Chapter 19: Negotiations and discussions
299 AC
Robb
He had had three wonderful days and nights with Alys. He couldn't get enough of her and she of him. They made love every evening and every morning. He had even come a little late to all three of the morning meetings with his commanders. All of them had knowingly smiled, but none had complained. Only the Greatjon had made a comment, laughing that they should call him "The Late Wolf" instead.
After those three days, he had moved south with his army. They had passed through the Neck unhindered and had entered the Riverlands. His scouts had confirmed that, due to flooding, there was only one crossing point above the Trident and it was on the bridge of House Frey. As such, they marched there now.
He looked around and talked some more with Lord Halys Hornwood, the commander he had chosen to ride next to him this morning.
Finally, they reached The Twins and, while his army was slowly finishing their march, he gathered most of his lords and commanders as he saw the walls were heavily manned. "The Frey's are my uncle's bannermen. Why are they here and why don't they let us through?" he asked perplexed.
Lord Medger Cerwyn responded "Sadly, these Southrons don't take loyalty as seriously as we do, Lord Robb. The lord, Walder Frey was late to the battle of the Trident as well. He is a greedy bastard and will do nothing if he doesn't gain something first."
He saw how much of the room agreed with this analysis and most looked angry. "I should burn their castle and wipe out their house root and stem for this!" he said angrily.
"You should, My Lord. However, you can't. The only way to take this place is to surround it from both sides and starve it out. The Freys entire force is inside there, storming the walls would do us no good." Lord Galbert Glover stated pragmatically.
"For our plan to continue, we need to negotiate then?" he asked to the room and all men nodded.
"Good, I will go and make sure we can cross the river." He said, thinking the whole deal finished. His lords thought otherwise as suddenly they all started speaking or even shouting at him.
He looked around perplexed but couldn't hear them as they were all talking together. "One at a time, my lords, please." He responded.
The Greatjon took it upon himself to respond "You can't go in there! If he captures you, he can take out the whole army and just wait for the Lannisters to attack us here. There would be no way for us to go and free you. Negotiate aye, but not you personally. Send one of us to do the talking so you can stay with the army.
At this many of the lords nodded in agreement. He saw how Lord Bolton was readying himself to propose to go inside so he cut in quickly. "Alright, my lords, if that seems to you the best possible course of action I will do so. Lord Karstark will go and negotiate for me. The Freys might be insulted that I don't go personally, sending my father-in-law might ease that a little.
At this the lords grumbled a bit, but they all accepted. Stern Lord Rickard was a good choice to deal with the prickly Lord Walder. He would never give in to outrageous demands, but could use diplomacy if needed.
"That will be all for now, Lord Rickard a word please." He said and his words ended the meeting.
"I trust you completely, Lord Rickard. However, we need to talk about how far we are willing to negotiate. You always told me that to go into negotiations without having at least a maximum offer in your head would lose you the negotiations before they start." He said, thinking of his lessons in Karhold.
Lord Karstark nodded approvingly. "Good, you have listened to me all those years."
"I did, I had too." he chuckled, before continuing. "What do you think they will ask?"
"Hmmn," he said, stroking his beard "I think he will want a marriage. He would have wanted you, I think. He will be annoyed that you are already married." His father-in-law chuckled.
"Then I'm very lucky that you brought Alys and the proposal to marry earlier with you." He said honestly.
"Yes, you are." The man chuckled. "Lord Frey will still want his marriage though, House Tully scoffs at them at every turn and marrying into House Stark would be a great boon to them."
"Then what do you propose?" he asked, not wanting his siblings married to the children of an oathbreaker.
"I would propose Sansa. She is a real beauty and a gem and could go very far in securing House Frey as an ally for generations."
"Never! Sansa has just come home to the North and I will not send her south again against her will. She is one of the most beautiful girls in the Kingdoms besides, she can do a lot better than a Frey!" he argued fiercely, thinking about what his little sister had had to endure in King's Landing with Joffrey and father's injury.
"Okay, okay … well the next best offer we can make is Bran, I think." Lord Rickard said cautiously.
"Bran?" he asked surprised.
"Yes, Bran is for now the second in line to the North. I hope in all my heart that he won't be for long and that Alys gives you a child soon, but to negotiate it is an interesting take. He was also fostered by the Tullys and that might give Lord Walder another angle there, as he is by far the Stark with the best relationships in the Riverlands." His father-in-law explained.
