ROBB STARK
WINTERFELL – FIVE MONTHS AGO
Robb Stark the heir of Winterfell had grown up on tales of his father's exploits during the war of the Usurper. His father had come into his power at an early age and now as Robb stands in the courtyard with his Direwolf Greywind at his side watching as his father leaves. The burden of ruling and leadership falls onto his shoulders at the age of 18. He sighs as his mother Lady Catelyn Stark did not come out to see her husband off.
He goes up to Bran's room and as usual she finds her sitting beside the bed praying. He joins her and asks the seven and the old gods to heal his brother and wake him. When he is done his Lady Mother is still on her knees keeping her vigil. He waits until she is done, "Mother." He says in a whispered voice.
She looks at him with teary eyes, "Is your father gone?"
"Yes he left hours ago…" He kneels down in front of her, "Mother you haven't eaten or slept in days…This is not healthy…"
"I want to be here when he awakens…Go you are acting Lord of Winterfell…" She kisses his forehead, "Go and make your father proud…"
He sighs and leaves the room. "How is mother…" Rickon the youngest is standing outside the door with his Direwolf Shaggy Dog.
"She is fine…"
"I heard people say that she is not eating…"
He picks Rickon up and places him over his shoulder, "Mother is worried about our brother…"
"Will Bran die?"
"No he has made it this long…"
"How do you know?"
He puts Rickon down, "Because I am acting Lord of Winterfell and a Lord always knows…Now go play…"
Later he goes to the Solar and with Maester Pycel goes over the expenses for the King's visit. "I thought Lord Tyrion was going drink us out of house and home…" Robb says.
"Aye between him and the King there was a really good chance of it happening…"
"I think I will take Dorryen as my Squire…"
"He's good lad…Good with a sword…" Maester Luwin looks at him, "Shall I post it or do you wish to tell him yourself?"
"I'll tell him myself…"
"Some appointments will have to be made…Perhaps I can use them to lure your mother from her vigil…"
"Okay but do not press her too hard…" After they finish Robb heads for the yard. He stops at the smithy first to choose a sword. As the Lord of Winterfell he needs to start carrying a sword. Mikken helps him to choose one.
"Are you going to name her?"
Robb smiles, "No…The House has a named Sword…"
"Your father took Ice with him…"
"I know…" He looks up and spots Dorryen, "Dorryen! Come here lad…" As the young man walks over to him Robb walks over to him.
"M'Lord…"
"As acting Lord of Winterfell I will need a Squire…and I would like you to fill the position…"
"Yes m'lord…Thank you…"
His excitement is not unusual Squiring often leads to Knighthood and Knighthood sometimes leads to becoming a Lord or being granted one's own lands. "I want my saddle cleaned and my horse saddled in the morning after I break my fast I intend to ride out and inspect the lands…"
"It will be done my Lord…"
As he sleeps Robb has a weird dream about Greywind, it is as if he is looking through the wolf's eyes. The next day Dorryen is waiting with Robb's saddled horse. Ser Rodrick is also waiting with twenty men. They ride out of the yard and visit Wintertown. Then he rides out to the outlying villages and farms nearby. He stops to speak with the smallfolk and ask if they heard any news or had any trouble that needs his attention.
When they return to Winterfell the sun has gone down and many people have already eaten. There is food waiting for Robb so he takes it to his room and eats sitting beside his bed. The next morning after breaking his fast, training in the yard, and making sure Rikcon is doing his lessons; Robb inspects the food stores, walls and armory.
He stands below the broken tower, "What do you think Maester Luwin…Is it time to repair her…"
"This tower hasn't been touched since the days of King Brandon the II of his name. When King Tharis Bolton tried to take Winterfell…"
"Aye…but since my brother fell…"
Maester Luwin places a hand on his shoulder, "He will awaken…"
Robb decides to leave the tower alone at least until his brother awakens from his sleep. A week passes by and Robb gets a visit from his friend Torrhen Karstark. "Torrhen!"
"Robb…Oh excuse me Lord Robb…"
"Knock it off…" They hug. "What brings you by?"
