her “my half-brother.”

“A bastard? You will have to name him such in the eyes of gods and men” Jo reminded.

“You don’t fear that he will slaughter your sons in the cradle when they take his title of heir?” Robb looked at the blonde who was refilling his cup.

“This assumes I will have sons” Jo reminded “plus, if you do not remember my grandfather’s army of bastards have been the force of your campaign. On top of an heir, we cannot stay isolated within the North and Riverlands, you will need allies, powerful ones, ones with common enemies. As your forces go North the Riverlands will have to hold their own and we will need more than that. You have no cousins do you?”

“Just my Aunt Lysa’s boy in the Eyrie” Robb admitted.

“From what I have learned the Eyrie will be next to no help” Jo paused “unless, you need to send word of your grandfather’s death, several of his retainers, men your aunt would know and trust should travel to the Eyrie, if they cannot speak sense to her surely some of her Lords and Retainers will listen.

“Your mother should be in charge of that, and Dorne, the Martells hate the Lannisters more than even you. Prince Oberyn he has several bastard daughters. We can send some of my uncles or cousins, a few of the Rivers then, they will see no insult in it, and it allows us to keep the Lords closer at hand” Jo stood and began to search for something among the many papers “if we can convince some knights from the Eyrie, and house Martell to join to your cause we will not only reinforce our own numbers but surround the enemy. Of course we will need to plan, marriages of course are the best way to form pacts. Should you name this bastard brother a Stark, and then we have a son a match between your brother and Arianne Martell may be workable.

“In Dorne they follow birth order, not gender so Arianne will rule after her father Doran. We lack any marriage age women as of now but with new alliances that may change and we cannot forget that many lords are not so loyal as the Northerners are to their Liege, we must write too Sunhouse, and Blacktown. They have never been steadfast in support of the Tyrells and” Jo finally stopped, she’d spread a map across the table and looked at where Robb was watching her “What?”

“How do you know all this?” he finally asked and Jo straightened.

“I have been groomed since the day I could walk to be the Lady of Casterly Rock. To rule as the right hand to a great lord. To know my enemies and outliers as well as my own kin” Jo flattened her skirt nervously.

“But, Tyrion?”

“As I said, he would have either remained alone or disinherited, Tywin would see to it. What Tywin truly wanted was to remove Jamie from the king’s guard, name him heir and I would have wed him and ruled, but even someone as powerful of Tywin cannot undo those vows. So, he turned his sights on Lancel, the first born son of his brother. From the moment I was born, Tywin decided I would wed the heir. One cannot let their heirs go untaught. Jamie or Lancel, I would have accepted as my husband gladly, but the gods do not think much of our plans.”

Jo went to refill their cups but the jug was empty, she placed it down and walked to the window throwing it open to let the cold night air in.

“I didn’t know you were engaged” Robb admitted.

“It was hardly a formal agreement, nothing said before the gods, Lancel wanted to be knighted before we spoke of that” Jo smiled at him a little “and would it change where we stand now?”

“I do not think it would” Robb admitted.

“Then let me use what I have been taught since girlhood to help you now. I am your wife. Your war is now my war, our battles my battles. My life belongs to you as I swore before the gods” Jo touched his cheek lightly.

“For now we must settle the matter of an heir” Robb admitted.

Jo had no time to respond before the man stood and caught her in a kiss, his arm encircling her as he pressed her backwards towards their bed. As she fell under his weight, his lip travelling down her neck, Jo managed a silent prayer before becoming lost in his touch.

Jo had no idea how much time had passed, the fire was totally burned down and Robb was snoring heavily. She had tried to sleep, twisted and turned, stretched and curled but couldn’t seem to find a single comfortable way to lay. With a sigh she crawled from the bed and found her slip crumpled nearly under the bed. Grabbing a cloak from the floor she slid out the door and began down a now familiar set of stairs.

The whole castle seemed to be sleeping, the fire and torches were nearly burned down to nothing. Jo pulled the cloak tighter against the damp cold as she walked faster, ducking into the Sept Jo paused realizing despite the darkness everywhere else it appeared as though in here a hundred candles were still burning.

“Lady Stark” Jo managed as the woman stood.

“You should call me Catelyn” the woman offered.

“Catelyn” Jo offered with a nod “I hadn’t meant to interrupt you, I just, didn’t know where else to go.”

“No, the interruption is welcome, I had lost track of time” Catelyn admitted looking over the girl.

“That is easy to do with everything that has happened” Jo assured “it’s why I came here, the Sept is always open, always here.”

“That is why I am here” Catelyn smiled.

“Since we are here, I had a small thing to bring up, if we could” Jo tugged nervously at the clasp of her cloak.

It was then Catelyn noticed the clasp at the girl’s throat, the two silver direwolves. A clasp that had once adorned her husband’s formal cloak back at Winterfell and was now a staple when her son sat at with his lords. Now it sat against this woman’s pale thin throat.

“Of course, what is it?” Catelyn managed tearing her eyes from the silver clasp, a clasp she had never worn, nor thought to wear when her husband lived and ruled. Finally looking into the young woman’s gold flecked eyes that danced with the candlelight.

Chapter Text

Jo couldn’t decide what she hated more, the grey sky and constant drizzle of rain that was trickling down her neck at this point, or her uncle Lothar’s company. They’d barely made it a hundred yards from Riverrun and she wondered if it was too late to beg leave and return to where there was a bed and a fire. With a shiver she pulled the heavy cloak tighter and watched Grey Wind disappear into bushes, slinking away from the rain.

“Joanna?” Lothar snapped and she realized he’d been speaking to her.

“I apologize uncle, I did not hear you” Jo offered with a tight smile.

“I was asking if your aunt will become your ladies maid, it is only proper” Lothar started.

“I am marching from war camp to war camp, the Lord Tully will likely wish to return home with his bride” Jo tried to keep her voice tempered. It had taken all of her will power just to crawl from her bed at first light. Robb had even questioned if she would have preferred to rest and sit in one of the wagons when she nearly fell mounting her horse.

Now she couldn’t unclench her thighs, and had worn a hole in her cheek from chewing at it to keep herself awake. With Lothar wearing away at little patience she had left with his false charm and needling her for piece of information she truly thought she was on the verge of losing it.

“So the Lord Tully isn’t going North?” Lothar asked and Jo felt herself bite down hard on her tongue.

“I am unsure uncle that would be a question for the King and counsel” Jo ground out “if you’ll excuse me.”

Jo spurred the horse on, ignoring the feeling that she may tumble from her saddle as she tried to escape a conversation that felt as if it may kill her. Her stomach churned and Jo had to rein up not far from where she started. Leaning as far as she could without tumbling Jo gagged and heaved bringing up her breakfast.  Squeezing her eyes shut Jo righted herself and just sat for a long moment.

“Jo?”

It took several moments for her to force her eyes open to see Dacey looking at her with concern.

“I am fine, I got no sleep last night” Jo assured trying to make the world come back into focus.

“I can ride ahead and have the king call a halt or, a wagon” Dacey grabbed Jo’s arm to steady her.

“I will not, I refuse to make him look weak” Jo muttered “just stay close, please.”

“I will, but should you need” Dacey trailed off noticing the woman’s eyes had already drooped closed.

“I just need to stay upright until we make camp” Jo mumbled, her head was pounding.

“Jo” Dacey touched her forehead and Jo batted the intrusive hand away.

“Please, just keep my on my horse and do not let Robb worry. My grandfather is not a patient or kind man, any delay with be seen as a grave insult. Which is where he belong, in the grave. My gods do not seem to listen to prayers for the death of ones grandfather, what about yours?”

Dacey laughed and watched the smirk play across the blonde’s face.

“They might” Dacey admitted “but we always say that the old gods have no power outside the North.”

“Then I best continue North” Jo sighed “to the land of snow and man beasts, and trees that may kill my grandfather. Though that will leave is under Ryman’s rule. I am not sure which is worse.”

“Ryman? That dull witted pig?”

“That dull witted pig, who will call me bastard and accuse my mother of having an affair with my uncle, yes Ryman” Jo opened her eyes and sighed “he has never kept quiet about his disdain for my father, or mother or myself and my siblings. A shame his father was cut down before he was.”

“Add him to your list for the old gods” Dacey smiled at the blonde.

“I fear with this rain will drown us sitting upright” Jo shivered.

“We’re marching north, into winter” Dacey sighed.

“Do you remember any winters?”

“When I was little I remember the first one, barely, just it being cold and being inside a lot. Not much else.”

“I suppose this one we will all remember.”

The trickle became a steady rain, then quickly became a downpour. The entire world was grey as they continued their march. The sky and land seemed to merge together in an endless abyss ahead. At some point someone had thrown a second, much larger, cloak over Jo. It did little to help the chill she was fighting as her clothes were already soaked through. Still Jo hugged the rough material tighter as she road thankful it kept water from running down her face and neck.

Dacey was never more than an arms reach away, which gave Jo another sense of relief as she let her eyes dip closed a few times as they plodded along. She couldn’t say if she ever actually fell asleep but her head self groggy and with no sun her sense of time was completely skewed. If someone had told her barely an hour was gone she would have to believe them. Especially given that every time her eyes managed to open she felt even more exhausted.

When Jo finally managed keep her eyes open her eyes, she could see tents going up as she squinted against the rain. Someone took her reigns and a strong set of hands were lifting her from her saddle. She felt like some straw stuffed doll whose leg would crumple as she tried to stand.

“Come on, let’s get you dried off” Dacey wrapped an arm around her and Jo leaned into the tall woman thankful for the warmth and support.

“We will be knee deep in mud soon if this keeps up” Jo sighed as they pushed into the huge tent. Two camp followers were lighting braziers to warm the large tent.

“Perhaps, but we have seen worse” Dacey assured as the others left “I can stay if you need.”

