Chapter 24: Setting things in Motion

299 AC

Robb

He looked outside the window and saw it was a clear autumn morning. He saw how one single cloud slowly past in front of the window and sighed. The Letter … He looked back at his desk and picked up the letter he had gotten from the Old Lion once more.

He offered him peace but for what? They got nothing for it. He couldn't give him his father back, nor Edd or Lord Medger who had died in captivity from his wounds. He didn't offer to restore all the smallfolk's livestock and livelihood. No, in fact he offered them very little.

Tywin Lannister offered him a peace deal, in turn both Houses Stark and Tully, and their vassals, would be reinstated and allowed to keep all their possessions. He and his grandfather would need to swear loyalty to Joffrey. The North and Riverlands would not be asked to help against the Baratheon brothers and he and his Northern army were allowed to go home. They would receive his father's bones and all captives taken at the Green Fork would be released if he released the Western Lords.

For all the Lannisters in his possession the Old Tywin would pay great ransoms. He even wrote that this could help rebuild the Riverlands or feed the North in winter. The gall of that man!

It would bring peace for now yes, but he had no doubt the Old Lion would strike once more when he was strong enough and this peace would severely weaken the Riverlands. He would never be able to raise a Northern host again to come south if he accepted this.

Suddenly a knock on the door came. "Let them enter" he called out from behind his desk. His most trusted advisors and strongest lords marched in one by one, Jon, Ser Brynden, Harrion, the Greatjon, Owen Norrey, Galbart Glover, Domeric Bolton, Tytos Blackwood, Ser Stevron Frey, Lord Lyonel Deddings, Ser Wendel Manderly and Maege Mormont.

"My dear lords and friends, we have a lot to discuss today. First of all, I have gotten a proposal for peace from Tywin Lannister." He said as he handed the letter over to his uncle. Ser Brynden scoffed at its content as he gave it to Galbart. "He knows he's losing the war and tries to get out of it without losing face. We can never accept this."

"I agree, Your Grace." Glover said as he read the proposal. Similar things were heard from Ser Wendel, Ser Stevron, Owen, Jon, Domeric, Lord Tytos and Lady Maege. The Greatjon boomed curses at the Lannisters for even daring to propose something like this. He started shouting that they would never bow to that Joffrey and would never again give up Northern independence.

This all was expected but it was Harrion's fierce reaction what surprised him. "House Karstark will never accept these terms, you promised me blood Robb and we will have it."

He looked at his brother-in-law. "I said you would get compensated, in blood or coin. This offer gives neither so we will not accept. I am however on a mind to send our own peace proposal back to King's Landing. If they accept those terms, we will have peace, but not before that."

Harrion looked daggers at him but nodded. "What are the terms you will propose?" Ser Wendel asked.

He looked around the room in silence before he spoke.

"First of all, I will agree on some of his demands. The return of my father's bones, the prisoner exchange and the ransoms for the Lannisters. I will have the ransom of the Kingslayer be divided between Houses Hornwood and Karstark for their losses, while I will compensate my brother for capturing him." he said as he looked at Harrion and then Jon.

This didn't seem to be too contested, as it was clear that this was not all. "There is more, of course. They will have to accept our independence. Never will a Riverlord or Northman swear fealty to that inbred bastard and his ugly throne again whilst I live!" Now positive grumbles from most of the men could be heard.

"They will pay the Riverlands huge reparations for the damage they have caused. This will be used to repair the lands, settlements and infrastructure there. They will then give another smaller sum to be shared amongst all the Houses, Northern and Riverlander that fought at the Camps or the Green Fork as their spoils of war." Lord Tytos, Ser Brynden and Lord Deddings looked pleased at this.

"They will also swear to accept any deal our Kingdom makes with the Night's Watch. It is time the lands of the New Gift once again revert to their original lords. They have been neglected and depopulated for far too long and I wish to change that. All original lands held by House Umber and the Mountain Clans will be returned, for the remaining lands a new small lordship will be created. I plan to offer the Night's Watch men, coin and goods as well as a guaranteed portion of the income of those lands once they are repopulated in return."

