Rise of the Young Wolf

by TheWanderingJade

War had come to Westeros in the wake of King Robert's death, but it had been the unwarranted and unjust death of Lord Eddard Stark that caused the North to revolt against the South. Fueled by prophetic dreams, a "not quite" witch seeks out King Robb, in the hopes of balancing the scales. [Robb S. x Jeyne W.]

1. Chapter 1: The Parting

Rise of the Young Wolf: The Parting

(Rewriting the Red Wedding)

(Notes: Robb and Jon are 19 (Robb's birthday being first), Diana is 17, Sansa 16, Arya 14, Bran 13, and Rickon 9. There is no copyright infringement intended in this work of fiction, the Starks and all known Game of Throne characters are property of George R.R. Martin , I only claim to own the Original Character(s) included in the work.)

War had come to Westeros in the wake of King Robert's death, but it had been the unwarranted and unjust death of Lord Eddard Stark that caused the North to revolt against the South.

Robb

He had been forced to grow up too quickly, and now they had named him King in the North. Robb Stark did not know what to make of his life currently, this had never been something he wanted, to one day be Lord of Winterfell had been all he had aspired to. To be an honorable and just man, in the eyes of his people and the eyes of the gods, the Old and the New, and in the eyes of his Lady Mother and Lord Father; but his father was dead now, and his mother showed her usual strength, though he feared it was being tested. Especially when the raven came from Winterfell, when they learned Theon, whom he had once called brother, had betrayed them all, and killed, according to the raven, his younger brothers Bran and Rickon. His sisters were being held captive by the Lannisters at the Red Keep and now his younger brothers were dead. Perhaps it was the pain, threatening to drown him when he could no longer hold them in check that had driven him to accept the comfort, and in the night neither seemed to give much thought to any semblance of honor. But by morning's light all was different, as it always seemed, and honor pushed him to save hers and insist on a marriage. Perhaps he should have turned his back on this particular type of honor, but there was nothing to be done about it now. Like a drop of water that beats onto a boulder until a hole appears, motions could not be turned back. But like a trail of water, perhaps fate could be altered, just enough.

"My Lord, we've caught someone lurking about the edge of camp…" The conversation he had been having with his Uncle, was interrupted rather abruptly by the arrival of two of his banner men half dragging, half leading, a woman who was somewhat fighting back the tight holds on her arms the two men had. Robb noted one of the men was Lord Karkstark, certainly not known to be gentle to many (or any depending who was asked). Robb noted Grey Wind's ears flattened and he sat straight on his haunches, growling slightly when Karstark shoved the woman before him, almost causing her to lose her balance.

Though the situation should not be amusing, at all, Robb had a morbid fascination and amusement which he soon found to turn into distrust as he noted the woman did not seem frightened, determined, yes, but mostly vaguely annoyed at the shove she had received. Her aquamarine eyes met his own sapphire ones, almost defiantly, as if she were sizing him up for the weight that had been placed on his shoulders, and after a moment of scrutiny he watched her curtsey before him. Her dark hair curled of its own volition covering parts of her face as she dipped, aside from her eyes nothing truly stood out about her, which considering how poised she was in curtseying seemed odd. He had no idea who this woman was, but something about her caused the caution and distrust to rise within him.

"Who are you?" Robb noted that her eyes, had taken in the inside of his tent, his uncle, his wife, and direwolf before her gaze flickered from his hand which had come to rest on the hilt of his sword back to his face.

"My name is Diana, my Lord, and I'd like to offer my services to your cause and Kingdom. I'm not much of a fighter, not quite a witch, but a bit more than just a commoner. I know how to tend to wounds and heal ailments." There was something honest to her tone, and she had not looked away from him nor glanced again at his sword again, but the nonchalant way she had used the term witch made him weary of her. The defiant slight arch of her eyebrow and twitch of the corner of her mouth as if she wanted to smirk was not doing her cause any good either.