“You must have things to attend” Jo reminded “plus my only plan is to try and dry my clothes and warm up. I think I’m more than capable.”

“If you say so” Davey didn’t look like she wanted to leave but nodded and pushed back out into rain leaving the young woman alone.

Catelyn pushed into the large central tent and paused. The young couple were standing peering over a map. The blonde was wrapped in a fur, her bare arm was guiding Robb’s over a map as she explained something to him. Robb’s chin was nestled on her shoulder, his free arm locked around the girl, hugging her tightly as she spoke.

His lips touched her ear as he spoke moving her hand over the map to a new spot and she gave him a reproachful look. He just smirked and pulled her tighter. Catching her in a brief kiss.

Catelyn suddenly realized how much of an intruder she was to this moment. She had come to think of her Robb as a king, but mostly as her son, now she realized she’d missed the part where he had become a husband, and with a note of the obvious affection she wondered if she would soon have to see him as a father too.

Catelyn pushed the thought away and loudly cleared her throat. Immediately the young couple straightened, Robb stepped away from his wife, who had drawn her bare arm back into the heavy fur.

“Mother” Robb offered a quick smile, but just like when he was a kid the tips of his ears were turning red.

“Lady Catelyn” Jo’s smile was warm and welcoming, seemingly unbothered by the intrusion.

“I am sorry to interrupt, the counsel is waiting” Catelyn admitted.

“You should have sent Olyvar, you are not here to run my messages” Robb reminded his mother almost sternly.

“I am not always sure what I am here for” Catelyn offered “but I was on my way here, so I was happy to carry the message. You should go.”

Robb nodded as he pulled his cloak over his shoulders and carefully lifted his crown onto his head.

“You’re sure you won’t come love?” Robb looked at where Jo was biting at her thumb staring over the map again.

“No, they will here my words better from your lips” Jo reminded, Robb touched her cheek, running his thumb over her lip.

“If you are certain, I will be back soon” Robb promised and kissed her lightly before pushing out into the heavy rain. When his boot falls were swallowed by the wind and rain Jo smiled at the woman who was standing there.

“More maps” Catelyn sighed stepping in more to look at it.

“It occupies his mind constantly” Jo admitted.

“And what are your words?” Catelyn asked looking at the blonde.

“A plan, Robb is very smart and he’s good at warfare, but he lacks an understanding of people at times. Especially from outside the north, that is all.”

“I fear you’re right about that, he has a deep trust, a northern trust” Catelyn admitted looking over where the black tokens that had been placed on the map.

“He does, it is both his strongest attribute, but also his greatest weakness.” Jo sighed and slid one of the pieces over slightly “I would offer you supper but I must admit I haven’t had any food brought in, my stomach hasn’t been very settled.”

“I understand” Catelyn assured gently looking her over, other than the dark bags under her eyes she looked rather unchanged from when they’d first met “I had just planned to try and rest, but if you need me know I am not far away.”

“Thank you” Jo smiled warmly but seemed distracted.

Each day the weather seemed more determined to keep them from their goal, the wet was swallowing them alive. Roads were replaced by running mud and fields became bogs. Jo tried to ignore the signs of war that littered the ground and spoke to things that had happened long before she was involved, before it was her war.

Every night was more of the same, trying to dry off before scrambling into the tepid warmth of her bed and clinging tightly to Robb. He was restless, each day his anxiety growing as about how late they were going to be and what their next step was. Jo would nod and simply curl close trying to soak up as much of his warmth as she could while she soothed his nerves.

By the time they reached Oldstones Jo was thoroughly convinced she’d never be warm, or dry again. She was permanently shivering and felt too ill too eat most days. Even planning had become taxing on her mind and she felt like even simple conversations were too difficult to keep up. She was sure other’s had noticed, even Dacey rarely engaged her and instead just stayed close helping her walk from her tent to her horse and back the next morning, staying steadfast by her side.

Jo was half asleep at the table, her stitching forgotten and her head rested on her arm when the flap of the tent flew open. Cold wet hair hit her and she jolted upright pausing when she saw Catelyn standing there. Jo jumped to her feet trying to get her get her bearings.

“Robb?”

“Did you know?” Catelyn asked.

“Know? What has happened? Has he told you something? Has something happened?” Jo demanded peering into the darkness behind the woman.

“That Robb intends to name Jon as heir” Catelyn informed ad the girl paused.

“I knew of course I did, it was partially my plan” Jo admitted and saw the woman’s face drop “I thought Robb would have told you sooner, I’m surprised he told you now, he’s been so cross.”

“Cross?” Catelyn stared at her “This is madness. Do you not fear for your children?”

“As of now I have none to fear for. Which is all the worse for all of us” Jo offered with a sigh.

“You would have that, that bastard” Catelyn started.

“Jon has as much Stark blood as Robb, he is of the North, he has brought no harm to Robb his whole life. He is the only choice, the only choice until Robb has a living heir. Preferably one out of the cradle” Jo reminded.

“I thought you would not fall into this folly” Catelyn snapped.

“The only folly is your emotional dismay at this plan” Jo snapped back and instantly regretted it when she saw the woman’s face.

Catelyn turned and stormed off, Jo thought to follow but didn’t, she sat heavily and put her head down on the table. Jo had spent much of her life with her cousin Joy Hill, she didn’t understand the hatred of and dislike of this man she’d never met. She tried to imagine what she would feel if Robb presented her with a child that he had fathered on someone else and she couldn’t conjure any feeling than jealousy for her own lack of child.

The days were lonelier, Jo was so tired she could only really respond to Dacey and Little Jon’s attempts at conversations with half hearted grunts or single words. She swayed in her saddle and hunkered against the rain and fighting the constant shivering that had begun to grip her. Little changed, each day was long and grey, the mud got thicker and even the smallest streams were swollen and rapid. Jo couldn’t tell if the sun was even rising and setting, or how long she struggled to stay up right in her saddle.

It was late and dark when the tent flap flew open and Robb seemed to half storm half sprint in, Jo barely made it to her feet before he was upon her. He skin was hot as though he’d run he whole way and his clothing damp as he lifted her off her feet kissing her. Jo gasped as he lifted from her feet, grabbing tightly as he pushed her into the bed.

Jo was laying panting, her whole body ached and she curled tightly to Robb whose body was radiating heat and passion as he caught his breath next to her. She traced her fingers over the scars on his chest ad stomach, having a moment of reprieve from toiling in the rain.

“You are happy” Jo observed and he nodded a little smile.

“Balon Greyjoy is dead” he sighed with a smile.

“That is good news” Jo admitted “but not singularly joyful.”

“His brother Victarion has returned, the Iron Born will be running back to fight over their stone chair” Robb grinned at her.

“You have a plan” Jo observed with a small smile.

“I do, everything will be set in motion when we meet up with Lord Bolton” Robb promised her “and you have an important role to play.”

“To keep your bed warm?” she laughed.

“You’re to stay at the twins, with any luck I’ll reclaim the North fast enough you will not have time to miss me.”

“I will not.”

“Jo” Robb sat up slightly “that is an order.”

“An order?” Jo stared at him, he softness from before was gone, gone was her husband and now the King in the North sat in her bed.

“A command” Robb reminded “you are my wife, I will keep you safe.”

“Safe? In that cesspit?” Jo demanded feeling an edge creeping into her voice “I will not take such commands, from you or any man. After a single day in that stench pit I will have thrown myself from a window.”

“Joanna” Robb snapped “as your king.”

Jo shoved him hard back down into the pillows and threw her leg over him so she sat on his stomach, his arms pinned under her knees. She had often pinned her younger brother in such a way when he was irritating her, but now it had taken on new feeling of power as pushed her shoulders back and stared down at the man she’d come to know as a king and commander.

“And as your queen, as your wife” she traced the hollow of his chest “I am telling you I am not to be commanded to sit behind stone walls while the one she has vowed her life too, whose soul and flesh I share, risks his life.”

“Who will not risk your life” Robb reminded, closing his eyes for a long moment.

“Then you will not leave me under my grandfather’s roof.”

“Joanna” Robb looked at her “will you free me now?”

“Not until I have your word, your word to never leave me in that dreadful keep, not for a single night you are not in my bed.”

“I swear it upon the gods” Robb sighed, sliding his arms out from under her legs and flipped her over so he was once again on top of “now, let us be one.”

Chapter Text

Jo never thought she’d be relieved or happy to see the twins, yet as her horse plodded towards the giant identical keeps that was the feeling seeping in. A few days past a shiver had set in, a constant tremble that even wrapped in furs and her husbands arms she was still unable to stop the trembling shiver. It felt like every part of her body hurt, whether from the wet cold that had sunk to her bones, her husbands renewed passion, or clinging to her horse for countless hours. Now all she craved was a solid roof and a real bed with a fire, she even thought about the possibility of a bath, with fresh hot water. Jo felt like she could even forgive the smell that was already wafting on the wind from the buildings. Given she had no appetite she thought the smell may even be forgivable. Many of the men were already gathered when she finally brought her horse to a stop. Before she could even attempt to dismount a pair of hands were lifting her down.

“You alright my lady?” The little Jon asked as he steadied her.

“Tired, cold” Jo managed a smile but had to swallow hard to prevent a gag.

Jon looked unconvinced but carefully took her arm and guided her to where the king was standing talking with some a pale eyed man who immediately stopped to look at her.

“This must be your bride” the man’s voice was cold.

“Joanna” the king reached his hand out to take her arm “the Lord Bolton.”

“A pleasure my lord” Jo managed.

“The pleasure is mine, my queen” he returned, and Jo felt like if she had been cold before her blood now ran with ice.

“Now you’ve arrived we should head in” Robb admitted.

“Lord Frey is eager to get started” Lord Bolton reminded.

“I’d like to borrow my husband for a moment before then” Jo gave his arm a gentle squeeze.

“If you’ll excuse me” the king nodded and walked with Jo to a corner where his shoulders finally seemed to drop “are you alright?”

