Chapter nine: The king in the North!
Tywin Lannister, lord Paramount of West and East, lord of Casterly Rock and Hand of the King read Jaime's letter again. The Starks found allies in 4 dragons and a Targaryen girl. The old lord didn't want to believe the message, but if his eldest son saw them through Myrish eye as clear as the sun on the sky, it seemed to be true. Tywin looked again at his table, where there was a map of the whole Westeros with figures signalling each house.
He thought hard to decipher the next move of Starks, but one of the squires rushed to his tent. "My lord! The Stark army freed Riverrun and captured both of your sons!" the squire shouted and handed him a letter. It was written by a maester, because the writing was made a bit messy, but still clear. On it was written:
Lord Tywin Lannister,
I have captured both of your sons and freed Riverrun. If you want them back, do not try to attack me or my allies or ser Jaime is roasted by Drogon. Also, my uncle was prince Rhaegar so, I have more claim to the Iron throne, than your grandson, but I don't want the uncomfortable chair.
Robb Stark, lord of Winterfell and lord Paramount of the North
This letter literally surprised Tywin. He wasn't expecting such a reveal from his enemy. 'If Robb Stark is the nephew of prince Rhaegar, then Jon Snow could be… No! Eddard Stark would never betray Robert Baratheon. This makes no sense!' he thought. "Brother?! What happened? I never saw you like this." Kevan announced. "Read this." Tywin answered and handed him the letter.
Kevan instantly paled and looked back at Tywin. "This part with the Starks being related with Targaryens makes no sense!" his brother shouted. "I know Kevan. We must use it to our advantage. If really the last Targaryens sided with Robb Stark, the Reach and Dorne will turn cloaks and stab us in our sleep." Tywin answered.
Kevan seemed to think about it for a moment. "So, the less people know this, the better reputation we gain?" he asked. Tywin simply nodded and let a really small smile escape his lips for a split second. Finally, Kevan said something wise. But, his new priority was to save his sons from their situation.
Edmure Tully looked again at the army that saved castle Riverrun from Lannisters. It was weird to see 24 Dothraki with Northmen, half of the Frey army, two Targs, wounded ser Barristan Selmy, the famous Geralt of Rivia and his adoptive daughter, two direwolves and four dragons. He was glad that Catelyn was in Winterfell and not here, because someone from Starks was needed to look after the younger sons and both daughters of murdered Eddard Stark.
To his surprise, both sons of Tywin Lannister were free to go, where they wanted, but also under constant watch of guards and forbidden to leave the camp. "In the name of my father, lord Hoster Tully, lord Paramount of Riverlands, I Edmure Tully hereby thank you for saving Riverrun from Lannister siege." he announced. "It would be impossible without scouting the camps and having dragons and direwolves as our guards." Robb countered. "He is like a mixture of father and lord Stark." Edmure thought. His men, who were around, seemed to have the same thoughts.
"I see. They are looking dangerous." maester Vyman called. Suddenly, the big gold dragon started to shrink and get a more human-like figure. "Thank you for marking me as a 'dangerous dragon,' maester, but I am just a giant pony for Geralt, when he needs to get transported really fast." the dragon answered. "My name is Villentretenmerth, but friends are calling me Borch Three Jackdaws." the dragon continued like a ser.
Suddenly, Greatjon Umber went forward. "My lord, you have proven your skills in battle more than once." he said, while he was looking at Robb. "I am not suited for long talks so, I bow to you not as a lord to lord Paramount, but as a lord to a king!" the big Umber continued and unsheathed his sword. "The King in the North!" he shouted. One by one, his cousin's bannermen declared Robb as a new King of Winter. Only Roose Bolton seemed to be unhappy with the decision.
Edmure smiled at Robb. "The King in the North and Riverlands!" the young Tully added. His men repeated the words with big enthusiasm. 'Tywin is now in enemy territory. He should be aware of that.' Edmure thought and went to his father's chambers to talk with him.
A week later, Winterfell
Arya was practising with Needle again, when maester Luwin went out from his tower with a scroll in his hands. The young she-wolf rushed to the old maester and opened her mouth to ask what was written on it, but Luwin shook his head and continued in his direction.
