Hi! Sorry for the wait...
Chapter 18: Summit
Robb
"This is a mistake, we shouldn't do this."
Arthur was attempting to stop what needs to be done, and he would do the same in his brother's place when it comes to Arya- Or any of their sisters. But as the King, I can't afford to be selfish, not anymore.
He's decided to go home. Not many were opposed to the plan besides Lord Karstark and Arthur. Even Lord Bolton, he had also disagreed with the plan as his letter from Harrenhal stated. They want to continue the fight for vengeance, and for Lord Bolton, glory.
They are all forgetting what outcome comes from continuing to fight, their homes, it will all be gone if they keep bloodying the South. The Greyjoys raid my land. Stormed my home... Killed my little brothers. Theon, as the raven from Lord Bolton's son stated, Theon left, burning his home where it stood just as this, Ramsey, besieged it.
"Arthur. Please understand, what home are we coming to if we keep fighting? We need to drive the Ironborn out and back into their sea." He said with a stern tone, his blue eyes storming with irritation.
"... Alright, but Robb, can't we find another way to get home? The Freys bridge isn't so important- " Of course it is, its how they saved Riverrun and captured Tywin's golden son.
"We need time and speed, brother. The Twins will give us much needed time to get to the Neck and quickly." Quick enough so the Greyjoys don't plunder his entire Kingdom.
Theon still hangs over him like a knife grinding against bone and flesh, the betrayal had yet to set in and he wasn't so sure of what to do when he faces his former Ward-Brother. Bran and Rickon need justice, their direwolves need it... I need it.
But what is justice to him, now? The word started when he wanted to avenge the people who fell in his father's household in King's Landing. Justice then became about avenging his father, the Lannister bowmen killed him and he craved justice for it.
Justice soon became about freeing his people from the Iron Throne, to make an independent North not seen since the Conquest.
Yet, what is it to him, now, its changed meaning and caused him to doubt himself. And if the King begins to doubt himself, then what does that mean for the people? A terrible thought. A sigh escaped him as he held the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes so that he may think but Arthur badgering him isn't helping.
"They abandoned you, tried to use their promise to take Arya before I stopped it. Robb, she's never even met the boy- " Arthur was saying before he gave him another hard stare, silencing his newly legitimized brother, though reluctantly so.
"You do not need a year to know a person to fall in love, look at you and Mya Stone, now Mya Stark. Father and my mother didn't speak to one another and married, that's a good sign to me." Waldren also is a good young man, as Frey told him before having to leave with his family for his blunder in marrying Jeyne. "She might like him, you never know for sure, brother." He was done arguing, and a sour mood won't help matters this day.
A sigh escaped him, looking over the lake he saw the banner of Frey approaching.
"In the coming weeks, we will be busy taking back what the Ironborn took. I need loyalty and courage, not you and some doubting my plans. So, are you with me, Arthur?" He was sincere, as he always was, he needs his brother sword-arm and not his doubts.
"... Always, brother, You know that." Embracing Arthur, he smiled and felt like it was all going to go right from now on.
"Trust when I say this, our war with the South is not over, not when they still have Sansa." But they need to take their home back, one step at a time and soon his family will be united again, he knows this to be true.
"So, do you want everyone gathered at the bridge?" He was asked and he chuckled, then shook his head no.
"No, knowing you and uncle Edmure, there would be a grievous fight over misunderstood words." He looked back to the sight of two towers coming closer, "No, I have this handled, you go and make sure Arya is out of sight. Gather my mother and Edmure to the hall." He told Arthur who nodded before leaving, the sounds of footsteps getting quieter and quieter, then nothing.
He stood there for a moment, then cracked a hopeful smile and left.
Arthur
He's never liked the Freys, not since they abandoned Robb in the Westerlands, not since one of them demanded to take Arya to the Twins.
Now we have to haggle to use their damned bridge? Bah! They are untrustworthy if they would easily bargain for their allegiance which is owed to The Starks and Tully's, owed to his brother.
Their bridge is the property of the Tullys of Riverrun, as vassals, they shouldn't have to be asked to use it nor fulfill a promise when they wouldn't keep to their King.
Robb is being foolish, and like before, he can't do anything about it, not without taking Arya away to ensure she isn't forced to marry a Frey, and who cares what this Waldren is like, no Frey is worthy enough to marry into his House, nor to have the hand of his and Jon's favorite sister.
