Robb sat on the ledge of the large window in his chambers, watching as the blowing rain lashed out against the landscape. The banners hanging on the walls of the castle twisted and turned at the mercy of the howling wind, while the waters of the Trident rushed swiftly. It had been two days since they had returned from their victory at Wayfarer's Rest. The mood in Riverrun had been joyous at their successful battle, having seen few losses, but the jubilation had been washed away quickly by the harsh weather. The only good thing to come of it was that the rain had halted the advance of the Lannisters from the south, their army unwilling to march in the slick. As had been expected, Lady Whent had surrendered Harrenhall with little fanfare, where enemy forces were now camped.
As his mind continued to wander, Robb felt feminine arms wrap around his waist as Margaery leaned her chin on his shoulder, using at as a perch. "Still waiting, my wolf?" she asked.
"Aye, still waiting. I've never been much good at it." He had taken to staring out into the countryside for any sign of his father. However, there had been nothing, not even a raven.
"I suppose that it is true," Margaery mused. "You did spirit me off rather quickly intent on making me your wife."
Robb snorted. "I spirited you off? I'm rather certain you were eager to come along. In fact, I'm certain I warned you against it."
"That could be," Margaery laughed, reaching up to run a hand through the dark auburn curls atop his head. "Don't worry, your father will be here soon. He'll be very proud of what you've accomplished."
Robb turned around so that his back was to the window and he faced Margaery properly. "Many men can claim that they have won a battle," he downplayed her praise. "Though, not many can say they have wooed the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms."
His lover blushed, though her coy smile remained. "So you've wooed me, Robb Stark?"
"Aye. Few can resist my rugged northern charm. It was just a matter of time."
Margaery looked away with a frown. "You know, I'm not sure I've been sufficiently wooed yet. No, I don't think so."
Robb grinned, a predatory look taking over his face. "I'll have to remedy that then." With little warning he reached up and parted his lover's robe, allowing it hang open loosely on her shoulders. Again, the vision of her exposed skin momentarily stunned him, though only for a second. He kissed her stomach, and then slowly moved upward, his beard skimming along her skin causing her to shiver. His mouth finally latched onto her breast, while at the same time he turned them and sat her down on the window ledge. The sounds of their coupling were cast out and lost in the rain soaked night. So lost in one another were they, that Robb failed to see the first direwolf banner appear in the distance.
Something caused him to stir from his spot curled behind Margaery the next morning, but he could not immediately say what. He stared at the ceiling of his chambers briefly, noticing that sunlight was shining through and brightening his chambers. The rain had obviously given way in the night. Then he turned his head and found himself looking into the grey eyes of Eddard Stark. The Lord of Winterfell was seated at Robb's table, looking tired and unkempt. His tunic beneath his leather armor was sodden, and his boots were caked with mud. Robb's jaw hung open stupidly for a moment, as if he was about to say something, but nothing came out. His Father spared him, inclining his head towards the door, and Robb knew he wanted him to follow. His Father got up and silently exited, closing the door behind him, Robb's eyes trailing him the whole way.
He looked over to his bedmate and saw that she was still asleep. Robb carefully extricated himself from the bed and dressed fully before looking out the window that he and Margaery had made themselves deeply familiar with the night before. Where the previous night only saturated grass and earth could be seen, the morning saw the field next to the Whispering Wood lined with tents as a war camp was quickly coming together. The lessons of Maester Luwin came back to him as he picked out the roaring giant of House Umber, the white sun of House Karstark, the silver fist of House Glover, the long axes of House Dustin, the three trees of House Tallhart, and the lizard-lion of House Reed, among others. Curiously, he is sure he also sees the sigil of House Royce of the Vale, but no others. Robb had figured that with his Jon Arryn practically raising his Father, and his Aunt being the Lady of the Vale, that more would have come to their aid.
He tore his eyes away from the army and left his chambers, sure to close to the door as softly as he could. His Father stood waiting for him, before he turned and began walking down the hall leading to his chambers. Robb followed silently, feeling as if he was a small boy again in Winterfell, about to be scolded for some bit of horseplay. Eventually, Eddard led them into a small, empty room that looked to be some sort of servant's quarters. They stood across from each other, and Robb prepared himself for his Father's words of disappointment. They never came though, as instead his Father's arms came around him in a tight embrace. Robb, surprised for a moment, quickly returned it.
They held together for several moments before stepping back. Robb, unable to restrain himself any longer, looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry, Father."
"Sorry?" Eddard repeated, clearly confused. "Whatever are you sorry for son?"
