When I opened my eyes the next morning, it was light outside. That was a good sign. It meant I'd slept for at least seven hours.

It didn't feel like it, though. My body ached from exhaustion. I was still in pain from my stomach wound, and it had been keeping me up late the past few nights. I put both hands on my stomach as I slowly stood up.

The pain wasn't nearly as bad as the first day, but it was still there. I could still feel the sword sometimes - the sword from the Lannister soldier that stabbed me. I closed my eyes for a minute before walking out of the tent.

"Oh, good, you're awake," Talisa said, hurrying up to me. She looked at me with worried eyes. "Are you really leaving?"

I nodded. "It was a last minute decision," I told her. My eyes met hers. She reached forward and took my hands.

"Please be careful," Talisa whispered. Her hands moved to my stomach where I'd been stabbed. "Remember to change your bandages every morning for the next week. Then, if it looks and feels okay, you can stop wearing them." She stared at me for a moment before pulling me into a hug.

I was surprised at her sudden display of affection, but I didn't complain. I hugged her back, wrapping my arms around her. She smiled and pulled back, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry, I just..." She let out a breath. Her gaze moved to Robb's tent. "I know you love Robb, and I... I want you to be okay."

I looked down, sighing. "Everybody knows that, Talisa. You don't have to pretend to care about me just because I'm one of your patients."

When I looked back up at her, Talisa's face had softened. She looked at me with sympathy. "Robb and I both care about you."

I smiled at her and nodded. "Thank you, Talisa. Please, I beg of you - stay safe." I gave her one last nod before walking away. I didn't believe a word she said. She didn't truly care about me, and Robb didn't love me.

But that was okay. I had my brother. I didn't need anyone else.

"Allison," he called. I looked up to see Theon walking swiftly towards me. "Are you ready?"

"What? No," I laughed. "I haven't packed anything yet. I crashed last night."

Theon rolled his eyes. "I figured. Let me pack for you." I opened my mouth to object, but he was faster. "Say goodbye to Robb."

I sighed loudly as I stared at my brother. "Theon, I can't. What the hell am I supposed to say now?"

Theon stepped up closer to me. "He loves you," he said in a quiet voice. "He's just in denial because, well..." Theon shrugged. "He's the King in the North now."

"And he's promised to another," I muttered, looking down. "Why would Walder Frey even want that?"

"You know why," Theon replied. "Now go. We must leave soon." He started to walk towards my tent.

As I watched him leave, I took a deep breath. I could do this. I had to do this. I knew I wouldn't see Robb for a long time, and despite our current relationship, we'd been through a lot together.

I couldn't leave without saying goodbye.

So, I walked towards Robb's tent. I took another deep breath. "Robb?" I called. My voice was strong and unshaken. I told myself that I wasn't afraid, but my heart beat faster with every passing second.

After a few torturous moments of silence, Robb stepped out of the tent. "Come inside," he said, nodding respectfully at me. I breathed out heavily and walked inside his tent.

His tent was surprisingly clean inside. I was impressed - I didn't think Robb had much time to clean.

"You understand your task," Robb said, stepping closer to me and looking me in the eyes. My breathing sped up as he spoke. "Convince your father to lend you the ships so we can take King's Landing."

I looked up at him. His blue eyes were staring directly into my brown ones. After a moment, I moved my gaze down to his lips. Robb saw this, but he didn't move.

So, I took that as an invitation to pull his head down towards me and kiss him.

I closed my eyes. I heard Robb suck in a breath, but he didn't pull away, nor did he kiss me back. He just stood there and let it happen.

When reality set in, I quickly pulled back. "I'm sorry, I..." I looked down shamefully. "I understand my task," I whispered.

Robb's hands closed around mine. "Allison," he said softly. "You're manipulative. You shouldn't say you love me when you really don't."

I looked up at Robb with my eyes wide. "What makes you think I don't love you?" I asked, staring at him. "The fact that I just took the risk of kissing you?"

He sighed as he looked at me. "I'm no fool," he replied. "You would have been a prisoner. You lied to escape."

