Chapter 29

Kings Landing

Tywin Lannister

Tywin was going over some figures trying to come up with a way to start steadily returning the loans that Robert had taken from the Iron Bank while not to make the returns too large so that the war effort won't be affected and that they wouldn't need to rely on the Tyrells for coin. This damn war could have been over in weeks if his stupid daughter had managed to control her idiot of a son. With Ned Stark, they could have bargained for the North's compliance and that would have been the end of it, but now instead he had to deal with twenty thousand unwashed Northmen rampaging through his lands in the West. Casterly Rock will not fall but he knew that the rest of the Westerlands wasn't so safe.

His legacy was threatened by a boy all because not one of his children or grandchildren seemed to have an ounce of his intelligence. Jaime was a disappointment, all he ever wanted to be was a glorified bodyguard and Cersei thought herself smart but that was far from the truth. He was actually surprised when she brought up the Tyrell plot to marry Sansa to Willas, then again, it was not she who found that out but Baelish. And Tyrion, he didn't even what to start about thinking about the dwarf wearing his proud sigil, it was ironic that he was the one who managed to keep the city standing until Tywin arrived. The gods have truly decided to mock him.

Joffrey reminded Tywin of Aerys more and more as the time passed, the boy was unhinged, cruel and had no care for anyone's life, Tywin was even informed that Joffrey had a habit of mistreating his siblings, something his mother should have taken care of but she didn't. He would have to make sure the boy learns, he will not let another Aerys be born out of his line.

Aeryss rain started off promising, he looked like he was going to be a good king but in time the opposite proved true. Aerys became jealous of Tywin, how people saw him as the true ruler and power in King's Landing and not him. He used every opportunity to enrage Tywin, to spite him. For years he put up with it, he had seven kingdoms to rule while Aerys slept with his mistresses or just made the lives of his family miserable. Rhaegar had potential and for a time Tywin wanted a match between the future king and his daughter but that didn't happen. Daskendale was where things truly made a turn for the worse, the Aerys which exited it was far worse than the one which entered it. His plans were being started before that but that's when he truly made up his mind to deal with Aerys for good.

It took time but everything he needed came into place. An alliance between the Riverlands, the North and the Westerlands thought marriage, plus the Vale thought lord Rickards second son and Jon Arryn, the Iron Islands through his deal with Quelon and he was lucky enough to get even the Stormalnds after Steffons death. The death of his old friend at sea was convenient. But things changed when Aerys took his stupid son hostage so that made him reconsider his plans. He could not rebel openly not with Jaime so close to that mad bastard. But he was patient and in time an opportunity showed itself.

Rhaegar proved that he was not so different from his father and when he was informed that the prince and the Stark girl had run off together, he seized the opportunity and spread the word that the prince had kidnapped lady Lyanna. After that, he just made sure that his spies intercepted any message that was sent from them. In Riverrun the maester was one of his cousins as was one in White Harbor, he bribed the maetser of Harenhall and Pycelle was his man. Other maesters were easily persuaded by arch maetser Theobald such as the one in Winterfell and one at Storms End to withhold any messages that came from the prince or his lady. The Maesters held no love to the Targaryens and saw them as remanents of a bygone era that needed to be removed, especially Theobald and several of his colleagues. All he had to do to get the support of the aforementioned maetser was to ensure his rise and to get rid of some other foolish master called Marwin. Soon after that, he got what he wanted, a war to topple Aerys and his family once and for all.

The war was not just for power, for many, it was personal, for Ned Stark that honorable fool who lost his family, for Robert whose love was taken from him, for Jon Arryn whose foster sons lives were being threatened by a mad king and so was for him, for everything Aerys did to him and his family over the years, every insult, every stab in the beck, but most importantly what he did to Joanna, he could swallow most of what happened but not what he did to her. Aerys raped her, the inbred son of a whore raped the love of his love. For a time he refused to believe it, he refused to believe that his strong Joanna would have been taken by him. Aerys hated him but Tywin still thought there was some human decency left in the maddening king until Aerys uttered one sentence in front of him and Cersei, "I bet she feels like her mother." When he found out his hatred for Aerys only grew and just before the rebellion happened it grew into a hatred for all Targaryens. That's when he decided that he was going to deal with them all.

