My dearest winter sun, I fear that a sense of regret overcomes me when I think of you, so alone there, with me so far away. Keep warmth near your heart, Victoria, I will see you soon, one way or another. I fear that whatever happens in the next few months may define your life for its entirety so be alert and keep your mind sharp. I hope to hear from you soon.
—Your Dearest Father.

My sweet niece, please do not hesitate to call for us. Your boarders are secure in Dorne as is your castle, I wish you'd return but I know you have your duty. Your father has left you to the wolves however and sadness overcomes me to think of a Dornish beauty alone in the north once more. If anything were to go wrong please write to me, I will send a whole fleet for you.
—Your Uncle Oberyn.

Victoria stares at the two pieces of parchment side by side, her stomach practically somersaulting the longer she stared at the words. They caused a vile to start crashing against the lining of her stomach, words and underlying messages molting together.

"Is something wrong, my lady," See Marcos spoke to her, extending his hand out to gain her attention. They'd bee sitting in the Great Hall, preparing for breakfast, her bowl of warm drew had just been sat down when the letters arrived to her. The Maester having brought them to her with a solemn look on her face. There was more to the letters, updates from her father and tales of her cousins the Sand Snakes from her Uncle but even so she had not concentrated on them but everything else inscribed.

Victoria blinked a few times, hoping to rein in the sense of dread that slowly began to bubble over. When she looked up to Marcos her eyes were watering and her mouth was pressed firmly, Elaine having noticed now and scooted closer. The two servants looked at one another, neither having a clue as to what to do before they she was up and running. The hall's spectators watched as she exited in a hurry and some whispered, wondering just what had occurred. Marcos and Elaine were quick to follow her, the Knight with his tall and broad demeanor managing to shove everyone out of their was as they followed the Dornish girl out.

She hadn't gotten very far as the sound of her footsteps and drop to the ground was followed by her grunts as the vile that had bubbled over in her throat rose. She threw up, besides the hall, managing to round the corner only until all of it escaped her stomach.

"My lady!" Elaine gasped and ran over, pulling her hair out of the way as Victoria continued to vomit her stomach away. The blonde turned back to Marcos who had stopped in confusion, her blue eyes were dark as she narrowed them, "get the Maester! Now!"

Marcos debated over leaving the Lady or running for help but was stopped when the Dornish girl lifted her hand, "no! I'm fine!"

"How could you say that! You just threw up!" Elaine minutes back and for the first time spoke without a care. Her golden eyebrows furrowed as she clearly did not like her response. "You're sick!"

Marcos was a little stunned at her outburst but decided it was for the best, "she's right my lady, perhaps it would be best if we just got a Maester Luwin to check up on you."

"It was the nerves, you two saw the letters, in sure you read them as well, I'm worried." She responded, speaking lowly as to not allow anyone else to hear. "My father is in danger, the two girls I love like sisters and a man who I've seen be my father's best friend are out there with no protection. My nerves and lunch seem to have had a negative response to all those ideas."

Both seemed to relax slightly when she explained, Elaine softening her features, "maybe it would be best if we took you to lie down for awhile? I'm sure you're not feeling well still."

Victoria shook her head despite her body agreeing with the handmaiden, "Robb is out with Bran and Theon, someone has to keep watch over Winterfell. I can't be taking a leave of absence."

Elaine pressed her lips together and looked at the Knight to see where he stood. Ser Marcos seemed to blow out a low breath as if her answer did not satisfy him as well but shrugged his shoulders at the blonde as if to say well we can't force her can we?

Victoria smiled at the two, despite the rippling in her stomach still and the slight blurred vision she tried to show them that she was okay, or at the very least hoped so.

|•|•|•|•|

"What is taking Robb and Theon so bloody long?" The Dornish beauty grumbled to herself as she paced the keep, eyes on the wide doors of the entrance. They'd gone off to show Bran a good time, since his saddle had been structured and fit for his condition he was able to ride now with ease and the Lord of Winterfell had decided it was about time the boy got to test the theory. They'd left early that morning and still had not arrived, Victoria hadn't noticed how late it was getting until eventually the sun had began to set and he temperatures dropped farther.

Elaine sat next to Rickon, standing when she finally decided that her Lady needed to take her mind off it, "let us break our fast, m'lady, supper should be serving now."

Victoria stopped her pacing as the realization hit, she wasn't hungry, truth be told her stomach was in knots and the idea of eating anything at the moment made her gag. Her nose upturned and she shook her head, "I'm not hungry."

"M'lady you haven't ate since the morning," the blonde notes and trials off as if to stop from finishing.

Victoria narrowed her eyes, she knew Elaine was right and considering she'd thrown up whatever else was in her stomach it was probably better she did eat, still the idea was not pleasant. Elaine seemed defiant as she stood her ground, her blonde eyebrow raised as if to say am I lying?

Victoria lowered her shoulders, "alright you all go on I'll be right behind you."

Elaine didn't seem to agree as she rubbed Rickon's shoulders and looked to the old women beside him, "how about you all go ahead? Nan, do you mind?"

The old women nodded silently and took the boy's hand, but the curly haired child refused, "I want to wait for Bran and Robb with Victoria!"

