An AU based on HBO's Game of Thrones and George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. This AU will take parts from both the book and the show. Robb's age is closer to that of the books but he is married to Talisa Maegyr instead of Jeyne Westerling. Robb is my favorite character and I think most of us are at least a little interested in what could have happened if Robb had made a wiser choice in marriage. Most AU stories like that usually pair him and Margaery. I really like Robb/Margaery pairings and was actually writing one before this. I was researching the wiki for that fic and realized that Talisa's last name wasn't random. Talisa had the same last name as one of the ruling Triarchs of Volantis in the books. Then it came to me. What if Robb Stark's decision to marry for love hadn't been a political mistake? This story begins at the end of the Blackwater with the notable exception of Theon choosing Robb over his father.

Chapter One: A New Ally

Robb was exhausted. They had been marching for weeks without a battle and his men had started to get anxious. At the age of 19, he had yet to lose a single battle, but the war seemed to be falling apart before him. His uncle had botched his plan to trap Tywin Lannister in the Westerlands and allow Stannis to take King's Landing. The Tyrells had decided to back Joffrey, the Ironborn had attacked the North, sacked Winterfell, and killed his brothers, and after all of that, his mother had decided set the Kingslayer free. If only uncle Edmure had not been so concerned with his own glory… No there is no point in dwelling on what could have been. The plan had only been made after the campaign into the Westernlands had started and there was no way Edmure could have known. Besides Robb held his own faults. At a time when it had been his responsibility to save his sisters and avenge his father, he had sacrificed an alliance with the Frey's for his own personal feeling. He loved Talisa but even he knew it was a foolish decision. He had lost 4,000 soldiers and gained only love.

"I hope you have a plan. My men are already upset we left the rich plunder of the Westerlands for the burned villages of the Riverlands." Theon asked Robb.

"Would you have rather and stayed in the west by yourself. Even with Tywin's host at King's Landing 300 Ironborn would not have lasted alone." Robb replied.

"Just because it's true doesn't make it any easier to accept, Your Grace," Theon replied in a mock tone. "If we don't have a battle soon the lords are going to start causing problems and now with what your mother did I don't know how…

"I know," Robb said cutting Theon off. "I plan to link up with my foot at Harrenhal and march into the Reach. We have to show them the consequences of supporting the Lannisters." Robb replied in a confident tone that hid his doubt.

They reached Harrenhal early in the morning. As he entered under the gates Robb noticed that the host which was supposed to have 12,000 men looking to have less than 6,000 judging from the number of banners.

"Where is Lord Bolton" Robb questioned to the first Bolton man he saw.

"He is leeching, Your Grace." the man replied.


An hour later Roose entered the council chamber of Harrenhal where the Northern lords had begun a war council.

"Apologies for my tardiness, Your Grace." Lord Bolton said in his soft voice as he gave a low bow.

"Lord Bolton it seems that our host is not at full strength. Where are there rest of my men?" Robb asked in a harsh tone.

Theon noticed that the question brought a slight discomfort to Lord Bolton. A discomfort that could even be considered nervousness.

"Your Grace, many of the Karstark men have gone all across the Riverlands searching for the Kingslayer. The Freys left when news of your marriage arrived and I sent a party of 3,000 into the Crownlands to raid Duskendale for supplies. We…

"You sent 3000 men into the Crownlands. Are you Mad?" Several of the lords looked to Robb in surprise as he stood up and yelled at his Bannerman.

"Your Grace, most of the Riverland's crops have been put to the torch and the rest have been picked clean. We needed supplies." Roose said firmly.

"The Tyrells now back the Lannisters. They will look for any chance to prove their loyalty" Robb said in a calmer voice but one that still held an icy tone. "Ready the horse. We will be marching in the hour."

"But your Grace's host just finished marching. They are tired and need rest." Wendel Manderly question.

"They'll have to do without it. My uncle will remain with the foot and hold Harrenhal. The rest of us will go into the Crownlands. If a host has been dispatched from King's Landing we need to be able to cover their retreat. I can't risk losing 3000 men," Robb stated.

In one hour Robb's horse left Harrenhal and marched towards the Crownlands. The complaints could be heard from his men and lords alike but he ignored them. After an overnight march, he allowed the host to rest.

"Your grace the outriders have returned," Theon told Robb.

The war council formed around a simple fire. No table or tent had been put out. "Has a host left King's Landing?" Robb asked the outrider.

"Yes, Your Grace. We saw a mix of Reach and Stormland banners marching towards Duskendale. We told Robett Glover but he thought it would be best to try and make a defense at Duskendale. He didn't think they could outrun the Reach Vanguard."

"How large is the Reach host?" Lord Bolton asked.

"We counted roughly 23,000, my Lord. 3000 heavy horse, 5000 regular horse and 15000 men at arms."

