Chapter 2: The Hermit and the King

Robb was awoken by the smell of rotting flesh, gagging and coughing up water. Robb groaned in pain and opened his eyes. He looked at his body or rather what was left of his emaciated form. Crossbow bolts had buried into his calf as well as his shoulder, cuts covered his arms and legs, and it seemed as if his entire body was covered in purple and yellow bruises.

Robb looked up and witnessed absolute horror, bloated corpses of men with Frey and Northern sigils surrounded him on a river bank, their skin grotesquely inflated to match their swelling, leaking eyes. Robb began to hyperventilate, panicked and confused by the death all around him. Between every desperate gasp for air, his memory slowly returned to him piece by piece. The betrayal at the Twins, the desperate battle to escape the hall, and his plunge into the Trident. Dejection and self pity crept into the thoughts of Robb and for a moment, he questioned whether or not he would have been better off if he had died in the Trident. He pondered just allowing himself to succumb to his wounds and infection instead of trying to fight, after all where had fighting gotten him to this point, where had it gotten his men? Death, death and suffering, he supposed.

Then he remembered his mother, she was smiling, enjoying the feast and the peace it represented and just moments later, her lifeless body, betrayed by those cowards who didn't even try to fight with honor. Anger welled up within Robb, his conviction restored and he remembered the oath he'd made to annihilate everyone who had ripped those he'd loved from him. With renewed vigor, he tried to sit up but every slight movement was agony, every part of his body burned and he began groaning in pain once more.

Slowly but surely, however, Robb crawled up onto higher ground, fueled by nothing but pure spite for his enemies, knowing they would like nothing more than for him to die. He sat there, breathing heavily, exhausted and in heavy pain from the simple act of crawling a few paces. He leaned on the trunk of a tree, resting and took a look at the two crossbow bolts buried into him. He gingerly touched the bolt on his shoulder and immediately felt shooting pain coursing through his body. His hand immediately shot away and Robb left the two bolts for the moment.

Suddenly Robb heard the sound of horses, riding through the forest, the beating of their hooves coming closer and closer by the second, adrenaline shot through Robb as he began crawling towards the only cover he saw, a fallen tree on the ground a few paces away. Pain coursed through him as he desperately crawled towards the tree but his adrenaline drove him. He reached the tree and took cover seconds before a large party of mounted soldiers bearing a Frey banner burst into the clearing. Robb looked closer, the party consisted of about 8 men with one man that especially stood out, his former squire turned traitor, Olyvar Frey. Robb's mind darted back to the previous night when Olyvar had drawn his sword to kill Robb only for Robb to jump down into the Trident before Olyvar could strike. Now that Robb considered it, there had been some hesitation on Olyvar's part which had allowed Robb to escape. Whether that was from nervousness or the idea of going back on the solemn vow Olyvar had made to protect Robb, he couldn't tell but it had saved him for now.

An old grizzled man which Robb recognized as Stevron Frey turned to the soldiers, "Check around for his body or what's left of it, he was wearing a black tunic with a black cloak and brown boots. You're more likely to identify that than his face with the bloat and all"

Fear gripped Robb as he realized Stevron was talking about him, trying to find him. The Frey's began to fan out in every direction searching for Robb. Some went down the banks of the Trident, spotting the corpses and verbally voicing their disgust, loudly. Soon every man had gone down to the bank, searching for any sign of Robb . As a tense amount of time began to pass, Robb realized that fortunately nobody spotted the tracks in the sand he had made going up the bank and they soon began to trickle back up into the clearing to mount up and check the next part of the Trident. Every man in the party mounted up until there was only one horse left.

Then one of the men called out, "Olyvar", looking in the direction of Robb. Robb turned around to see where the man was looking and found himself staring straight into the eyes of Olyvar Frey, his gaze focused right back at Robb. Robb froze in fear, unable to fight, unable to run, this was the end for Robb, his struggle the previous night all for naught. Strangely, Olyvar didn't call out to the other men, he just started walking straight towards Robb. Apparently Olvyvar was going to finish Robb himself and take the glory for himself, Robb supposed. He didn't draw his sword however or even look at Robb as he got closer however.

