Elaine had left the tent with one intention, to get to bed with the least interruptions. Surely this couldn't have been the worst plan but as she stepped out from Victoria's tent and found Trout nowhere to be found her heart deflated.

The tent was right beside one another but she had hoped to find a warm drink before bed, something to ease her mind. The idea of walking through drunk men and touchy soldiers made chills run down her sides but it was slightly eased by the reminder she had a blade strapped to her leg.

The handmaid sighed heavily and decided there was too much energy in her system to lie in bed and pretend to fall asleep. She needed water and perhaps something to eat which meant she was to make her way into the thick of men and find some comfort.

A wave of hunger eyes fell on the maiden when she arrived to the tent filled with laughter, lit candles, and ale. Some men were more silent then others, only giving her a glance and then looking onto another task, some however were much more greedy.

She had not but a moment of a walk before someone stepped beside her, and judging by the immediate disruption of stares it was someone important.

"I see the our little cub has finally released you from her paws for the night." Monterroso was the last person she'd expected to see. He smiled down at her, looking as normal as any other man in his winter garbs. The black colors of his warm coat and pants were a contrast to the shiny armor he usually wore.

Elaine almost lost her words as she gazed at his ruggedly handsome look before walking towards the treys of food. "Lord Commander, I had not noticed you." She picked a warm soup and set it in a bowl, feeling her hands defrosting against it.

"I was behind you, Lady Elaine, your legs are so long it's an exercise in itself to keep up." He jokes and picked the same item to eat.

She smiled at his response, "well, had I known you were wanting to speak I would have slowed. Is there something I can do for you?"

"I want nothing from you, on the contrary I was assuring none of these fools became a bother to you." The gorgeous man retorted and looked back towards he crowds that had gone back to their own habits. "As men we tend to act like swines, some more then others."

Elaine couldn't help but laugh, leaning against the small table set up as she awaited him to finish picking out more food. The Dornes had packed more then enough supplies to feed an entire country so they were definitely not running low.

"I appreciate your concern, Lord Commader—"

"Please, call me Dominic, or Dom for short. There's no need for formalities now, no ones watching." Monterroso cut in.

Elaine nearly wanted to role her eyes, what was it with these Dornes always overly friendly? She smiled nonetheless as the idea of calling him by his true name became appealing, "well Dom, I appreciate the concern but I'm quite alright by myself. Lady Valiente and my youth have taught me that sometimes a persons best companion is their own self preservation."

"Quite a morbid thought, Lady Elaine." He pointed out and wondered what it was that made her this way. She looked so heavenly, with her porcelains skin and clear blue eyes that reminded him of still waters he couldn't fathom a girl like this needing to preserve herself.

"Growing up in a whorehouse with nothing but your dying family members and greedy fingers reaching out teaches a person such things." She hummed to him softly as they turned to face the mess tent.

Elaine's deep rush of a breath was surprising and Monterrosos turned his head to find her eyes set on Lord Karstark and his eldest son. Both were eyeing her, the son with malice in his eyes. The blonde suddenly dropped her stare and turned away from the warm tent and the tables. Monterroso took a moment to realize what was happening, northern bastards were named Snow and Elaine surname was such. He had suddenly realized who her blood ran with and it was clear they were not delighted.

Monterroso waits until their eyes leave her departing form and fall back upon him, he glares at them for the handmaid before walking after her.

Elaine finds herself sitting against the stump of a tree, around a burning fire for warmth. She thinks about her brother, the young red haired beauty he was. With his kind eyes and soft smile Mika hadn't always been too good for anyone, she remembered how sometimes he would wake early then then even her or their mother and bring them food. He would run around the brothel and speak animatedly with every women, innocent as ever.

Their mother was a different story however, yet Elaine still missed her every so often.

Her eyes did not leave the warm cackling fire even when Monterroso sat, and began talking. "So whats this you speak of? A woman who can defend herself without the aid of a man and her hands as soft as the petals of a rose."

Elaine eyes him with curiosity, deciding if revealing her secret was best. She crossed one leg over the other and lifted the dress ever so slightly, and in the light of the flames he noticed the small gleam of a knife, about the length from his longest finger to the end of his wrist. He bit into his bread, munching on it as he attempted to find the right words to begin with as this women had literally stunned him into silence.

