I know I somehow left you on a cliffhanger last time and we didn't get to see how the battle actually ended.

In this chapter, we see the aftermath of the Battle of the Five Armies, explanations as to how the battle truly evolved (instead of seeing it through the eyes of witnesses who only saw a part of it). We also get other explanations about some events and details in previous chapters that were purposefully left blurry.


TYRION XVIII

The gates were wide open, just like the last time Tyrion had come to Riverrun. That was before the war.

Today, no guard of honor, no whole household waiting for him. And Margaery was not at his side. She may have already arrived at Casterly Rock by now, unless her escort made the trip slower in the hope to not exhaust her. Like every time they were separated, Tyrion thought about her. There wasn't a moment of the day when his thoughts wouldn't wander to his wife. He longed for her presence, and he wanted to be by her side as she was carrying their child, but the duties of a lord separated him from her.

Instead of his wife, his last surviving uncle rode by his side as they crossed the ark and entered the courtyard. The last time Kevan had been there, he was a hostage who lost his sons. Although he looked stern, Tyrion knew his uncle was still ravaged by grief. Ty and four men of Tyrion's personal guards accompanied them.

Waiting for them inside the castle were Robb Stark and Edmure Tully, along with a few more men armed to the teeth. They were all covered by dust and blood, fitting in their element, being surrounded by rubble and smoke. Tyrion fell out of place in his fine clothes, unsullied. He and Kevan had remained aside from the battle, taking command of the reserves, which were not engaged in the battle as it was almost entirely over when they arrived.

That battle had been an indistinguishable mess. Tyrion recalled another battle he read about. It took place a long time ago in the kingdom of Yi Ti, where three main armies were involved. Two faced each other, while the third positioned on a nearby hill. While the first two armies fought, the commander of the third one waited, unsure as to what side he would take. Finally, one of the two armies fired its trebuchets on the third, and the commander joined the battle, fighting alongside the man who ordered fire upon his troops. Victory was total for the fool who fired upon the man who saved the day.

Right now, Tyrion felt like the man who saved the day for the fool who fought against him. The main difference was that he didn't intend to die of madness in two years like the Yitish commander. When they arrived at the battle, he had dispatched a knight from House Mallister to warn his former liege lord and the self-proclaimed King in the North that they were here to help them and that if they hoped to survive the day, they were better to fight alongside the Lannisters against Stannis rather than to fight two armies at the same time. Tyrion was sure Robb Stark didn't trust him and wasn't happy to collaborate with people he fought not along ago, but he did.

And now here they were. Stannis's head was on a spike positionned at the entrance of the Lannister positions. He was killed in the middle of battle, although accounts differed as to how he died. Between the chaos of battle, the imagination of men and lies concocted by whoever wanted to make the death look more glorious, funny or dishonorable, depending on whose story it was, it was always hard to know how exactly someone died.

When Tyrion had arrived with the cavalry of the Westerlands, the battle was at a stand. Neither side had managed to take the advantage. Horsemen on both sides were engaged, although Stannis still had some reserves. When the bulk of the knights of the Westerlands joined the battle, the knights of the Vale, the Stormlands and the Riverlands who sided with Stannis were taken by surprise and slaughtered in great numbers. They held for some time, even received reinforcements, but the new player in this battle gave enough hope to the Starks so they could take the advantage. A second wave of Lannister horsemen took Stannis in the back. All the while, Randyll Tarly had arrived with his own cavalry. They had been ravaging the lands under Stannis' control ever since they began the siege of King's Landing, and had contacted Tyrion when they learned he was nearing Riverrun. Just at the right time, a powerful cavalry composed of Reach knights happened to be close and Tyrion ordered them to stay close to Stannis' troops. They attacked him in the back after they saw their fellow knights from the Westerlands engaging Stannis. His army started to disband when the main body of the Westerlands army, over thirty thousand men strong and fresh, appeared in sight. It may have been about that time that Stannis had died, for afterwards almost all resistance ceased. Chaos ruled as all ran away. The troops of the Stormlands and what remained of the Riverlands flew away wherever they could, cut to pieces by red, blue, green and grey armors. It was a slaughter as they were surrounded on all sides. Only a part of the army of the Vale managed to retreat in relative order. Tyrion suspected Littlefinger began to retreat and abandon Stannis as soon as he saw the tide of the battle turn.

The slaughter was not over. The Starks like the Lannisters kept chasing those who escaped from the battlefield. Tyrion expected only the night would stop the massacre. In the meantime, he and Robb Stark had to decide what would happen from now on.