"Came to see how you are getting along…How is your brother doing?"
"Still unconscious…Come I will get you settled…" Later after dinning with his brother and friend Robb goes to check in on his mother. As he approaches the door he hears voices. "I don't care about costs, ledgers, or appointments…Leave me to my son!"
"Forgive me my lady, but this is not healthy…"
"I will take care of the appointments…" Robb says entering the room.
"My Lord…"
When Maester Luwin leaves he turns his attention on his mother, "Mother…" She looks at him. "You need to eat…Bathe…You need to rest this is not healthy…"
"I can't leave his side…"
"You have another son…Rickon needs his mother…and there is only so much I can do as his brother." Robb is about to say more when something catches his attention. He walks over to the window. "There's a fire…" He looks at his Lady Mother when she joins him, "Stay here…" Robb rushes down the steps and runs all the way to the barn where the fire is rising. There are men already trying to get the fire under control.
After a few hours they put the fire out, "Did anyone see how this started?" Robb asks, but there is no answer.
"Robb!" It is Torrhen. "Robb come quickly your mother has been attacked…"
"What!" When they get back to Bran's room, Robb finds Maester Luwin treating Catelyn's hands. "What happened?"
"He tried to kill Bran…I tried to stop him…" She looks at the Direwolf, "Summer saved my life and Bran's.
Robb leans down and examines the man, "This dagger is made of Valyrian steel…"
Ser Rodrick bursts into the room. "My Lady are you alright…"
"Getting better all the time…"
Robb stands up, "Ser Rodrick…"
"My Lord…"
"Take this dog's body and burn it! Scatter his ashes on a dung heap…"
"Aye!"
"Robb I want guards posted at Bran's door at all times…"
"He will have four guards…"
Robb stays with his mother for a few minutes then he orders a bath drawn and bought to the room. "Mother bathe…In here if you must, but bathe and eat…"
"Alright…"
"How is your mother doing?" Torrhen asks.
"Fine…I can't believe someone tried to kill my brother…" The two young Lords are in the godswood two days had passed since the attack.
"My Lord come quickly your brother is awake…"
Robb thanked all the gods old and new for his brother's recovery. It is a miracle and he decides to hold a feast. A few days later Lady Catelyn summons him to the godswood. "I found this in the broken tower…"
Maester Luwin takes it and examines it, "This is hair…a woman's hair…There are no women in the North with this color hair…"
"No but one with that color did visit Winterfell…"
"The Queen!" Robb, Ser Rodrick, and Maester Luwin say at the same time.
"I think Bran was pushed from the Tower…" Catelyn says.
"But why?" Robb asks.
"He may have seen something the Queen wants to keep secret…"
"First the Lannisters kill Jon Arryn...and now this…"
"Lord Stark must be warned…We cannot send a Raven the wrong person may read it…"
"I will go!" Robb announces.
"You are the heir of Winterfell and the acting Lord of the North…No I will go…"
Maester Luwin sighs, "Your Lady mother is right…my Lord and there is that Whitehill situation that must be dealt with…"
"I will go with you my lady…" Ser Rodrick says.
Robb finally makes all the appointments and orders the Broken Tower repaired. Now his real first test as Lord of Winterfell comes. "Tell me what happened Lord Forrester…"
Rodrick Forrester heir of Ironrath, light brown of hair and grey of eyes. He has five men with him. "Well my Lord I was out on patrol…and I rode up on some Whitehill men cutting down Iron Trees on our land…We were outnumbered so my men and I rode hard for Ironrath…They chased us for miles, but when they knew they couldn't catch us they turned away…My father and I rode out with a hundred men and we chased those Whitehill bastards back to their mountain…We even captured a few…My father sent me here and he rode on back to Ironrath with the Whitehill Prisoners…Now Lord Ludd Whitehill is demanding we release his men or he will march on us with his army…"
Robb looks at Maester Luwin, "Send a Raven to Ironrath inquiring on the health of these prisoners and send one to High Point tell Lord Ludd to get his ass to Winterfell or be stripped of his titles…"
A few weeks later Lord Ludd comes to Winterfell with five men, "I don't like being summoned boy…"
Robb jumps up from his chair at the high table, "Boy! Boy! I am Robb Stark…heir of Winterfell…Son of Lord Eddard Stark and Lady Catelyn Stark…Acting Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North in my father's absence…You will come when I call…and you will go where I send you…Now I believe your men cut down twelve trees…" Robb waits for answer, "I asked you a question Lord Ludd…"
"Aye twelve…"
"You will pay the Forresters a hundred gold Dragons for each tree…"
"A hundred!"
