Authors Note: It's been a while since I've updated, I'm terribly sorry. As a gift, I'm giving you guys two chapters. Hopefully you'll like them.

…

Chapter 8

287 AC

Winterfell

The sound of hard coughing echoed through the corridor as one of the handmaidens made her way towards young Edwyle's chambers with a bucket of hot water in her hands. Reaching the door, she balanced the bucket on her left hip as she raised her right hand to knock on the engraved iron. Quick footsteps were heard rushing towards the door and the handmaiden slipped through the opened crack.

Once inside the chamber, the handmaiden placed the bucket on the side of the bed and made her way towards the dressing table to retrieve a cloth. Sitting on the sides of the bed were Maester Luwin and Eliza. Hanging above little Edwyle's crown was a Mother's Wheel Eliza had made for him.

Beads of sweat were running down the young wolf's face as he let out another violent cough. The handmaiden quickly handed the cloth over to Eliza and she dipped the rag into the hot water. Wringing the water out, Eliza gently began to wipe her son's face as she quietly soothed him.

Maester Luwin moved from his position on the opposite side and placed a light hand on Eliza's shoulder.

"Forgive me my lady," he began. "But I'm afraid young Edwyle will not last the night."

Eliza let out a shaky breath. "He will."

Maester Luwin let out a sigh. "It's been a fortnight since he's fallen ill… I'm afraid there isn't much else we can do for him my lady."

"He will survive this!," Eliza snapped. "I will not give up on him."

Eliza continued to run the cloth around Edwyle's face as he let out a shiver. "Please leave," she stated. "I wish to be alone with my son."

Maester Luwin was hesitant but complied with her request. "As you wish my lady."

Maester Luwin and the handmaiden quietly exited young Edwyle's chamber. Eliza stared upon her son's little face and felt her heart ache. 'Why?' she thought. 'Why must you take my son away from me?' 'Haven't I suffered enough?' she pleaded.

She felt the water starting to well up in her eyes as her heart tightened at the thought of losing one of her sons.

"Please," she whispered. "Don't take him away from me." She lifted his left hand and held it to her lips as she whispered a silent prayer to the old gods.

As time passed, there came a soft knock on the other side of the door and shortly after, it creaked opened and was softly shut. Little footsteps padded their way towards the bed and a little hand was placed on top of Eliza's left thigh.

"Mother?" the voice softly spoke.

Eliza turned her head and saw her other son, Julian, staring up at her with worry and fear displayed on his young face.

"Is Ed going to die?" he asked in a whisper.

She placed Edwyle's hand back to his side and picked up Julian to sit him on her lap. Brushing some of the hair away from his face, she began to speak.

"No sweetling," she assured him. "He isn't going to die."

Edwyle let out another violent cough and Julian turned his head towards his mother. Tears welled up in his emerald green eyes as he feared for his twins health.

"But what if he doesn't get better?" he asked. "Maester Luwin says he gave him as much medicine as he could."

Eliza wiped the tears streaming down Julian's face. "All we can do now is pray that the old gods will help him." She explained.

Julian turned his attention back to his twin. He slowly got off of Eliza's lap and walk around the bedpost to the other side. Eliza watched as he climbed on the bed and laid himself next to his brother. Her heart clenched as she watched Julian put his arm around Edwyle for protection.

She rose from her chair and slowly climbed onto the bed as well. Laying down on Edwyle's left side, she brought her arm around both her sons and held on to them. Hearing the sounds of her sons soft breaths, she slowly let her eyes close and began to sleep.

As the sun rose the next morning, Eliza felt a slight shift next to her and began to wake from her slumber. Her eyes fluttered open and began to blink as they took time to adjust to the bright rays coming from the window.

She let them roam the room before she looked to her side. Still asleep, Julian's body was turned and now facing the window. Shifting her view, she looked next to her and saw Edwyle was staring back at her with his emerald green eyes.

"Mother?" he whispered.

Eliza felt a sudden relief and let out a small sob as she began to place kisses all around his small face. Edwyle's giggles filled the chamber and caused Julian to awake from his deep sleep.