Now most looked surprised, while the Greatjon smiled from ear to ear. "Aye, Your Grace! It is time those lands are returned. I can't thank you enough for it." He said, far more formal and calm than he usually was. Owen Norrey also looked pleased, did the Norrey's lands border the Night's Watch? He didn't remember.

The other Northern lords looked curiously upon this, especially Domeric, but said nothing. He turned to Lady Maege. "Do you think your brother would accept?"

She waved her hand through her hair in thought before replying. "Aye, I think so. They need coin and men and those lands offer them next to nothing. He will haggle though, and we will pay a big sum for it."

"Good, House Stark has always helped the Watch. Everything we pay above the value of those lands can be seen as a donation to help its existence." Now all his Northern Lords nodded, no good Northman would ever contest help to the Watch.

"Lastly prisoners will be demanded, to ensure peace. Tywin will use this peace to try and defeat Lords Renly and Stannis Baratheon. If he wins, he will most likely try to crush us once more and I will not allow that to happen. I will demand their 'Prince' Tommen as a hostage until he is of an age. This will give us years to prepare for a possible attack and let us survive through winter without more fighting. The boy is Joffrey's heir, so I believe even they won't try anything."

The Greatjon and Lady Maege grunted approvingly, while the Riverlords seemed relieved at the possibility of a long peace. The only one who seemed to doubt was Harrion but he said nothing.

"Do you agree to these terms, my lords? Do you wish to add any or change one?" he asked in what Bran called "his Lord's voice".

"Aye, the North can have peace on these terms!" the Greatjon shouted and Lady Maege, Lord Glover, Owen Norrey, Domeric and Ser Wendel nodded.

"The Riverlands will accept as well." Lord Tytos said and was easily joined by Ser Brynden, Lord Deddings and Ser Stevron.

"Good, Jon?" he said as he looked to his brother. "I accept, father would have wanted peace for the people and wanted the New Gift back into the North. By having independence and breaking the Lannister's power and aura of invincibility, we have avenged him enough if we can get peace."

He smiled at Jon then. He had wanted to do nothing more than revenge his father, but father would have wanted peace for the people and Jon agreed with this.

He looked towards the only one that hadn't answered yet. "Harry?"

The Karstark heir looked at him and sighed. "Preferably I still want my blood debt, Your Grace. However, on these terms even we can have peace." his brother-in-law stated clearly not fully happy with it.

"Thank you, Harry. Besides, before they can answer this there might be some opportunities to meet Lannisters on the battlefield anyway. I will not have us sit here even longer so the Lannisters can take their time to prepare for another offensive. We will move into the West in three days as planned. If they accept, we will retreat, if they don't … well let's just say that that the West will burn harder than the Riverlands ever did." he added grimly.

Now Harry seemed to perk up. "Aye, Your Gace. That I can live with!"

"Good! Now that you are my lords, I have another thing to ask your council on. We have heard of troubling news in the Vale. It seems my aunt Lady Lysa Arryn refuses to raise the troops of the Vale under any circumstance. Lord Royce has told her and the Vale court of how Cersei's children are bastards, but she refuses to do anything about it."

"From the letters Lord Yohn Royce send me it seems she is losing support quickly as she seems to behave quite mad. The young Robert Arryn, if he is an Arryn, seems to not be right either. He is said to be too small and childish for his age and obsessed by letting people fly from the Eyrie, the typical Arryn death sentence. Lord Yohn seems to fear not only for the Vale but also for the fate of House Arryn. To make matters worse, Lady Lysa isn't responding to any of our letters. She seems to ignore my uncles', my mother's and my own letters and none of their contents seem to be known by the Vale lords in the Eyrie."

"It seems my aunt has forgotten her family and refuses to help. Now with what we all know here about Robert Arryn's heritage, how do we proceed?" he finished.

"Do we certainly know it to be true?" Domeric asked.

