Victoria's silence was commendable despite recent events.

She had stopped crying, she has even stopped withering in pain. She barely spoke a word even when the Maester asked her things, she was nearly void of emotions.

After her complete breakdown in the arms of Elaine the blonde has taken it upon herself to clean any traces of the incident. She had changed the brunette, stripped her of the bloodstained clothes and even scrubbed the crusted blood from her body as best as she could. Elaine was covered in it herself not long after but she did not seem to complain, all she did was press her lips together and lead the brunette to a rocking chair where she could sit and wait for the Maester to enter.

Once she'd done that all that was left to do was clean the cot full of blood and permanently rid the soaked sheets from the eyes of Lady Valiente.

She rolled them into a ball and pressed them out of view, her eyes moving to the silent brunette who was off staring at nothing. Her heart sunk imagining how far off she just have been and as much as she wished to give her silence she knew medical attention was best. And so Elaine walked towards the entrance to the closed tent and stuck her head out. "You can come in now."

The Maester nodded and came inside, followed by Ser Marcos and the Lord Commander who looked wary and slightly angered no one spoke to him.

The two soldiers stood off to the side as Maester Calderon made his way to the brunette. He immediately noticed how drained her skin looked, she appeared almost yellow and her hands were balled up to her side.

Maester Calderon looked to the blonde who stood behind her lady's chair and saw sadness in her face. Tragedy mirrored in the brunettes and he felt in his gut whatever happened was worse then they were letting on.

"Lady Victoria," the Maester kneeled down, his eyes immediately catching how pale and sickly her skin appeared and the redness of her eyes. He'd heard the news and even he had felt hard the death of Lord Valiente. He'd given birth to many Valiente children and even been there when Lady Victoria had first been brought to the Dornish lands and his heart pained for her. Her eyes did not move when he spoke her name, and so he tried again, "Lady Victoria, could you tell me what is the matter."

She was silent, the only indication she had even been listening was the tighten of her fist and the slow breath she sucked in. Her tears had run dry and the only trace was the scarlet lines that dotted the white of her eyes. She closed them immediately as he spoke as if to block out anymore tears and tightened her fists, shaking them slightly as her bottom lip was pulled into her mouth and she breathed slowly.

"I've lost it, I'm lost my baby," she finally managed to speak and her strong tone was surprising but the distance and nearly emotionless tone was what everyone took notice.

Commander Monterroso had the biggest reaction, "I'm sorry, Lady Valiente, you were pregnant?"

The brunette nodded her head and looked to the Maester and then the Commander, her hand instantly tucking into Elaine's who's eyes were set in a harsh stare at the dim witted man. She took the moment to clutch her friends hand with support and listened as she spoke, "yes, I'm sorry. No one except the two here knew, I was keeping it from Lord Stark."

The Lord Commander wished to speak more, to say about a million more things and questions but he saw the blonde handmaid and stopped. Elaine looked at him as if she were a protective bear staring down a predator with her cub. Her lips were pressed tightly and she was nearly standing over the weakened Lady. She was ready to pounce on him if even thought to criticize the lady and in all his years at sea, battle, or even near death he chose not to speak and instead ducked his eyes.

Maester Calderon on the other hand needed more information and his intuition told him he wouldn't be getting much out of the Valiente women. After another pause as he thought out what could possibly help him connect any dots he turned to the protective handmaid who doesn't a tear she'd. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I know your name."

"Elaine, Maester," she responded with her head ducked and her voice leveled.

The man nodded, "Ms. Elaine by my guess it seems like you've been attending to Lady Valiente, did you know about this?"

"Yes sir," she responded slowly. "I was helping her until she wished to tell the Lord."

"When did you find out?"

"Before we left Winterfell, I estimated she was around a month or so," Elaine informed him.

"You estimated?" He quickly rebutted with curiosity.

Elaine cleared her throat, "yes, Maester Calderon, I— took care of the pregnant girls in the brothels when my mother worked there. No one would care for them so I did my best."

He nodded with slight amazement, "extraordinary. Ms. Elaine, now tell me what happened during her few months of pregnancy."

