TALISA
ROBB
Catelyn, Arya, Bran, and Rickon were not pleased with Eddard Stark when he and Robb returned without Jon and told them about the agreement. They were even less happy to learn that a Wildling would be staying with them. Eventually Robb had to influence them mentally to keep them calm and make them accept the situation. With the Alliance established Robb could turn his attention to other matters. He has a year, four months, and a few days left until Jon Arryn is poisoned.
In a possible future Robb breaks his word to Lord Walder Frey and marries Talisa Maegyr. She becomes pregnant with his child. Both are murdered on Walder Frey's orders at the Red Wedding. That future will never be as Robb intends to use his power to find Talisa, influence her to come to Winterfell court and marry her.
It took a few days, but eventually he found Talisa in Torrhen's Square using her healing talents to help the poor. Now he used his power of influence on Sansa to get her ask their parents about learning to become a healer. Once the plan to meet Talisa is in place Robb concurs with Bran on their next move.
"How should we save Jon Arryn's life?" Robb mentally asks Bran.
"I think saving Jon Arryn would be a waste of time…Robert Baratheon may still come North…If only to make a marriage arrangement between our two Houses…The truth of Cersei's children will still come out and there will be war…"
"True, but this time the Vale will fight beside us against the Lannisters and the Tyrells…"
"And if we defeat them…You will still have to tend with Stannis and his Red Witch…They will not surrender the North, the Riverlands, and the Vale without a fight. And your father will still be honored bound to support Stannis' claim to the Iron Throne."
"Kill Stannis and Renly is King. He will be more agreeable to allowing us independence…"
"Your father will have to go the wall…If you are going to be King."
"You would condemn my father to the wall?"
"Better than losing his head…We cannot control and influence everything…" Robb didn't like the idea of his father spending his last years in the Night's Watch, but it was better than him losing his head.
TALISA
After the Doom of Valyria the Volantenes tried to build their own empire, but because Aegon Targaryen intervened the people of Volantis satisfied themselves with their own territories. The society became a slave based like many of the free cities in the east. As time passed Volantis became one of the most powerful and populous cities in the world; second only to Braavos in power.
The people of Volantis have very strict laws concerning society and slavery. Every slave receives a mark in regards to what that slave is meant for. A fish for slaves who handle fish or work the fishing vessels, a fly for dung shoveling, a tear with its point facing down is for whores, crossed hammers for builders, a circle within a circle for those who drive carts. Slaves served in many aspects of life with the exception of pit fighting. Slaves caught carrying arms were immediately put to death.
The Rhoyne River runs through Volantis and divides the city in two. The Western side is open to traders and the Eastern side houses the inner city and the elite. A two hundred-foot wall called the black wall surrounds the Eastern half. The wall is wide enough on the battlements for chariots to ride across. Foreigners are not allowed in the Eastern quarter.
The government is ruled by the Triarchs. The Triarchs are elected from the two ruling class of government organizations. One is known as the Tigers and the other the Elephants. The Tigers are descendant from the warrior class which started the wars with the other free cities. The Elephants recently rose to power from the merchant class. Volantis hosts the largest standing army in the east. But despite its military might there are more slaves in Volantis than citizens.
CASTLE MAEGYR – 8YRS AGO
One of the oldest families from the warrior class is House Maegyr. The House was founded during the reign of the Targaryens and has been around since the city was built. Maro Maegyr is the current lord of the House and a sitting Triarch. His wife is Lady Avalene Maegyr nee' Zyre. She has given him two children a daughter Talisa and a son named Arro Maegyr.
The Maegyr's own many slaves and Maro himself commands a personal army 20,000 strong. It is late summer and the Maegyrs are hosting a grand feast. Children run and play, both Talisa and Arro run with the children. Talisa is twelve name days old and Arro is eleven. "By the goddess it's hot…" Talisa says.
"I have an idea lets go swimming…"
So down the lake they go near the castle. Several slaves and guards go with the children. Talisa is standing in the shallows talking with her friends. When she realizes her brother is not around teasing her as he usually does. "Arro!" She starts calling and then screams when sees him floating face down in the water.
Talisa pulls him from the water with all her might. She kneels at his side weeping when the large slave shoves her and places his head to his chest. "You filthy slave you dare put your hands on Lady Talisa!" Another girl screams, but she is ignored, as he places his mouth over Arro's and blows. Then he presses down on his chest as guards show up. "That filthy slave pushed the mistress…"
They point their spears at him, "No wait!" Talisa commands.
Then her brother spits up water and starts coughing. The slave steps back and then Talisa hugs her brother, "Don't ever scare me like that again…" The soldiers place manacles on him. "No and do not hurt him…He saved my brother's life."
Maro is furious, but the slave did save his son's life and Talisa begs her father to have mercy, "Well slave you shoved my daughter, but you save my son…What should I do with you?"
"Whatever the master pleases…"
"Father please…"
He nods, "A life for a life…I give you your life slave…You are free…"
"If it please the Master this one wishes to serve family Maegyr as a free man…"
"Why you are free?" Talisa asks.