Tyrion unsaddled. He and Kevan walked until they stood before Stark and Tully. Both sides eyed each other for a long time. Finally, Robb Stark broke the silence.

"I suppose I should thank you, Lannister. Though I'm not sure why you helped us."

Tyrion took his time to answer, gauging Robb Stark. The Lord of Winterfell stared at him without letting anything slip.

"Do you want the truth, Stark?"

"Aye."

"As you wish. This is no simple question and there is no simple answer to that. I could have stayed aside and enjoyed the view while you and Stannis respectively bled each other to death. I could have done like my father did during Robert's Rebellion and remain still until the end to pick the winning side. I could have let you die, because I'm quite sure that Stannis would have defeated you. Then I could have fought him while he was weakened, with my forces fresh, and triumph. But the truth is… I didn't know how this battle would turn. There was still a possibility that you might prevail, or that today's battle wouldn't decide of victory. There was still a possibility that you might give up your crown and ally yourself with Stannis against me when you would see my army so close. After all, your father wanted Stannis to be king. Of course, Stannis wouldn't have allowed you to remain Lord of Winterfell, but perhaps he would have allowed you to join the Night's Watch, or maybe you would just have accepted to die to save your family. And if one of you, anyone, won this battle, he would have come out weakened, but victorious, his men exhilarated by this and ready to throw at us, while my men remained idle for weeks if not months, and were not led by a man who had experience of the war nor won any battle. And I was kind of tired to be waiting on the lines while the others fought this war. So I joined the battle. And who was I to support? You or Stannis? Stannis would never consider myself an ally because I would never have allowed him to kill Tommen and Stannis would never have let my nephew live. Even though you refused my offer of alliance twice, Robb Stark, you were still the most likely to accept my help. Furthermore, you may not have had this impression, but I regret your father's death, and I feel guilty about it. He didn't deserve to die and my family killed him. Although I had no hand in his murder and I tried to save him, my family did kill him. You didn't stop two of my cousins from being killed…"

At that, Tyrion looked in Kevan's direction, at the same time to make Robb Stark understood what it meant for the Lannisters and to watch over his uncle. Kevan almost gave nothing, though a movement across his face betrayed his feelings.

«… but you executed the men who murdered them, including a distant cousin of yours and one of your most powerful bannermen, putting you in a very risky situation to do the right thing. For that, you have my thanks. But in some way, you could say House Lannister owed you something for your father's death, and the Lannisters always pay their debts. I think by all accounts it is paid now, since I saved your lives to you and many of your men. And also, I was hoping that once Stannis would be defeated, you might want to reconsider making peace with us."

Following his complex explanations, Robb Stark said nothing for a long time. Again, both sides eyed each other, until finally the Lord of Winterfell spoke one word.

"Maybe."

Tyrion supposed that was the most he could hope for.

"Well, I'll take it. I suppose we could start to negotiate then. Face to face, this time, instead of having a handmaiden or my wife act as an intermediary."

"Aye, it will make things easier. But we will not talk today. This battle is not totally over. Both our men are still chasing our enemies. I suggest we remain on the same side until the night falls. Let's treat our wounded people and recover the bodies of those who fell into battle. We will talk again tomorrow at dawn."

"It seems fine to me," Tyrion said after a moment of thinking. "It could take place in the area between Riverrun and my military camp."

"I'm fine with it."

"So am I," Edmure Tully added.

"On another note, Lord Stark, I happen to have your sister Arya and your mother under the protection of my men." Robb Stark stiffened at Tyrion's words. "Some knight of Lord Mallister intercepted them while they were descending the Red Fork."

"How are they?"

For the first time since he entered this courtyard, Tyrion saw some of the brother and son behind Robb Stark's lordly face.

"They are in security and unharmed. They are our guests. I will send you back your sister Arya right away, but I will bring Lady Stark back to you tomorrow at our parley."

"Why not send her back with her daughter?" Lord Tully said.

"Because I need a lengthy discussion with her on many topics. Her husband's death, a certain dagger, Littlefinger… I guess you understand I have lot to talk with her. And I guess she also wants some news from your sister Sansa."

Robb Stark seemed conflicted for some time.

"Fine."

Finally, he gave in.

Tyrion rode out of the castle with Kevan and their small escort.

"Do you think I'm being too generous, Kevan?" he asked his uncle as they travelled through the battlefield.

