A/N: What up invaders! Matthewstaffordlionsfan17 here! Sorry for the late update, and between writers block and trying to find out chronological events in ACOK, synching dates, and trying to find out how to best insert Stafford into the cannon, I had a tough time writing the chapter. Now since my chapter timeline is shot out the window, I'll try making it up to you guys this week with an update to the side projects. This chapter was written in Robb's POV and can be treated like it is a recap episode. Robb and his advisors meet, and I literally threw in several of his commanders including Ser Robin and Lord Karstark, just to make it more interesting and not to overuse Edmure and the other common River Lords still in the Riverrun. This blurb will be short and I will respond to reviews next chapter, as this is already quite the short chapter. Thank you for your continued support, and the next POV will be Stafford's POV.
(PS. For those of you to expecting Stafford to lose a battle like his father did in the Rebellion, that will be coming soon.)
Enjoy!
Robb
The war in the Riverlands had gone much better than expected. Robb, after having received word of news of their status of battles against the Lannisters, reviewed the war table with his advisors. He knew he had to keep watch over the war effort, and he knew he was almost honorbound to be present at every tactical meetings. These were the things that needed to be done every time he fought a battle, and he had never been bested in a battle, yet. Accompanied with his wolf, he listened intently to what his advisors had to say. They were in the midst of discussing the recent events in the campaign, which Robb eagerly awaited to hear about.
"It has been two weeks since, Tywin Lannister faced the Baratheon host near Harrenhal. Tywin Lannister is held in Harrenhal, but seems to be in a most interesting position," his uncle, Edmure stated. Robb had heard of the battle, the former prince of House Baratheon of King's Landing had clashed swords with his grandfather near Harrenhal. Lord Tywin wished to test the mettle of the host commanded by Lord Stafford and his uncle Lord Renly, and they answered by taking the field in a decisive fashion. It was said that the arrows, and even pikes could not deter the Baratheon cavalry during that day. Although they had the larger host, Robb was impressed that the Baratheons could best a veteran tactician such as Tywin Lannister. Of course, he and his host had done the same when he defeated them to lift the siege of Riverrun during Whispering Wood and the Camps.
"How so?" Robb asked wondering what his uncle had meant. His uncle smiled and moved the stag, which symbolized Stafford and Renly's host towards Harrenhal.
"If Stafford and Renly were aggressive, they could besiege Harrenhal. They would have respectable odds against the host, and of course an advantage in morale,"
"Then why does the boy not besiege the old Lion? Would save us the trouble of having to worry about his host if we were to assault the west," Ser Robin Ryger stated. That was indeed a valid point, why would they the opportunity to take Harrenhal from Lord Tywin. It would not only erase any significant presence threatening the Riverlands, but it would leave the Westerlands wide open for attack. While the Westerlands were perfectly capable of raising a host to counter this, Stafford had the numbers and the bravery to face whatever assembled themselves in the Westerlands in open combat. That is if he destroys Lord Tywin's host.
"It is true that they could besiege Harrenhal, but given Lord Renly's temperament in troop movements, he would not take the risk," his uncle replied.
"Why ever not? Would they not gain a significant advantage if they do take Harrenhal,"
"You see, a prolonged siege against Harrenhal would be taxing on the host. From what we could tell from reports, the host is equipped for open field engagements, as well as mobility. They lack siege equipment, and engineers to build their machines," His uncle explained, "Also if they lose, they basically lose most of their control of the area, not to mention this Baratheon host is the largest they have, and although I believe Stafford to be as reckless as any young commander, he listens to his uncles on almost all his tactical moves.
"The young boy is also undefeated in the field. To his men, this is for morale, as they have never tasted defeat. Granted while they haven't exactly rolled through everyone and have taken casualties, the confidence of the men needs to be preserved. Sieges can prove to be demoralizing and I doubt the Baratheons would take that course of action," Rickard Karstark stated. He had walked out of the court session in which he talked of peace with the Lannisters.
