Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or Game of Thrones!
After preparing for a few days, finally, Robb and his party were ready to be off to Bitterbridge, the place that reports and scouts reported that Renly Baratheon had camped his men. "Why on earth have they just been sitting there for?" Asked Theon as they loaded up the horses.
Robb shrugged. "I have no idea. It has everyone confused because it just leaves them sitting ducks."
"Well, not many would deign to attack a Force of 100,000 lightly." Daenerys stated.
"Perhaps not, but they could catch them unawares and slaughter a good chunk of the army before the rest would be able to get up and be ready to fight." Robb responded. "It makes little sense. It's almost as if this is all a game to him."
"Perhaps it is, my lord." Edric cut in as he finished packing his mount.
"Ready to be off?" Eddard asked as he strode up with Jon.
"Yes father. We're about to leave now." Robb confirmed.
"Be quick son, deliver our proposal but focus on lady Olenna. My source says that she is the real power behind the army and if you can convince her, the rest will follow." Robb nodded.
Daenerys turned his face to hers before kissing him lightly. "Now hurry down, we'll hold the fort up here."
Robb smiled in response. "Of course, my lady." He turned and mounted his horse, as did the rest of the party, and at his signal, they moved off at a trot followed closely by Greywind who easily kept up with Robb as he led them south.
It did not take too many days for them to reach the place where Renly was camped. In fact, it took less than a day for them to make it to Renly's camp.
"This is definitely not Bitterbridge." SmallJon Umber stated.
"Good on you for stating the obvious." Dacey Mormont stated with a roll of her eyes.
"This doesn't make you nervous? Having an army of this size so close?" SmallJon retorted.
"Of course it does but that doesn't mean you have to be a ninny about it." This caused the SmallJon to splutter indignantly.
Edric closed his eyes for a moment, blocking out the bickering, before he opened them again to get a good look at the army. "They are slightly more organized than we initially thought." Robb nodded, quietly contemplating. After a few moments, he motioned them onward.
They made their way down to the edge of the army, where they were halted by a sentry. "Who goes there?!"
"Robb Stark, come to parlay with King Renly Baratheon." Robb stated coolly. Greywind growled to emphasize the point. The guard quickly let them pass and no one else gave them any trouble as they made their way to the heart of the camp, where a crowd of people stood cheering. People quickly got out of their way, even if some of it was aided by Edric using the Force. Eventually they made their way to the center of the group, where they witnessed a tourney of sorts. A knight in silver armor with a flower on his shield, was fighting a much larger fighter who wore bronze armor. They battered each other back and forth until the bronze warrior charged the other, catching him off balance and sending him into the ground.
"I yield!" Cried the voice of Loras Tyrell.
Renly began to clap enthusiastically. "Well done! I have never seen Ser Loras beaten so thoroughly."
"Now Renly, my brother fought valiantly for you, you should at least appreciate his efforts." Said a new voice. Robb looked to see one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. This must be Margaery Tyrell.
"Of course, my queen. But still, such skill should be rewarded. Step forward and remove your helm!" The bronze warrior did so, revealing a woman. This, of course, did not faze anyone from the northern party, but Dacey was getting really annoyed at the shocked and angry whispering coming from the crowd. "You fought bravely and well. What would you ask of me?"
The woman went down on one knee before she spoke. "I would ask for permission to join your Kingsguard, your Grace."
Renly looked at her searchingly for a few moments before he responded. "Done. I am honored to have such a fine warrior at my back!" Then Renly looked up. "Ah, I see that the North has finally decided to join the fight!" This got some laughter from the crowd but caused a steel to come into Robb's eyes.
"Aye, I've come to parlay, your Grace, and I hope that you will hear my offer." Robb spoke sternly.
"I will, without a doubt, listen well. Come, to my tent where we won't be interrupted." With that, he and Margaery led the Northerners away from the makeshift arena and to a grand tent. Upon arrival, Robb bid all but Edric and Greywind to remain outside. Upon entry, Robb found himself in front of a small council of sorts. Starting on the left sat Mace Tyrell, current Lord of House Tyrell, next to him sat Willas Tyrell, heir of Highgarden, on the far other side sat Renly, to his right sat Margaery, finally, in the middle, sat Lady Olenna herself.
