Robb VIII
Before leaving Moat Cailin, Robb had advised Steward Tallhart to start building the palisade wall that would encircle the heart of the village and offer it protection from the other directions. There was no telling how the fighting might go and if the Lannisters landed men in the north via ship, likely on the western shores since the navy of White Harbor patrolled along the east, there would be no protection for the smallfolk. A palisade might not offer the same kinds of protection as a stone wall, but it would slow down any attacking force enough for people to flee into the Neck, where House Reed and the others had been ordered to keep watch on any and all who passed through the marshes. Ideally to slow down any Lannister army that marches north, but also to lend aid should northerners be fleeing south for whatever reason.
Ten days later Robb had been surprised when exiting the Neck to see that not only were Jon, Ser Kyle, and Ronnel there in the camp established by the first half of his army, but that Ser Brynden Tully, his mother's uncle, was there with them. He called Jon and Ser Brynden to his tent, along with the lords he had established as the leaders of his army - Greatjon Umber, Maege Mormont, Robett Glover, and Roose Bolton.
"Blackfish," Greatjon rumbled when the greying knight entered the tent. "Good to have a man of your skill here."
"Greatjon, it's been a long time," Ser Brynden greeted.
"My lords, proper greetings can wait. Every moment we delay, is another moment Riverrun is under siege," Robb said, holding out his hands.
Greatjon grunted and Ser Brynden nodded his head in approval. The Blackfish was just as eager as Robb to see their forces march on Riverrun.
"Did you find another crossing?" Robb asked, looking at Jon.
"We did not. It's either the Trident or the Twins," Jon answered.
"Then we pay Lord Frey's price," Robb murmured, disappointed at it having come to this.
Greatjon spit at the mention of Lord Frey. Robb looked around at the others. Like always, he had had to resist the urge to shudder when he made eye contact with Roose Bolton. Something about the man unnerved him but he couldn't place his finger on it. His mother had told him the man was careful in his deliberations and would not act without first thinking of every possible consequence. He would have need of that care in the next part of his plan, the plan he had been coming up with and keeping to himself until now. It was the only reason he had made the man one of his commanders despite the uneasy feeling he got from him, because others like Greatjon Umber and Robett Glover were too hotheaded.
"My lords, I have been formulating a strategy since Winterfell and it is time to make you aware of it. We will split our forces here. I will take the majority of our cavalry and cross at the Twins. Ser Brynden -"
"Uncle is fine," Ser Brynden cut in. "No need to stand on ceremony between family."
"Uncle, Ser Rodrik told me that in order to besiege Riverrun, you need to split your forces into three, each on a different bank of the river fork. Is this true?"
"Ser Rodrik speaks truly," his great uncle responded.
"Then our cavalry will ride to Riverrun from the Twins and descend upon the northern besiegers and rout them before the other two can come to their aid, and those attempts to come to their aid will have to be done by crossing the river, which leaves them vulnerable. Once the northern forces are destroyed the other two will either come to us and be destroyed, or they will retreat. Lord Bolton, you will be in charge of the bulk of our forces."
Roose Bolton's eyes widened slightly in surprise at being given command, the only hint of emotion on his face.
"You will march down the Kingsroad toward the Trident. You are to be noticeable and you are to draw Tywin Lannister's attention. Make him think the whole northern army is before him. Lure him north if you can, away from being of any assistance to Riverrun, but do not engage him. Retreat back into the Neck if you must."
"You don't want to engage him?" Robert Glover asked, a frown on his face. They had marched down here to fight the Lannisters, and Robb was ordering them not to.
"Tywin Lannister will have several thousand more cavalry. Too much of a disparity to match him on an open field. Once Riverrun is free we will rally the Riverlands, and if Tywin Lannister is foolish enough to still be in the field, we will crush him between the two forces."
He could see the uncertainty on some of their faces, this was not a plan any of them would have come up with. Robb was being cautious, something many of the fiery northern lords were not familiar with, but they trusted him enough to go along with it.
