Hello, readers.
I apologize for the long wait, I ended up rewriting this chapter multiple times, but here we are.
Enjoy.
At midday, Princess Cassana lies in her bed, clutching an antler ring. The room is dark with the curtains drawn, and the fireplace is empty, providing no light or warmth. She hasn't moved for weeks and hasn't spoken a word. The only comfort she has is the wine that she keeps nearby. Though many servants come to tend to her, they report to Cersei that the princess is unresponsive. When the Queen asks her daughter what is wrong, Cassana simply waves off the question, claiming that she isn't feeling well.
Despite having some issues with her mother, Cass loves her. However, everything changes after she discovers that her mother and uncle are having an affair and have children together. She can't look at any of them the same way anymore. Although she is not very close to her siblings, she still loves them. She has occasional fights with Joffrey, as most siblings do, but doesn't interact much with Myrcella and Tommen, as they usually do with their mother. Jaime, her uncle, always amuses her.
Now knowing the truth of them and their parentage, she can't look or feel the same way about any of them ever again. She wonders if Joffrey knows or not. No doubt Eddard Stark knows since was executed for it. Most certainly Stannis believes as he told the whole realm about it, which brings up the fact that he is indeed the next rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms, not Joffrey. Cass can't take the throne because she's a girl and Joffrey is an incest bastard. She wonders if her aunt Hellen knows of it. What was she supposed to make of this? Is she supposed to keep it a secret? Should she tell someone? If she tells people Joffrey will be deposed and most likely killed, her mother and uncle most definitely for treason and incest.
Cass kept wondering why. Why did her mother and uncle do this? When did this affair start and how long? She also thought about her father if he knew about it. If he did, he would've killed them all himself as her parents' marriage was never loving. But where does that leave her? What will people do if they know the rumors are true? Will she get killed? That's the only answer she can think of, but Stannis made it clear to everyone that she was Robert's only legitimate child. Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted when her door closed.
"Get up," Lenora said to open the curtains, "Get up now."
"What," Cass asked.
Lenora goes to bed, "You've been in bed for weeks not doing anything. Why?"
"I told you," Cass shrugs, "I haven't been feeling well."
"I know," Lenora said, "But why haven't you been feeling well?"
Cass was about to say why, but she wasn't sure if she should. Not about something like this, so she just shakes her head and lay on her bed again.
Lenora looks at her friend. She can tell something is wrong, but she won't say why or what it is. Giving a tired sigh, Lenora sits on the bed with her, "Is this about Jarred? It's only been a few weeks since he left."
"I know," Cass stays in the fetal position looking off to the other side of the room.
"Do you miss him or what," Lenora tries to make sense of it, "Because people are saying you're acting like this because the rumors about you two are true?"
"Jarred won the Trial by Seven meaning he's innocent," Cass shot back.
"Ok," Lenora thinks, "So, you just miss him as a friend."
"Well, yes, but that's not what this is," Cass shrugs.
"Then what is it," Lenora said, "Tell me?"
"Why do you want to know," Cass says irritated.
Lenora gives a frustrated sigh, "I want to know because, for the last three weeks, you've been sitting around in bed doing nothing but drinking."
"Because I'm not feeling well! How many times do I have to say it," Cass exclaims.
Lenora groans, "Is this because Joffrey was the one who spread those rumors about you and Jarred."
Cass gives out an annoyed groan, "Yes. Ok. That's what it is. Now go please."
Lenora didn't know what to do. She could see her friend was going through something, but she wouldn't say what. She reaches out her hand to give some comfort, but Cass just shrugs it off. Knowing how the princess is when she gets like this, the Lannister girl gets off the bed and leaves the room, "Fine. I'll leave you alone."
Cass hears the footsteps going away and the door closes. Cass wanted to tell her friend, but she wasn't sure she could. She doesn't know what to do with any of this. She couldn't tell anyone, and she wasn't sure what would happen if she did. Feeling overwhelmed by it all, knowing there was a jug of wine on her bedside table, she goes to it. Cass doesn't even drink from a cup, but just guzzles the wine from the jug, trying to forget her problems.
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Lenora goes to the gardens where her friends are sitting at the garden fountain, waiting for her. However, there was only Jocelyn, Sansa, and Ema.
