Author's Note: For anyone who has already read this chapter, you'll find that I kept much of it the same, though I did want to go through and add any scenes I thought of after I wrote it the first time. I've also kept some of my original author's note at the bottom. Once again, thank you to everyone who has favorited and followed this story, and to all my wonderful reviewers.
I admit that I got kind of distracted during the rewriting of this chapter. My fiancé bought me the Heavensward expansion for FFXIV, so I've been kind of obsessed with it again. No matter! I've finished, with two extra pages! Read on!
Planning
ROBB
Lord Stark—or is it King Robb now?
By the time this letter reaches you, you will have, no doubt, heard of your father's and sisters' untimely demises. This is, of course, a complete fabrication, conjured up by my dear aunt, Emmeline Lannister. She has always been very imaginative, which has been a much needed relief in this time of war.
While you are reading this, Aunt Emmeline is escorting your father and sisters to your mother's ancestral home at Riverrun. I know that this may seem doubtful, suspicious even, but I assure you that this is the complete truth. My mother, while I love her dearly, has never had the best intentions for anyone but herself, it dreads me to say. While my father's death may have put me on the throne, she simply sees a way to rule—she thinks she can rule through me, and the first act of that was to imprison your father.
My aunt has helped me to understand that there is always more than one side to a story. Your father, while I don't understand his reasons, did not want to accompany my family back to King's Landing, let alone take the position of Hand of the King. I understand this now, and I understand that he has been manipulated in more ways than one since arriving in King's Landing.
There is only one thing I expect in return for your family's freedom—my uncle Jaime. After he has been released from your care, you may return to the North, with no resistance from the throne. However, my aunt will accompany you, to act as emissary after the North has been declared independent.
Should you agree to these terms, send a reply to Emmeline Lannister at the Crossroads Inn within the fortnight.
His Grace, Joffrey of the Houses Baratheon and Lannister, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.
Robb turned his eyes to his mother, disbelief etched on his face, while she read the letter that had just been sent to him. He had been planning with his Lords, finding the best route to take Casterly Rock, when the first raven had arrived. It had stated that his father and sisters were dead, giving the gruesome details of their deaths. Then the second had arrived, mere minutes later, before they had even started to mourn.
When Catelyn finished, she looked up at him, her eyes wide.
"Do we trust them?" Robb knew it was a difficult question to answer, but he had to know. Joffrey had ordered his father in chains, had kept his sisters locked in their chambers. He had already seemed so attached to Sansa. It was difficult for them to believe that he was so willing to let her go, regardless of what he said his aunt convinced him of.
His mother looked to be thinking it over, her face contemplative. "Send a reply to Lady Lannister, but, should this be a trick, we need to be well prepared. I do not believe he would mention his aunt if he was not serious, though, nor would he send her into enemy hands without a reason. He appeared to be very fond of her whilst they were staying in Winterfell. I cannot see him intentionally putting her in harm's way, especially for something that benefits him very little."
Robb nodded, reaching forward to grab a piece of parchment and quill. His mother laid her hand on his shoulder before he could start, drawing his attention once more. "We cannot let the Kingslayer go, at least not before he pays for what he has done to Bran."
He had to agree. His mother had told him all about the Kingslayer's confession, how he had admitted to pushing Bran out of the window. Jaime Lannister would indeed pay his debts, though not with his life as many of his Lords wished.
His thoughts turned toward the blonde woman, not even a year his junior. Having Emmeline Lannister accompany them north was both a blessing and a curse. They would forever be reminded of the wrong the Lannisters did their family, but also of Emmeline Lannister's part in bringing them together. She would always carry the weight of her family's name and their sins, regardless of any good she did.
They sat together late into the night, him penning the letter to be sent to Lady Lannister and his mother reading it over before giving her approval. Robb knew that the girl would base her judgement on his being a king on whatever he wrote, no matter how much or how little. His mother assured him to write as he always would, short and to the point.
Robb stopped Catelyn as she was leaving his solar, his eyes blazing and face determined. "Rest assured, mother, the Kingslayer will pay for what he has done."
His words were everything she needed to hear at that point.
Robb stood at a window the next day, gazing over the grounds of Riverrun. His lords had agreed that he would not be disturbed that day, still believing that his father and sisters were dead.
He wanted to tell them that his father and sisters still lived, but he didn't know who he could trust anymore. Word of their movements before they had arrived at Riverrun had reached opposing forces, word that should not have passed further than his lords.
Lord Karstark had been increasingly hostile since the Kingslayer had been captured. Lord Bolton, on the other hand, while usually very quiet, had become more and more withdrawn from planning, though he still remained in the room. Walder Frey's men also seemed restless, as though they were itching to change sides.
Tywin Lannister was a dangerous enemy to have. The mere thought of gold was enough to turn even the most devoted men away from their own cause. Tywin Lannister had more than enough gold, he could win over more than enough men for that reason alone.
Robb's men wouldn't be happy with the tentative alliance he had forged with the Lannisters. Some of them may even attempt to destroy it, as much as it pained him to think. That, though, was only a small portion of his problems.