"Hmmn" he hummed, while thinking long and hard. Bran's fostering and marriage in the Riverlands might make a very interesting combination. It would mean that he could be a big player in the Riverlands, even receiving lands from House Tully was possible. On the other side, if he was to take command of Moat Cailin, it would be very good for him to have connections on both sides of the Neck.
"All right, a possible betrothal for Bran would be possible but no one else! If it comes to that, make sure that he marries a girl from the main branch, not the daughter of a ninth son or something." he responded seriously.
Lord Rickard nodded and they went to see the messengers from House Frey that had arrived by now.
Lord Rickard gave official command of the Karstark forces to Harry, before following the Frey's inside with nothing more than a few guards to follow him. They got some Frey's in return, but he still hoped nothing was going to happen. He couldn't afford to lose his mentor in this war.
Rickard Karstark
He entered the Great Hall at the Twins and came eye to eye with Lord Walder. The wrinkly old man didn't seem like much, but he could see something in his eyes that made him pause. The man was greedy and cunning. The first he could use, the second he would be cautious about.
"Ha, who are you? I expected a Stark here, the one leading the army, not some petty lord or the other in his place." Lord Walder stated bluntly.
"Father please, this is Lor" Ser Stevron tried to defend him but was interrupted by his father "I think he can tell me himself who he is, don't you, Stevron? You are not the Lord yet, son! You listen to me until then." After that, the man sitting turned towards him.
He didn't let it get to him and stated. "I am Lord Rickard Karstark, head of house Karstark and Lord of Karhold. Other than that, I am also the father-in-law to Robb Stark, the one leading the army and the heir to Lord Eddard Stark." All the Frey's in the room looked at him with boredom, until he stated that he was Robb's father-in-law. After that, they all turned to him and looked at him in surprise.
"He, the young Stark is already married? Why didn't I hear about this before?" Lord Walder stated, clearly not happy at this fact.
"He married my daughter Alys ten days ago in Moat Cailin." He simply stated.
"Hmmn, I wanted to offer the young Stark heir one of my daughters or granddaughters myself. It's a pity for those beautiful ladies, don't you think?" the old man tried to bate him.
"A real pity for both sides Lord Walder, although Robb and Alys are very happy together. I don't think there could be a better match." He stated, answering the man's jest. They looked at each other for a few seconds then until he finally continued "However intriguing this all is, I would like to speak to you in private if I may Lord Walder?"
The man looked at him for a while before nodding. He clapped in his hands and shouted "Out!" and all his descendants streamed out of the Great Hall one by one.
"Now, speak!" the man commanded.
"As you know, we have an army of over twenty thousand outside your gates and we would like to cross, to help your liege lord in Riverrun. We also wondered why you weren't there to help protect it from Jaime Lannister." He stated evenly.
"Ha, as if I could. The young fish, Edmure, has managed to get himself bested by the Kingslayer. He even got himself captured by the blond fucker. As you see I mustered my men to join him but there is no army that my sons can join now so they stayed here." Lord Walder said sarcastically.
This was news to him, as they hadn't received that information yet. They had received other interesting news. They had scouted Lord Tywin to the south and it seemed he was marching on the Trident but hadn't reached it yet. He was said to be followed by Ser Brynden Tully, who constantly attacked his garrisons and supply lines which hampered Lord Tywin's speed.
"I'm sad to hear about Lord Edmure's loss, but it doesn't change anything. We would like to cross to help Riverrun. If your sons would like an army to attach themselves too, you can join us without a problem." He said, calling the Frey's bluff.
"He, you're a smart one, aren't you? Well if you would like to come to business so quick, I'll just ask you. What's in it for me?" The man asked cockily.
"Besides the gratitude of your liege lord and his heir, you mean Lord Frey?" he simply responded.
"Gratitude, phah! The Tullys insult us at every turn! That Edmure has refused to marry one of my daughters for years. I even let him pick which one, but he didn't want too. Lord Hoster also refused to turn up to my latest marriage and you think I will just accept their gratitude? No, I need something in return!" the man ranted.
He stared stoically in the man's eyes, before saying after the appropriate time "What would you want, Lord Frey?"
