I own nothing related to ASOIAF, which is certainly for the best. This is a rather short chapter simply to acknowledge where everyone is, and what exactly they're doing. Roberts part is especially minor. While I was originally planning on having the Next chapter focus on the war in the South, instead it will likely be a meeting of the major rebel Lords told from Robert's perspective.

Out of curiosity, can anyone explain to me why Catelyn is hated so much? It's just weird to me that everyone seems to ship Ned Stark with anyone but Catelyn.

"Your being counseled at this very moment."- King Aerys II Targaryen to Tywin Lannister.

Tywin Lannister

"Fools! I'm surrounded by fools and halfwits, there's not a single man in these seven Kingdoms with sense." Tywin raved, his hand slammed down on the desk in front of him, his sister Genna jumped slightly at the sound. Her husband, Emmon Frey sat silently, his face scrunched up in anger and disbelief. Tywin pointed to the letters that were laid out on the desk before him. "Aerys, demands I make haste to King's Landing, to crush the rebellion. The feeble minded fool started this war, his house is in ruins, and he means to drag the Lannisters down with the Targaryens!" He makes demands of me!"

"Well, he is the King," Emmon Frey said softly. It was almost easy to feel bad for Emmon Frey at the moment. As soon as word reached Casterly Rock of Walder Frey's death, Tywin brought the young man into his solar to offer condolences. Yet, it was far easier to despise the second son of Walder Frey. Emmon was a man with few redeemable qualities. He had a boorish personality, looked like a petty thief, and was a halfwit. "We should do as he asks, and march against the rebels at once," the halfwit continued.

Genna, and Tywin's brother Kevan looked at Emmon in slight disbelief. Tywin wondered why Genna looked so surprised, she lived with her husband, surely she knew how foolish he was. Although, to Genna's credit, she made no effort to defend her husband. Tywin didn't bother to turn his head, but he did look up to his brother Kevin who was standing in front of him.

"Get out." Tywin voice spoke calmly, he didn't bother to address Emmon directly, he just allowed his command to be heard. Everyone knew who he was speaking with, even Emmon, the fool, had to be aware of his mistake by this point.

"Well, he is the King, and besides, that Stark bastard murdered my father!" Emmon Frey stood up, showing an amazing amount of bravery for a guest in another man's home. Perhaps Emmon was a bigger fool than he thought, in a way, that was actually quite impressive. "Stark killed my father, it's your duty to march against him with all haste." Emmon's face was twisted in anger, making him look somehow worse.

"Never tell me my duty, do I make myself clear?" Tywin asked, he didn't expect an answer from Emmon, and was grateful the oaf didn't try to give him one."Be grateful it was Stark who killed your father. He's an honorable man, a rarity in these days, his vengeance is done with the death of your father. If it was my wife and my unborn child being held hostage, you wouldn't have a single living relative left. Now go, if you refuse I can arrange to have you carried."

Emmon frey walked out the door without saying another word, his wife gave him a pitying look, but made no move to join him. As Emmon shut the door behind him, there was silence in Tywin's solar. It was only broken by Cersei's near silent laughter.

"I should have stopped Father from marrying you to that fool." Tywin looked over to his sister. "Unfortunately there is little I can do to alleviate the situation now, I only hope you raise your children as Lannisters instead of Freys."

Genna actually smiled at that the comment. "Must you even ask brother? Don't worry, after news reached us from the Twin's he's been a bit willful. But he's under control," Genna assured.

There was a flicker of amusement in Tywin's green eyes, but it died quickly. "I never had a doubt. No matter, it's hardly important at the moment. Aerys is waiting on a response, which gives a very narrow window of opportunity.

"It does? Pray tell, what opportunity would that be?" Kevan asked, genuinely curious.

"He's waiting for for me to show up and fight this rebellion for him, knowing full well that as long as he has Jaime in his Kingsguard my hands are tied. I'll have to move quickly if I don't want him to do something rash. Kevan be prepared, in a week's time we march out." Tywin said, his brother nodded dutifully at him.

"You'll side with Aerys?" Genna asked, confused. "I've never known you to choose the losing side of any war."

