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2 years later
"And why not?" Robb asks angrily, crossing his arms. It's only a days trip to Wintertown. It had already been a year since they had visited Caroline Valentine. He had promised to return. That girl had remained in his thoughts, and he was unable to shake her. He wanted to know her more.
"There have been Wildling attacks around there. I'm not risking your life to go visit that girl. You can wait until we get it under control." Edd looks at his son, who is already almost his height. He's fifteen now, and needs to start thinking of ruling. Yes, he was considering Caroline as a marriage arrangement, but she was an Herbalist from a small town. With Robb, he could forge alliances. He cringes at his own thought. He had sworn to never use his son as a bargaining chip. He wanted the best for him, including love.
"Fine." He decides. Robb had been asking to visit for months, and if this was the start of something between them, then he had to let his son get to know this girl. "But Jon and I are going too. To guarantee your safety."
"You're coming to babysit?" Robb asks, slightly annoyed.
"Yes." Edd replies firmly. "You've met this girl once in your life. I'm not letting you wander off to stay in her home. What would people think?"
"What do you think?" Robb replies defensively. "I've met this girl once. She's an herbalist. We were friends, that's all."
"I believe that she's very beautiful, smart, caring, talented, and fit to rule Winterfell some day." Edd replies honestly.
Robb opens his mouth in shock for a moment, before shutting it. "I doubt she even remembers who I am by now."
They're interrupted by Theon Greyjoy, running up to them frantically. "My Lord! A raven from Wintertown!"
He frantically hands the letter to Edd, whose eyes widen.
Jon had followed Theon into the hall, curious.
"Wintertown is preparing for a raid from the Wildlings. Apparently they've surrounded and are preparing to attack tomorrow." Edd's face pales.
"How do they know that?" Jon asks.
"The letter is from Caroline. She was out collecting herbs in the woods, and she discovered one of their camps. She overheard them speaking." He folds up the letter, clearly distraught. "I need to go. Now."
"Don't they have their own guards?" Jon asks.
"I don't think they're prepared for a raid like this. And Caroline is on her own. She needs help."
"What do you mean you need to go?" Robb asks. "I'm going too."
"No. You're still a boy. You stay here where you're safe." Edd's voice is commanding, a tone he rarely uses with his children.
"She saved my life, father. The least I can do is save hers." Robb replies in the same tone. Despite his fathers commands, he was growing into a strong young man, and his overwhelming feeling to need to protect this girl, a girl he'd met once in his life, took over all of his reasonable thoughts. He knew how to wield a sword and fight. And he knew that he needed to do this. Something deep inside him was willing him to go.