"I can make it a thousand if you wish…"
"No…"
"No what?"
"No my Lord…"
"In addition you will return the trees you cut down…as for the men taken prisoner they have a choice…They can lose a hand or they can serve at the wall…Punishment to be handed out by Lord Gregor Forrester…and if you step out of line again Lord Ludd, I will strip you of your titles and land…Ser Wheeler send ten men to see that all is carried out as commanded…"
A smile of pride appears on Wheeler's face, "Aye my Lord…"
"Now you may leave Lord Whitehill…"
Everyone started talking about Robb's swift and decisive action in the matter. "We have a visitor…" Maester Luwin says in the main hall as they eat midday meal.
Robb frowns, "Who?"
"Lord Tyrion…" Luwin leans over and whispers, "Best not to let on we know of the Lannister's treachery…I advise extending him all guest rights…"
Robb didn't like it, but Maester Luwin is right, "Acting Lord Robb Stark…Thank you for receiving me…"
"Enjoyed your trip to the wall Lord Tyrion?"
"Very much so…I stopped to impose on your hospitality and to ask after your brother's health…"
It takes all Robb's might not to throttle the little imp into confessing his family's crimes, but Lord Tyrion seems genuinely concerned after his brother's health. "He awoke a few days ago…"
"Thank the gods old and new…"
"He can't walk…"
Tyrion frowns, "Oh…I am sorry to hear that…We'll we shall have to do something about that now won't we…In the meantime may I make use of your hot springs…The wall is so cold…"
Robb orders the servants to cater to Tyrion's needs but to watch him for any mischief and report it immediately. Two days later Tyrion hands Robb a piece of paper. "What's this?"
"A special design for a saddle…I drew it myself…It is like the one I use…But I modified it for your brother…It will allow him to ride his horse…" He looks at Bran, "You do want to ride again don't you?"
"Oh yes…"
Robb hands the design to Maester Luwin, "What are you playing at?"
"I beg your pardon?"
Maester Luwin clears his throat, "What do you get out of this?" Robb asks changing his question.
"The satisfaction of helping someone with a disadvantage…I being a Dwarf am at a disadvantage, but being born into a noble House such as mine affords me opportunities not given to most Dwarves…" Tyrion walks up to Bran and touches him on the shoulder, "Being a cripple will not limit you in life…The only limitations you will have in life are those you place on yourself and those you allow others to place on you…Live! And live well Brandon of House Stark…"
"Well said…" Maester Luwin says.
Robb walks Tyrion out of the main hall, "Thank you…Both for what you did and said…"
"Ah think nothing of it…" Tyrion offers Robb his hand, "Encourage him…don't patronize him…Help but don't limit him…"
Robb shakes his hand, "My House is in your debt…"
"Don't say that I may call on that debt one day…Perhaps another visit to your hot springs…"
Robb nods, "You will be most welcome…" Later Robb meets with Maester Luwin, "Well what do you think?"
"He seemed very genuine…No secret agenda…Perhaps he is unaware of his family's crimes against yours…It is a well-known fact that he is does not get along with his father and sister…"
"Maybe…and the designs for the saddle…"
"It will work…"
After a few days the saddle is done and just as they put Bran in it a rider returns with the Direwolf Lady in tow. He explains to them what happened on the King's Road. The Rider did not run into Robb's mother. "Bran don't wonder off to far…" Robb yells as his brother rides his horse using the new saddle Maester Luwin had made for him.