I pulled my hands away from Robb's, looking at him disappointedly. "If you believe that, then why didn't you take me prisoner?"

"Take you prisoner?" Robb exclaimed, making me flinch. His tone was much louder now. "How could I take you prisoner when I love you too?"

Silence.

My eyes widened as it sunk in. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. I stared at him. I took a deep breath.

"Robb," I whispered, my eyes starting to water. "You are promised to another. You... you can't love me."

"And you can't love me," Robb agreed, sighing. He hesitated for a moment before pulling me into his arms. I buried my head in his chest and shut my eyes.

"I'm sorry," Robb said softly, holding me tightly. "I'm so, so, sorry, Allison." He kissed the top of my head.

"Don't be," I replied, wiping my eyes and pulling back from the hug. "We're at war, Robb. Even if you were available..." I sighed. "It would never work between us."

Robb grabbed my hands tightly, his eyes narrowing. "I'm not giving up on you," he muttered angrily. "So don't give up on me."

I took another deep breath. I knew what I had to do. I couldn't let this happen anymore. It was going to be hard, but I would have to do it.

"I pledged myself to you," I told him, looking into his eyes. "I meant it. I will fight for you, always. But..." It was too hard to look him in the eyes, so I moved my gaze to the ground. "We can't be together."

Robb rolled his eyes and looked back at me. "It doesn't matter. I love you, and you love me. We can make it work, if you're willing to try."

I wanted to try, more than anything. But I couldn't. Robb was at war - he couldn't have any weaknesses. He was promised to another, anyway. So, I did the only thing I could.

"I'm not," I whispered, closing my eyes. "There's too much at stake, Robb. And I..."

Tears started to fall from my eyes. "You were right the first time," I lied. "I... I never loved you."

It was one of the hardest things I'd ever had to do. I did love him, but I knew being with Robb when he was at war was a death sentence. Not to mention that he was marrying one of the Frey girls, and I was leaving for the Iron Islands today. I was crying silently now, refusing to meet Robb's eyes.

Robb shook his head and looked down. I could tell he was extremely upset, and so was I. But there was nothing I could do. Maybe after the war was over, we could find a way to be together, but for now, we would have to stay apart.

"Then leave," Robb finally said in a firm voice. "Go to the Iron Islands with your brother. Help me win this war." He looked directly at me. "Once it is won, stay away from me."

His tone was extremely angry. I left without a word, the tears continuing to stream down my cheeks.

I had finally done it. Now, I didn't have to worry about Robb anymore.

But my heart would still beat faster for him. I couldn't help it - I loved him.

I saw Theon carrying my things. I hadn't brought much, so it wasn't too much to carry. When he turned around, he saw my tears immediately. He didn't say a word, but he patted me on the back supportively.

I followed Theon to the ship. On the way there, I stopped crying. My heart felt like it had been crushed, yet I was the one who'd done it to myself.

So, instead of crying over it like a pathetic little bitch, I decided to just accept the fact that I was a terrible person for breaking Robb's heart.

Theon held out a hand to me, and I took it as I stepped onto the ship. It was bigger than I'd expected, just like the hole in my heart. I sighed and leaned against the railing, looking out at Winterfell.

I didn't want to go back to the Iron Islands at first. But now, I just wanted to get away from Robb. That's what he wanted, too, so I had to respect it.

"Are you ready?" Theon asked in a gentle tone. I turned around and nodded, sighing sadly.

As we started to sail away from the shore, I turned back around and stared at the horizon. Why had I broken Robb's heart? Was there any possibility of us being together again?

No. Not after what I'd done.

After a few minutes, Theon came to stand by me. He put an arm around my shoulders. I sighed and leaned into his touch. He rubbed my back soothingly.

"It's going to be okay," he said quietly, looking out at the land that was starting to fade from view. I turned to face Theon, and for a moment, we just stood there.

Then, I wrapped my arms around him in a hug. He had never been overly affectionate, but he hugged me back, trying to comfort me.

But in that moment, the only comfort I wanted was from Robb Stark, the King in the North.