Robb Stark – Various Locations
The war in the Westerlands had been going perfectly; Jon had secured the Golden Tooth, giving Robb and his army the foothold they needed to strike the west in force.
Riding into the west he led his army straight to Oxcross where Stafford Lannister was amassing an army. The battle had been both bloody and quick, Robb's cavalry descending on the Lannister army before dawn slaughtering most of their forces and taking the rest prisoner.
With no other significant Lannister army left in the west Robb broke his army and ordered his lords to spread across the land taking as many enemy strongholds as possible but with strict instruction to harm no innocents.
With his orders given he led his forces north towards Ashemark which surprisingly surrendered peacefully. Old Lord Damon had learned of his son and heirs capture and only required a promise from Robb that Ser Addam would be released after the war before he threw open his gates and bent the knee.
From there he and his army rode further west attacking the Crag in the middle of the night breaking down the crumbling castle's gates before putting much of the castle defenders to the sword including Ser Raynald Westerling. The heir of the castle was killed by Ser Robar Royce for trying to shoot an arrow at Robb after what remained of the castle garrison had surrendered.
It was at the Crag when Robb heard news of his goodbrother Garlan successful incursion to the south where several important castles along the border had been taken. That along with the news that Lords Umber and Glover had successfully taken the gold mines at Castamere, Nunn's Deep and the Pendric Hills meant that much of the Westerlands lay in their control.
In fact the only significant holdouts were Casterly Rock, Lannisport and Banefort, the last of which Robb meant to strike next. He was currently sat in his command tent a day's ride north of the Crag with his recently arrived lords all in attendance.
"My lords I have some unfortunate news, word has reached us of war in the Reach. Alester Florent has rebelled against my goodfather and has beaten him in the field forcing much of his army to retreat to Highgarden" Robb said looking to the lords and lady in attendance.
Despite the news none of his lords looked all that surprised, they all knew what kind of man Mace Tyrell was and remembered the insults Margaery's father had whispered the day of Robb's wedding.
"Do you mean for us to ride south and rescue Tyrell your grace" the Greatjon all but spat.
"No we will stay our course and take Banefort; Ser Garlan has sent word that he will be returning to his homeland to destroy Florent and his allies. He will be leaving a garrison in each of the castles to the south of us in case we are in need of men" he said in response bringing nods of approval from the tent.
Before getting the chance to speak of his plan for Banefort, Ser Robar entered the tent a look of concern across his face. "Your grace my scouts found a rider from the Tooth with a message from Lady Lefford" the Vale knight said quietly.
A young knight wearing the Lefford sigil upon his chest entered the tent shortly after a look of fear on his face. "Speak boy" the Greatjon shouted angrily at the Lefford knight after several long moments of silence.
Discovering some courage the knight spoke up his voice hoarse "your grace, my lady has sent me with some grave news. A raven arrived from your queen speaking of Iron Born attacks upon the north"
The world seemed to grow unnaturally silent when he heard the knight speak before roars of outrage went up throughout the tent from all in gathered.
After hearing all the man had to say Robb decided that Banefort and the every other Westerlands stronghold could wait until Theon and his traitorous family were dealt with.
The journey back to Riverrun had taken much longer than Robb would have liked. For over three weeks he rode in relative silence as he thought about the stupidity of his actions.
Margaery, the Blackfish and his mother had all counselled him against sending Theon back to the Iron Islands but he had refused to listen or believe their objections. Theon had been like a brother to him growing up and Robb would never have imagined his friend would have betrayed him the way he had.
Robb's anger towards his one time friend only grew the closer he and his army got to Riverrun as he heard reports of the fall of Deepwood Motte, the assault of Moat Cailin and the death of Alys.
By the time Robb rode through the gates of Riverrun he was all but ready to kill every Iron Born he could find and it was only when he saw Margaery stood in the yard with her swollen stomach did his anger subside enough for him to begin thinking clearly.
Unfortunately he wasn't able to spend much time alone with his wife before he had been forced to call a meeting of his lords. "My lords and ladies, I would hear news of the war" he said bluntly looking to those who had remained at Riverrun while he went West.
To his surprise it was his uncle Edmure who spoke up first "your grace, Prince Jon has successfully destroyed the Iron Born that were camped outside Moat Cailin and we have had reports of a battle in the Barrowlands where the Iron Born suffered a great many casualties"
"What of Deepwood Motte" Lord Glover said a look of concern etched across his face.
"I'm afraid Asha Greyjoy still holds your home my lord but I doubt for much longer. Our last raven from Winterfell mentioned that the mountain clans had crushed most Iron Born in the Wolfswood and were heading for Deepwood Motte" his uncle said bringing a nod of relief from Lord Glover.
He let out a small smile when he heard that, he was delighted that Jon had secured his home and that the Iron Born were suffering for their treacherousness. "What else does my mother write" he asked his uncle whose face seemed to pale slightly.
After several moments of silence his uncle told him that the raven had been from Sansa not Robb's mother. Looking around confused he turned to his wife who grasped his hand tightly before speaking. "Robb there has been no word from your mother since she left for Winterfell"
Speechless he looked to his wife and once again she spoke her voice softer than usual. "There were heavy snows and rains that lasted for over a week after your mother left the Moat Robb. She no doubt was delayed because of this, Ser Rodrik probably wanted to seek shelter before travelling further north. Sansa has sent men south along the Kings Road to search for her and Bran is with Lord Norrey and they too are searching."