"I failed," Robb answered, forlornly. "I was supposed to protect the King. I figured everything out, but I just wasn't fast enough to stop them. And now Jory is dead as well."
"Robb," Eddard began, placing a large hand on Robb's shoulder, forcing him to look up. "I've never been more proud of you as I am now. You did what you could for Robert, but Robert's failings were his own. I loved that man, just like I loved Jon Arryn, but it was the Lannisters that killed them, not you. They killed Jory, not you. And we will have justice for them, and for Bran."
"They need to pay for what they've done," Robb agreed, fire in his eyes.
"From what I hear, you've already injured Jamie Lannister's pride," Eddard smiled. "My son a tournament champion."
"You heard of the melee?" Robb asked, surprised.
"We may live in the north, but news does make it to our keeps. The men took great joy in the news. The Greatjon has taken to referring to you as the Lion Tamer."
Robb couldn't contain a laugh at that. "That doesn't surprise me much, though I am surprised it's not something crude."
"Don't give him ideas," Eddard smiled. They lapsed into silence again briefly before his Father asked, "How was your first taste of war? I heard you acquitted yourself well."
"It was...I don't know how to describe it exactly. Both terrifying and exciting at the same time."
"Aye, that's the truth of it," his Father nodded. "There's always something that drives you when you know you're fighting for a just cause, for honor. The rebellion against the Mad King was never about power, or putting Robert on a throne, not for me anyway. There was revenge in my heart true, but it was about protecting the people from a King who would burn them for his pleasure. A King protects his people, doesn't murder them."
"The Lannisters may not be mad, but they would kill every person who stood in the way of what they wanted," Robb offered.
"I'm sure there is part of Tywin that can barely live with the knowledge that his children have dishonored him so," Eddard mused. "However, the same greed, the same opportunism runs through him, and he will it embrace it now because it elevates the House of Lannister, which has always been his purpose. And he will do anything for it."
"I won't suffer Joffrey on the throne," Robb stated, "I will never bend the knee."
"No, House Stark will not be bending their knee to any Lannister," Eddard agreed. "I had hoped that marching south against the throne would be a once in a life affair, but we will do what we must."
"And what of Stannis?" Robb asked. "Will we bend the knee to him?"
Eddard looked thoughtful, but also concerned. "Robert is dead, and he has no legitimate children, so our laws say that Stannis is the rightful King."
"You sound unsure," Robb encouraged, noticing the frown on his Father's face.
"There have been unsettling rumors of occurrences on Dragonstone under Stannis' watch...rumors of red witches and human sacrifice."
"That sounds familiar," Robb replied, thinking of his Grandfather and Uncle's fates.
"Aye," Eddard sighed. "We've had no word from Stannis, but he's not our concern now. Stannis will do what he will, and our words will mean little to him. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. Our concern is our people. Winter is coming, and we must be united and strong."
"We will be," Robb promised.
"Speaking of 'we', would you care to explain to me who the young woman was that I found in your bed minutes ago?" For the first time Robb felt nervousness, as he looked at his Father's judging eyes.
"She is Margaery Tyrell," Robb confessed. "She is the daughter of Lord Mace Tyrell of Highgarden."
Eddard started hard at his son. "Please do not tell me that you dishonored the only daughter of House Tyrell."
"I did not dishonor her-"
"You bedded her Robb," Eddard interrupted. "The Tyrells march on us, but there will no hope of reconciling or treating with them if you've put a bastard in her."
His Father's rebuke halted Robb for a moment. Truly his love and lust-filled mind had not thought to the consequences of his and Margaery's actions. The fact that he could have put a child in her was a heavy, but not unpleasant thought. He loved her, and his Father would see that.
"I mean to marry her," Robb argued. "Now that you are here, we would have you marry us in the godswood. There would be no shame if we had a child then. If we had a son, he would be the Lord of Winterfell one day."
"Robb, you're young," Eddard sighed. "All young men have these thoughts, but we have to think beyond our wants to what is best for everyone, for the north."
"I am thinking of the north, of our people," Robb pressed, passionately. "Aye, it's true that Tyrells march with the Lannisters, but they are led by Mace Tyrell. The man is a fool licking at Lannister boots. Margeary and her brother, Loras, saved us in King's Landing. Jon and I would be in a cell in the capital or headless if it had not been for them. They risked their own lives to save ours. You always speak of honor, Father, well they forsook their own Father to do what was right."
"I'm grateful to them, but how does that aid our cause?"
"Loras left days ago," Robb informed. "He is on a ship bound for Highgarden to rally the support of his brothers and grandmother to our cause. Lady Olenna is not the fool that her son is, Father. They will come to our cause, especially if our houses are permanently joined together."