"Well now, isn't this a pleasant surprise." The Queen of Thorns stated, no surprise or shock was at all evident in her voice. "It seems my sources were right in that an envoy from the North was coming. I wasn't sure who to expect, but I wasn't expecting the Heir of the North to be leading the envoy." There was a sparkling in the old woman's eyes that told Robb she was toying with him.
"My lady, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." Robb did a half bow. "My father has told me a little about you."
Now it was Olenna's turn to actually be somewhat surprised. This one has wit. Impressive. "Well, if he has told you anything about me, then you should know that I am busy. What have you come here for?"
Straight to the point. Robb thought with a smile. Good. The games get tiring. But before Robb could speak, Mace spoke first. "Well, isn't it obvious mother? He has come to ally the North with king Renly!" Even Renly rolled his eyes at that one.
"Mace, be quiet and let the grown people speak." There was no malice in her voice, merely exasperation. Willas fought back a grin. Margaery, however, kept a straight face; her eyes, like those of her grandmother, betrayed nothing.
Edric kept his thoughts to himself, this was Robb's time to, once again, shine.
"We are here because we all have a common enemy. The Lannisters seat their illegitimate king on a throne that they don't deserve. They tried to kill my father and imprison my sister. They killed your brother, the king. We need to unite to fight them."
"Not to mention that my brother, Stannis, also thinks he has a right to that throne." Renly stated. "Now, law of the land may agree with him, but that doesn't mean that he is the rightful king."
"No, it does not." Robb agreed. "I present to you all, a different option." With that, he presented the truth about Jon and showed them the evidence.
After several minutes of consideration, Olenna spoke. "Say that we believe this, say that this is true, what next?" Renly was quiet when a messenger burst in. "Your grace, a message!"
Renly took the parchment. "It seems Stannis has taken Storm's End and now wishes to meet." He looked at Robb. "Will you ride with us? You have given us much to consider, and I would like to do so, but first we must deal with my brother." Robb nodded in agreement, leaving Olenna looking a Renly shrewdly.
Robb took his entire guard with him, unsure of what to expect from the now oldest Baratheon brother. When they met with Stannis, Edric immediately tensed up. Something was off about everything, but he couldn't pinpoint the source. Next to Stannis was a woman in red. She had red hair and a jeweled choker around her neck. It was then that the mercenary's words came back to him. A woman in red. She was a void in the Force, much like Palpatine had always been. It caused him to become even more suspicious of her.
"Renly, you stop this foolishness and do your duty. You know that I am the rightful king."
"By law maybe, but you aren't the right king."
Stannis looked at Robb. "I would have thought that your father would have known the right thing."
"My father understands what must be done, and your descent into religious fanaticism is not the right thing to do." Robb scowled.
Stannis nearly snarled. "Careful boy, I'd watch my tone if I were you."
"He's right though, brother. You have become nothing more than a fanatic, burning effigies of the seven, making sacrifices. Those are the actions of a fanatic! Give it up Stannis. Give up Storm's End and give up this fanaticism and join me in doing the right thing."
Stannis scowled. "I give you until the morning to take down that ridiculous banner and put up banners of peace, but after that, it will be war."
Renly shook his head sadly. "So be it."
After the meeting, they rode back in relative silence before Renly eventually broke it. "I loved him once, you know? I once looked up to him and now look at him, frothing at the mouth because of some whore in red." The disgust was evident in his voice.
Robb turned to Edric. "What do you think?"
Edric thought a moment. "There is something dark about her. It could be that she has him under some sort of spell."
"Is that possible?"
"The dark side is a pathway to many abilities that some might consider unnatural. But there is something off about her. I can not put my finger on it but she's not right."
Robb nodded while Renly looked skeptical about the whole exchange. Robb noticed the look and smiled. "Believe me Renly, I once thought as you do, but I've known him too long to not believe now." Renly could only nod in agreement, though the look of skepticism remained.
Later, after they had returned to camp, they were all once more gathered in Renly's tent talking about the exchange. Olenna looked thoughtful. "Religion is all well and good, but one should never allow it to dominate you to the point of being willing to completely go against your morals and your character." They all nodded in agreement.
Renly shook his head. "He used to be the level-headed brother. You could always count on him to make the right choice and do the right thing. I don't recognize him now."
