Lady of Winterfell

Chapter Twenty-Four: Leaving Winterfell

"For thirty years I've been making corpses out of men, boy. I'm the man you want leading the Vanguard," Greatjon Umber said over the table, the hall was filled with the bannermen that had come to help Robb free his father. 

The hall was noisy with talk and Sanira felt a little out of place at Robb's side, she was almost glad that Bran was sat on her left next to Theon so that she had someone to talk to. 

Robb sighed knowing that he should have expected this and he hoped that he would be able to sort all of this out before they headed out for King's Landing. 

"Galbart Glover will lead the Van," Robb insisted, he had everything planned out and he wasn't going to let these men boss him about; he would never live it down if he didn't stand on his own two feet. 

He needed to prove that he was the man that they could follow into battle and that wouldn't happen if he let others push him about; he had to be firm on his decisions. 

"The bloody Wall will melt before an Umber marches behind a Glover. I will lead the Van or I will take my men and march them home," Greatjon stated glowering at the idea of following the other man into battle, he wasn't going to do so and he would happily take his men back to Last Hearth leaving them all to deal with this. 

Robb stared down the table at Greatjon, he did not need this right now and he hoped that he was about to do the right thing; they would be leaving soon and he didn't have time to deal with any more problems that came their way. 

"You are welcome to do so, Lord Umber. And when I am done with the Lannisters, I will march back North, root you out of your Keep and hang you for an oathbreaker," Robb said firmly, he wasn't going to let another man push him about just because he wasn't as experienced as the other.

Sanira chewed on her lip, she doubted that would go down well with Greatjon and she didn't blame him especially considering how tense everything seemed since Eddard had been locked in the dungeons of King's Landing. 

"Oathbreaker, is it?" Greatjon shouted offended as he got to his feet, his chair screeching against the floor attracting even more attention to the dispute that he was having with Robb. 

Everyone stared at him unsure what to make of what was happening before them, the young lord seemed quite calm considering Greatjon looked ready to strangle him. 

"I'll not sit here and swallow insults from a boy so green he pisses grass," Greatjon announced reaching for his sword, he barely had chance to pull it out before Grey Wind leapt up from the floor where he had been laying by Robb's feet. 

He volted over the table and rushed at Greatjon before attacking him and successfully ripping off two of the man's fingers making Greatjon cry out in pain.

Sanira sat silently staring at what had just happened, she hadn't thought that the direwolf was capable of that since he was so friendly when he was around her and Robb. 

"My Lord father taught me it was death to bare steel against your Liege Lord. But doubtless the Greatjon only meant to cut my meat for me," Robb said calmly reaching to take Sanira's hand, he brushed his fingers across the back of her hand and hoped that she was okay. 

Greatjon got back to his feet clutching his bloody hand and looked at Robb, he stared at the boy that had left him with only three fingers left on one hand before he looked around the room. 

"Your meat...is bloody tough," Greatjon replied before he started to laugh, it broke the tension in the room and Robb couldn't help but crack a smile as well.

***

Brushing her hair as she prepared for bed, Sanira couldn't help but think about what the next few weeks might hold for them; it was going to be a tense time especially with her remaining back in Winterfell with Bran. 

Sanira had dismissed Aiana for the evening wanting to be alone and maybe spend some time with Robb before he had to leave with the men to travel to King's Landing. 

The sound of the chamber door opened and Sanira smiled knowing that it would be her husband, she got to her feet and moved to prepare the bed hoping that things had gone well with planning. 

"You're back late," Sanira mused sure that he had been drinking, she set about turning down their bed with a smile before she turned to face Robb. 

She blinked surprised to see her husband still wearing his big thick fur coat and Sanira could see from the look on his face that she wasn't going to like what he had to say. 

"You're still dressed," Sanira murmured unsure what to make of this, she had been sure that he would have been a little more prepared for bed; there was no reason for him to be wearing his coat inside the castle. 

Robb slowly made his way into the room, he hated to do this now but he had no other options and he was sure that she would be upset that he was leaving so soon. 

"Sanira... we're leaving tonight," Robb murmured gently, he reached for his wife not knowing when he would see her again; he was determined to be home before their baby was born. 

He didn't want to miss such an occasion and he doubted that Sanira would forgive him for staying away for so long; Maester Luwin guessed that Sanira was about three months into her pregnancy and they still had a little while to go before the baby was born. 

The room was completely silent as Robb's words sunk in, Sanira opened her mouth to say something but the tears started to come first.

Robb wrapped his arms around her and held her close, he didn't like this anymore than she did but he had to go; he had already said goodbye to Bran and Rickon, making them both swear to behave for Sanira while he was gone. 

There was no telling when Catelyn would show back up and Robb highly doubted that his mother would return to Winterfell any time soon; for some reason she was still in the Eyrie with his Aunt Lysa and there was no word of her returning yet. 

"Promise me that you'll come back safe," Sanira whispered terrified what might happen when Robb clashed with Joffrey, her cousin had been a horrible child and she couldn't imagine what he was like as a King. 

It wasn't like anyone would ever stand against him now and he would get away with doing whatever the hell he wanted without anyone daring to question him. 

Robb closed his blue eyes and held Sanira close, he couldn't imagine what lay ahead for them but he was sure that he wasn't going to end up like the last Starks that had travelled south. 

"I love you," Robb whispered brushing some hair from Sanira's face, he ducked down and kissed his wife and held her close knowing that he would do anything to bring his family back before their baby was born. 

Sanira smiled into the kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close; she had no idea when she would truly see her husband again and he wouldn't always be able to send her letters. 

"I love you too," Sanira replied staring up into Robb's eyes when they pulled apart, this was going to have to do and she prayed to whatever Gods would listen that her husband would be safe. 

The next few months were going to be spent apart and Sanira had no idea what her cousin would do if he was able to gain the upper hand in all of this.