Chapter Twelve
The march to Kings Landing was taken at a much slower pace than most would have expected partly because Robb did not want to risk walking into an ambush even with his superior numbers and also because we wanted to give the Ironborn enough time to get into position for the attack from the sea.
Even when the army finally did reach the city Robb was in no hurry to send hi men against the walls as he had not gotten word from Theon that the Ironborn fleet was ready. Robb and his commanders were in his tent discussing the preparations for the siege when guards brought two men into the tent. The lords and Robb all looked at the men "Sorry to interrupt Your Grace but these two men demanded to speak with you" "who are you?" Robb asked the bald man spoke first "I am Lord Varys" "you are the Master of Whispers for Joffrey are you not?" "yes I am but I am also a practical man who wishes for this war to be over and for the realm to be ruled by a god and just King" "so now that we are about to besiege this city you coffering your services?" "from what I have heard about you Your Grace you would be a better King for the realm than Joffrey so yes I am here pledging you my service for as long as you are god for the realm" "and what do your services give me now Lord Varys?" "I have a map with e of all the secret tunnels under this city perhaps you and your men could use them in the assault" Varys placed the map on the table "how do I know that this is not a trap?" "it is not but you are right to be suspicious being too trustworthy caused your father's death I tried to reason with him before his death but unfortunately I was not able to do so" Robb looked at the map for a moment "and who is this man you have with you?" "I am Lord Petyr Baelish Your Grace" hearing the man say his name Robb moved with the speed of light and before Baelish knew what was happening to him he was on the floor with Robb's boot on his neck. "you come here trying to worm your way into my service after what you did to my father" Robb released the pressure on his throat so he could speak "no Your Grace I wish to make amends for what happened not just to you but to your mother". Just then a soldier came in with a letter for Robb "Your Grace the final part of our force has arrived and are ready to attack on your word" the man said before Robb read the letter and nodded his head "Lord Varys you and this coward shall stay here as our guests while we assault the city and if you have lied to me and this is a trap I will take both your heads once the battle is over, take them away" the guards who brought them in took them out of the tent "what are we going to do about the tunnels Your Grace?" "whether they are a trap or not we must at least try and use the advantage that we might have" "Your Grace may I have leave from your guard to lead the assault in the tunnels?" Smalljon asked "I would also like to go with him Your Grace?" Dacey Mormont added "very well you will lead the assault in the tunnels together with men from your own houses send word to Theon Greyjoy that we will attack just before dawn. With that all the lords and commanders left the tent leaving Robb alone with his thoughts as he prepared himself for what would be the biggest battle of this war so far.
Just before dawn Robb gave the signal and it was almost a repeat of the siege of Lannisport except this time a portion of his army going through the secret tunnels. As with all the battles of the war Robb was leading from the front after about an hour of fighting the gates were swung open from the inside as a mixture f the attackers from the tunnels and the other sides of the main assault had linked up and breached the Lannister defenders. Large parts of the city were in flames as the combined might of Robb's forces swept through the city cutting down what resistance remained most of the defenders had begun to run away some were heading towards the Red Keep to try and use that as a last stronghold but unfortunately for them they were not quick enough before they could seal it off from the rest of the city Robb and his men stormed their way in.
Robb along with a small portion of his men including his two Kingsguard members and Greywind entered the Throne Room to see Joffrey and Cersei sitting on the Iron Throne with the dead body of a young boy lying just in front of them with a few members of Joffrey's Kingsguard and another man standing at the steps. "Surrender and I will let you all live" Robb declared "never" one of the Kingsguard said before they all charge at Robb and his men. Greywind ripped one of the men apart while the others were dispatched by Ser Loras, Ser Barristan and Robb. Robb and his closest bodyguards arched up the steps of the Iron Throne and stood before Cersei and Joffrey "you have lost this city and this war you will join the rest of your family that we have in custody" Robb said before a group of his men dragged them away to the Black Cells where they would await justice. Robb looked down at the boy "Tomman" he said with a sigh "yes Your Grace I would say his mother poisoned him" "take his body away and find my sister" Robb ordered just then Sandor Clegane entered the Throne Room Robb looked at the man he had met once before at Winterfell "Clegane you were one of Joffrey's Kingsguard why were you not with him?" Barristan spoke for Robb "fuck Joffrey that little shit had what was coming to him I had to do what was best for me" as he spoke the much smaller shape of a girl appeared from behind him as soon as Robb recognised his sister he was running down the steps of the Iron Throne and they met halfway down the hall "Sansa!" Robb roared as he embraced his sister "Robb you came for me" "of course I would come for you" "what about Arya?" "she is safe with mother at Riverun" Robb looked at Sandor Clegane "how can I reward you for keeping my sister safe?" "just clean up this fucking city and this fucking Kingdom" "you have my word" Robb and Sansa began to walk to the Iron Throne as most of his Lords and commanders entered the hall h turned to Ser Loras "Loras I want you to guard my sister pick a few men that you trust to help you" "f course Your Grace" the other man said.
Robb turned to look at his lords as they walked towards him Smalljon was carrying something large in his arms he knelt at the foot of the steps "Your Grace I believe this belongs to you" the man said with a grin as he unravelled the cloth that concealed the ancestral great sword of House Stark "Ice" Robb breathed as he stepped forward and gripped the sword before nodding for Smalljon to rise "Months ago I set out to free my father I failed, then this war became about freeing the North from those who would have us on our knees, those of you from the North and the Riverlands named me King then but since then we have been joined by the men from the Stormlands and the Reach because of the murder of a good man who I went to make an alliance with but who became my friend in the short time I knew him, and then Balon Greyjoy before his death agreed to join us in defeating the Lannisters, you all put your trust in me first as the King in the North and then to lead you to try and build a better realm for all the Seven Kingdoms this war might be over for the most part but we have still got work to do and I give you all my word that I will not rest until the corruption that plagues this kingdom is gone" Robb roared before unsheathing Ice and holding it aloft all his men then drew their swords and knelt before him shouting "The King from the North".