Aerys took the person Tywin loved most from him so Tywin took everything from Aerys, Lannisters always pays their debts and he repaid the debt hundredfold. He only wished that he was sent to take care of the two remaining children of Aerys and not Stannis, if it was him those two would have been drowned in the sea. No one will ever again harm his family, he will do whatever is in his power to secure the legacy of house Lannister, even if that means that he has to protect it from the Lannisters themselves.

When the time for the small council meeting came they all gathered in the small council chamber. Everyone was there, Pycelle, Baelish, Varys, Mace, Cersei and Tyrion. He didn't particularly trust any of them with maybe the exception of Pycelle, the maetser that had been his right hand during his time as hand.

"What news from the Riverlands Lord Varys?" Tywin asked.

"The Young wolf has pulled back some forces from the northern parts of the Riverlands and sent them home to reclaim their homeland from the Ironborn, he has also pulled half of his troops from the Westerlands and is moving them currently back to Riverrun. Roose Bolton still holds Harenhall with the help of the Brave companions, lords Glover and Tallheart," the eunuch said. Keeping his plot from the Spider was a masterstroke, even if the Spider suspected something he had no evidants to give Aerys.

"Those sellswords will pay with their lives for betraying us," Cersei said.

"They are sellswords sister, what did you expect," Tyrion said but Tywin didnt even look at him.

"Robb Stark is pulling men out of the West which means he is either going to send them north or to use them to strengthen the Riverlands for the upcoming attack," Tywin said looking at the men to his left. "He was lost the Freys who had four thousand men and the Kastarks had more than two thousand. He is weakened and will become desperate. He has us on one side and the Ironborn to the other. It's just a matter of time before Robb Stark is dealt with."

"And to who do you intend to hand over Winterfell and Riverrun when the war is over?" Baelish asked. The man was a self-serving creature that Tywin intended to dispose of as soon as the war is over.

"That will be decided in time," Tywin said firmly. "Now, what of Stannis?"

"Lord Stannis has not left Dragonstone since the defeat you dealt him, my lord. My little birds say that he only meets with the Red woman."

"The Stormlands have all but capitulated, he was no more support," Pycelle said.

"We should attack him now and get in over with," Cersei said and Tywin turned his gaze to her.

"First we deal with the greater threat which is Robb Stark, unlike Stannis who has no army and is stuck on an island Stark still has his army and is near us. Lord Mace, what is the status of lord Tarly's army?"

The fat flower shifted in his seat and puffed out his chest like a peacock. "Lord Tarly is on the march, he commands fifteen thousand of my bannermen."

"Good, I have already sent five thousand men to link up with the ones I left in the Riverlands, with them he should have close to twenty-five thousand. Ser Lyle Crakehall is leading my men."

"The Young wolf will fall to them, I'm sure," said Pycelle.

"Lord Tarly will begin the retaking of the Riverlands, once that is underway if need be a second host will be dispatched to aid him. The host that is currently encamped south of the Blackwater will go to take Storms End."

"Ser Gilbert Farring commands the garrison at Storms End, he is proving to be as stubborn as the previous commander. Stanniss uncle Lomas is also there with him," Varys said.

"The Stormlanders were never known for their smarts," Baelish said with a sly smile.

"Storms End will fall, when it does it will be given to Tommen," Tywin said.

"The last time Reachmen tried to take it, Stannis held it for a year with barely any men," Tyrion said looking at lord Mace. The flower shited in his seat.

"This time it will be different, this time the Reachmen will not wait for them to surrender but they will attack the castle with full force and kill anyone who gets in their way," Tywin said. Iis that understood lord Mace?"

"It is my lord," Mace said, his voice shaky.

Dorne

Jon

They rode down the road with the prince's company, the prince had not spoken much with them since they departed the ambush site but then again he was in the lead of the column while they were in the beck. The ambush they encountered was sudden but Jon thought they could win until he saw the additional men the bandits had. He was thankful that the prince and his guards arrived when they did. The rest of his company were grateful as well, some more so than others. Loras still bore an uneasy look on his face, like he expected to be stabbed in the beck. Robar was wary just like he was for most of their journey since they met and Grenn didn't really seem to care that much about the Dornish presents. During their ride, they met up with another group of Dornish which turned out to be the group lead by Cletus Yronwood.

"Ah, Quent, it seems your hunt went better than mine," the man said with a laugh.

"It looks like it. We found the group just as they were attacking some travelers," the prince said and the heir to Yronwood looked at them first at him and the wolves, then at Loras and finally at Robar and Grenn. Cletus whispered something to the prince but Jon could not hear it. The two Dornishmen talked for a short while until they continued with their journey.