“Well enough, well enough to face him, just tired but I have to remind you, my grandfather will stop at no end to try and enrage you, and to make a mockery of me. Do not fall to it.”

“You think I’m so easily baited?” Robb demanded.

“I think you are too proud at times, and too defensive of me by half” she touched his cheek lightly “promise me, you will shield yourself from his words?”

“I have fought battles” Robb reminded and she smiled.

“I have not doubt should my grandfather come at you with a sword you could defeat him in a single blow, but he fights with words and snarks, a kind of combat you my love are woefully under prepared for.”

“I promise, I will keep a level head whatever he might say” Robb promised and Jo smiled kissing him lightly.

“Now, we best go.”

Robb straightened up and took her arm, as they walled his Lords moved to walk with him. Jo was very aware of the eyes of her Frey family on the group of Northerners as they walked into the hall. The smell was now thick in the air and her eyes burned from the smoke. The unmistakable smell of urine and body odor made Jo swallow another gag and lift her sleeve to try and mask some of it.

“Well, well, well, look who finally made it back” the old lord wheezed from his seat above them. Jo could already feel the northerners bristling.

“The road was hard” Robb’s voice was measured “but we are glad to be here, to experience your hospitality as such a joyous time.”

“Seeing that uncle of yours humbled will be a joyous event.”

“He looks forwarding to meeting his wife” Robb tried to remain courteous in his words.

“And how is your wife” he licked his lips again “they say she’s my granddaughter, I’m not so sure, what that family is inclined too. Did you know Tywin tried to stop her parents marriage? Oh he thought he was so much better. But I had my way, well not totally, I would have taken that ripe little Lannister lady for my wife, but even the laughing stock that was Tytos Lannister wouldn’t give me that, oh how sweet that would have been.”

Lord Frey laughed so hard he began to cough and choke on his phlegm, Jo felt some perverse hope grow that perhaps he would finally choke, instead he wheezed in a deep breath and spat out a grey wad onto the rushes at his feet.

“Well, we are very happy grandfather” Jo ground out feeling how tense Robb was next to her “it has been a prosperous match.”

“Not so prosperous, what is he sticking it in the wrong hole girl? Surely you know where to stick it girl! I expected you to be fat with child by now. Ah well, good for you then boy, she’s got her mothers body, so one or two little ones and she’ll be as fat as a sow, and worth half as much” Lord Frey laughed as his own joke, urging a half-hearted chuckle from some of his gathered sons.

Jo dug her fingers into Robb’s arm, digging her nails as deep into his through the thick wool fabric. She could feel the tense muscles under the fabric and gripped harder feeling her knuckles ache with the effort.

“Now, enough about your conquest, where is the Lord Tully?” Walder demanded.

“Here” Lord Edmure stepped forward with a scowl etched on his face.

“The New Lord Tully, you’ll understand the way of it better than your father did, you will” Lord Frey coughed spitting up phlegm “you’re lucky though, that Lord Bolton drives a hard bargain he does. You get to choose your bride.”

“Lucky me” Edmure managed.

“Well, no more waiting” Walder snapped “come on you lot!”

The girls filed into place, Walder licked his lips before he shoved a piece of dried meat into his mouth till they were all standing in the dingey smoke filled hall. As Edmure walked up to them and along the line of girls one let out a little giggle of nerves that made him stop.

“My lord” she managed then giggled again trying to look at anyone but him. With another round of giggles she stepped back a little bit.

“What is your name?” Edmure finally asked.

“Roslin my lord” she offered looking at him through her lashes.

The room was so hot and stuffy, Jo could barely breath due to the stink and was only vaguely aware of the line up of her aunts and cousins. She could hear Edmure’s voice but couldn’t understand the words. It was a fog. Her brain only managed to register that the woman speaking was not half so unsightly as she what she expected that a shout broke into haze.  

“Your grace!”

Then a firm pair of arms stopping her from hitting the floor and pulling her back to her feet. Jo shook her head gently trying to make the room stop spinning. It did nothing but make the spinning worse, suddenly the gags she’d been swallowing came all up once. Twisting she gagged and wretched until nothing was left in her.

“Enough of your dramatics!” Lord Frey snapped “stupid girl, hurry up now Lord Tully!”

“Jo, are you alright?” Dacey asked as she helped steady the blonde again, kicking rushes over the pile of sick.

“Yes, I’m fine, nerves” she managed a smile but could nearly see the vein in Robb’s neck and his fists turning white, even with his back to her she knew she would find a tight look of worry on his face if he did turn. He was rooted in place like his god tree, and nearly as pale, but she was glad to see he knew better than to prioritize her over the goings on. If her grandfather was not already insulted by their lateness he would be being over looked for a mere woman.

“You’re Certain?” Dacey put the back of her hand on the Jo’s forehead.

“Truly” Jo tried to smile but found that it made her gag again.

“Perhaps you should sit” Dacey urged but she shook her head and fixed herself to stand tall, breathing through the perfumed cloth she had hidden in her sleeve.

“I will not” she hissed refusing to admit the room was spinning, instead she gripped tightly to Dacey’s arm and fixed her eyes on her grandfather.

His smile was broad, black holes where his teeth were missing, the gloating was written across his face as he looked down upon the king and the lord Tully. Even as a child she’d hated how he looked at her, how he seemed to see her as some sort of sick trophy that he had won. The same face he was wearing now. It was a face that sickened her, and suddenly she gagged again, this time the heave was loud. There was no food, but instead she heaved and gagged up bile. Splattering Dacey’s boots in the foul smelling liquid.

She wretched again, heaving heavily despite nothing coming up anymore. Her nose and throat burned as she choked and gagged trying to clear the taste and feel from her mouth.

“Joanna”

Robb’s voice was in her ear as he steadied her, she realized the silence wasn’t just around her, it was a complete that enveloped the whole room. All eyes were on her as she gagged trying to clear her throat.

“I’m sorry” she managed through another gag.

“Do not be, you are unwell, come.”

Jo felt his arms under her legs and along her back as he lifted her from the ground. Perhaps once she would have felt humiliated at the action, but now she simply curled her exhausted body into him and hid against his chest. The familiar boom of his heart and smell of his cloak soothed her.

“Your grace?”

“I will take my wife to our rooms, she needs rest.”

“Women, they slow the whole thing down, once you have a welp from that bitch you’ll be free of her” Lord Frey snorted.

Robb’s whole body tensed, Jo clung to his tunic and was relieved when he just continued on in silence. Not giving in to the old man’s taunts and barbs. She cuddled her face into his neck and let him carry her up to their room without complaint.

The bed was sparse but comfortable as he laid her down and went to throw open the windows to let the cool river air in around them.

“Do not let my grandfather irk you so, you are doing well, but you must return quickly.”

“I know” Robb sighed “but now my only worry is you, why did you not tell me you are ill?”

“Because I’m not, I feel fine, my stomach is just upset” Jo argued.

“You are pale, and care barely sit a horse, now you are throwing up for no reason, something is amiss” Robb argued but was silenced by a knock at the door.

Without invitation it opened and Catelyn walked in, she looked at the young couple and Jo tried to sit up more on the bed but the world went fuzzy again so she laid back.

“Lady Stark.”

“Mother.”

“Go, the Lord Frey will not like this interruption” Catelyn reminded.

 “I do not much care for what he would like or not!” Robb snapped.

“Robb, go. I will see to her” Catelyn’s voice was clear and harsh, in that moment she was his mother more than anything else.

“I am alright, I just need rest and food that is not dried or stewed” Jo promised.

Robb kissed her head and walked out without a word to his mother. They could hear his boots on the stones. Catelyn closed the door with a sigh and looked at the young woman, who still looked as though she were trying to keep her balance while laying down. Neither had spoken since the night they’d quarreled, still, Jo was so thankful for the woman’s presence, especially when the warm hand touched her forehead.

Chapter Text

Jo should have been embarrassed, completely humiliated and horrified, instead she was flooded with relief. The room was warm and Catelyn spared her any reproach she may have wanted to give as she helped her free of the vomit splattered dress and damp slip, and small clothes. Jo was unsure if they truly went unnoticed but her good mother seemed to not take note of the bruised flesh that dappled the young woman’s breasts, hips and thighs, of which Jo was incredibly aware of as she was being wrapped in the heavy woollen blanket.

“Those sores?” Catelyn was looking at the red and rashy flesh under her arms.

“My slip, I must have made it too small and the rain has made it worse” Jo admitted, over the last few days her wet clothes seemed to have become more ill fitting being so heavily sodden with rain and dirt.

“We should have a salve made up, it will only worsen in the cold and damp if we don’t take care of it” Catelyn reminded and Jo nodded.

“How do you do it?” Jo asked “winter in the North? I’ve been scared of many things but not so much the idea of freezing in my own keep.”

“It is not so bad, Robb will have told you Winterfell sits atop bubbling pools and hot springs, it is warm, the stone itself is warm, even in the harshest colds.”

“That sounds lovely, my mother told me on the Rock they shuttered and boarded the cliff facing windows to keep the cold at bay.”

“We do what we must” Catelyn admitted “before,”

“Do not, I should not have been half as cross as I was. You are my good mother, and your counsel should be heard with open ears. I just” Jo winced; a newly familiar pain filled her belly.

“You should rest, I’ll have the Maester come attend you.”

“I cannot miss the wedding; he will take it as an insult and will take it out on Robb. I do not think his northern pride can handle much more of my grandfather” Jo sighed.

“If some harsh jabs and disrespectful words are all he gets served then we have made off rather well” Catelyn sighed.

“To that you are not wrong, but that is southern talk. The men of the North will not take such insult as lightly I fear” Jo leaned back, the pain rippled a little bit.

“Rest, I will bring you new clothes before the wedding and a Maester to see to you” Catelyn promised.