Eddard stared at his heir as though he had never seen him before. "I fear that I may have permanently corrupted you by sending you to the capital. Here you are playing southern games, plotting alliances."
Robb laughed. "I haven't been corrupted, Father. I love Margaery. It was never about plotting or alliances. However, that does not mean that we cannot use the situation to our own advantage. Do you think Tywin Lannister is not plotting now how to best us?"
"He is, of that I have little doubt," his Father answered. Eddard stared at his son, taking in the change in him. Finally he shook his head and rested his large palm on Robb's shoulder. "You are right. Joining our houses could be a boon to our cause. I would at least like to meet this girl who has stolen my son's heart…and possibly his judgment."
"You will," Robb nodded. "She is a good person. She gave up being a queen to follow me north. Not many would make that choice willingly."
"I look forward to talking to her," his Father conceded, but then looked at Robb sternly. "On the condition that you write to Winterfell and explain to your Mother that you mean to get married to a woman she has never met. I will leave her consternation for you to deal with. Though, leave out the part about bedding the girl, for your own sake."
"Yes, Father," Robb agreed, thinking that wise.
"Now, what say we head to the hall? I fear our bannermen may be growing impatient."
When they entered the hall, Robb was instantly inundated with the boisterous sounds of his countrymen. The tables in the great hall were full as the men broke their fasts, indulging in generous amounts of libations.
"We marched hard," his Father said in explanation of the men's manner. "The Lannisters may not be willing to march in the rain, but we were."
"Well if it isn't the Lion Tamer!" a booming voice called from a nearby table. Robb looked over and saw what was probably the biggest man in the north. While Gregor Clegane may have been the mountain of the south, the Greatjon Umber was that of the north. The Lord of Last Hearth stood from his table, ale still dripping from his large, brown beard, and raised his cup to Robb. "Robb Stark, the Lion Tamer!" Other men in the hall raised their cups, some chanting 'Stark.' Robb, self-conscious of the attention, just shook his head. The Greatjon would not be stopped though, as he came and clapped Robb on the shoulder. "I hope you saved some of those fuckers for the rest of us."
"I'm sure there will be plenty left for you, Lord Umber," Robb assured.
"Good lad," the Greatjon laughed, turning back to his table.
Robb and his Father continued on until they reached a group of men standing around his Uncle Edmure. One of the men was older, with long grey hair and beard. He was still in armor, and Robb instantly knew him to be Lord Yohn Royce of Runestone, from the armor's trademark bronze make. His Father had often spoken of Lord Royce in his stories of his fostering in the Vale, and Lord Royce had visited Winterfell some years back on a trip to the Wall.
The other man, Robb had never met, but he had stories of him. The man wore a tunic with the Tully colors, but instead of the traditional silver fish, his was colored black. Ser Brynden Tully stood tall, his hair gray and face clean-shaven. To Robb, he looked every part the storied warrior that had been regaled about by so many.
"Robb, you know Lord Royce, and this is your great uncle Brynden," Eddard introduced as they joined the small group. The Lord of Runestone bowed his head in acknowledgment, while the Blackfish stepped forward and greeted Robb.
"You look much like Cat," Brynden said, wistfully. "I have missed her, dearly. I fear I have spent too long away from this place. Now my brother does not even recognize me." Robb knew of the estrangement between the Tully brothers, but was not certain over for the reason for it.
"I had thought you were serving as the Knight of the Gate in the Vale, Uncle," Robb stated.
"No longer," the Blackfish fumed, clearly incensed. "Your Father and my Nephew wrote to Lysa requesting assistance, and she would have none of it. My Niece has never been the brightest person, but she has completely lost her mind since returning from King's Landing. I wish that I could say it was due to Jon's death, but I don't think it so."
"Ser Brynden approached individual Houses in the Vale to gain their support for our cause," Eddard explained. "Thus why Lord Royce has pledged his men to our cause."
"Rightly so," Yohn Royce blustered. "Jon Arryn would have never turned his back on the Starks, or capitulated to Lannisters. Lysa Arryn is a fool. I'm only sorry my fellow countrymen were too damn cowardly to march."
"No, they're too obsessed with trying to assert power over Lysa now that she's a widow," Brynden exclaimed. "Suitors for her hand have come out the woodwork. I doubt the Arryn boy lives long enough to ever become Lord. The woman may be my blood, but I cannot protect her from herself."
"We are glad to have you here, Uncle," Edmure stated. In truth, Robb thought Edmure looked a mixture of relieved and conflicted over Ser Brynden's presence. Edmure had been the prominent figure in the castle for the first time in his life, but now it was filled with the presence of many lords and knights of more renown and authority than he had earned.