When the night started to fall they made camp, Jon, Loras, Robar and Grenn setting up at the end of it. As he was tending to the horses Loras approached him.

"I don't like this Jon, something doesn't feel right," Loras said in a whisper.

"They saved our lives Loras if they wanted to kill us they would have done it by now," Jon said.

"I don't trust them, what's to stop them from capturing us tonight while we sleep or once we reach the port?" Jon had to admit, he had never seen Loras like this, Dorne must be getting to him if Loras was the paranoid one in the group.

"You don't trust the Dornish and yet to warship Arthur Dayne," Jon pointed out. The Sword of the Morning is probably an idol to every knight their age or younger. He was one of the men who guarded his aunt, a man who his father had killed but Jon still held respect for the man, his father never said one bad thing about Ser Arthur and so neither shall he, always saying that Arthur was honorable and just.

"The Daynes are different than the rest of them you know that."

"How are they different than the rest of Dorne exactly?" Jon said raising an eyebrow. The Daynes were an old family, some of the best fighters than ever lived came from that family but to Jons knowledge, they were just like most Dornish.

"The Daynes never use poison and would never use any dishonorable means to do something, they have too much honor," Loras paused looking at the rest of the camp. "Something just feels wrong, you saw how Martell looked at us." The Dornish are a stubborn lot Jon knew that much like the Northmen. There were similarities between their cultures, both people were proud of their heritage, both lived in harsh conditions which made them stronger, they took no shit from anyone outside of their kingdom or in it really and were generally looked down upon by the rest of Westerosy kingdoms. The Dornish built their more recent reputation due to the failed wars Targaryens waged with them and even more recently thanks to their prince Oberyn, the Red Viper of Dorne.

"I agree that we might not be in the safest position right now but we have no choice in the matter. I did see how he looks at us and I'm pretty sure he knows who we are. Considering he was not done anything so far makes me think that he either has not yet decided what to do with us or doesn't care."

"How do you think he figured it out?"

Jon chuckled. "Loras, I have two horse-sized wolves with me and you are the only person in Westeros that wears an armor like that, even Garlan doesn't wear armor that extravagant. I don't think he knows who Grenn and Robar are."

Loras grunted looking in the direction of the prince's tent. "How long do you think until we reach Yronwood and find a ship?"

"Two days, maybe three. Once we get there we charter a ship and we will leave. Then you will be able to relax. We will leave one of us on watch tonight if it makes you feel better."

"As soon as we leave Dorne the better," Loras said in a quiet tone.

They spent the next two days riding, the Donrish didn't really approach them apart from the prince and Ser Cletus once or twice. The scorching heat was worse than in the Reach, there it was much hotter than in the North, something he didn't particularly like when he first came to Highgarden. He still had the same dream of being back at Highgarden with Margaery, he could not understand why. He was angry with her for her betrayal but he still saw her in his dreams. The nightmares still happened but when it gets too much he would use dreamwine, so far he has done so two times.

Jons and Lorass discussion about the Daynes made Jon ask himself the same question he had been asking himself since Blackhaven, are they his mother's family. A burning desire to know the truth would come over him every time he thought about house Dayne, were they the other side of his family, was Ashara truly his mother. He was starting to think that maybe he could change their course just for a while. They could still reach Robb but not from Yronwood but Starfall. Robb held out this long few more days wouldn't make a difference, right?

When they reached the site of caste Yronwood, it was a sight to behold, it was not grandiose like Highgarden but it radiated straight. Its walls and towers were built for defense, to hold out against a powerful siege. On one side it was positioned right across the river coming from the west and the Sea of Dorne to the east. It remained Jon of Kings Landing somewhat, the city being positioned right next to where the river entered the sea as well. There was a town around the castle and Jon could see a port with several ships docked there. He immediately recognized a Redwyne merchant ship.

"Quiet the sight isn't it?" said Cletus and Jon looked at the knight who rode towards him and stopped. "My family is the second most powerful family in Dorne, our castle represents that. Quent told me you were looking for a ship, this is where you will find one."

"I can see," Jon said looking at the harbor.

"My family gets most of its riches from trade and exploitation of our lands. The lands that belong to my family are some of the most fertile in Dorne and have deposits of metals scattered about. Most lords either live in the middle of the desert or close to the sea," Cletus bragged.