"We need someone to rule the North, and the Starks have ruled the North for millennia. We could hardly find someone else to rule these lands without facing continuous rebellions. Though we could also finish them and then marry one of ours to Sansa Stark, let the Ironborn and the Northerners, and also the wildlings, fight each other during the winter, then send our forces to recover the North. Northerners would be better disposed towards us after they're tired of fighting the Greyjoys and the wildlings."

Kevan had said it flatly. Tyrion knew he wasn't happy about making a deal with the people who were in part responsible for the murders of his sons.

"Maybe, uncle, but it will still be hard to reconquer the North, and we would be waiting for years before we could call the North ours again, without insurance that we could take it at the end of winter."

"Do you think trusting Robb Stark is a better idea?"

"He doesn't trust us, Kevan, and he doesn't like us either. But ever since Robb Stark became Lord of Winterfell, he never betrayed his word. His father taught him that. If we can bring him to accept an alliance, he will fulfill it, and this way we will have a Stark recovering the North for us."

"If he refuses again, Tyrion, you know what you have to do."

"Yes, I know, uncle. We will see tomorrow if the Starks are reasonable at last."

They were riding to the west. Their camp was being settled there. When he looked to his left, Tyrion could see the bodies from afar. People had already started to recover the bodies of their dead. Carts were being loaded with them. Far away, Tyrion knew his cavalry and that of Robb Stark kept chasing the surviving forces of Stannis. He hoped that fighting together would bring the two armies closer. If that wasn't enough for Robb Stark, then he would have no choice tomorrow but to put an end to House Stark. He wouldn't relish to do it, but he would do it nonetheless.

Most tents were still being erected when Tyrion and Kevan arrived. The pike displaying Stannis's head was installed and high, allowing everyone to look upon what was left of the last Baratheon. Tyrion would have liked the whole body to be brought to him, but his men only carried the head. No burying for Stannis Baratheon. Their horses barely had time to set their hooves inside the perimeter that a man in green armor ran to them.

"Lord Lannister, Lord Tarly wishes to speak to you."

"Lord Tarly? I would have thought he was chasing the remnants of Stannis' forces." Tyrion said.

"He didn't tell me, my lord. But our men are still in the field, that I can assure you. He's waiting for you up there."

He pointed the small hill where Tyrion had watched the battle unfold. He would have preferred that Randyll Tarly wait for him in his command tent or that he came to him personally. Actually, it felt like the Lord of Horn Hill commanded Tyrion to join him. Although slightly upset with the lord's behavior, Tyrion set it aside and rode with Kevan to join Tarly. He wasn't going to create useless additional dissent with a powerful lord from the Reach for this. He wasn't Cersei.

Lord Tarly was looking down on the battlefield when they reached his position. Tyrion unhorsed and approached him from behind with Kevan.

"Enjoying the view, Lord Tarly?" Tyrion asked.

"We are at war, my lord. Knowing the terrain where the next battle will occur is a requirement."

"There might be no other battle, Lord Tarly. At least, not here."

"We don't know that." The Lord of Horn Hill turned to stare down on Tyrion. "The Starks have fought us for over a year now. I don't believe they will become our friends just because we fought against a common enemy for one day."

"Stranger things have happened in this world, my lord," Tyrion replied with a smirk. The Lord of Horn Hill remained stoic.

"I'm not relying on strange things to give us victory." He turned again to look at the battlefield covered with bodies. "We could storm the castle, but we would lose many men by doing so. Some of the defenses of Riverrun were destroyed during the battle, but most of them remain in place and deadly. In the chaos of battle, too many of our men would just die because of the traps set all around the castle. Starving them would be a better option. There are too many men inside those walls. Riverrun can last two years with a proper garrison. Even if their larders are full, I don't give them more than two months inside these walls. That's he best course of action."

"Before that, we're going to see if Robb Stark still wants to die. We will have a parley tomorrow. This will be their last chance for the Starks and the Tullys to bend the knee to Tommen. If they refuse, we will deal with them."

"We could just as well finish them tomorrow at the first light, Lord Lannister."

"And make them believe they will die, no matter what happens? I don't wish for the Northerners they start to think they have nothing else to lose, for in this case who knows what could happen to our men chasing Stannis' remnants with them."

"I'm giving you my opinion. Starve them. You should listen to people who have the experience and the understanding of war."

"I do listen to them, Lord Tarly. Though I do not let them take decisions for me."

