"You're starting to show," Elaine murmured as she tied the nightgown to Lady Valiente's body. It was only meant as an observation but clearly her tone grew with worry as they both noticed the smallest protrusion from the women's stomach.

Victoria look down, and despite every hesitance she had once had she couldn't help but smile. Her hands suddenly cradled the bump, "I know."

"You know, it won't be much longer until you pop." Elaine went on. "Best you tell Lord Stark soon."

Victoria sighed, she knew the handmaid only meant the best and although it was becoming annoying to have the constant reminder there was still not undoing it now. The Lady blinked away the tears that wished to come out, her emotions were uncontrollable at this point but alas it was another symptom of pregnancy she couldn't not handle.

"I'll tell him soon," Victoria responded and when the blonde only blinked and tilted her head slightly she rolled her eyes. "Alright I'll tell him tomorrow, right now I'd just some sleep and a snack."

"Going to pop like a pie," Elaine smirked but walked over towards the table. The blonde had been sneaking off food here and there whenever she could, it would become harder the longer they were at war but if the Lady told her betrothed soon perhaps there would be no need for her to swipe items.

"Very funny, the last thing I need in my head right now is how big I'll be." Victoria scoffed but her lips lifted into amusement.

"They'll be no need for worry, you're carrying the heir to Winterfell, no one will care how big you get so long as the baby is healthy and strong." The Blonde walked over with a chalice of juice and handed it off.

Victoria's eyes suddenly dropped and she softly spoke, "if Robb even cares once I tell him."

Her free hand was suddenly encased in both the blondes, "he will, this is you Victoria, let's not forget this is the same Lord Stark who personally came to wake you to leave for war and promised you the world. Lord Stark may be many things but a honorable man is amongst the best."

As if summoned by his name the heir to Winterfell came walking right into the tent, his eyes wild and immediately on the brunette. There was a familiar darkness in his eyes, a craving that seemed primal as he took her in and solely focused on her. Victoria knew this look well because immediately it ignited the same reaction within her. She sucked in a breath, unintentionally puffing her chest and standing straighter.

"My Lord—"

"Leave us," Robb cut off the Lady Valiente and spoke without looking at the blonde. Immediately he began to pull off his coat.

Elaine knew the routine, luckily for her she'd prepared for this situation before leaving Winterfell and thank the gods that Ser Marcos was kind. His tent was beside the Dornish Lady's and was also all his own. There was an extra cot inside their much like their was one in Victoria's room where Elaine could sleep, only the one in the knights tent was when Robb paid visits. The blonde immediately bowed and silently prayed that tonight would be the night the secret would be revealed, she ducked her head and immediately walked out.

Once the curtain had dropped and the two were finally alone, midnight candle just dimly lighting the area it was like the desire became too much. Robb pounced like the alpha of a pack claiming his queen, he rushed over, lips gravitating towards her own and kissing with such a primal lust Victoria was overwhelmed. Robb's hands went from holding her neck steady to her hips and crushing her pelvis to his own, using his right hand to grip the small of her back and then using his other to drop over her ample hips and over the skin of her upper thigh. He squeezed her warm skin tightly, the bodice she wore rose so her thigh was on full display and then hiked it over his hip.

Victoria felt breathless at his daring move, Robb was never this needy. He was rough sometimes, and could even be crafty when initiating sex but this was something different, this wasn't because he wanted it like when they were in Winterfell, this was because he needed it. His tongue pressed her lips apart and lightly grazed her bottom lip, biting ever so gently that it made the Dorne lose her train of thought and allow a soft moan to escape her. He took advantage and hiked the other leg over his hip so now she was being held up by him. Without wasting time his lips dropped to her sharp jaw, and then down her neck where he kissed the soft skin and clouded her mind further.

Victoria hummed to herself in pure glee, a sensation passed from Robb to her as already she was tugging at his armor and desperately pulling away the knots that kept it in place. Robb on the other hand was far past it all as he walked towards the bed and sat down, pulling back slightly to assist in ripping the rest of it off along with the thin robe around her body. Soon the two were only separated in thinly made undergarments and neither could see a stop. Robb slid his hands up the back of her thighs and squeezed her bum, his finger reddening the meaty flesh. Victoria once more hummed as the combination of his hands and then his lips now kissing the tops of her bosom, using his tongue to caress it ever so gently.

Victoria eyes began to close the lower he went, nails digging into the tops of his shoulders until she was surprised when he reversed their positions rather dramatically. He pushed her up against the bed, pressing his hips into her legs so she could feel just how ready he was, and his fingers began to lift the nightgown, displaying the ever so small bump and bringing Victoria to clearance.