"He seems happy…" Torrhen says.
"Aye…Hard to believe he said he wanted to die…"
"Well I think I will be heading back to Karhold soon…My father wants to betroth me to Lady Anna of House Cerwyn…"
"Well congratulations…"
"Hard to be excited for a woman I have never met…Also I am in love with Ser Rigel's daughter…"
"The hardships of nobility…" That is when they hear a scream. "Bran! You go that way I will go this way…"
"We should stick together…"
They run and Torrhen is struck in the shoulder by an arrow. Robb ducks as a man appears from behind a tree swinging his axe. As he tries to draw his sword the man punches Robb in the face. Robb uses the momentum and spins around ducking low and disembowels the man. "Harker!" A woman screams firing another arrow. Robb swings his sword and cuts the arrow in half. Meanwhile Torrhen gets to his feet and throws a dagger catching the woman in the leg. She howls as two more men converge on Robb.
His father always told him about the Battle Fever and now Robb knows what it means as his instincts and years of training with a sword take over. He blocks left and right keeping his sword at angles to hold off the two men. One armed with a sword and the other a heavy axe. The man with the axe is more dangerous, so Robb kicks at his knee and when he stumbles Robb bats the sword of the other man away and slashes his throat.
With one dead he can now focus all his attention on the last man. He hooks his sword into the curve of the man's axe, but is unable to disarm him. Robb takes one hand of his sword and punches him the throat. As he gasps for air Robb thrusts his sword into the man's chest and it is over. "Drop your weapons are the little brat is dead." There is another man holding a dagger at Bran's throat.
"Let him go…"
"All we want are the horses…Drop the sword or he is dead…"
"No Robb don't do it!" Bran says.
"Shut up!"
Before Robb can react an arrow flies through the trees and strikes the man in the neck. Robb rushes forward to pull his hand away from Bran's neck. "Thank the gods you are alright…" Torrhen gets to his feet as a young woman and a boy join them. "Who are you?" Robb asks pointing his sword at the young woman.
"My name is Meera Reed…This is my brother Jojen Reed…Our father is Howland Reed Lord of Greywater Watch…"
Jojen shows them a sigil ring of their house. "You have my thanks…"
"You!" Bran says looking at Jojen.
Robb frowns, "You know him?"
"I had a dream about him…"
Now Robb turns his attention to the injured woman, "Your Wildings…What are you doing below the wall?" She just stares at him yanking the dagger from her leg. "You can either answer me or join your comrades in death…"
"Trying to get as far south as south can go…"
"Why?"
"You saw the White Walkers didn't you?" Jojen asks.
Robb looks at Jojen, "Aye I did…They attacked our village and my man…He became one of them…"
"White Walkers…She's lying…"
"She's not lying…She climbed the wall to get away from them with blue eyes…"
"Your one of them green seers aren't you boy?"
"He is the son of a Lord and you will address him as such…" Torrhen says.
"Its okay the Free Folk do not bend the knee…"
"So what should I do with you…"
"Don't kill her…" Bran says speaking up.
"Spare my life and I will serve your house…My Lord…"
Robb wipes the blood off his sword and then he blows his horn. A few minutes later soldiers arrive and he commands them to bury the bodies. "You may want to burn them My Lord…Don't want them coming back as White Walkers…"
"What's your name girl?"
"Osha my Lord…"
Jojen convinces Robb to burn the bodies, then he and Meera help Torrhen by removing the arrow from his shoulder and bind Osha's leg. Then they return to Winterfell, "Masterfully done…" Maester Luwin says, "I do believe you will keep your arm My Lord…"
Later Robb visits Jojen as he is settling in, "Everything alright?"
"Yes thank you my Lord…"
"Thank you…If not for you and my sister…"
He smiles, "My sister is the warrior…My destiny lies on another path…"
Robb didn't know what to make of that statement, "How is your father?"
"He is in good health…"
"How long will you be staying?"
"Until the war starts…"
"War?"
