Hello there, lovely people! So this has been floating around in my head for a while now and I thought it was time I got it down on paper. Very basically it's my take on what happened at The Crag. It'll be fluffy in parts, it'll be dark and angst in parts, it'll be funny in parts but hopefully it'll always be entertaining.
Disclaimer: None of what you recognize is mine!
I've replaced Smalljon Umber with Greatjon Umber just because he is so fun to write. I hope you are okay with that :)
The Moon That Breaks The Night.
"The Crag is yours, Your Grace" Ser Rolph Spice gave a small bow.
Robb Stark returned the gesture with an equally small smile. 'Thank you, ser"
The taking of The Crag was almost embarrassingly simple. Greatjon and Black Walder had scaled the miserably defended walls easily while Robb himself broke the main gate. Arrows had been fired in defence and the men of the Crag had armed themselves with armour and swords for a battle but, faced with innumerable nods and witnessing the king's direwolf rip a man half to pieces, they quietly surrendered on the instructions of Lady Westerling.
"Please inform the Lady Sybell that as the hour is so late, I will not call on her 'til the morrow. We will however avail of your hospitality" Robb's smile was broader this time.
"Of course, Your Grace" Ser Rolph nodded curtly. "I shall make arrangements to prepare a chamber for you."
"No need, I'll stay make camp with my men but food and drink would be greatly appreciated. My men are undoubtedly in need of refreshments after their -" Robb looked around the dark courtyard as if searching for the correct word. "- exercise."
"Can you see?" Eleyna Westerling pushed into her sister just a little too aggressively for what was expected of a highborn lady. Her attempt to gain more viewing space at the window was successful as Jeyne moved just enough to let her younger sister slide neatly in beside her.
"Not well" Jeyne sighed in a frustrated tone.
The sudden opening of the chamber door made the sisters' heads turn in a speed that would have caused damage to lesser able bodies.
"What are you two doing still awake?" Ser Raynald stood in the doorway with a face like thunder that softened slightly when he met his sisters' eyes.
"We wished to see The Young Wolf" Eleyna stated taking another peak out of the window.
"The Young Wolf has gone to bed for the night and I suggest you do the same. Off to your own chamber Jeyne and I won't tell mother about this" Ser Raynald made his way to gently wrap an arm around her shoulder.
"He's taken the castle, hasn't he?" she asked trying to hide her anxiety.
"Yes" Ser Raynald nodded, not for one moment lowering his eyes. "You will not be harmed, I promise you both."
Jeyne tried to smile in gratitude but found the prominent emotion she felt was not gratitude for her brother, nor fear of the army waiting outside, but anger that they had given up so easily.
Ser Raynald ushered Eleyna away from the window to take her in his arms also. "Remember, we are Westerlings of The Crag, one of the oldest bloodlines in the Seven Kingdoms, descendents of the First Men" his voice was becoming more theatrical which made Jeyne smile despite herself "If the Starks and the Lannisters need thrones and crowns to assert themselves, then let them. We are above such things."
Eleyna applauded her brother who bowed grandly in return.
Jeyne was unsure whether any of them believed her brother's words but they had managed to ease her mind.
"Come Jeyne" Ser Raynald reached for his sister's hand.
"Can she not stay here tonight?" Eleyna asked resting a knee on the bed.
"Do the Northernmen frighten you little sister?" Ser Raynald teased.
"Nothing frightens me" Eleyna crossed her arms defiantly.
"Perhaps I should stay here just to be safe" Jeyne left her brother's side and sat down on the bed with her sister.
Raynald just shook his head with a smile "Rest well, little sisters" and closed the door behind him.
"What is going to happen now?" Eleyna asked when she and Jeyne were wrapped snugly up in bed.
Jeyne was silent for a moment "I suspect we'll swear fealty to the Young Wolf and continue as Stark banner men instead of Lannister ones."
Eleyna nodded "But what of loyalty? The Lannisters have been good to us."
Jeyne was struck by the maturity and wisedom of her young sister's question.
"There's a war, Ellie. They have father" Jeyne replied as if that explained everything. "Perhaps, the King in the North will be just as good to us."
"That looks nasty, Your Grace" Greatjon Umber laughed as Robb bandaged up his own right forearm.
"I can barely feel it, Lord Umber" Robb rose from his seat to look out the flap of his tent. "Are the men well?"
"Very, they send their compliments to the Crag's cook" The Greatjon laughed again.
It amazed Robb how the man was always in such high spirits and despite their considerable difference in age, Robb sometimes felt that they were both boys playing at being men.
"Tell me of the Westerlings" Robb gestured to a flagon of ale on the table.
"Thank you, Your Grace." The Greatjon took a seat and a long swig. "An old family, with more pride than power."
"Remind you of another family we know?" Robb sniggered, joining the Greatjon at the table.
The Greatjon tutted. "You shouldn't speak so, Your Grace. The Frey's will be family one day"
Grey Wind who had been gnawing on a piece of meat, lifted his head to give a short deep growl which the two men made no mind to.
"Don't remind me" Robb muttered under his breath. "The Westerlings?"
"Ah yes, the eldest lad, Raynald is quite an able knight so I hear, best get him on side early. It's Lady Sybell you need to look out for though. She's a Spicer you see, granddaughter of Maggy the Frog."
Robb laughed "If only a woodswitch was the extent of my troubles."
"How long shall we stay, Your Grace?" The Greatjon asked.
The King in the North rubbed his wounded arm subconsciously "However long they'll have us."
I have checked and rechecked for any mistakes so if there are any I am very sorry and feel free to point them out to me please! Hope you enjoyed it!