"If you meant to offer your services, why were you caught by my men lurking around our camp?" His tone was not warm, and his eyes stared her down to try and find any indication she was lying to him.

"I was not lurking, my Lord, I was looking for medicinal herbs." At this, Diana motioned to the leather pouch she carried, and slipping it off showed it to them, it was indeed filled with herbs, plants, and linen bandages. Robb glanced at his banner men, who hesitantly added that they had found her near a grouping of trees, which might shade medicinal plants.

"You do not seem to like me, my Lord, but I would like to point out, if I may, that you do not have to like me for my services to be valuable to you. Lords seem to sometimes overlook that wars are not enclosed to their camps, but also ravage the lands they go through. You have all the advantage, what threat could I possess that your wolf would not pick up on? You are at war and men and women at war will always need those who can heal them as close as possible." She was bold, and defiant, and while he was hesitant to believe her entirely, at her mentioning of Grey Wind, Robb had glanced at his dire wolf. Aside from keeping watch, Grey Wind did not seem agitated by the woman, though Robb could have sworn he saw his wolf give Lord Karstark an annoyed look.

"Fine, you'll help the cooks when no one is in need of you tending their wounds." Robb watched her curtsey again, gifting him a smile before she was led away. There was something about this woman who called herself Diana "not quite a witch", but the King in the North could not put his finger on it. He had to satisfy himself with her not being a threat to him, as he had far too much else to deal with now that they had no understanding with either Stannis or hold over Winterfell anymore.

Losing Jaime Lannister as a prisoner at the actions of his own mother did not put Robb in any better a mood as he travelled with her, his uncle Edmure Tully and 3,000 men towards the Twins from Riverrun intent on heading back to reclaim Winterfell. Lord Frey having heard that he had married Jeyne Westerling, thus breaking the marriage pact he had made, agreed to forgive the slight if his Uncle would marry his daughter instead. He had thought it best not to bring his wife with him, leaving her instead back at Riverrun with her mother until he could send someone for her. If there was any solace in this entire moment for him was that among his 3,000 men the Karstarks had stayed. He felt his brow furrow as they rode toward the Twins, deep in thought as he glanced over at Lord Karstark, his eyes coming to fall on the healer woman behind him on a borrowed horse. He noted she wore a simple cloak around her shoulders but had wrapped a grey scarf around her head, only curled wisps of her hair framing her face, he quietly admitted to himself that she was enchanting, but the word itself in his mind only made him wearier of her. When word that the Kingslayer had been set free by Lady Catelyn in an attempt to get her daughters back got out to his men, the Karstarks had almost revolted, as the Young Lion had been personally responsible for the death of two of Lord Rickard's sons in Whispering Wood, and had set out with some of his men towards the cells in Riverrun to get his vengeance on the remaining captives Tion Frey and Willem Lannister. Before Robb himself could get to the party of five lead by Rickard himself, they were thwarted by the not quite witch, healer Diana. How she had managed to get reason into the hot headed, hot blooded Karstarks is something Robb was not entirely aware of, and certainly not something he understands, though when he rounded the corner and headed for them catching sight of Diana he almost swore her eyes were amber. The thoughts of finding out, however were pushed to the back of his mind as they entered the Twins, praying to the gods, the Old and New, that with his daughter wed to Edmure, Lord Frey would allow them passage through the Trident, a prayer he finds keeps repeating in his head even as they're shown inside and take part of the Guest Right.

Diana

As much as she disliked lying, she also knew that honor tended to not go quite as far as it should for some, especially in times of War. The tension between the Freys and King Robb's party was palpable, even if they had been invited and told by Lord Frey he would overlook the slight the King had given his house in backing out of a marriage pact by marrying another in secret. Diana would believe that the moment the Starks and Tullys along with their men were allowed to walk back out of the Twins; there were several reasons why she introduced herself to the King in the North as not quite a witch, and several more as to why she knew the Frey-Tully wedding would end in bloodshed.