"Aye there is a war brewing…Do not trust those who speak the words Stand together…Do not trust them who flay their enemies…Nor the Raven that carries a heart…"
"You speak in riddles what do you mean?"
"Have you been having wolf dreams?"
Robb frowns, "Aye…How do you know that?"
"You are a warg…I can teach you to control it…" Robb had heard that word before from one of Old Nan's stories. Wargs were supposed to be skin changers, people who could live inside animals. "It will be very useful to you especially in the days to come…"
Not knowing how to respond Robb just walks away. That night he is unable to sleep and goes to the library. He takes the book on House Sigils. "House Corbray…Sigil…" He freezes at the Raven carrying the heart. "Stand together…Stand together…" He finds the words and who they belong to House Frey and of course he already knows the sigil of House Bolton; the flayed man. "Do not trust them…" He repeats.
The next day he questions Old Nan and Maester Luwin. Then he decides to learn all he can about Warging. He and Jojen train at night in the godswood when everyone is asleep. A week had passed since the incident in the wolfswood. Osha is proving herself every day and keeping to her word. She and Bran seem to be developing a friendship, though she seems to not like Jojen. Robb is in the solar barely staying awake due to his late night training sessions when Maester Luwin enters the room.
"My Lord…A message from White Harbor…"
Robb yawns and takes the letter, he smiles. "It's mother…She is in White Harbor…On her way home with Sansa and Arya…"
"Your Lord Father must have broken off the engagement…"
"Can't have been because of the incident on the King's Road…"
"Perhaps he has learned the truth of your brother's fall…"
Robb sends Wheeler out to meet his mother with fifty men. He doesn't tell his brothers so that they can get a surprise. Five days later Lady Catelyn Stark rides through the main gates with Sansa, Arya, Jane Pool and her father, Ser Rodrick, and a Braavosi man by the name of Syrio Ferrel. "Mother!" He greets her first then Sansa, Arya, and everyone else.
"Robb I must speak with you in private…"
They go to his solar and she shows him the letter. "Is this true?"
"Yes…Your father believes it…That is her hand writing…Robb I met him…"
"There is going to be a war…"
"Aye, but there is more I must tell you…"
She tells Robb about the Lannisters, Petyr Baelish, and everything else. "Why didn't father come home?"
"You know your father…Robert is his friend…besides he is not alone…Lord Manderly sent two thousand men to the Capitol…"
Robb shakes his head, "Should have sent five thousand…I do not like this…"
"Neither do I…But your father says that he knows what he is doing…Now tell me…What have you been up to since I been away…"
Robb smiles trying to decide what to tell her and not. He tells her about how he handled the Whitehills. He tells her about Tyrion Lannister. When Robb tells his mother about the Wildlings, she goes into a rage. Eventually he is able to calm her and tells her that Osha has been loyal so far and has become a good friend to Bran.
"You killed…For the first time in your life…How do you feel?"
"Not the way I expected…I mean I have killed dears and wolves, but never a human being…All I think about was saving Bran…I am sorry I had to take someone's life, but I am not sorry for defending my brother…"
She hugs him, "No you should not feel guilty for that…And I suppose it will not be the last time…"
THE DREAD FORT
ROOSE BOLTON
Five days after Robert dies a Raven arrives at the Dread Fort home of Roose Bolton. The Boltons have always stood in opposition against the rule of House Stark. Their words; 'Our Blades Are Sharp', their sigil is that of the flayed man. In the old days the Boltons would skin their enemies alive and hang them on crossing pieces of wood in an X. Flaying is outlawed and often House Stark has to send men to make sure they aren't continuing the practice.
Roose Bolton is a widower his wife having died giving birth to their son Domeric. Domeric later died of mysterious wounds, some say it was a bear or a pack of wolves. After his son's death Roose acknowledged his bastard son Ramsey Snow and moved him into the Dread Fort. Roose is a cold calculating man who doesn't often show his emotions. When aroused to anger his wrath is swift and deadly, but quiet.