Robb and the others eventually moved to a table where Jon, Theon, and Gendry were already seated. Jon was not surprised at their Father's presence, so he assumed the two had already seen each other. With the curious glances that his Father kept shooting at Gendry though, Robb knew he needed to explain things in that regard soon.
While Robb tucked into the food that was being brought into the hall by overworked servants, his Father, Lord Royce, and the Blackfish were deep in discussion about battle strategy. These men were veterans of numerous battles and they talked of every bit of detail about the lands or roads and where it was or was not beneficial to fight. Robb listened attentively, trying to take in every one of their words and pieces of wisdom. At some point, Robb was not sure how long had passed, the boisterous hall quieted to a more reasonable thrum. Robb looked to the hall's entrance and could see why.
Margaery had obviously woken and made her way down to the hall. She had seemingly surmised that the northern host had arrived, because she had chosen her dress accordingly. Foregoing the bright colors of her House, she wore a grey dress trimmed in white and blues...the colors of ice and snow, the colors of House Stark. Robb was not sure where she had found it, but she had somehow managed it. She strode confidently through the hall towards him, ignoring the lingering looks from the other men in the hall.
Robb stood from his place at the table and moved to greet her. She smiled at him and he led her by the arm so that they stood across from where his Father sat.
"Father, this is Lady Margaery of House Tyrell," Robb introduced.
Margaery kneeled in a curtsey. "It is an honor to meet you Lord Stark. Your son speaks very highly of you."
Eddard stark stood from his seat and inclined his head in a small bow. "I am pleased to meet you as well Lady Margaery. House Stark is in your and your brother's debt for the aid that you offered my sons in King's Landing. It will not be forgotten."
"I think Robb saved me just as much as I him, my lord," Margaery replied.
"I could not be more proud of the way my son has conducted himself," Robb's Father praised. "Please have a seat my lady."
Robb led Marageary over to the empty chair next to his own. Inside he was pleased that his Father's interaction with her had been pleasant. His Father was no fool. He had been sure to speak of Margaery's service to their House loudly in front of all of their bannermen. It was certainly a good first impression.
The brief interruption caused by Margaery's arrival settled quickly, and the hall resumed its chatter. While Margaery helped herself to the offerings from Riverrun's kitchens, Robb turned to his Father. "How many men do we have, Father?"
"In total, including the men at Riverrun, around thirty thousand," Eddard responded. "The wildling activity has been a problem, so I've left Roose Bolton to keep watch over the northern border. Lord Cerwyn is providing additional defense for Winterfell. House Mormont is reinforcing Moat Callin and Lord Flint is guarding our western borders."
"Will it be enough?"
"Aye, it must be," Eddard stated. "You depleted the Lannister's numbers with your victory at the Tooth, but we cannot be certain of how many from the Stormlands and the Reach have backed the crown."
"With hope, we'll have good news from the Reach shortly," Robb reminded him.
"Yes," his Father nodded, looking towards Margaery, who was listening intently. "My son tells me that your brother is going to bring your family to our cause."
"He will, I'm sure of it Lord Stark," Margaery nodded. "I cannot speak for my Father, but my brothers are good men and will do what is right. They've grown up with many of the young men from the families in the Reach who would fight with them if asked."
"And the chances of them joining us would be even greater should our houses be joined together?" Eddard asked pointedly, arching his brow.
Margaery grinned back, unfazed by the Lord of Winterfell. "I am sure it would do no harm, my lord. It may even knock some semblance of sense into my stubborn father." Robb reached down beneath the table and took his lover's hand, pleased at her confidence.
"What do you think, Father?" Robb pressed, seeing that his Father was already swayed.
"We will speak on it further tonight," Eddard stated. Robb nodded, though he knew that they had won him over. However, he had little time to revel as Maester Vyman suddenly entered the hall and made his way towards Edmure. As he reached the heir of Riverrun, he held out a small rolled parchment. Robb saw the lion of House Lannister embedded in the wax seal on the missive before Edmure broke it open. Edmure read it through quickly, before handing it over to Robb's Father.
"A message from Tywin Lannister," Eddard advised, reading it through. "He requests a meeting in five days time in the lands between Raventree Hall and Harrenhall."
"Do we attend?" Edmure questioned.
"Aye we attend," Eddard confirmed. "Though, I doubt the discussions will last long. I do not see Tywin Lannister yielding when I request his son's head." Placing the letter on the table and standing, Eddard looked out into the hall, everyone's attention on him. "Prepare your men and supplies. In two days we march for Raventree Hall and likely to war."