The Lord of Horn Hill remained silent. Tyrion had an idea of what he wanted to say. He was used to people looking down on him, and he knew he had one such person right next to him. Had he not been the Lord of Casterly Rock, that man would probably not even have given the slightest consideration to a dwarf like him.

"Make sure your men are back before sundown. At dawn tomorrow, we will have a long discussion with the Starks."

"I will be there, my lord," Randyll Tarly replied without so much as looking to him.

On their way back to the camp, Tyrion asked Kevan to supervise the return of their troops and the installation of the camp. On his side, he went to the other extremity of their camp, where Tully bannermen who switched to the Lannister side were settled. Most of them had their castles west from Riverrun, but there were exceptions. The Mallisters from Seaguard and the Freys of the Twin Towers were among them.

Before Tyrion reached the Golden Tooth with his reinforcements, he had managed to conclude an alliance with House Mallister. This wasn't easy since the Mallisters had been strong supporters of the Tullys for a long time. However, during the second siege of Riverrun, Ser Patrek Mallister, son and heir of Jason Mallister, the Lord of Seaguard, was made prisoner during a cavalry engagement. He was kept prisoner at the Golden Tooth while his lord father remained at Riverrun with Edmure Tully and the Starks. There, Lord Sebaston Farman, Lord of Fair Isle spoke with him. The Farmans and Mallisters had decent relationships. Both houses had deep relations to the Sunset Sea. Before war broke up, they made a lot of trade between them. Lord Farman even opposed the commercial treaty Tyrion negotiated with the Tyrells because it would divert some of that trade and harm the relationship between the two houses. Tyrion used that relationship and gave the order to Lord Farman to convince the son to join the Lannisters. For that, he would amend the commercial treaty for Fair Isle and give them five additional years to lower their fees and duties for goods coming from other harbors, giving them the opportunity to favor trade with Seaguard a while longer.

It took many days, but Patrek Mallister finally agreed. He wrote a letter to Seaguard, declaring his allegiance for Tommen Baratheon, stating that as long as his father would not bend the knee before the king, House Mallister would be under his lead. There must have been some resistance at Seaguard over that, but people there finally sided with the son and sent troops. The fact that Tyrion promised to protect Seaguard from any Ironborn attack probably helped in that decision.

The nobles running Seaguard and the merchants of the city were the people who decided which side the city would take. Robb Stark had been defeated by Stannis at King's Landing and the Tullys were losing ground everywhere to Tommen or Stannis. Furthermore, some Frey soldiers had started to get agressive on Mallister frontiers, patrols taking the opportunity to plunder and terrorize without pushing the Mallisters too far. They were also afraid that the Greyjoys might attack them sooner or later, and the war had caused many problems to the merchants as they lost their trade with the Westerlands, the Reach and the Iron Islands. Recognizing Tommen as their king would be good for their business. And so Seaguard declared for Tommen while Lord Jason Mallister was inside Riverrun. Tyrion wondered how the reunion between the son and the father would go.

However, it wasn't to speak with Lord Jason or Ser Patrek that Tyrion went into the Mallister section of the camp. After receiving a few directions, he reached a tent and opened the flap. Once inside, he addressed the people inside.

"My lady. My lady. My lady. I hope you enjoy the hospitality of House Lannister."

The first lady was of middle age, still young enough but close to Cersei's age. The second was still a child, though Tyrion could see from her demeanor that she was a child only according to physical standards. The third was a lady only in name, clad as she was in armor. She stood up as soon as Tyrion entered. For a moment, he wondered if she was as tall as Gregor Clegane.

"What are you going to do with us?" Catelyn Stark asked.

If Robb Stark's mother was afraid, she didn't show it. Tyrion slowly walked towards her, making heavy steps on purpose. The tall blond woman got ready to intervene. Tyrion turned to face her.

"Are you Lady Brienne of Tarth, daughter of Lord Selwyn Tarth and former kingsguard to Renly Baratheon?"

"I am, my lord."

She had no sword since it was taken away from her, but Tyrion wasn't an idiot. He knew this woman could easily kill him without a weapon.

"Then can you tell me how Renly Baratheon died?"

"A shadow. A shadow with the face of Stannis Baratheon murdered him. I was there. And so were Lady Stark." She looked at her. "And your wife, Lady Lannister, as well."

"Ser Mandon Moore. Does that ring a bell for you? He was kingsguard for my nephew, Joffrey. And Loras Tyrell, my wife's brother? I heard they both died in the Stormlands."