She was however, not quite up to full par, having persuaded the Karstarks not to take their revenge on the squires held prisoner at Riverrun had not been as easy as she had let it seem. Diana felt a bit of relief in seeing that in the least that while Rickard and one of the five she had stopped followed King Robb and Lady Catelyn into the wedding itself, the rest that had stayed outside with the rest of the men and had been keeping the fellows around them subdued enough as to not be piss drunk.

"Where are you off to?" Diana was very much aware, after the time she spent with King Robb and his bannermen whose voice was addressing her as she first attempted to slip towards the kennels where she had seen Raynald Westerling on orders of Robb, stupid noble orders as far as she was concerned, tie Grey Wind. The rough hand wrapping around the top of her arm was further proof as she turned her attention to one of the Karstarks, whose name she couldn't place in the moment. She weighed her options, knowing she could not tell him too much or things would tilt too far out of control.

"I'm going to check if there's any wormwood in those patches of trees over there, did you want to, how was it that you put it last time?, oh yes pull up some weeds for me?" Diana was glad that while the Karstarks were not known for their gentle, or abundantly intelligent natures, this Karstark had enough sense to let go of her and perhaps at a later time she could allow herself to feel amused by the smidge of bashfulness that crossed the man's face. He was not unhandsome, and perhaps if things had been different and she was not in a rush, she'd have told him so right then. Leaving her be and returning to his fellows, Diana gives him no more thought as she heads off towards the patch of trees near the kennels, where she disappeared from sight without anyone's notice.

She walked with purpose through the trees, coming across a sickly wolf having difficulty breathing on his side, it was the sign she had been looking for (the one she hoped she had been wrong about, though she had no time to dwell on that either). She knew that no one who knew would mistake the sickly wolf for Grey Wind, at least not yet, placing a gentle hand on the animal's head after draping her cloak around it and ignoring the growl she focused on the image of Grey Wind, before leading the doppelgänger back towards the kennels. Lingering out of sight with the animal, she was attempting to find the best way to get Grey Wind out and replaced when she found an ally in Raynald, making note of the young man's bravery in helping her. With the first part of plan done, Diana urged Raynald to stick close to the Stark's bannermen, and their horses, preferably the ones who were not piss drunk, but before he could question her she snuck towards the Keep with Grey Wind by her side.

She had become good at sneaking and hiding in shadows, and Grey Wind, ever the perceptive dire wolf restrained himself from killing any Frey or Bolton men they had to hide from, as they neared the Hall where the wedding feast was coming to an end, they hid in an alcove while a few Bolton men pass by. Diana feels herself sink down and carefully wrap her arms around Grey Wind, pressing her forehead gently to the direwolf's, watching in the reflection of his yellow eyes as her own normally aquamarine eyes started to turn amber. Praying to all the gods, Old and New, give me strength, before taking a deep breath, noting Grey Wind smelled a bit like King Robb's tent.

Among the calls for songs, dancing, and general revelry she can't help but note how Lord Frey does not drink much and mostly just glowers at the attendees in the Hall from his carved oaken throne. As she and Grey Wind sneak into the Hall to hide in the shadows well out of sight of those present, she takes a moment to glance around at the tables, noting how drink seems to be much more readily available for the Stark party. A call for the bedding ceremony to begin spurs her into action, running her fingers along Grey Wind's head fur gently before moving from the shadows. Taking a breath, she finds herself easily slipping between two drunken men that don't pay her much notice, to stand on the top of the table, her voice strong and clear as she calls out over the rambunctious music and voices.

"A love song for the bedding ceremony! My good Lord Frey, you would not deny an extra singer's voice for your own daughter's wedding would you, a gift given freely?" Diana dared not look away from Lord Frey's gaze, even if it made her skin crawl as all eyes settled on her in the Hall, and if any in the Stark's party recognized her, standing there in a seemingly simple dress and shawl on the table no one found their voice before the drunks agreed echoing her calls for the song.

