A/N: Hello everyone. Welcome back to my stories. I know it's been a while, but rest assured I am back. If I haven't read the notice that was up before this chapter, a lot of things made me unable to update the fanfiction for half a year. However, I believe I can back into the groove and finish this story and hopefully write others. It is currently 2:30 in the morning right now, so here is your fanfic! We will finally continue the story with another Robb chapter. In this chapter, we will get to see the first moves the Baratheon-Stark alliance makes, and how it changes the war. This is when the story begins to divulge massively from cannon, as Stafford's forty-five thousand man host did not exist in cannon. However, Oxcross will most likely still happen as it did in the books. However, there will be another major battle that Stafford will be involved in that does not actually happen in the books. This is because Stafford doesn't exist in the books, and only exists in writing here. He also exists on my computer, with the magic of photoshop and King Edward IV Max Irons. Anyway, without further interruption, let's begin and continue the fanfic.
Enjoy!
Robb
The negotiations had gone better than Robb had imagined. Seeing the prince after such a long time, he didn't exactly know what could have happened. Robb had mixed feelings about him during all of it. He made this clear to his subjects, especially during the deliberations. Robb wanted a strong ally like Prince Stafford. He had a force of forty-five thousand men, a sufficient naval presence, and guaranteed the safety of his sister. The Lannisters would certainly be sweating over this development. The North, the Stormlands, and even the narrow sea had combined their strength against them. While Dorne, the Reach, and even the Vale have kept largely out of the conflict, Robb definitely thought the alliance changed everything.
Robb pondered all of what happened in his solar. The terms of the alliance had been read out and agreed upon just five days earlier. Yet, they remained fresh in his mind. Some did not like the prospect of having Southerners become their overlords. They saw his promise of fealty to the young Lord as showing weakness. These lords, mostly from the North, would rather fight the stormlords rather than submit to their authority. However, Robb convinced himself he made the right choice. It guaranteed the safety of his family. Most of all, he didn't have to fight against the powerful force Prin-Lord Stafford and his uncle Lord Renly assembled not too far from Riverrun. Robb had every intention to keep all of the agreements, provided Stafford is able to defeat the Lannisters and assume the throne. Besides, his fight wasn't with the Baratheons, it was against those who wrongfully killed his father. While he had the inclination to make the North its own independent kingdom, he wouldn't argue to bend the knee if it were for the greater good of the realm. It is the honorable thing to do. He would not pursue a crown just for its prestige while his people suffered. Rest assured, if his ally failed in his ambitions, he might not be so inclined to give up his crown so willingly.
"Your advisors require your presence, my son" He heard someone say. He turned from his seat. The voice belonged to his mother. She had also been present when the terms for the alliance had been read out.
"It's a war council, yes? Tell them I will arrive as soon as I can," Robb stated. His mother had a slight look of concern.
"Are you alright, Robb? You seemed lost in thought," She asked him. It seems that mothers really were able to sense how their children were. She knew him more than he knew himself.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking about everything that has happened. The war, the business with Stafford, all of it," Robb replied. His mother gave him a reassuring smile. The same smile she gave him when he was a child in Winterfell when he had just lost a toy.
"I know the past few months have been hard. You've been forced to act in a manner not expected of someone so young," she stated, "But you must stay strong. Believe it or not, the people look to you for leadership." She was right. They did. They believed in him enough to crown him king.
"Thank you for your concern mother, but I better be off lest my advisors complain about missing my presence," he stated. She nodded and with that he made his way to the latest war council leaving all of his previous thoughts behind in the solar. And of course his trusted companion Grey Wind followed him to the war council. We must beat the Lannisters before all this talk about Kings and realms were to even be considered.
His most trusted advisors attended the war council, as per usual. However during this council their new allies were present. As soon as Robb entered the chambers of the war council, he could feel the tension between those present. Greatjon Umber and Lord Rickard were not so particularly fond of the Stormlords in attendance. When Robb looked at Stafford, he noticed he had his usual advisors around him. His uncle, Renly, in his green plate armor, his granduncle, Lord Eldon, and a few other Storm Lords whose names Robb couldn't remember. Sometimes Robb still had trouble looking the former prince in the eyes. He had so much wrong in his eyes. He still wondered whether he could forgive him for all of his actions. The chambers were simple. The only notable things in the room was a table in with a map of Westeros. There weren't any seats, as they would take too much space in the room.