Another part of his problems stemmed from the exotic healer he had met on the battlefield. Her skin was tanned, much darker than any woman he had seen in the north. Still, even with her tan skin, she would fit well in the north, with her dark hair and eyes.
He watched the healer—Talisa, she had introduced herself as, from Volantis—as she walked across the grounds, no doubt headed to the healer's tent to begin her daily work. His lords didn't like her, he knew, but he couldn't bring himself to turn her away. While she may have been too tall, too slender, her face even too long, he found that her compassion made her more beautiful than most women.
His feelings for her were a problem, though. He couldn't help but be attracted to her, and he knew that she was attracted to him as well. He knew his men could tell, especially the Frey men. They had been watching him closely, just waiting to have a reason to betray him.
He would give himself a week, Robb decided, and then he would either admit his feelings, or send her away.
The next morning saw a bustle of activity in and around the castle, preparations for his family's arrival in full swing. Since news of his family's release from King's Landing arrived, the war had taken a quick turn, and since then, been at a standstill. He called his men back under the notion that they would be gathering to march. They would be marching, in a sense, back north.
They had received news not even a few days prior that Renly Baratheon had crowned himself king. Catelyn was sure that the youngest Baratheon would treat the war as a game, and so far, it appeared he was. There had been no word of Renly Baratheon's movements; all they knew was that his army of 100,000 had gathered in Bitterbridge and, thus far, stayed there. If his father and sisters weren't on their way to him at that moment, he would have sent his mother to treat with Renly.
His mother's constant look of worry seemed to have evaporated overnight, though he could still see the lines left behind. She was by the window, looking out onto the grounds. Robb knew she was watching the men lead the Kingslayer into the castle, but even the dark look in her eyes couldn't replace the light feeling that had come over the both of them.
The Kingslayer would remain in guarded quarters until Lady Lannister and his family arrived. Once they were settled, he would inform Lady Lannister of his sentencing of her brother, and then he would carry the sentence out.
He knew his mother didn't approve of his decision. She would rather he take the Kingslayer's head and send it back to King's Landing—just as Lord Karstark kept trying to convince him to do—but as Joffrey had shown his family mercy, he would show the Kingslayer the same mercy. The man would return to his family, just as Robb's family was being returned to him.
The subject of the attempt on Bran's life still hung between Robb and his mother. The Kingslayer had admitted to pushing his brother out of the window, but hadn't admitted to the assassination attempt. He had, however, informed Robb that he did his own killing, even if it was a defenseless, sleeping child.
The dagger was another matter altogether. His mother had informed him that she had taken the dagger to the Kingslayer in an attempt to rile him up, to get him to admit that his family was behind the assassination attempt. The Kingslayer, she told him, had shown no indication that he had ever seen the weapon before, let alone that his brother had owned it.
Upon further questioning, he had informed Robb that his brother had never owned a dagger such as the one the assassin used, and that even if he had, their family would have gained nothing from a young boy's death. Robb, incensed, had remarked that he, the Kingslayer, had still pushed his brother, hoping for his death, to which the Kingslayer replied that it had been for his own personal reasons, not for his family.
Robb hoped that his father would bring some news on the failed assassination, even if it was just a whisper of the truth. Not knowing who wanted his brother dead was by far the worst thing that plagued his mind at night. The agonized screams of men, those were easy to block out; something so personal was harder. He had nightmares of the assassin succeeding, of the assassin killing his mother instead. Those were worse than the ones where he saw the faces of men he had killed.
He stopped a servant as they were hurrying past, telling them to inform Lady Talisa that her presence was requested in his solar after dinner. Tonight, he would tell her just how he felt. He didn't want to marry a Frey girl, not when he could marry for love.
Talisa joined him in his solar that night, hovering near the door as he read through the letters he had received. Robb knew she was unsure whether she should be there. He knew she could hear the whispers of his men when she was near him. He wasn't sure if he wanted her to stay, especially considering he was betrothed.
His doubts had returned full force after he had sent the servant away, wondering if marrying for love was right. He was the firstborn, the heir to Winterfell; love wasn't considered for someone like him. The thought of what his father would say, about how he was even thinking of going back on his word and marrying Talisa rather than a Frey girl had his stomach turning. True, he didn't want to marry a Frey, but it was his duty, and duty came before love. That was something even Arya could tell him.
It was hard for him to decide, but he knew he was doing the right thing. Regardless of what he wanted, Robb had his duty to remember. Talisa, as much as it pained him to even think, had no part in his life. She was too sympathetic toward the Lannisters; she would continue to treat their men before Robb's, even when death was inevitable. His lords had protested long and hard about that fact, but he hadn't had the heart to send her away before.
Robb turned toward Talisa then, taking in her unsure expression. They had never been alone together before. There was always someone nearby, whether it be the Silent Sisters tending to the wounds of others, or his men, reporting back from a battle well fought. They both knew there was something there, some feelings growing the longer they were in each other's presence, but neither had acted on their feelings. He felt that he had fallen in love with her the moment he saw her selfless act of trying to save a man she had never even known.