"No, we don't. However, I trust my father on this. He wouldn't have lied." He responded. "Besides Lord Eddard's words there is more now." His uncle added. "With what I know now and what I have seen of the child when he was younger, I am fairly certain I can recognize parts of Littlefinger in him. Baelish came to Riverrun when he was really young and Robert looks much alike, even more so now if the letters of Bronze Yohn are to be believed."

This seemed to have a big impact on the room and the more sceptic members like Domeric or Ser Stevron nodded.

"You are the best to know this, Ser Brynden. Having established Robert's parentage amongst ourselves, I propose a course of action." Domeric surprisingly said.

"What is it, Dom?" he asked of the man that was closely becoming one of his friends here in Riverun, despite his parentage.

"I have lived with House Redfort for three years. If I were to send him a letter stating Robert's ancestry, he would believe me and act upon it. Maybe you and Ser Brynden could send the same to Lord Royce and others. Amongst them, they might rile up the Vale against Lysa Arryn. Those houses have many allies in the Vale, they could have the power to overthrow Lady Lysa."

"Hmmn," he mused, "that could work. There is one big problem though, what would happen to my aunt and her son if that were to happen?"

"They would die." Ser Brynden said, his face like iron and his blue eyes like a storm. Everyone turned towards his uncle and most of them wisely held their breath.

Ser Stevron Frey was the only one foolish enough to state "With all due respect, Ser Brynden, but Lady Lysa betrayed her husband and her liege lord. She committed adultery and put her bastard son on the throne of the Vale. You can't possibly think the Valemen will let her go untouched?"

The look the Blackfish gave the Frey heir would chill many a brave man to the core. "If that's the case, we won't tell them. I will NOT let anything happen to my niece or my grandnephew. Little Robert did nothing wrong! He doesn't even know the truth of his parentage. I won't have him touched!"

He saw many of his lords shuffle uncomfortably on their chairs and decided to jump in again. "It speaks for itself that my cousin should not be harmed, as he is innocent of his parents' crimes. That said, he should be removed from power and I don't think my aunt will do that peacefully. She will need to be removed with force and she will have to be punished. There are possibilities to do that without killing her. Would that be agreeable to you uncle?" He said as he looked to Ser Brynden.

The man looked suspiciously at him but nodded, albeit without any optimism. He turned back to the front, before turning back to him and asking "What would happen to the boy?".

"I don't know. He could be fostered with family in Winterfell or Riverrun and join one of our households later if allowed, otherwise he could join the Night's Watch when he is older. It also depends on the Vale Lords but I'm willing to propose them to foster him at Winterfell with my mother or myself as his guardian. Or if you or uncle Edmure would choose to do so I would formally back it as well." he said as he thought it over.

At this his uncle seemed more satisfied and he nodded. "Edmure or Cat would need to care for their nephew. They can decide it amongst themselves later."

"Good, so with that finished, is everyone in agreement? We will send out messages to Lord's Redfort and Royce explaining the parentage of my cousin. In it will be stipulated that he has no blame and he would ask him to be put into the custody of House Tully or Stark after he is removed from power. We will also ask that Lady Lysa will be punished in a non-lethal way. We will secretly offer these lords an alliance until it is done. After that, we will recognize their new Lord of the Vale if they march on the Lannisters with us."

All Lords seemed to be in agreement, but the conversation wasn't over yet as Ser Wendel asked. "Who would be the new heir to Jon Arryn?"

He didn't actually know this, neither did most of his advisors. "I don't really know …" he started saying but was interrupted by Domeric. "It is Harrold Hardyng." he stated simply.

"Who?" half the lords present asked in unison.

"Harrold Hardyng," Domeric repeated. "he is a grandson of Jon Arryn's sister through one of her daughters. The lad is a ward for Lady Waynwood, as they are kin somehow. I met him once at a small tourney in Gulltown. He must recently have come of age, I think. He even looks like an Arryn. He has sandy blonde hair and deep blue eyes. Lord Redfort once told me he somewhat looks like Jon Arryn when he was that age. His resemblance to the Arryns and his close kinship to one of its major lords should mean that his rule would be fairly stable if Robert Arryn and his closest supporters are removed."

