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Robb IV
Robb's time in Riverrun had been anything but uneventful. Ever since the Battle of the Camps where the northern force had routed ⅔ of the Kingslayer's army, the men of the Riverlands had been trickling into Riverrun by the hundreds. Robb's council had also expanded as well, including seasoned veterans such as Jason Mallister, Tytos Blackwood, and Jonos Bracken. Roose Bolton had also returned from his lost battle at the Green Fork with what remained of his 2,000 men.
Robb's first stop after relieving the castle was his grandfather's chambers. Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun, would have been a great addition to Robb's war council. A man with just as much experience as the great Tywin Lannister, a veteran of the War of the Ninepenny Kings, Robert's Rebellion, and the Greyjoy Rebellion. Unfortunately, Hoster's health had been slowly declining over the last few years, and he had been bedridden ever since the beginning of the siege. A shell of the man he once was.
It was a terrible sight to see, especially for Robb's mother who had taken to staying by her father's side ever since she arrived at the castle.
Robb had spoken briefly to his grandfather but didn't have much time for his grandfather as he was currently in the middle of a heated war council. With the combined might of the Riverlands and the North, around 37,000 men, the lords were at odds with what to do. Some, mainly the Northmen, wanted to continue south and bring the fight to Tywin Lannister on their way to save Robb's father. The riverlords, especially the younger lords led by Edmure Tully, wanted to head into the Westerlands and take revenge on the lands and people of Tywin Lannister.
Speaking of the Hoster Tully's heir, he was not what Robb was expecting. For a man more than a decade older than Robb, he didn't seem to be taking the war all that seriously. He had been very vocal about his want to raid the Westerlands, but Robb suspected it was more so to gain glory and gold rather than any want for revenge. It didn't make sense to Robb, especially since Edmure had been taken captive towards the onset of the war.
"Ned is still a prisoner in King's Landing." the Greatjon growled. "We go south!"
That was the clinching point for the argument. No one wanted to say that rescuing Eddard Stark wasn't the aim of the entire campaign. The man was respected by both parties, both as a man and a warrior. He was also the good-son of Hoster Tully. There could arguments for fighting Tywin and invading the Westerlands, but there was no counterpoint that could trump saving Robb's father.
Robb scratched his beard, a scruffy thing that the young lord had been growing since he had left Winterfell months ago. It was nothing compared to beards Rickard Karstark or the Greatjon sported, but Robb liked his. He felt it made him look older than he was.
"Who else are we waiting for?" he asked his council.
"The Frey's have finally assembled their force and are a few days away." Ser Brynden grunted. "4,000 men under the command of Stevron Frey."
"Took their fucking time." someone grunted from down the table.
The fact that the Frey's were answering the Tully's call to arms was surprising for all present, but the good feeling was quickly dissipating with how long it was taking for their force to arrive. The old jokes that had been used when the Frey's had arrived late to the Battle of the Trident had been slowly resurfacing, especially amongst the riverlanders. Robb hoped that they would cease when Ser Stevron arrived. He could not afford to lose thousands of men because of a stupid comment.
Robb ignored the comment. "We'll wait for them to arrive, then we'll head south and deal with Tywin."
"Surely nephew, we can still attack them on two fronts. We have more than enough men to attack the Westerlands and rescue Ned." Edmure pointed out.
Robb nodded. "True, but our mission is not to cause further death and carnage, Uncle. We currently have the advantage in numbers of the Old Lion, and we can not waste it."
Edmure sighed but nodded, falling silent. Robb looked over his council, making sure that all the others understood him as well. He looked at his great uncle, who was looking at Robb with a mixture of approval and respect.
"What happened to the Lannister men that fled during the battle?" he asked.
"They've buggered off back to the Golden Tooth." the Blackfish answered. Robb had placed the wily veteran in charge of scouts, and so far, it had proven to be a good idea.
Robb nodded. "While we wait for the Frey's to arrive, I want riders sent out to clear the way. I don't want Lannister deserters hindering us."
"A sound move, my lord." Lord Jonos Bracken praised. "I will personally see it done."
"Go no further than High Heart, and regroup with us as we pass," Robb ordered. "After that, we'll strengthen the forward scouts and clear the way ourselves."
All the lords nodded. When dealing with a commander like Tywin Lannister, who is highly intelligent and has decades of experience under his belt, Robb couldn't afford to be thinking about nuisance raids. Better to deal with them before they could happen.
"Is there anything else I should know?" Robb asked.
"Both Renly and Stannis Baratheon had proclaimed themselves kings." Lord Blackwood said, leaning forward. "Stannis has also sent out messages across the realm revealing the true parentage of Joffrey."
Robb smiled grimly. He had learned of the message when he first arrived in Riverrun and had a good laugh over it. Joffrey's parents were in fact Jaime Lannister and his sister Cersei. The two having taken part in the old Targaryen tradition of incest between siblings. It all made sense now. There was always something off about Joffrey, the boy was a little unhinged. It also made sense as to why Joffrey, and all his siblings, looked nothing like their 'father' Robert Baratheon. They all had golden hair and green eyes, while Robert had black hair and blue eyes.
"There's been worrying reports about Stannis." Lord Bracken added, eager to put in his own opinion. "He's turned to a foreign religion, and now has a red priestess as an advisor."
A few of the northerners muttered darkly. They were followers of the Old Gods, while the riverlords were followers of the Seven, the main religion of Westeros. Besides the religion of the Drowned God, all other religions were usually rebuked and tended to quickly die out in Westeros. Robb knew that the red priestess came from Essos, probably a disciple in R'hllor, one of the many diety's in the eastern continent.