Now, though, he knew what he had to do. He knew she wouldn't like it—he didn't like it—but she had no choice in the matter. He was a king now; he had to think about how his actions would later affect both his people and his family. Taking Talisa as his wife would be a bad move on his part. He would not only lose the support of the Freys, but he would lose the respect of his men. No, he would continue with his marriage pact, regardless of how much it would hurt him to do so.
"Once we return to the North, we won't have need of a healer such as yourself. My uncle will, however, should the Lannisters keep attacking the Riverlands as they have been."
He watched as Talisa stiffened. The urge to run to her and take her in his arms, to tell her that he didn't mean was he was saying swelled up, and he pushed it down with difficulty. Instead, Robb turned toward the window, his eyes taking in the river. He couldn't look at her when he sent her away. He didn't want to see the reaction she had, how his words affected her.
"I would ask that you remain here when my men and I leave. I am betrothed to another. It would be dishonorable to allow you to think we can be together when we cannot."
There was a long silence, punctuated only by Talisa's sudden, sharp breath. Robb wondered if she was going to cry, but couldn't bring himself to turn and see. The door slammed and he heard her quick footsteps moving down the hall, a sharp pain spreading through his chest at the sound.
He was doing the right thing. He knew it, and his mother had reassured him of it when he had informed her of his decision. He just didn't know it would hurt either of them so much.
Robb's mother joined him for breakfast in the morning, informing him of Talisa's departure from Riverrun during the night. A small part of him had hoped that she would stay, at least until his family returned to him. He knew it was for the best, though, and kept repeating that thought in his mind when his heart clenched uncomfortably.
He couldn't allow himself to get closer to her when he would soon have to give himself to another. His mother was satisfied about the decision, and Talisa's sudden departure, he could tell that much. Though she wore a look of sympathy, he could see her look of relief simmering beneath the surface.
Robb had promised himself to a Frey girl, and he would wed her when they arrived back at the Twins during his march north. A small voice in the back of his head told him to take the Kingsroad back north, to send ravens to every corner of Westeros searching for Talisa and wed her instead. Were he a lesser man, one that didn't believe so much for honor, he would have listened.
He choked down his breakfast, a sick feeling in his stomach. He would need to meet with his lords again, to begin planning once more. Until his family returned to him, until the Lannisters withdrew, he would continue liberating the Riverlands from the Lannister forces, and even travel to the Westerlands if need be. No agreement with a boy who thought himself king would stop that, especially if the letter was a ruse to gain his compliance.
He stopped a servant as she was hurrying by, his eyes trailing over her dark hair and brown eyes. If her skin was darker, she could be Talisa's twin. The stern look his mother was sending him pulled him from his contemplative stupor, and he addressed the servant with only a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"Have my lords meet me in the council chamber after they have broken their fasts."
The servant scurried away, intent on delivering the King's message as quick as she could. He had noticed the way her cheeks flamed red, her eyes trailing over his messy auburn curls and down the length of his chest. His doublets were tighter, pulled taut by the muscles he built on the battlefield; he would have to have new ones made, soon.
"Will you continue to fight?" His mother's voice was wearier than he had ever heard it, and he knew nothing he could say would reassure her. He knew she was just afraid of losing him, afraid that he would go into battle and never return. His father had left her to travel to King's Landing, and had nearly had his head taken once there. He was afraid too, but he would not rest until the people of the Riverlands, his grandfather's people, were free from the Lannister threat once more.
Robb sighed, a hand running down his face. He wished everything could go back to how it was before his father left for King's Landing; before he was leading an army at the age of seven and ten; before he had met and fallen so hard for Talisa.
"We'll have to, unless Lannister removes his army. We can't leave the Riverlands suffering, especially when our actions were the starting point of this war. Until they either withdraw or we defeat them, we'll continue fighting."
He stood, fully intending to walk out without another word spoken between them. His mother stopped him, the stern look he had become so accustomed to firmly in place once more. "Your father and sisters are coming home. Tywin Lannister will no doubt have to focus on Renly and Stannis Baratheon's separate armies, should he wish to continue defending his grandson. Don't waste more lives for battles that ought not be fought."
She removed her hand from his arm and patted his shoulder, sending him on his way.
He felt as though he was suffocating, as though the stress from having to command an entire army was drowning him. His mother made it sound so easy, ending the war for the Northmen. He just wished it really was as easy as she made it sound.
Edited on 7/20/2015
Author's Note: Robb's relationship with, or feelings for, Talisa was a bit more established in this chapter than in canon. I wanted Robb to be acting a little foolishly, thinking with his feelings instead of his head, and then have the letter from Joffrey (and the fact that he's getting his father and sisters back) kind of knock some sense into him.
The remake of my timeline that came before rewrites pushed a few events (the reunion) back, and brought others forward. So, keep an eye out for the new chapter I'll be inserting between three and four! Once that's been uploaded, it'll be a short while for me to rewrite chapter four-turned-five, and then chapter six will be under way for writing!
