"I wish to stay with you." Arya is laying on the bed beside Victoria, their hands intertwined as the two share their thoughts aloud. It was the day they would depart and neither girl had felt like doing much. Arya was still in need of packing, most of her clothes were spewed across the room still and the little girl had absolutely no intention of picking it up.

Vic hadn't left her room for the day, she knew eventually it would be time to head out and see her father but her heart was plummeting at the thought. Arya had come in an hour ago and the two had simply laid in the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Victoria felt a lump raise in her throat as she lifted off the furs and turned, "my wild girl, I would want nothing more then for all of you to stay here. I hate the thought of you growing so far away, the next time I see you all the tales and adventures you'd have gone on in Kings Landing will be a memory I wish to enjoy with you."

"We never got to go to Dorne!" Arya whined, pulling from the bed as well, a pout on her lips.

Victoria leaned over and pulled her hair through the girls hair, all the handmaidens had been very busy keeping the Castle up to standards lately, most of them had forgotten about young Arya. Vic sighed, looking at the young girl and wanting to cry the longer she thought about her departure.

The silence that built around them wasn't left for long as the door to the Valiente girls chambers were soon opened to reveal Robb Stark.

He had a smile on his face despite the circumstances but he always did lately when looking at Victoria. Ever since the day they'd made up both had seemed to be able to keep the relationship steady, there had been no fights or bitter comments to one another and Robb had slept every night in her chambers so far. Surprisingly, he wasn't trying to have sex all the time with her, some nights they actually just slept huddled together, Vic liked that, she felt reassured with him now.

Robb stepped into the room, looking between either girl and finally settling his eyes on the youngest, "Arya, the Septa's going to have your head if your clothes aren't packed already."

"But there's so many," she whined, jumping off the bed and stomping her foot.

Victoria laughed and followed after her, pulling her into her side, "go get started and I'll drop by to help you."

"Promise?" Arya's big eyes were wide as they looked up at her.

Vic winked and nodded, "I'll try my best."

Arya smiled and ran off, leaving the two to themselves. Vic was in Robb's arms instantly, her head pressed against his chest and his warm scent invading her sinuses. Robb leaned against her, his slow breath relaxed. The two hadn't gotten much sleep in the last few weeks, with their father's leaving and Catelyn occupied they had been running around Winterfell making sure everything was how it should be. All the Handmaids did their best including Elaine who was new but also very reliant.

"Where have you been all morning?" She softly spoke, her voice slightly muffled by Robb's chest.

Robb brushed her dark hair with his fingers, "with the Maester discussing finances, my mother hasn't exactly been up for it."

Vic nodded, she understood exactly why Catelyn had forgotten her duties as Lady, anyone could have. After Bran's fall straight off one of the highest towers most of Winterfell had mourned the young boy. He was known to be a climber, a good one at that, and was seen climbing every tower he could. She didn't understand just how he had fallen, he was so smart it had never happened before.

"I should go see them," she sighed, closing her eyes as guilt clouded her. "I haven't seen him in awhile."

"You've been busy, mother will understand." Robb nodded his head and patted her with reassurance. "We need her though, there's too much left especially now with our father's leaving. "

"Leave the women be, they say a mothers comfort is better then anything else Robb. Wouldn't you want your mother to be by your side if you were injured." Victoria raised a brow to counter his argument, pulling back slightly to get a look at his blue eyes.

"Yes but—"

"But nothing, Bran deserves that same privilege. You and I are more then capable of doing things and besides— we'll be married in a years time and all of this will be ours." She lifted her hands to show that she meant more then her chambers. "Your mother will likely join your father in Kingslanding, Jon is leaving to dawn the Black, and we both know Theon isn't capable of doing much so guess what is bestowed upon us?" Victoria gripped the collar of his thick cloak, assuring her soon to be husband that they could do this.

"Well I can't argue with you there." Robb hummed, "I suppose it is better that we start now, when Bran wakes up mum will fuss over him even more and we'll be left to care for everything. We've even got Rickon to practice child care with." He smiled at the end, his eyes twinkling in a certain way that made Victoria stomach thump as if there was a stomping.

She grinned back, knowing exactly what he meant, "Rickon is a joy compared to the children we will have, can you imagine our personalities meshing into children? Gods be good they don't drive us into insanity."

"Gods be good our daughter isn't as rebellious as you or Arya." He snorted and settled his arms against her curvy hips, pulling his hands securely.

"Oh really?" She retorted.

Robb began to chuckle at her reaction and proceeded to kiss the top of her head just as the knock on their door turned them around.

