Robb watched Jon and Theon spar. Both were formidable opponents, but it was abundantly clear that Jon was meant for sword fighting, while Theon was the archer of the trio. The sound of clashing steel caused his heart to beat faster. There was a thrill in that noise, and Robb could not deny that he enjoyed fighting. Rodrick had trained them well, but Robb knew that he needed to learn more. The King-Slayer was coming north, and Robb had vowed to himself to protect his family from him.

These past weeks have been both the best and most stressful at Winterfell. Robb had watched his Mother and Wife pace the fortress, planning every minute detail and fretting over the amount of food needed for the King's party. His wife had not complained about being stuck by Lady Catelyn's side. On the contrary, she seemed like she was trying to absorb everything his Mother said and commit it to memory. She had admitted only a few nights ago that she still found this land strange and confusing.

"Your customs still baffle me. You do know that women have huge amounts of power where I'm from." She commented as she slipped off her shoes and turned her back to him, hinting for him to release her from the constraint of the winter themed gown. Sansa had turned Zipporah into her personal muse. According to Arya, Sansa would not "shut up" about how pretty and perfect Zi was. Arya saw her brother's wife differently. Arya saw a warrior forced into a dress. Robb would have to agree with both of his sisters. Then again, each saw what they wanted to see. Robb would only admit to himself and his lady wife that she was not perfect. For the time being, everything needed to appear to be perfect. The better the Starks were at presenting a perfectly solemn front; the better off they would be.

Robb noted the strange detailing Sansa had placed in his wife's gown. A near identical sigil rested on her neck. Zi had once explained that she was part of group called the Rebel Alliance. The tattoo was a sign of her loyalty. This dress was one of three that had similar signs on them. At the rate Sansa was creating dresses for the future Lady of Winterfell, Zipporah would need a whole room dedicated to storing the various gowns.

"I do not doubt it. You are more capable than most men, my love. The old ways are what we hold to. Perhaps, in the future, we can adjust some rules." He returned with a grin. His calloused hands quickly went to work on her dress. It wasn't long before the dress was pooled around her ankles. The flimsy white undergarment did not leave much to Robb's imagination. His fingertips drew his house sigil across her already decorated back. She leaned into him and rested her head in the crook of his neck.

"Our child will know egalitarianism." She whispered as she pressed her lips to his neck.

"You are my equal. "Robb confessed as his hands held her small baby bump. It had been months since the king had announced his plans to visit. The torrential rainstorms, in the Twins, had caused a long delay in the King's arrival. This postponement gave House Stark a sigh of relief. Zipporah had even joked that the force wasn't ready for his majesties world renown appetites. Robb thanked the old gods for the delay. Grey Wind and Ghost's training was going well, and the wolves had grown much in the past months. Vader refused to train with the wolves unless Zipporah was there. Vader had grown into his cub paws, and he looked much fiercer than he actually was. His hiss was far worse than his bite.

"Oh really? "She challenged as she twisted in his arms to meet his intense eyes. He could hear her heartbeat. Oddly enough, it seemed to be trying to sync with his. He pressed his lips to hers, and she was quick to intensify it. Smiling into the kiss, Robb let his hands wander over her body, memorizing every curve she possessed. Her beauty entranced him.

Her hands made quick work of his clothes, and before he could register any of her movements, he found himself on his back with her mouth around him. He closed his eyes in pleasure. Her tongue wrapped itself around him and massaged him. Robb murmured her name as his hand grasped her hair. She paused and looked up. The image of her stunning eyes and beautiful mouth engulfing him only made him harder. Releasing him, she climbed on top of him. Robb thanked the gods that she still wanted him. Theon had teased him that pregnancy made women uninterested in sex. For them, it had been the opposite.

As she lowered herself onto him, he groaned at how wet she was. Smirking down at him, she began to rock back and forth. His hands gripped her hips to push her further down on him...