Elaine once more nodded her head and spoke, "well after we left Winterfell there was many hardships. She did not ride on her horse only carriage and she did not partake in any drinking but I believe it was the stress that wore her down. She was not able to rest and sleep as much as a women in her condition should have considering no one else knew and Lord Stark well he expected a lot from her and she surpassed any standards but it did take a toll. Ultimately though, the death of her father and her fall afterwards was the greatest factor."

Elaine was right, of course she was, Victoria thought to herself as she sunk into her seat and held back tears. Her handmaid did not mean to blame her, she knew her opinion was strictly professional but even so her heart broke as she listened to someone's opinion over her habits. She had truly not done enough to care for her tiny cub and now it was gone, and she was left lonelier then ever.

The Maester nodded his head as if to agree with the blonde, "I have to say Ms. Elaine, that is quite an impressive observation and I will have to agree. I'd like to check her over with your help of course but otherwise it seems like your observations are correct." He leaned in, his older hands feeling tougher then the Valiente Lady's soft ones but he squeezed, finding the skin was nearly yellow. Even so he squeezed and waited for her to level her eyes with his own, "I am so sorry, my lady, this child and your father will be mourned and missed."

|•|•|•|•|

The men left the tent and after a few examinations and checks the Maester decided that the bleeding was slowing and while she would feel discomfort for the next few weeks it seemed like physically she would be okay. Emotionally however, well there wasn't much he could do to mend a broken heart.

Elaine did her best however, within a short timespan she assisted the Lady in laying down in a fresh cot and putting her to rest with an herbal supplement courtesy of the Maester. After an examination he noted that although the Lady wasn't showing it she was in tremendous pain. Her abdomen was sending searing pulses to run through her body and she was still running a slight fever so even thought it was still early in the day he dosed her tea with essence of nightshade and put her to sleep. She would sleep the majority of the day and then when she awoke to eat, willingly or not, he would give more. Elaine had stayed with her lady, Victoria having clutched her hand as she'd laid down and refusing to release until she'd drifted off.

Now she stood and after double checking she was asleep the blonde had stood and walked towards the pile of bloody sheets.

She rapped them up until they were concealed and placed on her coat, completely forgetting that the Lord Commander and Knight were still outside, bumping right into them.

"Elaine, any update," Ser Marcos inquired as he steadied the blonde by outstretching his hands.

The blonde looked between the two, "she's asleep for the moment, the pain seems to have subsided with the tea. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go burn these sheets before the Starks see them. I'll be gone for quite awhile, at least she'll be asleep for it."

"Not safe to go into the woods Lady Elaine, there's Lannister spies everywhere." Monterroso stops her tracks by standing in front of her.

"Thank you, Lord Commander but I'll take my chances, id rather be taken by one of them then have our Lady embarrassed by the camp." Elaine rebutted and move to walk around.

"Or I could accompany you," He once more intervened. "We can take horses and put the sheets in a bag, it'd be faster."

Elaine thought it over, she knew people would ask questions as to why they were going off but frankly she did not care. People had always had something  bad to say about her, from the moment she was born she'd been labeled a whores daughter or an up and comer, even her young brother, Luca, has suffered at the hands of commoners. Back then they'd called her those names without cause and if she left with this stranger now they'd have it but frankly Victoria was much more important now. She nodded her head, "alright then, I need an extra pair of hands either way."

The Lord Commander nodded and Ser Marcos spoke, "I'll guard her tent, stop anyone if it isn't the Maester from going in."

Elaine agreed and the Lord Commander did as well," I'll saddle the horses and find a sack so you don't have to lug those sheets around like that."

|•|•|•|•|

Elaine hadn't expected much conversation from the Lord Commander frankly because she didn't have it in her heart to speak much now. In her being moment of clarity and realizing just who was guarding her as they delved deeper into the woods of the Riverlands did she remember that this was the famed merchant turned pirate. They'd told stories about some of his acts, and while some considered the best smugglers to be unheard of he was given praise because while no one seemed to catch him for a long time his detailed acts would become apparent long after he was gone. He was the man that could get out of anything, or so the legend went. If she was being honest Elaine had been stunned when she had seen such a handsome face tucked underneath that armor instead of an aging man.

