Theon

Theon had only just noticed him at the last minute. The last face he ever expected to see and the last one he ever wanted to. He had seen him out of the corner of his eye, marching across the courtyard before breaking out into a full sprint at him.

And when he turned to view him completely he' already been grabbed at the arm and the shoulder, yanking him off his horse and onto the great. The animal gave out a neigh and jumped up. Coupled with Theon's grunt as he slammed against the ground every face in Castle Black turned to them. And when Theon looked up, there he was. Robb Stark, son of Lord Eddard Stark, Nephew to King Robert and Future Warden of the North. And he didn't look very happy.

In one move Robb jumped down, pinning Theon to ground with his knee against his stomach. Then with a fist he swung down and punched him in the face. The outburst of violence rallied everyone's attention and some began running towards them.

Robb delievered another strong swing onto Theon's face. And managed to get three more in before two men of the Watch tried to restrain him.

"ROBB!" Sansa yelled. But that only made things worse. As Robb was being pulled off Prince Edric jumped forward and tackeled the crows to the ground. Robb did not take the time to thank him and instead turned his attention back to Theon.

He had pushed himself back to his feet and when he looked up there was Robb glaring at him once more. But Theon didn't want to fight, he didn't want this.

"Robb." He pleaded." Listen to me." But this wasn't the time for taking. Robb reached down to his belt and gripped thehilt of the sword resting there. Theon had to wonder if it was Ice, the Valyarian Steel sword of House Stark. The last time Theon had seen him Robb was still half a boy and had to wear the sword across his back. But now he was a man, both taller and stronger than Theon.

Robb was the first to draw steel as he pulled the sword from it's scabbard and lunged at Theon. But his attack coupled with Prince Edric's only caused even more direse at Castle Black. The Men of the Night's Watch now drew their weapons.

Ser Loras and Ser Mychel drew there swords and put themselves between their Prince and the advancing Black Brothers. The Kingsguard were outnumbered two to seven but men had faced worse odds. And all knew better than to cross swords with a Kingsguard.

But Ser Waymar Royce was as bold as he was arrogant. He was the first to attack raising his sword and clashing it against Ser Mychel's. His Black Brothers followed after him and attacked Ser Loras.

But the other Northerners had jumped into battle as well. Smalljon with two great battle axes and his great strength, knocking men aside. Harrold stood between his new wife and any attackers, cracking his shield against Wallace Massey's face.

"I trusted you!" Robb let out with another great swing. Theon ducked under it causing Robb to slice nothing but air and to bury his sword in a wooden pillar. This was Theon's moment to arm himself. But he wouldn't use Nightfall. He didn't want to fight Robb and if he used Valyarian Steel he might kill him which would only make matters worse. So he went for the next best option, there was a shield sitting nearby. Theon quickly grabbed it. " And you!" Robb yelled as he pulled his sword free." You betrayed my Family!" He said with another great swing. Theon put up the shield and blocked, it rattled from Robb's hit." You betrayed ME!"

Now there was only one option left if Theon wanted to live he would have to use Nightfall. If he didn't Robb would cut him in two. There was no choice left.

As Robb reared back his arm for another swing Theon drew his blade and swung it into the air to collide with Robb's. Never in the history of the world could regular Steel match Valyarian, and that was still true here. Theon had cut Robb's sword in two. And the tip of his blade pointed at Robb's chest.

No doubt the Young Wolf thought this was the end. That Theon his old friend, brother in arms, his betrayer would finish what he started three years ago.

"STOP!" roared a voice throughout Castle Black. Looking over everyone saw Lord Commander Denys Malliser marching down the steps." Stop this at once!" He yelled with raised hands. The fighting did stop when he commanded it but the tension was still there." Brothers!" He continued." Put down your arms." But the Black Brothers were hesitant to become unarmed infront of their opponents." Do it now!" None argued with him, not even Theon. The Young Ranger turned the blade down and buried it into the ground so it stood between him and Robb.

Denys looked across the yard and saw the two standing across from each other. He knew what had happened here.

"Lord Stark." He said as he approached. "I am sorry for what has happened here. I-"

"Lord Commander." Robb cut him off." How is it that he." He pointed at Theon." Is here? He's supposed to be dead."

"Master Greyjoy came to us after the wars end. During those times we welcomed new recruits with open arms."

"But he." Robb said with extra spite in his voice." He betrayed my Family." Theon was glad he had stopped with that.

