Robb had allowed himself two days free of his kingly responsibilities to enjoy his marriage and the news that he was going to be a father. He had not slept even a moment that night after Margaery had told him…a mixture of both fear and excitement like he had never known overtook him. He had faced death on numerous occasions, but the thought of a child utterly terrified him more. Luckily, Margaery had done her best to ease his nerves and he felt much better now, walking confidently as he entered the great hall in Riverrun, where is lords awaited him.

His men stood as he entered, many offering catcalls and congratulations again on his marriage. Robb noticed some still looked to be recovering from the celebration. Taking his seat at the head table, he waved his men to be seated. Jon, seated to his right, still looked to be surly over their last conversation at the wedding, though he still offered an acknowledging nod when Robb looked over.

Rising to his feet, the hall quieted. "My lords, it has been months since our victory at Raventree Hall. In that time, we have healed and we have regrouped. We have welcomed strong allies." Robb raised a cup to his brothers-in-law and the lords of the Reach. "But winter is coming, my lords, and it will be long and unforgiving. We cannot afford to dither here forever, allowing our enemies to regain their strength and plot their own attacks against us. Our idleness is at an end. We will take the fight to our enemies and drive them out of their holes."

The men in the hall responded loudly, beating fists on the tables, their want for a fight palpable. Robb, stepping away from his own table, took position in the center of the hall, all eyes following his movement. "In one week, I will lead a force of fifteen thousand to Seagard. From there, we will board Lord Redwyne's ships and sail west."

"To where, your grace?" Lord Glover shouted, his voice alight with anticipation.

"To the only place that will strike at the pride of Tywin Lannister when we pull it from his grasp," Robb stated, voice echoing through the chamber. "They say that Casterly Rock has never been taken…well I say they have never seen an army the likes of this one that was up to the task."

A mixture of excited cheers and conversations struck up the hall. While Robb could tell that most of his men were eager at the prospect of mounting such a challenge, there were still nervous faces among them. One of them, Ser Marq Piper, reluctantly stood from the bench he was seated at. "Not that I do not long to take such a prize, your grace, but having been raised so close to the the Westerlands, I've traveled to Casterly Rock on many occasions. I've never seen such a place so naturally situated to repel an attack. It cannot be taken by any ordinary means."

"Aye, you speak true, Ser," Robb said. "And if we are to take the Rock, we will need to be clever, and not simply walk to the gates and demand entry based on the threat of our numbers alone…for even with them, we would not force our way in."

"What do you suggest, my king?" Lord Manderly asked.

"A ruse, my lord," Robb answered. "We are going hit them in waves until their backs are turned, and then walk in unmolested. The Lannisters have always loved their gold, and we are going use the very source of their wealth to march into their halls and take their home."

Robb walked over to where the Blackfish was seated next to his nephew, Edmure. Placing a hand on his great-uncle's shoulder, he looked back to the captive eyes around him. "The Blackfish will lead the first attack. The first wave of ships will disembark at Kayce, and he will lead one thousand men to take and secure the town." Robb turned his attention to his great uncle. "The castle will send ravens to Casterly Rock seeking aid, so is important you secure the town's perimeter defenses. Leave the castle be, unless it the opportunity present itself. We can take it later."

"It will be done, your grace," the Blackfish stated. "Could probably do it with half the men."

Robb laughed. "I'm sure you could uncle, but there's no need to prove your acumen in battle to anyone here." Robb walked back to stand before the head table. "The rest of the fleet will continue on down the coast and take Lannisport. The fighting will be heavy, but it will give us the cover we need to follow through with the last phase of our attack. A single ship will sail to the rear of the Rock and find a way to enter the mines. From there we will breach their defenses from inside and make our way to the gates."

"If I may, your grace?" Paxter Redwyne interrupted. "The seas around the Rock will be treacherous. Trying to steer a ship close enough to disembark in haste may be difficult. One wrong turn or strong wave, and the boat will be wrecked against the rocks."

"Then we will have to find a good captain to lead us," Robb said.

"It almost sounds like you intend to be on that ship yourself, your grace," the Greatjon mused loudly. "I must be hearing things though, because that would be fucking madness."

"We are all subject to our bouts of madness, Lord Umber," Robb grinned. "And aye, I do intend to be on that ship. I may be a king, but I will not let my men face a danger that I am not willing subject myself to. My Kingsuard and I will enter the mines and sabotage the castle's defenses."