In a sudden lapse of stupidity, he remembers his brothers, Bran and Rickon. Their murderer walks free at this moment, somewhere in the hills with his raiders, in that respect, he will reluctantly allow this marriage to happen. So long as his ward-brother, Theon dies, then he shall bite his tongue and let Walder Frey push his 'demands'.
"This is needless," Edmure said, annoyed at this show of idiocy.
"You be quiet, brother. This needs to be done." Catelyn's response was stern, and though she is right, it doesn't mean they should like it.
Outside those doors, down to the gate, his brother is welcoming the Frey delegation to Riverrun, and to avoid an incident he asked the rest of them to come here. A wise choice, one of them might have said something to offend him and then there would be a bloodied face afterward, so in a way, his brother stopped such an act.
"We killed the Mountain, we've taken Harrenhal and liberated the seats of my land. We should be marching on Tywin and his grandson." Though he'd relish to attack the capital and sack it, one giant obstacle stands in their way at the moment which is blinding.
"During all our battles, losing the Frey soldiers and the North being invaded, we don't have the men to march on Tywin Lannister and his pride, it'd be a slaughter especially with the Reach supporting the cunts." He hated admitting it, but the truth isn't just there to resolve but to cut as well.
Edmure looked to want to continue arguing, yet he ended up sitting down.
"Thank you, Arthur, for telling us the truth," Catelyn said to him and he must admit, he was startled by the words said to him, and from the cold-hearted Catelyn Stark of all people.
All he could say, was this, "Of course, my Lady." She nodded and then the hall was filled with silence, that was until the doors opened and Robb walked in with his guests and Grey Wind.
"Mother, brother, you remember Lord Walder's two sons, Lothar and Black Walder?" He grunted a response while Catelyn hid her distrust well, and smiled at them.
"I also believe congratulations are in order, Lord Arthur, or Prince, now?" Robb answered for him, saying that he is glad to have legitimized him, with further hopes to do the same for their other brother, Jon.
Oh, Jon, he hasn't received word from his twin in some time, in fact, it has him quite worried which keeps his restless at some hours of the day, and night. I can only hope he is well, I'll be seeing him in no time. It will be quite the reunion, he wonders if Jon has reached his dream post as the First Ranger, possibly so.
"Let's begin, we have a long ride back home." Black Walder said gruffly, it made his twitch in anger, how this man speaks to his King, it should get his tongue cut.
Once everyone has taken a seat, the talks began and he sighed, wishing to sleep but a nudge from Robb made him think otherwise.
"I hope your father read that I will be venturing home, soon, and will have need of his bridge." Robb started and Lothar held his expression, but Black Walder, a man who is getting on his nerves chuckled like it was a jest.
"Quiet, brother. Your Grace, I also read in that letter that in the bargain, you will be going ahead with one of the promises you made to my father?" Robb pursed his lips while he glared at the table.
"I know. My sister's wedding will go ahead as planned- " His brother agreed and it hurt him, that they would be doing this to their sister.
What made him angry, was that Black Walder butted in once more, and he formed his hand into a fist, fighting back his anger.
"That is not all... Our father has made two more terms to agree upon." Black Walder said and Robb asked what Lord Frey wishes to add, "Harrenhal and all of its income and land." Edmure tried to intervene, but Catelyn shushed him.
"Once I've defeated the Lannister's and Greyjoy's, and once I have no further need for it, Lord Frey may have Harrenhal." Robb was losing it, as well, he could see it in his brother's face as he forced himself to hand the largest fortress in Westeros to the most untrustworthy House of Westeros. "What else, does his Lordship ask in the use of his bridge?" The final demand, and like a bad sore, Black Walder would be the one to speak.
"My father was betrayed when you married Lady Westerling, it hurt that couldn't be his son-in-law and mourned the passing of this opportunity. To resolve this, he wishes to move the wedding between the Princess and my little brother as soon as possible, once you've come to the Twins and celebrate before you all march to retake the North from the Ironborn." It was all horseshit, Lord Frey wouldn't know hurt if it died in his hall.
"Are we to assume that Lord Walder's army will be coming with us?" He couldn't stand it, all this sweet-talking is driving him insane, mostly because they are all lies. Lothar nodded, answering his question.
"Yes, once Waldren and the Princess are one, afterward, we will go to reclaim the North for you, my King." Robb sat in silence, looking into Lothar's eyes so much that it made the man and his brother uncomfortable.