Noticing Lenora coming up to them, Ema goes up while Jocelyn and Sansa stay at the fountain, playing with some flowers that are in the water.
"How's Cass," Ema asked as she and Lenora were far enough to speak in private.
Lenora sighs, "The same. I don't know what's going on with her."
"Is she upset about Jarred," Ema suggests, "I mean they are close."
"She's saying that's not it. I don't know," Lenora sighed, noticing Ceryse wasn't with them, "Where's Ceryse?"
Ema looks worried. She gives a glance back to the younger girls, with Sansa giving a conflicted look back, then going back to Lenora. "A raven came to the Small Council about Robb Stark and his army invading the Westerlands with his uncle Ser Bryndon Tully…. They took Ashmark."
Lenora's eyes widen with shock. Ashmark was the seat of House Marbrand, the home of Ceryse and her family. "Where is she?"
"In her room," Ema tells her as the Lannister girl runs to her friend's aid. As she was going, Ema went back to the younger girls, seeing Sansa having a somewhat guilty look, "Sansa, this is not your fault."
"Well," Sansa's voice goes soft, "My brother…. He's …"
"He's not to blame either," Ema tells her, "The only person to be blamed for all this is Joffrey because he started all this."
Sansa slowly nods in agreement as this whole mess starts when Joffrey takes off her father's head. She wishes this nightmare would end.
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Lenora hurries up to Ceryse's room, opening the door to see her friend sitting in her vanity chair, burying her head in her hands.
"Ceryse," Lenora calls.
Ceryse looked behind her to see who it was, "Oh, hi."
"Ema told me what happened," Lenora says to her friend.
Ceryse looks down running her hand through her brown curls, her voice shaking, "They just found out so who knows how long."
"Your mother and everyone else," Lenora asked.
"I don't know," Ceryse said, "The letter came from Casterly Rock. My grandfather and brothers are with your father and my father is with Gerold."
"With Gerold," Lenora repeats, unsure what she meant.
"Your father tasked Gerold, my father, and some other lords to go down the Trident to fight them off," Ceryse explains.
"Oh," Lenora drifts off, unsure what to make of her brother. Him leading an army. He never done that, then again the last war that happened was when he was a small child, but now he's a grown man with no war experience. She was surprised their father would give him such a task, "Let us pray he will succeed."
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The Lannister army was traveling through the Trident, heading back to the Westerlands to fight against Robb Stark. As night fell, they made camp near the Red Fork River to rest and prepare for the upcoming battle. Gerold walked through the camp, observing his men as they shone their armor, ate their food, and practiced sword fighting. They all respectfully bowed their heads as he approached. He then came upon Ser Addam Marbrand practicing with his eldest son, Aidan Marbrand. The young man was tall and slim, with copper hair like his father, displaying excellent swordsmanship skills.
"Practicing hard," Gerold states, gaining their attention.
Ser Addam straightens, "Yes, my lord. Teaching my son the final forms before the fight."
Gerold smiles at the older knight before going to his son, who gives a respectable bow. "Seem eager to fight."
Aidan bows, "To defend our homes, my lord."
"Ah," Gerold nods his head, "How old are you?"
"Six and ten, my lord," the young man stated.
"Almost a man grown," Gerold says, "Your father seems to be sure you can fight well."
Aidan smiles at his father, "He taught me everything I knew."
"Must be a lot," Gerold says while looking at Addam, "He's the best sword fighter we had."
"I can only hope to show I'm just as good as my father," Aidan says.
"You're getting there," Addam places his hand on his shoulder.
"Your father is right," Gerold adds, "Only practice can make you as good if not better. But I'm afraid we'll have to cut it short because we have a war meeting to get to."
"Of course," Addam bows his head telling his son to keep practicing as they leave for the war tent.
As they were walking, Gerold commented, "Strong boy."
"He is," Addam said, "Eager to prove himself on the battlefield."
"I can see that," Gerold nods, "Only time will tell."