"Aye, Robb, you want a go at Jon? You're the only one who can beat the bastard." Theon jested, interrupting Robb's memory. Simply nodding, Robb moved to switch places with Theon who was sporting a black eye and a new limp. Jon patiently waited for his cousin to ready himself. It was obvious that he had been a million miles away in his head. Normally, Robb would have cracked a joke at Theon for allowing his pretty face to get messed up, but there was solemn silence from the eldest Stark. Jon and Robb's swords met, but Jon was able to get a hit in. Theon squinted at Robb. He was off today.

"Tell me, Robb. Where is your head?" Theon yelled from the fence. "Between your wife's legs?" Jon paused his advance and gave a warning look to Theon. Robb had stiffened. Jon carefully watched his cousin's face contort into rage. Robb allowed his practice sword to drop to the ground.

"Robb, he didn't mean to—" Jon tried to pacify him only to be cut off.

"Yes, he did." Robb growled. Pivoting to face the Kraken, who was still enjoying his joke, Robb stalked toward him. Theon stopped laughing and held up his hands in mock defeat.

"It was a joke, Robb. I meant nothing by it. If that's where you've been, I'm jealous." Jon smacked his own forehead at Theon's stupidity.

Before Robb could reach Theon, Robb felt the familiar presence of his wife. If you lose your temper with him, you'll be mad at yourself later.

He dishonored you. It is my duty, as your husband, to defend your honor.

He pushed her out and easily landed a punch to Theon's already black eye. Before the blonde could recover and retaliate, Robb brought another powerful punch at Theon, and it landed on his nose with a sickening crack. Theon fell to his knees, and blood sputtered out of his nose. Robb stopped his movements and warned in a growl, "Don't you ever talk about my wife."

Theon simply nodded at the angry man before him. Robb glanced at Jon and joked, "Now, he'll have to charm his way into the maidens' beds. His face is fucked."

Jon erupted with laughter. "Aye, imagine if you had aimed for his cock? Then what would he have to offer them?"

Robb shook his head in laughter and moved to leave the yard. He needed a moment or two with his wife.

Mine.

Always yours. Her voice echoed back. He could hear her smile. It was not a secret that his wife did not care for Theon. They had an uneasy understanding. Theon would hold his tongue, and she would not control him.

Robb felt a wave of uneasiness pass through him. His head spun, and his stomach lurched. Jon quickly picked up on his cousin's illness.

"Aye, Robb, are you alright?"

Robb squeezed his eyes shut, desperately trying to maintain his balance. Time felt like it had frozen, and before Robb knew it. Balance returned to him and the moment passed.

"Robb?"

"Aye, I'm going to go lie down." Jon furrowed his brow at his cousin's strange behavior, and Theon held his tongue as he watched his best friend disappear into the fortress.

"I am right? He's off."

Jon simply nodded as he moves to pick up Robb's abandoned practice sword.

"What do you think it is?"

Jon rolled his eyes at Theon's immaturity. "Gee, I don't know Theon. He's recently been married, going to be a father, and the king is coming for a visit."

"Aye. Fine."

As the two moved to leave, they heard familiar footsteps approach, "Jon. Theon. Have you seen Robb? I sensed a disturbance." Jon heard the underlying tone of concern.

"He got a lil dizzy. Said he was going to lie down." Jon informed.

"How did you not already know?"

"Contrary to what you believe, I do not know everything all the time. I like being in my own head." She mused in a light voice, but she still managed to send a warning glare at Theon. Theon crossed his arms in reply, and Jon smirked at the two. Eventually, they would be friends. Theon would always be the friend that made dumb jokes, but he'd always be there.

"Well, thanks for letting me know about Robb. I'll go check on him in a bit."

Zipporah walked rather quickly down the halls to their room. If the disturbance was centered around Robb, then she needed to investigate. She sent silent, positive vibes to him through their mental connection, but he did not respond. Instinctively, her hands shot to her swollen stomach. Before traveling to this place, she had never once considered bringing children into the Galaxy. The First Order was known for kidnapping infants for their stormtrooper army. She'd sworn to never help the oppressive Order. The Dark Side had already stolen Ben Solo and countless others to their cause.