"You see, I need no mans help. I've got the best protection." She responded with pride.

"Where did you get that," was his first question.

Elaine dropped her dress, "doesn't matter."

Instead of pestering her to answer him truthfully he moved on, "well have you any idea how to wield it?"

"What's to know?" She snorts and turns her head his way. "You use it the same way men like to think they can use a women's body, anyway one pleases."

Again Dominic was slightly stunned at how little her words now seemed to effect her, there was something behind them past the darkness, like a yearn for help or even an extended hand into the mist. Whatever it was, wether it be good or bad he was a traveler at heart and decided to take the voyage.

"I could help you, teach you to wield it." He offered and shrugged his shoulders as if to show that it would be no trouble.

Men, she nearly rolled her eyes but instead lifted a brow at him, "and what would you like in return?"

"Nothing," he blankly stated. "My dear lady, you are now one of the future Queens confidants. The sole comforting voice of a women she has, keeping you alive is of top priority."

|•|•|•|•|

The smell was so pungent and torturous surely death had walked the valley.

And so as Victoria rode up, the hooves of her graceful mare staining with the blood of her enemies and allies she decided that perhaps coming straight after the battle wasn't the best idea but there was no turning back, and surely no changing her mind.

The war had begun just as the sun had peaked and the sounds of men's dying screams echoed all the way towards the Stark camp. While most of the ladies had been biting at their fingernails or singing prayers, anything to distract from the horrendous sounds, Victoria had not been as convinced.

Lady Stark has rose from their camps and towards King Renly Baratheons camp days ago which left the Valiente women with only Elaine, her guards, and trusted sword to discuss. All of these said people could only talk war, and of what would happen, surely this would have sparked a ludicrous idea in the Dornish women's mind.

As she'd watched Commander Monterroso march away with her intended and the rest of her men the anxiety had peaked until an idea has sprouted and she has refused to release it.

And so if they would not allow her to fight, or even oversee the battle, then the very least she could do was oversee the aftermath.

The fur cape that covered most of her bodice dress and black riding boots flew in the cold wind air every time a breeze hit, allowing the smell to infiltrate her nostrils once more and force her to grit her teeth from gagging. It was a good thing she was no longer pregnant, she thought, otherwise the smell of blood and shit would be mingling with her vomit.

"Perhaps, this wasn't the best idea. War isn't something a women can ease into." Ser Trout called from behind, riding on horse to her left while Elaine rode on the right.

Victoria turns back to see the handmaid curling her nose in pure disgust while the Knight looks at her in concern. Despite the smell, and her own wish to nearly gag she smiles and responds. "If I don't come, if these men don't see their Lady or future Queen standing by their side through the good or bad what makes you think they'll follow or trust me?"

"You weren't here for the worst though, just the aftermath." Elaine calls out, attempting to hold in her own gags.

Victoria nods her head in agreement, "aye, because the Lord Commander and Ser Trout would have tied me to my tent, otherwise maybe it would have been slightly enjoyable. Or at the very least I wouldn't notice the smell as bad."

She suddenly saw Greywind running up to her horse, the wolves long dark fur was abstract compared to the messy red and green surrounding the field. Like usual he rode right up her horse and then trotted beside, not fearful of him. Victoria had been slightly wary when Robb had insisted the wolf come along for the wars but after the first few battles and the wolf not only seeming eager to join in but also leaving without a scratch she felt more secure.

She saw many silent sisters aiding the dying or injured, some of them in covered masks and others had scarlet painted ones that were not willingly. Victoria suddenly saw the familiar coat of arms of her family and the bright armor approaching, beautifully intricately designed plating telling her that the Commander approached. The Lord Commander took his helmet off, displaying not one scratch on his handsome face.

"Lady Valiente, we were not expecting you to come." He spoke and walked forward as to help her off the horse.

Victoria swung her leg around one side and took his extended hand to drop elegantly to the ground, "yes well, what good am I if I do not at the very least see my army home safely?"