"I never intended to kill Ser Loras. I only defended myself. Ser Mandon Moore killed him, and then tried to murder Lady Lannister. That's why I killed him."

Tyrion plunged his eyes into hers for a long time. "I thank you, Lady Brienne. My wife is alive thanks to you. I'm not holding you here. You're free to go."

"I thank you, my lord, but I can't. I swore to Lady Stark to protect her and to protect her family. Wherever she goes, I will, unless she tells me otherwise."

Tyrion looked carefully at the woman. "Had you been a man, Jaime would have been proud to fight at your side. Lady Stark, would you free Lady Brienne here from her obligations? Or else she might never see Stannis Baratheon's head on the spike before this camp."

Tyrion heard the tall woman's reaction.

"Stannis is dead?"

"He is, my lady." He turned to address Catelyn Stark. "According to some people, it was your husband's bastard son who killed him."

"Jon is alive?" Arya Stark said before her mother could spell a single word.

"He must be chasing the remnants of Stannis' forces with my men."

"Your men?" Catelyn Stark looked at him, all confused.

"Yes. We arrived just in time, Lady Stark. Maybe an hour or two later, and your son would be dead, and Stannis would be master of Riverrun. Instead, he is dead, and the Starks, the Lannisters, the Tullys and the Tyrells are chasing down together his forces who ran away."

Everyone was silent for a long time. The Starks definitely never thought he would help them after they refused two peace offers.

"Why?" It was why Brienne of Tarth who broke the silence. "Why help the Starks? You are at war with them."

"Because between Robb Stark and Stannis, the choice wasn't very hard to make."

"I thank you."

Catelyn Stark seemed sincere when she said the words. Margaery was right about her. She cared for her children and would do everything for them, including forgiving someone like Tyrion. Though he couldn't be sure if she had forgiven him yet for crimes he didn't commit.

Tyrion turned towards Arya Stark. "I told your brother I would send you back to him right away. You're free to go." Then he looked at her mother. "As for you, Lady Stark, we need to have a very long conversation. Your son and I will meet tomorrow to find a solution to our current disagreement. We will bring you back to Riverrun at this occasion."

He saw in her eyes that it wasn't hard for her to understand what he wanted to talk about.

"Lady Brienne, escort Arya back to the castle," she commanded.

"No. I'm not going to leave you," her daughter protested.

"Arya, you must leave."

"No. I'm not leaving you alone."

She cupped her daughter's cheek. "Your brother needs you more than I do. Your brothers need you more than I do."

For a moment, the mother and her daughter remained still. Then the small girl hugged her mother and left.

"I will come back once Lady Arya is safe, my lady," the warrior lady declared as she proceeded to leave as well.

"No. Watch over Arya. I will be safe here."

"As you wish, my lady."

Tyrion was now alone with the widow of Eddard Stark.

"Do you want some wine? I think we both need some."

She nodded. Tyrion filled a glass for each of them. He took a long sip of it.

"Your wife told me you used any opportunity when she wouldn't look to drink."

"She was telling the truth," Tyrion conceded.

"I thank you again, for saving my family today, no matter your reasons. The truth is… I didn't escape Riverrun out of cowardice, or to protect myself, not even to protect Arya… I told Brienne to row west, in the hope we would meet your army and I could convince you to help us."

"Well, no matter the gods you pray, they must have heard you. Because even though you couldn't speak to me, I did help your son and his army." He took another long sip. "Now, what do you want to know?"

"What are you going to do with us now?"

"It depends what happens tomorrow at the talks I will have with your son, but I would believe you wanted some news about your daughter Sansa. She's at Casterly Rock and I was still there recently."

"How is she?"

As she asked the question, Tyrion realized all the vulnerability of this woman. Her love for her children was what made her strong, but they were also her greatest weakness, much like Cersei's love for her own children was her one redeeming quality. He suddenly noticed at the same time the similitude between Sansa Stark and her mother. He could easily picture the young girl sitting in her mother's place, with the same expression, the same behavior, saying the exact same words.

"She is fine. She is safe, and well enough considering the current situation between our families. I had to confine her to her rooms when the news concerning Martyn and Willem reached us. I had no intention to harm her in retaliation, but some at Casterly Rock would have liked me to do so. I did it for her own safety."

"Thank you. We never wanted that to happen. Lord Karstark wanted to avenge his sons. He murdered them out of rage."