Addam nods as he and Gerold go into the war tent to start the meeting with the other commanders, Ser Flement Brax, Ser Addam Marbrand, Ser Lyle Crakehall, Ser Gregor Clegane, and Lord Leo Lefford. They spent the half hour going over their battle strategies and surrounding maps of the Westerlands and the Riverlands, trying to find a way to the Westerlands until news came to them from their scouts.
"How did we lose Ashmark," Gerold sits at the high end of the long table as his generals and lords sit before him.
"Robb Stark's Northmen and the Freys bypass the Golden Tooth," Lord Leo explains, "Then he launched a surprise attack on Lord Stafford Lannister's army, who neglected to post sentries at Oxcross."
"Neglected," Gerold repeats, causing the lord to shrug. For he does not have the answer. The plan was to have Lord Stafford have his army facing Robb Stark's on one side while Gerold and his army attack from the rear, but now it's pointless, "Are there any reports on what he is doing now?"
"At the moment he's just raiding our lands," said Ser Lyle. "Not only does he have Ashmark, but he also captured the Crag and Lord Gawen Westerling has been captured at the Whispering Wood."
"If he's most likely at the Crag, that is where his army will be," Ser Flement suggested, "We could make our attack there."
"No, Lord Edmure is at Riverrun, and we might have to pass by it when making our travels," Ser Addam says while moving the lion pieces on the map of the table, "The fastest way is to go through the Riverlands in between Riverrun and Acorn Hall, but the long way and safest is to go past the god's eye until we get to the Gold road."
"Won't that force us to go through the borders of the Reach," Gerold asked.
"Only momentarily, my lord," Ser Addam explains, "When passing the borders, we would make it straight through the Westerlands."
"But that is a very long route," Ser Flement said, "Over two weeks to get all our men and provisions for the travel."
"Three if the weather isn't kind," Ser Gregor added in a low voice.
"It might be our only way," Ser Addam said as a soldier entered the tent, handing Gerold a scroll, "Going through would be passing by Riverrun, Acorn Hall, Pinkmaiden, and the Stony Sept."
"Yes, but crossing the Red Fork would be the fastest route out of them all," Lord Leo advised.
"Riverrun is set on the Red Fork," Ser Addam argues, "They might be waiting for us."
"They are," Gerold announces while reading the message, gaining the attention of all his commanders, "according to our scouts, Edmure Tully has organized his forces to every river crossing north and south of his seat. Men are defending the four fords, others at the upstream, including the Red Fork where they'll have archers hiding in the trees."
The commanders then went silent as the news sank in that every crossing river was not blocked by Tully forces Gerold stayed in his chair, fidgeting his right finger on the table while holding the letter with his left hand. The plan was to meet up with Lord Stafford's army and fight against Robb Stark, but not only was Lord Stafford defeated, but also Lord Edmure sent defenses to all the rivers that cut them off from the Westerlands. He didn't know what to do. Should he try to break through the defenses or just retreat to Harrenhal? His father would be disappointed in him if he retreated without trying to break through so to him it wasn't an option.
"Perhaps we should go back to Harrenhal," Ser Addam advised, "To get more men with Lord Tywin."
"Riverrun approximately has fewer men than we do at the moment," Ser Lyle said, "We can take all our men and ram through it all."
"Doing that is pointless as it is reckless," Ser Flement said, "Doing so would be a waste of all the men we have. Even if we win the battle."
"It was said he raised eight thousand infantry and three thousand cavalry," Ser Lyle reports, "Almost equal to our numbers."
This made Gerold even more nervous since it meant Edmure Tully had eleven thousand men in total while he had over twelve, almost even odds. Before leaving Harrenhal, Tywin was giving him more men, but they both agreed too much would make the army go slower so they decided to divide the numbers in their army while leaving most of them back at Harrenhal in case of an attack.
"What we need to do is to find out a way where we can cross the border without being detected," Ser Addam advised.
"And how do we do that," Lord Leo questions, "All the rivers that we could cross are all blocked by Tully forces."
While the commanders are conversing on strategy, Gerold looks over to the maps on the table, paying close attention to the pieces that represent his men and Edmure's men according to their scouts. Most of the pieces are at the rivers that the army could cross, signifying that they are unable to cross them. Mallister pieces were at the four fords while Vance pieces were at the upstream and the Red Fork has Tully pieces. Gerold looks at it, knowing that the Red Fork gives the path closest to Ashmark and the Crag, which is where Robb Stark was. The only Riverlands seat past the Red Fork is Fairmarket and it was far according to the map. It might be dangerous, but, "If we can cross the Red Fork, we will be able to get to our lands."