He sits in a chair getting a shave from his House barber. "My Lord…" Maester Qyburn says. Qyburn is a disgraced Maester, who was banished for his experiments that were not approved by the Maesters of Old Town. When the former Maester of the Dread Fort failed to save Roose's wife Lady Bethany Bolton nee' Ryswell he had the man flayed. Qyburn had been living in a village ruled by Roose and when he heard of Qyburn's gifts took him as the new Maester.
"What is it?" Roose coldly asks.
"A Raven from Capitol…Affixed with the Royal sigil…"
"Read it…"
He breaks the seal, "King Robert is dead…" Roose raises his hand to stop the barber and takes the Raven scroll from Qyburn.
To Roose Bolton
Lord of the Dread Fort
I King Tommen of House Baratheon second of his name…King of the Andels and the First Men…Protector of the Realm…Lord of the Seven Kingdoms…write this letter to inform you that my father Robert Baratheon is dead…In these troubled times I need Lords I can trust to watch over my domains…I can no longer trust House Stark to rule the North in my name…Come to King's Landing with your army and help me put down these Usurpers…
With Regards
Your King
Tommen of House Baratheon
Roose hands the letter back to Qyburn, "What do you think?"
"More going on than we realize…Many questions need answering…Like…Why is Tommen King over his elder brother Prince Joffrey…Where is Lord Stark…"
"The Starks have always been my enemy…"
"Of course my Lord…But remember they are allied with Houses Tully and Arryn…"
"Find out what you can and in the meantime…summon my banners and their armies to the Dread Fort…"
A week passes before Houses Whitehill and Warwick arrive. "I say we head South and fight for the King…This is our chance to be free of the Starks…" Lord Ludd Whitehill says.
"I say we stay out of it and see what happens…" Lord Warwick counsels.
Roose looks at Qyburn, "Well have you learned anything?"
"A lot…Lord Stark was arrested for treason…King Robert stripped Prince Joffrey of his titles and named Prince Tommen his heir…That is why he is King…Randyl Tarly has betrayed the Tyrells and taken High Garden…As we speak he is amassing an army at High Garden…Tywin Lannister is amassing an army at Silverhill…"
"There is your answer…With Lord Stark out of the way the Starks are weak…Robb Stark is a boy…"
"A boy!" Ramsey says speaking up, "That boy made you pay a hundred gold Dragons for each tree your men cut down…"
"Be careful bastard…"
"I may be a bastard, but my blades are sharp…"
Roose smirks, "Enough!" He sighs, "We will march south and fight with the King…"
"We should march at night My Lord to keep suspicions low…" Qyburn offers.
WINTERFELL – ROBB STARK
Robb is in the main hall talking with his mother, sisters, and brothers. They are laughing and talking. Arya is telling them about the incident by the river. "He's on the ground looking up at me begging for his life…He was actually crying…"
"By the gods I wish I could have seen that…" Robb looks at Sansa who despite herself is laughing as well. "Don't think so much of your Prince now do you?"
"Oh shut it…How could I have known…He was a coward…"
"A coward and a whining baby…Mommy help me!" Arya says motioning with her hands.
As they burst into laughter again Maester Luwin enters the hall. "My Lord…My Lady a message from King's Landing…"
Robb turns serious and takes the letter from Maester Luwin. "Robb what does it say?"
He frowns and looks at Sansa, "Sansa please take your siblings outside and play…"
"Why? I am fourteen…I should know what is happening?"
"Sansa obey your brother…"
"No mother she is right…Arya take your brothers outside and go play…"
"Come on…" They protest, but follow Arya outside to the yard.
Jojen and Meera are present as well. Torrhen had gone home days ago. "why do they get to stay…"
"Ouch!" Rickon says after Arya pops him upside the head.
Jojen and Meera stand to leave, "If this is personal business then we will leave." Meera says.
"No stay…You will hear this soon enough anyway…"
"Robb what is it?"
"Here read for yourself…"
She places her hand over her mouth, "King Robert is dead…"
"What!" Sansa yells in shock.