All lords looked at him now in though. "This Harrold, have you ever spoken to him?" Harrion asked.

"Yes, but not for long. We shortly spoke at the fight, as well as at a feast. He seems capable, both with his head and sword, albeit a bit too proud for my liking. Still, he should do a fine job with advisors like Lady Anya Waynwood, Bronze Yohn or Lord Horton Redfort." Domeric responded.

This put most lords at ease. "The Arryns have always been a proud bunch. So that shouldn't be too much of a problem." Lord Tytos joined in.

"Very well, that's what we'll do then." he finished the conversation and all lords nodded in agreement.

"Another thing has come up. It seems like Lady Hornwood has been having difficulty on her border with House Bolton. She speaks of raids happening and getting ever bolder. She doesn't feel safe and asks help is sent. Lord Hornwood is also officially without an heir, as Daryn died by the Kingslayer's hand and she thinks this is one of the reasons for the raids." he spoke up, closely keeping an eye on Domeric as he told this.

Domeric, for his part, seemed equally surprised as all the other lord's in attendance. Either he was a master mummer, or he didn't know anything either. Most of his lords turned to him as well. "I'm sorry, Your Grace, but I know nothing of this. Could this all be a mistake? Or organized by some bandit group along our border?" Dom tried to defend himself and his House.

"A bandit group? Another one you mean?" Harrion scoffed. "I remember the last one, organized by your bastard brother! I was tasked by my father to help the refugees that it brought to our lands, we even killed some of the bastards. That was no simple bandit group and I'm willing to bet my rights on Karhold on the fact that this won't be one either! His Grace and my brothers went with me and so they can attest to this as well."

All lords turned questionly to him. "Yes, I was there. It was true that they were no real bandits. In House Bolton's defense, Lord Roose came to Winterfell with the heads of dozens of the bandits himself. Only Ramsay Snow, their leader and Roose's bastard son seems to have … escaped." he tried diplomatically.

"Ha, escaped! Surely you don't believe that, Your Grace? He probably knows who the leader is." Harrion said as he looked mockingly at Domeric.

Domeric got angry at this. "How dare you accuse me of betraying the King's peace? I have fought loyally through all the battles, just like everyone in this room. I know nothing of this and will defend my House's honor by the sword if you dare to repeat that again!"

Harrion wanted to retort but he cut in before worse could happen. "No one hear doubts your loyalty Domeric." he said as he looked sternly at Harrion. "We would, however, like an explanation. Can you tell us anything more? Who is in control of the Dreadfort now?"

Domeric seemed to calm at this but the last question seemed to surprise him. He looked deep in thought. "I don't actually know, Your Grace. I left the Dreadfort the day after we got your letter to raise the banners. My father said he would raise the Bolton levy by himself and I should help my aunt, Lady Dustin, to raise hers and try to get the command of it and so I did. I only rejoined my father in Moat Cailin."

He looked at the Bolton heir and saw no signs that he was lying. "Good, that makes it clear you have nothing to do with this. I will send a letter to your father in the other army to send word to his castellan to end this." he said to Domeric, before looking at the other lords in the room.

"I plan to send Lord Halys Hornwood with some of his remaining infantry North again. He will be able to restore the border and his strong presence might discourage any possible future actions. His troops would also not be the biggest loss for our armies, the Hornwood cavalry will remain here with us under my direct command. The Hornwoods had some substantial losses to their spear and pike divisions in the battle under Lord Rickard, but their forces are still in fairly good shape. To my latest accounts they still have some eight-hundred infantry left in the other army. I would send Lord Halys north with those."

This produced some grumbling from his commanders. "Do you think it is wise to weaken our forces her in the Riverlands, Your Grace?" Lord Galbart asked.

"Yeah and why should they be able to leave, while me and mine are bleeding here in these damned southern lands!" the Greatjon shouted.

"Do you wish to leave, Lord Umber?" He calmly retorted the giant man.

"No, no of course not, Your Grace! I will stay and fight to the last man, I swear it! Still, my brothers or one of my sons would be able to go home." the Greatjon explained fiercely.