"People change, not always for the better." Robb provided.
The light outside dimmed further. Renly had yet to remove his armor, due to his guests being in his tent. Suddenly, the tent flap moved and Edric's head snapped towards it, the Force screaming a warning. Then, they could all see it, a shadow of some sort surveying them. "S-Stannis?" Renly bit out, before the shade rushed him. Luckily, the shade was not able to pierce the armor with its blade, but it sent Renly flying. The shade then turned towards Robb, rushing him with the same fervor. But Edric was ready. He wasn't sure if his lightsaber would work, but he knew that the Force was with him. He thrust his hand out, freezing the shade in its tracks before hurling the monstrosity out, quickly moving to keep himself between Robb and the shade. Greywind's growls could be heard and felt throughout the tent. But, as quickly as it had come, it was gone.
"What in the bloody hell was that?!" Robb demanded.
Edric, however, was seething. "I knew there was something off about her. She's a sith."
"A what?" Renly gasped out has Loras helped him up. He wasn't injured, but he was bruised and sore.
"She is a practioner of the dark side of the Force."
Robb raised a brow. "I didn't know that was possible."
"What did I tell you earlier? She used Sith sorcery. We need to be careful."
"Is it safe here?" Mace wondered.
"Probably. Stannis will think I'm dead and will try to come take the army as his own. But I think it would not be a bad idea to consolidate our Forces." Renly turned towards Robb. "I was going to wait until after I dealt with Stannis, but I think it is high time we all met with your brother and father to discuss terms. Stannis may have forgotten the bond between our houses, but I have not. For the love that I had for Robert and the respect that I have for your father, let's go on to Riverrun." Olenna nodded in agreement. "Lord Tyrell, spread the word that we are packing up camp and moving north. Afterwards, we will be marching south to cleanse the land!"
After Mace went out, Renly sat down, wincing as he did so. He looked at Margaery and Olenna. "Nothing was substantiated between us."
"I am well aware dear boy, and I'm not surprised. I told them that it wouldn't work."
"We did try grandmother." Margaery said.
"I don't doubt it, but you can't help who or what you are attracted to." Robb blinked for a moment before comprehension dawned on him. Olenna looked amused at him, seeing his understanding. "Will your brother be open to a match?"
"If not, I'll beat him about the head until he is." This caused Olenna's eyes to sparkle in amusement and Renly to bark out a laugh despite his pain.
It was early morning; the light of the sun was just barely peaking over the horizon by the time they were ready to move. Edric could sense Stannis's army coming. "Do you think they will pursue us?" Loras asked.
"I doubt it, they are a much weaker Force than us, the only problem is we are leaving the area undefended. A Force that size could possibly take Highgarden."
"It wouldn't be for long." Renly mused.
Edric thought for a moment before making his decision. He pulled Robb aside. "I'll stay behind and keep them occupied from any mischief."
Robb was startled by that. "W-what? Are you mad!"
"Perhaps a little."
"This is no time for games! That is a Force of several thousand!"
"That Sith must be dealt with! She is working her own designs and cannot be allowed to win! I sat back unawares while a Sith won once, I will not do so again! I will kill that beast, or die trying, my Lord! I cannot uphold my vow to your father while she lives, she is a danger to all of you!"
Robb sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You won't be turned from this suicide?"
"No."
"Fine then. Go and die!" Robb spat, before turning around and stalking off.
Edric rolled his eyes, amused. "Oh, ye of little faith."
As they all moved off, Edric sent his horse away, turned and sat down on the spot to meditate. Loras was extremely confused. "What is he doing?"
"Something stupid." Robb ground out.
As the army grew more, and more distant, as the last stragglers moved on, Edric saw them. He saw a Force of a few thousand approaching and sensed several more miles away, that was where Stannis and the red woman were, too cowardly to even fight with their own men. With a sigh, Edric stood up, pulling out his saber as he went. Whatever it took to end the Sith on this planet, he would do it. "But I will not die today." The army in front of him stopped, seemingly confused. Edric drew out his master's hilt and attached it to his own. Holding the extended hilt out, he activated both sides of the blade, one side came out his normal purple hued black, while the other a brilliant white. He twirled the dual saber before taking off at breakneck speed, aided by the Force, towards the army in front of him.