It was Elaine, she was dressed in a vivid red dress that matched her lady's Dornish colors, her hair was curled and pulled into a nice wave, out of her face. She looked radiant and all the other Handmaids had gone from mocking her to pure envy as the days had gone by and she had looked nothing like the daughter of a whore. She even smiled more often, like now her eyes shown adoration and she felt happy for Lady Victoria who was so deliriously in love with the man in front of her she could not even see how stupidly in love he was with her. She grinned at both of them, her cheeks tinted a rosy color from the frost outside, "m'lady, m'lord, the King and the Lords will be leaving soon."

Robb nodded, "we'll be right out!"

Victoria nodded at Robb's words and Elaine nodded her head before shutting the door. The two did not move, only now the atmosphere had dampened as they knew that soon they would be saying goodbye to people they loved. Not only were both their father's leaving for court but so was Jon, who was riding to Castle Black. Victoria hadn't liked the idea of him joining the nights watch and even begged him for a full day to stay but Jon's mind was set, he was leaving with his uncle Benjen. She supposed it wasn't an entire surprise, Jon wasn't exactly seen as a Stark, nor was he welcomed as one by the lady of the house, still she had hoped he would change his mind. Jon would have been ideal in Dorne, he was a natural leader given the opportunity.

Victoria lowered her hands and pushed further from Robb, "I'm gonna go see Bran before I say goodbye. I don't think I'll be in the mood to be social after."

"I have to continue my talk with the Maester as well," Robb agreed. "I'll meet you out there."

|•|•|•|•|

The walk to Bran's chambers felt rather long, her heart pummeled against her chest the entire walk and she kept her eyes open just in case her father was near. She had deliberately taken a long route in order not to see him because she wasn't sure if her sobs would be able to hold off long enough to see Bran. Her mind was clouded with so much worry for the young Stark, for her father, and even herself that any guilt of not seeing him sooner was gone.

As she entered the chambers she found Lady Catelyn right by the bed, needing away at what she could only assume to be a blanket. She'd made plenty in the weeks after Bran's fall and many of them were stacked over the boy now.

As she entered and the door creaked Catelyn's blue eyes looked up, they no longer dazzled against the white of her eyes but now blended into the vibrant red that circled around her, a clear indication she hadn't slept.

"Oh, Lady Stark," Victoria felt pity for the women, she was so troubled that she could not even say a proper goodbye to her two daughters.

"Victoria," she sighed almost out of relief. Her eyes flashed to the sleeping child and then back, "I wasn't expecting you."

"I just wanted to come see Bran before they left," she responded and took to the other side of him. Guilt soon bubbled up at the young boy and she brushed her hand over his forehead, pushing back his brown hair, "oh Bran, where are you, my love."

Catelyn stayed silent, watching as the Dornish girl grew wary just like her and took a seat on the bed, careful not to be to close to Bran. Her hand travelled from his face to his small hand, looping around it. The nearly black hue to her eyes focused on Catelyn, "you're a strong women Lady Stark."

"I just don't want to leave him alone, in case he wakes." Lady Stark explained, her voice was tired as she looked to her son and held in the tears that threatened to escape.

"We all understand," Victoria nodded. "There's a saying that a mother comfort is important for a child's recovery and Bran can surely thank you for that when he wakes."

Catelyn stayed silent, she heard the doubts from the Maester's and those who came to visit, they'd been told that even though he was now okay the possibility for him to walk was nonexistent. Bran Stark, the climber of the family, would no longer be able to move around like he loved too.

"May I speak to him though?" Victoria questioned as the silence went on and she wondered if the Lady of Winterfell had drifted. The Tully born looked up and nodded after a moment. Victoria turned back, looking at young Bran with kindness, "Brandon Stark, I hope you can hear me otherwise I'll have to repeat this when you awake. You are strong Bran, stronger now more then ever. Just because others may think your inability to walk makes you weak does not mean they're right, you are strong because you survived what those doubters never could. You will wake soon enough and see that life will be better, you will be a man of glory. Do you remember all those tales we talked about in Dorne? How we could go swimming in the see and running through the forests there? We will do that, I will see to it we will. You will live life like anyone else Bran, you will not let this define you. Bran—just wake up and we will show you that life will be okay."

She had not intended to cry as she spoke but soon enough the tears had run loosely down her face and her bottom lip trembled. She missed the wicked boy, he was so carefree and unapologetically him, Bran brought smiles to everyone's face. She silently stood, Catelyn's eyes on her petite form as she held back in the sob and brushed away the tears. She knew it was ridiculous to even do so as a few minutes later she'd be back to the same thing but even so Northeners were strong, and she needed to be one as well.