Upon seeing that his brother was awake, Julian formed a bright smile and threw himself onto him.

"You're awake!" Julian exclaimed.

Edwyle returned his brother's hug. Once the two separated, Ed turned his head back towards his mother. She swiped some of his hair that was stuck to his forehead due to the sweat of the fever.

"How are you feeling sweetling?" she softly asked.

"I'm quite thirsty," he explained. "May I have some water?"

"Of course my love." She stated.

Eliza turned to Julian. "Go on and fetch one of the handmaidens and Maester Luwin… let him know you're brother's awake and needs to be looked at." She spoke.

Julian quickly climbed off the bed and ran towards the door, following his mother's request. Eliza turned back to Edwyle as he began to nuzzle himself to her side. She patted his hair and let out a soft sigh as she thanked the old gods. 'Thank you,' she thought. 'Thank you for letting me keep him.'

…

Eliza rushed through the Stark camp with Julian and Robb at her tail. Her heart was beating frantically as her worry began to grow. Passing through the soldiers roaming the camp so quickly, it was almost as if she was a ghost.

Her eyes jumped from tent to tent, searching for the one that can be holding her son. Time seemed to have moved slowly until finally Julian pointed out which one they were looking for.

"That one," he stated from behind. "The one on the right."

Eliza felt as if her feet weren't moving quick enough as she ran towards the tent. Throwing the flap harshly, she found Edwyle laying on the table with a gash so deep she thought she would faint.

She sped towards the table and placed her hand on his cheek. Turning his head, his eyes met his mother's and he gave her a weak grin.

"Mother," he spoke weakly. "You're alright."

"Shhhh," she hushed him. "It's not me who needs worrying about.. we need to make sure you'll get better."

Edwyle reached for her hand and gave it a slight squeeze. "Mother," he let out a ragged sigh. "Let's be realistic.. I won't be surviving this wound."

"Don't!" she snapped. "Don't you dare speak that way!"

Eliza held onto his hand, afraid to let it go. The nurse in the tent gathered her supplies and brought herself next to her.

"Forgive me my lady," the nurse spoke. "I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave so I can tend to your son."

"No." Eliza responded harshly. "I will not be leaving his side."

The tent flap opened and a pair of footsteps entered. A heavy hand gently wrapped around her forearm.

"Come Aunt Eliza," Robb began. "Let her tend to him while we wait."

Eliza shook her head and held onto Edwyle's hand tighter. "I can't leave him." She choked.

Another hand was placed on her other forearm. "Mother please." Julian begged.

She felt her throat tighten up as she reluctantly let go of her son's hand and let Robb and Julian guide her out of the tent. She felt hollow as the boys directed her towards Robb's tent where Catelyn and Ser Rodrick stood.

Catelyn rushed over and took her good sister's hand. The four Starks entered the tent and Robb quickly grabbed the nearest chair for her to sit. Eliza was so deep in her mind, she wasn't aware of the things happening around her.

All she can think about was the time when Edwyle was a child with a heavy fever that nearly took his life and now she was about to lose him again. 'Please,' she thought. 'Please don't try and take him again.'

Eliza felt a hand hold on to hers and was pulled out of her thoughts. Looking up from her lap, she saw Julian knelt down in front of her. His face filled with worry and a slight bit of fear.

"Mother?"he asked.

Staring at her son's face brought a memory of the time when Julian had tears streaming down his face, afraid that he would lose his twin to the fever. She knew, as she did then, that she had to be strong, not only for Edwyle, but for Julian as well.

Placing her other hand on his cheek, she caressed her thumb against his cheekbone. "Don't worry sweetling… everything is going to be alright." She stated.

Seeing some of his worry melt from his face, Eliza view turned towards Robb and Catelyn. Robb stood near the table with a letter in his hand, wearing a solemn look on his young face. Eliza rose from her chair and walked towards him.

"What is it?" she questioned.

Robb seemed hesitant before he took a deep breath. "A raven was sent from King's Landing from Sansa… King Robert is dead and father is imprisoned on charges of treason." He explained.