They hashed out the full details of who was going with who. Since all of the nobles and most of their men-at-arms were on horseback, the bulk of them would be coming with Robb, almost 3,600. Lord Robett Glover, Lord Halys Hornwood, Lord Medger Cerwyn, Ser Wylis Manderly, Ser Donnel Locke, Ser Kyle Condon, and Roger and Rickard Ryswell, would all be traveling with Lord Bolton. They would be leading about 14,400 infantry and six hundred cavalry down the Kingsroad, and the gods willing they would be leading that many men back.
After the meeting they separated the majority of the cavalry and had them camp to the west. With the two Ryswell sons going with Roose Bolton, Robb gave his uncle the charge of the scouts and outriders both, as Ser Brynden had almost as many years experience as the Ryswell sons had combined years alive.
The next morning Robb led his cavalry to the Twins, which was a few days' ride. At the same time, Roose Bolton got his outriders and scouts riding out ahead of his vanguard.
Although Robb had taken to riding with a different lord every day since his march from Winterfell, to get to know them all better and to get them to like and respect him as they did his father, he spent the few days marching to the Twins with Jon at his side, discussing strategies and tactics. It was good to have his brother next to him again.
"You didn't hear," Robb said, as they rode the morning of the third day. "Moat Cailin received a letter forwarded from White Harbor. Stannis Baratheon has declared himself King of the Seven Kingdoms and demands fealty from the realm."
Jon's face scrunched in confusion. "The King left two sons."
"Stannis' letter claims that the royal children are bastards, and their father is the Kingslayer."
It took a moment for Jon to process what Robb was saying. When it clicked, his face twisted into one of disgust and Robb guffawed at the sight.
Then the Twins came into view; two squat, ugly, formidable castles, identical in every respect, with the bridge arching between. High curtain walls, deep moats, and heavy oak-and-iron gates protected the approaches.
Jon whistled at the sight of it. "Even if we took the western castle, we'd never be able to cross the bridge to take the eastern one."
"We do not have time for a siege, nor the men. Riverrun has been under siege for almost two months now. My uncle has been a prisoner for almost two months now. We need to cross and we need to cross today."
Uncle Brynden came from scouting to the south to ride at Robb's side. "We saw some Lannister men hanged nearby. Likely scouts sent to watch for your approach who wandered a little too far north."
"So the Freys are on our side," Theon said, though it sounded more like a question.
"They haven't answered their liege lord's call," his uncle said, eyes clouded with anger. "They're on their own side."
As they approached the castle, Robb could see men upon the wall and many more rushing to the battlement at their approach. A sally port opened, a plank bridge was extended across the moat, and a dozen knights rode out to meet them. They flew the flag of House Frey and were led by four of Lord Frey's sons, including his heir Ser Stevron, who was ten years older then Uncle Brynden and looked every bit his age.
"My lord father has sent me to greet you," Ser Stevron said, as he and his men came before them, "and to inquire as to who leads this host."
"I do," Robb said, urging his horse forward to approach the Frey knights.
Desmond, one of the house guards Robb had brought with them on this march, followed behind with the banner of House Stark held firmly in his hand.
Ser Stevron observed him, and the two direwolves, with watery eyes. "My father invites you to share meat and mead with him, and explain your purpose here."
"You can't go in there by yourself," Greatjon growled behind him.
"What would we do if you were seized?" Theon asked.
"Perhaps Lord Frey can come out here," Ser Wendel suggested.
If the Freys were offended at this lack of trust in their father, they did not show it.
"I will go," Uncle Brynden said. "I have had numerous dealings with Walder Frey since I was a boy. What's one more?"
"Are you sure that is wise?" Robb asked, remembering the anger he had seen in his uncle earlier.
"It will be fine."
"Ser Brynden, my father will be most eager to see you again," Ser Stevron said. "To vouchsafe for our good intentions, my brother Ser Perwyn will stay with you."
The youngest Frey son climbed from his horse and walked over to them.
"He will be an honored guest," Robb said, forcing a smile on his face.