She nodded once at Catelyn, both women silently appreciating the other before she was walking out of the door.

Victoria squared her shoulders and erased Bran from her thoughts for the moment, instead she focused on her departing family. As she walked into the keep of Winterfell she saw Sansa practically bouncing beside her Septa and the carriage they would be riding in. There was also Arya lurking behind, she had a sullen expression on her face as she clearly did not want to go. She also saw Robb talking with his father not far off, both men laughing as the father had his hand clamped around his sons shoulder. There was also her father talking with King Robert, both men having a good laugh. She decided it was best to let their conversation end and walked towards Jon who was quietly attending to his horse. He was wearing a thick coat, something much too warm for Winterfell.

She walked over and smiled at him fondly, finding that Jon's dark eyes finally looked at her. His curly hair was pushed behind his ears but still wild, perfect ringlets that could only be a Stark signature. "Oh Jon."

"Don't you start crying women," Jon smiled at her.

"Promise you'll write? And come to the wedding?" She reached for his hand and squeezed tightly, ignoring everyone else.

"I don't think Robb would ever let me miss your union and as for the writing, well I'll do my best to keep up." He assured her.

She shook his hand slightly and stomped her foot, "promise!"

"I promise," he clarified and patted her hand.

Victoria could no longer hold back and jumped into his arms, squeezing tightly her eyes grew watery. "Oh Jon, I'm gonna miss you so much. Who else's mood will I lift when they're always brooding."

She could just see him rolling his eyes as he finally wrapped his arms around her.

"She's gonna make me sad purposely now," Robb interrupted them both.

Vic rolled her eyes at him, pulling away from Jon only to retreat back into Robb, "you make me sound like the worst women alive."

"Now I never said that," Robb countered.

"It was implied," she retorted.

"The worst women alive would be very stubborn," he commented.

"Bite me Robert—" she bit back and even though her words sounded threatening they both smiled at one, in a dazed way that made Jon wonder if anyone would ever look at him in that way.

Still, he interrupted the moment by saying, "now I won't be missing that."

"Oh Jon," Vic laughed, patting her head against his chest. "You love us, admit it."

"Aye, I do, and I'll be missing the two of ya." Jon smiled at both of the people he considered family. He could still see them when they were little kids, Victoria with her wide brown eyes too big for her head and Robb with his mop of light curls. Her eyebrows were always bunched together in slight irritation at Robb or concentration, she was an open book as a kid. And Robb seemed to always have a smile upon his face, poking her and pulling at her braids, not much had changed since then only now they were inseparable for different reasons.

"We'll be missing you, hopefully not for long because I hope to have you visit." Vic pulled away from her betrothed and leaned in to kiss Jon's cheek. It was a simple gesture, one the Dornish were widely known for and although it turned a few heads most knew that the kiss held no other intentions. Before she could start sobbing Vic squeezed his hand once more and walked away, she needed to give both Jon and Robb a moment to say goodbye as brothers.

Her trail led her up to the Stark daughter, the red headed girl throwing her arms around her and although she knew Sansa was sad to be so far away from her the prospect of being Queen one day had her giddy. Sansa was bouncing as she squeezed tightly and then pulled away, clutching at her soon to be godsisters hands. "Victoria! You must come to visit one day!"

Vic felt relieved that there was no crying between them, she welcomed the happiness from the naive girl. Although there was some concern for Prince Joffrey, who seemed like a cruel little child who hated the world and everything around it but she still put on a happy face for Sansa. She nudged the girl gently with her elbow, "only if you come to visit me too."

"Even as a queen I'll come to see you, Vic you're like the sister I always wanted I'm so happy you'll soon be my godsister." Sansa stated, "I want to be involved as much as I can with planning the wedding! Write to me about what silks you'd like to use and hopefully I can bring them for your gown!"

Vic nodded, she knew sometimes Sansa could be self centered but the girl really had a heart of gold. "I'll write to you everyday, and one day I will come to kingslanding for your wedding my sweet!"

"I'm going to be a queen!" Sansa couldn't reign in her delight.

"The most beautiful queen," Vic winked at the young girl and caressed her cheek. "Oh Sansa, promise me that not matter how much gold weighs on your head and how many fine silks touch your skin you'll always be good. You'll be noble and humble to your people and always remain valiant, you are as much apart of my family as I am of yours."

"I promise," Sansa answered back, smiling sweetly as if to assure her. "I will make all of you proud."

"Make yourself proud as well my love, if you are ever in need of anything do not hesitate to send for me. You will always have Winterfell, crown or not." Victoria patted her with a kiss to the cheek and a silent plead to the Gods she would be taken care of in Kingslanding.