She did have questions before the worst of the day had occurred and had hoped to hear some grand stories but all of that was pressed to the furthest corner of her mind as she was reminded of the blood that stained the tips of her sleeved dress.

Commander Monterroso stopped his horse, "this should be good. We can start building a fire and leave it burning, with any luck the sheets will burn before the rain comes in."

Elaine nodded her head and began to dismount, propelling her body in a swift maneuver as to not accidentally fall. Dominic had gotten off faster then she had bad was about to run over and help her when he noted just how determined she was. The blonde yanked out the sheets from one of the holsters on the side of the saddle and walked towards the small patch of dirt wordlessly.

Dominic stared at her in an awkward silence before clearing his throat, "I'll go fetch some wood."

Again she said nothing but positioned the sheets in a small bundle. Elaine hoped the Lord Commander would hurry, she wanted to be back by her Lady's side as soon as possible.

The blonde felt herself detached from normal emotion, she was void like her lady and only determination set in her mind. The future was terrifying to think about but with this war coming to a head, now that Ned Stark and Ricardo Valiente were both gone it was only bound to get bloodier. She wondered what Victoria's part in this would be, and no doubt it would be important. Her lady was licking her wounds, so to speak, at the moment she was to traumatized to think of any action but the Dornish women was strong. In the few months she'd been serving under Lady Valiente she had noticed how quickly she could bounce off even the worst of events.

The Dornes were said to be full of passion and fiery personalities and the Valientes were among the most feared which is why they manned the boarders. Besides their good name their history was considered unprecedented, after all when a Martell married a Valiente they were bound to have extraordinary children and the gods certainly did deliver with a women who was more fearless then the mans themselves. The Lords now respected her and as the acting Lady of House Valiente it only meant more power.

Elaine wondered just what the future would hold and a chill ran up her spine at the idea of more then just a straightforward carnage.

"There wasn't much, but I managed to find some logs that weren't entirely soaked." The Lord Commander startled the blonde who nearly jumped a foot in the air at his incoming voice. She had been so lost in thought that his footsteps completely escaped her.

A huff escaped her lips as she glared at his incoming figure, completely forgetting that he had more power then she did and yet here she was being bold. The Lord Commander bit back a smile however, "didn't mean to startle you there."

"It's fine," she sighed and helped him adjust the wood so all the sheets would burn quickly.

Her silence made the Lord Commander slightly uncomfortable, he was used to women constantly talking his ear off in any situation. Marlena, his wife, had talked constantly even when she was angry with him to the point she did it just to piss him off. Of course the beautiful women from Quarth had always been talkative, even before she'd been free.

Dominic blinked away his wife's beautiful face, reminding himself there was a task at hand as he watched the blonde determined to start the flames. He watched her eyebrows press together and lips bunch up and suddenly the thought occurred to him, maybe Elaine was talkative or maybe she was not, either way he just knew that there had to have been a million voices full of ideas in her head—far too many for her to even think clearly at least.

|•|•|•|•|

A short while later the blonde was sitting near the fire, watching as the last of the charred and the clouds above them beging to crackle and darken. The Commander beside her was silent, whittling away at some branch he'd found and whistling with a foreign tune. She imagined the lighthearted tune was to rival the sheer depression radiating off her but honestly she could have cared less, it was only when the tune stopped and the waddling did as well did she finally speak.

"You can ask if you'd like."

Her voice was so calm and soft the Lord Commander shot his head up to confirm it was her and when he found her eyes focused on him, knees pulled up so her head managed to rest of her chin in his direction. Her blue eyes were like the northern frost, so brilliant and sad he wondered how a cluster could form from these parallels. He blinked a few times and swallowed, "I uhh—"

Again, this women showered now care as she rolled her eyes and disregarded him, "You were staring at me since we sat, don't pretend you weren't."