Robb was a man on a mission however and despite his betrothed sudden pause he did not seem to notice as his hands now caressed her breasts and kissed the soft skin until she was squirming underneath him and using her hands to lift his face back up.

He was met with a pink cheeked Victoria who breathed slowly, "you're in quite the rush there, my love."

"I've missed you and your gorgeous body is all, my wife, think I just needed a reminder of home." He spoke softly, breath fanning her breasts.

"And the crevice between my bosom is your home?" She raised an eyebrow in amusement but when she'd hoped to see a sliver of happiness in Robb's eyes she was just met with more darkness and lust.

"The crevice is currently leading down to my home, and if you'd let me finish I could show it appreciation." Robb answered with a husky voice, pressing his head back down and pressing his lips to her breasts once more.

Victoria moaned softly but reminded herself that they needed to talk, there was a lot that needed to be discussed and ignoring it with sex was not the way.

With the heels of her hands she pushed upwards and managed to finally gain Robb's attention once more, pulling him out of his need. She pressed her hands into his auburn curls and massaged softly, "we need to talk."

Robb eyed her, knowing that there was no getting around it and sucked cold air, kissing her wrist with a slight breath of freshness. "Indeed we do."

"Come on," Victoria motioned for him to turn his body. He laid his back on her chest, between her legs and allowed her to softly move her hands through his hair. "Lay your troubles on me husband, we need to be able to confide in each other."

Robb smiled at this, softly running his hands down her legs, only this time he did it out of kindness. "Tomorrow we arrive at the Twins, Lord Frey will be granting us an audience and if he allows us to cross we will be in the heart of the battle. It will be the first time we ride into war, all those men that will die for us..."

"They will die believing, Robb, not for us but for their families and their own struggles. Need I remind you that these men reside in territory that If Lannisters got ahold of it would be sacked and ruined. Tywin Lannister knows nothing about running the North." Victoria cut him off before the doubt could grow to strong. Robb needed to know this war wasn't just for him.

Robb smiled, appreciating the boost of confidence from her. "You always know what to say, don't you?"

She hummed and kisses his forehead, "I just know you and I have a good feeling."

"You are the women for me, you know that right?" Robb hummed to her and suddenly turned, his elbows on either side of her thighs. "No one else is quite like you."

She rolled her eyes, with her hands she used them to flip their positions, her legs spread over his torso. She breathed a fresh set of air, "enough kissing my arse Robb, if war should start tomorrow then best I give you a reason to come home."

|•|•|•|•|

The following morning Victoria was in a mood— or at least that's how Elaine saw it. Lord Stark has sent his mother in his place to visit old Walder Frey and in turn had not moved from the tent where the plans for war were continuing. Victoria had awoken with no intentions to go pester the Northern Lords and instead had staked out her tent towards the infantry men until she had decided to walk out into the thick of them.

A decision that now annoyed Ser Marcos who walked closely behind the Lady as she smiled back towards the men who bowed and muttered her name softly.

Elaine kept moving her gaze between the two, noticing how incredibly thoughtful the Lady was being and how wary the Knight was.

The North was not to kind to southern rulers, and especially those with her blood and although the Lords had seemed to grow accustom to her over the day she still would always be from the south.

"How much longer do you think it will be before our forces arrive," Victoria questioned, she pressed her hands over growing belly but made it seem as normal as ever.

Ser Marcos cleared his throat, "not much longer, I give it a few day."

"Lord Stark rides into war soon, sooner if Lady Stark comes back with good news from the Frey's. He still won't have our sent backing him if they take a few days." She pressed her lips together in pure worry and spoke to no one in particular, as if she was simply stating her thoughts.

"The Lords have been in combat before, my lady, they all should be able to do just as well." Elaine attempted to comfort.

"Yes they have, with Tywin Lannister by their side. He knows them, and although it's been years since the rebellion no one ever quite forgets a war." Victoria spoke and her minds raced to her Uncle Oberyn, to her father, and even Ned Stark. She walked past the camps of the men and towards the forests, she had no particular direction, just in need to be reminded of something else.

She stepped out into the woods and not long after a stream presented itself, it was small and thin. She bent over and caressed the small water, the water flowed quickly, and she felt the cold of it. Her eyes closed as she imagine her days in Dorne, the waters had been alike but with the endless sun she couldn't wait to jump into the ocean. Her mind flashed to her father, the Lord was a busy man whenever they were in Dorne. He was always out and about, chatting with the Prince's and reinforcing the walls of their lands.