“Not my grandfathers Maester, he’s as lecherous an old man as the one he serves” Jo sighed but let herself lay back as another blanket was pulled over her.

“I’ll have one of the ones from the camp come then” Catelyn promised placing her hand on the girl’s forehead.

The touch was so soft and warm and reminded Jo of when she was unwell as a child and her mother would sit beside her bed. For a moment Jo contemplated asking her good mother to stay, to sit with her like her own mother had, but that was a different time. A time when she was allowed to be a frivolous little girl, before she had wed a boy who called himself king and marched to war, before they had declared the end of summer, before winter had come. Instead Jo curled tightly into the blankets and squeezed her eyes shut, ignoring the discomfort in her belly and the musty smell she attempted to sleep.

Jo knew she must have slept because she dreamt. Dreamt of home, of her mother’s singing and her father’s laughter. Of her cousins all gathered playing at cards and dice while her uncle looked upon them with a face no one could read. She dreamt of strawberry tarts and her favourite mare. Of splashing in the pools beneath the keep to cool themselves on hot days. Yet when she opened her eyes, she was in a small dim room that reeked of urine and brine in blankets that itched. Squeezing her eyes closed she hoped for one last moment of home, of her little brother, or her cousin Joy, but it was no use. Pushing to sit up she felt a hand steady her. Catelyn smiled as she helped her, and Jo reminded herself that not all was bad with the world.

“I brought the Maester, he’ll take a quick look, then we can prepare for the wedding.”

“Robb?”

“Still at counsel, the River men and northerners cannot all agree to one plan and his patience grows short” Catelyn admitted and Jo knew that he would not long hold his already frayed temper.

“Then we best be ready quick, food and drink will settle some of them I hope, the things to follow the others” Jo groaned as she stood, her hips ached but she managed to get upright stretching a little.

“Oh dear” the Maester muttered as he took in the worn red flesh and bruises, but a sharp look from the redheaded woman silenced him into his work.

The salve smelt of fire weed and lily, which Jo didn’t mind so much once the linen bandages had been secured, she could barely smell it.

“If we had the time, I might examine the queen, I must ask” the Maester began.

“Later” Catelyn interrupted “it is my brother’s wedding, and we must prepare.”

“Of course, my lady it’s just” he paused again and looked over the blonde.

“Later” Catelyn assured and opened the door ushering the man out before turning back to the young queen.

“Is something amiss?” Jo asked asking Catelyn giving her that same scrupulous look the Maester had.

“Not amiss” Catelyn assured “let us get you ready and we will talk.”

Jo nodded and allowed the woman to help her dress in a new wool slip, larger than her last it allowed her wounds more space, and a light blue wool dress with green silk swirls embroidered all about it. Jo had never loved the colour blue but it was warm and dry and for that she was happier to have it than her entire trunk of silks.  Jo even allowed Catelyn to brush out the many tangles that had formed in her curls, pinning her hair back from her face.

“Your silence does tell me something is not right” Jo reminded as she checked her reflection.

“It is not that it’s not right” Catelyn was watching her so closely it made Jo nervous “I just wonder if there is anything on your mind?”

“We are at war?” Jo looked at that.

“I meant more personally” Catelyn admitted “with how you’ve been feeling?”

Jo opened her mouth to answer when the door slammed open, Grey Wind appeared first, his pelt wet and slick as he ran into the room making Jo leap from his path to avoid soaking her dry clothes. The wolf’s master was not far behind, though not nearly as keen to greet the women as the wolf was.

“You’re drenched!” Jo grabbed the wool blanket and had it wrapped about him before the man even seemed to notice.

“You should be in bed.”

“And leave you to that snake’s nest? Absolutely not! Come, you’re going to catch cold!” Jo tried to lead him to the fire but he just smiled a bit at her.

“You worry far too much about the cold.”

“One of us must. Why were you even outside?” Jo demanded.

“A very good question” Catelyn agreed.

“If I did not get out of that chamber I was like to serve the bride her brothers head as a wedding gift” Robb grumbled as he began to pull his soaked outter layers away throwing them down in front of the fire.

“Which brother?” Jo asked earning her a look “it is a fair question, many of them would be far better less a head!”

“I do not think it is a good war strategy to behead my allies.”

“I’m sure my grandfather would not miss a few” Jo sighed “but are you alright?”

“Are you?”

“I was simply tired” Jo promised but couldn’t hide the wince or how her hand went to her side “and sore, I’ve not ridden so much in my entire life. I worry more for you.”

“I’m better now” Robb assured “mother, may I ask you something while I ready myself?”

“Of course,” Catelyn managed a small smile for her son.

“Find Olyvar, tell him to find Black Walder and retrieve the items I needed.”

“You need things other than murder from Black Walder?” Jo demanded, going ignored.

“I will” Catelyn touched Jo’s arm lightly and kissed her son’s cheek before departing from their chambers.

“You are truly better?”

“Truly” Jo promised dodging his embrace “now dry yourself, I am finally warm and dry I will not have you ruin it!”

Robb smiled and continued to undress himself. Jo carefully hung the went clothes near the fireplace, pausing to scratch behind Grey Wind’s ear. It was torn from some battle he’d been in. Jo smiled a little as he licked her fingers before scratching his chin and returning to hanging her husband’s clothes by the fire. When she turned, she paused and shook her head.

“Absolutely not, if you wear black, he will assume you are mourning the wedding or some other slight” Jo reminded.

“He will find slight with any of my actions” Robb grumbled dropping the black tunic onto the bed.

“He will, but we can mitigate some of that” Jo began searching through the chest when she felt his arms wrap around her. Jo shivered as he kissed her cheek, his nose and lips were cold and left a trail of goose flesh wherever they touched.

“Stop” Jo giggled trying to pull away.

“We have time” Robb whispered.

“We absolutely do not” Jo argued and gave him a little shove “here, grey and silver. Now dress yourself. We will have plenty of time when the wedding is done and everyone has had far too much wine, we will have time then.”

Robb grinned a little as he finished dressing and was just pulling his boots on when there was a loud knock and Olyvar scurried in carrying a large box that he placed carefully on the table.

“Thank you Olyvar” Robb opened the box and was uncharacteristically gentle as he lifted the item free of its box. The item shimmered as he turned and held it out as Jo gasped a little.

“Oh!” Jo gasped.

“You reminded me, you are a queen” Robb held out the diadem, it was bronze, steel, and gold all carefully braided together. Dangling on small triangle chains in matching metals were emeralds that cast green light all over the room.

“It’s so beautiful, oh Robb” she touched the emeralds.

Robb gently placed the diadem onto her head, the emeralds sat on her forehead and sparkled through her curls.

Throwing her arms around him she kissed him deeply feeling his arms tighten around her. After a moment Olyvar cleared his throat.

“Your grace, the wedding” Olyvar reminded.

“He’s right love” Jo sighed and took his arm “we can face this together, my King.”

“My Queen” Robb grinned and leaned in for another kiss when Olyvar cleared his throat more insistently.

Grey Wind let out a loud snort and walked passed them. Robb fixed his shoulders and took his crown from the table and placed it amongst his own curls before leading his wife down the hall. Arm in Arm they walked, Jo held her head high letting the gemstones glitter in the candlelight. Jo knew she had own more extravagant pieces, but the tiara had already claimed it’s place in her heart as they walked together.

The Sept was old, the paintings on the walls were worn down and nearly unrecognizable, any decoration had been long faded and the candles were mangled stubs. Jo followed Robb to the front where she saw what remnants of what must have been the mother and father. It was sadder than even the Sept she had wed in. With a gentle kiss Jo took a seat and watched as Robb went to speak with the Lord Tully.

Jo watched as the ceremony continued, it was short, the bride had tears in her eyes and the groom looked less tense that he had since the engagement had been announced. Jo knew all the words spoken so barely listened instead fixing her eyes on the faded eyes of the mother wondering if any prayer she had made was ever actually heard. When a hand touched her shoulder.

“Jo?” Dacey’s face was still painted with concern.

“I am alright, I saw the Maester.”

“Any news?”

“No?” Jo mumbled “what news would there be?”

“Nothing” Dacey smiled and sat with the girl through the rest of the ceremony and the two walked together back to the hall for the feast.

Robb joined them soon after, sitting with Jo at one of the long tables looking up onto the bride and groom. Jo sipped the wine and cringed at how bitter it was but quickly threw it back, resting her shoulder against her husbands. Now Jo wished she’d stayed in bed, there were speeches, her grandfather’s taking the longest, and followed by many others. With each toast Jo downed a glass of wine but it didn’t make anything better, just making her feel worse.

The food was good, roast boar and vegetables stewed in butter and herbs. Birds in thick sauces with onions and garlic, with fresh bread. Jo was so hungry that every dish that went by she was eager to try. Ever the fish made her mouth water and she soon realized she was eating more than she had since they’d started their march from the Crag. After tarts and cakes Jo was unsure if she would be able to eat any more.

“Your grandfather is going to think I tried to starve you” Robb mumbled.

“Then he would think you have done one thing right in this marriage” Jo laughed then hiccupped slightly “I don’t know why I’m so starved.”

“The cold gives one an appetite” Robb admitted “to help us grow ready for the cold.”

“As kind of a way as it is to tell me I am growing fat, I would like to think we can avoid the cold a bit longer.”

“If you are going to go North you’ll have to face the cold.”

“I get to go North?”

“My position has been, swayed.”

“But not by me” Jo observed taking a long sip of wine.

“I’ll explain it all when the festivities are through.”

“You do like to make me wait” Jo smiled and kissed his cheek lightly.

Music was playing and as the tables were cleared and pushed to the sides, Robb was quickly caught by several of his men with questions of what was to come now. Jo sipped her wined and watched the familiar faces all around her with a pang of loneliness.

“Your grace” the voice felt like cold water dripping down her back.

“Lord Bolton” Jo greeted with a small dip.