When he was half the distance away from them, he leapt high into the air. At the peak of his jump he used the Force to guide him to land in the middle of the army while gathering the Force around him. He landed right in the middle before thrusting out with his mind, sending hundreds of men flying and knocking over hundreds more and, with that, he began his grisly work.
He'd lost count of the number of men he had killed. Bodies were piled up everywhere and he could still smell the seared flesh that came with lightsaber wounds. Still they came for him. They swung wildly and fearfully but the Force was with him. It seemed as if he had been at it for hours on end and finally, the last soldier fell. He shut his sabers down and looked around at the carnage that he had sewn. He hated killing. He had only done it a handful of times, and yet it still bothered him every time he had to cut someone down. He closed his eyes, allowing the peace of the Force to wash over him yet again.
He turned to see a rider heading in the other direction, one of the soldiers had found a horse and was running, probably to tell Stannis of the slaughter. He raised a hand to crush the man's neck before he could escape. However, he stopped suddenly. He looked at his hand in horror. What am I becoming?
He shook his head, now as not the time for introspection. He could sense that Stannis was afraid of him now. He could sense them moving back towards the Stormlands to regroup. Good. Edric was bone tired. He hadn't fought like that in a very long time. Using the Force, he called his mount back to him and rode on to catch up to Robb and the others, a ball of light shooting above his head, down towards the ground.
Riverrun…
Ned hurried to the gates, having just been told about the massive army coming their way. A raven had arrived shortly after from his son.
Renly has agreed to join us but wants to talk terms.
It had been short and held little detail which caused Ned to frown. As he waited for the gates to open, Daenerys appeared at his side along with Jon and Theon, waiting for Robb to appear. When he rode in and dismounted, Ned could tell something was wrong. As he dismounted, Ned walked up to him. "Robb what's wrong?"
It was a moment before he answered. "Stannis used some kind of sorcery to try and kill Renly and me. Edric drove it off and we decided to meet here. They were afraid Stannis would try for Highgarden or that he would attack our flanks so Edric stayed behind." Robb's face screwed up a little at that. "I was angry and said somethings that I shouldn't have said."
Ned looked pensive for a moment before grabbing Robb into a brief hug. "I'm sure he didn't take it to heart son, he'll be fine."
"But it was several thousand men he was getting ready to fight!"
Ned smiled a grim smile. "I've seen Edric fight Robb, perhaps not that many, but a fair few. He'll be alright. Now, let's get everyone settled and meet the Tyrells and Renly in the war room." He turned towards a solemn Theon. "Tell Gendry I have need of him in the war room." With a nod, Theon turned and ran off to find the smith.
With Stannis…
"That stupid fool!" Stannis raged as he paced. He was nervous about the report that he had gotten about the flaming swords that had slaughtered an entire group of men. He couldn't believe what he had been told. "Why would he turn towards the North?"
The woman in red, Melisandre, stood off to the side. "It seems that perhaps he plans to join forces with them."
"That cannot be allowed to happen! They will have more than enough men to win this war!" A thread of panic lanced through Stannis.
"Fear not, your Grace. The warrior that saved them the first time is not with them now, let us finish what was begun." She stood in front of him, pulling him to her even as she lay back on the table, her clothes suddenly gone. Stannis lost the ability to think then. He numbly unlaced his breeches and pulled them down. He was unbearably hard, with no explanation. With a thrust he was inside of her. She made no sound, merely smiling that smile of hers as he thrust. Soon, he spilled himself inside of her and the deed was done. "Soon, your Grace, I will have no enemies left to stand against me." He barely heard her as he laced himself back up but nodded in agreement anyway.
Riverrun…
Jon, Robb, and Ned made their way to the war room, followed by the other Northern and River Lords. When they entered, they say Renly, the Tyrells, and the other Storm Lords waiting patiently. Jon breathed a stressed sigh before making his way to the front, meeting Renly in the middle. They stood there sizing each other up for what seemed like several minutes before either of them spoke. Renly smiled and held out his hand. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, your Grace." Robb smiled from behind Jon while Ned let out a sigh of relief. Jon smiled as he took the offered hand. Renly then stepped back to introduce the Tyrells but Olenna waved him off and stepped forward.
"Your brother says that you are open to an alliance. Do you know what that entails?" She asked him, her eyebrows raised.