Lord Valiente did not have much time n his hands but for his daughter he would drop everything. When she was 5 years old the Lord thought it was time for her to learn how to swim, given their castles proximity to the water it was only fit she know what to do. He hired the best instructor in all of Dorne and had the man brought down. Of course Victoria did not trust him, he was a foreign man who only ever smiled at her and as much as his words were kind she screamed and refused to let go of the maids that accompanied. Eventually after a week of refusal the Lord was made aware and instead of yelling or ignoring the powerful man dropped everything in his schedule and jumped into the water with the instructor and his daughter.

Victoria was swimming like a fictional siren in less then a fortnight. The instructor was stunned and her father was simply amused, his daughter was stubborn and special was all. Afterwards the girl couldn't get out of the waves and the guards that watched had to go into the water armor and all to get her out.

She couldn't help but laugh at the memory and her heart yearned once more for the man she would always love. Her eyes pricked a tad with tears and she allowed them to fall, there was no sobs or sniffles, just small tears and a pained heart.

Eventually she stood once more, and clutched the warm coat she just could not let go of. Her finger grasped the warm material and she reminded herself that soon he would be back in her arms, and their lives would return to normal. Despite her hesitance she turned and walked back to camp, reminding herself that in this moment she needed to be as strong and attentive as her father.

When she came back Theon Greyjoy awaited her by the edge of the camps. His curled hair was as wild as the smirk he gave the young Valiente.

Victoria smiled at her old friend, she'd missed Theon as of late, they hadn't gotten much time to simply laugh since going to war. Her feet walked a little faster and she noticed how his eyes trailed Elaine before returning to her raised eyebrows, "Theon!"

Theon Bowes out of respect, "Lady Valiente."

She rolled her eyes and smacked him playfully on the arm, "quit it."

Theon only laughed, "fine, Vic, you had me waiting quite some time."

"Who sent you after me," she responded back, her guess was Robb but she found asking was always interesting.

"Lady Stark," he surprised her and she raised her eyebrows as if to silently ask why to which he only shrugged. "She spoke urgently."

"Well that was fast, Lord Frey must have already had a decision waiting for her." She pondered and when the Greyjoy was only able to yet again shrug she sighed. "I suppose we should keep her waiting."

Theon extended the crook of his elbow and Victoria took it was leisurely, the two strolling as the handmaid and knight followed behind their Dornish lady. The men no longer ogled or stared at the beauty as she walked past, and she assumed it was because of Theon who eyed them all and likely would have told Robb had the men disrespected his bride to be.

"Any particular reason you decided to formally speak to me today?" Victoria asked after a pregnant pause.

"I'm growing uses too the fact you'll be commanding a strong army, wouldn't want your men to think I'm being disrespectful and get an arm chopped off. I've heard the Dornes are spontaneous."

Victoria was not offended, she merely rolled her eyes, "we are, but we are also loyal and smart. Every action has a processed thought behind it for us, spontaneous to you is called bravery to us.

"Always the same fierce panther, aren't you Vic. Can't wait to see you become Lady Stark and piss off these Lords even more," Theon joked.

Once again she rolled her eyes, "I'm trying to make nice with them, not have them continue to hate me."

"They respect you for your wits and lady balls, anyone willing to tell Lord Karstark to shut up deserves it." Theon admitted to her, "now liking you is something else, I wouldn't hold my breath for that but respect is something you've definitely earned. Even more so when your army comes in and insures our win, they'll owe you their hides for it."

She smiled happily at Theon as they entered Robb's tent and found they were not alone as many of the Lords stood around the war map. They looked at her then down towards their feet, clearly whatever was about to be discussed seemed to have already been told to them. Robb and Lady Catelyn were the only two to stare back at her.

"Lady Stark, you're back rather quickly, I assume all went well?" She smiled and began to take off her gloves, handing them off to Elaine who stepped up and then back towards the edge with Marcos.

"Yes, Lord Frey will let us cross with some requests." Lady Stark spoke, flickering her eyes to her young son who seemed not able to speak.

Victoria took a deep breath and prepared herself mentally for what was to come, "judging by the tension in this room I'm assuming they were more demands then requests."

Catelyn walked forward and grasped the brunettes hands from their spot perched just underneath her bosom, she led her to a bench against the table and sat her down. There was no telling just what Victoria would decide to do after she heard the bargain that was struck but one thing was imperative, she needed to agree. "Some requests were easier then others."