The baby kicked her kidney a few times causing her to sharply inhale. Thanks little one.

Her hand carefully pushed open their door. As she entered, she spotted Robb laying on top of their bed, sleeping soundly. Grey Wind was nested beside him and Vader at his feet. Both animals raised their heads at her presence, but neither moved away from Robb. Zipporah carefully approached him; she had little desire to wake him. He looked peaceful, but something was tugging at him.

A new connection. She thought to herself. Glancing at Grey Wind, Zipporah noticed his eyes. They weren't looking at her like a dog but like Robb would when he thought she wasn't paying attention to him.

"You managed to connect to Grey Wind?" She whispered as she moved to pet the growing dire wolf. His tail thumped loudly on the bed in response.

"You need to come back to me. Let Grey Wind think for himself." The young wolf lowered his head, closed his eyes, and with a jolt Grey Wind awoke panting like normal. Robb blinked his eyes a few times and moved to get up. Before Zipporah could analyze what had just transpired, Robb's lips were on hers. Needy. His hands moved to secure her hips against his. He broke the kiss and began to trail kisses down the side of her face and onto her neck. Zipporah closed her eyes in ecstasy. Robb would always be her weakness. She had been kissed by others, back on the rebel base, but they never felt like him.

As she felt his hands move to untie her dress, a loud knocking sounded from their door.

Emitting a low growl, Robb pulled away and addressed the knocker, "yes?"

The door opened and Theon popped his head in, "Aye, a raven has arrived. The king is close. Your mother requests that we boys get a trim, and that Lady Stark takes a bath and changes into the dress previously discussed?"

We will discuss what happened later tonight.

Robb heaved a sigh, gave his wife a kiss goodbye, and left the room. Theon shot her a look of triumph, and she retaliated with sticking out her tongue.

Zipporah sighed as Gwen entered with a new gown in her arms.

"Milady, it's time for a bath and a new hair style...and Lady Sansa finished the gown according to your requests ."

"Thank you Gwen." The young blonde bowed her head in respect to her lady. The dress, in her arms, was quite heavy which lead Gwen to heave it on to the bed, covering Vader underneath.

The feline crawled out from underneath the bed and moved to sit beside Grey Wind who watched every movement of Zipporah, from undressing to climbing into the steaming tub to getting primed to greet the king.

Sansa had created a beautifully unique dress. It was an a-line black gown with a strapless, sweetheart neckline. The ball gown was adorned with black lace appliqués and constructed in tiers. The winter's cold air hit her back. Sansa had insisted on making the gown backless in order to showcase her tattoos during the feast. She was meant to be the exotic yet a dutiful northern wife. The dress hugged her curves perfectly and somehow showed her swelling stomach in a seductive way. Zipporah wasn't sure about being a sexy pregnant woman. She could picture Poe Dameron's face, confusion and laughter. Times like these made her miss the rebel base. She missed pants and tennis shoes.

"Milady, your hair must be down, yes?" Gwen prompted, interrupting Zi's trip down memory lane.

"Yes, but, let's throw some funk into it. Miscellaneous braids throughout?" She grinned at the younger girl who returned an equal smile.

"Aye, milady. The makeup you have is sufficient?"

"Of course, Gwen. I only wear it on special occasions. This is definitely a special occasion."

"Why's your mother so dead-set on us getting pretty for the king?" Jon questioned as he felt his hair being cut off. He had wanted to grow it long enough to tie up, but his Aunt was having other ideas.

"It's for the queen, I bet. I hear she's sleek as a mink." Theon mused with a devilish grin. His eye was still swollen and nose red. Robb had little interest in what the queen liked. He was more concerned with keeping up appearances. Theon was the only member of the family not aware of the plot. His wife had insisted that he had not proven that he could be trusted, and his lord father easily agreed with her.

