"The Wolf, the Stag and the Snake" book 1

Chapter 30

ANTEA

They were finally able to cross the Twins. Some of Robb's men had to stay behind, Tallhart would have led them; lord Frey wanted for some soldiers to stay outside of his castle as a guarantee, as if putting one of his daughters in Winterfell hadn't been enough. For all those requests he had wanted, lord Frey seemed more of a greedy man, to Antea, and greed was something that she had never understood, or tolerate.

"You're being more nervous than usual" Robb said the night before they had to leave the Twins "As much as Rickon"

"I wish" she said thinking at her most fierce among her siblings. He loved to run, and he had quite the temper. Antea knew that he would become a great warrior, and she hoped he would live long enough to hold a steel sword.

"What is the matter?" Robb asked her taking her hands making her sit down.

"I do not know" she said in a whisper squeezing her twin's fingers. She felt like she wasn't able to understand herself anymore, she got angry and scared, nervous and then calm. She feared for Robb, knowing that soon he would have to face the battlefield. Angry for her Father's imprisonment. She felt like crying, but no tears would leave her eyes, she just wanted to scream.

"I feel anger, Robb. All the time" she confessed. Robb observed her with sad eyes "And now, you are going to war, what will happen? How am I about to let you go, not knowing..." even the chance of Robb not coming back made her heart ache. What was she if not with Robb? They came in that world together in Riverrun and since they had left their mother's belly, they never got separated. And now they were moving towards the Lannisters and she would have to look him ride towards it without being able to do anything. Her eyes move to Grey Wind.

Protect him. Please just protect him, Antea found herself thinking as her eyes fixed on the wolf's.

"My sweet sister" Robb said hugging her close as her fingers moved to clench the fur of his cloak finding comfort as always. Robb's embrace was able to ease her sorrow just as much as her Father's. She felt secure, even from herself.

"I need you here with me. Your presence will give me so much strength" he said kissing her temple "As Mother. And Theon" Antea took a breath with a little smile, not quite believing that only her being there could make all of them feel stronger. But she accepted the compliment, not wanting to argue, or get sad over stupid thoughts.

"It better be, dear brother" she said caressing his cheek "Without you I would lose my head" Robb smiled.

"It's the other way around, Antea."

Everyone at Winterfell had always addressed her as the only one able to speak to her twin brother during times of anger. Robb was passionate, and for that his nerves got the best of him, while Antea had always been happy with a smile on her face, never bothering with bad feeling. But since Antea had left Winterfell her always happy face became harder and her heart felt heavier, feeling safe only in her lord brother's presence. Even only looking at him, brought her great peace, like when they were riding moving South with their bannermen the next day. He was on his horse, in between lord Umber and Theon deep in conversation and Antea couldn't help but feel proud of who he was becoming. Her Father would be proud, as all her siblings.

"You were born in Riverrun" her Uncle's voice made her turn. She smiled at him reining closer to her horse "When did you visit last?"

Antea smiled.

"I know what you're doing" she said, making her Uncle smile "But I'm afraid this conversation will not last long, I've never been in the Riverlands. The same as my lord brother"

Robb and Antea had been born in Riverrun during King Robert's Rebellion. Their Father had gone South to fight against the Targaryens' Crown, just after his wedding with their Mother. The two of them barely knew each other, but they had their first children anyway.