Eliza felt the wind in her lungs suddenly disappear as she took in the latest news. She lent against the table placing her hands on top to keep her balanced. 'Robert's dead.' She thought. 'And Ned is a prisoner to the crown… just like I was.'

She closed her eyes and let a few tears drop for her fallen friend and her dear brother. Eliza couldn't help but feel responsible for everything that's happened. If only she hadn't left.

Taking a teary breath, she began to speak. "It's all my fault.. If I hadn't let Jaime take me, none of this would be happening."

Robb brought his aunt into an embrace. "It's not Aunt Eliza," he expressed. "None of this is your doing."

Though she appreciated his comfort, it still didn't rid the guilt that was beginning to spread through her body. Slowly pulling away, Eliza wiped the tears from her face and roamed about the tent.

"What else did Cersei have Sansa write?" She asked.

The three Starks seemed surprised she knew Sansa hadn't thought of the words that were written on the letter but continued to inform her of what was said. Eliza's broken heart felt more crushed when she heard no mention of her sweet Arya.

Arya much resembled Eliza when she was that age and to hear there's a possibility that she is lost just made her guilt spread wider.

Julian's voice caught Eliza's attention as he began to speak. "Perhaps Lord Tywin would offer up a trade for Uncle Ned and the girls," he suggested. "Seeing as we have Ser Jaime prisoner."

Eliza snorted. "Tywin Lannister is a prideful man," she explained. "He'll try to make an example of us before making any offers."

Robb looked to his aunt. "What do you propose?" he question.

"We must show him that the Northerners are not people to cross lightly." She stated. "That House Stark is more than just a direwolf sigil."

A smile spread across Robb's face as he took in her words. He always looked up to his aunt, as if she were a second mother to him, and he would make sure to not only free his father and sisters from the Lannister's gripped glove but to also make her proud.

Walking towards the flap of the tent, Robb spoke. "Then we better get to work on the battle plans."

He exited the tent, Julian following shortly after. Catelyn walked over to Eliza a placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Eliza let out a weak laugh. "My son is on the verge of death, my childhood friend is dead, my nephew and other son are fighting a war, and half of my family is being held prisoner by Cersei Lannister and her spoiled brat." She explained. "Tell me Cat, should I be alright?"

"They're my family too," Catelyn expressed. "My husband, my children!"

Eliza felt a rush of anger run through her body. "Yes Cat," she proclaimed. "Your family who, if it hadn't been for you, wouldn't be stuck where they are now!"

Catelyn's eyes grew with astonishment. "You're blaming me for this?!" she bellowed.

"Yes!" Eliza responded in anger. "If you hadn't taken Tyrion Lannister on a crime he did not commit, we would not be having this delightful conversation."

Catelyn shook her head. "Petyr said he-"

"He lied!" Eliza interrupted. "He's been lying since the moment we stepped into the capital and you were a fool to believe a word that had come to his mouth."

Catelyn shifted her gaze from Eliza to the ground. "Petyr would never betray my trust." She spoke quietly.

Eliza began to grow frustrated. "Wake up Cat!" she yelled."He's not the same green boy who followed you around when you were younger.. Littlefinger has been in the capital far too long to not learn their cunning ways!"

Catelyn remained quiet with her eyes to the ground. Eliza let out a sigh. She had begun to feel bad at taking her anger out on her good sister but Catelyn needed to realize that Baelish isn't the same boy she once knew.

Feeling suffocated by the growing silence, Eliza turned away from her good sister and exited the tent. She let out a deep breath and proceeded to find where she would be staying for the war to come.

…

Tyrion sipped on his wine as he eyed the whore Bronn snagged for him from one of his father's soldiers. She had an exotic look to her and an accent that made his cock stir in excitement.

Placing his goblet down on the table, he cleared his throat as he continued to stare down this foreign beauty. "Who are you?" he asked.

The foreigner kept her hands around her animal skin shawl as she eyed the little lord. "Who would you like me to be?" she retorted.

Tyrion felt his cock jump as her accent graced his ears. Reaching for his goblet, he drank another sip of his wine.