Jon looked over her shoulder at Margaery for a moment, smiled at her, before looking back at the matriarch. "I do, my lady. I look forward to getting to know Lady Margaery better before our wedding vows."
The old woman smiled. "Good." She looked around Jon at Robb. "It looks like you won't have to beat him about the head after all." This caused everyone in the room to chuckle. They got to planning before Daenerys joined them, Drogon flying in behind her and going to where Ghost and Greywind lay. Some looked at her and the dragon warily as she came to stand beside Robb, entwining her hand with his, causing him to smile.
They began to plan for the battle. "We'll have to take Casterly Rock first." Mace mused. "I don't think we want the Lannisters behind us as we take King's Landing."
Everyone seemed to nod in agreement. "Most of their army should be at King's Landing. Tywin is at the capitol and I know that he won't want the Crownlands left unguarded. The Lannister forces at the Rock should be fairly easy to overtake with our numbers." Ned stroked his chin.
Randall Tarly spoke up. "We should split the army, half to take the Rock and the other half to take back Storm's End." Most everyone nodded at that.
"We can decide who will go where tomorrow. I think we should celebrate the engagement of our king." Renly grinned widely.
"Yes, a feast would not be uncalled for, considering the occasion." Olenna thought out loud. Everyone seemed to agree, and it was decided that further planning would wait until tomorrow.
In his chambers, Renly was getting ready, a smile on his face, as Loras entered. "Are you sure about this?" The knight asked.
"I've never been surer of anything. With this arrangement, I don't have to pretend to love your sister and I can still serve on the small council. Jon has already agreed. That way, you and I can continue without having to worry about any of that crown nonsense."
Loras sighed. "You would have made a great king."
Renly smiled. "Oh, I don't know about that Loras. I have the personality, but I don't know that I am capable of ruling. I still don't know what I'm going to do about Storm's End, let alone ruling all of Westeros."
In Robb's room, he too was getting ready for the feast, looking forward to catching up with everyone, when his chamber door opened. He turned to see Daenerys enter, a sly smile on her face. She was already dressed. "I have to say that those colors suit you." Robb looked her up in down. She was wearing a black dress with grey lining.
"The soon to be queen helped me pick it out. She is quite nice."
"Her and Jon will get on well. She may even help draw him out of his sulky shell." Dany laughed, music to his ears.
Speaking of Jon, he was busy admiring his new sword, as he often found himself doing. Blackfire was a beautiful blade that felt like a true extension of his arm. He turned at the sound of the door opening, to find his soon to be queen standing in front of him, dressed in a green dress lined with gold. She smiled at him as he sheathed his sword. "I hope you won't spend too much time looking at your sword when we are married."
Jon smirked at the innuendo. "No, I'll be too busy admiring its sheath." He responded, grinning at her shocked expression before it morphed into a grin of her own.
"I see that two can play that game, your Grace."
"Please, call me Jon. I won't be a stranger to my own wife."
She seemed pleased by that. "Good. I really just wanted to talk to you, since we won't get much chance once you march." Jon nodded in understanding.
"You never know what can happen in battle. You are much safer here. Once we take King's Landing, I'll have you brought there. Do you want to be married then? Or do you want to marry before I leave?"
Margaery looked surprised, yet pleased. "I think I'd like to marry before you march. Although I know you aren't fond of the Seven."
Jon smiled. "There's a Weirwood tree not far from here." Margaery smiled and nodded at that. "I would like to be married in both faiths, if you are alright with that."
"I am." They both looked relieved at that.
Somewhere in the Riverlands…
Edric rode as quickly as he could, a feeling of dread welling up inside of him. He urged the poor creature onwards as Riverrun finally came into sight, lit up by the setting sun as it finally sank down the horizon. The Force was screaming at him to hurry, the Dark side was thick in the air.
In the hall…
Everyone was feasting and toasting to the two new couples. Ned smiled at the smiling faces. Though he didn't look forward to war, he knew that it had to be done to secure his family. He couldn't be more pleased with how everything had turned out so far. He could not, however, ignore the feeling of dread in his gut.