"And I assume you cannot be talked out of it?"

"No, Lord Umber I cannot," Robb stated. "Once we have taken Casterly Rock, we will secure the pass into the Riverlands."

"What of the rest of our forces, your grace?" Edmure asked.

"The bulk of our force will remain in the Riverlands to secure our lines, both to the south and to the east. However, my brother, Jon Stark, along with Ser Helman Tallhart and Lord Robin Flint, shall lead a force of three thousand men north to the Wall."

"Your grace, can we afford to lose such a number?" Lord Manderly questioned, murmurs around him clearly echoing the same question.

"Winter is coming, and we must look to the north as well. The ravens we have received from Lord Commander Mormont are disturbing, and we must provide aid to the Watch or risk an incursion of wildlings running freely in our lands. We have a week, my lords, and then we march north."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Robb sat in his solar reading the latest raven that had just arrived from the Vale. Lord Royce was locked in a bloody conflict with Littlefinger that seemed to have little sign of an end in sight. Sighing in frustration at Baelish's continued existence, he let the scroll fall through his fingers and onto the table. The wine next to him beckoned and as he was about to reach out for it, a knock came against the door. Reluctantly leaving the wine untouched, he called out for the person to enter.

Margaery pushed open the door and took a few steps past the threshold. "Apologies for disturbing you Robb, but it seems we have a visitor requesting an audience with you."

"You could never disturb me, my Queen," Robb smiled, his previous frustration easily forgotten. He held out his hand and Margaery was quick to abandon her place at the door. She took his hand and allowed Robb to pull her down until she was seated on his thigh. Robb found his hand drifting to it's new favorite resting spot on his wife's abdomen. "So is this visitor's business important?"

"I believe so. It is Ser Davos Seaworth and…there appears to be a child with him."

Robb was flummoxed. Why would the Onion Knight be at his gates again with a child? "Curious. He did not also happen to have an army with him as well?"

"No, just the child. He seemed quite haggard when I saw him, and very protective of the child."

"What could you tell of the child?"

"Only that it was a girl, maybe similar in age to Arya. She had a hood that shrouded most of her face."

"Hmm. Interesting. Well, best not keep our guests waiting. Would you care to accompany me, my Queen?"

"Of course."

Robb led them out of his solar, and as they exited, he saw Gendry standing sentry. The former blacksmith was leaned against the wall, looking down and playing with the pommel of his sword. They had worked hard at improving his ability with a blade, but Gendry still insisted on keeping his hammer on his belt as well. Seeing Robb walking towards him, Gendry jolted, standing straight.

"Your grace," Gendry stated.

"We have a visitor, Gendry. Ser Davos has apparently seen fit to grace us with his presence again," Robb said.

"Should I have another of your Kingsguard accompany you?" Gendry asked, alert at the mention of Stannis Baratheon's man.

"No, that won't be necessary," Robb responded. "I have a feeling our meeting is going to be enlightening."

They found Ser Davos in a small antechamber off of the great hall. He was seated at a small table, the cloaked child at his side. Margaery had been correct in describing Ser Davos' manner. Robb thought he looked as if he had not slept in days, and his eyes gave off the impression that he was waiting for someone to jump out and attack him. Upon seeing Robb enter, Davos jumped to his feet, bowing his head.

"Your grace."

"Please sit, Ser Davos. It looks like you could use the rest."

Davos gave an exhausted smile. "Thank you, your grace. It has been a hard road getting here."

Robb and Margaery joined Ser Davos at the table while Gendry remained by the door. Upon taking his seat, Robb got his first look at the child and saw that she indeed did seem to be of an age with Arya, though he was only able to see a bit of her face.

"I have to say I am a bit surprised to see you back so soon, Ser Davos. The last time we spoke it appeared we had reached a stalemate in our discussions."

"To speak truthfully, your grace, I come to you today on behalf of myself and not Stannis. I no longer serve Stannis, and if he and I were to see each other again, I imagine he would take my head this time and not just my fingers."

"What has happened to drive you away from your King's service so suddenly, Ser Davos," Margaery asked, kindly.

Robb could practically see the battle raging within Ser Davos' head, as the man attempted to gather himself. "For a long time I've looked the other way at Stannis' faults…and the gods know, does he have faults. Before the Red Woman came though, before he became a king, Stannis was just a rigid cunt…excuse my language, your grace…but now all he wants is the Iron Throne, and he'll do anything and walk over anyone to see that happen. When you add the Red Woman whispering in his ear about the Lord of Light, and how Stannis has been chosen, it's a disastrous combination."

