Before dawn Robett Glover and five hundred horse headed south from Moat Cailin in order to secure the mouth of the Neck. Light had barely risen above the swamps and mist still clung heavy to the bogs, further obscuring the lizard-lions from the unwary, when Willam led out the three thousand men from Barrowlands and the Rills that comprised the day's van. With Lady Catelyn wanting to ride beside her son Robb and his chosen companion for the start of the march to the Riverlands, Lady Maege Mormont, Lohgun decided attaching himself, per usual, to the pack of the Stark heir's hanger-ons was not a smart choice. Besides, he, the Blackfish, and Willam still needed to conspire to work out the details of the plan they were hatching.
That night Willam and Brynden stayed behind after the evening's gathering of Lords. The Badger waited just outside the big tent, animal sharp ears overhearing much of the conversation. The two men first reviewed in brief the strategy for dividing and dividing again Robb's host, which all the Northern Houses had earlier agreed to in principle while eating their dinners. But then, since the scheme rested on an uncontested passage over the Twins, the Crypt and the Blackfish explicitly revealed their desired tactics for suborning old Walder Frey if he proved his typical obstinate self and refused to let the North cross over the Green Fork.
Robb interrupted the explanation frequently, probably trying to calculate all the various moving parts of the attack and the possible responses of the potential enemy. Catelyn laughed at first; and her voice held the tone of youthful delight the Badger remembered from when he and Brandon first met the red haired beauty oh so many years ago at Riverrun. The cold of the North, Ned, age, responsibility, and mistakes had tempered the warmth of her soul. Lohgun felt reassured that her passion for life could still break through the armor of ice she began to coat herself in a decade ago, an armor and a passion which mirrored her husband's. Eventually the skill Catelyn learned sitting so many years at Winterfell's high table kicked in and she started to point out which of the great noble house lords would prove difficult to participate in the stratagem.
"And that's why you have to present them the plan my dear niece," countered Brynden. "And take a part in it too."
The Blackfish started listing options when Catelyn bitterly cut him off, "No, Uncle. Such a suggestion! From you?!"
"Smells of rank hypocrisy, I know," Brynden agreed sadly. "But there are several choices, pick the best one."
The next day Robb chose Willam and Brynden to ride with him and his mother on the continuing march down the Neck. Rumor quickly swept the miles long column that something important was a foot as the young lord multiple times asked his contingent of noble guards to give him ample space to talk in peace until finally in exasperation near midday he damned them as a bunch of nosy busybodies and sent them off to join the van.
Apparently the two men's powers of persuasion were sufficient to win over the only two people in the host who mattered; and at the evening's council, Catelyn presented the scheme and requested the lords active support to see it through if necessary. The resulting tumult made the Greatjon's finger losing outburst at Wintefell seem a child's tantrum by comparison. Grey Wind proved invaluable by snarling any time tempers flared to near the point of blows being exchanged. Lohgun, again sitting in the back, shook his head in wonder at the dreams and expectations of so many of the great houses. Many went to sleep late that night displeased.
The following two days saw Roose Bolton and Galbart Glover, two lords with no stake in the plan, shared the Kingsroad with Robb and Catelyn. Halys Hornwood, another unburdened lord, Willam, and the Badger spent their time making almost constant circuits of the marching column in order to cajole recalcitrant lords and offer or carryback counter proposals. Umbers, Tallharts, Karstarks, Cerwyns, Mormonts, Manderlys, and Ryswells proved stubborn and greedy, but not completely immune to pressure and bribery. Their younger sons, and in the Mormont's case a daughter, riding as Robb's companions openly discussed it amongst themselves and seemed amenable to the idea. They most likely informed their sires, or dame, of their opinion like any strong northerner.
On the fifth day from Moat Cailin, once Catelyn finally granted the participation of Starks to the brewing plot, a larger, but very much patchwork appearing agreement fell into place between the houses. Luckily it did, for soon after the hard day's dirty, mudded slog ended and tents began to be pitched, a messenger from Robett Glover's screening force appeared bringing word of four thousand men manning Walder Frey's twin castles on the Green Fork.
"Late again," Catelyn muttered in disgust.
The next morning Brynden, feeling the plan had taken a hold, departed with a score of men to join Robett Glover and explore further down the river in search of Lannisters. By the time the Host passed off the Neck and travelled halfway to the Twins, regular reports were coming in of skirmishes with outriders under the command of Lord Tywin's bannerman Ser Addam Marbrand, as well as evidence of clashes between Lannisters and Freys.
The news grew worse the following afternoon when Brynden himself made an appearance to tell Catelyn and Robb that the Kingslayer had led a host which broke the main strength of the Riverlands and seen his nephew, Catelyn's brother, Edmure fall.
"Is he alive?" the auburn haired woman gasped.
"Aye, but wounded and captured," the Crypt pronounced grimly.
"What of Riverrun? Father?"
"Lord Blackwood and the survivors have taken refuge there. Now under siege by Westerland dogs."
"They hold?!" Lohgun interjected fiercely.
The Blackfish nodded a tired 'yes.'
With an exultant smile, the Badger turned to Robb, "Then Jaime Lannister must split his force into thirds or leave a way for the castle to resupply. We have him my lords, we have him!"
"If Lord Frey falls for your scheme and allows us to cross," Roose Bolton announced placidly.
"Know yourself, know your enemies," the Badger replied. "Entice him with bait. Encourage his arrogance. Travel by unexpected paths and strike where he has no defenses. And subdue him without fighting."