He watched as his uncle dismounted from his horse and, surrounded by the Frey knights, walked into the Twins. What outrageous demands was Walder Frey going to make?
"He demands too much," Robin Flint said, the outrage evident in his voice.
"Piss on this offer and piss on Walder Frey," Smalljon said, to which his father grunted his agreement.
"No one else thought to build another fucking bridge?" Dacey Mormont asked, pointing the question to the only Riverman in the tent, Uncle Brynden. The Riverland knight shrugged his shoulders, as such a decision was never his to make.
Robb remained silent as he digested what Ser Brynden had said Lord Frey wanted in return for not only allowing Robb and his men to cross the Twins, but to also lend his strength to Robb's. Robb thought marching to free Riverrun and his liege lord should have been at no cost to Robb, since Lord Frey was obligated to do it as a vassal of Riverrun, but the old weasel didn't see it that way. It no wonder few had any respect for the Late Lord Frey.
Arya and Bran would both have to be betrothed to Freys, and Bran would have to be given lordship of Moat Cailin. At least two of Robb's more prominent bannermen would also have to wed Freys, or at least their heirs would. Then there were to be at least three marriages between northern daughters and Frey men. Plus he would have to give positions of honor to what seemed like half of the Frey sons and grandsons, fostering several of the younger Frey grandchildren at Winterfell, and encouraging a betrothal between Uncle Edmure and a Frey bride.
Robb was just shocked that Walder Frey hadn't demanded he give up the North as well. He shook his head and stood, quieting the arguments of those who had gathered in the tent.
"Lord Frey asks much of us," Robb said. "Too much. We cannot accept these terms. Let me think about this tonight, and we can convene again tomorrow morning to discuss our counter proposal."
The lords, heirs, and knights slowly started to file out. Robb indicated to Jon that he wished him to stay. Once the last of the others left, Jon approached and took a seat near Robb.
"Arya will not marry a Frey," Jon muttered, a scowl on his face.
Robb gave a small smile at Jon's fierce protectiveness of their little sister. "No, she will not." Robb sighed and the smile dropped. "Though Bran will likely have to."
"I hope Bran is safe."
The last letter they had received from Bran had said he was at Highgarden for a tourney. That was before they had left Winterfell.
"Ser Robar is an honorable man, he will look after him," Robb said, half distracted by his thoughts.
Jon gave him a curious look. "You already have an idea about the counter offer."
"I've some thoughts," he admitted. "Officially giving Moat Cailin to Bran and betrothing him to one of the granddaughters will be the biggest get for Lord Frey. We can also offer Ser Wendel, who is now the Lord of White Tower and needs to find a wife. It might not be the powerful lord Walder Frey is looking for, but it's better than the fourth daughter of the eighth son, or whatever number the girl will be, can hope to get."
"Lord Karstark has three unmarried sons and Lady Mormont has four unmarried daughters," Jon reminded him. "Marriages and betrothals can be arranged, even if it's only with second and third sons and daughters, if you lean on your vassals hard enough. And if Lord Frey wants them landed, there are plenty of abandoned keeps in the north we can give them."
Robb knew Jon was right but he also wondered how much could he truly lean on the lords of the North like that? While he was the acting Lord of Winterfell, his father was still alive and it was to him that these men owed their loyalties to, not Robb. Then there was the thought of having that many Freys as bannermen in the North, which made his skin crawl.
"Milord."
Robb and Jon both looked at a guard who had stuck his head in the opening of the tent. The guard's face reddened at their attention.
"There is a Ser Stevron here to see you."
Robb looked at Jon with raised eyebrows. What was Ser Stevron doing at their camp at night like this? Jon gave him a shrug, as if knowing the question he silently asked.
"You can let him in."
Ser Stevron entered the tent, dressed in the same armor he had been wearing earlier. "Thank you for seeing me, Lord Robb. I hope I am not interrupting anything."
"Nothing but two brothers reminiscing about their childhoods," Robb said, waving his hand in a dismissive way. "What brings you out to our camp at such a late hour?"