"He, I like to hear that. I want one of my sons to marry one of your master Robb's sisters. I hear the eldest one is quite a beauty and that she has the Tully look. I would love to see Hoster's face when he sees his granddaughter married to one of my boys." The man said, while licking his lips.
"I am afraid I must refuse that offer. Lady Sansa and her sister Lady Arya are non-negotiable for marriage." He cut that trail of thought short.
At this, Lord Walder looked wroth. "You dare refuse me, like Hoster Tully did? In my own hall? You have some nerve Karstark."
"Lord Robb has explicitly told me that both his sisters are not negotiable, but if it's a marriage you want then things can still be discussed." He stated diplomatically.
This clearly got the man's interest, as his eyes squinted together. "What do you propose?"
"Brandon Stark, Robb's younger brother is without a betrothed. He is being fostered in Riverrun, has good connections with Houses Blackwood and Darry and is Hoster's favorite grandchild. He also is the second in line to Winterfell and the North, with its lord in captivity and heir on the battlefield. Wouldn't one of your daughters or granddaughters be suitable to marry him?" he said, watching the old lord's eyes very closely.
"Ha, Hoster's favorite grandchild you say? That is a nice one, I suppose it's right too, with all his other ones in those frosted lands to the north or east. Still, the boy has no titles or lands to his name. Why would I send my daughter to live with someone who has nothing?" Lord Walder said, although it was clear he liked the idea.
"Well, Lord Brandon is only eight years old. However, it is expected that he will receive lands either in the North or in the Riverlands by his Stark or Tully kin. There even is a possibility that he will receive Moat Cailin and become your neighbor, as the Starks are looking to rebuild it." He answered the man, trying to play on his greed.
"Moat Cailin, you say? That's a mighty fortress indeed. Walda, my heir Stevron's offspring through his eldest grandson, would be a good candidate. Let's say I would accept the offer to join House Frey with House Stark and Tully through young Brandon, what else would I get?" the old weasley Frey asked greedily.
"What else would you want? You have just gotten a marriage into one of the Great Houses." He asked, making clear he would not just offer the man whatever he wanted.
"Well, I only got a marriage to a second son. Although I'm very happy with that, I would require more for me to send my troops with you. I can muster four thousand men, of which a thousand are knights. This is a very sizeable force for you to gain, as well as access to my bridge. So, I ask you again, what more do I get?" the old and wrinkled lord asked.
"What would you want?" he rebounded the question.
"As you know, I have many sons and grandsons. Many of the younger ones don't have too good a future. That would change if, say two of them, would be fostered at Winterfell under a Great House." The man said, a small smile creeping up on his face.
"That could be arranged, I think. What else?" he answered suspiciously.
"Well, maybe young Robb could use a squire he? My son Olyvar would love to do so, he's a good kid besides.
"Robb is no knight." He bluntly retorted.
"That doesn't matter, when time comes to knight him, he can just ask one of the knights in his army." The Frey waved away his response.
"We accept. I expect that to be all?" he stated, as he started to become really angry at the greed of the wrinkly old man before him.
"Well no, you see I have many sons, daughters, grandchildren, bastards and the like. Through them and mine and their marriages, I have forged many bonds with Houses all over the Riverlands, Vale and Westerlands. We do not have such good bonds with the North, and it pains me deeply. As such I would propose some of your lords present to marry my daughters." The man said, now openly showing his cunning smile.
"That could, of course, be arranged, however I cannot speak for other houses. They would never accept without big dowries, that I know. The Northern houses might see more strategic importance to marry into each other, the only thing they do not have is coin. If you wish to marry into our nobility, it is that you should offer them." He said wisely, thinking how this issue could easily be solved and gain him some influence along the way.
If some of the poorer or smaller houses were to marry their lords or heirs to a Frey. It would weaken their ability to ally together against him. As such, he could keep the hold and power he held in the North through Alys' marriage and Robb's fostering more easily. Besides, an influx of coin could help the North and Ned and Robb's plans for it greatly.
The man in front of him looked at him quite intensely. Before the smile returned once more. "Of course, Lord Karstark, I wouldn't expect you to make marriage pacts for some of the other houses but perhaps your own house could use some coin?" the man asked knowingly.
