Dark wings

Robb POV

Once Theon arrived at my room at the Gates of the Moon, I put the letter on the table. Dark wings, darker news. I hated that I couldn't do anything to change the news that had arrived. I read it half a dozen times, not believing it at first five times.

"Robb, you called me," Theon said. "Is it about your aunt? I already said we should dispose of the mad woman."

"You are speaking of my aunt. I won't be a Kinslayer."

"There are other ways. You can send her to silent sisters. There she will not cost you any trouble."

"I called you there to talk about not my family but yours," I told him. "Take a look at the letter."

Theon hesitated for a moment. At first, he wanted to ask me about it, but he took the letter after a moment. I watched him as he read it. His wary eyes turned into shocked ones as he finished reading it.

"It is a lie," He said after putting down the letter.

"It isn't," I replied.

"What now?"

"I have my duty," I said. "But you not mine ward, but my fathers. I should take you to the dungeons and keep you here till my father returns."

"And I should wait for my death?"

"I can't help you much," I said, taking a bag from a drawer and throwing it to him. "There are some gold dragons and some silver stags inside. I will send men after you tomorrow morning. I suggest you go to Gullttown. If you're lucky, you might catch a ship to Essos."

"Robb."

"Go, take a horse, and leave quietly."

Theon nodded and turned to leave, stopping at the door for a moment before leaving. It hurt to see my friend leaving. I knew I wouldn't see him again. If he returns, I will have to face him as my enemy.

It felt like the wars would never end. After dealing with Lannister in Riverlands, even after dealing with Vale, I will have to ride straight to North to fight Ironborn.

"Robb," The Blackfish came to me while I was thinking. "Lysa agreed to meet you."

"Finally, where does she want the meeting to be held?"

"At Eyrie."

"Fine, we will move in the morning," I replied. "Prepare for the journey. I want every lord to come with us."

"Every?"

"Yes, even Waynwood and Corbray. I want this to end."

I knew what he thought about. After winning the battle with Ser Lyn Corbray, the Waynwood surrendered the Gates of the Moon without much trouble. I didn't trust them, so I put them with other lords on Baelish's side. But I don't have any more patience for this farse.

Once we leave tomorrow, I will send a few men to look for Theon. Hopefully, they won't look too hard. Nobody but me knew of what happened in the North. Still, I won't be able to keep that information for long. I will tell everyone tomorrow.

…

"What do you mean, Theon is gone?" The Blackfish banged the table in anger at the soldier's report.

"Take a dozen men and look for him. He shouldn't be far. Look at the villages nearby."

I held a cold face, trying not to show emotion. It was better that nobody knew that I let Theon go. I can't go myself or send any lord to look, as we are going to the Eyrie today. The men will look at every village, and by the time they reach Gulltow, he will be gone.

"Robb, I could go look for him," The Blackfish said.

"No, I will need you. We are leaving for Eyrie. There is no time to waste."

My words were final. Nobody disagreed and went back to prepare. It was a long climb to the mountain, and I didn't know what awaited me there. Will my aunt listen to me, or has Littlefinger wrapped his fingers around her?

…

After a long climb up the mountain, we finally reached the Eyrie. It was only possible with Mya Stone's help. The climb was challenging, but the girl a few years older didn't have trouble leading us.

It was my first time seeing the castle. It was impressive, but without it being on top of the mountain, it was nothing special. And being on top of the Mountain, the castle was made impractical. It was small compared to Winterfell or Harrenhal. In winter, it was too cold to live there.

"Lord Stark, I hope your journey wasn't too hard," A short man with a slender build greeted me. "I am Petyr Baelish, and I welcome you to the Eyrie."

"I came to meet with Lady Arryn, not you, Lord Baelish," I tried my best to hide my disgust for the man.

The man laughed, but I didn't see any laughter in his green-grey eyes. He had a young face, but some grey was in his short black hair. I followed him, and other lords followed me. Once we arrived at the Great Hall, where my aunt sat on the high throne, I could finally end this farce.

"Lady Arryn, I present you Lord Stark and his companions," Littlefinger bowed to my aunt.

I knew what he was doing. He put my aunt above himself, so he would not be blamed for anything. In the end, he would claim that he only listened to Lady regent of the Vale. And at the time, I thought Edmure's lessons were a waste of time.

