Robb rode among his personal guard, Grey Wind trotting beside his grey stallion. They were less than a week from Casterly Rock and Lannisport; Wayfarer's Rest was just behind them. Lord Vance had been very accommodating, offering the King in the North to stay as long as he wanted but Robb wished to leave at first light. They were in the Westerlands now and there were no more safe holdfasts between them and Casterly Rock. Robb wished to ride day and night until he could rescue his sister but he knew that was unrealistic. Men had to sleep and the horses couldn't possibly keep the grueling pace he was setting for longer than twelve hours.
His army was lighter after Riverrun. Robb has told his mother and youngest sister to remain there with some of Ser Edmure Tully's forces as well as the new lord of Riverrun himself. Ser Edmure promised to keep his sister and niece safe, as well as Robb's very pregnant wife. Arya had put up a fight, claiming that she could be of help; she even offered to sneak into Casterly Rock because she was so small and light on her feet. She had shouted at him, "No one will notice me!" His mother had helped calm her but Arya only stormed off, the slamming of a door ringing out in the silence. To be honest, he had weighed her offer against his true plan but he didn't wish for her to be harmed in any way; harm and hardship were behind her.
Talisa hadn't wanted to be left behind either. But he had convinced her that it was better for her to have their baby there, with a maester near at all hours, than on the road under dangerous circumstances. He had to bribe her with copious amounts of sex before she finally agreed to his terms. Only Talisa could reduce the King in the North to a panting mess at the end of each bout. He had kissed her goodbye then kissed her swollen belly.
"You wait for me, little Eddard. I will be there when you're born." Robb whispered against her stomach.
Talisa had smiled and ran a hand through his soft curls. "He wouldn't dare disobey his king."
Robb stood and said, "His mother doesn't have a problem doing so." He kissed her one more time before departing.
He was thinking of them as he came back to the present. Sandor Clegane rode next to him, Roose Bolton just behind. Bolton didn't trust Clegane and wished to be near Robb in case the Hound tried anything to harm the King in the North. Robb thought it unnecessary, the Hound was a member of his army now, loyal to the cause of rescuing Sansa Stark from Ser Jaime Lannister. But, Robb did question Clegane's…affection for Sansa. He didn't understand how a man formerly loyal to the Lannisters could feel anything for a Stark.
He also wondered how Ser Jaime Lannister was treating her. Bad, he's treating her bad. He has to be. Robb couldn't imagine a world where a Lannister would befriend a Stark, let alone marry one and actually love them.
"Your Grace?" Ser Brynden Tully had ridden up to join them. He was looking at him as if he had just spoken and was expecting an answer.
"Pardon me, uncle, did you say something?" Robb asked, snapping out of his reverie.
"Never apologize, Your Grace. It shows weakness." Ser Brynden advised. Robb nodded, accepting his advice. His great-uncle began again, "Your Grace, we need to discuss strategy. Who is to lead the army into Lannisport? Who is to accompany you into Casterly Rock? How many? Who…"
Robb held up a hand to silence him. "Calm yourself, uncle." Ser Brynden held his tongue and waited for his king to say something more. "I will be taking Sandor Clegane with me into Casterly Rock, he knows it better than anyone. Roose Bolton will lead the charge into Lannisport."
Ser Brynden nodded firmly, accepting his king's idea as the way it would be. Robb knew Brynden Tully wouldn't question any decision he made; he appreciated that. He wished all of his soldiers were like that.
"You once told me Jaime Lannister lacks patience." Robb said to Ser Brynden. "Does he still?"
The Blackfish considered it a moment. "I think not. I haven't seen the Kingslayer since he was freed, but I imagine he's changed since losing his hand."
"Likely to be more cautious, my king." Dacey Mormont interjected.
"How so?" Roose Bolton asked. Mormont looked at him, as if she wondered how he had the audacity to question her statement. She replied, "He lost a hand, Bolton. His sword hand. He cannot be the same man. The hand was his favorite possession."
"I thought his prick was his favorite." Clegane barked, a small grin on his grotesque face.
"Can't be, he used it on Cersei. Must hate the thing." Patrek Mallister shouted from behind them.
"And now he uses it on Sansa. Likely his favorite again." All eyes were on the man who spoke, Robin Flint, Robb's were too, turning in his saddle. He wondered why Flint thought he could say such a thing about his king's sister in the presence of the king himself.
Robb said calmly, "Watch what you say, Flint, or I shall have Roose slice out your tongue and feed it to Grey Wind."
"It would be my pleasure." Roose Bolton said coldly, eying Flint.
"My apologies, Your Grace." Robin said, not meeting his king's gaze.
"I suggest you ride at the back of the guard, Flint." Ser Brynden said with a glare. Robin Flint held up his horse and let the others pass until he was at the back of their group of thirty.
"As I said, Your Grace," Ser Brynden began again, an annoyed expression on his face, "Ser Jaime is not the same man he once was."
Robb nodded. "Do you believe he will lead his men out of Casterly Rock himself or send a man in his stead?"
The Blackfish let out a harsh laugh. "Jaime Lannister may have lost a hand but he's still a fucking Lannister. Lannisters are proud, Robb. They will always lead their own into battle even if they've lost every limb they possess and have to be strapped onto their horse to keep from falling off."
"Good. Jaime out of the castle is preferred."
They rode in silence for a moment before Roose Bolton broke through it. "Your Grace, may I offer an opinion?"
"As you wish, Roose."
He took a moment before saying, "I would simply suggest that you take me into Casterly Rock and let the Hound take Lannisport."
"And why should I do that?" Robb asked, a little shocked at Bolton's suggestion.
"Clegane is too easily noticed outside of Casterly Rock. His size alone could give him away, let alone that terrible face of his. Dressed as peasants, you and I could easily sneak close enough to the Rock unseen while the army marches on Lannisport."
Robb considered it a moment but Sandor Clegane barked, "Don't listen to this cunt. How will you know where to go inside the Rock? We don't even know where Jaime will be, he may not lead the host to Lannisport. And what of Sansa? She could be anywhere."
"He is lighter on his feet though, Clegane. And, how are you with daggers? We won't be bringing greatswords." Robb said.
"I can use a bloody dagger!" Clegane spat, face growing red from frustration.
"But like I can?" Bolton was twirling a dagger in one hand for emphasis.
"I do all right."
"I need better than 'all right,' Hound." Robb said, narrowing his eyes, suddenly upset with Sandor Clegane. "If you wish to contribute to the retrieval of my dear sister, you will do so in the sack of Lannisport. Roose will accompany me into the castle. You will tell me where they are likely to be keeping Sansa and where Jaime's solar and chambers are."
"I might as well tell you where the dungeons are, Your Grace. That's where you're to end up." Clegane kicked his horse into a gallop and left them in the dust. Robb just shook his head and stared ahead. He didn't think about the possibility of Clegane being correct. He couldn't. If he started doubting himself, it was only a matter of time before his men started to doubt him too.