"It's fine, Lord Umber. I understand. I must admit I have ulterior motives to send Lord Halys North."

"Ulterior motives, Your Grace?" Lady Maege asked.

"Yes, … Lord Halys is the last remaining member of House Hornwood. If he were to die a succession crisis could break out and I'd rather avoid it if I could. If I send him North, he could look for an heir. He has a bastard son, as well as two nephews and several cousins through female Hornwood lines. I will let him decide upon the best course for his house and support his decision as to keep the peace." he explained.

At this most agreed, as Harrion and Lord Galbart perked up. He knew the latter's brother was the father of the two nephews he spoke about. Harrion and his siblings themselves were cousins to House Hornwood, through their late grandmother Alys Hornwood. He remembered the story as his wife was called after her.

"I also have another motive." he continued, immediately grabbing the attention of most of his lords. "Lord Halys is an experienced commander and is very good in logistics. He is the perfect candidate to muster more levies in the North if we would need them. I raised the banners quite quickly to try and save my father and many troops were left in the North because of the speed. I would try to raise some of those to reinforce us here." After this he paused, as he looked around his lords.

"Some five thousand fresh extra troops could make the difference in this war. It would mean we could outnumber and overwhelm Lord Tywin, while still protecting the Riverlands or even raiding the Westerlands at the same time. Lord Halys and his now veteran troops could train, arm and logistically support this host on its way south."

Most lords looked pleased at this, especially the Riverlords. "From where, would you levy these troops, Your Grace?" Lord Galbart asked.

"I think that most Northern Houses could spare some more troops, but mostly I would look at the Mountain Clans and House Manderly." He responded as he looked over to Owen Norrey and Ser Wendel. Owen nodded understandingly at this, but Ser Wendel responded. "Our House could of course muster some more men for you, Your Grace but nothing numbering in the thousands!"

He looked at the man. Ser Wendel was loyal to the bone, but he was also his father's son. He would bet his life that the Manderlys held back more men than Ser Wendel said. "Of course not, Ser Wendel. Other houses will also contribute to this." At this the man nodded seemingly pleased.

"So, what do you think of the proposal, my lords?" He said as he overlooked all the faces.

"Good idea, Your Grace. We could use more men here and it would allow us to win this war on the battlefield with Lord Tywin!" Lord Tytos said, being joined by his fellow Riverlanders.

"A great idea, Your Grace. If you allow it, I will send a letter to my cousins to start mustering the men and warn the other clans to do the same." Owen Norrey stated, happy to soon be joined by his kin.

"Aye, more Northmen is a good idea." the Greatjon nodded and most Northmen joined in their murmurs.

"Good, then all the letters will be sent out by the morrow. Cleos Frey will be escorted to King's Landing to offer our terms to that incest king at the same time." he finished the meeting.

All men left the room, except for Jon who came to speak to him. "Do you really think the Lannisters will take this?" he asked suspiciously.

"No, I don't. They would be smart to do so, but I don't think they will. That's why we're going into the Westerlands. They might think more seriously on our offer once we burn some of their keeps, steal some gold and defeat their oncoming reinforcements. Even if they don't, the gold will help rebuild the Riverlands anyway." he explained honestly.

"Hmmn, yes that might be right." Jon said in thought. "What am I to do when we go to the West?"

"You? You will be by my side of course. You're the man I trust the most, I would have you by my side to advice and help me." he said, surprised at the question.

This seemed to put his brother on ease. "Thank you for valuing me so highly, Robb." Then he looked to his feet and to Ghost who was standing next to him before lifting his head and asking. "Might I ask you for something for once?"

"Of course, anything!" he said, without thinking.

"In the Westerlands, I would like a command. I … I think I'm ready, but I will never have my own men. All I can do is ask you for them. It doesn't need to be big. Let my scout something for you or storm a wall of a castle or take control of a few villages or something. I know I'm not a lord and you can't give me a thousand men to sack a castle on my own, but I would still like to archive something of myself in this war. However small that may be."