"You brought an army at my door," My aunt told me.

"If we have forgone the greetings, aunt, then so be it," I replied. "Your rule only brought war, and your inactions dissatisfied many lords. With the power of King Jaehaerys Targaryen, I abolish your title as Lady regent of the Vale."

"King Jaehaerys? I have not knelt to no such king."

"It's that all you have to say?"

"My lords, let's not come to the blows. I am sure we can talk through this," Littlefinger intercepted himself. "Who would replace Lady Arryn? Lord Royce?"

"What of it?" I asked the slight man.

"Would King Jaehaerys be responsible if Lord Royce tried to overthrow Arryns?"

"You dare to insult me?" Lord Royce was livid.

"You gathered the other lords to act against the House Arryn. You were the first to jump in opposition when Lady Arryn made a slight mistake in her judgment. Is it too farfetched that you would try to take over, Lord Royce?"

"And who would you nominate, Lord Baelish?"

"Myself, I served Lord Arryn in the small council. My house is small and insignificant, so if I tried something, I would be met by opposition and be powerless against them."

"Aunt, do you have something to say?"

"Fine, I accept that I made mistakes and am not suited to rule. But how can I trust anyone else? My boy is sick. I know they will use it against him and me. Lord Baelish is an old friend and served well under my husband. I am sure he will rule wisely and justly."

"I see," So this was his plan. "It is true. We can't let just anyone take control of the whole Vale. Does anyone else have anything to say?"

I listened to the other lords and made sure to remember those who spoke for Littlefinger. Lord Royce was adamant about not letting Littlefinger into power. Some nominated themselves. Even if most of them selected Lord Royce as Lord regent, it only worked in Littlefinger's favor to prove his point.

"I heard all. As a nephew of Lady Arryn and appointed envoy of King Jaehaerys, I think I have a say too," I gathered everyone's attention to me. "I choose Ser Brynden Tully as Lord regent. He has no lands. He served for years at the Bloody Gates and is the great uncle of Lord Robin. I don't see anyone more suitable for the position. I am sure you can trust him, aunt, afterall he came to the Vale with you."

"Lord Stark, Ser Brynden is a great man, but he is not of the vale," Littlefinger tried to disagree.

"At this point, he lived in the Vale as long as you did. You say you served under Lord Arryn, but why have you not told everyone there that you served under the Lannisters too? Was it not you who accused Lannisters of killing Lord Arryn, yet you had no problem serving under them? There is no way that King Jaehaerys or I could trust you to rule. Is there anyone else who disagrees with it?"

Nobody spoke against it, not even Blackfish. With the decision made, this farce was finally over. Even my aunt could not speak against it. The first thing he did as Lord Regent, uncle Brynden, sent Littlefinger home. Nobody would be surprised if, on his way, he encountered Mountain clans.

…

"My brother is probably making a fuss in heavens now," The Blackfish said. "Did you know why I was called Blackfish, Robb?"

"Have you not gotten the name in the Five penny war?"

"No, my brother, your grandfather, gave the name. In his mind, I was the black sheep of the family. It was because I refused to marry and settle down. He wanted to marry me to the Redwyne's first and then to dozen other houses. He would never have thought I would rule over the Vale."

"It had to be done."

"Yes, I am an old man now. It will take at least ten years until Robin is ready to take the seat. I will be stuck there for the rest of my life."

"Didn't you stay at the Bloody Gate? And if nothing had happened, you would have stayed there for longer. Now you have a better seat."

"The difference is that I wanted to stay at Bloody Gate. Well, it is too late to throw a fit now."

"Good, I send a raven to the Gates of the Moon to inform my men of what happened. I am sure we won't hear of Littlefinger any more."

"And at some point, I liked the brat who stayed at Riverrun. It seems my brother was a better judge of character than I," He let a sight at the end of his words.

"I should be going too," I told him. "I will go to Gulltown and take a boat to White harbor. It is time for me to return home."

After saying my goodbyes to my great uncle, I met Robin for the first time. He was a spoiled and sick child. Even if he was the same age as Bran, he wasn't as mature as my brother. I hope my great uncle will teach him well.

A.N. Thanks for reading, if you want more, five advance chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852