"May I ask something?"

"Depends on what you what to ask," Cletus said.

"What the quickest way to reach Starfall from here?"

Cletus thought for a moment before answering "Well the quickest way would be to go upriver to Skyreach and then you have several days ride to Blackmont. From there you can take a ship down the Torrentine."

"How long would it take to reach Starfall that way?" Jon asked curiously.

"Ten days, with a strong current and wind maybe less."

"Is it safe to travel?"

"The Torrentine is a fast river but people who live near it know how to sail it. I suggest getting some of our salty kinsmen to take you there, the Roynar are expert sailors even today."

"I thank you Ser Cletus."

"You are welcome but pray tell why would you want to go to Starfall didn't you say that you wanted to look for a ship here."

"It's personal Ser," Jon said with a sigh.

Cletus nodded. "Then I won't bother you any longer. Now if you would excuse me I have to return to my father and tell him the good news. I wish you good fortune on your journey Ser."

"Thank you Ser," Jon said and Cletus rode towards the main gate with prince Quentyn and their respected retenues. Jon and the company followed them for a while until they reached the gates where Jon stopped. He was thinking about his next course of action.

"What is it, Jon?" Robar asked.

Jon lifted his head to look at Robar. "Change of plans, we aren't heading for Maidenpool."

Robar, Grenn and Loras looked at him surprised. "I thought you said we were going to the Riverlands to help your brother, if not there then where are we going?" Grenn said.

"We will go there but not right now, we need to make a small detour first."

"Detour? Where?" Loras asked.

"Starfall," Jon said and his three companions looked at each other before each of them nodded. Loras turned to him with a smile.

"So that means we are paying the Daynes a visit," Loras said with an excited tone, it remained Jon of the days when they were boys.

"That means no ship then," Grenn said.

"Oh we are still taking a ship just not at sea," Jon said looking at the river.

Highgarden

Willas

The gardens of his family's caste were beautiful in summer, so many different colors it was like the rainbow fell and stayed. The gardens were one of his favorite places in the castle but now not so much. There was always a sense of calmness about them even when Margaery and her ladies would chatter incessantly, Jon, Garlan and Loras sparring throughout the gardens while his grandmother berated them and mother and father sitting there watching them with proud smiles. All of that was gone now, most of his family was in Kings Landing where Margaery was to marry the king and father serving on the small council.

The deal that Renly and Loras brought was welcoming it gave his family everything that they ever wanted, all of the power and authority that his family strived for was in arms reach. He had his doubts about Margaery's and Jon's relationship, he knew that they loved each other but he feared if that love would survive the war. Margaery was taught her whole life that she would be queen one day and she believed it, wanted it herself but she also wanted Jon. Life is not a fairytale and yet his sister wanted it to be one with both a crown on her head and a man she loved next to her.

He honestly felt pity for Jon, he was a friend, no man should agree to what he agreed but he did it never the less all for love. Kings and queens, lords and ladies take lovers all the time but what his sister had with Jon was true love or at least he thought it was. Renlys death was sudden and unexpected and threw all of the plans his family set up fall to pieces. When Baelish arrived with the same offer his grandmother and father took it. His father needed some words of encuridgemt was his grandmother put it to go against his foster son's family and as always Olenna got her way. He knew that no matter what he did or said Olenna and his father would go through with the deal so he kept quiet and did as he was told.

That Margaery chose the crown over Jon wasn't so surprising and yet there was a strange voice in the back of his head telling him something didn't add up. Then he received the news of his brother running off after Jon, the bonds of brotherhood were strong between them, even stronger than the bonds with Willas and Garlan it seems and he felt hurt because of that. When his family went to the capitol they took most of the court with them, leaving him with few cousins and Mira.

Mira was a norther and so while Robb Stark was an enemy of the Lannisters she could not set foot in the capitol. He was always nice to Margaery's friends, he knew them well but during his time alone she became a close friend. Mira was a nice girl, smart, ladylike and even if she was soft-spoken she still had a sharp tongue and was not afraid to speak her mind. If she went to the capital she would have probably made a few problems there for sure. Speaking of the wolf.

He heard soft footsteps coming from behind him. "Are you trying to sneak up on me?"

"No," Mira said as she sat on the bench next to him. "I was just trying to see if you would figure out it was me."

"Tell me, how are you doing?"

"As well as you imagine, it's a lot more boring without Sera, Alla, Elinor and Megga and there are so many things you can do alone before they become boring."