"Why such a large host to fend off 3,000?" Wendel Manderly asked the group.

"It matters not. Robett's plan was the wisest choice but he can't hold back 20,000 men. We need to leave immediately," Robb said to his lords.

"Your Grace, I believe all of the Lords here respect the success you have had in the field, but our numbers are too small. 6,000 horse is not enough to take on 20,000 men. It's not worth it to save 3000." Roose said in his quiet voice.

"More than just 3,000 men are at stake. Momentum is shifting in their favor. If something is not done soon our cause will be lost. We need to bloody the Tyrells soon less they seem unstoppable." Robb replied in a calm voice.

"But your…"

"Enough! It is not a matter for discussion Lord Bolton. We are going to battle. We will march further south and take the Tyrell host from the rear." Robb said effectively ending the discussion.

"So another long march began. Robb only hoped that the Tyrell host hadn't stormed Duskendale yet. After 3 hours of hard marching, they had circled around and the Tyrell Vanguard could be seen from atop a hill. This is good. Robb thought. We are roughly evenly matched except they will be attacked from two sides.

"We need to hurry, Your Grace. Robett Glover has set up in the Dun fort but the Reach Vanguard is marching into the city as we speak." A soldier said.

"No! We will wait till their forces are split between the walls of the city." Robb replied delaying the order to attack.

After half the vanguard had entered Duskendale Robb signaled for the war-horns to be blown. "For the North" he yelled in a voice that carried across his host. It was met by "King in the North." The Northern host was a shock to the Tyrell Vanguard. The half that had not entered the city were overrun in a matter of minutes. Some had managed to retreat to the east but many were crushed between the city walls and the Stark host. Some men tried to enter the city at the same time as some tried to exit in order to support the other half of the vanguard. The half of the Tyrell vanguard that had already entered had abandoned their attack on the Dun fort to attack the new Stark host that was pouring into the city. As soon as they changed directions Robett Glover led his men in an attack on their rear. After several minutes of block by block fighting, it was clear to Lord Tarly that the fight was a losing battle. Lord Tarly rallied his men and fought out of an encirclement and managed to retreat from the city with 2000 heavy horse.

"Your Grace you have come to our rescue." Robett Glover thanked the King.

"It is not over. Lord Tarly has retreated to meet up with the rest of his host. We will soon have 20,000 men at our door" Theon replied.

"We could hold Fort Dun we number close to 8000." Wendel Manderly suggested.

"I fear that is not an option. There is chests filled with silver and gold in the fort but little in the way of food. There is enough food for our entire host for maybe 2 days." Robett responded.

"We can't risk being stuck with no way out. We will retreat to Maidenpool." Robb commanded.

The last battle had been extremely successful. He had lost less than 300 men while the Tyrells lost close to 4,000. But his men had been marching almost constantly for two days. They were tired and even if they could defeat the Tyrell forces it would be at heavy losses. They had marched for less than 3 hours when Robb stopped the host in order for the men to rest. He had 3000 men-at-arms with him now and could not move as fast as he would have liked. A scout reported that the Tyrell host was less than 2 hours out. They were still 40 miles from maidenpool and he feared if he continued to march them like this, right after a battle, many would lose spirit. Robb had chosen a large hill that stood between three smaller hills as the place to make a stand. After the defenses were prepared he was given an hours rest.

Finally, he could see the Tyrell banners coming from behind a distant hill. It's time he thought to himself. He had won all his battles thus far by taking the enemy unawares but here it seemed it would be a head on fight that he was severely outnumbered for. At least we have the high ground Robb thought trying more than anything to reassure himself.

The Tyrell host attacked quite rapidly. The first attackers consisted of what remained of their heavy horse. That made using archers against them highly ineffectual. However being heavy horse going up a hill also made them slow. He had about a hundred pikemen that he had placed in the center to stop them dead in their tracks. No sooner than the first horses fell Robb noticed a large portion of the host detach to the west. He knew that Lord Tarly was attempting to encircle him. The main host began to surround the hill they had positioned themselves on. That he had planned for. A force of 2,000 horse appeared from the cover of a distant hill and attack the men at arms attempting to encircle. The west side of the hill was between two hills making it a very narrow entrance. This made any retreat slow. The Tyrell men were met with arrows from the hill and a cavalry charge from in front. Soon that small portion routed leaving him once again in control.

This had been a disaster lord Tarly thought. His Van had been crushed at Duskendale and now outnumbering the young wolf 2 to 1 he had yet to take this hill. His attempts to encircle had failed and the pikemen had prevented him from being able to create an open battle like he wished. But he had set in motion another plan that would surely lead to victory and put an end to this. Once this hill was encircled it would be over.

"Your grace we spotted his 4000 light horse. They have come completely around and are a mile north" The scout reported.