Dominic laughed softly as he thought her sarcasm was refreshing but clearly the pretty blonde didn't seem to care much for laughter as she turned her head back to the fire in silence. He cut the laugh off with a quick clear of his throat and pushed closer, "okay well, why didn't she want to tell someone? Lady Catelyn or even the Maester of Winterfell, surely one of them knows silence."

"The Northeners only speak one language, loyalty," she spoke with bitterness and lifted her head as if engaged in the conversation although her head did not turn to him. "The moment any of them would have known they'd of run off to Lord Stark or gossiped about it."

"Aren't you a northerner, My Lady?"

Elaine blinked his way with anger in her eyes, "northerner? Yes, but I'm a bastard which makes me different to most of them. It made me as foreign as her sometimes."

Dominic briefly wondered which of the Lords was her father and if he had talked to him just yet. Instead of getting caught in that web he moved on, "so you both decided to take this on yourselves? And neither of you thought it was best to move back?"

"Forgive me for not ordering my Lady to travel back through dangerous roads and further away from her imprisoned father!" Elaine deadpanned. "Lady Valiente isn't exactly the type to do what others want now is she? I'd have better luck trading the Iron Throne for a ball of snow."

Dominic resisted the urge to laugh at her snide comment as they still needed to discuss more important matters, "I just can't believe she was so stupid—"

"She wasn't be stupid," Elaine snapped. Her eyes softened after a bit, "she's in love. You can't honestly tell me love wouldn't make you do things you knew were wrong but felt right with that one person."

Elaine had no idea how right she was and his eyes dipped away as the familiar brush with heartache overwhelmed him and silence took him. The blonde thankfully did not continue her talk and instead turned back as the fire first finished the last of the cloth until there was only black char and the smell of burnt material.

The Commander stood, lifting his head up to the clouds and seeing how dark they now were, no doubt the sky was going to rain down on them before the night was gone. He briefly thought that this was a perfect ending to their day, that even the skies were morning the losses.

His hand struck out, "we should get going back to camp."

Elaine took notice of his outstretched hand, reluctantly using it to help herself stand. Victoria was awaiting her and when she woke up, things would be different and Elaine would be there to help her through it.

|•|•|•|•|

Victoria was expected to awake at any moment and when she would her army would be waiting for commands. The Stark camp was full of silence as most mourned the death of their Warden, many Lords had retreated to their tents with only pitchers of ale to aid them.

The Valiente army meanwhile seemed to be coping in a different fashion. The Dornes celebrated their dead and most had made toasts in the honor of their late Lord. They also awaited the incoming bloodshed with greed and happiness, and almost all was well except no one had heard from Lady Valiente just yet.

Lady Catelyn walked the path that turned from Camp Stark to the Valiente army, determined to find the heiress and ease her worries. After her talk with Robb and having calmed him down from his endless torture against one of the lone trees outside the camp she'd decided to find the child that was like a daughter to her as well. Robb had wished to come but Catelyn had lied and said it better she go first. In reality she just wanted to assure that her sons child was still doing well like it's mom.

Ser Rodrick had accompanied her as most of the men were now drunk and Lady Stark was weaponless.

Her stomach sank as she found Victoria's tent was silent, and her loyal knight, Ser Marcos, was standing outside, his head ducked and shameful.

She approached and he immediately stood straighter, "Lady Stark, apologies but Lady Valiente is not feeling well enough for visitors."

"It's alright, I just want her to know we are here for her." Catelyn persisted and moved to walk around him.

Ser Marcos stopped her, "I must insist."

Catelyn looked at the knight with narrowed eyes as she searched for the words to say without giving to much away, Ser Rodrick stepped in however. "Make way boy, Lady Stark is nearly a mother to Lady Valiente. She is only here to pay her respects."

"She's resting," Ser Marcos countered, there was a slight bitter tone in his words. He was angry that they wouldn't let Victoria just sleep and rid herself of the horrible that had happened that day but above all he was angry that Robb had sent his mother in his place, what a Lord.