"You aren't alone," Willas said.

"Yes and do you like needlework because I could really use someone," Mira said and Willas laughed.

"I'm afraid I can't help you in that department but maybe if given time I can learn," Willas said and Mira chuckled. "What so funny?"

"If you do that then we can add sewing to the list of your talents but you are more likely to read the history of sewing before actually doing it."

"Knowing history is important."

"As it technique," They both laughed for a moment before the laughed subsided and Mira became more serious. "Any news?"

"Yes, I received word that Sansa Stark will be marrying Tyrek Lannister soon and Margaery's wedding should be after that. Everything seems normal in the capital, as well as normal as Kings Landing can be. My mother and grandmother will come home after the wedding, I don't know about Garlan."

"Any word of Loras?" Mira asked and Willas just shook his head. "You should have expected that to happen, Jon and Loras are like two peas in a pod, you cant separate them."

"I know," Willas said in a sad tone looking at the stone cobbled path of the gardens. "I just wish he was here with me instead of gods know where."

"Lady Olenna said that he was here but soon people started to suspect otherwise, some even said that he was kidnapped but the stunt he pulled in the Stormlands put an end to that. Where do you think he got the men?"

"I don't know but if anyone can get people on their side it's my brother and Jon," Willas said, staying quiet for a moment thinking about his younger brother and then his sister. "Are you still angry with Margaery?" he asked solemnly.

There was silence for a long while, Willas thought that she would not answer but she did. "Yes, of course am angry with her. You don't know how it is for you and your friend to have loved the same man and for you to let her keep him only for her to throw him away as soon as it was convenient."

Willas sighed "No, I don't know but what's it worth I'm sorry for what Margaery did, she is the only daughter so my parents spoiled her. She should have known she could not have everything. I just hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive her one day."

Mira lifted her head to look at the sky, it was almost clear but for a few clouds. "We will see."

When she lowered her head she had a worried expression on her face. Willas knew why, she had told him that her father and brother are among Robb Starks army. He wished he could offer words to ease her fears but he could not, that's exactly how he was feeling about Loras, Margaery and Garlan. Garlan could march to fight in the Riverlands, Loras is wondering somewhere during this time of danger and Kings Landing is a dangerous place.

He must have had the same worried expression as Mira because he felt a soothing hand touch his. He looked at Mira whose troubled face changed into a small and yet reassuring smile. The moments ended when a guard rushed into the gardens carrying a message. Willas took it and told the guard to leave. He then opened it and read it.

"Whats it say, is it from the capitol?" Mira asked anxiously.

"No, my agents say Alyn Hunt arrived at Bitterbridge several days ago. How strange, the last I heard the Hunts were with lord Tarly."

"Your agents, you mean your grandmothers," Mira said.

"No, they are mine. My grandmother isn't the only one with spies," Willas gave her a proud smirk.

"Does it say why he came?"

"No, it only says that he arrived with a small armed retinue, stayed there for barely an hour and then left."

"He could have just been passing by and decided to rest there."

"Probably, but if he wants to rest he could have stayed longer. Shame my spy could not get a closer look."

"The Hunts are loyal bannermen of House Tarly, he could have just been delivering a message to Horn Hill."

"A messenger would not have an armed escort unless it's something really important. Since my grandmother left for Kings Landing she entrusted her spy network to me until she returns, I'm to send anything worth of note to her."

"So?"

"One of her spies told me that lord Tarly had sent several riders to Horn Hill in repeated succession, at first I didn't think it important but maybe it is. My grandmother did task Tarly with finding Loras, maybe this has something to do with that."

"Are you going to tell Olenna?"

"No, not until I see if there is more to this."

Willas was glad for both his and his grandmother's spy networks, combine he had enough spies in the Reach to monitor most of the goings-on but he still mostly relayed on his Olennas spies for further regions. Willass mind races with possible explanations, it could be as Mira says just a message delivery but with an armed guard and Alyn Hunt was well known to be one of Tarly most loyal and capable men, he would not intrust him with a simple task of delivering a message to Lady Tarly or one of his sons. It could be nothing but then again the real motivations of Westerosy nobles are never fully clear, not even for a man as blunt as Rendyll Tarly.