"I hear the prince is a right royal prick." Robb added with a smirk. Theon could not know that things were going to be changing, at least not yet. Robb's eyes met Jon's who snorted at his cousin's comment. There were far worse things Robb could have called the prince, but prick would have to suffice for the time being.

"Think of all those southern girls he gets to stab with his right royal prick." Theon mused with a chuckle. Robb and Jon smirked at Theon. There were times where his humor was spot on. Of course Theon would lament about all the girls he didn't have.

"Go on, Tommy, shave him good. He's never met a girl he likes better than his own hair." Robb jested at his cousin. When it came to girls, Jon had been a late bloomer. Robb had been interested in them, but his code of honor kept him from exploring. Thank the gods his wife was far from ugly, but he was more concerned with her heart. It was apparent to all, even Theon, that Zi was a good match.

Catelyn Stark and Maester Luwin walked the grounds of Winterfell, double checking that everything was in place. Lady Stark's eyes landed on her son skillfully climbing the wall of Winterfell. It was abundantly apparent that Bran wanted to see the King's procession first hand. A low whine sounded from her right. Summer was worried about his master.

"Gods, but they grow fast. Brandon!" Bran turned to see his Lady mother beckoning him down the wall.

Bran grinned as he approached, "I saw the king! He's got hundreds of people!"

Catelyn ignored his comment and scolded, "How many times have I told you: No climbing!"

Bran refused to admit his wrong doing and continued, "But he's coming right now! Down our road!"

"I want you to promise me: No more climbing." She felt like one day he wouldn't be so sure footed.

Bran glanced down and murmured, " I promise."

Catelyn cocked her head, "D'you know what?"

"What?"

"You always look at your feet before you lie. Run and find your father. Tell him the king is close." Bran's face revealed his shame, but he quickly masked it with a smile. He turned and took off running with Summer right behind him.

Turning to Maester Luwin, she asked, " Would you mind collecting the rest of my children? We must be ready for his entrance."

"No problem, milady."

Arya had managed to sneak into the yard, wearing a helmet and a guard's cloak. She stood on top of the tallest wagon she could find in order to see the grand procession enter the gates. The sound of horses' hooves pounding the ground reached her ears. The horses and guards entered. Then entered a blonde boy who she could only assume was the prince and his large guard, the Hound, following him in.

The Stark's awaited the King's arrival. The siblings were lined up according to age. Robb and his wife standing beside Lady Catelyn. She glanced down the line, and a frown formed on her face. "Where's Arya? Sansa, where's your sister?"

Sansa looked about and shrugged. Catelyn turned back to look to see if king had arrived yet. She silently thanked the seven that he had not. Just as she thought Arya would not show, she saw her figure pass by her.

Lord Stark was able to grab hold of her and muttered, "Hey, hey, hey, hey. What are you doing with that on?" He quickly pulled off the helmet and sent her to stand by Bran. Arya annoyedly pushed Bran out of her way and hissed, "Move!"

Zipporah bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from laughing at Arya's antics. Robb watched as Prince Joffrey rode into the yard with a haughty facial expression. The young prince zeroed in on Sansa, which she noticed. She glanced at Zi who gave a nod. Sansa bashfully smiled at the prince while Robb glowered at him. The Prince's personal bodyguard rode in behind him. Zipporah felt his personal darkness and stiffened in response.

The queen's burgundy coach shuffled in followed by King Robert riding his horse. Zipporah knelt as best she could beside her lord husband. She was surprised to see how fat, red-faced, and messy this world's king was. His clothes clearly struggled to remain on, and his belt was gasping to stay in place as the King heaved himself off of the horse and motioned for the Stark family to rise.

Lord Stark and King Robert stared at one another for a moment.

"Your Grace." Lord Stark addressed with a head nod.

"You've gotten fat." The King returned. Lord Stark raised his eyebrows in response and looked the king up and down, as if to say, 'what about you?' .

There was a pause in the air, and then both men laughed heartily with one another. They embraced each other like old friends. Zipporah began to fidget beside Robb.

"Cat!" He bellowed as he moved to face her.