“What a beautiful crown” he offered “it suits you, gold and green have always suited the Lannisters.”

“Thank you” Jo offered “it was a kind gift, Robb knows  I like emeralds.”

“A good husband, how fortunate” Lord Bolton fixed his sleeves “would you allow me this dance?”

Jo looked where a few couples had taken to the floor, the familiar song and pattern of couples had begun. It was a well known dance in the Riverlands, it surprised her to be asked by a Northerner. Still she had been well trained enough by her mother to know, despite the cold feeling the Lord gave her, she had to say yes.

“Of course my lord” Jo managed taking his arm and following him to where the others were dancing.

As they joined the others moving slowly to the music she could feel how cool his hands were and the strange smell he gave off.

“I wanted to tell you something” he explained as they moved in beat.

“I am always happy to lend my ear” Jo was careful with her words.

“I’m sure you will be, I saw your cousin” he explained.

“Cousin?”

“Jamie, he happened upon Harrenhal.”

“And yet you did not bring him back in shackles” Jo pointed out, a mix of relief and anger welling up in her chest.

“I did not” he admitted “he said he had been freed and was off to get the Lady Sansa, who am I to argue with that?”

“You surely must have known” Jo started then stopped, she wondered if Robb knew, or why he was sharing this with her.

“Known what?” Lord Bolton offered.

“Known there would be a reward from my uncle” Jo corrected course as he twirled her.

“Perhaps there would be” Lord Bolton admitted “is it so wrong to have, options, surely you know you have options.”

Jo couldn’t manage the laugh that burst out of her as she even tried to entertain the idea, others around them seemed to peek over at them as she tried to contain herself.

“You think you don’t?”

“Perhaps I do, but options, and good options are not the same thing my lord” Jo reminded “I know my uncle incredibly well and any option he gives you comes with many strings. Now I have come to know the northerners, and as you well know, they are rarely ones who are flexible or willing to change their ways.”

“You think your uncle lacks empathy to your situation?”

“I think my uncle lacks empathy” Jo admitted as they moved she observed the faces she had come to know “he regrets little, less when it would remove shame and tarnish from his family.”

“And you are tarnished?”

“Oh, I am shamed beyond repose” Jo admitted “he may make promises but I will be no more to him than a piece for power. Tell me my Lord, do you think he can keep whatever promises he made you in more than words?”

“That is a good question” Lord Bolton agreed “one I was hoping you may shed light on.”

“Are you asking me to choose a side for you my lord?” Jo scrutinized the man whose face gave little away, in some ways he resembled the man they were discussing.

“Not at all your grace, simply your opinion on the enemy” it was such a smooth answer Jo knew many would not question it’s value.

“Then I would say he can only give you empty words” Jo reminded “you see, he does not want to give power, for once you have that power he can not control how you use it, but words and titles come with a promise of power.”

“Does the North come with any power?”

Jo looked at him, the music was halting as the dance ended and carefully Jo moved to the wall the Lord followed a few paces behind but Jo didn’t stop until she stood near where Grey Wind laid devouring a chicken. The wolf paused and peered at the woman for a moment before continuing his own feast.

“The North” Jo’s voice was soft “hold’s power for no one but those whose name is Stark.”

“Do you enjoy that power?”

“I am a Frey, I will forever remain a Frey, I will not be viewed as a Stark” Jo smiled a little bit “so long as a single child of Stark blood lives no one will hold power but them. If you understand me.”

“I believe I do” Lord Bolton assured “do you fear then what the North will do with a Frey?”

“I do not fear them my lord, that isn’t entirely true, I given them no reason to make me fear them” Jo looked at the lord “the north is not so cruel to those who are loyal to it.”

“I understand” he smiled “I think you have explained well. You are much smarter than people give you credit for.”

“I do not know why men believe such an observation is flattering and not simply insulting” Jo informed looking at him “though it has made it very easy to convince such men that they should speak most freely.”

Jo caught it, just a flash in his eyes, but she beamed a warm smile to him and dipped courteously before beginning to walk away from him. Picking up a cup of wine she touched where the familiar discomfort flitted through her stomach with a sigh and draining the cup. Jo slowly walked her way through the crowds, Robb sat amongst some of the men talking and she walked to him placing her hand upon her shoulder.

He seemed to straighten under her touch, Jo could feel the muscles that lined his shoulder through the woollen tunic and smiled tracing her thumb over the line. Jo looked at the men that sat with him, the men she’d ridden with for some time, northern men, her husband’s men. Jo knew them well, she knew so long as she was loyal to her husband they would protect her and care for her.

Robb glanced up at her and Jo couldn’t help but smile at him warmly.

“Are you enjoying the wedding?”

“More than I thought I would, but I had no intension of interrupting, I am sure whatever is being discussed here is far more important than my enjoyment of the wedding” Jo assured tracing her fingers along his collar

“Hardly” the great Jon laughed with a smile “you are a welcome intruder to the fighting.”

“Then I will continue the intrusion” Jo promised “for none of you should be fighting, you should be enjoying the wedding! Come, I’m sure you have yet to have enough beer?”

“She knows me well” the great Jon laughed and stood placing his hand on the tiny queen’s shoulder.

“I aim to be able to ensure the north is happy” Jo promised “starting with its sour king.”

“I am not sour” Robb argued but the table was laughing.

“Then my duty has been fulfilled.”

They all laughed and Robb managed a smile at his wife, Jo laughed along with the lords and noticed shouting at the Dias that pulled the eyes of table off the couple. One of the Frey men had lifted the bride and the chants had begun. Pity filled Jo as she watched the bride be carried away, it felt like not so long ago it had been her.

An arm wrapped around her and she Jo leaned into the man, who she’d been so scared of at points, and at points had thought to meet with mercilessness.

“We can retire soon” Robb promised.

“If that would make you happy” Jo laughed and kissed his cheek lightly “but they will notice you’re gone, unlike the last wedding we attended hiding in your room isn’t what they’ll want of you.”

“Our wedding, though you were far less happy then” Robb observed making Jo smile.

“I am happy to go to your room now” she teased as people began flooding back into the hall.

Despite the growing crowd he pulled the blonde tight and kissed her. Jo wound her arms around his neck and pressed close. They had never really talked much about the progression of their relationship, but Jo could feel it. Their kisses lasted longer, he held her closer at night, and he’d let his hand rest against hers when they sat together amongst his men.

She brushed her nose against his as she pulled back to watch those who had carried off the bride and bridegroom return to their drinks. Music was playing and even her grandfather was smiling, though gloatingly.

Someone cleared their throat behind the couple and the Small Jon stood there with a small smile.

“If your grace would allow it, I’d like to steal the little queen for a dance” Jon grinned.

“Only if you return her” Robb smiled.

“I wouldn’t dare not to” Jon assured offering his arm which Jo accepted.

Calling him the Small Jon felt like an insult to every other man in the room, he towered over most of them, the on exception his father. Jo wondered how the Umbers would size up to the Gregor as the music began and Jon nearly twirled her off her feet.

This dance was far more enjoyable than her last, for such a tall, strong man, he was a smooth dance and led her around with ease as she laughed and tried to simply keep pace. When the song had ended she felt a hand on her arm and was swept into another dance by Wendel Manderly who was as jovial as ever and despite his size he kept up the beat. After that there was a Hornwood, several of her Frey family members, what must have been a dozen of the Flint men.

Jo was dizzy and breathless as she was led through a maze of people by someone she believed may have been Dustin but she truly didn’t know. Just as she was managing to regain her footing and grabbing a goblet of wine a loud crash grabbed her attention. The doors had thundered open and wet wind swept into the hall.

People backed away from the commotion, whispering as the newcomers pushed into the hall. Jo surged forward against the tide of bodies, shoving past several of the lords to make sure her eyes were not deceiving her.

“Sandor?” she managed taking a few more steps before a hand clamped down on her shoulder as the Great Jon stopped her “Sandor, what in seven hells?”

The man burst out laughing as he observed the blonde watching her pull against the man trying to stop her.

“Seven fucking hells is right” the man barked “here your uncle has us all believe you’re sucking northern cock for breadcrumbs, and either you’re really good at it or they must find something redeeming in you because you are fat.”

Jo stared at him for a long moment, she could feel the bristle of the men around her and hear the snarling of the wolf that was prowling along the edges of the hall. Then she started laughing, she couldn’t contain it, she didn’t know why it was so funny. Sandor had long been thorny, never one to hold his tongue, and she didn’t know why, but now it seemed incredibly funny.

“Did you” Jo tried to breath but it took a lot to supress another burst of laughter “did you come all this way just to sling shit on my reputation?”

“Fuck that, I couldn’t give less of a shit about that” Sandor grunted.

“Why are you here, hound?” Robb’s voice was like steel on steel as he moved next to his wife, the Great Jon withdrew his hand to take up a spot behind the king.

“A wedding gift” Sandor shoved the small boy that had been standing next to him forward.

“Arya!”

Jo didn’t have time to respond before her husband had left her side and was on one knee in front of the scrawny, scrappy looking boy. Only now Jo looked closer she realized that the pathetic little thing wasn’t a boy. Jo had only seen the girl a handful of times while she was in King’s Landing but there mistaking it was her under all the grime.

“ARYA?” the sea of lords had parted as Catelyn rushed forward joining her son and youngest daughter. Throwing her arms about the small girl and squeezing her tight. Jo could hear the murmurs from the crowd growing.

“THE PRINCESS!” she called raising her goblet towards the men “The Princess has been returned to us!”

A loud cheer went up amongst the men and woman gathered about them.

“Now, I believe the princess would like time to tell her tale to the King and their mother. If you will excuse them” Jo called loudly before turning to where the Great Jon was still right next to her “my lord please see that Sandor is fed, has wine and whatever else he needs, including a bath. We can see to him in the morning. Take Black Walder.”