Elaine popped her head out of the tent as she heard the voices, her eyes were tired and the purple bags under them meant she hadn't slept but even so she spoke strongly, "it's alright, Ser Marcos, she's awake. Lady Catelyn, Ser Rodrick. My lady, she wishes to speak with you privately."

Catelyn looked to the knight who nodded and moved to the side, coming into the room. Her eyes roamed the dark tent, until she landed on the small cot where a once strong and independent women would have laid.

Now all that was left was a pale, sickly looking girl who's eyes were red with tears and lips were chapped.

Victoria looked to Catelyn and almost immediately her eyes began to tear, and the Lady of the north did not need to know more.

She rushed over and pulled Victoria into her chest, converting her sobs with her cloak as the girl cried and held onto her tightly. "Oh my sweet girl, it's alright. It's alright, everything will be okay."

Victoria sobbed, and held onto Catelyn as if her life depended on it and in that moment she wished to have a mother to console her. She wished that her mother Amara had lived if only to hold her in this moment and tell her life would go on like Catelyn because as sentimental as the words were coming from Lady Stark they made her feel lonelier then ever. She had no family, she was the last of her name and it felt like nothing would be okay, how could anything really after this? Her parents were gone, she was now an orphan, and her child had left as well.

She cried until her throat felt sore and Catelyn's arms had stopped rubbing her back. Her silence filled the room not long after and she leaned back, wiping away the tears so as to look more presentable even though every breath she took hurt her entire torso.

Catelyn reaches out and placed her cold hand against the women's forehead, finding the temperature stable, "have you seen a Maester?"

Victoria nodded and looked to Elaine who was looking away out of respect, "yes Maester Calderon gave me essence of nightshade to sleep."

Catelyn nodded, "good, are you in any pain?"

Victoria gave her a weak smile, "yes, but I'm enduring. I suppose it's my punishment for not taking care of myself more."

Catelyn pulled her hands into her own, "never say that, it was not your fault. This life we live, the times we are in any women would have had the same outcome. My child, you are not to blame, the Lannisters are for what they've done."

Victoria looked away to stop herself from crying and pressed her lips together from disagreeing. No matter what Catelyn said she felt it was still her fault, she would always feel like that in the pit of her heart. Instead she focused on something else, on someone. "Robb cannot know about this."

Catelyn sighed, "no he cannot, at least not now."

"How is he?" Victoria questioned, ever since awaking she had wanted nothing more then to see him but she knew that without a doubt the tears would return and Robb would be left to wonder. If he found out he would very likely hate her, or worse, he'd do something stupid like attacking the entire Lannister force.

Catelyn leaned back as she found the words to describe her son, her firstborn, and now the Warden of the north. He'd been so distraught earlier, like a lost child and now as she looked at an equally lost girl she wondered how these two could lead the north to victory. She reminded herself that they were wolves and panthers, and once the pain from this shed they would be an unstoppable force. "He's adjusting to his new title, as will you. Robb may now be Warden of the north but you are protector of your home now, your lands and even these men you've called to fight." Her eyes brew serious and she squeezed Victoria's hands into fists as her blue eyes darkened like blue fire. "Now curl your fists and wipe those tears, your childhood has come to an end. It is time for your retribution if not for you then the innocent child that was taken. You must do what your father could not, you must live to win this war with Robb. You both must take this for yourself."

Victoria met the eye of the widow and she saw her own fury reflected. They'd both lost a loved one, and now only one of them could actually do something about it.

Lady Stark presses her hand against the brunettes cheek softly, "I'm going to let you get some rest now but the next time you leave this tent I need you to be stronger then ever before. It's going to be a long road from here onward, show me you can endure more then just pain."

Victoria nodded and her next words were not just for Lady Catelyn but she owed them to every person she loved, she hated, and even lost. She vowed to uphold these promises, "I will have them all pay for what they've done today. They've taken my child and my father and now I will take everything they hold dear."

|•|•|•|•|

Catelyn has left her and in that time Victoria had refused the aid of the Maester soothing teas. The pain was now somewhere in the back of her head as she sat up and adjusted to a sitting position. Her entire lower region still felt like hell and every once in awhile a pinching pain would pronounce itself to the point she would hyperventilate but she refused to sleep or even lay down for that matter.