Robb frowned. He knew his father would tell him to support Stannis since he was now technically Robert Baratheon's heir. But the fact that the man has turned to a new religion bothered him. He shook his head.
"We'll deal with the Baratheon brothers later," he said finally. "We do not declare for anyone. Our only enemies are the Lannisters. Anything else?" he asked. When no one spoke, Robb dismissed them. "Lord Bracken, I leave you in charge to take a few hundred cavalry and clear the way in front. That will be all for today. We will meet again when the Frey's decide to join us."
The lords chuckled as they filed out of the room. It had not taken long for Robb to take command of the mixed group of lords. The Riverland lords had all heard of how Robb had dealt with the Kingslayer and his men, and it was an understatement to say they were all impressed. They had quickly fallen in line alongside their northern counterparts, who were now firmly devoted to the son of Eddard Stark.
Robb was about to leave as well when he noticed Ser Brynden still sitting at the table. Robb retook his seat, frowning. "Is everything alright?"
"Two men arrived earlier today," he said. "They wanted to meet you."
Robb's frown deepened. "Why is this the first time I'm hearing of this?"
"Your mother recognized one of them and had the young man thrown in the dungeon while the other was sequestered to a room," he explained. "It was your half-brother Jon, and his friend Samwell Tarly."
Robb shot to his feet. "Jon's here?" he asked angrily. "Why wasn't I told immediately?"
Ser Brynden shook his head. "Your mother thought he was a deserter of the Night's Watch and had him arrested. I took his companion to his room. He told me that Jon and he hadn't taken the Black when they left."
Robb sighed. He usually trusted his mother's judgment, and he had proven that when he had her treat with the Frey's. But she tended to be overdramatic when it came to Robb's brother. She never could get over his birth, but Robb never figured out why.
"Jon's in the dungeon?" he asked quietly.
Ser Brynden nodded. "He is."
"I'll get him myself. Can you have his companion brought to my grandfather's solar? I want to speak with them both privately." Robb said. "Don't tell my mother about this. She won't understand."
Ser Brynden raised an eyebrow but nodded. "She's sitting with Hoster currently. But I'll make sure you aren't disturbed."
Robb smiled slightly. "Thank you, Uncle," he said before walking off to retrieve his brother from the cells.
"Robb." Ser Brynden called after him, causing Robb to stop and turn. "Jon's friend said that he sent you a message that he was coming."
Robb nodded. "I received the message before I crossed the Twins."
"If you don't mind me asking, why didn't you tell Cat?"
Robb shook his head. "How did she respond when she first saw him?"
Ser Brynden shrugged. "She had him immediately dragged to the dungeons and called him a deserter, that you would give him the same fate deserters get."
Robb nodded. "I love my mother, Uncle, but she has never loved Jon. Never took the time to know him. I know my brother. When he said he was coming south to help, I knew in my heart that he would never have deserted his post at the Wall."
Ser Brynden shrugged. "How can you be sure Robb?"
"Because the same honorable man raised us," Robb said before walking out of the room, intent on getting his brother out of the dungeons.
Line Break
Robb, accompanied by Greywind, descended into the cells. The room had been built below the castle, making the room smell of unwashed bodies and bad water. It was almost as bad as the docks when Robb had visited White Harbor with his father.
When Robb entered, there was movement in the cell on the right side. Robb recognized the person instantly, a slight smile coming across his face. He walked up to the cell, facing his brother for the first time since he had left for the Wall.
"Got yourself into a bit of trouble it seems." Robb joked.
Jon grinned. "Just a bit." he agreed, laughing slightly.
Robb looked around the cell. "Where's Ghost?" he asked curiously.
Jon frowned. "He's with Sam," he answered. "Sam is my friend who came with me. I don't know where he is."
Robb shook his head. "He'll be waiting for us. I sent men to get him," he said, unlocking the door. "Now come on. I'm sorry for how my mother treated you."
Jon shrugged, leaning down to rub Greywind's head. "It's alright. She did what she thought was right."
Robb shook his head. "I am in control of this army. Anyone who came looking for me should have been brought to me. There's no room for excuses."
Jon raised an eyebrow. Robb had always taken the lead when he, Jon, and Theon had been together, but this was different. He spoke as if he expected Jon to do whatever it is Robb told him. It was the voice of a man who was used to giving commands. It was a voice their father had perfected.
"If you're in the mood for mercy, I would very much like it if you let me out too." the Kingslayer quipped from where he was sitting against the wall.
Robb frowned. "You're staying in there for a long while, Kingslayer," Robb said. "I'm half tempted to take your head for incest."
Something flickered in the knight's emerald eyes. "What are you talking about boy?" he asked.
Robb smirked. "Stannis Baratheon revealed your dirty secret to the realm. You fucked your sister and sired children with her." he snarled. "Besides killing Targaryens, it seems you also like fucking like them too."
"You have no proof besides the word of Stannis Baratheon. A bitter man who hated his brother." Ser Jaime argued.
Robb raised an eyebrow. "So the fact that all three of the royal children look like you and that Joffrey seems to be a sadistic prick means nothing? The man you killed, you recreated with your sister."
Ser Jaime glared at the two but said nothing, his anger palpable. Robb shook his head. "You could've been great, but all you can do now is watch as your already tarnished reputation falls even further," Robb said mockingly as he strode out of the room, Jon following. Leaving the Kingslayer alone to fester in his thoughts.