Victoria's eyes zeroed on in Catelyn's blue eyes, rumored to be as blue as the waters that ran outside the Tully castle. She noticed how the purple splotches under the Lady's skin were beginning to darken and her eyes now seemed hollowed, the war was becoming to take its toll on even the strongest. Victoria could not make out just how bad this conversation would go and she adjusted her position on the bench momentarily taking the chance to look at Ser Marcos who's eyes were narrowed but didn't seem to have a clue either. Victoria's dark brown orbs finally settled back to Catelyn as she only hummed, "oh..."

"He's granted us his men, and the crossing of the twins but in return he asks one of his sons be Robb's squire, and a knighthood in the future. Arya must marry one of his sons when they come of age and—"

"And?" Victoria's eyebrows raised as her anxiousness was growing to fury the longer they kept her out of the loop. She knew they were trying to be gentle but she rather they speak now then let her emotions fester.

Robb suddenly commanded and took the lead, stepping forward and drawing out a breath. He watched as her dark hair flowed until she faces in his direction and her catlike eyes were now narrowed. Still, he knew it best to tell her and await the response then keep it any longer. "Lord Frey has asked me to take one of his daughters as a second wife, after the war and our marriage he would like one of his daughters to be my wife."

Her head immediately ducked and her hands retreated to the sanctuary of the inside of her coat, silence overwhelmed them all and Lady Catelyn decided it was best they discuss this alone. "Let us leave them, my Lords, they have much to discuss."

The Lords, Ladies, and Elaine walked out with silence, only See Marcos stayed back slightly until he was pulled out by the blonde handmaid. When the tent was alone Robb dropped bent down so he could be at eye level with his betrothed. Her eyes were shut and he noticed how her hands were knotted together and clamped over her belly, and he knew she was angry.

"What have you decided," her eyes remained shut as she cools spoke, teeth clenching as soon as she was done speaking. Robb Stark was always meant to marry her, nothing more and nothing less and now this Frey girl would come in and intrude on their lives. She wanted happiness and not complications but the difficulty now was her father life.

"I haven't, I wanted to make this decision with you." Robb answered kindly, he lifted his hand to press her hair away and softly press his hands against her cheek but she moved away.

She quickened her brother and dropped her hands, out of pure instinct she now clutches at the child in her room for anything. Her brown eyes opened and they seemed darker to Robb then ever before, his crystal blue orbs were such a a construct to her own they now reflected off each other. Victoria spoke with anger, "not much of a decision is it though? We do this and I have to know there's another women you lay with for the rest of our lives or we don't and—"

She couldn't finish her words as her lips began to tremble and tears of anger threatened to escape, she closed her eyes yet again and reminded herself to relax. The pregnant women wanted to so badly press her hands against her belly and cry; she wished to simply cradle the child she loved and forget the world. She was now stuck in a rock and a hard place, and really there was only one decision to make.

"I know," Robb consoled her and this time when he placed his hand against her cheek she relaxed into it. "I'm sorry that this is our lives, I'm sorry that this has to happen but this is the only way."

"The only way," she repeated with a huff and it felt vile coming out because it was the only truth. Ned Stark and Rafael Valiente were on the line here. Her fists squeezed against the bench as she painfully agreed and stood up. Robb followed her and looked down as he could tell how difficult this was. "Alright then, fine. You will marry some Frey girl and I'll do my best not to secretly kill her your wedding night because this is not her fault just like it isn't yours— I do have one demand myself."

Robb raised his brow at how different her tone suddenly became, how domineering she suddenly stood over him and she pushed him back so he was retreating. Her brown eyes were now lethal the longer she stared and Robb swallowed thickly when she did not speak, "what is it?"

Victoria grasped his hand between her own and squeezed, "You will not give this girl a child. You will marry her but it is our children that will inherit Winterfell, and Valiente castle. She will be your wife but I will be your love, your first and only. Lord Frey will have his daughter be a Stark but that is all. I think that's reasonable enough, don't you?"

Robb nodded his head, and he was thankful no one else was in the room to see how how persistent she was being. She was now acting like a proper Lady, like a Wardeness. She had been put in an awkward position but had made it her own to mold. "Yes, that's reasonable."

Victoria smiled, cunningly and again Robb saw how different war could make a person because when she lifted her hand and placed it against his cheek she was no longer the naive girl who he'd been betrothed too since a child, she was now the Lady of House Valiente, and the commander of his largest army. Her smirk was like a panthers, "good, then let war begin properly. You can tell the Frey's now that a wedding will soon come. I mean it though, give her a child and I take our children and run."

Victoria did not mean to sounds so protective and maniacal, but there was no helping it. If she was to secure her child's place she needed to act fiercely, bastard or not.

|•|•|•|•|

I just realized there's maybe like 2 parts left of this season...