“As you wish, your grace” the Great Jon bowed his head to the girl.

“Thank you” Jo gave the man a smile before turning to follow the reunited siblings and their mother who had already left the hall.

“This certainly changes things” The lord Bolton offered as Jo was about to ascend the stairs.

“It certainly does.”

“Long Live the King in the North” Lord Bolton bowed his head to her.

Jo returned it before she began her climb, trying to figure out exactly what was going to happen when she walked through those doors and preparing herself for every outcome. Of all her political plans and ideas, this was well beyond anything she could have expected.  Pressing her hand into her stomach at the bloom of the familiar discomfort she squared her shoulders and stood before the door.

Chapter Text

“Your grace?” A hand touched her shoulder and Jo jumped swinging around to see Olyvar standing there with a concerned look on his face.
“You scared me” Jo managed taking her hands from where they’d been pressing on that familiar pain which had migrated to her side “what, what are you doing here?”
“The party is over and I thought, I thought I’d see if the King or the uh…”
“Princess?”
“Yes, princess needed anything.”
“The party is done?” Jo hadn’t realized how long she’d simply been standing staring at the wooden door.
“Yes, well, it ended rather quickly after the princess arrived. I should see to the King” Olyvar reminded.
“Yes, I mean no, no don’t interrupt them, uh, go to the kitchens, have a few plates of food, whatever is left from the feast some cakes and all that sent up for the princess. Some spiced wine and honey milk as well. Have he girls draw up a bath, no two, two baths for the princess, and have the Maester find something to help her sleep” Jo instructed looking at her uncle.
“Of course, your grace” Olyvar peered past her at the door “if you’re sure.”
“I am” Jo tried to sound commanding but the discomfort was growing “oh and, Olyvar, something else. I need to know what Sandor wants.”
“Sandor?”
“Ser Clegane, the hound, whatever you wish to call him. Have Black Walder and Lord Umber report what it is he wants in return, he would not have brought the princess back to us for no reward. I want to know what he wants, and I want to be the first to know. Am I understood?”
Olyvar stared at her for a long time, he was her senior by nearly six years but it didn’t show on his face, nor in the way he often cowered. Jo had wondered if he would be perpetually steeped in boyhood as now only the faintest sign of a mustache was growing on his lip.
“Of course” he bowed a bit and rushed off.
Jo waited until his foot steps no longer echoed before taking the handle and pushing through the heavy wooden door. It creaked her arrival and the three looked to see who was interrupting.
“Jo” Robb stood by the open window, his jaw tight and hands clasped behind his back. He had removed his crown but his curls were still pressed flat from where it had sat. Even without it there was a great weight upon him. Jo walked across the room and bowed her head to him before kissing his cheek and turning to the table where the two women sat.
“Princess” Jo offered dipping a little bit.
The poor thing was covered in grime, her hair stood at strange angles were it had been hacked at again and again to keep it short. She was small, even for her age and especially compared to her mother and brother. Her clothes were worn through and soaked in some unfathomable mix of dirt and filth Jo didn’t want to contemplate.
The silence was heavy as the girl just stared at the newcomer not saying anything to her but itching like her hand wanted to grab for something that wasn’t there.
“Arya, this is Joanna” Robb finally offered coming to stand with his wife “my wife.”
“Wife?” Arya spat out “her?”
“It was, agreed upon” Catelyn offered “when we secured the twins, as we were explaining to you about Elmar.”
“She’s a Frey?” Arya looked between them, fixing a glare upon the girl.
“I am” Jo offered “or I was, my father is Emmon Frey, son of Walder Frey.”
“Jo was wed to your brother at the Crag” Catelyn explained “after he was injured and you were, gone, the Lord Frey wanted to speed things along. Speaking of, we didn’t offend the Lord Frey did we?”
“If you did I am not aware of it, nor do I care” Jo admitted pressing her hand into her side again.
“Is it your stomach still?” Robb asked for a moment his hard shell cracking.
“I am alright, I had hoped to hear how the princess had returned to us” Jo assured taking a seat at the empty chair next to Catelyn.
“Don’t call me that” Arya mumbled.
“I’m sorry, what would you like me to call you?” Jo asked.
“Arya” she grumbled refusing to look at the blonde.
“Arya was just telling us about her time at Harrenhal under Lord Bolton” Robb informed and placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder.
“And he did not recognize you?” Jo asked finally making the girl look at her.
“Why would he?” Arya demanded.
“I mean no offense to the Lord Bolton, but I have only seen you three times in my life and none of your kin apart from your mother and brother and knew you for not only a girl, but the pri- but a Stark easily enough.”
“You seemed to know The Hound better” Arya countered.
“Yes well, I’ve known Sandor most of my life. Or all of it truly. He is not an easy figure to miss. Which is why I am particularly interested in how you ended up with him” Jo leaned in looking at the small girl for a long moment.
Arya opened her mouth to say something when the door opened and a maid rushed in with a few platters of food, a second followed with the jugs of wine and honeyed milk. The four sat in silence well the plates were placed and the girls hurried from the room.
“Another time then” Jo offered “you should eat, I’ve had baths drawn.”
“Baths?” Arya was already biting into a large chunk of pie.
“I figured you’d like to warm up and clean up, travelling takes it’s toll” Jo smiled.
“That was very sweet of you” Catelyn smiled “and a good plan, it is late, eat and then we can get you cleaned up and you can rest. There will be lots of time for you to tell us everything.”
“Mother is right” Robb agreed “what happened won’t change. You’re here safe with us now.”
“You said you’d seen me before” Arya looked at the blonde.
“At King’s Landing, the Tourney for your father, and twice while you were attempting to catch cats. You bowled over my lady’s maid and Septa chasing the fattest meanest cat I’ve ever seen.”
“You were there? At King’s Landing?”
“I was a lady to the queen” Jo admitted “she is my cousin.”
“So you are a Lannister.”
“As you are a Tully” Jo countered pouring a large glass of the honeyed milk for the girl “please, eat. If there is anything you need.”
“Not from you” Arya snapped and Jo nodded.
“Then I will leave you in your mother’s capable hands, I plan to retire” Jo hid a small yawn behind her hand.
“I’ll join you” Robb squeezed her shoulder.
“I wouldn’t dare take you away from your sister” Jo argued standing and kissing his cheek.
“We should all be off to bed” Catelyn insisted “I’ll see to Arya, you two go, and I expect you’ll see a Maester tomorrow, you are still quite pale.”
“If it will help put you at ease of course” Jo stooped and kissed the older woman’s cheek.
“I’ll see to it” Robb promised.
With final good nights Robb wrapped his arm around his wife and the two left the room passing a maid hauling steaming buckets of water along the halls as they went. Their room was hot and it was obvious someone had been in to stoke the fires and fold back their bedding. Without thinking Jo crossed the room and threw the window open letting the cold air in.
“She will warm up to you” Robb offered as Jo began to pull away the layers of her dress.
“I am not worried” Jo promised “she has been through a great ordeal, you should have stayed with her.”
“No, I could sense my mother required time with her, and she wouldn’t have sent me away but I could tell” Robb admitted.
“It must be overwhelming to be a mother” Jo admitted throwing her dress over a chair and kicking her shoes away stopping when she saw him watching her “what?”
“Are you sure you feel alright?”
“I am” she promised “simply tired, you’re certain you want to stay? It’s still early the men may still be drinking or you could stay with your mother?”
“I just want to rest, my head feels as though it’s about to split.”
“Were you drinking with the Umbers?”
“Does it show?”

Jo was awake at first light, she had no intention of it, but an ache had settled in where she couldn’t get comfortable any longer forcing her to crawl from the blankets. The window was letting in the frigid morning air and she rushed to get dressed, knowing closing the window would wake Robb. Pushing her hair out of her face she made her way out into the hall.
“JO!” Olyvar jumped up from where he’d been leaning on the wall.
“Were you just, waiting outside our door?”
“I didn’t want to wake you or the King” Olyvar admitted “but I talked to Lord Umber and Black Walder, and you said to tell you first.”
“I did” Jo admitted pressing her hand into that familiar spot in her side “so?”
“He uh, wishes to enter the King’s service” Olyvar explained “says his last king was shit, so the least this one can do for returning the uh, princess, is keep him in service.”
“Take me to him” Jo sighed.
“I think he’s still sleeping” Olyvar mumbled nervously “I don’t think we should wake him.”
“Olyvar” Jo ground out, the ache was growing worse and her patience was growing thin with the man.
“Right yes” he managed and turned to quickly start walking down the hall.

Jo was banging on the door for a solid few minutes before it flung open the man standing within snarling down at the blonde.
“Sandor, you look like shit.”
She hadn’t meant to say it, but it was no lie. She’d never seen him look quite so gaunt and pale, even his scars seemed to have turned a pale white. Despite seeming to be newly washed his hair was so ragged and thin it barely covered his scalp, leaving strange ridges visible. He looked like he had lost any spare weight and his collar bones jutted out.
“Well fuck you too” he growled going to close the door.
“I’m serious” Jo interrupted “what in seven hells happened?”
“We can’t all get fat on the road” he snarled and Jo just sighed.
“Sandor, truly, what happened?” Jo watched the burnt tissue around his eye twitch.
“You were always good at playing the sweet maid” Sandor sighed “where should I start.”
“With bacon and beer” Jo offered “Olyvar, see to it.”
Jo walked into the room and threw another log onto the man’s fire before sitting and indicating him to sit. Slowly Sandor fell into the chair across from her and Jo smiled a little bit.
“I’m surprised you survived that little cunt, she’s got it out for your ilk” Sandor admitted.
“I do not worry about Arya, she will either come around, or she will not. I am her brother’s wife and there is nothing she could do to undo that” Jo shrugged “you find her unpleasant?”
“She is unpleasant, she is an ungrateful little shit, and she’s got a nasty streak. Though that I like about her.”
“You would” Jo sighed “and how exactly did you come to by her? You’ve never had a fondness for helping those in need, or anyone.”
“She was with that fucking brother hood without banners or whatever shit they’re calling themselves now. I was on my way here and figured a gift would make the king more likely to listen to me.”
“It’s not him you have to worry about listening” Jo reminded as a woman scurried in putting down the rashers of bacon and mugs of beer “eat, while it’s still hot.”
“I won’t offend the delicate lady?”
“Sandor you have been offending me since I emerged from my mother’s womb, why change now?” Jo sighed leaning back “so eat, and talk. I wish to know everything before I answer your request.”