"Your Grace." She returned with a small smile.

"Nine years. Why haven't I seen you? Where the hell have you been?" The king challenged the older Starks.

Ned expertly replied, "Guarding the North for you, Your Grace. Winterfell is yours."

As the king paused to mull over his friends words, his Queen and her two other children descended from her coach and moved to join the king. Her eyes scanned the Stark line and rested on Zipporah. Cersei stared the brunette down with a look of contempt, and Zipporah returned the stare but gave the Queen a small smile.

King Robert paid no attention to his wife or children. He shuffled to be in front of Robb, "Who have we here? You must be Robb."

Robb nodded and gave a slight bow.

"Ah, the exotic beauty that my court has not been able to shut up about. By the gods, Robb, you are a lucky lad."

"Thank you, your grace." Robb answered. Zipporah simply smiled a bashful smile at the king.

"Of course, of course. She's pregnant, eh? When's it due?"

Robb opened his mouth to answer, but the king held up his hand to silence him. All eyes were on Zipporah.

"About two more months, your Grace." Her voice was strong, elegant, and immediately drew the King's party in. The king stared at her for a moment, muttered something under his breath, and moved down the line.

" My, you're a pretty one," he chuckled at Sansa who blushed at the King's words.

"Your name is?" He questioned the small female brunette.

"Arya." She returned with unparalleled confidence.

The king nodded and grinned down at Bran, "Ooh. Show us your muscles. You'll be a soldier." Bran chuckled and posed for the king. Zipporah and Robb, while wanting to watch the younger Starks interact, they kept their eyes on those still entering the yard. A taller man rode in, adorned in golden armor. He removed his helmet to reveal his blonde hair.

Zipporah was able to hear Arya whisper, "That's Jaime Lannister. The queen's twin brother."

"Would you please shut up." Sansa snapped at her younger sister.

The queen, dressed in a red gown with Lannister gold woven in, approached Lord and Lady Stark. They both addressed her, "My queen."

Just as she, too, was about to move down the line, the king turned and yelled to Ned. "Take me to your crypt. I want to pay my respects."

Zipporah sensed Cersei's embarrassment and anger toward her husband's words. Robb had told her of the war that brought about Jon's birth. It was strange to see that he still held onto a woman who did not reciprocate his love.

"We've been riding for a month, my love. Surely the dead can wait." Cersei returned in a sad voice.

"Ned." The king commanded, ignoring his queen.

Tyrion watched it all from beside Jon Snow. It pleased him to see that his sister was still miserable in her marriage. He sent Jaime a nod who raptly returned it.

The Queen, ignoring the departure of the king and Lord Stark, moved to look at the many Stark children. Envy flooded her. Why did the wolves have so many and she was left with so little? She smiled at the younger children who returned smiles of their own. Glancing at the eldest Stark and his wife, Cersei moved to speak with the foreigner, "Lady Stark, your gown is quite stunning. Where did you buy it?"

Zipporah smiled, "I did not buy it.. I am blessed with a sister in law who is a masterful seamstress. Sansa made this dress for me."

"So much talent." Cersei complimented as she turned to grab her children and head to her chambers.

Zipporah grabbed Robb's hand and whispered, "I can see what King Robert is saying to your father."

"Let's go inside. Jon? Sansa?" The older kids followed their brother and his wife inside. As soon as Robb was sure that no one was coming into their chambers, he nodded to his wife. Zi went rigid, and her eyes glassed over.

"Tell me about Jon Arryn." Lord Stark murmured as Robert stared up at Lyanna Stark's statue.

"One minute he was fine, and then ... Burned right through him, whatever it was. I loved that man." The King lamented. Ned struggled with keeping the truth to himself.

"We both did."

"He never had to teach you much, but me ... You remember me at 16? All I wanted to do was crack skulls and fuck girls. He showed me what was what."

"Aye." Ned agreed.

"Don't look at me like that. Not his fault I didn't listen." The men both shared another laugh, but king abruptly stopped, sighed, and continued, "I need you, Ned. Down at Kings Landing. Not up here, where you're no damn use to anybody. Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the king."