He looked at the man, knowing he was caught. There was absolutely no way he would ever marry Harrion to a Frey or any Southron at that, as he wouldn't want the future of House Karstark to descend from this weasel. That didn't mean they couldn't use the coin. They could, as Ned had proposed, finally make work of the old road network. Maybe they could also start working on a little port, to make more from trade with Skagos, the Night's Watch, the Manderlys and Flints in the summer.
"My second son, Eddard Karstark, does not have a wife yet, Lord Frey. Maybe I could be persuaded to join our houses there, for the right price of course."
"He, another second son? Why would I go for that Lord Karstark?" the man said, as his squinted eyes tried to intimidate him.
Not caring about the weasel lord's empty gestures, he responded calmly. "That second son is one of the best friends of the heir to the North and also his brother-in-law. If he distinguishes himself in the campaign here, he might receive lands from House Stark in the North. If not, I plan to give him lands myself. Lands that can only be developed through your given dowry." He looked the man in the eyes, while saying it. He made it clear to the man in front of him that we would not receive a better offer than this.
After that, both of them looked at each other for a long time. Untill finally, Lord Walder said. "I'll give your son half of his Frey's bride's weight in silver, if he was to pick one. That offer only counts if you manage to convince some of the other lords and heirs to pick one as well of course. Every lord or heir who accepts will get her full weight in silver as well."
"Three quarters of her weight in silver and we have a deal, Lord Walder." He responded, not afraid to haggle on the price of Edd's wife for the sake of his family.
"Bah, two thirds and be done with this, Lord Karstark. I expect at least two heirs or lords to take my offer or you can build your own bridge in time to escape Lord Tywin." The man said, clearly annoyed that he wasn't the only one who could haggle in this conversation.
"Good. If that is everything, Lord Frey, I will take it up with the Northern lords and sent worth of it to you this evening. We expect to begin crossing tomorrow morning, joined by your sons and their forces." He stated clearly, daring the man to contradict him.
"Yeah, yeah, my sons will be there, and our forces are already mustered and ready to march. I eagerly await your reply and I expect your son and the two other lucky Northman to see me tomorrow." He said, while waving his hand dismissingly.
He grinded his teeth, without making it show, nodded and left. Glad to be away from that weasely prick.
(Later that day)
Robb
Lord Rickard had just told the lords of the meeting with Lord Frey. It was as they had expected, Bran was betrothed. He didn't much care for the squire or the two wards. He was really glad that he had vetoed betrothals for Sansa and Arya, as that had clearly been what Lord Frey had been after.
What did surprise him was the demand for at least three of his nobility to marry into House Frey, the greed of Lord Walder really knew no bounds. It had not been received well my most of his lords, until Lord Karstark had told them of Edd's betrothal and the huge dowry Lord Frey proposed. Now all were weighing their options, if they needed the coin or not.
He and his lords were also shocked to hear about his uncle Edmure's defeat and capture at Riverrun, although it didn't matter to much for his plans.
Finally, Lord Halys Hornwood spoke up after having spoken to his son at the back of the tent. "My son Daryn will marry a Frey girl to get us over that stupid bridge but only with the dowry as stated."
That didn't surprise him much. House Hornwood was a very small family and it was of importance for Daryn to marry quickly. They were also quite poor, so the coin could really help the Hornwoods and that part of the North. Lord Halys himself had married a Manderly cousin for the same reason, as they needed coin for winter.
He nodded. "Thank you Lord Halys and Daryn. Your effort and help through this campaign will not be forgotten."
Lord Halys nodded gladly at that, always wanting to be on the good side with House Stark.
"My son Domeric will marry one too." Lord Roose Bolton said, from the other side of the table. At this, he and many others were surprised. The Boltons were one of the strongest lords in the North, they didn't need this as much as the Hornwoods. The more he thought about it, it made some sense. The Boltons were a small family as well, and they would still get a marriage relation with their neighbors the Hornwoods from it. Although he was quite sure Lord Roose had thought about all this, it surely was the money he looked most forward too.
He looked towards Domeric, who looked at his father. He hid it well, but it looked like he wasn't pleased. It seemed Roose hadn't bothered speaking with his son about this first, like Lord Halys had done. It was his prerogative as head of House Bolton, of course, but it clearly showed strained relations within the house itself. The father not bothering to even consult his son. What he found most curious was that Domeric's aunt had been known to be pushing Domeric towards Sansa. Roose seemed to completely ignore a marriage to House Stark for coin here.