"You knew these things when we last talked, Ser Davos," Robb stated. "Again, what has changed?"

"Stannis' forces have been stymied for months, but they suffered a striking defeat a few weeks ago, in a push to get to King's Landing. A detachment of soldiers from the Reach ambushed them just north of the Kingswood. Stannis lost a thousand men, and another two thousand wounded. He retreated back to Storm's End in a rage…let the Red Woman burn the commanders of the vanguard alive as an offering to her god while their men watched on. But it didn't stop there…" At this Davos trailed off, and Robb could see a mixture of both rage and heartbreak in his face.

"Then, one day, I was coming to speak to Stannis. When I approached his chambers, I realized he was with the Red Woman. He was arguing with her, raging at why their sacrifices were not enough for the Lord of Light to grant him victory. She told him that a more significant sacrifice was required…that their was greater power in a sacrifice of King's blood. Stannis was not going to sacrifice himself, but the Red Woman told him that someone with his blood running through their veins would suffice."

"No…" Robb muttered, understanding beginning to sink in. "Stannis has a daughter."

Davos reached over and placed his arm around the young girl beside him. "I turned and ran as soon I heard Stannis give the Red Woman permission to begin preparations. I loved Stannis once… he was my King…but he lost me forever that day. I made my way to his daughter's chambers and we snuck away in the night. I secured a ship and we sailed to just north of Duskendale, then continued on horseback to get here. King Robb and Queen Margaery, may I introduce Princess Shireen Baratheon."

Robb looked over and the young girl tentatively lowered her hood. His eyes only averted down for a second to the side of her face that had been damaged by the greyscale, before refocusing on her scared, blue eyes. Had it not been for her affliction, she would have been a comely young girl. He could not even imagine now having to live with the knowledge that your own father was willing to burn you for the sake of his ambition.

"You are very welcome here, Princess Shireen," Robb said, offering the girl a comforting smile.

"Thank you, your grace," the girl timidly responded.

Robb turned to his wife. "Would you mind taking the Princess to a guest room to see that she's fed and made comfortable. I'm sure it has been a trying journey."

"Of course, Robb." Margaery stood, walking over to Shireen. "Would you like to come with me? I can give you a tour of the castle and we will get you settled. You can be sure that you are welcome here."

Shireen looked to Davos, who gave a smile and nod. "Go ahead, Princess. You'll be safe with Queen Margaery." Shireen replaced her hood, then interlocked her arm with Margaery, who led them from the room.

"Your grace, I beg you to allow the Princess to remain under your protection. I'm not much of a fighter, but whatever use can be made of me, I give you my oath that you'll have my loyalty and my service."

"Ser Davos, I would protect the Princess even without your oath," Robb stated. "However, as you have offered, I do have two things I would ask of you."

"Ask, and I'll do my best, your grace."

"First," Robb began, "I would like to talk to you about the loyalties of those in the Stormlands. Do you see that young man standing over there?" Robb inclined his head over to Gendry.

"I do you, your grace."

"That is Gendry Waters. He is the bastard son of Robert Baratheon."

Davos stared at Gendry closely. "I cannot say I'm surprised. He resembles Renly, but he has Robert's stature."

"Given what you've told me today, I cannot imagine that Stannis is going to live out the end of this war, either dead at the hands of Lannisters or his own men if he keeps burning them. I would be interested to know if there are lords who would be inclined to follow another Baratheon, if given the option."

"As you said, the boy is a bastard."

"Aye, but I am a King, and if I say that his name is Gendry Baratheon, I can make it so."

"An interesting question, your grace. I would be glad to offer whatever knowledge I can. What was the other request?"

"Many years ago you famously steered a ship through the blockade of Storm's End, saving the castle. Do you still think you could stealthily steer a ship somewhere more dangerous?"

"The sea is still in my bones, your grace. Give me a task and I'll see it done, or die trying."

"Good, Ser Davos," Robb grinned. "Because I need you to sail me to the bowels of Casterly Rock in the middle of a siege, so that I can take the castle."

"Ah, you were not lying about the danger, your grace. Still, I'm up to the task."

"If you manage to get me into Casterly Rock, we'll have to come up with a better moniker than the Onion Knight."

"I would hope so, your grace. Last time I was transporting onions. This time it's a damn King."