"So what could we possibly anticipate this host to do?" Robb asked. He was genuinely curious about the potential this Baratheon host have definitely changed since Stafford and his uncles entered the war. If they could ally with the fledgling House Baratheon of Storm's End, that would be significant help. It will all depend on whether his mother returns with news from the Baratheon host. Robb still had slight faith that Prince...no not prince...Lord Stafford Baratheon was fighting for the right reasons, and not only seizing the throne, but granting justice for his father as well as Robb's. Robb had remembered Stafford from Winterfell. He seemed like a honest, honorable young man, and it he was the only boy that even his sister, Arya seemed to get along with. Granted she trusted him, and she probably ended up regretting that decision, but if he talked to him he might at least understand his reasons for it. Not like he had any choice, but to listen to him, especially if he managed to convince his mother that he could at least be trusted to parley. He also had quadruple the amount of men he had, which inclined him to be wary. Who's to stop him from just marching in, and start terrorizing the Riverlands himself? Robb trusted all the Baratheon's equally, but that didn't mean much. He trusted them more than the Lannisters, but not as much as his family or any of his allies in the North. That might change. However, Robb always thought trust needed to be earned, and thus far, given the actions Stafford has taken, including kidnapping his own sister from King's Landing, Robb felt he wasn't doing the best job in earning his trust.
"If you are worried that the young Lord will march against your force, don't be. Stafford has no indication of turning his armies around and assaulting our forces. Although, Stafford has the manpower to face both of our armies in open combat. Not only do they have the numbers, but the men rallied from the Stormlands have a reputation of excelling in battling in our conditions," His uncle stated, "From what we could tell he, like his father, is able to command his host rather well in an open plain, wetland, or anything flat using shock tactics. His infantry is particularly devastating if they mount a defensive position against any of our host. Most of his infantry are experienced in fighting in most terrain given mixed terrain and harshness of the small Stormlands."
"Infantry is not the only threat that host can give. Their cavalry is also quite potent when they need to go on the offensive. What the infantry lack in offensive capability, the cavalry makes up for. Particularly a particular group in their cavalry, they have no official name, but most Lord Renly has apparently dubbed them Storm Cavaliers,"
"What an odd name, why did he call them that?" Robb asked perplexed. Renly Baratheon seemed to have the same exact obsession with weather, Stafford seemed to have. Stafford called his axe Storm's Edge from what he remembered in Winterfell, and from some reports he even called his army quite simply the Storm. The two seemed to be fond of naming things after weather, particularly Storms. The two seemed to be fond of naming things in general.
"Reports say that no one has ever not even pikes or long spearman regiments have been able to halt the advance of the six hundred men in the regiment. The six hundred cavalry consist the best knights, landed and hedge knights, and even some tribal horsemen, who Stannis Baratheon most likely hired from the Stormlands and his lands in the narrow sea, A few well known noble Lords from the Stormlands, Stafford's small kingsguard, and of course the young stag himself," Greatjon Umber stated loud as ever, "However, they've been fighting summer warriors, soft and easily routed. If they ever charged into any of the men from the North, they'll be repulsed by warriors hardened by snows of the North." Robb felt as if he as confident as ever. While Stafford had mainly fought with troops from the Westerlands, they were still hardened men that he defeated. Robb wasn't very confident in his odds of victory against the remainder of the Baratheon host after their first major battle at Harrenhal. They were still quite large, and even if they combined with the Tully forces in the Riverlands, Stafford's host would still be considerably larger than his host. And in every battle that Stafford has fought, especially the ones where he had the advantage in numbers, he had won.
"Still even if we were to defeat the 'invincible' cavalry, we would have to worry about the infantry, and Tywin Lannister learned the hard way when he sent full cavalry raiding parties against portions of Stafford's infantry. They tear apart everything that charges at them. Especially their pikes and spears, they have some Dornishman leading a group of irregulars. Given the relations Dorne and the Stormlands have had in the past, having him in their army can give you an idea of the success they are having currently," Ser Edmure stated, "It isn't exactly a secret that this host, is a threat to any, who oppose them."