"Good, thank you as well Lord Roose and Domeric." He sat down and started to write a letter on a piece of paper. In the meantime, he said. "Another very interesting piece of news has just reached us through our scouts. Lord Glover, if you will." He waved his hand at Lord Galbert, without looking up from his letter.
"News has again reached us that Lord Tywin has left Harrenhal. Nothing new there, except that we have gotten word that the Blackfish has successfully managed to defeat a force under Ser Gregor Clegane send to capture Stone Hedge, the seat of House Bracken. In response Lord Tywin has split off fifteen hundred men under Ser Flement Brax to deal with the Blackfish. It seems that this force has marched deeper into the Riverlands to follow the Tully. They will not be able to join the main Lannister force in time before our eastern force reaches them, as they still march north." Lord Galbert Glover said happily.
At this the mood immediately improved among his lords. The fact that at least one of the Tully's seemed to win battles, even if they were small, was a huge relief. The fact that Lord Tywin had split off almost ten percent of his force to deal with him was even better as it made the mission of his eastern force a little less dangerous.
"Jon, please give this to a messenger to deliver it to Lord Walder." He said as he looked up at his lords. "It is a confirmation of the deal with Lord Walder Frey. I also ask them to make sure their cavalry is readied on the western bank tomorrow morning. Their cavalry will come with me to Riverrun, while their infantry will march with the eastern army."
At this most of the lords nodded approvingly. "Who will command the eastern force, Lord Robb?" Roose Bolton asked.
"Lord Karstark will command. If it's alright for you my lords, I would like him to be joined and aided by Lords Bolton, Hornwood and Cerwyn, Ser Wyllis Manderly, Rickard Rywell, Ser Donnel Locke and Robett Glover." He said while looking at all the men individually as he called their names. "Lords Umber, Flint and Glover, Lady Mormont, Ser Wendel Manderly, Domeric Bolton, Owen Norrey, Robin Flint, Roose Ryswell and Harrion Karstark, will join me in the west. Ser Helman Tallhart will remain here to ensure Lord Walder's loyalty and augment the garrison with four hundred men." He continued, looking upon those men as well.
"Those of you or your kin, whom I have not called personally can join either your houses infantry or cavalry. The Frey's will split in two, their twenty-five hundred infantry will join with Lord Rickard, some eight hundred cavalry will join me. Any more questions?"
None of his lords spoke up. "Then this meeting is over. Get a good day of rest, because the coming days will have hard marches and battles in store for us." He said and the nobles started to march out of the tent.
Only Roose Bolton stayed behind. "Why did you ask my son to join you in the west?" the man asked when they were alone.
He looked at the lord's pale haunting eyes and responded. "I did it for multiple reasons. First and foremost, Domeric seems to have a keen mind in strategy and is an excellent horse rider and as such would be very useful in the western army. Secondly, your son is the commander of the Dustin troops, as such he might lead both Dustin and Bolton cavalry in the west. While either you or Rickard Rywell could lead its infantry in the east. Thirdly, I like Domeric. He is a good companion and I would like him to join me for that. He is the heir to one of the strongest Northern houses and it seems intelligent to me to build a good relationship with him." He said very honestly. He didn't think that flattering would work on Roose Bolton, but it was worth a shot. Besides, it was all true. So, it didn't matter too much in his eyes.
Roose Bolton looked at him silently for a long while, before thanking him and leaving without saying another word.
Ned
It was dark in his cell and he was alone. His leg hurt like hell and he felt feverish. The stench of rot and shit was everywhere. He couldn't remember the last time that his bucket had been emptied. If he was fair, he couldn't remember what time or day they were now. All he knew was that he had been for a long time, multiple weeks at least but how many was only for the gods to know.
He slept most of the time and only seldom had clear moments like this anymore. He preferred the sleep, as it hurt less. He got food every morning and evening. At first, he had tried to count the days like that, but after passing out on and off for a few days and losing count, he had given up on that idea.
He wondered how it would be with his children or with Cat. He thanked the Gods every day for giving him the wisdom to send Sansa and her friends home. Vayon was probably killed in the fighting, but at least his line and daughter would survive. Sending Ice home was also a great decision, it would strengthen Robb's position in the North when he came of age. To wield the sword the Starks had carried from before the conquest, was a powerful signal that had also worked for him in the Rebellion.