Swaying and turning to the musicians with a bright smile she led with her hands the lively tune as she sang clearly, clapping to keep the time much to the barely guarded annoyance of Lord Frey who only glowered at her more as a man leant in close to speak with him.

Níl Na Lá

Tá na caoirigh ag ithe an gheamhair

Tá na gamhna ag ól an bhainne

Prátaí síos gan díolachán

'S duine gan mheabhair na raghfá abhaile

Is deas an bhean í Siobhán óg

Gúna nua uirthi aníos ón siopa

Is breathnaím ar mo ghiní óir

'S í a' rince ar an mbord leis an phoc ar buile

Chorus:

Níl 'na lá, tá 'na lá

Níl 'na lá, tá ar maidin

Níl 'na lá, tá 'na lá

Is bean a rá, is í ar fhaga

Don't send me out into the dark

The night is cold and I'll be perished

Come to bed with me awhile

We'll have a roll around the blankets

(Chorus)

Buailim suas, buailim síos

Buailim cleamhan ar bhean a leanna

Cuirim giní óir ar an mbord

Is bím ag ól anseo go maidin

(Chorus)

Tá mo bhróga i dtigh an óil

Tá mo stocaí i dtigh a' leanna

Tá na coiligh go léir ag glaoch

'S b'éigean domsa 'dhul abhaile

Roslin though looking clearly harried during the bedding ceremony, was in the least seemingly grateful for the song as the steady beat seemed to soothe some of her nerves or aid in her resolve though her eyes seemed worried or scared as if she had been crying recently, Diana had glanced at the groom Edmure who laughed as he was disrobed and led off in the same direction as Roslin.

Diana jumped down from the table where she had been leading the song, grabbing a goblet of wine from it before she commanded the attention of those present by standing in the middle of the mostly empty dancing area. Chin raised, with a bright smile on her face she again addressed Lord Frey and all present, raising the goblet of wine in an elegant fashion.

"Good Lord Frey, I offer you one last song in thanks for your warm hospitality, among family and friends at such a blessed event." Diana could see she was testing her luck, the dark look Lord Frey was giving her spoke volumes, and she could practically see his jaw tensing as his shrewd eyes narrowed just slightly at her. Her bravery did not falter her, and she pressed on singing without accompaniment before he could decline her offer. Perhaps it was the slow sway in the middle of the empty dance floor that held their attention and the silence around them, her hand steady as she held the goblet of wine up to him and his family in what most would see as a sign of reverence, her voice never wavering or betraying anything other than the tune, before she turned and faced Lady Catelyn with the first verse of her song:

The Parting Glass

Of all the money that e'er I had,

I've spent it in good company,

And all the harm that e'er I've done,

Alas it was to none but me.

And all I've done for want of wit,

To memory now I can't recall.

So fill to me the parting glass,

Good night and joy be with you all.

She gave Lady Catelyn a soft smile, bringing the goblet to her lips as she curtsied deeply, the skirts of her dress pooling around her elegantly before she stood again, now facing King Robb whose eyes never left hers:

Of all the comrades that e'er I had,

They are sorry for my going away.

And all the sweethearts that e'er I had,

They would wish me one more day to stay.

But since it falls unto my lot,

That I should rise and you should not.

I'll gently rise and I'll softly call,

Good night and joy be with you all.

Again, Diana gave King Robb a deep curtsey, bringing the goblet to her lips not looking away until she started to rise again, at which point she met Greatjon Umber's and Dacey Mormont's eyes briefly before she turned back to Lord Frey. Whatever warmth she had shown before with her smile, and enchanting amber eyes seemed to make the man of The Twins suspicious which only grew as she sang the last verse to him while standing:

A man may drink and not be drunk,

A man may fight and not be slain.

A man may court a pretty girl,

And perhaps be welcomed back again.

But since it has so ought to be,

By a time to rise and a time to fall.

