It has been way too long since I've updated this story. I didn't mean to leave it sitting for so long but inspiration went other directions and I got busy with school and life and I finally found some time to get the next part written! I don't know when I'll be able to continue the story after today since I'm having surgery next week and final's week is two weeks after that. Hopefully during the holidays I'll be able to get a good chunk of it done before the new term starts in January. I don't really do much for the holidays so I'm planning to do a lot of writing then. I have another Game of Thrones story that I'm working on as well that I'm hoping to get a good chunk of done as well before I post it.

darkwolf76: Thanks so much! That was kind of a sad chapter but there's going to be a lot of those coming up. Especially with what I have planned!

The Jingo: I do remember her thinking that. But you know, kids are like that. They don't think about things like that. They get curious and tend to just act on their curiosity instead of worrying about bases. But I mean, a lot of men are still like that. They just don't do it in person anymore.

Enjoy!

Raya takes her time climbing the stairs of the keep. It had been two days, and she still had not been to visit. Robb had reassured her she wouldn't be imposing, that she was as much a part of the family as he was, though Raya can't help but disagree. Her good-mother hadn't left Bran's side since they brought him in, diligently watching over him. The younger Stark children couldn't understand why, and surely Raya wouldn't have either before. But now with her own son, she could understand the unfailing need to stay by his side should something happen to him. She would do the same if it were Edrick.

The door is cracked open, Raya quietly entering. Catelyn glances up at her for a moment before her eyes turn back to her son. Bran looks so small, so delicate laying in the bed. He had once been so full of life, so energetic, to see him laying there felt surreal.

"I brought you breakfast, My Lady." Raya says, slowly approaching the bed plate in hand. Catelyn nods, glancing up at her before her eyes turn back to Bran. "I'm very sorry about what happened. Robb has been keeping me updated." She sets the plate on the edge of the bed. "I would have come sooner, but I felt like I would be imposing."

Catelyn finally turns to look up at her, and Raya can see the grief in her eyes. The strain of the past few days wearing on her. "You're the mother of my grandchild." Catelyn takes her hand. "The Lady of Winterfell now that Ned is leaving. You shouldn't feel like an imposter."

Raya nods, her lips lifting in a small smile. "Thank you, My Lady."

Catelyn squeezes her hand for a moment before releasing her, turning back to her son. Raya takes one more look at Bran before taking her leave, heading back down to the hustle and bustle of the courtyard. The King was leaving Winterfell, taking half the Stark family with him. The Starks were such a close knit family it felt wrong to Raya to split them apart over so vast a distance. The furthest South Raya had ever been was to White Harbor when her Domeric had sailed back from his travels. She had gone to greet him and ride back to the Dreadfort with him. How long ago it seemed now, and how young she had been. That had only been a few months before his death. She hadn't even thought it would be a possibility for her to lose him so quickly when he had seemed so full of life. The thought has icy fingers dragging down her spine, and she pushes it to the side, stepping out into the busy courtyard.

Raya finds Robb saying his farewells to Jon. Despite having spent a year with the Starks now, she knew Jon the least out of all the Starks. She knew he and Robb were close, she could see it, but he had kept his distance from her. Now he was leaving for the Night's Watch, removing another Stark from Winterfell. She approaches them as they hug, her feet ambling through the mud to not invade their private moment.

Robb turns as she draws closer, offering her a small smile. He wraps an arm around her as she joins him, offering a small smile to Jon.

"Farewell, Lady Raya."

Raya pulls him in for a hug, surprising him. "Safe travels, Jon. And good luck to you up there."

"Thank you, my lady."

Robb steers her away from the crowd making its way out of Winterfell, pulling her back into the warmth of the keep. She had already told her farewells to Lord Stark, Sansa and Arya and the royal family. Half of Winterfell would go south with the king's party and now the castle was in Robb's hands.

Robb leans his forehead against hers, holding her close. His breath fans over her face, her eyes fluttering shut. He's warm against her, a solid weight keeping her anchored down. He was about to have so much responsibility forced on him, and she would too. Not only were they now parents, but they had a castle, and the North to keep running. She can tell already he's nervous, not ready for this responsibility but he'd spent his whole life preparing to take over these duties.

"We'll be seeing less of each other now." Robb says, pulling away a little.

Raya nods, squeezing his arms. "I know. But you'll do just fine." She cups his face, her hands still cold from the air outside. "You're so much like your father. You always do the right thing, even if it's not what they think you should do."

He smiles, kissing her softly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Robb slowly pulls away from her. "I should go. There's work to be started already."