"You need not worry, plans are in motion. Besides, have you ever known me to choose the wrong side?" He asked? With that question, he dismissed them, Tywin was seated back at his desk when Cersei spoke.

"You'll support the The Starks?" Cersei asked, long after everyone else left.

Tywin hesitated before answering, wondering how much he should reveal to his daughter. After a moment he answered, "Eddard Stark, from what I know, is an honorable man. He is a proven general, and its well known that he heeds the advice of his councillors. He would do well as a King, especially with a competent hand." He paused for a second before continuing. "Even so, we are no friends of the Starks. If we were to support him, we would gain nothing but a grateful King. he also has no claim to the Iron throne. If he were to sit upon the throne, and declare himself king of the seven kingdoms, Westeros would fall to pieces within a few generations. Likely as soon as he died. For the good of the realm Stark cannot take the Iron Throne, we should be grateful he likely doesn't want it."

"Then you really mean to declare for Aerys? He roasted people alive, and after everything he's done to disrespect our family?" Cersei asked, a look of disappointment crossing her features.

"Perhaps, or maybe you haven't considered every option. Think on this Cersei, I'm sure you'll find the answer if you give it thought. Now if you don't mind, I have letters to write." Cersei began to reluctantly walk out the door, however before she could leave, Tywin spoke once more.

"One last thing, Cersei." Tywin began writing, he didn't look up at his daughter as he wrote.

"Yes, father?"

"Do you still wish to be Queen?"

Catelyn

High Heart was as ancient as it was desolate. At one point, it was said to be a sacred place for the children of the forest, not that Catelyn believed such nonsense. The clearing in the centre of High Heart was surrounded by the stumps of 31 weirwood trees, a seemingly fitting place to hide the Stark Heir from men who would do him harm. It was also their resting place for the night, and fairly comfortable compared to their last few.

Once they escaped Riverrun, they began to head south, admittedly Catelyn was confused to why they didn't head North, but Bryden assured them they were less likely to get caught this way. Without much of a choice, she hesitantly followed her uncle south, and she wasn't disappointed to admit, Bryden was completely right. In all their time traveling, they hadn't even come across any frey men.

"Aren't you worried about raising your son in the woods? He could catch a disease or get ticks." Lysa said in mock worry. After a moment, when Catelyn still had not answered, she spoke again. "Well i suppose he is a Stark, he might have to get used to living outside. Maybe you should fear for flees rather than ticks? "

Catelyn loved her sister, she truly did, but the last few days of traveling have been aggravating. Her sister was seemingly more unstable by the day. Catelyn wasn't sure what the catalyst was, but ever since they escaped RIverrun, Lysa had begun lashing out on people. She was normally rude to Catelyn, she ignored Edmure, and she constantly criticized Bryden. Blaming him for everything that ailed her, it was almost like she despised him for not singlehandedly recapturing Riverrun.

"I have nothing to fear, I assure you. The midwife Uncle Brynden brought with us is more than capable of caring for Rob." Catelyn said politely, even though it strained her to do so. "Even if I did, I shan't fear fear for very long. Uncle Brynden assures that we should reach Acorn Hall any day now."

Lysa was about to say more, but was interrupted.

"Will it be safe there?" Edmure asked, joining their conversation. Her brother was dirty from head to toe, but was in great spirits. It was no surprise, it seemed any moment they weren't riding, Edmure spent rolling in the mud. The youngest Tully was perhaps the only one of them actually enjoying this, as he saw the entire ordeal as a great adventure. He also loved the idea of being a true Knight and protecting his sisters from harm.

"Of course it will be, house Smallwood is a loyal bannerman of fathers. They were among the first of the noble houses of the Trident to join father in this rebellon. Even now, Lord Smallwood fights alongside father to reclaim Riverrun." She smiled, and squeezed Edmure's shoulder. "If by chance they aren't as loyal as we thought, then it's a good thing we have you to protect us, is it not?"

Edmure blushed and smile, happy with the praise.

"Aye, you're doing a fantastic job protecting us all, maybe your father would let me take you on as a squire when this all said and done." Bryden walked behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder. The boy smiled at him, and began to babble excitedly about the prospect of being a squire.