Sandor did just that, he shovelled food into his mouth and between bites he explained to the young woman what he had been through. Jo could almost hear his pulse when he told her about the wildfire and from there it became even more unbelievable.
Jo sipped at the thick beer and listened to him speak, not wanting to interrupt and possibly ruin how much he was telling her. Jo sat and just listened to Sandor recount the events that lead him there. She sent for more thick brown bread, bacon and beer, not eating a bite herself but watching the man devour it as he spoke. She knew not to interrupt his rambling or tangents, no matter how little they added, it would make him stop his retelling. From the green fire engulfing the black water to the brotherhood without banners. How he came across the scrawny thing who he knew to be the Stark girl. The ride they’d taken to get to the twins, and how the rivers had nearly killed them. Jo leaned back listening to him complain about Arya and how if he didn’t need her he would have thrown off the boat. Jo tried not to smile as she listened to the familiar sound of his angry voice.
“You have yet to tell me why you needed her” Jo chuckled after an extended silence.
“Well, that boy king of yours likely would have had my head already if I didn’t” Sandor snorted.
“So, you just wanted what, to come to a wedding?”
“I want to fight the fucking Lannisters” he snarled “and that pup seems to be the only one doing it with any success.”
“How quickly your allegiances change” Jo sighed crossing her arms.
“They never changed, I’m loyal to me. I’m not some fucking knight holding to vows I don’t believe in.”
“Truly” she snorted “so why would I think you’d be loyal to us?”
“Don’t give me reason not to” Sandor took a long sip of his beer.
“Yet I also have to believe you truly have turned on them, the men you’ve been loyal to since the day I was born.”
“You did” Sandor challenged.
“What can I say? He fucked the loyalty out of me” Jo offered then sighed “I had no choice.”
“Could’ve stabbed the fucker in his sleep” Sandor offered.
“I could, but, he is good” Jo sighed “I miss it, the Rock I mean, often. I miss my mother, and sometimes, in a weird way, I even miss Cersei. Are they well?”
“Well enough” Sandor admitted “Cersei is loving her new power, her little shit cocks about. Poor little bird, the wolf pup’s other sister. As for your mother, last I saw her she, she’s distraught.”
Jo could imagine, her only daughter sold to the enemy, her son dead. Any mother would be beside herself, her mother was known to not hold her emotions, good or bad, close to her chest.
“Thank you, for being honest about my mother. If you wish to remain in service, you are welcome, as my queens guard.”
“Shouldn’t the pup himself be in here to say such things?”
“I speak with his voice, my word is his.”
“Fine, but don’t expect ay heroic shit or falling on my sword” Sandor grumbled.
“I would never” she vowed “now, aren’t you supposed to kneel or something.”

By the time Jo left Sandor to his own recovery it was well past noon. The sun was barely visible behind heavy clouds that let out fat drips of water. Jo loved thunder storms but the fat lazy drops that created mud pits and wheel traps made her feel trapped. The sooner the could move on the better she would feel. Her tent may have been cold, often loud with the sounds of army life, yet it was better than here.
“My lady?” Jo started and looked at the woman who was standing a few steps off staring at her near irreverently.
“Yes uh, Walda, right?” Jo managed a smile at the poor dear. Only a few years her own senior she was dressed rather life a matron.
“I was uh, grandfather, and my intended, my husband to be I mean” Walda stammered her speech halting as she tried to form the next thought.
“What is it?” Jo didn’t mean to snap at the poor thing, whose chins now quivered as though she didn’t want to cry “I’m sorry, I am not feeling my best.”
Jo remembered being not much older than six or seven, visiting this stinking castle and Walda had been barely an inch taller but several stone heavier than Jo, even at a tender age. A cousin had deemed her “Fat Walda” to make Jo laugh, and Jo had. She thought back to the cruel japes that had been made at the girl’s expense. There was no denying the girl had only grown fatter, but now Jo wondered if her own cruelty had contributed to this.
“Oh, I hope you are alright!” Walda was so earnest it made Jo smile.
“My blood not much else I’m sure” Jo pressed her hand into the tender spot wishing the bleeding would start so the pressure would stop “but what can I do for you cousin?”
The recognition of the fact they were kin seemed to make Walda even happier her round moon face nearly glowing.
“Well, I am set to leave with my intended, and you, my lady, cousin!” Walda giggled “and because you lack any proper companionship, I should be your lady!”
A spy. Jo didn’t say it out loud because her tongue was already clamped between her teeth, but she knew it.
“You are unhappy” Walda’s fat moon face dropped.
Jo realized she may had underestimated her distant cousins. Or perhaps her well guarded looks were not so well guarded these days.
“Not at all, just surprised. Most are not eager to bring their young brides on war marches” Jo offered.
“Well only till we all arrive at the dread fort!” Walda assured.
“Well, then I look forward to your company” Jo assured silently assuring herself she could outride the woman with ease. Walda beamed and was watching Jo expectantly. Jo had no idea what to say, and less interest in attempting a conversation.
“Your Grace!” The small Jon appeared “lady.”
“Jon” the gratefulness for the interruption showed in her voice.
“The King needs you” Jon explained.
“Of course” Jo patted Walda’s arm “prepare for the march, do not worry for me till we are off.”
“Oh yes! Of course! And I am going to make some new dresses! I’ll make you one too!”
“Thank you Walda” Jo smiled before taking Jon’s arm and letting him guide her away.
Never had she been so thankful to find herself in a room full of angry Northerners. They were all arguing with one another when she entered and it took a moment but silence fell as they saw her. The ones seated at the large table quickly stood and the Great Jon pulled out a huge chair for her to sit. With a quiet word of thanks Jo sat and saw the three letters sitting on the table.
“We’ve had word from Dorne.”

Chapter Text

Jo instantly knew the letter. The parchment was sun bleached and showed the smudged fingerprints from being read and reread by the men seated at the table.

“May I?”

“You may” Robb nodded sharply, and Jo snatched up the letter “they send half hearted condolences and excuses.”

Jo read slowly pausing to ensure the letters had not just been smudged away.

“That craven won’t even treat with us!” Snorted one of the men standing against the wall.

“Prince Doran rarely travels; he is not well” Jo offered as she held the letter up checking it in the sunlight.

“He has made his excuses” Robb muttered “we can expect nothing from Dorne.”

“How much do any of you know of Doran?” Jo looked at the gathered group “or of his brother Oberyn?”

“The Prince Oberyn studied at the citadel for a time did he not?” Offered a Manderly whose first name escaped Jo’s mind.

“So little enough, Doran would not write anything that may be seen as, suspect. Dorne has not survived a thousand years for nothing. See here ‘my daughter and son are otherwise engaged’, Doran has two sons.”

“It may just be a slip.”

“Lord Talbot, have you ever forgotten the number of sons you have?” Jo demanded “and here ‘for my brother rides to the Capitol and has no issue to send terms with’. Prince Oberyn has several children.”

“Bastards” the great Jon argued from Robb’s left.

“As it is, those bastards are as loved and as close to their uncle’s heart as any true born child. Doran is trying to tell us many things. We just learn what.”

There was a rumble of dissent from the men, a discontentedness at the lack of plain speech. Jo read the letter again and tried to piece it together but felt as though her eyes were struggling to focus on the letter.

“Are you well?”

Jo blinked, sweat was running down her neck.

“Concentrating, someone open a window.”

A man scrambled to throw open the window, cold wet air blew into the room.

“Thank you” Jo took a deep breath “see here, in the letter ‘for I have no nephew nor true born niece to send and treat with you’. He makes a point to remind us of the prince and princess that were…. That are gone, and the difference between true born and not. I’d say we should expect to treat with one of Oberyn’s daughters.”

“A bastard?” Robb demanded.

“It is safer” Roose offered “plausible deniability, a smart move. If these children are as honoured as the Queen says they are then we should welcome them as such.”

“Then we will” Robb assured “do you know the prince’s bastards?”

“Only by reputation” Jo admitted “I met the princess once, but not well enough to know her.”

Even with the cold air sweat was running down Jo’s back and she wished she hadn’t been wearing heavy wool. Still, she sat and listened to the men plan. She had little care about war plans, and didn’t know enough to voice any dissent against the forming plans. Instead, she read through the other letters. Nothing of note stood out to her and it was becoming harder and harder to focus.

Pressing her hand firmly into her side she took a few deep breaths and tried to focus on the cold air blowing against her back.  Finally everyone was standing and she slowly got to her feet.

“Thank you all” she smiled at the men and took the offered arm.

Robb led her from the room, she missed the cool air the moment the stepped into the hallway. The air felt dense and the sweat broke out anew, soaking into her woolen underthings. Nothing was said till they were safely behind their own door.

“Did you see the Maester?” Robb demanded.

“There is no need too” Jo grumbled throwing open the window before beginning to untie her heavy layers throwing them over a chair still she was in her small clothes letting the cold air engulf her.

“There is obviously a need.”

“I’m fine, just overheated.”

“You told me you would” Robb reminded placing the back of his hand on her forehead.

“It was a busy day” Jo countered, though in truth she’d spent the first half with Sandor and the second half sitting half listening to the counsel.

“The day is not over, I will send for one.”

“Must you? Can we not just sup together?” Jo pleaded wrapping her arms around his middle.