"What are weaknesses? No matter what every host has something that can compromise its success. No army is undefeatable, even Stafford's father King Robert lost to the Tyrells at Ashford when he ran into Randyll Tarly's van," Robb stated.
"Hah! It seems my nephew at least has an idea of how someone wages war. Yes, this Baratheon host seems to have multiple weaknesses. From reports it seems their commanders are rather inexperienced in actual warfare," His uncle started, "Stafford Baratheon is not a tactician, just like his father, the only thing tactical they can do is to yell out orders from horseback, or on foot. Someone would have to tell Stafford, which orders to issue, because if it were up to him, he'd probably get most of them under command killed. Renly Baratheon isn't much better, but he at least has the common sense that Stafford seems to lack."
"I thought Lord Stannis Baratheon was an expert tactician, would he not be a capable commander?" Robb asked.
"Lord Stannis is occupied with Stafford's ship. The Baratheon navy is just as dangerous as his army. While not as strong as say, the Iron Fleet, who would pulverize the navy, but Lord Stannis has made them a threat to Lannister ships trying to get supplies to King's Landing. He is keeping our dear King Joffrey occupied by lurking in Dragonstone. This way if he tries something, like send a signficant host of troops to besiege Storm's End, he could pounce and take King's Landing without much of a fight," Ser Robin stated pointing at Dragonstone on the map.
"This however, makes it so that Stannis is effectively cut off from sending tactics and advice to the host in the Riverlands. The only other competent commanders we can think of are either part of Stafford's Kingsguard, like Ser Cortnay Penrose, or are quite old. Rumor has it, Lord Eldon Estermont has been commanding their rear," One of the riverlords still in Riverrun stated.
"The boy also knows nothing of defeat. This makes him slightly overconfident and prone to making hasty decisions, because even though he has followed his uncle, who is a very cautious man, it is not guaranteed whether it will stay that way forever. And once his host tastes defeat for the first time, that is when we'll know how dangerous this army could get," Lord Rickard added.
"How would defeat measure how dangerous his army could get?" Robb asked.
"What Lord Rickard is trying to say is that once Lord Stafford tastes defeat, and loses a battle, the true might of his armies will be revealed. If he responds like his father did after his defeat his defeat in Ashford by answering with a victory in Stony Sept, then we know Stafford's army can handle defeat. That is how we can gauge his power from that," His uncle Edmure stated.
"That is if he loses. If the gods are on his side, and he never loses a battle, he might be the biggest threat to Joffrey's rule and maybe even your rule as king," Lord Rickard grumbled. There was one thing that stood out in the words that Lord Rickard spoke. Stafford was a threat to anyone, who opposed him. No matter how young he was, no matter how inexperienced he was, and no matter how powerful the host that opposed them. Stafford was going to make life miserable for anyone, who went against him. Much like a storm, he and his allies would batter down opponents until they were destroyed, forced to yield, or simply flee in its wake. But with every storm comes people, who weather it. Only time will tell when the strength of Stafford's host will begin to fade.
Before the tactical meeting could continue, they were interrupted by someone entering the door. It was one of the guards at the front gates. Robb wondered what was so important that he had to wander so far from his post. It must have been something of note given how important that post was for the defense of the castle.
"Sire, your mother has returned," the messenger declared. Robb's eyes widened, he wasn't expecting her to return this day, "my lady told me to send for you immediately." Either the negotiations went so well that she returned earlier, or Stafford and Renly left her no choice, but to leave them to whatever they were planning. Robb hoped that it was the former, he did not want to clash blades with the Young Stag any time soon. He was still confident in his men, but that would be heavily taxing on not only his host, but the Baratheon host as well.
"Let's finish the rest of this meeting some other time, my good lords," Robb stated. The rest in attendance simply either acknowledged him or nodded in reply. Robb left the meeting room wondering what had happened during his mother's diplomatic mission in the Riverlands, and more importantly how will impact their war effort.