She followed the maester and soon found herself near Dandelion's room. The bard was probably writing or composing a new song (again). Arya quickly hid behind the nearest door and waited for maester Luwin to leave. When the old man finally went back to his tower, he stopped near her hiding place. "Arya?! I know that you're near. Come out. It's not nice to spy on someone." the maester called.
The young she-wolf stood at her place and tried to not make a sound. "Arya… I don't have a whole day to find you. Do not make it worse than it is." Luwin continued. After that, Arya finally gave up and went out. "You wanted to know, what's inside, right?" the maester asked. "Yes maester." Arya answered with faked shame in her voice.
"Curiosity is a good ability to have, but when you are too curious, it will only hurt you." Dandelion interrupted from his room. Maester Luwin smiled. "It seems that the bard shared part of his experience with us." he announced. Arya sighed. Dandelion was annoying and now, he tried to be wise.
The she-wolf went back to her room really annoyed. The bard killed her day again. 'When he will finally leave?' she thought and grabbed Needle. Arya trained a bit with her sword, but stopped, when someone knocked on the door. "Who is it?" she asked.
"Arya? Mother requests your presence at dinner." Bran called from behind. Arya rolled her eyes and quickly changed into something that her mom will tell her to wear. Arya hated, when she was in moments, in which she must wear dresses. But, she hid her emotions and went out of her bedroom.
When she finally reached the Great hall, she noticed that the guards were drinking ale and cheering, while Bran was smiling brightly. Arya went straight to the main table and sat down at her chair. "What happened?" the young she-wolf asked. "Robb won another battle and captured the Kingslayer!" the acting lord of Winterfell answered.
"And where is mom?" Arya continued with asking. Curiosity is a good ability to have, but when you are too curious, it will only hurt you. "She decided to get Rickon into his bed and Sansa is sewing in her room. Again." Bran said.
Arya grinned at that. Sansa was always sewing in her room after that King's Landing murders happened. But, they survived only thanks to Geralt, ser Borch and Aemon. And now, they're in war against the Lannisters, which (surprisingly) didn't send that murderers.
It still didn't make sense to her. She still thought that the queen and her brat of a son were behind it all. Suddenly, a guard rushed in with fear in his eyes. "The Bolton's bastard is outside the gates! He wants 'only Starks and the bard' to leave," he shouted.
Panic filled the Great hall of Winterfell. Bran nodded to Hodor, which smiled. "HODOR!" he shouted and everyone looked at the giant. Bran thanked the giant and turned back to the scared people of Winterfell.
"We have a dire situation here. Bolton's bastard is trying to wipe us, but we have enough time to call for help! Maester Luwin, send a raven to my brother and all other vassals. We will need all available troops." the young acting lord of Winterfell announced.
The old maester nodded and left the hall. Bran looked at Mikken, which was near the door. "Mikken, we'll need new weapons, shields and armor." he continued with orders. The blacksmith nodded and pointed at some men to follow him.
"Ser Rodrik, you'll lead our defense and troops' training. We must hold our position as long as possible." Bran finished and grinned at surprised Arya. "It seems that you listened to maester Luwin and your father enough to give these orders almost by instinct, my lord." Rodrik answered, nodded and took the rest of the men in the hall to the training yard.
"Hodor, Mikken will need your help." Bran said to the giant and gestured to him to go. Hodor nodded and went out to help Mikken. Now, there were only Bran and Arya in the hall. "Mind a race to the crypts?" the young she-wolf asked.
Bran jerked his head in a 'no' gesture with a sad look in his eyes. "Sorry, but mom wants me to be a good leader, when Robb is fighting in a war, so I can't run around like we did those weeks ago." he apologized, stood up from his ancestors' chair and slowly walked to the door out.
A/n:
Hey guys! Another chapter is (finally) done! I apologize for not updating this story for so long, but it was one hell to write it
Also, if anyone wanted to see Dandelion giving advice, I hope, that you liked it.
See ya later!