"It appears the young wolf finally reveals himself to us. Perhaps you could arrive in a more timely manner in the future?" Stafford's uncle Renly declared from the end of the table.
"How dare you address our king in such an unfitting manner!" Greatjon Umber barked looking none to pleased at Lord Renly.
"And here I thought we were getting along so well," Lord Renly retaliated in a mocking tone, "Surely not all Northerners act in the same unruly fashion." From the look in his eye, he could see that the Greatjon looked ready to pounce on Lord Renly.
"Enough, Lord Renly, Lord Umber please refrain from being at each other's throats during the war council," His uncle, Edmure declared diffusing the situation. The large man held himself back, while Lord Renly looked pleased with himself. Having such a diverse group made petty conflicts like these common, "Since everyone is now present, we can now begin."
Robb had been part of many war councils in the fight against the Lannisters. However, he had been surprised at the high tensions between the newly allied factions. He had not expected the Northern Lords to trust their new allies, however Robb didn't know it would be this bad. Since his great Northern host had not been beaten in battle, it probably fed into their belief that they could easily overwhelm the southerners. This was sentiment the Riverlords luckily did not share. They tolerated the Stormlords, because the Riverlords knew they were necessary to ensure victory. He couldn't fathom a more dysfunctional alliance if all of the factions involved were at each other's throats.
"Preparations on our end are going as planned. We have assembled a decent amount of men here. They will be ready to march in at most a week," His uncle stated. The others involved in the discussion began to move closer to the war table. On the table was a map of Westeros, with tokens indicating the armies of the major factions involved in the war. There was a token of a wolf and fish next to Riverrun. Not too far from Harrenhal was a token of a black stag upon yellow, "From my estimation, our host in Riverrun will only be about fifteen thousand. If all our men were combined with the men from the North, the host would be around thirty-five thousand,"
"Perhaps if you had not sent levies and lords back to their castles, you would have more men on hand?" Lord Renly chimed in. He quickly brought the commanders attention to the Baratheon host's position near Harrenhal. On top of the illustration of the half ruined castle was a Lion token, symbolizing the force Stafford's grandfather Tywin held in Riverrun, "Currently our forces have their hands full pressuring the old lion in Harrenhal. They still have a significant force after our battle with them, and our armies lack siege equipment to efficiently besiege the massive castle."
"And your the strength?" Robb's uncle asked still focused on the map.
"Forty-five thousand. Three fourths levy infantry, and the rest of them cavalry. We have no siege engines, but plenty of battering rams and siege ladders," Lord Renly stated with confidence. The reports they had on his force were right on target. The force, while a sizable one, did not have the equipment necessary to complete a large scale siege of Harrenhal. The host, more built for open combat rather than a prolonged siege, could only harass Lord Tywin. Siege would not ideal for them. Even with his victory near Harrenhal, Stafford's host seemed to still be at a strategic disadvantage despite his advantage in numbers and morale.
"You outnumber them near two to one, stormlord! And the castle itself is in a state of decay. If you and your men quit being craven and took Harrenhal, it might help us all," Greatjon Umber boomed as he banged his fist on the table causing some of the tokens to bounce.
"And risk us losing men and manpower on a pointless siege that may or may not give us a better strategic position? It's not being craven, it's being smart, clearly is a foreign to men such as yourself,"
"Enough!" Ser Edmure declared before Greatjon Umber even had the chance to get his hands on the Baratheon. Lord Rickard, held him back, and whispered something to calm him down. The council quickly got back to the task at hand.
"I would like to say something," Robb stated. His uncle nodded, making way for him at the table, "It seems that if we stay put in our current positions, we would be giving up our the advantages we gained in winning our respective battles. However, there is one action I could think of that would prevent this." Robb moved the wolf and fish tokens towards the Westerlands.
"Attack the Westerlands? A bold move if I don't say so myself," Stafford added, breaking his long silence. Stafford had been especially quiet during the war council. For the most part he let his uncle do most of the talking. He just stood there looking like he wanted to be somewhere else.