This took him by surprise, he had always seen his brother as his faithful right-hand. Even when they were kids, he saw them take castles and win battles together. Of course, it did make sense he wanted to do something on his own. Thinking about it, his brother might even be good at it.

When he thought about it some more, he realized that Kevan Lannister, Tywin's famous right-hand, had been noted to have been leading the Lannister center at the Green Fork. His brother could too, and it might also be smart. If he wanted his brother as his right hand he would have to be able to take command of the Stark men or even the whole army when he was incapable. He should have some experience if he was to ever be put in that situation.

"Robb?" his brother asked, suddenly uncertain it seemed as he might have been thinking for a little too long.

"Yes, excuse me Jon. I was just thinking it over. Of course, you will be able to get a command. I can't promise you one immediately or in the big battles to come, but if we were to route the Lannister force under Ser Stafford things will change. We will have a lot of room to manoeuvre and many tasks and commands, big and small, will be needed. I promise you that you will get several when the time comes." he said honestly. Trying to stress to his brother how important he and his support were to him and that he was rewarding him for it.

Jon looked elated. "Thank you, Robb!" he said as he grabbed him in a hug. "I'm … I just want to make somewhat of a name for myself too here. However small, it might be the only real opportunity I ever get. Well, the only one aside from what you choose to give me when we're back in Winterfell and all of that will be in the North."

He held his arms out to look at his brother, but kept them on his shoulders. "That's not true Jon! Who do you think I will send to the Free Cities as ambassador of my Kingdom for trade or alliances? My brother who has been there before of course! Who do you think will be castellan of Winterfell in ten years when I'm to visit the Riverlands to solve their petty quarrels?" he stated, maybe a bit too dramatic.

He saw his brother's jaw drop. "You would make me castellan? Of Winterfell? A bastard as castellan?"

"Yes, I would. Of course, I would. I trust you like I trust no one else. No of course I would not just trust Winterfell to a bastard. I would, however, trust my keep and my family to my brother, now and always. I would even make you a lord if there was a lordship available." he said matter-of-factly.

He saw how Jon was trying to hide a tear in his left eye, so he ignored it and continued with a smile. "What do you think I meant when I repeated that we would do it together all these years?"

"Thank you, Robb." was all his brother whispered as he grabbed him for another hug.

They broke apart after a few seconds and saw their direwolves sit happily beside them. Both of their tails were waggling freely as they looked upon them with a strange sense of pride.

"Is it just me or do they seem way to intelligent sometimes?" Jon stated as he looked towards Ghost.

"Definitely not you." he responded as he looked at Grey Wind. As if he was glad for the compliment, Grey started licking his fingers.

"Sometimes, I feel like he can hear my thoughts or something. Every time when I'm alone and I think of father without saying or doing anything, he comes over and starts comforting me." his brother said softly as he petted Ghost on the head.

"Yes, Grey with me too. He even growls at the lords when I'm getting mad or frustrated with them. I can't explain it, it's like he feels how I feel." he responded carefully.

"Yes, it is …" Jon admitted, without saying any more.

This is it for this chapter!

A lot has been going on in RL the last few weeks and so this chapter was delayed, sorry for that.

Another slower chapter this time, although this one builds up a lot of important things for the future. Lord Hornwood alive and up North will change things drastically from canon. The Vale plot I have been preparing will also finally start now, more on that later.

Next couple of chapters there will be more action, with some interesting new POV's.

Thank you for all the support!

Fannic

Reviews:

The White Walker situation: I got a lot of mixed messages about it, although a majority seems to lean towards skipping it. I have been thinking it over, but I will decide later.

- Mlkoolc86: Thank you for following the story for so long!

- Cam Katarn : The Reach is probably able to muster 120k, if they scrap everyone. They have some 60k men in the battle of the Blackwater and should have others protecting the rear, camp and bagage trains. Besides that there are multiple (strong) Reach houses who joined Stannis, like Florent, Meadows and Cobb but possible others. Their cavalry is with Stannis while their infantry is killed by the Tyrells with heavy losses for these houses but also other losses for House Tyrell, so at least 10k others I would say. Then you have messages in the books that Willas has 10k at Highgarden and could raise other forces to defend from Euron AND the fact that the Hightowers stayed neutral and didn't commit to the Tyrell army (they can levy 10k men on their own.) so it's a lot more than just 80k and the garrisons. That is at least 100k plus garrisons.

