Chapter 11. CALL TO ARMS

Winterfell

A month had passed since Tara left Winterfell and a man arrived on a horse. "My name Hugo Valentine of Meereen…I was paid a lot of gold by the great Champion to see your brother…Where is he?" Robb and Maester Luwin take Hugo to Brandon. "I will need to feel his legs without his pants please remove them." They did keeping a close eye on the man as he examined Brandon's legs. He ran his hands up his spine and then squeezed his hips.

"The boy's hip is shattered…His spine is intact a good sign…He will walk again! Here young man eat this…" Bran spit it out in disgust, "I should have warned you but treatment will not work without this…" Bran forced himself to eat. "Good boy! Now drink."

"Is that milk of the poppy?" Maester Luwin asks.

"Yes!" After Brandon drinks it Hugo takes some needles and stick them in Bran's waist and hip area. Then he burns the ends, "Is there somewhere I can sleep the pins must stay in for a few hours…And I require food."

A few days later Bran is on his back, "Do you feel any pain?" Hugo asks.

"Yes my waist is itching."

"Good the bones are softening up then they will mend…Maybe one more, full dose and three more treatments…"

"I can feel my legs!' Brandon says three days later.

"Yes…Watch me Lord Stark." Hugo raises Brandon's leg then he pushes them in bending performing all the movements a leg is supposed to do. "Before I leave I will train one of the servants to do this…This must be done every day for the next few months…The strength will return to the legs and he will walk…If there is any pain give him a small dose of milk of the poppy."

"Thank you!' Robb says.

Not long after Hugo leaves an urgent letter carried by Raven arrives at Winterfell from King's Landing. Eddard Stark has been arrested for treason. King Joffrey Baratheon demands that Robb come to the capital and bend the Knee. "Joffrey wants me to kiss his ass after placing my father in chains!"

"If you go to King's Landing you will never leave…" Maester Luwin says.

Robb looks at Maester Luwin, "The North lords swore an oath to fight for us…"

"Aye, but even in the best of times its hard to know what Lord will do what."

"They swore an oath…its time they honored it! Send out the ravens! Summon the banners!"

"As you wish my lord!"

Theon looks at Robb, "You scared?"

Robb shows Theon his shaking hand, "What do you think?"

"Well that is a good sign."

Robb looks at him, "Why?"

"Because it means you're not a fool!"

"Can I count on you?" Robb asks as the ravens fly out from Winterfell in all directions.

"You're my brother! And I will follow you into the seven hells." They interlock arms.

Moat Cailin

Tara is inspecting the first green house with Jonathan the Master Mason. Tolass is at her side along with Hiram and Eagen. The green house is 100 by fifty feet with six fire places to heat and a large fire with mirrors to reflect the light to make artificial sunlight. Since Moat Cailin is surrounded by wetlands water is abundant. "Very good!" Tara says, "This one turned out better than the one in Pentos."

"When can we start planting?" Adeline asks.

"Right now actually." Tara replies and looks at Tolass, "Corn start planting the corn."

"Yes my lady!"

Tara offered free taxes to those on her land in exchange for work. That is why construction at Moat Cailin was going at a fast pace and she didn't need the extra money at the moment. The wooden wall and the moat were completed. Only two towers and six rooms in the castle needed new wood and furniture for the rooms. The two remaining towers needed balistas installed. Her army kept up their skills by drilling every day and was always ready for battle.

After Tara finished her rounds through the castle she met with Arya to practice the sword. Tara had Gendry make a two swords similar to Needle the blade Jon Snow gave Arya. They were practice swords. Arya beamed when Tara presented her with one.

"Today kiddo we practice with steel!"

"Yes!"

"Be careful a dull blade is still dangerous." Tara warns. After six moves Tara disarms Arya. As they reset Tara is interrupted by Maester Peter and Tolass.

"An urgent message from Winterfell. Acting Lord of Winterfell Robb Stark is summoning all his banners…"

Arya looks at Tara, "Does it say why?"

"No!" Tara replies handing the letter to Arya, "Maester Peter find Eagen! Tolass sound the horn for assembly!"

Within an hour her commanding officers were fully armored and her horse was saddled, "Do you have to go? I mean you can send someone else!" Adeline asks.

"Mother! Stop worrying I have seen combat before."

"You don't know how many restless nights I spent up worrying about you…"

"I had a good teacher!" Tara says looking at Eagen. "I will ride to Winterfell and find out what is going on."

Tara mounts her horse and leaves Moat Cailin with a hundred men not including Arya and Akbar. When they arrive at Winterfell Roose Bolton also arrives with fifty men. "You must be Lady Clegane!"