Jo could see the conflict in his eyes, the pull of the head of her body against the want to care for her. When his brow knit together she knew she had lost the battle. He took a step back wrapped her tightly in the blanket that sat on top of their bed.

“I am going to get a Maester” Robb informed “you wait here.”

Jo didn’t bother to argue, she sat heavily down on the bed. Fixing him with a look of discontent that just made him smile.

“I’ll have some food and honeyed wine sent up.”

“I would enjoy that thank you” Jo sighed ad settled back against the wall.

Jo let her eyes fall shut as she rested against the cool brick, wondering what little strange ailment they’d tell her she’d have this time. When she was young the older Maester at the Rock had diagnosed her with all sorts of ailments in the days before her blood. He had insisted on placing leaches on her stomach and one time even using putrid smelling smoke on her womanhood.  All that had done was made her stink for days. She imagined this Maester would be more reserved and likely tell her to take bed rest, maybe some tonic or another.

Just as Jo thought she might finally slip into sleep the door crashed open, the voice that entered was high pitched and almost hysteric with anger. Jo pushed herself upright and stared at where the little princess was storming her way into the room.

She’d been bathed and her cropped brown hair somewhat tamer than it had been the day before. With a clean face and new dress she looked almost like a princess, rather than some scruffy orphan boy. To Jo it was a remarkable transformation.

Arya seemed to suddenly realize her brother wasn’t in the room and froze, her face morphing from angry to downright furious. Jo could nearly see the loathing etched into the girl’s northern features.

“Lady Arya” Jo offered.

“Where is my brother?”

“The King is busy” Jo shrugged.

“When will he be back?” Arya snarled and Jo sighed.

“I do not know, but do enlighten me why you are barging in here?”

“I will not!” Arya snapped “I will wait for him.”

“If you must. Hand me that slip would you?”

Arya simply glared at the blonde from where she was planted by the door. Jo sighed and kicked the blanket off, standing and stretching in the cool air for a moment. She could feel the girl squirming as she wrapped her nakedness in the light slip.

“Have you eaten?” Jo asked but got no response but that same withering look. With a sigh Jo opened the window to let the cool air in trying to ignore the discomfort in her side. She had a strong feeling any sign of weakness would be immediately preyed upon.

Jo pretended as though Aryas presence was ignorable at most. Sitting at the small vanity and brushing out her hair.

There was a knock on the door and a maid hustled in with a large tray. Setting it on the table the room was flooded with the warm scent of fresh bread and slow cooked meats. A large flagon of hot spiced wine with 2 cups was carefully balanced on the small table by the fire before the maid bowed and scuttled out.

Jo ignored Arya and sat down spreading some of the soft cheese onto the warm bread and drizzling it with honey. After savouring the small bite before looking over at the girl whose stomach gave a loud growl.

“You’re hungry, come sit.”

Arya was going to argue but her stomach growled making her slip into the seat and tear into a warm roll. Jo smiled and poured two mugs of the spiced wine.

“They must think he’s returning soon they brought two cups” Jo assured but Arya stared at the fireplace as she ate a pie.

Jo sipped her wine and observed the girl. Her table manners were lacking but that was of no matter now. What mattered was how even as she ate and took long sips of wine her brows stayed knit together, her jaw tight and her feet planted as though she meant to take off running at the slightest moment. Jo refilled Arya’s cup without a word and just continued to watch her. Trying to make a plan. When much of the wine was gone Jo let out a hearty sigh and fell back in her seat finally breaking the silence.

“I do not ask you to like me, but the road north will be dreadfully long if we cannot at least make conversation.”

A dark shadow crossed Arya’s face as she drained her cup again.

“YOU get to go north?” She spat slamming the cup down.

Jo pushed a small smile down.

“I do, I am the queen in the north, it is only right” Jo shrugged “I had assumed you would accompany us as well.”

“You had, had you?” Arya snorted “not I, no. My mother and brother sold me to some weaselly, snivelling Frey! That I should stay here and prepare for my wedding!” 

“Elmar, that is a low blow” Jo agreed “but that is the way of it.”

“What would you know?” Snapped Arya then had the decency to at least look embarrassed as she realized.

“I had the same feeling, sold off. A brood mare, a piece to traded. That is the way of it.”

“Not for me” Arya mumbled “I will not marry him.”

“Oh, hopefully not” Jo agreed “there is many years and possibilities for change before any supposed nuptials. Until those come about however, you will sit tight.”

“I will not! And they cannot make me.”

“So, what do you propose then Arya?” Jo leaned forward “tell me your great plan. I will not stop it or try to foil you. I don’t care too truly.”

“If they leave me here I’ll steal away! I’ve done it before! I was doing just fine on my own!” Arya argued “I can make my own way back.”

“And make a traitor of yourself?” Jo mused “betraying your brother, your king, and possibly endangering his campaign?”

“That wouldn’t” Arya started.

“Oh, my grandfather would see it as a slight and betrayal. You must understand you are incredibly important, and everyone will wish to possess you, both for good and bad.”

“I’m not important” Arya’s voice was smaller now.

“You are Arya Stark, Princess, and heir to the King in the North. That makes you incredibly important. I suppose if you do leave though Jon becomes heir again.”

“Jon? Not Sansa?” Arya’s voice was softer.

“Sansa is married to my cousin Tyrion, she cannot be named heir. Your younger brothers are gone. There is only you or Jon.”

“I didn’t know, about Sansa” Arya admitted taking a long sip of wine, Jo refilled the cup “I’d never betray Robb.”

“That I believe, you Starks and your honour and loyalty run deep. I do doubt you understand the intricacies of betrayal or politics.”

“I’m not stupid!” Arya snapped.

“You’re Northern” Jo observed “and you should be in the North. I would not trust the heir to my grandfather for a moment. I will speak with Robb.”

“You will?” Arya looked at her suspiciously.

“Elmar likely will have to come with us. Perhaps if you are lucky he will perish in squirely duty. You can write a song about it.”

“I’m not exactly musical” Arya admitted.

“What a shame, I would have played the harp to accompany you” Jo smiled.

“I hate the harp” Arya informed and Jo laughed.

“Then you’re lucky, I didn’t think to bring mine” Jo promised with a small smile.

Arya actually laughed and Jo grinned a little bit, this seemed more like the girl she had heard of from Robb and Catelyn. Jo felt like she would be a good ally to have.

“I should go” Arya admitted standing.

“You can still wait if you like, you’re more than welcome.”

Arya’s brows knit back together when there was a knock at the door, Catelyn stepped in and seemed to sigh with relief when she saw Arya.

“I have been looking for you” Catelyn admitted “is everything alright?”

“I believe it is now” Jo promised.

“Sorry I worried you” Arya chewed on her lip for a moment.

“Well, all is well now and” Catelyn was interrupted by Robb pushing into the room followed by one of the maesters that had been travelling with them.

“Mother? Arya?” he looked between them “is everything alright?”

“We were just discussing that” Catelyn admitted “but we should be asking you?”

“I put off being checked over” Jo admitted standing and smoothing her slip “I suppose I have no choice now. Though I think it’s nothing.”

“Nothing does not last for weeks” Robb crossed his arms, and Jo lifted her hands in defeat before sitting on the bed with a sigh.

“I should go” Arya mumbled standing quickly.

“We need to talk” Robb reminded her “mother, will you stay with Jo?”

“Of course,” Catelyn smiled “I’ll see to it she’s seen.”

“Lay back your Grace” the man instructed, and Jo did so sighing “the king said that the pain was in your side? How would you describe it?”

“Cramping? And pressure? I suppose those are the right words, it’s not truly so bad” Jo muttered as the man began to press on her stomach, immediately the sensation flared up again and she winced.

“How long has it been going on?”

“I couldn’t say” Jo admitted as the man pressed his fingers deeply into her lower belly feeling around under her belly button. Then he pulled a strange wooden cup like item from his bag and placed it on her belly resting his ear on the other side.

“Your grace” he sat back “did your mother discuss the details of being with child?”

Jo felt her face go hot with indignation, the implication that she was not aware of these things or that her mother was somehow incompetent at teaching her.

“Obviously” she grumbled sitting up.

“Ah well” the Maester looked at the older woman for a long moment then cleared his throat “often with the first the signs are missed for quite some time. It would appear you’re with child, and well into the quickening.”

“I can’t be” Jo interjected “I had my blood less than a moon ago. I have had my blood often enough since my marriage.”

“Was your blood regular?”

“It never has been” Jo answered, wishing her tried and true Maester from the Rock was here.

“Ah” he smiled at her as though she were a child in need of soft supplication and explanation “you have been riding quite a bit recently, more than usual?”

“We are on a war march, I am obviously riding more than is usual” Jo snapped.

“And you and the king, you’ve been continuing to, well to try and conceive?”

“Yes.”

“It is not uncommon for these things to cause bleeding. It was not your blood, simply, irritation, by the sound and feeling of your womb, well, you are likely quite far along.”

Jo stared at him, the pressure started again and her hand flew to the point where it originated. She tried to think, the signs, if her breasts had hurt, if she’d had any sickness. All of it was blurred with riding and bitter cold.

“It would not have, hurt the child right?” Jo’s voice was too soft, too timid.

“Oh of course not!” the man promised “but should you bleed through a napkin or, pass any great clots, you must tell me immediately.”

Jo stared in silence, her head felt as though she were spinning around rather fast. The room was all together too hot, to suffocating. Her heart beat was too loud.

“Thank you, you may go” she finally choked out.

“Of course” he bowed and left and Jo looked up to see Catelyn who was trying to hide a smile.

“How are you?”

“Surprised, I had thought, well, nothing. This is good news.”

“It is okay to be scared” Catelyn promised “I was terrified. I was even angry at the gods.”

“Oh?”

“One week, one week with a man I did not know and his son was growing inside me. Anything you feel right now, it is the right thing to feel.”