"I forgive you, and your family. Your son executed Lord Karstark for what he did, and I have no reason to believe he ever participated, approved or even wished for Martyn and Willem's deaths. In return, I hope you will forgive me for the atrocities that befell your family which I had no part in, and for which all the possibly responsible people are now dead."

She took her time to answer. Tyrion saw her hesitation. "I don't believe you had a role in all this. But my husband was murdered. I can never forget this."

"Nor will I." Tyrion leaned forward to better look in her eyes. "But we both know what's going to happen if this war continues. I lost very few men today. My infantry was barely involved in the battle since Stannis' troops disbanded the moment it showed up. Your son and your brother's armies have taken heavy losses and I'm quite sure you'll never have enough food in Riverrun to last long enough. Your brother's bannermen have already started turning on him. It's only a matter of time before the same happens in the North. You know what's going to happen if the talks fail tomorrow."

He was right, and he knew she knew he was right. Catelyn closed her eyes, slowly sighed, then reopened them. She was defeated.

"What do you want?" she asked. Tyrion knew she was ready to accept anything.

"The conditions will be harsher than if you had accepted Margaery's offer when she came to see you. Still, you will get some advantages. First, peace with us. There will be no more fighting between Lannisters, Tyrells, Starks and Tullys. Second, our help to drive away the Knights of the Vale and the Ironborn from your lands. We expect your son to free the North by himself, but we're ready to lend him five thousand of our own men if he wishes. Aside from that, the fleets of the Reach and the Westerlands will invade the Iron Islands. If captured alive, Balon, Theon and Yara Greyjoy will be judged and punished for their crimes against the North. Third, although you will still owe us all the taxes you haven't paid since this war started, we will delay their payment. You'll have until three years after the coming winter to pay them. Fourth, all Northerners and river men we keep in captivity can be ransomed by their respective families. Fifth, Tommen is going to forgive all people from the North and the Riverlands who fought at your side, no matter their position and their actions during this war. Sixth, we're going to give you back Eddard Stark's sword. Seventh, Tommen will acknowledge that Joffrey made a mistake when he sentenced your husband to death. Eddard Stark will be rehabilitated. We will tell he was manipulated by Stannis Baratheon into believeing Joffrey was a bastard.

"As for the rest, Robb Stark, Edmure Tully and their bannermen will all kneel before Tommen and acknowledge as the one true king of the Seven Kingdoms and renew the oath their fathers made to Robert Baratheon before them. Your son will give up his crown and abandon all claims to kingship over all territories of Westeros. House Tully, House Stark and all their bannermen are going to help us bring back the Vale, the Crownlands, the Iron Islands and the territories of the Riverlands and the North that are occupied into the royal fold. Robb Stark will be Warden of the North again and will keep all his lands. For the Riverlands, however, all lands south of Harrenhal will be removed from House Tully authority. The lands, castles and revenues from these territories will be transferred either to the Crownlands or to the Westerlands, and the lords and knights who own these lands or castles will become bannermen either of the king or House Lannister. Seaguard will also be part of the Westerlands from now on, and House Mallister will become bannermen of Casterly Rock. Edmure Tully will remain Lord Paramount of the Trident for the rest of the Riverlands. To cement this alliance, Robb Stark is going to marry a lady of House Lannister that I will personally choose, and Edmure Tully is going to marry a lady of House Tyrell chosen by my wife. And to further cement this alliance, Sansa Stark will remain a guest of King Tommen for the next five years. Her family and friends will be free to visit her whenever and wherever they want. We might even allow her to travel to Riverrun or Winterfell eventually. But during those five years, if you want to arrange a marriage for her, you will need Tommen's agreement. These are our terms, and we will accept nothing less."

He let some time go on. Catelyn Stark took her time to assimilate all this information. Then she looked straight into his eyes. "It will be for my son to accept your terms."

Tyrion leaned forward, staring at her even straighter in her eyes, if that was possible. "If your son refuses tomorrow, then I will unleash all my forces upon him. There will not be a single survivor when this battle is over and the castle is taken. I will not be able to spare him, and I cannot assure you that the rest of your family will be spared. Tomorrow, you could be riding for Casterly Rock to finally see Sansa again if your son accepts. Do you want to be reunited with your daughter?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then convince Robb Stark to accept my terms, or you will never see any of your children again."


And so the negotiations start all over again.

I hope this chapter gave answers to many of the questions and uncertainties that may have remained after Jon went dark. Though there are still a lot of uncertainties left.

Please review

Next chapter : Catelyn