"But it is guarded, my lord," Ser Addam said, "It's higher than the east and wooded which makes it easier for them to attack."
"But it's also the closest to get to our lands," Gerold said, "And the closest way to Ashmark and the Crag."
"It will be a fight," Ser Gregor claims, "We'd have to pass the Stone Mill."
"We will be facing a blockade among the Rivermen," Lord Leo advises.
"They will greet us with a fight," Ser Addam adds.
"We were prepared for a fight either way," Gerold states, "If it's the closest way to the Westerlands we need to risk it. But we should find other ways to cross just to be safe."
The commanders look at each other with uncertainty. They need to cross the Riverlands, but to do it Gerold's way might be too risky. Every crossing from here to the Westerlands is occupied with Rivermen, meaning they would be greeted with battle on every side.
"Perhaps we could speak a word of this to Lord Tywin first," Ser Lyle said.
Gerold furrows his brow, "Why would we do that?"
Ser Lyle shrugs, "Just to gain his insight into all this. He has more experience in warfare."
"More experience," Gerold repeats with slight anger.
Sensing his lord's tone, Ser Lyle quickly recovers, "I mean no disrespect, my lord, but our original plan was to force Robb Stark and his army to confront Lord Stafford's army in the front while we attack from the rear, but now those plans are for naught. So, if there are any changes, I believe it is in your best interest to confer with your Lord Father."
"It would be beneficial to inform him, my lord," Ser Flement agrees cautiously.
Gerold looks to the rest of his advisors, "Do all agree with this?"
"We are your advisors and commanders, my lord," Ser Addam said, "We serve at your pleasure and follow your lead above all else as well as what serves you best."
Gerold tries to contain his annoyance. His commanders say that Gerold is not suited for leading an army or that's what he thinks. Gerold didn't appreciate it. If he does this, it might make Tywin think that he is a little boy who goes crying to his father for help. Lord Tywin never did that with his father or anyone else. He always did it on his own and won. As his son, Gerold feels like he must do the same.
Gerold says in a firm voice, "Have all the men ready for tomorrow at dawn. We'll probe the rivermen's defense to find any unguarded Ford," Gerold explains while taking the pieces of the map and placing them in new positions, "Have one group of men attack Jason Mallister and his men while another group attacks the guard of House Vance. What matters is to break through the defense hard enough for it to break and then we send in the rest of the army."
Seeing that his mind was made up, the commanders bowed their heads and raised from their seats to tell their men.
Ser Addam, however, stayed behind, knowing his lord was angry by what he and the other commander said. So, he stays where he is, saying, "We meant no disrespect, my lord. We simply wish to advise you the best we can."
"Is that so," Gerold questions still staring at the map and the pieces that were in place.
"Yes," Addam said, "I'm sure your father would understand if you wrote to him for help."
"My father entrusted me to lead this army to defend our lands, our homes," Gerold told him, "I'm sure you of all people would understand with your home being under siege."
Ser Addam is uneasy, as his wife and family are being held captive by Robb Stark. Meanwhile, he and his eldest son are fighting on the battlefield with Gerold. His father, Lord Damon, and his younger son, Thomos, are with Lord Tywin, while his only daughter remains in the capital. "Yes, my lord. We just…"
"I suggest you get as much rest as possible, Ser Addam," Gerold shoots down, "We need you and your son ready for the fighting tomorrow."
Seeing there was no talking to him, Ser Addam Marbrand bowed his head and left the tent. Leaving Gerold alone in the tent. Gerold stayed in his seat, taking a shaky breath as he was afraid. He never led men to battle before, but it seems it might happen. He might fight in battle and kill people. He wasn't sure how to feel about it, but it didn't matter. His father gave him this opportunity, he can't lose. He won't.
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Three days passed, and the fighting still kept going as Gerold and the army tried to cross many types of places of the Red Fork but were defeated by the rivermen. The fighting got so bad that Ser Addam had to retreat twice, but Gerold wouldn't admit defeat and continued to press on.