"Perhaps." The Lord Commander nodded." But to be a man of the Night's Watch is to forego your past life, your past crimes in exchange for a new one." That seemed to calm Robb some." And Theon Greyjoy has taken his vows and has been an excellent Ranger ever since." Robb let out a deep sigh and dropped what was left of his sword to his side." But please do not part angered with us. First Ranger!" He called and within another moment Qhorin Halfhand was at the Lord Commander's side." Take Lord Stark to the armory and give him a replacement for his sword, Give him our finest one."

Everyone watched as Robb walked away escorted by Qhorin Halfhand. But when Robb left all eyes went to Theon Greyjoy.

Margaery

Nobody talked about the encounter at the wall on the ride back or even once they arrived back in Winterfell. The entire time Robb kept a scowling glare on his face.

She thought this would be a bad time to say "I told you so"

But she might have some news to help clear his mind.

Theon

Castle Black was still on edge after Robb had left.

And now Theon stood before Lord Commander Mallister, his squire Wallace standing right behind him. There was hatred in the young steward's eyes. No doubt he blamed Theon for the bruise he had on the right side of his face. But the Lord Commander's face was different. He was stern and impartial, thinking everything over clearly as he ran his hand through his long, white beard.

"That was certainly a disaster out there Greyjoy." He began. Theon kept his head low.

"Yes Lord Commander it was." He nodded." To think if you were perhaps ten minutes earlier or ten minutes later in arriving, they probably wouldn't have noticed you at all."

"Perhaps." Theon agreed with a nod.

"But." Denys continued with a sigh." There's no use worrying about that now. The real question is 'What to do with you now?'" Theon didn't like the sound of that.

"Am I to be executed then?"

"Executed?!" Denys questioned. He sounded shocked." In this day and age no." He waved his hands." Not when we need men on the Wall." He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned forward." I have a better use for you." Theon licked his lips nervously, worried about what would come next." I mean to regarrison some of the abandoned Castles along the Wall." He paused a moment." I'm sending you and thirty men to Long Barrow. It's half-way between Castle Black and Eastwatch by the Sea. I want you to ride out and assume command there."

"Command?" Theon questioned. Wallace standing behind the Lord Commander looked just as confused.

"Yes." Denys nodded." I'm giving you charge of Long Barrow. Your men are waiting for you in the yard, head out as soon as you can. Once you arrive write to me informing me of your progress."

"Yes Lord Commander." Theon said nodding his head. Denys showed his back to Theon taking a step closer to Wallace.

"Don't look so bitter my boy." The old man said to him with a hand on his shoulder." Men have done worse crimes. That bruise will be a good reminder to you." He gave Wallace's face a small slap." Not to overestimate yourself." Theon left the room smirking and headed out into the courtyard.

Waiting for him were fourteen stewards, seven builders, and nine rangers including one familiar face.

"So." Waymar said as he approached atop his horse." Shall we get going 'Lord' Greyjoy?" He snickered.

"That's Commander Greyjoy to you." Theon snickered as he mounted his own horse.

"A shame though." Waymar said. Theon turned to face him." Now we're farther from Mole's Town. It'll be a long, cold ride for some pleasure. I'll be of no use to them by the time I get there."

"You're of no use to them now." Theon chuckled. He'd come to rely a lot on Waymar these past few years. For his companionship, his humor and his skill at arms. And no doubt he would need him closeby in the future, his new right hand man at Long Barrow.

Once he was saddles and ready to go they rode off. There was no measter amongst them but they wouldn't need it since Theom himself could read. Though no doubt when those stewards came back from Old Town in a few years he would get one. And new recruits would be sent from Castle Black whenever they were done with training and in case they asked.

"And the place has been abandoned for years now." Waymar continued." It'll be a lot of work getting it back into shape."

"Aye." Theon nodded." I have no doubt."

"Still I suppose it's best after what happened with the Starks." Theon shivered at the mention of it. He worried that Royce might pry into what had happened. "Did you see me fight that Kingsguard?" Waymar continued nearly forgetting the rest." I almost knocked him right on his white ass." He laughed." To think I gave my life for the Watch when if I waited a few years more I could have been more."

"No use worrying about it now. "Theon shook his head.