"Very bold, indeed. Considering we have a decent foothold over the region now, it isn't such a bad idea. Thirty five thousand can wreak havoc in the Westerlands. But there's also a problem with the Tooth. What do you propose to solve such a problem?" His uncle asked him. The Golden Tooth was the gateway to the Westerlands from the Riverlands. The castle is one of the main reason why Lord Tywin felt his lands were secure. However, Robb had something up his sleeve to deal with the problem.
"I know a way, where we can bypass all the trouble with Golden tooth. There's a secret passage that I discovered with some help. I can get our armies through it without any problem," He said immediately looking towards his direwolf.
"I trust we march through this passage?" Uncle Edmure asked, to which Robb responded with a nod.
"And what do we do, sit near Harrenhal and distract my dear grandfather?" Stafford suggested. While he surely meant it as a jest, Stafford's second idea was actually a brilliant idea.
"Yes and no. When we march through the Westerlands, you will also march from near Harrenhal, to Riverrun. From there you will move your troops on the Road towards the Golden Tooth," Robb explained. There was a look of confusion in the faces of the Stormlords. They must have thought it was madness to retreat from that position, while in reality it might be the only way to get Tywin Lannister out of Harrenhal.
"Why would we pull out of Harrenhal. Not only will that ease the pressure being put on Tywin Lannister, but the raids on the area will allow him to stay in Harrenhal longer if he wishes," Lord Renly countered. Robb however knew of this concern, which is why he had thought of the plan.
"Precisely, Lord Tywin will no longer be trapped in Harrenhal. But that is exactly what we want. When he sees that we are targeting the Westerlands, what will he think the true intentions of the force that had been pinning him down are?" Robb stated. The eldest of the Stormlords seemed to have gotten Robb's reasoning behind his plan. Robb moved the Stag token towards somewhere west of Riverrun, and it was quickly followed by the
"So you aim to lure him out of Harrenhal by making him think our forces are destined to join yours in the Westerlands? You aim to make him think we are attacking with you and leaving Riverrun potentially unguarded?" the old stormlord, Lord Eldon stated.
"Precisely. Stafford, you will move your force towards the Golden Tooth in a feint march. We make him think that you will besiege it to get to the Westerlands. Then when Lord Tywin attacks Riverrun or tries to defend his lands against our forces, you will pounce on him with your forces."
"If it works, it would be a tremendous tactical victory for our forces. But how can we be so sure Lord Tywin will take the bait?" Lord Renly suddenly chimed in, "He is a brilliant strategist. Would he really risk his men, when they are so clearly outnumbered by our forces?" Lord Tywin wasn't a reckless commander, and there was a chance he would go on a literal suicide mission to try to meet the almost seventy thousand troops from both hosts. However, there was a chance that pride would get the best of him. Once news reached him that his precious lands were being raided, his precious seat of Casterly Rock at risk, he would try his hardest to try to put a stop to that. Either a dummy siege of Riverrun, or attacks on other parts of the Riverlands. Anything to get him out of Harrenhal, and into deadly open combat with Stafford's superior host.
"The Lannister's are very proud. Once we strike in the Westerlands after bypassing the Tooth, Lord Tywin will not sit idle at Harrenhal while his holdings are being burned down. And while it is unlikely he will try to pursue our host raiding the Westerlands, he will try his best to harass the Riverlands in the same fashion. An eye for an eye if you will," Robb began to say, "The way this plan works to perfection is if we make him think your host is also destined for the Westerlands. This way Lord Tywin feels safe in basically scouring the Riverlands while we do the same to his lands."
"We also believe from some scouts that the Lannisters have assembled a host under Stafford Lannister near Lannisport. If this is to be believed, would could stop that from happening by taking this initiative," Ser Edmure explained.
Robb adjusted the tokens, moving the lion token out of Harrenhal towards several castles near Riverrun. He didn't need Lord Tywin to be bold and attack Riverrun, he just needed him to feel comfortable out in the open, with no one able to attack him. He then moved the stag token and moved it toward the Lion token, "Quite the intriguing gambit. If this trick works, Lord Tywin will believe he will have free reign to scour the Riverlands. However, if all goes well, he will literally run right into you."