Come fill to me the parting glass,

Good night and joy be with you all.

Good night and joy be with you all.

Diana held Lord Frey's gaze as she brought the goblet to her lips again, and for a moment that felt like an eternity to her, where the entire Hall fell into an uneasy and pregnant silence she almost believed the fool would prove her dreams wrong, and that if loyalty meant nothing to him, Guest Right did. To her dismay she saw the coldness of his eyes increase and he graced her with what he would pass off as a smile that made her heart almost stop.

"A song for a song then, singer. My minstrels will match your performance and top it well." The look he gave her as the beginning notes of The Rains of Castamere, made her blood boil as she heard a sharp intake of breath from Lady Catelyn at recognizing the song a moment before the attack started. But his look of triumph was early and soon replaced by anger as she lowered the goblet from her lips and called out clearly, "Traitors!" tripping one of the men loyal to him and pulling out a short sword from under her skirts.

Chaos erupted as the Freys and Boltons attempted to cut down the Stark's men, but unbeknownst to them her song had worked, her magic lifted much of the drunkenness of the men who might have been sluggish at first but were ingenious in defending themselves and their King, the swiftness of Grey Wind certainly helped as the dire wolf had snuck under the tables when she had begun to sing now let loose all his fury as he defended Robb and Lady Catelyn. The distraction was enough to allow Diana to get closer to Lord Frey, the Winter King's men had not been so easily subdued, they were fighting back, with such fierceness the Boltons and Freys present began to question if their plans would prevail. They had not counted on the Wolf being inside the Hall, nor on the singer, nor on Stark's men brushing off their drunkenness so quickly.

A man in Bolton's colors caught her shawl with his sword, grinning horribly at her, and making vague comments about flaying her pretty lips, before he realized she had tangled his blade and not suffered much more than a flesh wound, not that she was going to let him get a better angle to thrust his sword into her belly. Instead she drove her short sword into his kidneys with a sweet smile, before pushing him into another of his house trying to aid him, successfully impaling him on the other man's blade. Lord Frey had not moved from his oaken throne, delighted in the bloodshed as at first his forces had the upper hand but as the tide turned suddenly he had gripped his throne and shouted orders at the men nearest him to defend him.

It took effort, and Diana was not left unscathed as she fought through those men ordered to defend Lord Frey, but help from Dacey Mormont who tossed her a new weapon when her short sword broke meant it was her who reached the old Frey in his throne, and she who shoved him down the dais to the floor before following him, grabbing a handful of the back of his shirt roughly and holding a long dagger to his neck once she realized that the majority of those who laid dead were members of the treachery.

"Tell them what you did Walder Frey, look at the Lord whose House yours has been sworn to for so long, and tell him what your price was…No one is coming to help you." Diana could feel the adrenaline running through her, but her hands kept steady, and the Winter King's focus on the head of House Frey as he speaks, certainly grounds her nerves into iron.

"You thought I would overlook the slight to my House, Stark? You promised to marry one of my girls, and in turn I'd take you as the King in the North and of the Trident, and you think I would be satisfied for your mere Uncle? So that what, my daughter would instead of being your Queen just be Lady of Riverrun someday? Tywin offered me all of the land from here to Riverrun, and gold, more gold than that honorable iron and bronze on your head." The cold ire in Frey's voice was for once not a match to the emanating anger coming from the King in the North himself.

"So you lure us here under pretense of a wedding, allow us to incur Guest Right, just to slaughter us because we believed in the honor of your words?" Anything else he had intended to say was interrupted by the simultaneous sound of screams from the grounds where they had left the majority of their men and a yell from Lady Catelyn, who while everyone else had focused on Walder Frey's words had been caught by a dagger to the side of her body. The Bolton man responsible was quickly killed by Robb's blade, and Diana felt herself rise just slightly from her position, though she easily kept old man Frey down on the ground.