Riverlands

Robb

Robb didn't know if he should be thankful to lord Darry and to hate him anymore, the man revealed so many earthshattering things to him but the one that made his blood boil, one that made him want to put Tywin Lannisters head on a pike personally was that the Lion had managed to persuade both the Boltons and the Freys to betray him. If he offered his uncle to the Freys and went to the Twins he would have been walking towards his death, he cursed both Walder and Roose for what felt like a thousand times. A messenger arrived at Riverrun in a garms of a shepard and delivered the note to Darry who forwarded it to Robb, it said that the bastards intended to betray him in exchange for pardons and greater titles. He wanted nothing more than to kill them but after he calmed down he realized that he cant not do that, et least not Roose, he needed the Bolton men if he was to win this war. He trusted Roose more than most of his other bannermen but father was right the Boltons can not be trusted, they never fully accepted the Stark dominion over the North like the others did and have repeatedly rebelled.

He could not let his anger get the better of him. After he calmed down enough he started to think, he could not deal with this as he did with lord Karstark even if the crime of treason was pushed by death. With the help of his great uncle and lord Darry, they hatched a plan to call Roose back to Riverrun to attend a war council meeting and the Bolton lord did to disappoint he arrived several days later.

"My king," Roose said as he bowed, Robb had to do his best to hide his hatred and disgust for the man.

"Rise, Lord Bolton," Robb motioned with his hand. "How are things in Harenhall?"

"Good your grace, we did not have problems so far. I have left lord Glover in charge."

"Good to hear, you must be tired from the journey, you may rest and in the morning we shall attend the coucil, there are still few lords that need to arrive."

"Of course your grace," Roose said, bowed and was escorted by a servant to his new chambers.

Robb entered his solar with his uncles, mother and lord Darry, the only people he fully trusted now. "The bastard was the gole to look me in the eyes and lie, I could barely hold myself from strangling him then and there," Robb said with anger clear to all present.

"The east wing has been cleared apart from the most trusted servants and guards," said Edmure.

"How trusted are they?" asked Robb.

"All of them have been here for years since my father was lord, some even when we were children, same goes for the guards and the Stark men are members of your personal guard. We have nothing to fear, not a word of his is going to leave that wing, I assure you."

"Let's hope you are right uncle, I can't lose any more soldiers. Damned oathbreaker and traitors!"

"Walder Frey always was a cunt, my father should have dealt with him long ago," Edmure.

"It took like we would have to," said Brynden.

"But how?" asked Catelyn.

"We could attack them from both sides, the only way to besiege the Twins properly is to besiege both keeps. With that, they would need to spread out if they intend to defend it," said Edmure.

"Edmure is right," said Brynden. "Although attacking the Twins would be costly, we would lose many men."

"Then what I'm supposed to do?" Robb asked annoyed. "Just let them be and wait for them to strike me from behind."

There was a long moment of silence as everyone contemplated what they should do. Fighting the Freys would be too costly and while he does that the Lanisters could strike the Riverlands, he could not just leave them either, he needed to find a solution quickly.

"If only that old weasel dropped dead before this started," Edmure said.

"The gods arent that gracious," Catelyn said. "Even if he died Stevron would have been lord, at least he was decent enough."

"How does the Frey line of succession go?" Raynum asked suddenly.

"With Stevrons death, Ryman Frey in next in line, after him its Edwyn, Black Walder, Walton, Steffon, then I don't know how many more are there but I think Raymund and Lothar are somewhere on the bottom on the list and you also have the one who married Tywin Lanisters sister," Brynden said.

Robb narrowed his eyes on Darry. "What do you have in mind?"

"It's a long shot but it might work. The only catch is that it might not be honorable," Raymun said. Robb had to admit he was desperate now, he knew there were allies out there but that they would reveal themselves until Jon is found so he had to take care of the problems in the Riverlands on his own. His father always taught him that man is nothing without honor, that a man who lies and cheats is not a man at all but his father lied his entire life about Jon so he could protect him, he did what he thought was necessary. He came down south for justice, to see his family safe and he too will do what is necessary to achieve it. It might now be honorable but if it helps him finally but a sword through Tywin Lannisters heart he will do it.

"You are free to say it, lord Darry," Robb said in a stern tone.

"Due to Walder's many marriages and children, the Freys are more, how to put it best, concerned with the line of succession. Many Freys that have different mothers aren't fond of each other and some outright hate each other. The hostility between the likes of Black Walder and Ryman is well known."

"What are you aiming at Raymun?" asked Bryden.