Robb had seen this as soon as the battle started. It was a good plan. There was no way to prevent himself from being encircled. However, if they believed they would come up on him unawares they were surely mistaken. He had placed a hundred archers on each of the two hills north of him. The Tyrell light horse had been shot at by both sides as they tried to reach the west side of the hill. The small host reached the hill 500 men weaker. They blew war horns to signal to the Northern host on the hill that they had blocked their retreat. That was their first mistake to believe they controlled anything. As soon as they blew their war horns Robb ordered his entire host off the hill. The 4000 Tyrell horse were annihilated by his own horse from the west, arrows from the north and 5000 men from the hill they were trying to secure. The host routed almost instantly. Hundreds of men were thrown from their own horses and trampled in the confusion. Robb had given up his hill for 4000 men.

Lord Tarly was speechless. Why would he just abandon such a defensible hill? Lord Tarly thought to himself. Then he realized that the forces on the western part of the hill had withdrawn as well. It was then that he understood the young wolf had decided to go on the offense. He angrily ordered his men forward to take the hill that had just cost him, 4000 men.

Robb's full host retreated between the two hills. This is where his plans had run out. Hopefully, he had evened the numbers enough to give himself a fair fight. He had lost fewer than 300 men while he knew that the Tyrell host had lost at least 8,000 of its 23000. 15000 against 8,000 not great but not terrible. Robb considered. While Lord Tarly outnumbered him 2 to 1 he had lost a large portion of his cavalry. Robb surmised that he had maybe 1,000 horses remaining. On this front, Robb outnumbered him nearly 4 to 1. Here in this field, his legacy would be decided.

The full force of the Tyrell host marched. Instead of going between the hills his forces took the hills first forcing the archers on top to retreat. The Stark host waited for the Tyrell host to descend the hill completely before charging. Robb Stark led his army with Greywind on one side and Theon on the other. The spear of Robb's host struck hard and pushed back hard. And the large opening was made in the middle of the Tyrell army. Robb was tempted to attempted to push straight through and attack Lord Tarly but realized it would be wiser to make sure he did not get outflanked. The Tyrell host unfortunately recovered quickly and spread evenly against the Northern army. Robb noticed that the left side of the Tyrell host was faltering but to Lord Tarly's displeasure didn't take the bait. Instead of pressing the advantage he moved half of his reserve forces to the right side to prevent from being flanked. The battle seemed as if it could go either way until war horns sounded from the North.

From the north horsemen, carrying banners that held a young woman holding the seven pointed star, began to attack the left flank of the Tyrell host. The 500 sell swords soon began to overwhelm the already crumbling left flank. Lord Tarly diverted his 3000 reserves to keep from being overrun. The reserves seemed to Lord Tarly to have done their job. The North flank had stabilized. Lord Tarly soon looked for any sign of falter in the Young Wolf's army. The southern side of his host had intentionally been made stronger in a hope to eventually turn the Stark host. They seemed to be taking control of their side but now he had no reserves to press the advantage.

"My Lord there's more men coming from the north." A soldier said in a frightened voice.

Then armored footmen came marching in formation carrying shields and long spears. Lord Tarly began moving men to his right in a desperate attempt to prevent being taken over. Robb saw the opportunity and rallied his men to him. He made a hard push up the very center of the weakened host.

"Lord Tarly these sellswords have overwhelmed us. The Young Wolf has broken through the middle and men are beginning to route We need to retreat while we still can." Ser Ronnet Connington said in a voice that hid his fear as best as could be expected.

"Agreed." Lord Tarly said reluctantly. 8000 of the original 23000 manage to escape the battle of 3 hills.


Robb had taken an arrow to the shoulder during the battle and had been moved to the center of the host.

"What is going on?" Robb questioned.

"It seems the man who hired the sell swords wishes to speak to yo," Theon said through a grin.

"Send him her," Robb replied trying to hide his pain.

A man riding a horse approached. Another man placed a rug next to the horse that the man dismounted onto. He was escorted by 12 guards with tiger helms and green stripes tattooed on their faces.

"I thank you for the assistance in battle. I am truly indebted to you. Without your assistance, the battle could have very well been a massacre." Robb said in the most kingly voice he could manage the pain.

"No thanks is necessary, Your Grace. I did only my duty," The man replied with a deep bow.

"And may I ask why?" Robb questioned with a confused look on his face.

"Of course, Your Grace. How rude of me." He signaled to a servant.

"This is the noble Malachi Maegyr cousin to Malaquo Maegyr one of the tree Triarchs of Volantis." The servant announced.

"Maegyr? Do you mean to tell me that you are Talisa's father?" Robb asked, unable to hold back his shock.