He thought about Ice and cleaning it in the pools of the Godswood of Winterfell. Oh, how he longed to be back in his ancestral home. To see the weirwood tree, his wife and children and his people once more. The more he stayed here, the more he had come to the realization that he was going to die though.
If he stayed here for another month, maybe two, he would without a doubt succumb to the wound on his leg. If they actually got him a Maester, he might yet be killed 'for treachery'. Phah, there was no more doubt that blonde screaming boy was the incestuous child of Cersei and the Kingslayer. The way he screamed for the blood of his men and people and the way he looked weren't normal. There was madness in that boy's eyes, a madness before only seen in Targaryens.
Why would they let him live? If he was freed, he would take up arms against them without a doubt, oaths he needed to swear be damned. If he wasn't, well … the North would never bow to the Lannisters. They might go to war or they might just outright secede, blocking White Harbor, Barrowton and Moat Cailin and letting the south destroy itself.
He thought about his ancestor Cregan and how he had been right about everything. He had come down with his army, cleaned up King's Landing and gone home. He had wanted to clean up the whole south but had been denied that. As such the intrigue, plots and filth had taken root in the capital once more.
He should have done the same as his ancestor. Come down with Robert, but with an army at his side. After having cleaned out everything, he would have seated Robert comfortably on the throne and left for Winterfell. Alas, how could he have known?
He thought some more about the mistakes he had made, when suddenly a gaoler entered his room with a torch. He shied away from the light and asked himself what the man was doing here.
"Lord Eddard?" the man spoke, in a voice that seemed oddly familiar.
"Yes." He responded, but his throat was so sore and dry that he started coughing badly.
"Here, take this." The man said as he gave him something. Looking at it, he suddenly realized it was a wineskin. He opened it and drank deeply. The warmth of the wine rejuvenated his whole body for a few seconds and fixed the dryness in his throat.
Without saying a word, the man handed him two loafs of bread. He accepted them without thinking and ate fast. After finishing one piece, he finally asked. "Who are you?"
"You mean you don't recognize me, Lord Eddard?" the man said.
He looked closer at the man, being used to the torchlight by now. He looked at him intensely for a moment, while the man said nothing. He suddenly saw it. "Lord Varys?" he asked.
"Yes, My Lord. That is indeed who I am."
He now looked at the man with hate, clearly remembering how he had said that the commander of the gold cloaks hadn't been corrupt.
"What are you doing here?" he grunted.
"What a welcome, my good Lord. However, I understand that your accommodations are … rather imperfect and so I will let it slide." The man responded, all sweet smiles.
He merely scoffed at that. The eunuch, understanding he wasn't going to say more, finally talked about why he was here.
"King Joffrey allows you to take the black, if you renounce your statements and admit to treachery to unlawfully seat Lord Stannis on the throne. He will allow you to serve on the Wall with your brother Benjen. Your son Robb will swear fealty and will retain all your lands and titles and will be awarded the position of Warden of the North, if he goes back to Winterfell without a fight." Varys proposed to him.
He scoffed. "You think the North will accept Cersei's bastard on the throne? Let alone my unrightful capture and sentence. Give me one reason why I would accept this offer?"
"I'll give you a few, My Lord. The Lannisters have invaded the Riverlands, quite successfully I'm afraid. Jaime Lannister has come down from the Golden Tooth and beaten a force under Lord Edmure Tully. Lord Edmure has been captured and Riverrun has been put to siege, with your young son Brandon inside of it. Meanwhile Lord Tywin has infiltrated from the Goldroad, capturing Harrenhall and burning the Riverlands from the Goldroad to the Trident." Varys said and he felt fear grip his stomach, as he thought about Bran in a keep under siege.
"That is not the thing that will interest you the most, however. Your son Robb is marching down from Moat Cailin at the head of an army of Northmen. He is accompanied by your natural son Jon and many of your old friends, as they march down towards the army of Lord Tywin Lannister. A clash between them will probably be happening in a few weeks. The only way to stop it would be to admit guild and try to make peace, before House Tully and the Northern army are completely destroyed. What would happen with young Robb, Jon and Brandon if they get captured by the Lannisters? They could even be killed in the fighting, is that what you wish for Lord Eddard?" The spider said, weaving a dreadful web of misfortune for his family.
