CHAPTER 12 | SUMMER STORMS

ROBB and his army were going South in two days. Freya used this time to bribe the blacksmith of Winterfell into making her a Greyjoy shield designed for her and only her. After handing him more sacks of gold than was needed, he had the shield done for her by the morning of the day Robb was leaving. It was perfect timing.

Freya didn't tell many of her plan, but the first person she spoke with was Rickon. She held the small babe in her arms, wishing he were hers. He wailed on about how everyone was leaving him, and it broke Freya's heart to hear such words. Being with the child and feeling happiness was like a slice in her gut, while also knowing that she didn't have the chance to have one of her own.

She then told Selene, and was met with a response that she expected: "I will not, m'lady!" Selene exclaimed. "I will not risk your life, nor my life, to go against Lord Stark's orders and sneak in with his army! I just won't do it!"

That night, Selene ate her own words as Freya slipped a helmet over her face. "I can't believe you're making me do this," she muttered. Never in her years would Selene have pictured herself in an armored suit, sneaking into an army for war with her lady. But Freya was nothing but persuasive, and she believed that she belonged in this fight, which was something that Selene truly admired. Maybe this was a good thing. She wouldn't have to miss Theon, but Selene did wonder what would happen once Robb found out that they were there.

Theon had given his sister a quick goodbye, for she did not tell him of her plan. Freya tried her best to act as if she had nothing forming in her mind, but she guessed her brother could sense it. Nevertheless, the two gave each other a proper goodbye.

Robb led his army South and into the night. He was accompanied by several Northern houses on horseback, plus Selene and Freya riding in the back. Freya had on one of the blacksmith's old armored suits and a scarf wrapped around her head, disguising her features and female physique. He almost made it too easy for them to join.

By morning, Robb had everyone set up camp in a Southern battle field. Freya and Selene hopped down from their horses and waited in the shadows to find Theon. They marched forward when they saw him setting up a tent for himself. Now, Freya had hid her shield throughout most of the ride, but found it hard to hide it in a large sack as the two disguised women marched through the camp. The shield – being as heavy as it was – ripped right through the sack it was in and when one of House Glover's men saw the sigil on it, he immediately grabbed the two ladies.

"Let us go!" Freya had said in her best manly voice, but it was obviously fake. Selene's teeth chattered in fear.

The Glover man shoved the two women inside Robb's tent, who was chatting with Theon and a few other Northern lords. Freya recognized Lord Umber amongst them. "What is the meaning of this?" Robb asked.

Their trader plucked off Selene's helmet and threw Freya's scarf to the side. Both of their faces were revealed, causing Theon to widen his eyes. "Found them trying to set up camp. Lady Greyjoy had this," the man said, throwing Freya's shield to the ground.

Freya looked at Robb's angry stare as Selene began to cry. "Please, do not hurt us, Lord Stark!" She kneeled on the grass. "I pray to the Old Gods and the New that you have mercy on us. We meant no harm!"

The Greyjoy girl rolled her eyes and pulled her handmaiden up again. Freya met Robb's vision. "We're not sorry, but can you blame us? I really didn't think this one through."

Theon walked to his sister, picking up her shield and handing it to her. He held a hand to her cheek. "Are you alright, sweet sister?" He asked, to which Freya nodded.

Her eyes went back to Robb, who was stalking in front of her. Their chests were almost touching, and she could tell he was bubbling with rage. "All Northern lords, leave us," Robb commanded. They didn't need to be told twice, because the lords started to scurry out of the tent as soon as the order was given.

"You ..." Robb was so angry that he couldn't even speak. She was so ... he couldn't even think of such a word to describe her. "You openly disobey my orders? I am the current Lord of House Stark. You follow my commands! How dare you, Freya Greyjoy?! I could have you killed for this – for disobeying my orders."

Freya blinked for a moment. "Are you done with your tantrum?" She asked, wanting to laugh. "You won't do that. No one will allow it, you greedy Lord. And if you do, you do realize that you will start another war with my father? Now that's something that we both don't want."

"He would start a war over his bastard?"