He smiled, a proud smirk that made a small melancholy grow in Victoria's heart. If this were Dorne or her Uncle Doran there would be a chance she would at the very least been allowed to be present for the battle.

"Well, as you can see it was a successful battle, we had an easy win. The Lannister are said to be the smartest and richest of the families north of our borders? I'm curious, do those words both mean the same in Dorne?" He gloated at the end.

Victoria eyes him with humor as she pulled off her gloves and placed them in the riding saddle attached to her horse, "where is the King?"

"Attending to the sick. Last I saw he was helping one of the women saw off a Lannister's foot." Monterroso explained as she walked around him and towards the thick of the injured. His eyes trailed to Elaine who was being helped by Ser Trout of the horse. She wasn't as swift as her lady, nearly tackling him to the ground. Trout was sturdy and caught he before she could fall, the Knight Ser her down, "Ms. Elaine, I now know why you prefer the carriage to horseback."

She gave him an embarrassed smile, "the whores didn't exactly teach me to ride these type of things."

Monterroso choked back a laugh at her innuendo as Trout only smirked and walked after Lady Valiente, leaving the two to walk behind.

Elaine strolled, hoping to catch up to her Lady until the Lord Commander walked beside her slowly.

He was much broader then her, and he reeked of sweat and blood, a volatile combination that did not seem to bother him.

"I could teach you to ride horses, just like Lady Valiente." The Lord Commander spoke from beside her.

"You're in a very giving mood, Lord Commander." Elaine responded without meeting his eyes. "One could say you were expecting a returned favor."

"What kind of man do you take me for, my lady," He scoffed and fiends offense.

Elaine side eyes his for a moment, "I take you for a soldier, and a man looking for a good time."

He sighed and shook his head, "like I said last night, I only wish to assure that you and Lady Valiente are safe. The other women running outside the tents do not have to worry about the potential of lands or the way they look in the eyes of these lords, like it or not Lady Elaine, you have become a valuable asset. Marrying you or even putting a child in your belly would ensure any of these men a proper future beside the queen."

"And I take it, you are not looking for that?" Elaine stopped walking and crossed her arms.

"My Lady, I have those things already and I did not sleep with anyone for them. I do this as a gesture of goodwill—and to assure if we are ever ambushed you don't accidentally hurl something at me by accident."

Elaine laughed lowly, "if I hurled something at you it wouldn't be by accident, Lord Commander."

Monterroso winked and ended the conversation.

Victoria stopped as they reached the top of the hill to a sea of dead and injured bodies across the field. Her throat felt like it wished to shut at the war that must have happened but she kept still as the eyes of many men fell upon her. She could see Lord Bolton overseeing the collection of the prisoners and Lord Umber ordering around the rounding of their injured men. The Valiente soldiers were aiding as best possible, a few canary yellow bodies littered the ground and Victoria pained at the thought. She felt for every man that had fallen, wether he have fought against or with them, these were not wars started by them but forced to join.

"It was a brutal battle, my lady, perhaps it's something that shouldn't be seen for the untrained eye." Ser Trout attempted to console her as he stepped beside her.

"All these men— they have no choice but to be herded like cattle when their lords play dangerous games and for what? Tywin Lannister sits in a tent far off overseeing, Joffrey somewhere ordering around a melee of guard's who know only to give their lives at the king commands. This is horrible..." she whispered her doubts.

"War is war, my lady, it does not come without its fair share of hesitance, the longer this goes on the bigger the tolerance you'll grow towards the disgust, until then—perhaps we go." He offered.

Victoria looked to him, seeing the kind eyes of her favorite companion and for a moment she debated turning back, for a moment she wondered if being a blind queen would be best. Could she be like Cersei of all people and simple partake in the beauty of it all, perhaps she could, she had been groomed for such a life but a deeper sense in her commanded she take a bigger role. These wars weren't the fault of these men, but they were her's and Robb's.

She straightened her back and dug her heels into the thick grass as if commanding her body as she spoke, "no. I will stay and help until every man is attended too, we will see that their bodies are returned to the proper families."

Trout smiled proudly, and he remembered just how much love he felt for this young Queen. If anyone deserves a crown it would be her.