"What did your mother call you?" he questioned.

"Shae," she answered. "What did your mother call you?"

Tyrion looked down to the opening of his cup. "My mother died giving birth to me." He responded.

Shae eyed him with a small smirk on her lips. "Is that why I'm here?" she mocked. "So we can talk about our mothers?"

Tyrion was taken aback by her sarcasm but was overall amused by Shae. As he began to respond to her comment, the flap of his tent was pulled open and revealed Ser Addam Marbrand.

"Ahh Ser Addam," Tyrion addressed. "So wonderful of you to drop by."

"Forgive me Lord Tyrion," Addam feigned sympathies. "But might I have a word with you.. it's urgent."

Seeing the seriousness stoned on Addam's face, Tyrion turned to Shae. "Will you excuse us sweet lady," he spoke. "Ser Addam and I have an important matter to discuss."

Shae's eyes shifted from the little lord to the soldier as she walked towards the flap. Once she was gone, Tyrion turned to the table and poured himself more wine.

"So," Tyrion paused taking a sip. "What seems to be the issue Ser Addam?"

Addam reached for his pocket, retrieving the piece of parchment that was sitting in it. He handed it over to Tyrion. "A letter from a mutual friend." He explained.

Tyrion took another sip from his cup. "And what mutual friend might that be?" he asked.

Addam stared down at the young Lannister before taking a deep breath. "Eliza Stark." He answered.

The wine guzzling down Tyrion's throat had went down the wrong pipe as he began to choke upon hearing Eliza's name. Hands over his knees, he continued to cough out the remains of the wine.

After a moment passed, Tyrion wiped the last drops of the wine from his mouth as he looked to Addam.

Still standing with the letter stretched out to Tyrion in his hand, Addam stood there, with an amused expression, at the scene before him.

Tyrion took hold of the letter and slowly began to open it. He was so focused on the parchment that he hadn't noticed Addam leave the tent. Tyrion's eyes were wide as he began to read.

Tyrion,

Firstly, I must apologize to you. I never had imagined that my absence and need of distance from Jaime had come to effect you as well. My intentions were to protect myself from what I knew but in doing so I had hurt you and for that I am truly sorry. My old friend, there's something you need to know, something that only few know the truth of and you must hold on to this information until used for the advantage. My sons Julian and Edwyle Stark were born with the name Lannister. They are Jamie's trueborn sons and Tywin's trueborn heirs. No one knows the truth except for my brothers and now you. I'm telling you this because I fear I won't be surviving this war to come and I must do what I can to protect my family and my house. Forgive me, for this wasn't the way for you to know.

Eliza Stark.

Tyrion felt small tears run down his face as he finished off the letter. 'Jaime's sons?' he thought. 'Those boys are Jaime's sons.'

Thinking back to his time in Winterfell several moons ago, when he felt a certain familiarity towards one of them it suddenly made sense. The boy's mannerism and confidence, along with his handsome face and emerald green eyes, he was exactly they way Jaime was at that age.

Tyrion let out a teary laugh at the realization. Looking down once again at the letter, he began walking towards the fire place and threw it inside.

Watching the parchment catch fire, the flap to his tent was opened and in walked Shae. Tyrion turned his attention towards her as she stood there eyeing him.

"Is there anything you would like from me my lord?" she asked.

Tyrion walked towards the chair next to the table as he reached for his goblet to pour himself more wine. Taking a sip from the cup, he let out breath.

"I want you to fuck me like it's my last night in this world." He stated.

She smirked at his statement and began to undress. As she made her way towards Tyrion, he closed his eyes in pure bliss as she untied the laces to his breeches.

…

Soon nightfall fell upon the Stark camp. Many of the soldiers were resting in their tents while several others were sitting by the fire exchanging stories.

Opening the flap to her tent, Eliza tightened her cloak and proceeded to make her way through the camp.

Reaching the targeted tent, she opened the flap and walked inside. There, upon the table, laid Edwyle with his wound closed up but looking to be catching an infection.