Olyvar, his eyes still looking forward, just murmured in a quiet voice, "I'm sorry, Your Grace" and walked straight past Robb, towards the men in the clearing. Robb felt relief flood through him as he watched his former squire walk away without another word. Stevron called out to Olyvar, "You took your time Stark-fucker, find anything"

Olyvar replied, "No, nothing"

Stevron Frey took a long look at him, then scowled, and wheeled his horse around, "We've got more ground to cover by night, get going."

The Frey's rode out of the clearing and Robb listened carefully as the hoof beats faded into silence. Robb felt more exhausted than he ever had in his entire life but he feared if he gave into sleep, he wouldn't wake. Nevertheless he eventually succumbed to his exhaustion, falling into a deep dreamless sleep, right where he lay. Robb woke up in the dead of night to the snap of a twig, his mind immediately coming to the worst of conclusions that Olyvar had changed his mind and told Stevron. Robb grabbed a large stick, a pitiful weapon but the best he could come up with from his surroundings.

He peered up above to where he had heard the twig break, brandishing his makeshift club, but to his surprise, there was no one visible in the dark haze. Robb's mind calmed, convincing himself that it must have been a hare or some other small animal, no threat to concern about. He relaxed, laying back on the log, and turning his head back. A figure in a large roughspun black cloak towered over him, peering down on him. Robb recoiled away from it, his head slamming into the log, and blacking out.

Robb woke up in a small cabin, smelling of pine and linens, just like back home in Winterfell. Robb looked down at his still sore body, both of the crossbow bolts were gone, the places where the bolts had been replaced with fresh linen bandages soaked in a pungent herbal poultice that tingled to Robb but in a good way. He sat up, resting his head against the top of the bed, his brain still foggy despite the rest he had been getting. The cabin he was in was plain but clean and organized, a tranquil coziness to it that Robb hadn't known for a while, not since back before his father had left for King's Landing, back when times were simpler and made sense. There was a wooden table with a chair, a fireplace and chimney with a cooking pot set up within, a spinning wheel for making cloth, and a wood drawer. Robb admired the simple elegance of the setup, everything exactly where it needed to be, a simplistic design without being too austere. The door opened and a large man with a bushy beard and kind eyes walked in carrying a basket of turnips and onions, easily 9 or 10 inches taller than Robb and probably twice his weight. He noticed Robb's awakened form and set down the basket of vegetables on the wooden table, turning towards Robb.

The man began in a merry deep voice, "You're awake, it's about time, I was starting to think you'd sleep forever which wouldn't make me feel great considering I was the one who spooked you into that long slumber in the first place."

Robb responded, "I think the cause for my extended rest was more about these wounds I sustained than anything else.", eliciting a thoughtful nod from the mammoth of a man in front of him.

He continued, "In any case, I'm indebted to you friend for tending to my wounds and allowing me to stay in your home. I have to ask however, how long have I been resting here for"

The man responded, "Oh well, after I spooked you into that slumber, I carried you to my cottage here and you stayed that night then about 4 more, today seems to be the morning of the 5th day you'll be resting here for."

With those words, Robb paled, "I've been lying in bed for 5 days! I need to go, they need me, thank you for the hospitality and I swear by the Old I will reward it tenfold."

Robb sat up on the bed, planted his feet, and tried to stand up off the bed, failing miserably and nearly falling to the ground before the large, calloused hands of the man gently guided him back into a sitting position on the bed.

He started, "I don't know who you are and frankly it doesn't matter. I'm going to take care of you for as long as you need until you get better and I don't expect or want payment. I live a simple life in the forest and it provides me with a bounty more than plentiful, which is why it's my pleasure to share it with people in need like you. Right now, you still have infections where those crossbow bolts hit you and if you try to do anything but rest, those infections will get worse. Rest and when you're strong, I'll guide you to where you need to go, understand."