Elaine had offered her food and all the brunette wished was warm porridge, just a small amount, and only enough so as to not worry the blonde.

The Lord Commander entered her tent, his helmet in hand and full armor on. The night was just beginning to overcome all the light and Elaine had been lighting the candles when he came in. The brunette adjusted, a fire in her eyes that reminded him of her father when she saw his attire. "My Lady, apologies for coming at such a time."

"It's quite alright," she spoke, her voice was slightly dry but she still sounded better then hours ago. "What is happening out there?"

"The Lords have called for a meeting to discuss who we will follow, I have come to ask your permission to go in your place. Lady Catelyn wished for me to come and tell you," he spoke, eyeing the blonde who pressed her lips together and nervously balled her fists. He wondered what this meant but would soon enough come to realize that this always meant Victoria would do something shocking.

The brunette exhaled a long breath and her eyes turned away to the fire from one of the candles. Her silence yet again filled the room with wonder as she seemed to void her face of emotions while her eyes grew shut. After another moment she took in another breath and flipped the furs off her body, wincing as she went to move off the bed. "I will go as well, please tell Lady Catelyn to expect us all."

"Lady Victoria you are—" he went to argue in her condition as his eyes bulged and even Elaine shot up to stop her.

"No, I will not sit by. I am now the commanding Lady of the Valiente name and I will not dishonor my fathers legacy by standing by and letting some Lords decide who we will stand with. I owe those men out there and my fathers memory more then that. Fuck my pain and tears! If it's blood they've made me shed today then it is blood we will repay them with! I will be ready shortly, Lord Commander, please assure us a good seat at the table full of Lords, today they will learn the truth!"

After that Elaine and the Lord Commander would not argue, she would do it with their aid or not.

|•|•|•|•|

The torches are the only thing she can manage to concentrate on besides the pain, because the pain is nearly unbearable.

She can feel it every time she walks, how her breath hitches and the need to collapsed begins to overwhelm her but even so she persists. There's sweat clinging to her neck and even the elegant hairstyle Elaine managed to fix has begun to fall with the stickiness of her skin but the Lady does not care. It is determination that made her get of bed with her abdomen aching and legs shaking, and it will be determination that gets her to her seat.

I must be stronger then these men, I must be stronger the even Robb himself, she reminds herself as she stops in the darkness and holds her breath. Elaine is behind her, arms out ready to catch her or even offer assistance but she is wary to touch her as she knew the brunette would snap. Victoria persists however and straightens her back, teeth clenched as she walks into the small council meeting of the camp.

Every Lord is there, and silence fills the room as she walks by them, like their soldiers they all bow with respect to her while their eyes full of concern. She walks directly to the front where Catelyn is waiting, a chair beside her reserved for the Dornish girl who takes her seat and holds back the scream as she lowers herself. Elaine quickly helps her fix her dress, the dark number matched her quite well and only further proves to show her determination.

Catelyn looks at her as if to question just why she thought this was a good idea but Victoria tosses her hair to one side and squeezes her hand with strength, assuring her future mother in law that she is fine.

Only Robb Stark is missing and not long after he arrives with Theon by his side who soon takes a seat with the other Lords. Robb makes his way to the head table, his eyes meeting Victoria's and the brunette quickly looks away, pushing back in her seat. She'd almost forgotten how Robb had no clue what she was going through and although it would be easy to distract him or even pretend that her suffering was from her fathers death she also knew eventually Robb would come looking for her.

She cleared her throat and looked at the ground as she could not bring herself to utter a word to him in this moment. Her heart ached and her lips trembled as she wished to tell him just why she was drowning in her sorrows and why in the current moment her body felt more then weak. Robb should know, a voice deep inside her said but alas if he knew it would only serve as a distraction.

With this idea in mind she clamped her hands together and prayed to the gods that some change would come, something where she could at the very least distract herself from her torment.

|•|•|•|•|

"The proper course is clear - pledge fealty to King Renly and move south to join our forces with his." Lord Bracken offered his option over the war.