Despite his uncertainty he nodded to his wife and said a silent prayer that his mother would be found soon. "What news of the rest of Westeros" he said after several moments of silence.
"Your grace, I received a raven just after your arrival from a man loyal to our cause saying that Stannis Baratheon has been killed. And that the lords of the Stormlands and Narrow Sea have bent the knee to Joffrey Waters" Olenna Tyrell said bringing a mixed reaction to the room.
On the one hand Robb was pleased to know that he wouldn't have to fight Stannis as the man was a skilled commander but with Stannis dead Joffrey now had gained considerable strength, strength which would be used against him and his allies. "Send word to Lords Tarly and Bolton, inform them that Tywin Lannister will be reinforced soon and to be prepared for an assault" he said loudly bringing nods of approval from many of the older lords gathered.
"What of the Vale and the Reach" he said to no one in particular.
Again to his surprise it was his uncle who spoke up his voice confident "my scouts reported that Lord Royce and his forces have crossed the Twins and should be here first thing tomorrow"
Nodding he turned to his wife and her grandmother for news of the Reach. "Garlan sent a raven from Goldengrove several weeks ago. He has destroyed the force commanded by Lord Crane and was moving east to put an end to Lord Florents treachery once and for all" Margaery said with a smile.
Robb brought an end to the meeting shortly after that and spent the rest of the day alone with Margaery in their chamber talking about everything from a name for their unborn child to who he should appoint to his small council should they win the throne. It wasn't until the following morning did him and Margaery leave their chamber to welcome the lords of the Vale.
He was sat now in Riverrun's great hall with Margaery to his left and the men and women of the North and Riverlands spread throughout the hall. Before him knelt Yohn Royce and a score of other Vale Lords and knights.
"Your grace the lords of the Vale stand behind you and none other, I pledge the unwavering support of me and my house to you and yours from this day till my last" Yohn Royce said fiercely his words echoing throughout the hall an action which was mimicked from the other Vale men who were on their knees.
"I give you my word my lords that I will never forget the loyalty you have shown here today" he said loudly before a massive cheer went up in the hall.
It wasn't long after that while the Northern and Rivermen were welcoming their new allies Robb called Lord Royce to him so they could speak. "My lord my scouts reporting fighting in the Vale" he said quietly so only the lord of Runestone could hear.
"Aye your grace the Corbrays and half dozen others gathered several thousand men to attempt to block us from riding to the Riverlands. They had a letter from Lady Arryn saying that we were to disband our armies and report to the Eyrie to explain our actions. Lyn Corbray the fool that he was tried to attack us in the night and suffered for it, he and his brothers were all killed. After that the remaining lords bent the knee and joined with us" Royce said his voice angry.
Robb sat in silence at hearing all that thinking everything over before finally speaking. "My aunt has proven what kind of regent she would be for my cousin; I cannot allow such a woman to rule the Vale. When the war is won I would make you Lord Robert's regent, I can think of no better or more loyal man to rule the Vale"
"Your grace I would be honoured" Lord Royce said meekly.
"Speak freely my lord" Robb said after seeing the man's uncertainty.
"Your grace my cousin Nestor is keeper of the Gates, he has wrote to me saying that Lord Robert's health is fading. If what Nestor's maester said was true Lord Arryn may not have long left in this world" Lord Royce said sadly.
Robb had heard from his mother of Robert Arryn sickliness but didn't imagine his young cousin would be so close to death.
"Thank you my lord I will need your council should the worst happen" Robb said after several moments of silence during which he decided that he needed to find out who his cousin's heir was.
After receiving a nod; Robb listened and thanked lord Royce once more after which the man told him of the forces brought from the Vale. Ten thousand had been taken by Lord Redfort who had marched south to join with Lord Bolton and Robb's foot after crossing into the Riverlands. Lord Royce had taken ten thousand with him through the Twins and were now camped outside Riverrun with a final two thousand having gone north towards Moat Cailin to join with Jon in removing the Iron Born.
Over the next couple of days Robb received reports from both lord Tarly and Bolton saying their scouts had spotted forcing coming from the Crownlands going to both Maidenpool and Harrenhal. It was with this in mind that Robb decided that he had no choice but to march south in full force hoping that Jon and the men he had with him would be enough to deal with the Greyjoys.
It was three days after he had announced that he and the army would be marching south did he welcome back Lord Mallister and meet his new squire.
"Your grace on behalf of my father Prince Doran of Dorne I herby pledge the loyalty of my family and all our people to you and House Stark" young Trystane Martell shouted out in Riverrun's great hall.
He looked at the young Dornish boy for several moments before responding "you have my thanks Prince Trystane and I give you my word that the justice that your family has long sought is close at hand"
He watched as the young boy smiled wide at hearing that before Robb's other squire Olyvar came forward and took the boy to the side and let him know what was to be expected of him now that he was Robb's squire.
Robb then turned his attention to Jason Mallister who told Robb and all those gathered of the Florent's defeat at the hands of the Tyrell and Martell forces. "I rode ahead your grace to bring you news of the battle and Dorne's declaration of loyalty but Ser Garlan and Prince Oberyn should arrive in the Riverlands in a few days" the Lord of Seagard shouted out bringing cheers from the entire hall.
Robb couldn't help but smile wide when he heard that and think that finally he would end this war and get his vengeance for what the Lannisters did to his family and justice would be served.
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