Robb noticed the darkening light, a feeling on unease blossomed within him. His head snapped to the side as he heard Greywind, Ghost, and the three dragons growl and hiss at the door. Everyone was looking at the creatures with unease, but Robb stood up, wishing suddenly that he had brought Ice with him. "Robb, what's wrong?" Ned asked. He had noticed that Renly was also looking uneasily at the door. "Robb, you don't think that he would try that sorcery again, do you?" Renly was nervous but Robb didn't answer.
Suddenly, the doors burst open to reveal the shadowy figure. Robb cursed as he shouted for guards to block Renly as he moved to stand in front of Dany. But the creature was not at all interested in Renly. Before Robb could blink, the monstrosity had crossed the length of the hall and shoved its sword into Robb. He didn't have time to get out of the way, but he faintly heard Dany's scream of pain and rage. The creature backed away from Robb only to be bathed in dragon fire. It screamed a wailing and piercing scream before it died.
Robb fell backwards, but Dany caught him and gently lowered him to the ground, ignoring the blood that was now all over as she held her betrothed. He looked up at her weeping face, twisted in pain. "You do not have my permission to die Robb!" She hissed at him. He tried to smile but found he couldn't. Suddenly, Ned was there with Jon and Theon on his other side. They all knew but wouldn't say it. The wound was fatal. Robb gripped his father's arm and looked at him. "S-Stannis. He did this. This was his creature that had his face." Ned's face twisted into one of blackest rage before he calmed himself. "Rest son. It's going to be alright." Suddenly, the doors opened again to show a weary Edric. He's eyes widened at Robb's prone form and immediately ran to him. Robb Look at him as the blood came out of his mouth.
"I-I'm sorry." He managed to get out before the Jedi silenced him. Edric quickly tossed his mask to the side and held his hands over the wound. "There will be plenty of time for that after I fix you, my Lord." Suddenly, he strained, closing his eyes. He focused the Force over the wound, steeping himself the farthest he had ever been into the light side of the Force. Slowly, the wound began to close, and the damage done began to heal. The blood in Robb's lungs faded away as the skin and tissue knit themselves back together. Robb gasped as Edric fell back in exhaustion, suddenly able to breathe freely. "Careful, I don't know how well it closed and you will need to rest."
"I'll make sure that he gets it." Ned choked out emotionally as he and the Greatjon helped Robb up and off towards his room, Daenerys following behind them. Theon came beside Edric and helped him, up. "Now it's your turn to rest. You look ready to keel over yourself." Edric just grunted as he allowed Theon to lead him away.
The rest of the hall was fairly silent, shocked at what all had just transpired. Renly shook himself out of his stupor, seeing a common looking young man standing beside Brienne, his sword at the ready. "I don't think we've met." Renly said lightly.
The young man looked at him, shocked that he had been acknowledged. "The name is Gendry, my lord."
"He's Robert's bastard son from King's Landing." Jon supplied.
Renly's eyebrows raised in surprise. "I see, well, thank you for being so quick. Though, it seems Robb needed your sword more than I."
Gendry nodded. "If I'd been closer, I wish there was something that I could do."
Renly looked thoughtful for a moment. "There may be something you can help me with, nephew. We will see though. In any case, I think it appropriate to return to our feast, albeit slightly more subdued in honor of our hosts." Jon nodded and relayed the suggestion to everyone in the hall. Everyone then quietly got back to their feast. Renly frowned in thought. "Why on earth did he send that creature after Robb, it didn't even try to attack me when it came, it went straight for him."
It was the same question that Ned was asking himself as he stood next to his sleeping son. He looked up at Daenerys and saw how worried she was. It would have made him smile if he wasn't so angry. "I'm going to make sure that Stannis pays for this, you have my word."
Daenerys looked thoughtful, for a moment. "He will pay, my lord, but not in the way you think. I want him brought before me, alive."
Ned's brows rose at her words and her hard tone. "Alive?"
"Yes. He tried to have my beloved killed. He will die at my hands." She looked up at Ned, her face could have been etched in stone. "I understand that, in your culture, the one who passes the sentence should swing the sword, so to speak. I am passing his sentence, and he will die. He will find out that you do not cross a dragon." Drogon, who was flying outside of the window, screeched in response and Ned could only nod in agreement. "Very well, I'll make sure that he is alive when we bring him." Daenerys's smile was as cold as the North, and Ned didn't at all feel sorry for what awaited Stannis.