What of it was true though? He knew the spider to construct webs of lies or omit truths, like he had done about Janos Slynt and the gold cloaks. Where was Ser Brynden in this story? The man was a great military general and would never stand by idly while his country burned, yet the spider made no mention of him. Robb would be marching south, when he thought about it, it was logical. Robb was too young, but he didn't really have a choice and was thought by Lord Rickard which wouldn't allow him to shy away from this.
Thinking about Rickard made think about the army. Robb was very well learned in military strategy by him, Rickard and Maester Luwin. Jon was already quite capable at diplomacy and negotiations for his age. They most likely also had the help of Rickard, Maege, Greatjon, Ser Wylis, Medger, Halys and others. Some of them were good military generals and others capable diplomats. With the backing of Rickard through the betrothal, the Northern army would likely be capably led and united. Did he really have to worry for Robb and Jon?
No, he shouldn't. Bran was another story, although Riverrun wouldn't fall quickly. The castle, although much smaller than Winterfell, was a nightmare to besiege. You needed three camps split by rivers to besiege them, with little or no easy communication possible between your camps and all of that in enemy lands. They would hold out for months, if not years. More than enough time for Robb and Jon or Stannis and Renly to defeat the Lannisters. He would not give in to this lying spider, who knows what he was keeping from him.
"You are very silent, My Lord. I suppose you realize why it's a good idea to take this deal?" Varys asked, a subtle bit of smugness mixed into his voice.
He looked up to the bald eunuch and responded. "Then you suppose wrong, Lord Varys. I'd rather die here with my honor and family intact than live in shame of a crime I didn't commit for the rest of my life."
Surprised, the man looked him in the eyes. "You can't be serious, Lord Eddard? The Tullys are all but defeated and your son, an inexperienced boy, has no chance to defeat Lord Tywin in battle. You have already missed so much of your family. At the Wall, you might be able to visit them and see them grow, just like your brother came to Winterfell. It seems you already missed the marriage of your heir Robb. Do you want to miss all the others and their youths too?"
"Marriage of Robb?" was all he responded.
"Yes, my little birds tell me that he married Alys Karstark at Moat Cailin with his army before marching south. You already missed that. Do you wish to miss all the rest as well?" the eunuch insisted, clearly thinking that he would cave in now.
He just grinned, of course he would, Rickard you sly bastard. Robb even married in front of the whole Northern army, that would unite the force even more. He must also have married in front of a weirwood only, as there were no Septs anywhere close to Moat Cailin. Yes, his son was ready to rule the North, young or not.
"Thank you for telling me this, Lord Varys. I will pray they have a happy and fruitful marriage. I hope they will be able to give me a lot of grandchildren. They can either play with me in Winterfell or visit my body in the crypt because I died here. I do not care. House Stark and the North will be safe, that's all that matters." He said honestly to the man in front of him.
Varys looked at him in shock, followed by pity. "I'm very sad to hear this, Lord Eddard. I actually quite liked you and it saddens me to hear you choose dead like this. If you change your mind, just ask for Rugen and I will come. I wish you all the best and goodbye." The man said before leaving.
He barely registered it, all he could think about was Robb and his marriage to Rickard's daughter. The fact that it happened would mean that Cat had agreed to advance the wedding. That would mean that both his family and the North was united as one, even without him.
He had done everything he could to strengthen the North for winter and to help Robb's reign be strong and prosperous. It seemed it was bearing fruit much earlier than he expected, but that didn't matter.
He spent the next few hours thinking about all of his family and friends in the North. He finally fell into a long pleasant sleep, thinking about a vision of Robb with his own children running around Winterfell. In his dream, Cat, Bran, Rickon and Jon were all by his side, with Sansa and Arya having happily married good Northern men, sons of his friends. It was the best sleep he had ever had in the south ...
That's all for this chapter!
The negotiations with the Freys are over and we check up on Ned in King's Landing. We also get a quick peek at Ser Brynden's accomplishment. You'll get a much clearer summary in the next two chapters.
All planning for the first part of the war is now done with a lot of small seeds being sown for the future.
Next two chapters will be action and battle filled. Not all battles will be shown, especially not those (parts) that correspond with canon. Those who differ significantly will be very detailed.