"My father has taken ill," Ser Stevron said, bowing his head. "We do not know if he will survive the night or not."
There was something about the way he said it that made Robb's stomach turn. Was Lord Frey truly sick? And if so was it a natural sickness or one inflicted on him by Ser Stevron? Or perhaps the Frey heir had someone else do it for him? Whether it was by his hand or by his order, there was nothing more accursed than a kinslayer.
"I am sorry to hear such news. I will pray to the gods for his return to good health."
"Thank you my lord. Should he not survive, I would become Head of House Frey and Lord of the Crossing. I know crossing the Green Fork is of the utmost importance to you, which is why I am here, to discuss potential terms before I am too grieved to do so. For your army to pass and the Twins' strength to be yours, I would require a lot less from you than my father demanded."
Robb looked at Jon, who must have had the same thought as he did about kinslaying, for his brother had a queasy look upon his face. Jon was never good at hiding what he was thinking. With every word that left Ser Stevron's lips, he became more sure the man was, or would be, involved in whatever death befell his father. Robb did his best to keep himself from showing how sick this entire thing made him and looked Ser Stevron in the eye.
"And what would your demands be, Ser Stevron?" Robb asked. "Should you become the Lord of the Crossing, that is."
"When your father has lived as long as mine, and has sired as many sons as mine, you hear a lot of whispers about you, from those who covet what is rightfully yours. I worry that when my father passes, some of my brothers and nephews will attempt to make a play for his seat and I can not fully trust all of the guards in my house, for I know some of them are more loyal to my kin than me. You will bring your northmen into the castle, and when it is announced to the household that my father has passed, you will seize the kin I will instruct you to, as well as any guards who dare oppose my rule.
"On top of that, you will give my loyal kin places of honor within your army, and you will encourage betrothals between those you command and my kin."
Robb nodded his head at the terms, which were definitely a lot less than what the man's father had been asking. "Your seized kin, what would you do with them?"
"I will send them to the Night's Watch."
That answer was likely given to appeal to the lords of the North, who held the Night's Watch in higher esteem than the other kingdoms. The Watch could use every man they could get, and Jon had promised Lord Commander Mormont that they would do all they could to provide those men. Robb had already gotten almost fifty men to take the black, and this would be another dozen or two more. It would also help that the men would be of noble birth, which meant not only were they already taught to fight, they could also read, write, and do sums.
Robb much preferred Ser Stevron's offer than his lord father's; it was true that he was asking a lot less of not only Robb but of his bannerman as well. Yet even then, there was still that uneasy feeling of accepting the help of a kinslayer.
"You have given me much to think about Ser Stevron. If you would please allow me some time to convene with my bannerman."
Ser Stevron stood. "Of course, Lord Robb. I will be with my men until you have reached your decision."
Ser Stevron left, escorted out of the tent by the guard who let him in. Robb and Jon shared a look before Jon leaned forward.
"Do you think Lord Frey is actually sick?" Jon asked, his voice almost a whisper. "Maybe his health relies on what we -"
"It's best not to think about it," Robb said. "If we don't know for a fact what Ser Stevron did or will do, we won't sully our honor by working with him."
Jon didn't look like he believed that. Robb wasn't sure he did either. Could they claim ignorance in defense of their honor when it came to working with a kinslayer? Robb had no choice but to hope so.
"We need to gather the lords."
It was ten minutes later that the majority of the noblemen were back in the command tent, after having left it only a short time ago. They were all surprised that they had been called back so soon, and every one of their faces showed their curiosity as to why.
"We have news from the Twins. Lord Frey has taken ill and there is," Robb paused, trying to find the right words, "concerns he might not live to see the morrow."
"About bloody time the gods took that man," the Greatjon muttered in his deep growl.
"Maybe that means I'll stop getting betrothal proposals for my daughters," Maege Mormont said.
