Chapter 19. THE TULLYS
Hoster Tully is dead and Catelyn Stark sits in the window of the main hall reminiscing with her uncle Brynden the Black Fish Tully about her childhood. A few days later Hoster Tully is placed on a funeral boat and sent up river. Edmure Tully the new lord of the Riverlands fires the arrow to set the boat ablaze. After missing three times the Black Fish takes the bow, judges the wind and shoots the arrow. As the arrow flies off he shoves it into his nephew's chest and walks off. In the distance the boat catches fire and vanishes.
Brynden had advised his nephew to swear fealty to the King in the North. After he swears fealty they sit at a table in the main hall to talk. "I have sent a message to Walder Frey to make peace…" He looks at Edmure Tully, "I am offering my sister Sansa to his son Olyvar in marriage…When Arya is of age she will marry his son Waldren…I think it will go a long way if you married one of his daughters…"
Edmure shakes his head, "Why me? You have two other brothers offer them…" It takes both Catelyn and Brynden to convince Edmure but he eventually agrees.
Just then a man enters, "My lord a raven just arrived from Harrenhall…"
"What does it say?" Ned Stark asks.
"Sandor Clegane has captured Kevin Lannister. Lady Tara is sending him here to Riverrun as a prisoner and suggests that you give him to the Karstarks…" Ned advises Robb to give Kevin Lannister to the Karstarks. Brynden suggests holding him hostage, Cat sides with Ned. Robb Stark summons Rickard Karstark who came with him to Riverrun and offers him Kevin Lannister. Kevin arrives under the guard of fifty men two days later. Lothar and Black Walder arrive the same day.
Kevin Lannister is put to death, by Rickard Karstark that day with Lothar and Walder Frey watching. "I wish to make my apologies to your father in person, but this war is time consuming. To make amends I will give my sister to Olyvar Frey…When she is of age Arya will marry Waldron and my uncle Lord Edmure Tully has agreed to marry one of your father's daughters…"
"A King should keep his word." Lothar Frey says. "I speak for my father when I say that these terms are acceptable. However we need assurances. Sansa Stark should accompany us back to the Twins."
"No!" Catelyn says speaking up, "Unacceptable!"
"If the roles were reversed you would ask the same."
Robb looks at his father who shakes his head no. Robb sighs, "When this war is over and the Lannisters are defeated Lord Edmure will marry a Frey girl and then my sister will marry Olyvar Frey…"
"And how will you defeat the Lannisters?" Black Walder asks. "You are outnumbered four to one."
"Perhaps if your father gave his support…" Brynden says.
"We did!" Lothar replies pointing at Robb, "He broke his word…"
Ned clears his throat, "Then I give my word! My daughter will marry Olyvar Frey, after Lord Edmure marries…When she comes of age Arya will marry Waldren…"
Lothar and Black Walder exchange looks then they whisper to each other. Lothar sighs, "Your terms are acceptable. If you win this war we expect an apology from the King in the North and marriage of Lord Edmure Tully. Then Sansa Stark…Sister to the King in the North…"
Lothar and Black Walder leave that day. "That went better than I expected…" Bryden Tully said as they rode off.
Sansa sits alone in her room crying. When her mother enters she turns away from her. "I am sorry my daughter."
"It's not fair! I was supposed to marry a prince and be Queen…Now I am going marry some Frey worm…"
Catelyn embraces her daughter, "It is the way of things. It was that way for me. I was supposed to marry your father's brother, Brandon Stark." Sansa stops crying and looks at her mother with wet eyes and red face. "He was killed by the mad King. My father gave me to your father…I didn't know or love him at first…But he was very kind and gentle…Eventually I fell in love with your father…"
Sansa wipes her eyes, "I…that is Joffrey was horrible. I am glad to be free of him, but to marry Olyvar Frey!"
Catelyn sighs, "Your brother broke his word…And we need to make peace with Walder Frey. Do it for your family." Cat kisses her on the forehead.
Talisa is sitting on the bed waiting for Robb, "You look tired." She says.
Robb removes his sword belt and boots. "I am!"
Talisa gets on her knees behind Robb and massages his shoulders, "I am sorry for all the trouble I caused you."
He looks at Talisa, "I love you! Rarely do people get to find love in this day and age. Breaking my word to Walder Frey was worth it." They start fondling, undressing and kissing each other. They make love that night.