Rickard Karstark is the first non-Stark character that I show here (if I don't count centuries old lines). What do you think of him?
Thank you so much for the support!
Fannic
Reviews:
-Kingmanaea: Well he isn't doing so well but he's still relatively happy. He has a lot less regrets than he has in canon and he isn't afraid for Sansa or Arya like then. He knows his family is relatively safe and trusts a lot more in Robb, knowing he and the North are ready for this.
- Force Smuggler: What did you think? Did I handle it well? The Freys get considerably less than in canon. The conversations we see here are twisted for diplomatic purposes but a betrothal with Bran is basically worthless. It will be eight more years before he can marry, in which a lot can happen (and Lord Walder will be most be dead by then). Besides he offers nothing if Robb doesn't give him anything. If Robb only allows Bran to settle in a small holdfast in the Wolfswood away from his court, well then that is the most useless marriage ever. The biggest price for the Freys is the marriage of Domeric Bolton.
- Kuman: Yes, sorry even though they arranged the marriage before the battle, it only took place after. I already answered the numbers in PM if everyone else wants to know just ask.
- Anja Quickert9: What do you think? :-)
- The Three Stoogies: Well they have started by now. Soon the Blackfish himself will be shown again and many more details will be given.
- Osterreicher97: Thank you so much for the continued support!
- Peregrine Prince: Well it was also meant to be like that. She just read that her husband was captured 5 min ago, whilst being worried sick about his injury and security for the last two weeks. She is a bit all over the place, especially when hearing Robb's ideas.
Thank you! She says Robb isn't the Stark because he can only be so when Ned isn't in the picture and she refuses to believe that after 5 min of reading the letter. She loves/misses Ned and it's hard for her to come to grips with a reality that might mean that he isn't there for her (for now or for eternity if he would die).
Yeah true, but we're well into the story now. Having finished all the prep and most of AGOT, we will now kick off to the end and the start of ACOK and 'shit will hit the fan'.
- TheNiemand: All Stark wolves will play their parts. Not all equally as big, but all will be mentioned and help one way of the other. Lady is very important for Sansa's personality, as it shows her she is a Stark and a woman from the North every day. This has a huge influence as opposed to canon but it is slow to take effect.
First: Exactly, Robb's story will go totally different due to Ned's work.
Second: If the exact same boys still die, you are right. Also take into account that, if (which it won't completely) the story follows the canon set-up, Rickard will be with the eastern army and so he won't be able to attack the Lannister boys in Riverrun.
Third: Maybe, it has mostly sown dissent between Roose on the one hand and Domeric and Lady Barbrey on the other. Bolton either doesn't believe Ned/Robb will ever allow Sansa to marry Domeric or he has other plans. The others feel very differtly.
Fourth: The Riverlands will give Robb much bigger numbers, mostly because a lot less have been able to reach Riverrun, as such they are all unharmed and can be raised again easily. Ser Brynden will also be able to safe a lot more of them that normally would die. Bran's relations will also help later.
Fifth: If they needed to yes, but take into account that they don't have enough coin to hire/buy things that will be battle altering. Although I can assure you that Jon's skills will pay off in time, but it will take a while more.
Six: It has definitely increased the bonds between the houses! She has learned to be a Northern wild lady for sure, a warrior not so much. In my eyes Jonelle has learned her how to shoot a bow and wield a dagger with frightening skill but she doesn't have a sword or axe or something. She is not a warrior in the heat of battle, but when in danger she can very capably defend herself. She has learned to fight but more close combat (dagger) or long range (bow) not big confusing fights.
(Extra) Seven: The bonds with the Rywsells/Dustins have given Robb's army more men and made it internally a lot more stable.
(Extra) Eight: Sansa/Arya are safe in Winterfell and can both be used to marry and gain allies in the future if necessary.
(Extra) Nine: Cat is in Winterfell to take care of the North and of baby Rickon. Rickon will be less wild and unruly, as his mother never left him and he doesn't feel so alone.
- DM: Thank you! I am not saying if he will die or no, but I can say that if he does he will die good. That's the least I owe him.
Nice idea, who knows ;-)
The Vale Lords will definitely come up again after the battles!
- Poly19hum: Thank you very much, that was the goal!
- Guest: Thank you!