"Har!" laughed the Greatjon. "So says the fewkin' berserk Badger who shoved a fistful of claws into Jonothor Darry's white armored belly!"
The battlements of the Twins glistened with swords, spears, and bows. Steam rose from above the Eastern Gatehouse where boiling pots full of oil, water, or rocks waited to be thrown down on any so foolish as to charge the barred gate. Only a quick glance was needed from any in the advancing host to know that storming the castle would be a slaughter. Lohgun and Jon Snow both held white banners as Robb, Catelyn, and fifty lords and lordlings trotted out from the main column and stopped just outside of scorpion range.
Without too long of a wait, a sally port opened and a wide plank slide across the moat to allow a score of knights and four of Walder Frey's sons to ride forth also carrying a parley banner. They drew up a dozen yards away, weasel-like faces set determinedly.
Robb looked anxious to start talking, but restrained himself. Silence held the field a minute.
At last the weathered, sixty year old weasel heir to the Twins, Ser Stevron Fry, shifted uncomfortably in his saddle and then started speaking politely enough. "My father, Lord Walder Frey, has sent me to greet you and ask who leads such a mighty host to his lands."
Robb nudged his horse forward, Grey Wind by his side. "I do," he announced firmly. "The Lords of the North have heard of the wonder of the Crossing and of the strength of its Lord. They asked my permission to come see it for themselves. I granted it and choice to ride with them."
The rheumy grey eyes of the old knight blinked several times in uncertainty. "Ah-hum," he cleared his throat. "My father would be honored to host you, young Lord Stark, and so many of your puissant lords to meat and mead at his table so they may see this for themselves. And then if there are … other things you would wish to discuss, he would certainly oblige you."
Robb smiled. "I am impressed enough already," he declared. "Though there are several here, including my dear mother, Lady Catelyn Tully Stark, who would gladly accept Lord Frey's gracious offer. Perhaps your three brothers would return the favor and dine with me?"
The tired weasel face blinked rapidly again, then the head nodded slowly. "My lord father will be pleased to see Lady Catelyn again, and any of your lords who desire to accompany her. My brothers Ser Merrett, Ser Jammos, and Ser Perwyn will accept your hospitality until Lady Catelyn returns to you."
"They shall be our honored guests. I would hope to see my lady mother by evenfall, Ser Stevron. I do not intend to linger here long," the heir to Winterfell replied. Grey Wind growled to add emphasis to Robb's words, causing all the Frey horses to shuffle nervously.
"Yes, my lord. Lady Catelyn? My lords?" Ser Stevron answered politely.
Catelyn promptly led out her horse, followed by Willam, Rickard Karstark, and the Greatjon. Several more horses shuffled a bit, until Helman Tallhart pulled out, face glum. Maege Mormont chuckled and shaking her head at the wonder of it all she spurred her mount forward.
"What are you Sers, waiting for?" Robb barked. "Escort my lady mother."
Medger Cerwyn and Wylis Manderly looked briefly at each other before joining the parade. Roger Ryswell, heir to the Rills, looked nervously up at the Twins.
"Oh go on, it's not you leaping into the fire Ryswell," Lohgun rebuked.
"Think of your family's glory," the Blackfish prodded.
Roger stayed put, licking his lips.
The soft voice of Roose Bolton reached out. "Come goodbrother, let us find out together what treasure awaits." The Lord of the Dreadfort's steed sidled up to Ryswell's and Roose Bolton took hold of the stunned man's reins, getting the horse to follow alongside his own mount.
"Lord Bolton!" Robb called. "We all agreed you need play no part in this."
A whisper of smile came over his mild, milky face. "I find myself too interested in how this mummer's farce will plays out, I cannot contain myself," he announced placidly. And off he trotted.
The bottom of the sun had just reached the horizon when the portcullis raised and out came ten riders and thirteen horses. The last three straggling behind Lord Dustin each carried a cage of ravens.
Robb sucked in his breath before nodding to the three Frey hostages and saying, "You may return now." He climbed into his saddle and went to meet Catelyn, Lohgun and the rest of Robb's companions followed suit. "And?" he called out expectantly.
"We may pass," his mother declared. "And they will join their might with ours. We must give them an hour or two to clear a path through the Crossing so we may march over. They are quite full up inside."
"The cost?"
"There will be five weddings once we reach Riverrun!" shouted the Greatjon cheerfully. "My son Barth the first of them!"
Robb's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"I told Lord Walder that my father would demand as liege lord to see the bloom of Frey maidenhood married, but with him so inconvenienced right now the weddings simply had to take place in Riverrun."
"Who else will joins mighty Barth, mother?"
"Lord Bolton, surprisingly enough, his namesake Roose Ryswell, Torrhen Karstark, and Theon."
Robb snorted in surprise at the inclusion of his childhood shadow.
"Yes, I know," Catelyn said. "Walder Frey's a wily old snake. He knew we had him and I was never going to pledge you, so he drove the best bargain he could. Theon is …"
"I know," Robb said in understanding. "And the rest?"
"Five marriages in Winterfell once the Lannisters are beaten to daughters of Lords Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Manderly, and Lady Mormont. Well, in Eddara Tallhart's case, she must flower first. We have also acquired another ten of Walder Frey's sons, grandsons, and grandsons to squire for us or foster back north. Our lords seem satisfied for now; I've never seen Roose Bolton so bemused. I hope the price does not turn out to have been too high."
"And should Sansa and Arya live, they don't begrudge our engaging them to Harrion Karstark and Eddard Dustin," Robb continued.