Arya was next and the young girl jumped into her arms, her mood entirely different to her sisters as she stepped back and her wide brown eyes practically made Victoria melt. Vic bent down to push Arya's face back. She had managed to pin her hair back in the elegant milk maids braid back in her room and now Arya's pretty face looked at her. "Oh my sweetling."

"Can't I stay with you and Robb? I promise I won't be a burden." She begged.

Victoria bit her lip, she wanted more then anything for Arya to stay and Sansa to of course but the red heads heart was set of leaving, she was no one to impose on her happiness. "You would never be a bother Arya, but your father wishes you to go. You will be back soon enough my love and I promise Dorne will be our next trip together."

"Will father marry me off next?" Arya muttered softly and Vic's heart went out. She was no warrior like the young girl, she felt comfortable behind a blade yes but her place would always be as a lady like Sansa, however Arya was much different. From a young age she'd expressed the interest in being a knight or a fighter, dresses did not amuse her and swordplay fascinated her, sadly the world they lived in was comfortable with women standing idly by while the men spilled the blood. As much as Victoria wished that their lives were different she knew that eventually Arya would have to set aside her wild ways, but she also had an inkling that the youngest Stark female would fight her way to uniqueness.

That is why Vic drew her closer so they were the only two able to hear and spoke, "my wild girl, only you can determine the course in your life but careful where you go, wouldn't want to fall down the wrong hole. You are strong Arya, the blood of northern kings runs through your veins, if you will it you can become anything."

Arya seemed to take her words like scripture and pressed her hands to the young women's face, "have you done all you've wanted? All you've wished for?"

"I'm still working on," Vic smiled at her, "we are also women, young one, and we are a patient breed. Men cannot stand in our way, we have no qualms with time unlike them." Arya seemed to understand then and Vic looked at her face, memorizing it as she feared it would be too long before she got to caress it again. She sighed heavily and finally said, "I love you Arya, please take care of yourself.

"I love you Vic," Arya responded back and hugged her tightly. She whispered into her hair silently "I will do my best to make you and I proud."

|•|•|•|•|

Vic felt like her heart was surely breaking with each goodbye, slowly she had made her way around until finally stepping up to him, her father. He had been standing with all the men, joking with King Robert and helping Ned with the horses when his daughter came up.

"My lords, your grace," she curtsied like a beautiful princess, the bright colors of her house a sentiment for her father as his coat covered her.

"Well you certainly are more well mannered then your father ever will be," the King was the first to speak, eyeing her with a slight fondness. Victoria hadn't spoken to the King often, only when he had been near her father but every time she got the sense he respected her. She noticed the way he looked at every other women in Winterfell, how his eyes travelled to their ample bosoms and flirted with them but to her he was kind. She supposed it was because he was dear friends with her father but either way it warmed her heart to know he respected her.

"Like you learned anything," her father gave claim to the King's words.

"Mannered and beautiful, two things you'll never be you old bastard," King Robert retorted and his friend only rolled his eyes and laughed.

"You fat bastard!" Ricardo answered in a weak laugh.

"Not in front of the Lady!" Ned Stark turned back to yell at his two friends, looking at his future goddaughter. "Apologies Lady Valiente, these two never know how to act in front of others."

Victoria cheeks grew pink as the Lord of Winterfell spoke to her, Ned was very kind and was a man of very few words which is why they rarely held conversation but she knew he cared for her like one of his daughters. Instead of responding that it was quite alright and that she'd heard and said worse she nodded at the Lord, "it's quite alright my Lords, your grace."

"Robb, watch her now she looks a lot like her mother Amara, and you should have seen the men my friend here had to fight off her for affection. Careful now or she too might have suitors lining up the day you make a mess," the King warned the young Stark who had just walked up and taken a step beside Victoria. There was more to his words then just a joke though, a slight pain in his eyes but he blinked it away after a moment and looked towards the young Lady. There was a smile in his eyes, "goodbye, Lady Valiente, your father and I have much to do with the Iron Throne. It has been a pleasure to meet you."

"Your grace," she bowed. "I do hope to see you again for my wedding in a years time."

"Gods be good," The King said, kissing her knuckles and then walking to mount his horse.

Ned and Ricardo were left then, the two looking at their eldest children.

Ned was the first to speak, "remember what I said Robb, the North is yours now, and yours Lady Valiente. Treat it with grace and the respect it deserves. Robb, you treat Lady Valiente with the same kindness or you'll have more then me to answer too."