"... I agree to your father's terms, now let both our families be at peace- " Robb was saying before he was cut off, once again.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but there is one more thing, King Robb." He'd thought this was over, but like the bad sore he had, a Frey must speak his mind, "Though we are able to look past you oath to marry one of our sister's, my father has not. He asks you not to bring the new Queen to the Twins." He looked to Robb and gauge his reaction, and for a long moment, his brother's blue eyes raged with anger.
In the end, Robb reluctantly agreed to leave Jeyne within Riverrun. Lothar and Black Walder were escorted beyond the border by Brynden and Lady Castelyn went to tell an already angered Arya who began throwing around her things.
He was passing by when he heard the shouting between mother and child, went to investigate but a shoe was thrown at him so he went away to find Mya who was bathing herself in the baths below.
Mya
She was washing the dirt from her arms, it felt cleansing after a long day of either training or, rather, since she is with child, she's been busy learning how to make clothing for children by Lady Stark who warms up to her by the day.
As for her child, the unborn babe gives her grief every so often. Especially since I've begun to swell, I'll have need of a bath even more.
"How fine, my love." She turned her head fast, sighing when she saw Arthur standing there, smiling away as he's always done.
Smirking and pulling her hands away from her chest, she beckoned him over, "It is warm, want to join me?" He stayed there for a moment, but undressed and hopped inside of the bath, splashing water about and making her giggle in laughter.
They slowly drew closer to one another, embracing and holding each other. She missed this, even though she has him in every hour of the day, but mostly she misses this intimacy since she's found out that she was carrying Arthur's child.
"So what is to be done, will the Frey's let us use their bridge?" She asked with her eyes locked with his steel ones, but in them, she saw how angry he was. "I knew the price was heavy, but what else do they want?" She wants to be involved in her husband's problems, wants to help ease them in any way.
"Bah, They want Robb to bend over for them. What's worse, is that there is no other way to get home, and we have to get back home." She senses he is troubled, it's something she's picked up after quite some time of being with him.
"No more talk of the Freys, let me help you, in what I still can to help." She whispered and kissed his neck, "I was thinking about our child." Arthur hummed, interested. "And have come up with a name or two." She added and he smiled, sighing heavily.
"Oh, and shouldn't the father have a say in this?" He asked sarcastically, she shook her head slowly, he wrapped an arm around her waist, softly gripping it which made her moan.
"Considering that I will be carrying this child, I should be able to name them." He laughed and nodded in agreement, asking what names she's chosen for their son or daughter. "As for a daughter, I was thinking of Astrid. It was my mother's name, and I thought it'd be in good taste." She told him and he thought on it before he smiled.
"A fine name, Mya. But what about our son, what if you give me a boy?" She hesitated for a moment, taking some time to bring up the courage.
"... I was thinking, for our son, that his name will be Arthur, named for his brave father." She saw his smile, saw how proud he was to have the pleasure.
The next hour was spent wisely, and she would see them both pleased to the best of her abilities.
Later That Night
Riverrun was silent as ten men led by Lord Rickard Karstark scurried with knives to the dungeon hall, they outnumbered and killed sleeping guards.
"No, no, please spare us!" Tion Frey begged but his words could not reach Rickard, only the image of his sons who were killed by Jaime Lannister.
Taking his knife, he plunged it into the chest of Tion Frey. Thrice he stabbed the boy and spilled his blood. He reached over to Willem Lannister, Tion and Jaime's cousin and heard the boy squeal in terror as Rickard stabbed the blade upward from jaw to the roof of his skull.
"May the Old Gods hunt you in the wood with vermin-kin, Lannister filth!" Taking his leave, Rickard fled with his men and left three Stark guards and two hostages to rot and for the rats to feed on... So it was the state that the morning shift of guards that found them and informed the King and his Queen.
It wasn't too long until the culprits were found, the Karstark men and their Lord were celebrating and jesting about hunting lions and skinning them. Rickard and his perpetrators were rounded up and brought to the great hall, where Arthur, Robb, Mya, Catelyn, Edmure, Queen Jeyne, Brynden, and Maester Vyman were brought in.
GreatJon and SmallJon also were there, for they were the ones to bring them here.
"Lord Karstark, there were better ways to getting your vengeance. I said to you that there would be justice- " Robb tried to say to the fallen Lord, but Rickard would not hear his King out.
"And when, your grace, would I get it? After taking the North? Once the Kingslayer is recaptured though it was your mother, who freed him? Arthur had the right of it, we should hunt them all down, to the last child." Arthur looked to the ground, "I simply chose to begin with Jaime's cousins." Karstark angered Robb for the King in the North roared in an emotional outburst.