The fighting continues even at night as Gerold leads the army himself at the Stone Mill. The men were clashing their swords and steel, yelling battle cries as they were slaughtering each other. Fire and flames were on the battlefield as men on both sides were dying, but they kept fighting.
Gerold was riding his horse to battle, with his Lannister armor on his black horse which gave him the advantage to hide during the night. He slew down many men, had his blade drenched in blood, and almost got himself killed from the attack of others, but he still kept pressing on and his men with him. However, as the fighting continues, they suffer heavier losses once the Tully men, hiding behind trees and forests, rained down arrows at them.
Gerold was on his horse fighting against his opponent, clashing their swords until he was able to slay him.
Ser Flement rode up to him as the fighting was happening all around him, "My lord, we need to retreat."
"No," Gerold raises his shield against the arrows, "We're almost at the border. We can still make it."
"We're losing men," Ser Flement exclaims, "We can't go on anymore."
"We have to try," Gerold urges as more Tully men keep flooding the battlefield. The Tully men created a blockade to stop the Lannister men, who kept ramming through it with much effort. They managed to almost get through until the Tully army fought back with the reserve of more troops with some archers raining down arrows at their enemy who raised their shields, trying to evade the arrows, but most of them were hit.
"My lord," Ser Flement tries again, "We need to retreat."
"We're too close," Gerold urges.
"We've lost too many men," Ser Flement says, "And we are losing more. We need to retreat. Now."
Gerold heard what he said. He saw many of his men dying. He still wants to keep going, but he can see they weren't winning.
Ser Flement rides up closer, grabbing Gerold's arm, forcing him to look, "Live to fight another day. We need to go now."
Gerold didn't want to go. They were about to pass the Stone Mill and close to the border, but seeing almost all his men die, he admits he can't.
While giving out a frustrated yell, Gerold proclaims, "Fall back! Gather all the men and fall back!"
After Gerold yells it, the horn blows, signaling everyone to stop the fighting and run for a retreat.
The Lannister men fought their way out of the fighting, while some got left behind as they were getting killed by the Lannister men. As Gerold rides his horse away from the battlefield, he looks back to see some of his men being left behind. Some were cut down, others were drowned in the waters of the Red Fork, few were then taken away, no doubt as prisoners.
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When the Lannister army made it back to camp, there was a presence of defeat in the air. All the men were either heavily wounded or close to dying. The maesters and healers tried their best as the infirmary tents were overflowing. Gerold kept walking through the camp in his armor, not looking at any of them, but he could hear their moaning from their wounds being treated. Once reaching his tent, Gerold throws his helmet on the floor, going to his cot bed, burying his head in his hands.
Three days. it had been three days of fighting that they tried to cross over the Riverlands, but at every turn they found Rivermen blocking them. Each battle was bloody, but none of them were as bad as the battle they just came from. It was worse than the others with more deaths. Lord Leo was drowned in the river, Ser Flement's nephew was slain, and Ser Lyle was captured. Then suddenly he hears yelling coming from outside.
He goes out to see Ser Addam at the infirmary tent. Some soldiers were holding him back as he was kicking and screaming in agony. Screaming, trying to claw his way to the infirmary tent.
Seeing a soldier walk by him, Gerold stops him, "What happened to Ser Addam?"
The soldier looks to his lord, then to Ser Addam, then back to Gerold again, softly saying, "His son got hit with a bolt to the lung while we were retreating." Gerold's eyes widen as the soldier continues, "The maester tried to heal him, but by the time they got here, it was too late."
Gerold's breath was shaking as he saw Addam crying and wailing while falling to the ground in grief. Ser Addam lost his son, and Gerold believes it was because of him that Aidan Marbrand died.
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When they were able to get away, the Lannister army was able to make their way back to Harrenhal. As they enter the gates, the soldiers, and guards there watch as the fighting army comes back to them dirty, tired, and battle-worn. But none more so than Gerold who still wore his army, but without his helmet, revealing his disheveled hair, tired face, his armor battered, dirty, and bloodied, showing that he lost the battle. He looks around and sees everyone staring at him, unsure what they are thinking, but, the one face he cares most was up on the balcony. His father bore a blank look, unable to be read, and Gerold was afraid to find out.
