A Crown of blood.
Summary:
Before going to the Twins for Edmure's wedding, Robb leaves his wife Jeyne at Riverrun and sends his mother to Seagard, thus sparing them from the massacre at the Red Wedding. The Northern army regroups under the leadership of the Blackfish and are back with a vengeance.
1) Don't keep all your treasures in one place.
It was not an easy trip from Riverrun to The Twins; never-ending rain, muddy terrain, collapsed bridges and washed away roads barely passing as paths; all for a wedding nobody wanted to go to in the first place. After the fiasco at the Mill, Edmure had reluctantly agreed to marry a Frey girl to atone for his blunder. The betrothal had originally been arranged for Robb, but he had broken his vows to Walder Frey and married Jeyne Westerling instead.
"Cat, this is not fair" Edmure told his sister. "It was your son who was supposed to marry into the Freys. How come he gets to chose a beautiful bride and I'm stuck with a Frey? You know, she's probably got hair coming out of her ears, bulging eyes, rotten teeth and warts all over her body. She probably has bad breath, too."
"Edmure, don't be silly" her sister scolded him playfully. "You were bound to get married sooner or later."
"Well, given the option I would say later" he muttered.
"Well, you know, you did mess up with the Mill. You were told to hold your forces, not conquer the Mill" she said softly.
"Yes, and your son was told to hold his breeches and marry a Frey girl. He messed up and now I have to pay."
"Edmure! I – please, what's done is done. I'm not going to defend him, I was pretty angry myself about that, but we should move forwards. We need the Freys, and the only way to get them is by you marrying Roslin. I also married Ned for an army and we ended up building a beautiful life together. Lothar said she was very cheerful and fair to look at."
"Of course! They are kin and they want me to marry her, what else would they say?"
"What else would who say?" a voice interrupted them.
"Your Grace" Edmure greeted Robb as he walked up to them.
"Robb" added Catelyn. "Lord Umber, Lord Mallister, Lord Glover" Catelyn greeted the rest of the men as they approached. "I thought you were having a meeting"
"Yes, we were, and we have a new plan. After the wedding we are going for Moat Cailin and we'll take it from the Ironborn."
"Nobody has ever taken the Moat" said Edmure
"From the south" replied Robb. "But if we can also attack them from the North and West at the same time, we may have a shot. With Lord Bolton's men and the Freys I will have more than fifteen thousand men. I mean to divide them and have three different forces going into the Moat. Roose Bolton's men and I will cross through the Neck. Bolton will attack from the West, I will command the host attacking from the North, and the Greatjon shall lead the main force against Moat Cailin coming from the South"
"It's a risk" ventured Edmure.
"Aye, don't you worry about it pretty lover boy. We'll be wielding our swords while you wield your little dagger!" the Greatjon teased him.
"I can wield my dagger as well as my sword" replied Edmure. "Which party will I join?" he asked Robb.
"None, you're staying at the Twins with your bride". He turned to Catelyn. "Mother" he called her.
"What's my role in this?" she asked apprehensively.
"Your role is to stay safe. Our journey through the Neck will be dangerous, and nothing but battle awaits us in the North. But Lord Mallister has kindly offered to keep you safe at Seagard until the war is done. You will be comfortable there, I know".
"Is this my punishment?" she asked thinking about all the different issues they had argued about: legitimizing Jon Snow, freeing the Kingslayer with Brienne, the safety of Arya and Sansa, his own safety.
"Seagard will be brightened by your presence, Lady Catelyn" said Lord Jason Mallister.
"You would make me a prisoner" she continued looking at her son.
"An honored guest" Lord Mallister insisted.
"I mean no offence to Lord Mallister, but if I can't continue with you I'd rather go back to Riverrun" she replied her eyes still fixed on her son.
"I left my wife at Riverrun. I want my mother elsewhere. If you keep all your treasures in one place you only make it easier for those who would rob you."
"As you please, Your Grace" she finally answered with a stern face.
"Mother, I just want to keep you safe" he insisted.
"Of course, Your Grace" she replied and turned around.
"Mother wait" he cried.
"Robb, you've made it perfectly clear. There's nothing more to add. We'll go to Edmure's wedding and then I'll leave for Seagard. I'll be safe, just as you want."
"Actually, Mother," he continued "I want for you to leave now. I don't want you going to the Twins. I'm following your advice Mother, I don't trust the Freys."
"Am I not allowed to go to my brother's wedding?"
"You're not allowed to endanger yourself unnecessarily" he retorted.
"As you please, Your Grace. With your permission, I'll take my leave to get ready for my trip" she said in a broken voice. She turned swiftly and walked away, but not fast enough for Robb not to notice her tears.
"Mother wait" he called. He took her by the arm when he caught up with her. "I'm not doing this to punish you. Please believe me."
"Promise me you'll be careful. Please Robb. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself. I have already lost your father. I have lost Bran and Rickon. I fear I may have lost Arya and I don't think I'll ever see Sansa again. I can't lose you Robb, I just can't" she cried as she hugged him tightly.
"I promise Mother. I'll be safe" Robb said returning the embrace.
TBC