"They were boys!" Arthur watched Robb glare at Rickard who would not flinch at his King's stare. "Look at them, my Lord." Robb commanded though Lord Karstark would not, "Look at what you've done, and know the consequence of this breaking of rights to noble hostages." Once Robb was finished he turned to GreatJon, "Take these men out and hang them." One of the Karstark men tried to beg for forgiveness. breaking away from the others.
"No! No, my King! I only watched for the guards, I killed no one!" Arthur chuckled darkly, handling the rest as his brother turned away.
"Not only are you a traitor, but a fearful coward. Hang him last, Lord Umber, make him watch the others die before he does." He didn't want to say it, mainly because in another time, he hated the Lannisters just as Rickard does at this moment, but there are other bigger plans at play here, and the Lannister hunting can wait while they hunt down the Ironborn in the North.
Rickard was also taken away, to sit in a cell whilst they debate on what to do.
"Robb, Tywin cannot find out about this, for Sansa's longevity," Arthur told Robb, Catelyn agreed and Edmure mentioned the Lannister words.
"So you all tell me I should do nothing? To let this crime go unpunished?" Out of everyone in the room, Jeyne would be the one to speak and defend their plan.
"My love. I know you have a good heart, but trust in your advisors, please. My father often spoke of Tywin Lannister, fearing his ruthlessness and cruelty. I swear to you, once he's heard of tonight, he will ensure we all pay for it and will target your sister." Robb avoided their gazes, all of them, watching and waiting for what needs to be done.
"... He has to die. I cannot abide this." Arthur huffed, marching up to Robb and forcing him to look at him, Robb tried to rustle out but couldn't to his older brother's grip.
"Listen to me, you damned fool! If Karstark must die, then so be it... But not today, not tomorrow or a fortnight from now." Robb gritted his teeth to Arthur, "We did not bend over backward for Walder so you could isolate one of your Lords and his army, listen to me, pass judgment to Rickard once the North has been retaken. Hmm? Let him live a while longer so we can use his men, I'll command them, myself." Arthur finished and, with some ease, let go of Robb so he may calm down.
"It is a fine plan, nephew, it will suit our needs." Edmure praised Arthur, both men fought together and respected each other. "Bury the Lannister boys and keep this silent, use Karstarks men and have them help take back your homeland, then sentence Lord Karstark to death or send him to the Wall." Robb was conflicted and hearing his uncle, wife, and brother tell him what he should do is swaying him.
The nail in the wood, however, came from his mother.
"Your father raised you well, I know it, he was an honorable man and so are you... But this is the right course, keeping your allies is better than making enemies." Catelyn said, grasping her son's arm to reassure him, but Robb's face was quiet and cold from everything that has happened tonight.
"... Alright. Karstark will live, for now. Now leave me, all of you."
Hours later, once everyone has had their rest and broke camp, they began their march towards the Twins.
AN: Sorry to have kept everyone waiting for an update, I've been busy as of late. I do hope everyone enjoyed chapter 18 and chapter 19 should be up after Long May They Reign.
SO the road to the end of Season 3 is beginning, I'm sorry if the relationships are thickening and will (probably) be torn asunder. I apologize for any sad-feels. Though, Karstark is living and breathing while his soldiers stay with Robb's army.
Hero Mandalorian, Indeed, One down and one to go.
Hear My Fury, I will admit, I began thinking about it too. Arthur/Mya is well established, and it would be VERY cruel to tear it apart, but then again, what world is this in? I'll have to think about it.
Guest, To really understand Robb's situation, you'd have to read some of the third book. The reason he's decided to even attend the Red Wedding is to use the Twins as the quickest way to get home, and because he executed Rickard, he needed Walder's men so Edmure was made to marry Roslin. As you read, though Karstark is alive now, and his men are still with Robb, he still needs the Twins for the quickest way to fight back the Ironborn. Arya's birthright? As the laws of gods and men state unless all male contenders are dead, no woman can hold land or title- It's the entire reason the Dance of the Dragons occurred.
Chase Manaena, I will try to keep a good pace, but life's roads are incredibly bumpy.
Sparky She-Demon, Oh, I have plans for that, I assure you.
Sketchywolf, Thanks.
TRedGreg, Hope this one was enjoyable.
Guest, Thanks, hope you enjoy.
Mysterious M, Yes, there will be, but it will be quite surprising.
MountainMan95, Thanks, I am glad you are enjoying it.