We're a family for better or for worse, this is how it should be, Catelyn thought. Bryden saving them, Lysa and Edmure near constant arguing, Brydens unwavering strength, it made her think. Of her husband, her son, her future, and their family. Truly, the seven were blessed to have gifted her so much. After Riverrun fell, she nearly lost hope, releasing Robert was her way of trying to save her family.

Now, her family didn't really need saving, Ned was winning the war, Bryden, Lysa, and Edmure were at her side. Her own father was marching to join Ned as she spoke. Things were looking up, and while they had a long way to go, she had faith in her family.

The very next night they set out to Acorn hall. Where, if the seven allowed it, lady Smallwood would give them refuge, and a safe place to rest.

Robert Baratheon

Gods it felt good to be back. Out for a few months and you miss the whole damned war. Could be worse, he could have been born a twisted dragonspawn. He thanked the gods everyday he didn't end up like his grandmother. He was beyond grateful what his father said about Baratheons was true, the seed is indeed strong.

He heard about the war, about the battles fought, the men killed, everything from the taverns on the road. The rumour mill was as strong as ever. Most were foolish, like the one about Jon Arryn riding a giant phoenix, or Ned being the Great other, but Others provided some insight.

Ned was the King in the North, and had 3 of the 7 kingdoms in his domain. Most people were under the impression he was killed on the Trident. Tywin Lannister was still hold up in Casterly Rock, probably pacing the halls and shitting gold at his leisure. Aerys was still insane, and Rhaegar's death made him even more unstable. By some miracle, Stannis was still held up in Storm's End. Although he hoped the rumors about cannibalism were false.

Still, it didn't matter, after missing the majority of their blasted war he was back. Now he just needed to find a girl to fuck, and some Targaryens to kill, the life would be well and truly perfect. He also needed to get back Lyanna. He imagined she would be safe for a while now that Rhaegar was dead. Besides he had a debt to pay back first.

Catelyn, Gods Ned was a lucky men, that girl barged in his cell. Her red hair was a mess, she had tear streaked eyes, and she was obviously going to give birth very soon. Even so, he saw a fire in his eyes he didn't know she possessed. She asked him to save Ned, and how could he say no, he was going to do it anyway, and she looked so desperate. So he agreed, and she release him from his shackles, evidently not giving a damn about what might happen to her.

As soon as he escaped Riverrun, he nearly ran his way back to the Stormlands. He made a promise he would save Ned, and he damn well intended to keep it. He found whatever loyal men that could still be found in the Stormlands, and dragged them back North. Many of his lords didn't respond, but he assured himself he would reward whoever decided to help him.

Some 12,000 men came back with him north, many were hesitant, wanting to break the siege of Storm's End first, but he'd be damned before he did that. He was brave, not recklessly stupid. Mace tyrell still had 60,000 people outside the castle, stannis was on his own until he could get a bigger army.

They marched North as fast as they card, and on the way they were lucky enough to catch some targaryen loyalist on the Kingsroad. Small group nothing major, from questioning he knew they were going to a new Targaryen host at Harrenhal. With that in mind, he knew his destination. It's been a while, and he had a thirst for battle.

The battle for Harrenhal couldn't even be called a battle in retrospect. It was a slaughter, 8,000 untrained Targaryen soldiers, most of whom were just peasant farmers, were essentially slaughter by Robert's force. The barely armed men broke after a quick skirmish, and Robert decided not to chase after them. He took the victory for what it was and didn't question it. He knew there would be no songs about this battle. No busty maidens would swoon over this victory, this was just a footnote in a much larger conflict. Even so, it felt fantastic to be back in thick of things.

He threw a feast that night to celebrate his victory, and the Whents who he saved from occupation gladly paid for the thing. There was a grand feast, that rivaled the splendor of the Tourney of Harrenhal a year prior. Lord Whent's two daughters also proved to be wonderfully accommodating, and perfectly flexible.

He ate like a King, and soon he figured he would be one. Robert ordered the castle smith to begin working on a crown, a golden antlered helm he could wear into battle.

Over the next few days, he sent scouts out to try and find Ned and Jon, he need to their status before he chose his next action. It didn't take long to hear of Direwolf banners flying over Riverrun. It took even less time to order his men to depart. It's been far too long since he saw Ned anyway.

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