Chapter 33:
Author's Notes: I'm back! A warm welcome to ebonyedlove and darkangeleyes23, and thanks to everyone who volunteered to beta for me. On with the story!
The journey back to Riverrun was long. Spencer felt numb, as she reflected on how she had lost both her brother and her mother in one night of betrayal. There were nights when she could not see further than the memories of that night. On those nights, she would hold herself tighter in the dark and will herself to sleep. The weariness from travel could not keep her thoughts from that night and her anger would return, soon followed by the numbness; a continuous cycle of emotion. Other nights she wished fervently to be back in Ashley's arms, or even just in her presence, spending the time speaking on nothing and everything. On those nights she would finally fall asleep as her tears dried up from her skin.
"We shall reach Riverrun soon," Jhogo said, puffs of air following each word.
"Any sign of Walder Frey's men?" Spencer asked. Jhogo would spend time retracing their steps and scouting ahead for the army they knew was headed in the same direction as they were.
"No but I feel they will not be far behind soon. Their numbers slow them down."
"We will need time once we reach Riverrun to move the people to safer ground and fortify the castle."
"Will the lord now listen to the Khaleesi's offer of allegiance?"
"He will have no choice now. Our army may not reach Riverrun before Walder Frey's men but if we send word quickly enough, there may still be time to trap them between the river and the oncoming army."
"I shall send word once we reach Riverrun, with or without your uncle's acceptance."
Spencer nodded, "That would be best. At least then we might have a chance if we hold on long enough."
Nothing else was said as they continued their journey until they reached the Trident. Riverrun appeared unchanged, with traffic moving in and out of the city but with less time spent on idle chat in these uncertain times. Spencer, Jhogo walked straight into the gates, earning curious glances from the guards but no one stopped their progression. Spencer picked up some words from conversations around them. Some stating how the south was becoming more and more repressed as the Lannisters tried to increase their hold and prevent the rebel armies from taking over too many major houses. No news of the north yet, thought Spencer as she continued to catch bits of the conversations around her. She sighed a little in relief. No news meant that Ashley's presence was still unknown to most, if not all. Jhogo gained even more stares as none of his kind had been seen in Westeros before. His furs kept his true identity hidden for the most part but his colouring still drew attention, which was why Spencer increased their speed towards the castle.
"Lady Spencer, you come alone?" A guard questioned as they reached the castle walls. It was the guard who had led them in the first time they had arrived in Riverrun.
"Yes. I need to see my uncle as soon as I can. Is he here?"
"Yes he is but he is with his council. I shall announce your arrival after."
"No, announce us now and let us in. The council will need to hear this as well."
"But…"
"Now is not the time for disagreements, announce us or I will walk in and announce myself."
The guard frowned at her insistence. "Yes, Lady Spencer. Wait here a moment." He walked into the castle and knocked at the doors of the main hall. Spencer, Jhogo and Phantom followed and waited at the doorway.
"My Lord, Lady Spencer has returned and has asked for an audience with you and your council immediately." The guard announced.
Lord Blackfish lifted his head to face his niece. He frowned at just the presence of her, the Dothkari man and the direwolf. "You have come alone? Where are your mother and brother?"
Spencer swallowed before answering. "We have been betrayed, uncle. Walder Frey is under the thumb of Twyin Lannister. He…he murdered all but me and those standing with me right now."
Silence greeted her statement before her uncle spoke up again. "You mean to tell me…your brother, his men, his wife…your mother…they are all dead?"
"It was no wedding feast, more of a ruse for a slaughter. He had us separated and surrounded. All those present on behalf of House Frey were there to murder us all. My mother…she tried to save Glen…they sliced her throat and shot arrows into Glen. Uncle Edmure…they lured him away from the hall. I do not know what happened to him but we," she gestured to her companions, "checked our camp and none were left alive. A Red Wedding, was what it really was."
The council was stunned into silence again. Lord Bryden Blackfish had paled as Spencer recounted her story.
"They march for Riverrun as we speak, to catch you unaware." Spencer finished.
Lord Blackfish rubbed a hand over his haggard face. He was now the only authority left in Riverrun as his brother, Hoster, Spencer's grandfather and the current Lord of Riverrun, was gravely ill. "How large an army does Walder Frey command?"
"We cannot face them, army to army, as we are outnumbered." Spencer answered.
"So we shall have to defend from within," Lord Blackfish mused.
Various lords within the council raised their views on what to do next. Lord Blackfish listened to all with a frown on his face. Spencer listened to all suggestions, waiting for the right moment to bring up the allegiance again.
Bryden Blackfish raised a hand, "I have heard all of your concerns. We will place the women and children away from the walls. Send word to close the gates and prepare fortifications now." He turned to Spencer, "You should go and rest child. Mourn your family but do not lose hope. I know your mother would have liked for you to draw strength from this."
"I will," Spencer answered quietly, "but there is one other thing. Uncle, now would be the time to accept Ashley Targaryen's offer of an alliance. Her army would defeat House Frey with little difficulty."
Several lords spoke up in disagreement. Once voiced his anger, "That is what comes from a child when asked to deal with matters of grown men, an ignorant suggestion. We will never ally ourselves with that House again. To do so would go against everything we fought for when we faced the mad tyrant before."
"Stop, Caldern. She has raised a good point," Bryden Blackfish interjected. "Tell me this child, if we agree to this…arrangement, what assurances will we have?"
"The Khaleesi only wants her throne back. She does not wish to kill those who she could offer life to. She never has. If you agree uncle, to place the north with her against the Lannisters, she will come to our aid swiftly and she will listen to any grievances you may have."
"I do not think I can stand for the north." Lord Blackfish answered before stopping briefly. "Fine. Send word that House Tully has agreed to her alliance." Looking to the lords gathered around him, Lord Blackfish mused, "The north would do well with having her in their council. She has her brother's courage and her mother's wisdom. They may not have to look too far for a successor."
Some of the lords scowled at the idea. Spencer did not care. She had achieved what she had set out to do even though it had come at a great cost. Let them squabble, I know where I belong and who I belong with. "May I leave now?" Spencer asked.
"Off course, I shall call you back again to remove any doubts about the allegiance as I am sure more arguments will rise once you leave." Lord Blackfish answered before stepping down and walking towards Spencer. He placed a hand on her shoulder and peered into her eyes. "Do not forget, grieve if you must, but do not let it overcome you. We shall have funeral rites for all we have lost with the people but we, our family, will have a smaller affair for those who were dear to us."
Spencer nodded once, refusing to let her tears fall in front of him. "Jhogo, go and rest. I have not forgotten all you have done for me. Thank you."
The bloodrider faced Spencer at this, "Why thank me? It is my duty to keep you from harm. It is a duty I will fulfill and one that I am privileged to have. Sleep well, Spencer." Jhogo walked away from Spencer to his own quarters.
When Spencer reached her own quarters, she curled up in her bed and held Phantom close to her. The direwolf whimpered quietly, as if echoing her mistress' distress and sadness. Spencer cried into the fur before her, wishing now more than ever that Ashley was with her, comforting her. And in her mind, as if she could really hear it, a dragon cried out mournfully.
Oh, Lord Blackfish is Spencer's grandfather's brother but she calls him uncle, just in case anyone was wondering. Did I say thank your for the reviews? I've got over 150 now and it still blows my mind when someone reviews, new reader or old, so keep 'em coming and feed my muse (she's really tempermental and loves to get her ego inflated here and there).