"Not to worry Lord Stark, I'm sure Robb will do everything in his power to keep the North safe and if he fails to do so—well let's just say it'll be the least of his worries," Victoria spoke proudly, bumping her hip with Robb to show how confident she was.

Robb rolled his eyes but then smiled, looking down to her level to show his gratitude for her confidence, "Father, Lord Valiente, it will be my genuine pleasure to uphold the Stark name with Victoria at my side."

"Robb," Ricardo nodded his head at the Stark. "Take care of my Winter Sun, she brings light even in the darkest of night."

"Aye, Lord Valiente, I fear Winterfell would not be the same without her presence here." Robb agreed.

"Be sure to watch her then, keep her safe, she is not yet a Stark and some still see her as a foreigner," The Lord was serious, his tone dropping to a deep voice.

Victoria dropped her eyes as she felt a slight pang to her heart, she knew this to be quite true. Her birth had been in the snow capped mountains of the North, she'd passed years between Dorne and Winterfell simply because she could never settle on one and yet these Northern Lords still did not see her fit to rule.

"She is no foreigner, she is to be the Lady of Winterfell, she is to be my wife," Robb declared with sternness. He knew this to be the only truth that matters, Victoria had to be assured of her title, without her Robb has no doubt that the North would fall on its toes.

"Very well then son," Ned nodded his head, showing that he had no worries. "Come, let us leave the two to say goodbye."

Robb nodded and walked alongside his brother, Rickon was watching this happen from his spot and the two headed over there. Vic allowed her eyes to trail them, watching as they stopped near the young boy who smiled warmly at his father.

Vic squared her shoulders, a low breath escaping her lips as she turned towards the one man who had stood by her through every aspect of her life. She tried to reign in the tears, to keep them from spilling in front of all the northern people but the moment her eyes met his tired ones she could not help it. The tears spilled and she ran forward, his arms embracing her as she whispered like when she was young child and night terrors would over take her. She remembered how only his arms would console her and the Septa would run across Valiente Castle in search of her father. He'd come without a fuss her and hug her much like he did now. A muffled son escaped her lips, "papa."

The Dornish lord caressed the hair of his young daughter and shushed her cries, "my northern sun, oh how I will miss your beauty and warmth."

"Don't leave," she whispered and aloud a hint of fear to overtake, her eyes wished to water like rivers and full sobs to escape but she held it in.

"I must, it is my duty as King Roberts friend and a Martell ally," he explained just like she knew.

"What will I do without you here?" She softly shuddered at the idea, fearful at what might occur.

"You will do great things in my absence my darling, I named your for victory as your mother and I dreamed of things far beyond our reach for you. You are to be great my love." He pulled her away and covered her face with his gloved hands, softly he wipes the tears and smiled at her. "The North is yours now much like it is young Robb's, treat it well but above all us, teach them to respect you. You are a northerner much like a Dornish, the northern sun."

"I will make us proud," she promised him.

"Make yourself happy my love, happiness is the greatest victory your could achieve." He whispered softly to her. His hands tightened across her cheeks and softened the look to them. "Now my love, harden those eyes and stand straight, the north's eyes are on you more then ever. Make them respect you, make them admire you, make them love you as if you were a Stark born. The name will be yours in a years time and when I come back the next time we shall see one another is when you are dawned in your maidens cloak and we walk to the godswood. My sweet child, I love you but you are no longer a child, you are a women who must make it her duty to fight for the North."

She nods her head and holds back the sob that wishes to escape, "yes father. I love you as well, come back to me because my children must learn from their brace grandfather."

Ricardo smiles at his young child and nods his head, "you'll never be rid of me with grandchildren my sweet. Keep those pretty ideas in your head until they become reality."

She nods her head and pulls away, "goodbye father."

"Goodbye my winter sun," he nods and then his brown eyes turn to the figures flanking his young daughter. "Ser Marcos, Ms. Elaine, I trust you with my daughter's life, protect her."

Victoria hadn't taken notice of their appearance so she turned her head to see both her handmaid and knight bow and nod their heads.

"M'lord," the two say as a acknowledgment to his orders.

He nods at them and casts one last glance to his daughter before following Ned towards the horses.

"M'Lady, are you alright?" Elaine steps closer, briefly holding eye contact with Marcos who looks as concerned as her.

"Not quite," she responds shakily, clutching Elaine's hand for balance as she feels the weight of the world rest on her shoulders. Her eyes follow towards Robb who seems to have been already staring at her, he smiles at her as if to show reassurance and somehow this comforts her. "I will be though. I must be."

|•|•|•|•|

I feel like this is so much fluff for game of Thrones but I swear when it gets going it will be crazy