"Press down on the bleeding my Lady, and get back to Riverrun, my King. You will have to fight out to the horses but as your men here fought back so are your men outside doing the same, the ones not too drunk to stand. Go!" Tugging hastily on Walder Frey's forehead, she felt no hesitation in running her dagger from one side of his neck to the other, the warm sticky blood not fazing the healer who was used to the texture. She ignored the gurgling noises he made as he started to choke on his own blood, stepping away from him as she let his spasming body drop fully to the floor.

"I will cut them down for this treachery..." Another yelp of pain as Dacey Mormont held Lady Catelyn to her interrupted Robb's ire.

"Now is not the time, my King! A tactical retreat is needed, their men outnumber yours, and the Boltons especially will not forgo an opportunity to practice their House sigil on any of your men they can get their hands on, or any of you. Go!" The look she received from him told her he had many more questions and arguments, luckily Lady Catelyn called his name and he rushed to help her as the group headed towards the Hall doors.

"Diana..." She interrupted him again, "I found you once my King, I will find you again if I'm able. Make haste for Riverrun!" She watched as Greatjon lead the charge with Robb and Grey Wind to rally their men and head towards Riverrun.

She turned from the door, her eyes cold as they fell on the still lingering Walder Frey, satisfied greatly as she saw fear creep into the man's eyes, gripping her blood dripped dagger tightly as she came closer. The sharp steel easily cut through the muscle of his tongue, and just as easily into the oak of his carved throne where she pinned it over the bloody words: A liar's tongue. Gods, Old and New detest breakers of the Guest Right.

The dagger she used on him was one of his own men's or perhaps Bolton's men, not that Diana cared as she ripped part of her skirts in order to move faster through the doors where they had led Roslin and Edmure through after the bedding ceremony. There were not many people in the corridor, servants or otherwise, but as she pulled on her energy she knew before she reached the end of the corridor she would have broken at least one vow, she knew she'd do anything not to die at the Twins.

The ingenuity she used to reach the newlywed couple's room was not anything she wanted to dwell on, not that she had time to do so as she burst into their room. The startled scream from Roslin, now Tully, would have been comical if the situation was different.

"I'm sorry for startling you, however...Lord Tully your sister has been injured and fights have broken out everywhere. I think it best for you and your new wife, if she so wishes, to quickly redress and head for Riverrun..."Diana wasted no time in picking up a dress that was nearby and brought it over to Roslin who she noted did not hesitate in pulling on her clothes and gathering hastily a few things. Diana was intrigued but had no time to question the girl's reaction, turning to Edmure and throwing him a shirt from nearby.

"Ask me not where the sword came from and I will tell no lies, my Lord." Diana's words were quick and though Edmure arched a brow at her as she handed him the sword, he said nothing.

"May I press you for an act of kindness, my Lady? A cloak?" Diana offered Roslin a slight smile as the girl quickly found her a plain green cloak. Once they were hastily dressed, Diana nodded and checked the corridor before the three made their way towards the stables.

It was easier to get out of the Twins with Roslin's help considering that she knew the layout better than Diana or Edmure, this alone was a small blessing to the not quite witch as she was pushing her own limits. The encampments where the Stark bannermen had been, were still very much in the midst of fights, with few tents up in flames as those that could tried to cut down as many assailants before retreating towards Riverrun. The Freys and Boltons had not counted on this at all, Diana knew, but they still had the advantage of numbers. She was glad to find a bow and quiver full of arrows as she helped cover Lord Tully while he helped his Lady wife mount the horse they found.

"Make haste, Lord Tully!" For a moment Diana's eyes met Edmure's worried ones as he settled himself behind his wife, he nodded slightly in response and kicked the horse into action.

She turned as they made it out of the Frey's lands, and focused on finding herself a horse, whether it was luck or a blessing she didn't know nor think of upon finding a horse trying to pull free of where it was tethered a few yards from a burning tent. Had all gone according to plan for the Freys and Boltons they would have killed the horse as well, but having Stark forces fight back had ruined their original plans, even if they more than likely would win this fight in the end. Quickly she cut the rope tethering the frightened animal, before hoisting herself up onto its saddled back, praying to all the gods that the saddle hadn't been loosened.