Vic turned towards the young boy, smiling as she held back any worries and pushed his long curls back, "I'm sure they'll be here soon my love, go on now before the men eat all the good food. Save me some."

Rickon eyed her for a moment, he seemed to accept the false smile smile and followed Nan, the rest of the maids trailing behind them.

Victoria was left with Elaine and Marcos who stepped near her. She eyed the blonde and an apologetic smile graced her features, "I'm sorry, you're right but I can't eat knowing that they're out there."

"I'm sure they're all right," Elaine confidently said, "they're men, they probably got lost in the hunt or whatever men do." She eyed Marcos as if to confirm.

"Maybe they're bringing back some game," Marcos shrugged his shoulders to agree.

Victoria felt slightly calmer but even so her head continued to roam, it was like the pit of her stomach was tightened and she could hear the blood pumping faster as every moment passed. She was worried for Robb, Theon, and sweet Bran who was adjusting to his new role in life.

Her desperation was short lived though as the doors to Winterfell opened and in ran Bran's horse along with Robb and his own. Robb held onto his young brother, securing the boy to his body as he rode in with all force.

Victoria's heart dropped as she ran forward, "GET THE MAESTER! Elaine help!"

She yelled and ran right up to Robb and his horse, she immediately caught site of the blood running from young Bran and Robb who pressed his hand over the wound. Robb struggled for a moment to get down with both him and his young brother until Marcos came forward and took the young boy, Elaine and Victoria were behind him.

"We were caught by Wildlings," Robb explained as he got off his horse and the ladies dropped to the ground to attend to the young boy.

Elaine was the most knowledgeable as she had been the one to aid the women in the brothels whenever the men got a bit too rough. She wasn't as well trained as a Maester but she could at the very least help while he came along.

Elaine was quick to find the wound, her hands already stained with blood, luckily Bran seemed not to notice as he stared at the two women in complete silence.

"Seven hells," Victoria whispered to herself as she saw the wound and pulled at the torn rips of the young boy's pants. "He'll bleed out of we don't stop it right now.

Elaine nodded her head as if to agree and turned towards one of the overlooking men, "I'll need one of your belts! Now!"

Robb began to yank his own off, pulling at the Buckley and then pulling it out with a quickness before handing it over.

Elaine looped it around the boy's thigh, just above the cut, "I'm gonna need to cut off the circulation of blood, hold him back."

Victoria nodded, her hands going to the top of Bran's thigh as she ignored the cold wetness of his wound and pressed down hard.

"It doesn't hurt," Bran notes with a monotone expression.

"Just because it doesn't hurt doesn't mean you won't die Bran," Victoria remarked, pressing down firmly as if to aid in cutting off circulation.

"Maybe I want to die," Bran muttered back and looked up to the sky.

Victoria shared a silent look with Elaine before Robb was bending down and looking at the young boy, "Bran!" He hissed in annoyance, the boy had been quite negative lately.

"Alright, ready?" Elaine questioned and with a brief nod from her lady she began to tie the tourniquet around the young boy's leg. It took a few different knots that would have left leg in sheer pain had he not been immobile but soon enough they were done. She leaned back, her hands stained with blood, she did not seem to care nor notice it much as she wiped them against her dark dress. Victoria swallowed thickly, finding that the iron smell and the scarlett stain was sending her stomach into flips and her vision to go slightly hazy but even so she forced herself to listen to the blonde handmaid, "alright that should hold until Maester Luwin can better handle it."

A trampling of hooves was heard coming closer just as they finished and all heads turned to find Theon Greyjoy dismounting the horse. His face was set in a frown as he yanked on the rope he had and brought forward a dirty women. Victoria's eyes narrowed and she was filled with an immense rage as she immediately knew what this women had done.

"You didn't kill her!" Victoria's words were vicious as she locked eyes on the dirty women who kept her head down.

"She gave up, I wasn't going to kill someone unarmed." Robb spoke back, a long sigh as he lifted himself and prepared for her ensuing words. Victoria was a fierce women, she protected what she loved with wild devotion and would harm anything that came near it. He ha swatches her do it many times before and all before she'd been taller then most women.

"Bran appears to be unarmed and yet she seemed to have cared less," she spat back, her teeth grit.

"Victoria," Robb warned her.

"Don't patronize me," she snapped back. Her blood ran hot the longer she looked at the women, she didn't trust anyone from the outside and the Wildlings were said to be crazed savages.

"Enough," he cut at her.

Victoria felt like she was fuming and when her eyes turned to Robb the words that wished to come out were caught in her throats as her vision continued to blur. The smell of blood clung to the thin hairs in her nose and created a pounding in her head. The pounding matched the rapid beats her heart continued to take the longer she stood in silence. She wondered why it was so strong and when she look down to see her hands soaked in beans blood it only seemed to intensify the overwhelming emotions that grasped to her.

She looked at Robb with one last parting glance before her legs gave out and eyes fluttered shut.

Robb caught her just as she began to tumble down and he yelled, "GET THE MAESTER! Vic! Vic!"

The Lord of Winterfell grabbed at his betrotheds face seeing her grow blank as he continued to yell her name and she never woke.