This is poorly edited, please forgive any errors.

Chapter 25

Camp was just short of organized chaos. Gendry was coming to terms with his new title. Some of the Southerners didn't want to follow his orders, but the Kingsguard, what was left of them, followed Robert's wishes. Arya chopped her hair off and stowed away in a food cart. Jon was certain that Gendry dishonored her. Arya was attached at the hip with Mollen, which was probably the safest and most dangerous place to be.

Robb missed his sweet wife and longed to speak with his father. That was the hardest adjustment. He couldn't ask for advice or guidance now that Ned Stark was dead. His father wasn't there to double check his work anymore. Every decision he made he second guessed, even if he didn't let anyone else know.

Lord Umber saw him as a green boy, which wasn't making things easier. Robb stared at the large map in the center of his tent. Taking a deep breath, he memorized the pieces one by one once again. No one knew exactly where the Others were and taking off in search of them was folly. Robert made that mistake and it cost him his life.

"Bring me Mollen." He ordered the southern squire, standing just inside his tent. The boy showed a flash of fear but turned to carry out his orders. This was the first time he sought out her counsel. They were in over their heads, all of them. His father always listened to what everyone had to say; he would too. Mollen ducked into his tent and stood as far away from his as possible. "Please join me."

Mollen slowly walked up to the table where he was sitting. "Your Grace, How may I help?"

"End this war." Robb watched the corner of her mouth turn up briefly.

"If only I could." She sat across from him. She was pretty. He could see why Jon was attracted to her.

Robb ran his hand through his hair. "Can you… feel anything?" He still felt a bit ridiculous asking that.

Mollen sighed, leaning forward to place her head in her hands. "Robb… I do not know what I feel. This is the most magic I have done. My mind is, not right."

Robb poured a cup of wine. "Can we win this?" He asked more to himself.

"Yes, we must." Robb nodded at her assurance.

"I would like you to join Jory on a perimeter run, maybe you can sense something."

Mollen cocked her head slightly. "Who is Jory?" For a few moments, speech failed him. She knew Jory. He sent her out with him before.

"Mollen, you know Jory."

A look he couldn't place passed over her face. "Of course, I need sleep is all." Mollen quickly stood and went to leave, without being dismissed.

"Mollen?" She turned towards him. "How did you know what you did for your people was right?"

Mollen looked lost in the past for a brief moment. "As long as you believe, that what you do is best for them; then it can only be right. Your people need your strength, and you are a strong leader Robb." He let her words sink in; they reminded him of the same words his father told him once. Just hearing that someone believed in him helped more that he thought it could.

Mollen left him to his thoughts. It was easier to ask her something like that, than one of his men. They were all his men now, even his brother was expected to follow him. Robb wished for his father's or even his mother's counsel once again. He knew that this would be an easier war to fight if the enemy was men. The unknown was to uncertain. "Your Grace, King Gendry is here to see you."

"Send him in."

Gendry ducked low through the flap in the tent. He really was a large man for his age. "How goes the South?"

"Most want to pull out and go home." Something similar to panic started to swell inside of him. He knew that it was a possibility. They needed those men.

"When do you leave?"

"We don't. Our fathers started this; we will finish it." At least the South's new King had backbone.

"That is good news. How are your new quarters?"

Gendry shifted uncomfortably. "My old ones were fine."

"You are a King now; the men need to see that."

"Only until we find Tommen."

Robb laughed loudly. "Do you hate the crown that much?"

"Yes" Gendry didn't hesitate. "It wasn't meant for me."

"The men have seen you fight; they will follow a strong leader." He was surprised by Robert's decision, but Gendry was a fierce fighter and a silent leader. He was certain that most of the Southern army would fight with Gendry through the Seven Hells and back. He hoped his men would do the same. "Is Arya staying put?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen her since you returned." Jon would be happy about that.

"Jon?" Gendry shook his head.

"I didn't think his mood could get any darker, until then. Nothing happened." Gendry repeated once again.

"I believe you."

"You do?" Gendry sounded relieved.