"Yes. My daughter wrote to me requesting assistance in your war effort. After word spread that my daughter had married a king in Westeros the ruling Triarchs mobilized our forces to help you. We have hired the Maiden's men, brought 3,000 of our own city guard, and as a wedding present we offer you 4000 unsullied, the finest soldiers in all the world." Malachi said proudly.

Several of the Northern lords began to talk among themselves.

Still, in quite a shock the young king spoke. "Thank you goodfather. Your men have come to me in a time of great need. I ask that you accompany me to Maidenpool. There we can rest."

"Of course, Your Grace. Also, my son has taken a large portion of our fleet, nearly 50 ships, to the western coast to help you liberate your lands from the Ironborn," Malachi replied.

Theon noticed a look of relief in his friend's eyes that he hadn't seen since before the news of the Tyrells allying with the crown had reached them.

"That is truly welcome news goodfather. With your ships, this war may move in our favor. Galbert Glover takes whatever force you deem necessary to Duskendale and retrieve everything of value. I did not want gold and silver slowing our retreat but I cannot pass up a chance for resources now that the Reach host has been crushed." Robb gave his order while his wound was being treated.

"It will be done," Galbart replied.

Robb resumed his discussion with his goodfather once they reached the castle at Maidenpool. "Talisa made no mention of your family's influence in Volantis."

"Because we had none before her marriage," Malachi said joyfully. "We are of distant relation to one of the Triarchs and my cousin never felt the need to acknowledge us as his family before. I tell you when my daughter's letter reached me telling me of her marriage to a king, I thought she had gone mad. As rumors spread that one of the Westerosi kings had married a Volatene woman many began to whisper. As soon as it was known that it was my own daughter that you had married overnight the highest of nobles began to curry favor with us. We were invited to dine behind the Black Walls with all three of the Triarchs and most wealthy of Volantis."

"This doesn't explain how you were able to bring so many men with you. As I understood the free cities did not have such armies. You brought 8,000 men with you," Robb replied.

"Yes Your Grace. Volantis is ruled by the Triarchs and it is close to the yearly election. The Volatene people thirst for war. Many argued that we should again try and unite the free cities. However when I suggested allying with the North many listened. Very soon both my son and I were favorites to become Triarchs. Many people liked the idea of gaining influence in Westeros. The other free cities may not join you but none will oppose. A divided Westeros is good for them. For centuries the free cities have been annoyed with Westeros being the dominant power in the narrow sea." Robb's goodfather explained.

"You should know that the two most powerful houses are now allied against us," Robb said, his face betraying neither fear nor hope.

"Yes, I had heard. But as I understand the Vale has yet to enter the war and is ruled by your aunt?" Malachi asked.

Robb gave a bitter scoff. "My aunt has resigned to stay out of the war. She would rather stay hidden in the Eyrie. She has refused all my mother's requests for aid and even at the insistence of her own bannermen."

"Your Grace, if I may. You have just won a great victory over your enemies. Let me send a representative informing her of your victory and your new alliance. Maybe we can convince her to join your cause. And if not we can persuade her other bannermen to pressure her to send aid."

"It seems a good plan. You have my support" The king replied.

Malachi called for one of his nobles. Alios Qhaedar entered. "Noble Alios I give you a most important mission. Bring word of the king's alliance to Volantis to Lady Arryn and a formal request for aid. Take with you 12 men from my personal guard. If Lady Arryn refuses to go to her nobles and pressure them to convince Lady Arryn to do so. Offer gold if some need convincing." With that, he left to take a ship to Gulltown.


Theon entered the solar while Malachi was leaving. Theon found Robb staring out the window.

"This better be important. There are things I enjoy to do after a battle far more than talking with you." Theon said with his usual cocky tone.

Robb turned to face his friend. "I'm taking a large portion of the Northerners up the neck to liberate the western coast."

"I won't fight Ir…"

"I making you Lord of Harrenhal," Robb said cutting him off.

"But why?" Theon asked confused.

"Seven houses have held Harrenhal since Black Harren burned in it with his sons. Maybe that is a sign. Harren was hated by the people he ruled but he did raise the castle, no man can deny him that. Having no decadents I feel it belongs to the next house chosen to rule the Iron Islands. Mayhaps you can redeem the Ironborn for the sins committed by Harren. The rule as a just leader, protect your smallfolk, uphold justice, and break this curse that has plagued Harrenhal." Robb said.

Theon was speechless.

Robb placed a hand on Theon's shoulder. "I forced you into a choice between friend and family. For that I'm sorry. But you chose me and because of that for now and always you are my brother."

Theon looked at his friend and tried to form words.

"I mean if you're too frightened of the curse I could always gift it to Walder Frey. I'm sure it would take more than a curse to rid me of all the Freys out there. Wouldn't you agree my lord." Robb said in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Theon's speechless expression eventually turned into a grin. "I believe prince Theon would be more appropriate."

Robb and Theon began to laugh.