I think 40k would be more fair to the Riverlands with the losses and devastation from the Rebellion in mind. Tywin will have cut this to about 25-30k. Some of those aren't raised and others are trapped in their keeps because of Tywin's presence 'nearby' (like Darry).

The Stormlands I would say 25-35k.

The North's muster is much larger. I would say 40-45k but this includes garrisons. The North is massive and even with its very low density it would still be able to muster a lot more than that. Rodrick Cassel managed to raise 1k too easily, the Manderlys have a lot more force, just like the Dustins and Ryswells and others. Torrhen Stark managed to muster 35k and he didn't leave the North undefended.

The Vale I would say 25k-30k, 40k if they strip everything.

Dorne I agree with.

Anyway those are the numbers I'm going to use.

- Darthwolf: Yes, it seems like it. Although keep in mind they just all lost their father. ;-) The Starks will get a few more curveballs, don't you worry!

- Darthmaine: That is an interesting possibility! Although its coin is not enough for any other company, nor could they transport them (for now).

- Kingmanaena: Thank you! I'm sorry it took a little longer than usual.

- Greatazuredragon: Thank you! My characters deserve some happiness once in a while!

- Dark Angels and Light Angels: Even then they were just passed over without a fight in recent Stark history so for me Bran and Rickon will be heirs before Robb's daughters. There is enough historic present for it. Look at Medieval France, there it was a lot worse. No female or female line could ever inherit. Google the Bourbon succession and you will see how insane it was, a lot more extreme than I will make it here.

- Freakdogsflare: The Red Wedding will indeed never happen here, but other plots are always possible. Do you agree with Robb's secondary force idea here?

- Force Smuggler: Thank you! I really loved writing them. It will be more action packed now, but there will be more in the future.

- Spiderfan: As explained above they can muster a lot more than that. They did muster 70k + 10k at Highgarden but there is a lot more.

- Kuman: Thank you! Your Northern Law thing is incorrect. Alys comes first because Arnolf is her great-uncle, not just her uncle and that is a big difference. Alys in the books also has a living brother Harrion who is captured by the Lannisters. Harrion is the lord and his sister is his heir, not a great-uncle.

The designating idea could be true, it could also be true that the Northern lords would never accept a female ruler and so the lord chose to put aside the daughters, or the sons were pressed to steal the inheritance of their nieces. Whatever the case, there has never been a Lady of Winterfell or Queen in the North in her own right and they are not going to start now. The whole show Sansa plotline is awful and full of 21st century bias that would never work in a medieval-like society like this.

Not telling about Jon's parentage yet, but it will become clear later on.

- Williams1996: Thank you for your command, I discussed troops above.

- Poly19hum: Thank you! I completely agree! For me it's very important not only what happens, but why it happens. I will spend a lot of time in my fic discovering characters thought processes on why they think like they think or act like they do. Character development and good moments are also essential for me.

- Osterreicher97: True to some degree. Joffrey's rule would only have stood until Tywin went too far or he died then his whole fear tactic would collapse. Tyrion is sane but what people seem to forget is that if Tyrion is out of the picture, Kevan has a really good claim and the man is quite capable. If Tywin, Jaime and Tyrion are removed than it would go between Tommen (either direct or in Cersei's name) and Kevan for Casterly Rock. The only reason this differs is because Cersei is Queen-mother and has enough power herself to change it.

- Fahri Uchiha: Thank you so much!

- Wolf's Pizza: I might think about that. I have a lot of other POV's planned, but no Lannisters yet. I'll think it over when and if it would be fitting.

- Anja Quickert.9: :-)

- Guest1: Wowie!

- Guest2: Thank you! Also thank you for pointing that out, I will correct it!