"His heir, Ser Stevron, has approached us with his own offer to cross the Twins. The first is we must provide the men he needs to seize his less savory kin who might try to take advantage of the situation. They will all be sent to the Wall to join the Night's Watch. The second is that we give his remaining kin positions of honor within our army. The third is that I encourage betrothals between houses loyal to me and his kin."
"Just like his fucking father," Robin Flint said. "Trying to marry his family into every family in the bloody realm."
Robb thought it more likely that the man just wanted to clear out as many of his kin as possible from the Twins, which was also one of the reasons he wanted many of them to march with Robb's army. There had to be over a hundred Freys in the place. He wondered what would happen to the wives and children of those who would be sent to the Wall. He imagined the boys would probably be sent to be septons or maesters, while the girls would be septas or silent sisters. Who knew about the wives. He shook the thoughts from his mind.
"None of my children are marrying a fucking Frey," Greatjon said.
"I have seen his granddaughters and nieces," Uncle Brynden said, trying to be positive. "There are many who are unwed. Some are rather comely, I believe one is called Fair Walda to distinguish her from her less than pretty kin of the same name. She looked to be about Lord Robb's age, if maybe a year or two older."
"Her name could be Greatest Tits In Westeros Walda, and I still wouldn't subject my sons to her," Greatjon said, crossing his arms across his chest. His two sons snorted in amusement.
"Still," Robb said, raising his voice to quiet his unruly lords, "this is a much better offer than what Walder Frey was offering. Ser Wendel?"
"Yes, my lord?" Ser Wendel said, his chins wobbling as he straightened up in his chair. As one of the many second sons in this meeting, Ser Wendel hadn't expected to talk or be addressed.
"I would like you to stay at the Twins." He could see Ser Wendel's face drop. "I have two reasons for asking so. The first is that you will direct Lord Karstark and his men through the Twins and to our forces at Riverrun when he leaves the Neck. The second is that you are unwed and promised to marry in exchange for lordship of White Tower. To show Ser Stevron I intend to keep my word about encouraging betrothals with his kin, I would like you to see if any of the Frey women appeal to you."
Even with his reasoning Ser Wendel did not look enthused. He was a knight, and as a knight he wanted to test himself in battle, not sit at a castle leagues away from the rest of the army.
"Of course," Ser Wendel said, bowing his head.
"Thank you, ser. Jon, can you tell Ser Stevron we accept his terms?"
Jon stood and bowed before leaving the tent.
"Lord Umber, you and your sons," here Robb glanced at Smalljon and Hoarfrost, "will gather and lead the men who will go into the Twins and seize the kin Ser Stevron instructs us to. Two hundred men, well armed and armored, should be enough to outnumber even Lord Frey's brood. Expect to be led into the Twins before breaking your fast. The rest of you, get the men ready to ride shortly after they've eaten. I don't expect to be here much longer and I want to set a fast pace for Riverrun."
Robb bowed his head and said a silent prayer to the Old Gods, begging their forgiveness at the kind of person he was working with to save his mother's family, to punish those who acted against his kin, and to rescue his father from the little shit that was Joffrey Baratheon, or Joffrey Lannister or Joffrey Waters, whatever his fucking name was.
A/N: The conversation between Stevron Frey and Robb is the first thing I ever wrote for this story. It was an idea I had that I needed to write down and is partially what inspired me to write this fic. I've been sitting on it for a year.
For those wondering the numbers, Robb has ~21,600 men from the North. He commands ~3,600 cavalry, Roose Bolton commands ~15,00 men (14,400 infantry and 600 cavalry), and Rickard Karstark commands ~3000 men (2550 infantry and 450 cavalry) who are near Moat Cailin.
The Lannisters have ~31,950 men. Jaime controls ~13,000 men (10,200 infantry and 2800 cavalry) at Riverrun and Tywin controls ~17,900 men (11,450 infantry and 6,450 cavalry) at Darry. Both the Mountain and Amory Lorch have ~475 cavalry in the heart of the Riverlands. Lannister losses against the Riverlands so far are about 3,150. Riverland losses are over three times that.