Chapter Nine
Roose Bolton had asked permission for his men and the men of the Twins to be sent ahead scouting, Robb had thought nothing of it and allowed the small force to leave ahead of the main army. Rob and his army were a few days march from Riverun when he got a message from the Twins asking for help "it claims that Roose Bolton married Walda Frey and then ordered his men to kill all the other Freys" Greatjon was reading the letter to Robb "What?!" "we have to investigate this at once Your Grace" replied Lord Karstark "aye you are right Uncle Brynden you will lead the men from the Riverlands back to Riverun with the prisoners and the loot Lord Tyrell and Lord Tarly you will lead the men from the Stormlands and the Reach to Harrenhall we will secure it and use it as our base for the assault on Kings Landing once we have dealt with this issue I will return with the Northern force to Riverun and link up with my Uncle and his men and we will join you there" everyone nodded in agreement.
Whatever Robb was expecting at the Twins was nothing compared to what they found. The castle had been ransacked and abandoned and it seemed like every Frey and their men including the women and the children had been slaughtered and flayed. Robb felt sick as he saw the carnage that the Bolton's had caused "bring them down and bury them all now" "of course Your Grace what are we going to do about Lord Bolton?" "I am going to destroy him and his whole house for this" Robb growled through gritted teeth. The next day the army made it's way back north to where they knew Roose would be the Dreadfort.
In Riverun Brynden had informed his family of what was happening but they did not believe it until they got a letter from Robb confirming everything that they had heard, Roselyn Frey was distraught Edmure tried his best to comfort her and both Catelyn and Margery were horrified "I know that this is important to deal with but surely Robb can let someone else handle it while he continues with the campaign in the south" Edmure stated after his wife had gone to try and get some sleep "Edmure your wife's family has been butcher by one of our own men and you want Robb to focus on claiming the throne" Brynden stated coldly "yes he can win the throne then deal with Roose Bolton surely" "I may not know Robb as long as you three but I know he is a good and just man, I have known it since even before Renly was murdered but the way Robb stuck to his word and then killed Stannis personally proved it to all of us that were there it is how he won our support he will not let Roose Bolton go unpunished because that is not the kind of man or King that he is or will be once he takes the Iron Throne" "Margery is right Robb will see justice done before his own personal gain h is Ned's son after all" Catelyn concluded.
In Harrenhall the cobined Reach and Stormlands fore was securing the castle, when they had arrived they found a group of prisoners that had been abandoned by the Lannisters with barely enough food and water to keep them alive. Mace Garlan and Randal Tarly were in main dining room that had not long before been used by the Lannisters when two guards entered with a girl "My Lords this one demanded to speak to you she was among the prisoners" "well speak then child" Mace said the girl stepped forward before clearing her throat "I am Arya Stark of Winterfell" "forgive me child but how do we know that you are not some peasant trying her luck?" Mace continued Garlan and Randal glanced at each other "My parents were Ned Stark and Catelyn Tully my brothers are Robb, Jon, Bran and Rickon and my sister is called Sansa" "anyone could know that" Mace argued before Garlan stepped forward to speak "what is the name of your direwolf?" "Nymeria" "father only one of the Starks would know that" "he is right My Lord we only know of them because of what King Robb has told us about his family" "very well send word to Riverun informing Lady Stark that we have found her daughter but Garlan she is your responsibility and if she is found out to be a fraud it will be on you to deal with her". Randal left to send word to Catelyn while Garlan left with Arya.
Catelyn could hardly believe what she was reading when she got the letter "Arya is alive and is in Harrenhall" "this is good news Cat" "Edmure stated "I want to go to her now" "of course give us a few hours to organise a guard for you and then you can go" Edmure continued "Edmure send word to Robb and inform him that I am going to lead our men straight to Harrenhall so he can join us there on the march to Kings Landing" "it will take days to get the army ready to march" Cateleyn stated. Margery had been standing quietly observing the conversation "do not worry Lady Stark we will head out in a few hours and I am sure Lord Brynden will only be a few days behind us" "we Margery?" "yes I am coming with you Arya is my sister by law and I want to be there when Robb sees her again" "Thank you" "you are welcome Brienne go and find Ser Barristan for e" "yes Your Grace". Brynden stood up "I will go and organise your guard Your Grace, Catelyn" "thank you" both woen said together. A few minutes later Barristan Selmy arrived and knelt before Margery "you sent for me Your Grace" "yes Ser Barristan I did myself and Lady Stark are heading to meet Robb and I would like for you to join us consider this a way to prove your loyalty and if you do we can both put a good word in for you with the King" "of course Your Grace I will go gather my things. A few hours later the group consisting of Margery, Catelyn, Brienne and Barristan with about fifty other guards headed to Harrenhall.