Robb nodded, calmed by his words and said, "Thank you"

"You're welcome lad. What's your name"

"Robb"

"Robb, it's a pleasure to have ya and feel free to stay as long as you like. I don't typically get a lot of visitors and even less pleasant ones which is why I usually prefer it that way. Haven't said my name out loud for a while but I believe it's Richard.", he said with a humorous twinkle in his eyes.

Richard continued, "So Robb, how did you find yourself all the way out here in the forests of the Trident. Wouldn't have anything to do with those crossbow bolts I had to take out of you, would it."

Robb thought about lying because he barely knew the man, but Richard's seemingly genuine nature compelled him to tell at least a half truth, "I was part of an attachment of the Northern army that went to the Twins to attend a wedding that would have sealed a marriage pact between the Northern alliance and the Frey's. They wined and dined us to our hearts content, getting so many of us drunk and groggy because of the safety we felt was afforded to us. When we were at our weakest, those bastards struck, jumping on us with daggers and crossbows before we could even reach for our weapons to defend ourselves, they even turned one of the Northern houses against us. I got caught in the crossfire while fighting, taking two crossbow bolts and falling into the Trident. I wound up on a bank the next morning, crawled up, fell asleep and then you came across me in the night. I would have died if it was not for you and your healing. Thank you again"

Richard was silent for a moment, a solemn look upon his face which seemed to be for the events Robb had described, then spoke, "I haven't concerned myself with the rights and wrongs of war for a long, long time. It seems pointless given that every life taken in conflict is an affront to the Seven who created it it no matter the banner the dead man at arms happens to fly. But the fate that you and your comrades were faced with truly does embody the evils that men can commit when morality and honor are forgotten in the face of greed and self service."

Robb nodded, contemplating his wise words, but said no more as he once again was overwhelmed by grief

Richard started, "Those infections left by the crossbow wounds are serious and there are only so many resources that a hermit like me has to use in this case. I wrapped all your wounds with fresh bandages and a herbal poultice but as for the rest, you are in the hands of the Mother, may she bestow her mercy upon you. Rest now, I'll cook up a nice rabbit stew that we'll have for supper."

Richard stepped away from the bed, beginning on other tasks he had set before him for the day. Robb felt drowsiness seeping into his bones and he prepared to sleep. Before he drowsed off, he noticed a shield painted with the Tully sigil hanging above the mantelpiece, how peculiar. Robb gave into his drowsiness and he fell into a calm, deep sleep. Robb drifted in and out of consciousness over the next week, his body burning up and cooling to a chill repeatedly as his body fought desperately to drive off his infection. Robb woke up sporadically to see Richard feed him, change his bandages or coax him into drinking water in his delirious state, but Robb didn't see much except for glimpses and was even less capable of forming any coherent thought.

Eventually though, as usual, Robb won the battle, but this time with a much different opponent across the battlefield than what was typical. Robb eventually started taking small trips out of bed, going on short walks that exhausted him before returning to the bed, short walks which eventually turned into longer ones, which turned into Robb helping Richard with small tasks around his homestead from weeding his vegetable garden to drawing water from the river, Robb's energy had returned to a point where he could function in a somewhat normal fashion. About two weeks went in time since Richard had taken Robb in and after Robb had recovered to a manageable extent, he was eager to get back to Riverrun and discover the fate of his army and lords at the Twins. Robb had no idea what awaited him at Riverrun and as much as that scared him, he had to face the reality of what had happened, however tragic it was.

He broached the subject that night at dinner with Richard, Robb started "I appreciate the time and effort you've put into taking care of me day and night for the last 2 weeks. I would have been a corpse by now had it not been for you coming by me that night."

Richard responded, "Happy to help, thank you for breaking up the monotony that sometimes results from the peace I experience in my reclusity"

Robb nodded then said, "As much as I enjoyed my time here, I have a duty to my people and I need to return to my post at Riverrun, I feel I'm well enough to travel and I was hoping that the offer to guide me to Riverrun was still available."