"Aye, if you had, Arya would have said so and demanded us to do something about it." They both shared an awkward laugh. "You are a King now. The North and South could be joined. Sansa would make a beautiful Queen." He wanted to know how much Gendry truly cared about his baby sister. Most men would jump at the chance to wed Sansa.

"No, I mean I am sure she would be lovely, but I do not believe I could choose her over Arya."

"Arya could be Queen, a terrifying one."

"I wouldn't drag her into something she would hate." It was more than obvious now that Gendry was more than a little fond of Arya. All the little glances and small smiles were there from the beginning. "She would hate every day of it, being told what to do and where to go. Holding her tongue for diplomacy, which I doubt she could do for long. That is not Arya. If I am stuck with this crown, I could not chain her to it with me."

"No, Arya is no Queen. You would give her up? You obviously care about her."

"I would if it means she would have a chance at happiness." Gendry slouched into his chair. "Jon still doesn't believe me."

"He does, or you would be dead. I believe he is mostly angry at Arya, but he would never direct his anger towards her." A brief silence settled in.

"I sent a small party South to relay news about Robert."

Robb nodded. "Mollen left with Jory; hopefully she will find something that will help us."

"I hate relying on her magic." Gendry commented.

"Aye, as do I. I do not know what else to rely on. It is not like you or I can do magic. Listen to me, I sound like Rickon wishing for magic wizards."

"I never thought I'd see the day dragons flew again."

Robb laughed. Gendry had a point. "Now, my brother rides one."

"Maybe wishing for a wizard isn't so foolish." They both shared a good laugh, before going over the rest of the day's events. Their supplies were dwindling. It was getting harder and harder to send out hunting parties for food. The groups were attacked frequently, and the game was sparse. They planned scouting parties and defenses until they couldn't think straight. A boy brought their meal. They were halfway through when they heard the men shouting outside.

They both hurried outside to see Jory's group returning with extra riders. There was a tall rider behind Jory. A small bundle of furs rode in front of Mollen, and a golden headed Lannister rode slumped across the pack horse.

"Your Grace, we need a maester." Jory answered as soon as he neared.

"Gendry!" A boy appeared beneath the bundle of furs and ran towards Gendry, after sliding off of the horse. Prince Tommen threw his arms around Gendry and hugged him tight.

"Where did you find them?"

"Wandering in the woods" The maester was looking at the Kingslayer's hand, which appeared to be cut clean in two. The tall one behind Jory was in fact a woman. The largest woman he had ever seen, including the Bear Island women.

"Mollen see if the maester needs help."

"We should get Tommen inside." Gendry lead Tommen inside, while the woman seemed reluctant to follow. Once she was settled inside he asked her to explain what happened.

"I rode North with Lord Renly's army. We reached Moat Cailin, but couldn't pass. Someone claiming to be a Targaryen Queen wouldn't allow it. Renly chose to attack. The battle did not last long. Two dragons burned our camp and scattered what was left of our men."

"Renly?" Gendry asked. The woman, whose name was Brienne, stared several moments at Gendry.

"Killed by dragon fire, before the black beast at him." The woman's voice cracked, but her face did not.

"Where did you run into the Kingslayer?" Robb asked after he let her compose herself.

"His name is Jamie." The tone of her voice brought no argument. "We had to retreat. I managed to get to the neck and stumble through it. I ran into the Jamie and the little prince there."

"They attacked and killed mother and Joffrey." Tommen shivered as he spoke. "Where is father?"

Gendry wrapped his arm around the young prince. "I'm sorry Tommen, father is dead. You are King now." Tommen failed to choke back his tears.

"I don't want to be King. I want mother and father."

Robb's heart broke for his good brother. The boy had lost so much and was still so young. "He isn't King until he comes of age Gendry."

"He's Robert's trueborn son."

He didn't want to have this conversation now, but there would be no better time. "He is a boy, and we are at war. The men need you now." Gendry gritted his teeth, but knew he spoke the truth. "Lady Tarth, there is a large tent in the center of camp you can sleep in. Tommen will be as safe as he can be there." The tall woman slowly left with a look back at Gendry. Tommen followed her out after giving his half brother another hug.

"More and more women coming to camp." Jory remarked quietly.

"Where's Robert?!" Jamie's voice preceded his entry into the tent.