Ned knelt on one knee, "I'm not worthy of the honor."

"I'm not trying to honor you. I'm trying to get you to run my kingdom while I eat, drink, and whore my way to an early grave. Damn it, Ned, stand up. You helped me win the Iron Throne, now help me keep the damn thing. We were meant to rule together. If your sister had lived, we would have been bound by blood. Well, it's not too late. I have a son, you have a daughter. We'll join our Houses."

Ned froze. He could not allow Sansa to marry Joffrey.

Sansa listened to Zipporah's trance with childlike wonder. How could her father allow this marriage to be planned?

"No. Please." Sansa whimpered.

"Easy, Sansa. Our father hasn't said yes." Robb comforted.

"Sansa is already promised to another." Ned asserted, praying Oberyn would back him later, even if it was a lie. Sansa would be safer in Dorne than in King's Landing.

"To who?"

"The Martell heir, Tristan. Prince Oberyn was just here, in the North, to strike the deal."

"You're joining your house with the Targaryen loyalists?" The King growled in anger.

"Aye, trying to mend the past. Arya is young and so is your son, Tommen. Let them court when they are older."

"Aye. She's a wild one like her aunt. Maybe she can pull Tommen out of his shell. Let the boy foster here. His mother baby's him, turning him into a pussy she is."

"Aye. Robert, I'll be your Hand, but my children must remain with Cat."

"I can deal with that arrangement."

Sansa sighed in relief. Zipporah came out of her trance and glanced around the room. Robb and Jon looked displeased. However, the young redhead had different sentiment. Sansa rushed to Zipporah and gave her a bone crushing hug.

"Thank you for keeping my family together. Thank you."

"No problem Sansa. We will need to be strong for your Father. Jon, can you send Oberyn a raven? Robb, we need to disperse and act like we know nothing."

"That's far too easy, especially for Jon."

"Shut up." Jon snapped with an annoyed look.

Zipporah and Robb exited their room and walked the halls. Zipporah glanced outside, down into the yard. Who she saw made her heart stop. It was impossible. Her movements stopped, and Robb paused with her.

"What's wrong, my love?"

"There's someone from my world here.... But he shouldn't be..... I sense that he feels lost. He's not a part of the King's party. He just wandered in after them. Holy shit."

Zipporah practically ran to the yard, and Robb was quick to follow her.

"Who is it?" Robb questioned from behind her.

"Someone who I saw die." She muttered as she made her way to the cloaked man. How could this be? Zipporah hastily grabbed a cloaked man and whispered, "Follow me." She led the man into the dog kennels for some privacy. The Lannister/Baratheon party members had little concern for the dog kennels of the north. The dire wolves, that roamed the grounds, were already enough.

Robb followed the duo into the dog kennels. Who was this person to Zipporah?

"Han Solo, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be dead!" Zipporah hissed in alarm. How did he make it? What the fuck was happening?

The man lowered his cloak and smirked, "You're telling me kid. Last thing I remember is Ben killing me. I woke up in a ditch. The spot where the saber went in is just a scar." He paused to lift his shirt to show the couple his scar. Robb was startled by the size of the scar. What had stabbed this man? Han sighed and continued, "The question is, what are you doing here?"

"Living the life the force gave me." Zipporah offered with a shrug. "I'll catch you up later."

"Who's the guy beside you?" Han asked as his eyes glanced about. This place was old. Very low tech.

"My husband." Han's eyes narrowed and looked the young man up and down. It was apparent to the old smuggler that the boy knew how to handle himself. "And the father of my future child."

"You're pregnant, Zip?"

"Yes, Sir." I love him Han. Don't cause a fuss.

The older man nodded. "Alright kids. I'm not sure what the hell is going on, but what I do know is that I'm starving."

"Okay. Uncle Han, let's get you some grub." Zipporah announced as Robb simply nodded in agreement.

"He's a quiet one, huh?"