"Tommen has been made King and your father has been arrested for treason…"
"Treason…no!" Sansa places her face in her mother's chest. "Father!"
"This is a filthy lie!" Robb says getting angry. "Father would never betray King Robert…"
Maester Luwin takes the letter, "The King commands that you come to the Capitol and swear an oath to him…Or he threatens to strip you of your titles and name Roose Bolton Warden of the North…"
"No one would follow the Boltons…All the North would rise up against him…" Meera says.
"What will you do My Lord…" Maester Luwin asks. "If you go to King's Landing you will never leave…"
"We should write a letter…" Catelyn says speaking up, "Demand that they tell us the condition of your father and his men…"
"No!" Robb says, "I will go to King's Landing, but not alone…Maester Luwin summon the banners…"
"All of them My Lord?"
"They are sworn to fight for House Stark…It is time they prove their loyalty…"
Catelyn stands up, "No wait…" She looks at Robb with teary eyes, "Robb…if you do this…It will mean war…People will die…"
"Mother! They declared war when they unjustly arrested father…"
She wraps an arm around Sansa, "There are men in the North of reknown…Men who have gone to war…Send them…"
Robb shakes his head, "Mother…I am not a child anymore…If I am to be the Lord of Winterfell…I cannot appear weak…This is the way it must be…" He looks at Maester Luwin, "Send the Ravens…But not to House Bolton…Do not send any to Roose Bolton…"
Catelyn wipes her eyes, "Send a Raven to Riverrun as well…Tell my father what my son intends to do and ask for his help…If my son is going to war then he will have my father's help as well…"
"House Arryn is allied with us by marriage…Shall I send a Raven to Lord Yohn Royce?"
Robb nods, "Yes do it…"
"The two you should head home…" Catelyn says to Meera and Jojen.
"With all due respect Lady Catelyn…We ask to remain here…" Jojen says, "Our father will not mind…Besides my destiny is here…Not at Greywater Watch…"
His request is strange but Robb allows them to stay. "Are you afraid?" Catelyn asks Robb.
He shows her his hand, "Father always told me that fear will keep you on your toes in a fight…"
"Sound advice, but if we lose…We all die…"
"We better not lose then…"
Over the next few weeks the Lords of the North arrive at Winterfell. Some come with reports of having seen the Bolton army on the march. "My Lords…I thank you all for answering the call…You all know my father…He is a just and honorable man…He loved Robert Baratheon like a brother…"
"Aye!" They all say knocking on the tables.
"The Lannisters arrested my father to keep their filthy secret…Tommen does not deserve to be King nor does his brother…For all the Queen's children are bastards…" They hiss and boo, "…Fathered by Ser Jaime Lannister…It was the Sword of the West who pushed my brother to his death when he saw them in their sin and treachery…The Lannisters have no honor and will do anything to hold onto power…"
"Winter has come for House Lannister!" Someone screams.
"Iron from Ice!" Lord Gregor yells his House words.
"With a Mighty Fist!" Lord Glover yells.
"Here We Stand!" Lady Mormont yells.
Robb raises his hand, "…I am young and inexperienced in battle…But so was my father when his father and brother died and the mantle of Lordship passed to him…Follow me now as you followed my father…And I swear we shall be victorious!"
They march from Winterfell with 18,000 men and a large supply train. Bran is left as acting Lord of Winterfell. He has three hundred men under his command at the castle. They march up the King's road to Moat Cailin and then from there to the Riverroad. Upon reaching the riverroad they meet up with rearguard of Yohn Royce's forces on their way to Riverrun.
At Riverrun an army 54,000 strong gathers. 21,000 Knights of the Vale, 15,000 soldiers of the Riverlands and 18,000 Northmen. Catelyn's brother, Edmure Tully is in command and with him is their Uncle Brynden Tully often referred to as the Blackfish. Robb learns that Walder Frey has not sent any support and House Cobray joined up with Roose Bolton's men and marched to join Tywin Lannister at Silverhill. Robb convinces Edmure and Lord Yohn Royce to give him overall command of their forces.