"He's dead." Robb said steadily.

"Let me guess. The great fool rode into victory."

"That's my father and the former King you speak of Kingslayer, watch your tongue." Gendry stood with his body full of tension.

"Easy bastard." Jamie's hand was seeping blood. Mollen stepped in behind Jamie.

"I thought the Maester was taking care of your hand."

"The bloody fool wants to cut it off. If we're to win this war, you'll need my sword hand."

"When it rots, you will be no use to anyone." Mollen spoke in her quiet manner. "He knocked the Maester out."

"Does the hand need to be removed?" He directed the question to Mollen, stopping any further bickering.

"Most likely, maybe not."

"Can you fix it witch?" Jamie asked.

"Will you let me look at it?" Jamie pushed his hand forward for her. There was a huge gash that ran from palm to his fingertips. The flesh looked rotten and the smell was horrid. Mollen turned the hand carefully studying the wound.

Robb's curiosity got the best of him. "How did it happen?" Jamie gave him a look as if he wasn't going to answer.

"The wights attacked our camp on our way South. I caught a blade meant for my sister."

"I am sorry for your loss." Robb didn't care for the Queen but it was Myrcella's mother.

Jamie scoffed. "For all the good it did. Cersei poisoned herself and Joffrey. When it got bad, she didn't think I could get them out after my hand was damaged." Before he could ask Jamie to elaborate, Mollen grabbed Jamie's hand, making him scream.

The smell of burnt flesh filled the room along with Jamie's curses. The Kingslayer shoved Mollen across the room. Mollen hit the ground, and a wall of flames bloomed around her. If the fire spread it could take out part of the camp. The men were shouting and running for buckets, while the flames grew stronger.

Jon came from nowhere and was at his side. "What's happening?" Robb asked Jon.

"She's used to much, she can't control it like she could." Jon wasn't telling him something. His brother shed his furs.

"Can you make her stop?"

Jon stepped into the wall of flames, before Robb could stop him. Jamie held his burn hand in his lap. Every bit of flesh was burned together in a mesh of blood and char. As fast as it begun, the flames died. Jon knelt next to Mollen holding her up and whispering in her ear. Tears were streaming down her face. "What in the hells woman?!" Jamie exclaimed through clenched teeth.

"I am sorry. It had to be done or the hand would rot." Mollen stood and ran out.

Robb turned his attention to his brother, staring in disbelief. "You really are Targaryen. The flames didn't touch your skin."

Jon was still staring where Mollen was moments before. "She showed me that. No more magic Robb. Do not ask her."

"I cannot promise that Jon. We are at war."

"You do not know what it cost her. She is done." Jon grabbed his furs and left.

"Cost her? She burns my hand and it costs her?" Jamie complained.

"Burns can heal, rot does not. Jory get Lannister a place to sleep tonight. Tommen will be staying near the women." Jamie started to protest but he cut him off. "It is the safest part of camp."

Finally the men left him to his thoughts in peace. The crown wasn't on his head for long, but already it felt like it was crushing him. Robb sat down heavily for what felt like the first time that day. "Hey" Theon walked in uninvited but not unwelcome. "Exciting day?"

"Slightly, what is going on around camp?" Theon was good at gathering information from the men.

"Word is the witch took the Kingslayer's hand, and Gendry took the throne from Tommen." Robb laughed humorlessly. The camp always had the best stories. "The witch I could believe, but Gendry doesn't have it in him. Theon poured a cup of wine for Robb and himself.

"Neither are true. Arya?"

"A right little she-wolf that one. She stays put for the most part. A bit attached to the witch though."

"I need to find a safe way to get her home."

"You need to find some camp followers or the men will desert."

"The men or you?"

Theon smirked. "It has been awhile. You think Jon would give me a go with his girl?"

"You try and she'll burn you alive, if you are lucky." Theon laughed. He needed his friend to take his mind off of this place. Theon told him some new jokes as they lounged in his tent. Once again there was a commotion outside. Robb groaned, getting up. "What now?" He complained as he joined the men outside, who were all looking up.

"What is it?" Theon asked at his side.

"Dragons" Robb answered as he stared at two large silhouettes high in the sky.