"Karstark!" Diana turned the horse just in time to see the Karstark she had spoken to earlier fighting against a man in Bolton colors, without hesitation she pulled an arrow from the quiver, and aimed her arrow through the eye of the Bolton man. She didn't even flinch when Karstark finished him off, though she noted he had a leg injury.

"Come on, Karstark. Let's get you out of here." How she managed to help him get on the horse behind her without falling off was better attributed to small blessings as she turned the horse and kicked it into action, and barely flinched when she felt his arms clinging to her and the saddle as much as he possibly could. She did not look back at the carnage behind her, ignored the prickling feeling on the back of her neck, and the sound of hooves behind her, if they were being followed, she could only pray it would be others fleeing from the Freys and Boltons and not the latter hunting her down.

Robb

They had meant to slaughter them all; his mother injured, Greatjon and Dacey as well, and at least half of the men he took with him. By sheer luck his good brother Raynald had been waiting for them when they made it out of the Hall with their horses ready. He and a group of Karstarks were defending and fighting off any of the forces trying to kill the animals, Grey Wind had quickly dispatched most of them. They had not had much time to speak further, but it became apparent quickly, that Diana had alerted Raynald to keep alert, which might have saved some of their lives.

Their trek through the woods, only stopping or slowing when they had no other choice was not easy, but somehow they made it to Riverrun before the night had fallen on them entirely. Though he rushed his injured towards the Maesters to be cured, especially his mother who was pale by the time they made it back, even after Dacey had done her best to stop the bleeding from her side, Robb could not breathe easy as he tried to make sense of it all.

"Someone approaches at top speed, Your Grace!" Robb was stopped from entering the castle at these words, turning to the man who had shouted down from the wall.

"Can you see who they are? Are they our men or not?" He could feel the anxiety rushing him despite his exhaustion as he rallied some of the men of the Keep.

"It's Lord Edmure with a woman!" No sooner had those words reached him and flooded him with relief, he heard the sounds of hooves rushing towards them, the poor animal was frothing at the mouth and nearly exhausted.

"Uncle!" Robb was glad to see his Uncle Edmure, and slightly surprised to find the woman with him was his new wife, Roslin, both looked harried and pale from the ride.

As he dismounted Edmure's voice was thick with emotion, keeping a hand on the reins of the horse, still mounted by his wife, it was clear he had much he wanted to get out. "Catelyn? Robb, is she dead?" Robb found himself grasping his Uncle's arms as he shook his head in answer.

"No, just injured...I sent her inside with the Maesters, Uncle what about you? Was anyone following you?" Robb glanced from Edmure's face to Roslin who had caught her breath but attempted to appear smaller in the saddle when he looked up at her.

"Good. No, we're fine; no one's followed us that I know. The singer woman, she urged us to leave...Roslin, she had no choice, Robb...she's worried you're going to make her pay for what her kin has done, and I'll tell you now I intend to protect her." Robb watched the agitated state cross his Uncle's face and half smiled, he had no intention of doing anything to Roslin. The thought of whether she had known about her grandfather's plans did cross his mind, but the trek through the woods had not been easy though the only question in regards to Roslin is what he could have expected her to do; no wonder the girl had been crying throughout the ceremony. Her expression had only changed when...Diana got up on the table and sang.

"I've no intention of doing her harm, Uncle. She's a Tully now, besides...I'm exhausted and worried over all the injuries. She's your wife, my Aunt now; we'll work everything else out in the morning." Robb felt he had aged years in the last five or so hours since the wedding, but he knew there was not much else they could do now. Now, they took care of their injured; now, they tried to figure out who was loyal and who was not; now, he missed his father, his sisters, his brothers; now, he found himself praying to all the Gods, Old and New to help guide them. He had not wanted a war, he had only wanted his family back, safe, and now all he wanted more than anything peace and safety for his people.