"And where would this one go…Lady Talisa…"
"I could give you gold…"
"I wish to serve as a free man…"
"You will serve my daughter…"
Later Talisa sits alone in her room thinking on what she had witnessed. She smiles and comes to a decision. "Where did you learn to do that?"
"This…My father was a healer, but he was also a drunk and a gambler…He lost everything and was sold me as a slave to pay his debts…I learned a lot from him…"
"Will you teach me…" For the next five months Talisa learned many things from Kasad about healing. Then she asks her father to hire a master healer to teach her and Kasad. Kasad finishes his education as a healer and Talisa becomes a healer. Kasad also learns the sword and becomes a personal bodyguard to Arro. "I am leaving father for Westeros…I am tired of slavery and watching others suffer…I want to go to Westeros where I can put my skills to use…"
Three years had passed since her brother almost drowned. Her father agrees and allows her to leave.
TORRHEN"S SQUARE – PRESENT DAY
Talisa smiles thinking back on that time and all the things that led to her becoming a healer. She was very good at it. Employing her skills to help the poor and needy. Then one day she got the inspiration to pass on what she learned. It was the same day she learned the Eddard Stark Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North was looking for a healer to teach his daughter. She packs her things and heads for Winterfell hoping she would be the first to get there.
Upon arriving at Winterfell Talisa is greeted by Lord and Lady Stark who introduce her to the rest of the household members. "If it is okay, I would like to take Lady Sansa around the North for a few weeks for the experience."
"I don't know. I do not like the idea of Sansa being away from home." Catelyn says.
"Neither do I."
"Perhaps her brother can come with us…Along with a few of your men. I am used to traveling by myself." Robb had already put the idea in his parent's head. So when Talisa bought it up they eventually agreed. Talisa, Sansa, Robb, and twenty men traveled for the next six months from village to village helping people. As they traveled Talisa and Sansa became like sisters, while Talisa and Robb developed a romantic relationship.
"I feel like I can tell you anything…Be anything for you." Robb says in the garden at New Castle in White Harbor. It is the fifth month of their tour and the group is getting ready to head back to Winterfell.
She smiles, "Sometimes I feel like you are reading my mind."
"I love you Talisa…and I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know you." They share a first kiss under the moonlight. Upon returning to Winterfell Robb informs his father and mother that he would like to marry Talisa. Catelyn agrees because Talisa is of noble birth and for Robb's happiness. Eddard wants Robb's happiness, but he has a different problem. Some of the Northern Lords have daughters of age for a match, but he has other children so they cannot raise too much of a fuss.
Arrangements are made so that Talisa's father, mother, and brother can be present for the wedding. The castle is decorated with fresh flowers, food is prepared, and invitations are sent out. A month later Talisa's family arrives, along with the Northern Lords, and Catelyn's brother Edmure. Lysa Catelyn's sister had been invited but she refuses. Cat's Uncle shows up and Jon arrives with Tormund and Ygritte who is introduced to the family.
MANCE
"Well you look good for a Prisoner." Tormund jokes.
"Ward! How are things with our people? Is everyone getting along?"
"So far so good. No feuds of any kind, no incidents with the Northern Lords or the Crows…Sorry the Night's Watch. Even the Thenns are behaving."
"And how is the young Lord getting along."
"Fine young lad…He is teaching our people to fight like a real army. The Free Folk has come to respect him. And Ygritte, why is she here?"
"Well she and Jon are the talk of the clans."
Mance smiles, "No shit?"
TALISA
Arya takes a real liking to Ygritte as she can use a bow and fight. The two even take time to practice and Ygritte shows Arya the finer points of archery. The day of the wedding Talisa wears a white dress and a diamond necklace given to her by her mother. The Wedding to be held in the godswood. Before a Septan, friends, and family Robb and Talisa say their vows. Then it is to the main hall for the wedding feast and gifts.
Robb leans over to Talisa, "I can't wait to get you to the bridal chamber." He whispers causing her to blush.
Many hours pass by when Theon stands up, "My Lords and Ladies…I think it time for the bedding ceremony!"
Everyone cheers, but Robb stands up, "Forgive me my Lords and Ladies, but there will be no bedding ceremony." When Robb says this Ned and Cat exchange looks. Ned had forbidden it at their wedding as well. Robb takes Talisa's hand and escorts her out of the main hall.
"What is a bedding ceremony?" As Robb explains Talisa becomes horrified. "Thank you for stopping it. We have no such custom in the east."
"The only man who will be removing your clothes is me." Over the next few days the voice of Bran the Builder began to fade. "You seem melancholy. Is everything alright?"
Robb takes her hands, "I promised you know secrets between us…"
"Yes."
Robb tells her about Bran the Builder and the magic he gave him. He even shows her by freezing a bowl of water by the bed. "I can no longer hear his voice in my head…Sometimes I feel alone."
"You are not alone…You have me."
They kiss, "You are not afraid of me?"
She smiles, "No."