"Of course, I'm glad you've recovered, we can leave tomorrow in the morning after breakfast. Riverrun is about a two day walk from here as the crow flies but the time should pass quickly, it's a beautiful trail. I haven't been to Rivverun since…well that's a story for another time perhaps" Robb didn't pry further as he figured secrets were kept for a good reason in Richard's case and it would reflect poorly upon Robb to be a nosy guest. Instead Robb changed the subject and made general conversation with Richard, discussing his cottage and his daily life as a hermit living in the forest and how the war had affected it.

It was nice for once to get the perspective of someone not biased by the side choosing that was forced to take place when Robb had marched his army south to try and save his family. Instead Richard remained neutral, helping any soldiers he came across by giving them food and bandages, trying to bring peace and love to a situation of death and despair. Eventually the two finished their meal and drifted off to bed, Robb appreciating how Richard had given up his bed to Robb and now slept on the floor all because he saw a stranger in need. Robb wanted to offer Richard his bed back but knew that Richard would refuse, citing some wise stoic phrase and chose instead to appreciate the sacrifice he had made, a small part of Robb also enjoying the comfortable soft bed to the hard floor. Robb woke up in the morning, looking around for Richard but he wasn't inside. Robb got up and was about to open the door to the cabin when he heard yelling outside. Robb froze and pressed his ear against the door, trying to hear what was being said.

"HERMIT, HERMIT, COME OUT NOW AND FACE ME, YOUR LORD FREY DEMANDS IT!"

Robb peered through the door and saw Stevron Frey along with 6 other men, mounted on horses at the entrance of Richard's homestead, all trying to look imposing. The door to the smokehouse next to the cottage opened and out walked Richard, looking annoyed and slightly concerned but not afraid in the slightest. Richard began in a beleaguered, tense voice, "What do you need of me, my lord"

Stevron corrected, "That's Lord Frey to you, don't make another mistake addressing me or I'll have your tongue, I require rations for me and my men, the good meats and bread, not whatever biscuits or gruel you have lying around, that you can keep for yourself, now get to it or I'll have my men load up their crossbows and we'll see how well you can move with a quarrel in each knee."

Richard simply nodded and bowed, walking into the cottage and slamming the door behind him in frustration. Robb spoke in a hushed voice to Richard, "Since when did Stevron Frey go around harassing hermits in the forest about what little food they had"

Richard turned to him, "I'm surprised you know who Stevron is, considering your position as a soldier, but it's not about the food with Stevron, he could get better from any innkeeper closer to him, no, this is about power."

"Why would he do this to you specifically?"

Richard shushed him, looking through the windows at the Frey's, "I'll tell you another time but for now I need to get him his accursed food and get him out of here before he discovers you're here."

Richard turned away from Robb and began packing food, making enough for all 7 men to last them a while before placing it in a basket and bringing it out. Stevron grabbed the basket, giving a pack to each of his men before turning back to the hermit saying, "You know what hermit, I think I've had enough of the rebellious attitude you've displayed over the time I've visited this pathetic shithole you call home. Perhaps I'll do you a favor and send you on over to the next life, Jason, Lyle, seize him and hang him from that oak right over there."

Richard tried to run but before he could get far, he was run down by the horsemen, throwing him down and seizing him by the wrists, binding them.

Stevron walked up to Richard continuing, "You've fallen so far Richard from the captain of Hoster Tully's own personal guard to some godforsaken loner living in the woods eating mushrooms and berries. I would say you've failed your fellow Brackens but I'm not sure the rest will be around much longer to judge your pathetic form. You used to have the upper hand, advising Hoster against knighting me, advising him to distance himself from my house but now I hold all the power and you will pay."

