Catelyn Tully could not believe what she was hearing. She could not comprehend the information that was hitting her within this short space of time as she stood in court beside her brother Edmure and their uncle Brynden in Riverrun. A blonde woman, taller than even Edmure was and armored in fine bronze had arrived to the castle in the middle of the night looking as though she had not slept in days. Her horse had nearly collapsed when taken to the stables, and the Lady Brienne herself looked like she might do the same.
"He went to seek an alliance with Renly-…" Edmure began, looking away from the letter that the Greatjon had written to him.
"And now he's King on the Iron Throne." Brynden finished, his tone clearly relaying that he was impressed with Robb's accomplishments.
"Have we any word from King's Landing?" Catelyn asked the men desperately only to receive hollow shakes of the head in return.
"The Northmen are about to make a slow march for Casterly Rock in an effort to continue King Robb's plan to draw Tywin Lannister into the west so that the Riverlords may attack him from the rear." Edmure explained, handing the Blackfish the letter before rising from his chair.
"I still do not like the idea of letting Tywin Lannister through my lands unbloodied."
"For heavens sake, boy. The King's plan is far more important than whatever glory you are trying to seek for yourself. Though this news of the Freys is greatly troubling. How many men did they take prisoner?" Brynden asked Brienne who shrugged.
"I imagine no less than two thousand men survived from the Frey's betrayal. Ser Ryman and his sons all perished in the fighting. Walton Frey is now Heir to the Twins and is in Lord Umber's custody along with his son Steffon. Lord Walder has yet to learn of this yet, I am afraid." Brienne explained, causing Catelyn to hold her head in her hands.
"Walder Frey is a dangerous man to cross, and we just attacked his army and killed his sons and grandsons."
"My lady, that is not true. Ser Ryman attacked Lord Umber and called for the men of the Crossing to attack the Northmen even though Lord Umber called for him to stand down. The Greatjon was left no choice…" Brienne declared to Catelyn who shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose fraught with worry.
"Lady Brienne, I thank you for bringing us this message. You have served the King honorably. I invite you to rest in Riverrun before joining the march on Tywin Lannister when it is time." Edmure said, causing Brienne to bow gratefully.
"A bed would not be amiss, my lord. I have ridden hard to bring you this word-." Brienne was cut off by the doors to the grand hall of Riverrun being slammed open and Lord Jason Mallister rushing in with a horde of men.
"My Lord Edmure! Tywin Lannister and his men have abandoned Harrenhal and march west! What are your orders?" Jason asked, clearly aching to march out and face the Lion. Edmure stood silent for a moment chewing his lip, sharing his bannerman's desire. But a sharp look from his Uncle Brynden reminded him of his duty.
"We hold Riverrun, per King Robb's orders. We must allow the Old Lion to cross the Fords and return to the West, where we will march after him into his own country and join our allies, the Northmen in destroying the Lannisters once and for all! You have your orders, my lords. Any attempt to stall Tywin Lannister could hinder King Robb's plan greatly." Edmure's words caused some unhappiness within the gathered lords, but ultimately they understood the need for the delay.
"My lord, there is word from King's Landing of a great army marching onto Joffrey and Queen Cersei." Said Lord Jonos Bracken of Stone Hedge, causing Edmure and Catelyn to glance at each other.
"What more, Lord Jonos?" Edmure asked, walking down from the ruling seat of the Lords of House Tully to face his bannerman who shrugged.
"They say the Young Wolf leads them now as King and seeks the Iron Throne. But I thought Renly led the Reachmen and the Stormlands did he not?" Bracked asked, causing Edmure to chuckle.
"Much has changed since our King rode South. Stannis Baratheon murdered his own brother, and our King stepped in to seize his army and arrest the kinslayer. The Seven Kingdoms will finally be united under a worthy king, King Robb Stark, first of his name!" Edmure called, earning cheers from the gathered Riverlords.
"Prepare the armies, my lords. For the Riverlords will chase the lion back into his den."
Author's Note: And here is the gist of what was happening in the Riverlands, Edmure was not foolhardy and actually listened to Robb, thanks in a large part to Brynden and Catelyn's presence and Robb's earlier detour through Riverrun on his way south to meet Renly. Had Edmure known of Robb's plan, he would not have engaged Tywin and Gregor Clegane at the Stone Mill and the Battle of the Fords.