Robb after meeting his mother in the courtyard, escorted her to the keep. She told him she was tired from the journey, and wished to discuss what happened in the Baratheon camp with him in the solar. Robb could not read his mother's emotions. It was ironic that she could tell what he was feeling, but he himself could not. Everyone knew his mother was already well versed in court, and she had to know how to conceal her emotions, or she would not be as proficient as she was in that regard. They sat across from each other in the solar, with the afternoon sun shining through the small window.
"How did it go?" Robb asked with curiosity. His mother smiled at him from across the table.
"Well enough, I suppose. From what I could see first hand, the host is as massive as the reports given by Edmure," she stated, "I finally got to speak to the bo...young Lord." Robb knew she still thought of Stafford as a child. In truth, she thought he was still her child. Still practicing with swords in the courtyard in Winterfell, and getting into petty fights with brats like Joffrey. Now the feast in Winterfell seemed like a thousand years into the past. Stafford was still the young prince that felled his own brother during a feast, Joffrey was still just a little...well everyone knew what Joffrey was, Sansa, Jon, and Arya were still in Winterfell. And his father was still alive. How times have changed. Now, Stafford was leading a host of armed men in a rebellion reminiscent of his own father's rebellion, Joffrey was a posing as a king, Arya was missing and he didn't know when he'll ever see her again, Sansa may have inadvertently gotten father killed, and not only that let herself get kidnapped by Stafford of all people. Everything moved so fast, and Robb would be lying if he didn't say he wanted everything to return to the way things were.
"So, what was he like?"
"I'm still uncertain on my feelings toward him. He just...reminds me too much of Robert, the one before the rebellion, not the one that died recently," His mother began, "The boy isn't the smartest, like his father, but I could see the same fire in his eyes. The same one I saw in Robert's eyes when he was trying to get Lyanna back in the Rebellion." Robb couldn't see much of a problem in that. At least he wasn't as treacherous as his half brother Joffrey.
"That doesn't seem to be problem. It means he's quite focused on whatever his goal is," Robb concluded.
"That is the problem. What happened to the realm when Robert didn't get his way? Stafford has an army that can crush any force given enough time and given an open battle. But what we need in the realms, are kings, who are leaders not warriors. Robert proved that in his reign, and Stafford is acting like, and making the same mistakes his father did," Well at least we know Stafford isn't just some figurehead Stannis and Renly are using to try to find a way to control the iron throne.
"Well isn't that why I'm becoming king in the first place? We cement an alliance and get Stafford, Renly and Stannis to agree that we are our own independent kingdom," Robb suggested.
"It isn't the simple, Robb. From what I got from Stafford and Renly, the two want to unite the kingdom. They won't allow for that," His mother responded calmly. Robb put an elbow on the table.
"So, is there no way to agree to an alliance? Are we to face both the Lannisters and the Baratheons?"
"I did not say there was no way for an alliance. In fact it's quite the opposite," she stated, "From what I have seen, I have requested Stafford, Renly and his six hundred cavalry honor guard to come to Riverrun." Now that was news. After all that happened he might finally meet, Stafford again. He wanted answers from him. Why did he take Sansa from King's Landing? Where was his original betrothed, who happened to be his other sister? Why should I trust him? These were all questions that entered Robb's mind. However, it felt dangerous just inviting in Stafford and his famous cavalry regiment into Riverrun.
"Are you sure they can be trusted?" Robb asked his mother.
"They are trustworthy enough not to try anything under the guise of parley. And it may be the only way for us to see, Sansa,"
"Why doesn't he just return her to us?" Robb asked her.
"Because I don't think either of them would allow it. They seem pretty smitten with one another, that even a letter from your sister was able to convince me to at least give the boy a chance. Now we can discuss this further later. Lord Stafford and his honor guard are expected to arrive after a week, so I must rest in order to begin preparations on the morrow." One more week. One things for certain, Robb would get his answers once he arrives whether, Stafford liked it or not.