Richard refused to show any sign of weakness and simply stared right back into the eyes of Stevron, "I'm sorry that you were hurt by my actions but understand all you are doing now is simply proving that I was right to do what I did. Goodbye Stevron, I hope you find your peace one day"

Stevron Frey's face balled into fury and he gasped incoherent words as the men grabbed Richard and took him away Richard stopped struggling and allowed the men to take him, tying a loop around his neck and the other side of the rope to a tree. Adrenaline welled up in Robb as he desperately tried to find a solution, another person he cared for about to die in front of him again. Then he remembered, the shield on the mantel. Robb dashed over grabbing the shield and to his surprise a short sword clanged out, hidden by the length of the kite shield. Newly armed, Robb burst out of the cabin and began advancing on the soldiers, hopelessly outnumbered but emboldened by his desperate bid to save the man who had done the same for him.

Robb roared at the Frey's, "Let him go" startling them and sending them jumping back as they frantically assessed the new situation. However, upon realizing it was just one man, an unarmored man equipped with a faded shield, they quickly regained confidence, smiling even as they readied to take another life. Stevron, in the lead, squinted at Robb before laughing, "By the father, this is the greatest day of my life. Not only do I get to hang some pathetic mongrel from a tree, I get to present the head of Robb Stark to my father tonight. Come on boy, don't waste my time, men, finish what we started a whole ago."

Stevron advanced with his men, driving Robb back immediately as he faced attacks on all sides. Robb was in the fight of his life, for his life, barely recovered yet taking on strikes everywhere, all at once. He just managed to slip his sword into the throat of one man but nearly got his head taken off in the process by a morningstar, ducking just in time. Then, Robb got kicked back by one of the Frey's, falling back into the cottage, his shield and sword both slipping away. Robb, on his knees, reached for his sword, but the boot of Stevron Frey met it instead, Stevron kicked Robb again, sending him reeling back, Robb sat pressed against the wall of Richard's cottage, Stevron Frey's sword against his neck, all hope lost, waiting for death.

Stevron gloated, "I had no idea you were even alive, I truly believed the Trident had swept your lifeless corpse into the Narrow Sea, I told the same to my father. Imagine the fury I would have faced had you reached Rivverun alive. Perhaps Olyvar had spotted you that day, he was acting terribly strange, I suppose I'll have to kill him next for treason, no matter, I never liked that brat much, anyway, you first.", Stevron said with a smile.

Before Stevron could open Robb's throat however, he heard a loud growling noise behind him and his smile faded as quickly as his undergarments became wet with piss. The Frey's slowly turned to see a massive direwolf, teeth bared, staring right into their souls. Souls were all that was left of the Frey's by the time Grey Wind had finished with them as they only had time to scream before Grey Wind tore them apart in various different ways. He took his time with Stevron Frey, saving him for last and allowing him to nearly escape to his horse before bounding to catch up to him, ripping off his leg with one deft chomp and allowing him to feel the full extent of the pain before Grey Wind burrowed his head into the stomach of Stevron, tearing out his intestines and giving him an excruciatingly painful death. Robb swore he could almost taste the blood and bile himself in his own mouth.

Grey Wind, then returned to Robb, spending a long moment rubbing against and licking the face of Robb, relishing in his reunion with his master. Robb did the same, petting and scratching Grey Wind before eventually pulling away so he could cut Richard free from his bonds. Grey Wind remained entirely calm in the presence of Richard, something incredibly strange given that Grey Wind typically growled at and was extremely threatening to any strangers he was meeting for the first time or even multiple times. Richard eyed Grey Wind first, intimidated like all people usually are upon seeing a direwolf for the first time then upon realizing he was safe, turned to Robb, speaking with a humorous tone, "So you just conveniently forgot to mention the fact that you're Robb Stark, the King in the North when describing your origins. Seems just a little strange, don't you agree?"

"We'll I guess we both have some secrets to unfold then, Lord Bracken"

Richard Bracken let out a long hearty laugh, one Robb gladly joined in , "Come along Your Grace" He said, "It's a long road to Riverrun and there will be plenty of time for this old hermit to explain all that he's been omitting so far"

After collecting some supplies for the journey, they were off for the walls of Riverrun with one more companion than they had expected.