"We send a letter to the Twins to offer lord Edmures hand in marriage as you intended, we see how they replay and who they send to negotiate. Then we make a deal with them, the lordship of the Twins for loyalty."

"You are saying he aid one of them to usurp the others, what is there to stop him from later siding with the Lannisters after we give him the Twins."

"We could take wads like your father did with the Greyjoy boy or keep him at Riverrun until the war is over."

"The Freys could betray us even then," Edmure said.

"The Freys are weasels but there are only hand full of them with actual intelligence, the rest are either too stupid or cowardly to do anything. Show enough straight and the rest will fall in line," Brynden said.

Robb sighed, it was a risky plan, one that had little chance of actual success, he knew that as soon as he shows weakness the Freys will betray him. But as stated before he cant let them be. Robb looked at the window and noticed that it was night.

"We will discuss how to deal with the Freys on a later date now we have someone else to deal with first," Robb said firmly. "Uncles come with me, lord Darry you stay with my mother."

Robb, Brynden, Edmure walked through the halls of Riverrun, guards joining them on the way. He knew that this won't be easy, that Roose might put up a fight but he didn't care, the traitor will be caught and will stay there. Robb made sure that most of the men that came with Roose were in the camp outside the castle so barely few guards should be with Roose now. The halls in the east wing were clear as his uncle said apart from men who guarded the castle. As they made their way to where the lord of the Dreadfort was staying his company caught the attention of the Bolton men, Robb telling them that he had to urgently speak with their lord so he was let inside with his uncle Brynden and two more guards.

"Has something happened your grace?" Roose asked, his face revealed no emotion, he didn't look concerned or surprised.

Robb took a step forward. "Something did happen, lord Bolton, it seems that I have been betrayed," Robb said through greeted teeth.

"By who your grace?" Bolton asked, his face remained unchanged as if he didn't know who Robb was talking about.

"You know very well by who," Robb said and Bolton looked at him with those cold pale eyes.

"You think I did it," Roose said, it was not a question.

"I know you did it, I know you have an agreement with Tywin Lannister. So stop playing a fool."

"I have no idea what you are talking about, I have supported you since the begging, why would I betray you now."

"Because it's convenient. Because you have been promised something more."

An eery silence filled the room as the two men stared at each other, Robbs patience was becoming dangerously thin. Finally, Roose spoke.

"Tywin Lannister will win as he always does, you made stupid mistakes that have ensured that. And now with the Tyrells on his side, no one will be able to stop him. I know a lost cause when I see one. You are a boy who decided to pull on a lion's tail and the lion will bite. I might not be the one who gets the credit for removing you for him but someone will."

Robb smirked. "It won't be you and it won't be the Freys," this caught Roose by surprise, that Robb knew about the Freys. "I will win this damn war and once I'm done with Tywin Lannister and the rest of his ilk I will personally take your head and tear the Dreadfort stone by stone until there is nothing left."

Roose looked at the sword that was placed on a chair next to them and jumped for it but Robb was faster he pulled out his sword and kicked the traitorous lord before he could reach his weapon. At that moment screams and shouts could be heard from the hall, the sounds of the Stark men killing the Boltons. Robb put the tip of his sword to Rooses neck and kept it there as the two guards lifted him up from the ground. Before Roose could do or say anything more Robb hit him with the hilt of his sword.

"From now on the lord Bolton is ill, the maester is tending to him, understood? Robb said to his guards and they nodded. He exited into the hall to see the dead bodies of the Bolton soldiers. "Clean this up and as you heard me, he is ill and he is not to leave that room. Strip the room of anything that can be used as a weapon or for escape."

With that Robb marched down the hall, leaving his uncles to do the rest.

AN: That was the next chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. The Martells are slowly entering the game as is Willas for himself. In the next chapter, we will meet the Daynes, have Sansa wedding and a few other things.

Responce:

Rhet1980: That isn't a bad idea.

Prince Loki Stark: Yeah I know I made Olenna an ass in this fic, she wants for her grandaughter what she could not have and that makes her crueler than she was originally.

Force Smuggler: Olenna will live to the end, just so she could see what she had done.

BioHazard82: Thanks man.

denolotdn: Glad to have you back mate, I'm glad you like it. Dany, Barristan and Viserys will make an appearance soon.

HaywireEagle: It's my first long fic mate, it's not perfect but I'm trying. I know about the mistakes in the early chapter, I do intend on fixing them when I have the time.