Hey! Sorry for the short length. I had to post before the long eventful chapters coming next. Hope you like it.

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Chapter 12

Green Fork

Riding to a task with comrades was a beautiful thing.

There was a feeling of extreme urgency in the air, that was boosting up one and all in the Northern horde. There was a perilious business to be done in the time to come, and everyone was looking forward to it. Everyone was riding with vigor, not wanting to appear weak and be left behind for the task ahead. Never had Robb ever enjoyed riding a horse this much.

The halt at the Twins was shorter than expected. Walder Frey granted them Crossing as soon as Roose Bolton came out after talking to him in his halls. "He grudgingly agreed without being able to 'ask' for anything," Lord Bolton said as they were riding past the Twins. "He has sent his swords under Brynden Tully for Riverrun."

"The Blackfish won't be thinking to take the Lannisters by just 4000 men," Lord Ryswell said.

"5000 actually," Lord Bolton replied. "Some other scattered soldiers also joined them."

Robb had only heard about Ser Bryndren the Blackfish, the champion of the War of Ninepenny Kings. "The best knight I have ever known," his mother used to say.

"We might find those men on our way to Riverrun," he quipped.

"Aye, we surely will," father had replied. "Let's move fast my friends. Riverrun awaits our arrival."


"It appears that you must take leave from us Lady Stark," Tywin Lannister said after entering her tent. It was the third day of her stay in the Lannister Camp. Catelyn was being provided every luxury gold can provide in her tent, which was only adding up to the already heavy baggage on her mind.

"What do you mean," Catelyn asked. "Are you ending this bloodfeud? Has Ned sent someone to you." She realized that it was a stupid question as soon as she mouthed it. A man like Tywin Lannister would never negotiate with anyone.

"He is coming himself," he replied, "with an army of 30,000 if the scouts are to be believed."

"I don't understand," she responded uncertainly.

"Then let me explain," he replied, his lips curling at the ends. "I am sending you to Riverrun with my swiftest riders. We have Ser Edmure, but on seeing you the castle will yield sooner. What good will this campaign of the Northerners be when Riverrun will fall. Then we can attack the wolves from all directions, from all the strongholds we have captured."

Catelyn lost all reason for a moment. She rose up suddenly, picked a knife from the table and charged on Tywin Lannister. His eyes widened, but he stopped and subdued her easily. Catelyn cursed herself for her miniature strength.

"I thought you would have learned after what happened on the High road that you are useless with a dagger," he whispered, anger evident in his voice. "Perhaps I have been too courteous to not make it clear to you that you ARE my prisoner. I don't want any more of such outbursts," he finished, eyes boring into her.

Catelyn nodded meekly, gritting her teeth. She was cursing this man to the deepest of Seven hells, but she had to admit that he was brilliant. She hated to be a pawn at someone else's disposal, but at the moment she had no other choice. 'Take hope,' she told herself, fighting back tears. 'Ned is still out there. He will save everyone.'


"My lords," a young scout shrieked while riding towards them. "We saw banners ahead, nearly 2 leagues from here."

"What banners," father asked.

"There were Tully, Frey and some others I don't recognize," he said breathelessly. Perhaps this was his first scouting, his nervousness was an evidence of it. "One of them was of a dancing naked girl."

Everyone laughed. "Piper banners," father told the scout, who nodded in return.

They had just moved past the Oldstones, and this tiding was not a surprise. They had reached Brynden Tully.

They rode forward, and were soon greeted by the sight of the Riverland banners. A man with grey hair rode towards them with two others. Robb didn't have to take a second look to recognize his mother's uncle.

"About time you got here, Lord Stark," Brynden Tully. He was trying hard not to look too pleased, but still a smile was creeping on face.

Ned shook hands with him. "It is good to see you after so many years Lord Tully."

"Aye me too," Ser Brynden cut father off him between. "Now come with me and talk."


"Brother, it is so good to see you," Renly approached his brother Stannis as he entered the premisis of Storm's End his fire priestess on his side,. In return, Stannis greeted him with his signature cold stare.

"You think you play every part perfectly Lord Renly," Melissandre said, "earlier you attempt to commit treason, and now you play the dutiful younger brother. You are not as good of an actor as you think."

Renly was completely thrown off guard. He stared at the red woman, unable to find words.

"You called the banners," Stannis 'greeted' him.

"Aye I did," Renly said in his most convincing tone. "For you."

"Do you take me for a usurper Renly," Stannis asked, "that I would take the crown of my 'nephew' for myself."

It was then Renly realized the flaw. "But brother,"

"From what I have heard, all the Stormlords had arrived long before I sent out the ravens, and you have sent sent riders to Highgarden too. What were you planning on doing Renly."

"I knew about it all along," Renly said desperately. "Lord Arryn told me."

"Do you think Lord Arryn will tell a merrymaking fool like you about such a grave matter to a merrymaker like you. Do you take me for an idiot Renly. Your mummer's farce is over."

Renly kept looking in his brother's eyes, not daring to say anything. He continued, "whatever you were planning on doing, I forgive you for that. But I won't be as forgiving if I catch another whiff of mischief from your side. Now summon the High lords. We all need to talk."

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