Raya squeezes his hand before letting it go. "You know where to find me if you need me."

The change had been like night and day. Raya had seen Winterfell at its normal state, busier than the Dreadfort was and the king's arrival had nearly doubled the population making it seem unbearably packed to her. But now that they had gone, and half of Winterfell had left with them, the castle felt empty and quiet to her. It was more on par with what the Dreadfort was like, but she would still prefer the occupants of Winterfell to the Dreadfort any day.

In the week since the king's absence she had hardly seen Robb outside of meals and the few hours they got of sleep at night. Edrick had lost his quiet reserve and now cried every moment he was awake, or so it seemed. Raya spent most of her time with him, as well as with Rickon to keep him from bothering Robb during the day. The young boy was confused and upset and often sat, clutching her skirts and crying. She wished she could help him but she knew the splitting of his family, his mother's absence all were weighing on his little shoulders.

Robb is also feeling the weight of his responsibilities. She can see the tiredness in his eyes, the tension in his shoulders. It had not been as smooth of an adjustment as he had been expecting. He had spent his whole life learning to be Lord of Winterfell, but she could see just how much of a toll it was taking on him. Married life, and then Edrick, and then his newly appointed position with the weight of Bran's condition and his mother's absence were all weighing on his shoulders. He often went to sleep as soon as he returned to their room. He'd kiss Edrick goodnight and sometimes would manage to give her a kiss before he'd be asleep. He'd wake when Edrick would cry, but more often than not she was the one to take care of him. She knew Robb needed his rest while he adjusted, and the last thing he needed to worry about was Edrick.

It's just after dinner and Raya has put Rickon to bed while Robb finishes with his duties for the night. Raya is halfway up the steps to Bran's room, wanting to check on Lady Stark when she nearly runs into Robb racing down the steps.

"Raya!" He seems just as surprised as she is. "Where's Edrick?"

She can hear the frantic tone to his voice. "In our room with the nurse-"

He grabs her arms, his grip tight. "Go back there and don't leave."

He races past her down the steps. She can hear a bell ringing outside, the dogs in the kennels barking and howling. She does as Robb says, hurrying back to their room. The nurse is standing at the window, looking out with Edrick in her arms. Grey Wind is pacing back and forth, only pausing as Raya opens the door and comes inside. She moves over to the window, looking out.

"What's going on?"

"The library tower, my lady. It's on fire."

Raya sucks in a breath. She can see the flames shooting out from the window from the room. She takes Edrick from the nurse as he fusses, rocking him gently.

"Stay here until Robb comes back and we know what happened."

The nurse nods silently, staying with Raya even after the flames disappear in the night's darkness.

It's late into the night when Robb finally returns. He looks tired and shaken up, but there's a hard set look on his face. The nurse stands when he comes in, Raya sitting up from where she'd been laying in bed.

"You may go. There's a guard that will escort you to your chambers."

The nurse bows slightly to Robb. "Thank you, my lord."

Robb shuts the door after she leaves, silently making his way over to Edrick's cradle. He reaches down, gently running his fingers along Edrick's cheek.

"Robb…"

"Someone tried to kill Bran." Robb pulls his leather tunic off, stripping down until he's shirtless. "He started the fire in the library as a distraction and then tried to kill Bran. He attacked my mother. Would have killed her too but Bran's direwolf killed the man."

Raya leans against Robb's side as he sits next to her. "Are they alright?"

"Mother has cuts on her hands. Maester Luwin says they'll heal. Bran isn't hurt. His direwolf protected him." Robb looks at her, tears in his blue eyes. "If mother hadn't been there…"

Raya runs her hand through Robb's hair, holding him close. "He didn't get hurt though. He's alright."

Robb leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "This is harder than I could have ever imagined."

Raya leans her cheek against his shoulder, her hand running over his back. "I know. But you're doing the best you can. No one expects you to be perfect. No one expects you to be your father when you've only had this responsibility for a few days."

He turns his head, looking at her. "You always know what to say." He cups her cheek, his thumb smoothing over the skin there.

He leans forward, pressing his lips to hers gently. She smiles into the kiss, pulling him closer but they're interrupted as Edrick fusses in his cradle. They break away, laughing.

"It's going to be this way for a while now, isn't it?"

Raya nods. "Yes, unfortunately. Though, they're always saying kids grow quickly."

Robb smiles, getting up to tend to Edrick, rocking him back to sleep. "Maybe we should wait awhile before we try to have the next one."

Raya nods. "I agree. Let's let Edrick grow up a bit first. After all, we do have all the time in the world now."