Freya had to bite back the words that urged to come out. She, instead, narrowed her eyes. The spreading of false information would forever haunt her, and she wondered if anyone truly remembered that she had been legitimized.

Robb breathed heavily through his nostrils. "I'll have someone escort you both back to Winterfell. I will not have –"

"Why?" She seethed. "We're not going to bother you. I'm here to fight. You and I might not get along, but I'm not here to corrupt you, Stark. I just want to help."

He shook his head. "Not on my terms."

Theon interjected, "Robb –"

"I can do this myself, brother," Freya interrupted before meeting Robb's view. "Listen, Stark, forget about our feuds. Forget about the childish grudges we have against each other. Take a moment to realize that not everything is about you. You need me to win this war, and even you can't deny that."

Robb growled. "I –"

"Robb," Theon called, from his sister's side, "let her stay. She's my sister, and if you refuse her of this, you know it will not end well."

The Stark boy looked to the ceiling of his tent, weighing his options. He then viewed at Theon, Selene, and finally, Freya. Robb sighed loudly, "They can stay."

Freya smiled – for the first time in her life – towards Robb Stark. Even Theon was happy, as he clutched his arm around her own. Selene did the same.

"But do realize, Greyjoy, that this is war. It's nothing that your oh-so-great trainer prepared you for." Robb held his head up high. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning to discuss battle strategies."

•••

Selene and Freya were given a tent to share, but in the wee hours of the night, Freya did suspect that she heard Selene leaving. She didn't know if it was just a dream, or how long she was gone, but when Freya woke up in the morning, Selene was sleeping in a cot beside her.

The handmaiden dressed her lady in the slightly warmer clothes. It was technically still summer in the South, but a snowstorm was falling. "Summer storms," Selene had said as she dressed Freya. She clasped a cloak around her shoulders, along with a woolen shirt and heavy pants. Theon had met his sister outside once she was ready, and Freya urged her handmaiden to stay inside the tent, not noticing the look that Selene and her brother were sharing.

As the Greyjoy siblings made their way to Robb's tent, Freya took in the sight of the lake they camped next to. It was beautiful to see with the scent of war brewing around them. When they arrived at the tent, Robb already had a map of the South laid out on a table before him. The other lords were seated and placed lion and wolf props to represent which areas belonged to each house.

"Nice of you to join us," Robb said as they took their seats at the table.

Theon bowed his head. "Good morning, my Lord."

"Morning, Stark," Freya said with the hint of a smirk.

Robb tried not to let her statement bother him as he began their meeting. She was surprised he even let her come to this. All she had asked for was the opportunity to fight, but if she was allowed to discuss plans with other great Northern lords, she wouldn't complain. They had eighteen thousand men, she heard, and now she was one of them. Freya peered over and glanced at the map. Several lion heads sat on the Riverlands area of the map.

"The River Lords are falling back with Jaime Lannister at their heels." Robb ground his teeth at his own statement. "And Lord Tywin is bringing around a second Lannister army from the South. Our scouts confirm it's even larger than the Kingslayer's."

Greatjon Umber only shrugged his shoulders. "One army or two, the Kings in the North threw back hosts ten times as large."

"So, what you're saying is," Freya laid out her hands, "there must be two battles. A large one and another that's smaller. We must send out two armies."

Her question wasn't answered, because as she responded, Greatjon stood from his seat. She looked up to see Lady Stark arriving inside the tent, along with Rodrik Cassel. All the lords stood, including Freya and her brother. "Mother!" Robb exclaimed, a wide smile on his face.

It took Catelyn a long moment to respond. "You look well."

"Lady Catelyn," Lord Umber greeted, "you're a welcome sight in these troubled times."

Theon crossed his arms around his chest. "We had not thought to meet you here, my Lady."

"I had not thought to be here." Catelyn said before resting her eyes on Robb. "I would speak with my son alone. I know you will forgive me, my Lords and Lady."

"You heard her! Move your asses! Come on – out!" Greatjon made the lords run out and slapped his hands on Theon and Freya's backs. "You too, Greyjoy. Are you both bloody deaf?"

The Greyjoy siblings shuffled out, but Freya managed to still get one last look on Lady Stark's face. From what she saw, it did not look good.