Tara looks at the flayed man the sigil of House Bolton, "Lord Bolton! An honor to meet you."

"How much do you want for Moat Cailin?"

"It's not for sale…I really like it a lot."

"Men get hurt in war all the time. What do you think will happen to a woman?"

Akbar's hand falls to his sword, "I fought wars in the arena and I was held prisoner in Meereen they couldn't kill nor could the prison hold me what makes you think I will die here?"

"I wish you all the luck…"

Gathered in the main hall are the Lords of the North and sworn banners to House Stark. Lord Medger Cerwyn of House Cerwyn. Barbery Dustin of House Dustin her nephew is too young to represent the House. Lord Galbart of House Glover, Great Jon Umber of House Umber. Houses Hornwood, Karstark, Manderly, Mormount, Reed, Forrester, Whitehill, Marsh, Risewell, and Glenmore. There are others but they haven't arrived yet. Robb reads the letter from King Joffrey Baratheon and the main hall erupts in yelling back and forth.

"I'll have that boy King's head in month!" Jon Umber yells.

"Death to the Lannisters!' Someone yells.

Then Roose Bolton enters and is passed the letter by Lord Karstark. Before sitting Roose Bolton walks up to Robb and bows. Then it gets quiet as Tara enters the hall. She walks up to Robb with all eyes on her. A few hands fly to their swords as Tara drops to one knee. "Tara Clegane of House Clegane in the North comes to fulfill her vow My Lord…"

"Welcome Lady Clegane!"

Tara stands and walks to her seat near Lord Able Marsh a minor lord of a minor House. As Tara signals the servant for food the main hall erupts in outrage of her presence. "Charlitan!" Someone yells.

"My lords peace!" Robb yells.

"Lord Stark…" Great Jon Umber points a finger at Tara, "That bitch doesn't belong among us! She is a Clegane! The Cleganes are loyal dogs of House Lannister!"

"Aye!"

As the main hall erupts into yelling again Tara leaps up grabbing her axe and slams it into the table. A few swords are drawn, but it goes quiet. "I am a Clegane!" Tara yells, "Of the North! And I have sworn an oath to House Stark an oath I intend to honor…If any man doubt my word draw your sword and face me in single combat!"

Robb stands up, "Lady Clegane warded here for three years. I consider her a sister and a good friend…"

"If she was going to betray us she would not have come here!" Arya yells.

"The little lady has a point!" Maege Mormont said speaking up.

"We shall see!" Jon Umber says sitting down.

Tara doesn't take a seat until everyone has sheathed their swords. After the meeting and feast Tara meets Robb in private. "Thanks for sticking up for me."

"Anytime!"

"You scared?"

Robb smiles, "Theon asked me that same question…" Robb replies holding up his shaking hand.

"It will keep you on your toes!" They smile, "You didn't say anything in there which is why I am here…Your father and sister. What will you do about them?"

Robb sighs, "I haven't planned that far ahead yet…"

"I have ships in White Harbor ready for war…"

Robb sighs, "I know! But first we need to drive Tywin Lannister out of the Riverlands…"

Tara is in her tent, "Gather the men we are leaving."

"Why?" Hiram asks.

"Well you will remain and give this to Lord Stark…I am going to King's Landing and rescue Lord Eddard and Lady Sansa…"

"Its too dangerous!" Hiram says.

"Since when have you known me to shy away from danger…"

Robb is in Brandon's room, "How are your legs?"

"I feel stronger everyday – Is Tara here I want to thank her?"

Robb smiles, "I will tell her for you…"

"You are leaving."

Robb shakes his head, "Yes I am leaving tonight. You need to stay here and watch over your brother…You are the acting Lord of Winterfell now. Be strong!"

"I will!"

When Robb gets outside he mounts his horse. "Lord Stark! Lady Clegane asked me to give you this…" Robb breaks the sigil and reads the following.

Lord Robb Stark

I cry your pardon…I have decided to take the one hundred men with me and rescue your father and sister…I know what I am doing so do not worry…I suggest you lay siege to Moat Cailin as a ruse to give Tywin Lannister the impression that I betrayed you…If he takes the bait you will have the advantage of Moat Cailin's balistaes and catapults…I have left Eagen in charge of ten thousand of my men which will march with you…If my plan is not to your liking then follow your own instincts…

Your Friend

Tara Clegane

When he was done reading the letter Robb burned it. As they marched many men accused Tara of desertion. Robb responded by saying that he sent her on an important mission to prove herself that she is loyal to the North.