Robb interrupted, his voice low and calm as he made a very obvious point. "Renly is not the king."

The Lord look back as if to contradict. "You cannot mean to hold to Joffrey, my lord. He put your father to death."

Robb shook his head and continued, "That doesn't make Renly king. He's Robert's youngest brother. lf Bran can't be Lord of Winterfell before me, Renly can't be king before Stannis."

"Do you mean to declare us for Stannis?"

"Renly is not right!" Glover then interrupted, standing himself and cutting in with his voice full of passion. "lf we put ourselves behind Stannis..."

To be completely honest Victoria has been in and out of the conversation, all these Lords wanted to do was talk alliances and the nicer side of war. She wanted the blood, she wanted to hear just when Joffrey Baratheon's head  would roll off like her fathers—and if possible, she wanted to do it herself. Despite her annoyance with the conversation her face was as distant as ever, there was not a single trace of it as she appeared as intrigued as Catelyn. Although her mind was reeling with different questions and thoughts her ear still picked up when topics became important, and she engaged in the conversation now as the Lords decided where they would go.

Greatjon silenced the crowds with his booming voice, "My Lords. My Lords! Here is what l say to these two kings." He spit at the ground, "Renly Baratheon is nothing to me, nor Stannis neither. Why should they rule over me and mine from some flowery seat in the South? What do they know of the Wall or the Wolfswood? Even their gods are wrong! Why shouldn't we rule ourselves again? lt was the dragons we bowed to and now the dragons are dead! There sits the only king l mean to bend my knee to - the King in the North!"

The words he speaks stuns every thought she has, even the deep sadness within her suddenly comes to a halt as she watches this great man unsheathe his sword and proudly kneel at Robb's feet. This words hadn't been spoken in a long time, since before even she could tell but they felt right, and it seemed everyone else agreed. Robb stood at the words as if he to was impacted and humbled.

"l'll have peace on those terms. They can keep their Red Castle and their iron chair too." Lord Karstark follows promptly, nodding his head and doing the same. Chanting out proudly, "The King in the North!"

Theon was next as he stood and questioned, "Am l your brother, now and always?"

Robb nodded his head, "Now and always."

"My sword is yours in victory and defeat, from this day until my last day. The King in the North!" Theon  declared and bent the knee once more.

And all of her began to chant, one by one the Lords kneeled down, to the young wolf and their only hope for independence. "The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North!"

Victoria was stunned into pure silence, her eyes only managing to look towards Catelyn's who eyes shined brightly as she seemed nearly in awe of her sons new title. She moved on from him to her 3 loyal followers and found the same look of wonder in their eyes. She couldn't believe it, the taste of victory and retribution was nearly bursting.

And then something even more unexpected happened, Robb turned and looked at her, holding his hand out for her to take.

She looked at his extended palm and then towards the silencing men who were also curious as to what the new King did.

Gingerly she took his hand and stood, fighting her pain she walked around the table and to stand beside him, wondering what he was to say.

His eyes were bright as he looked at her wide pride and then back to the kneeling men. "I take your words with a humble stance, my Lords, I did not ask for this but I will accept your chants. I do however wish for you all to accept, Lady Valiente as your queen some day." His eyes moved back to the Dornish women, "you were to be my wife and now you will be my queen, together we will avenge all the wrong done to our families and fight for justice. Victoria, I wish for you to stand beside me and accept the north now as your kingdom." He then looked to the Lords, "and I hope you all grow to see that she is no longer a foreigner, her blood may be strange but her actions have made her like us. She will be your Queen one day, so this chant is for her as well."

The Northern Lords all detached their eyes from the man they had declared King to the women he had made his queen and bowed their heads to her as a sign of acceptance.

And slowly the chants began again, "THE KING IN THE NORTH," they wailed through the old woods and into the realm. The ears of the realm heard words not spoke in thousands of years, ones that now were as legend as dragons and as alive as them once again.

|•|•|•|•|

Y'all season 1 was a mission!!! Let me know your predictions for the next season!