"No reason to." Waymar agreed." Not when I'll be great things here." He reached over to pat Theon on the back." You wait Greyjoy in a few more years when the voting is called for the next Lord Commander you'll see my name up there." Theon just nodded choosing to say nothing." And when I'm elected I might just be kind enough to promote you to my First Ranger. Assuming that is your kind to me here at Long Barrow." Theon snickered.

"You know the Laterins will need a good cleaning once we get there. I think that'll be your first duty." He laughed.

Robb

The hall was quiet now. The wedding had finished, the guests had already begun to depart. His Uncle Edmure returned home to Riverrun and many of his Northern Lords had left as well. Lord Umber, Ser Domeric and Ser Lucas would stay the night. In the morning Sansa would ride with Lord Harrold back to his tower in the Eyrie. There were only two other guests who stayed. King Robert with the Royal Family, and Mace Tyrell. For the Starks it was like one big family reunion.

He didn't talk about Theon. Not to Jon or Edric, Domeric, Sansa or even Margaery. None of them had to know. Sadly he'd already been judged for his crimes and took the black to 'atone' for them. Although it felt wrong Robb secretly wished his former friend would someday break his vows and try to flee Castle Black. Then he could meet Robb and the tip of his blade.

The heir to Winterfell sat by the fire a mug of ale in his hand and Grey Wind at his feet. The sound of the Wolf breathing and he cracking of the fire was all he heard. That was until he heard the soft patter of feet along the stone floor. Tilting his head Robb looked up to see his Lady Wife standing behind him.

"Husband." She greeted with a smile as she reached both arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. He responded with a smile and rested his free hand over her own, resting them on his left shoulder. Margeary followed her husband's gaze down to the direwolf at his feet. "My love." She said." Do you think you could get me a direwolf?" What a strange request. Did she even now what she was asking?

"A direwolf isn't like a dog you can just buy my dear." He responded with a plain face. But Margeary's smile grew wider.

"Are you sure? I thought we could have a little pup around." Robb's expression did not change.

"The only Direwolves left are North of the Wall. It was only by some strange miracle that this one was found so far from it." Margeary took a step back, taking Robb's hand in both of her's.

"I don't think you'll have to go so far as the wall for this one." She said. Robb turned to her and watched as she placed his hand on her belly." It's a lot closer than you think." Robb's expression changed almost immediately, he knew what she was getting at.

And that lifted his spirits entirely.

"That's wonderful." He said standing up to put his arms around her and kiss her. Her face lit up. No doubt she'd known this for some time and was just waiting for the right time to say it. His beloved Margaery always liked her little games." Have you told anyone else?"

"Only you." She smiled." I wanted us to do it together." She reached out and held his hand." Shall we Lord Stark?"

"It would be my pleasure, Lady Stark." And together the two turned and walked out into the main hall where they found the rest of their large and extended family.

His Father Lord Eddard, Father in law Mace Tyrell and Uncle King Robert all sat beside each other at the head of the table. No doubt talking about some old war story or political matter. His half brother Jon was sitting across from Arya showcasing his sword to her and telling her all about his deeds and duties as a knight. Queen Lyanna had taken Prince Edric aside and with a pointed finger and snarled teeth she lectured him on something. And his mother Lady Catelyn stood by his younger sister Sansa and her new husband.

Wynafryd Manderly was fawning over her poor huscand's bruised face, something he earned in the fight at Castle Black. But they obviously couldn't say that. So instead they said Ser Lucas got in in a sparring match with Smalljon. Then it was his turn when Wynafryd gace him a bruise.

And standing in the doorway were the knights of the Kingsguard. There was a smile on the young couples face as they marched in prepared to deliver the best news of the night.

"Everyone!" Robb called into the hall. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked over at them." Family." He said looking at his mother and father." Friends." He said looking to Domeric, Lucas and Jon Umber." My Lady wife Margaery and I have something to say." He turned and smiled at her. This was her moment as much as his, they should do this together. Margaery stepped forward and with a big, beautiful smile she said

"I'm pregnant!" And the hall erupted in cheers.

"HaHa!" King Robert laughed." Well done lad!"

"STARK! STARK! STARK!" Jon, Domeric and Lucas all cheered as they banged on the tables. Robb looked across the room to view everyone's face. They were of course delighted at the news. Each with a smiling face of reassurance, his mother even started to cry. And then he came upon his Lord Father. Eddard Stark, the Quiet Wolf.

Eddard just starred across the room with his long face and cold eyes. Then Robb saw the smallest hint of a smile trace across his lips.