Moving closer to her son, she noticed he was sweating and breathing harshly. Opening her cloak, she took out the Mother's Wheel she made for him. Placing the wheel above the crown of his head, Ed had begun to cough hard.

Looking around the tent, Eliza saw a water filled bucket with a rag hanging off the side. Grabbing the bucket, she dipped the cloth into the water and wrung out the remains.

Gently, she wiped her son's face while whispering a soft prayer to the old gods. Gazing upon his handsome face, she had begun to anguish and guilt. Guilty because her son was dying and his father would never know the truth about him. 'I'm so sorry sweetling,' she thought.

The nurse walked in to the tent pulling Eliza away from her thoughts. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "Forgive me my lady.. I hadn't known you were here."

Eliza waved a dismissive hand. "It's alright, I just wanted to check in on him." She explained.

The nurse moved towards Eliza and Edwyle. "Don't worry my lady," the nurse began. "I'll do everything I can to ensure your son will survive."

Eliza gave the sweet nurse a small smile. "Thank you." She expressed with gratitude.

Looking back towards Ed, she gave him a kiss on his forehead and whispered a small prayer. Giving him one last look, she exited the tent, leaving the nurse to tend to her son.

Having a mind of their own, her feet began walking east of the camp, where the prisoners were being held. Passing through the archway, where some of the prisoners whistled for her attention, she made it towards the outside of the posts where other prisoners were being held, including Jaime.

Hearing the crunch of grass growing closer, Jaime looked up to see Eliza walking towards him. He observed his lost love and saw in her eyes that she was distressed.

"Ahh Lady Eliza," he mocked. "It's seems I've forgotten my courtesies seeing as I'm all tied up."

Jaime continued to eye her and saw she was very quiet as she approached his side. Staring down at him, Eliza felt her knees buckle and let out a loud cry.

Jaime's heart tugged and he began to pull on the restraints, trying to free himself so he can comfort his wife. Harder and harder, Jaime pulled on the chains but it was no use.

"My love," he strained. "What's the matter?"

Eliza felt the tears add layers to her face as she looked to Jaime. Seeing his face in despair made her feel even more guilty for her children and for him.

Mustering as much courage as she could, she looked Jaime in his eye. "There's something-," she rasped. "There's something you need to know."

Jaime felt his heart pound against his chest as she spoke those words. Swallowing his saliva, he stared at her tested face. "What is it?"

Opening her mouth to speak the next words, a Stark soldier came running towards the pair.

"My lady!," he yelled. "My lady.. Lord Stark is requesting your presence in his tent, says it's urgent."

Fearing the news to be regarding Edwyle, Eliza quickly left with the soldier at her tail as she ran back towards the camp.

Bumping into soldiers as she ran across the camp, she quickly threw open the flap of Robb's tent and ran inside. All the lords, including Julian and Catelyn, were standing around the table.

"What happened?" she asked as she gasped for air.

Julian walked towards his mother. "There's been an improvement in Ed's health." He explained. "He's going to live mother."

Eliza felt relief fill her heart upon hearing the news. 'He's going to live,' she thought. 'My son is going to live!'

As she gazed upon her son's face, she saw that he was not as rejoiced about the news as she was. Looking around the tent, she noticed the lords all wore their heads down and Catelyn and Robb had tears running down their faces.

Eliza moved away from Julian and walked towards Robb. "What is it?" she questioned.

Robb's blue eyes were stained red from his tears as he looked to his aunt. Holding the scroll in his hand, he took a deep breath.

"There's been news from the capital." He stated.

Eliza watched Robb shed another tear as he spoke his next words.

"Father's dead."

….

Let me know what you think!

Hey guys, I know it's been a while but I'm back!

-Sooo good news, Edwyle's NOT dying. (I couldn't do that to guys or myself tbh.)

-King Robert is dead.

-Tyrion knows the truth about the twins.

-Eliza almost spilled the beans to Jaime!

-Ned's dead, the games are about to begin.

*I hope you guys are safe during this trying time with all these COVID-19 cases.

-All characters and parts of the story, except my OC's and plots pertaining them, belong to George R. R. Martin.