And so she marched forward, steady as ever when she descended and her eyes travelled the lands.

She saw Lucky somewhere across, his arm being bandages up as he clearly flirted with the young nurse aiding him and a quarry of men joking with him. A small part was happy most of the dead bodies she passed were not faces she could remember.

Her eyes travelled around until finally she found Robb, speaking to a young silent sister who seemed keen on leaving the conversation. Her eyebrow raised as something told her Robb was more interested then the young nurse which was odd, no one was ever this disinterested in a King's words.

Elaine and Trout looked at one another, both silently wondering the same thing as clearly they made the same connection.

Victoria noticed she was beautiful, even with blood coating her face she still smiled as she said goodbye. Something told the future Queen that the girl was not from Westeros as her accent foretold and she nearly rolled her eyes at the thought, of course a foreign girl.

Greywind suddenly ran past her, the skirt of her dress flowing at his speed and Victoria manages to catch the last of their conversations before she was off.

"He was lucky you were here!" Robb called to the maid.

"He was unlucky you were here!" She shot back and even Victoria was impressed.

She walked up as Robb was still distracted and announced herself, "well... shes lucky you were the King she spoke too. Must be the first she's met otherwise the women would know never to speak to a King like that unless she wants her tongue cut out."

Robb nearly jumped, turning and finding his intended smiling up at him with a certain spark in her eyes. He had forgotten about Victoria when speaking to the unnamed women but now that very maid left his thoughts altogether as the look in Vic's eyes was overcoming.

"Victoria!" He said her name with surprise as this was the last place he would have expected her. "What are you doing here?"

She laughed softly, "keeping a promise I made to myself." In a very calm manner she reached out and took his arm, looping it with her own and pulling him to a walk. "So? The girl, she was pretty."

Robb stopped and pulled his arm out, not finding anything entertaining. "This isn't funny, why are you here?"

Victoria sighed, a headache began to take place something told her this would end in a fight. "Robb Stark, you use that Kingly tone on me as if it would suddenly make me obey. I am here to aid in whatever way I can, that women was here, why can't I?"

"Because she is not a Queen." He hissed in response, lowering his voice as he noticed her knights and handmaid eyeing them.

"I am not a Queen." She clarified with crosses arms.

"Because you won't marry me now." He contradicted and Victoria nearly groaned as she had expected for this to come reeling back.

"I will marry you one day, but until then I can still do and say as I please. I govern my lands and my people, there is no King to keep me from being here." She reciprocated and moved her glare from the young wolf. "And if you insist on using the marriage against me in every argument then I will cease to include you in my plans altogether. I was hoping this would go a lot smoother."

Robb stared at her, he didn't like threats. Threats had once been fun when all there was to them were playful smacks and gentle denies of lust but now, no threat was to small. He stayed silent and pressed the hilt of his sword back into its sheath, adjusting the belt where it was held.

Victoria looked up and was suddenly reminded that King's were more sensitive then a needy child sometimes, they couldn't all be her Uncle Doran after all, and after a brief swallow of dignity resorted to a small smile to defuse the air.

"I only wish to help, being in the camp, with nothing but crying maids and praying hens sends me into a frenzy. Thinking of you and all these men risking your lives while I sat and drank tea, that wasn't exactly what I needed." She admitted with a softer tone then before.

Robb's eyes slowly kindled with understanding, "well your concern is greatly appreciated but there isn't much you can do, my love, most of these men are dead or well on their way. Perhaps a prayer next time could ease minds, I know I'd be able to concentrate on winning if I know my future Queen isn't running off into danger."

He walked off, leaving her further infuriated then before, and cursing the idea of her being more submissive.

Elaine and Trout came to stand beside her as she watched the King walk towards his Lords and speak with them, leaving her much like the nurse had left him.

"I'd like to know who she was, she's no Silent Sister, not with a tongue like that."

"Yes, my lady," Trout nodded his head.

"Let's go, it is clear the King has his royal head shoved up his ass at the moment."

|•|•|•|•|

The gif is literally what I imagine Victoria looking like as she takes notes of the reason Cersei always drinks when dealing with a temperamental King.