Once inside the great holdfast, Gerold and his remaining commanders were in the council room with Lord Tywin, who was staring out the window, "How are our numbers?"
"We suffered heavy losses," Gerold softly reports, looking down at his fidgeting fingers, "Lord Leo Lefford drowned at the Red Fork, Ser Flement's nephew Robert Brax was slain, Ser Lyle Crakehall has been captured, and the Mountain has suffered blows of many arrows and... Ser Addam's son died from an arrow to the lung."
Tywin stays silent, without moving a muscle, creating tension in the room. Gerold kept his head down, waiting for his father's response. His heart was racing, his breath was shaking, and he kept fidgeting his fingers. It was becoming too much for him, but he didn't move an inch, waiting for his father's voice, but at the same time not wanting to hear his words.
Tywin turned, looking at his son with a blank look. "you failed."
"Edmure Tully had defenses on all the crossing rivers," Gerold meekly explains, looking down at his fidgeting fingers. "There was no way to cross over."
"And yet you still pushed forward," Tywin said.
Gerold stayed quiet for a moment, "I thought we would still get through."
"How many men did the Tullys have," Tywin asked.
Gerold took a small breath, "eight thousand infantry and three thousand cavalry."
"You had more men," Tywin then states.
"They used their environment as their battleground," Gerold weakly tries to defend himself, "They were expecting us and pulled a surprise blockade."
"You failed. And lost many men and their sons and kin in the process," Tywin concluded before walking out of the room.
As his father went to the door, Gerold voices like a little child, "I'm sorry."
Tywin, however, didn't bother as he left the room, leaving Gerold unsure if his father even heard him.
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It was two weeks since the battle and the news reached to King's Landing. News of the defeat of the Battle of the Fords spread throughout the city and the Red Keep. Lenora was visiting Lancel who was almost fully recovered from the Trial by Seven from before, telling him everything that's been happening as she found him easier to talk to.
"So, is Gerold alright," Lancel said as he lay on his bed.
Sitting on a chair next to him, Lenora sighs, "He just lost his first battler all on his own. I mean, I'm glad he's alright, but knowing our father... Well, you know how he can be."
"I do," Lancel nods in agreement.
"Right now, I'm just worried for Ceryse," Lenora confesses.
Lancel asks, "How old was her brother?"
"Sixteen," Lenora said, "almost two years younger than her. And the eldest son."
Lancel hums, guessing how much suffering the Marbrands are having right now. The wives are prisoners at Ashmark, Ser Addam just lost his eldest son. He can't imagine how Ceryse is doing now. "Did Cass went to see her?"
"No," Lenora sighs with annoyance, "I don't know what's going on with her, but she... I don't know. Ever since Jarred won the Trial she's been different. Cass is a mess, Jarred is gone to Dawn Isle, Sansa is a prisoner in all but name, and Jocelyn is just a girl." Lenora sighs, rubbing her head, "I just... feel helpless right now."
"You always do much for them," Lancel tells her.
"I know," Lenora shakes her head, "I know I do, I just wish.."
"There might be nothing you can do now, but give them some space," Lancel suggested, "And give yourself a break."
Lenora thought about it, but she might listen to Lancel, "You're easy to talk to."
Lancel smiles at her as she smiles back at him.
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Ema walks through the halls until coming up to a familiar bedroom. She knocks on the door ever so softly, "Ceryse?"
There was no answer, but Ema opened the door anyway, slowly walking in, and closing the door behind her. She looked around the room, seeing her friend lying on her bed in the fetal position. She was silent. Didn't say a word or make a sound and Ema knew why. Her younger brother died in the battle, and she's been in her room ever since.
"Do you want to talk about it," Ema asked softly.
Ceryse stays where she is, quietly saying, "No."
Ema nods in understanding, "Do you want to be alone?"
Ceryse's tears begin to break, her lip quiver, "No."
Hearing her, Ema then goes to the bed, gently laying next to Ceryse, staring up at the ceiling, but she doesn't care. her friend was hurting, she lost her brother, so she needed someone with her now.
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