They doubled the men on watch, making sure that if anyone came overnight and attempted anything against them, Riverrun was safe. A change of plans would have to be made in the morning, and if there was nothing else he knew, he knew morning would always come. For good or bad.

Morning came far too quickly for his liking, though he was glad to hear all of the injuries had been taken care of, though there were several close calls with high fevers and the Maesters had said his mother had lost a fair deal of blood on their trek. Robb had not slept in his bed though he had on several occasions sent Jeyne back to bed when she found him asleep on a couch or at the table where he was recalculating and trying to figure out his war map.

"Robb, have you read these ravens?" Robb was personally glad Jeyne had woken him from his light slumber on the couch, though he had been lost in thought when his Uncle Brynden came in with a handful of missives.

"What of the ravens?" Robb stood and felt his brow furrow as his eyes glided over the words, he expected some; Mormont, Umber, even Liddle and Glover, the others...

It took several hours to pour through the missives sent, going into the midday, as Robb insisted on making note of what each one said or offered, with such a failed betrayal they would have to be more careful who they made pacts with, he had learned a hard lesson and almost paid the utmost price. He could not afford any other slights.

"Did you send them word of what happened at The Twins? Glover, Mormont, Umber, Flint, Wull, Norrey, Liddle, Branch, Blackwood, Ryger, and Piper...all of them responding asking about what the Freys and Boltons have done, many pledging help. Some we already knew, others...the Freys and Boltons seem to have few friends now. Seven hells some Freys are writing as well." Brynden Tully's shock was apparent as he landed heavily in the nearest chair, his Uncle's last outburst causing Robb to remember something his mother had murmured when Dacey had attempted to still her bleeding.

"There were members of House Frey purposely kept away by Walder...his son mentioned it to Mother..." Whatever point he had meant to come to was interrupted by his good-brother, Raynald who burst into the room red in the face and trying to catch his breath and speak at the same time.

"Spit it out lad!" Robb glanced at his Uncle in slight disapproval, though the part of him which was clearly tired still, agreed with Brynden's outburst.

"Your Grace, riders! Two of them, one for sure a woman, with an injured man, and a second smaller and slender, both nearly at the gate!" Raynald led the way back as understanding fell onto Robb much like a bucket of iced water with his words. Though slightly confused Brynden followed behind them as well, as the three ran through the corridors of Riverrun towards the front gates, Robb calling out about the riders.

"Another injured Karstark, call a Maester he's feverish!" He felt his heart jump to his throat at the call, as a slender servant rushed past him into the Keep to find the closest Maester, and he continued to follow Brynden out to the courtyard.

The riders had been allowed into the Keep's courtyard, though it was clear there were guards at the ready; the Karstark man, one of the younger of Lord Rickard's nephews he assumed, was pale but had a rudimentary splint on his leg and had been tended to. Robb glanced over him as a group of four carefully carried him inside, noting he was not conscious. That he felt a sense of relief at seeing her in slight profile leaning against the clearly tired out horse was not a full surprise to him, but as he got closer he could tell she was wounded and near exhaustion herself though she hadn't even looked his way so deep in conversation with a slender young...man, no...it was a young woman. He stopped a few steps away from them when their conversation suddenly halted at his presence, he glanced at Diana but his eyes focused on her companion in almost shock.

"My King...I told you I'd find you again...I believe this is your sister, Arya." Robb moved forward and realized the dirtied, slender young woman in boy's clothes, breeches and a tunic was his youngest sister, hair cut short but eyes bright upon seeing him; he had never seen her more beautiful as he wrapped his arms around her securely. Looking up in time to see Diana collapse, Grey Wind who had been sniffing and licking at Arya's hands and what he could reach of her moved quickly to try and catch Diana as her aquamarine eyes met Robb's a moment clearly fighting to keep conscious.