"I expected no less from my liege. We'll beat those lions at their own game!" Greatjon Umber proclaimed
"Sounds good to me," Stafford stated, still looking down at the map, "But if it fails and my grandfather doesn't budge from Harrenhal?"
"What does happen if he doesn't budge from Harrenhal?" His uncle added. Robb paused for a second. He thought a little bit before he spoke, however he was entirely convinced it was the best course of action.
"He won't. I just know it," Robb said. Stafford and the rest of the Stormlords nodded, However, they did not seem entirely convinced the plan was the best one for them. The meeting continued on once they had figured out those components of the plan. Ser Edmure suggested Robb march for his pass with his northern host, and half of the remnants of the forces in the Riverlands four days from now. Robb agreed, while the Stafford agreed he would send word to his host near Harrenhal to march to Riverrun as soon as they can. From there he would begin their false march towards the Golden Tooth.
Once all of the preparations were finished for the plan, his uncle Edmure suggested they finish this war council by discussing the some other factions not involved in the war. After discussions about each of the neutral houses, and regions of the seven kingdoms, Robb could paint a full picture of the war. The Vale remained surprisingly neutral despite his mother's letters to her sister trying to convince them to enter the war on his side. Support from the Vale would put major pressure from the crownlands, and almost ensure a chance to try to take King's Landing to try to bring an end to the war. Dorne remained neutral, which was expected. They had no love for both of the sides fighting in the war. Robb told the council about how he sent Theon to the Iron Islands for an alliance, which would supplement their efforts in the Westerlands. However, the Stormlords and some of the lords of the north simply laughed at the suggestion. Stafford's uncle Renly suggested help from the Reach, but his uncle Edmure said they were more likely to join the Lannisters as they simply had more to offer them. The Reach would certainly be a thorn at their side if they joined the Lannisters. They could raise a levy larger than Stafford's massive levy from the Stormlands. Everyone agreed if the Reach suddenly raised a levy, they should be cautious about its intentions. They had not raised a levy in support of any causes, which was odd. Robb knew they would make their presence felt in the war sooner rather than later. Whether it was in support of their cause or another.
The council continued for a little longer, although they had exhausted all that could be said and many of those in attendance seemed ready for it to end.
"I believe we have discussed everything that needs discussing," Lord Renly stated to the clear joy of his nephew. Everyone nodded, and knew each of them had a job to do to ensure the plans were a success. Soon enough each of the Lords began to shuffle out of the council chambers. Some like Stafford and Renly were one of the first one out of the chambers. For once Robb found himself among them.
After the council meetings, Robb found himself killing time sparring in the courtyard to kill time. Preparations for the march would probably begin in earnest in the morrow, once everyone had been informed of the plan. Robb knew he had to keep his skills on the battlefield sharp. He didn't want to be a hindrance to his men when it came time to do battle. His direwolf watched him patiently luckily not lunging at his sparring partners. The wolf was smart, more than a lot of people gave beasts credit for. He might have been smarter than Joffrey or even his half brother Stafford, now that Robb thought about it.
"Poor technique, Stark! It seems you've made little progress from since I last saw you fight in Winterfell," he heard someone say as he managed to disarm his sparring partner. Sure enough, it was the axe wielding Baratheon prince Stafford. On this rare occasion, he was alone. Usually he had his uncle or his ever present bodyguard Ser Barristan next to him. He had changed since he had last saw him in Winterfell. He had grown a little taller, and his body seemed much more built that it was. He looked a proper warrior now, much like what his father had told him Robert Baratheon had looked like during the rebellion.
"Fancy a match then Baratheon?" He stated. Stafford laughed and jumped over the low fence into the fighting pit. He already had what Robb hoped was a practice axe out for battle.
"Sure, why not?" the person, who had been fighting him exited the fighting pit. However, that didn't stop a small crowd of soldiers, guardsmen, and even some knights from gathering around them.
Much like their first match in Winterfell, they began to circle each other when the match began. Stafford's stance had changed a little bit from their first match, more conventional and refined. Stafford seemed to have no interest in pressing the initiative, so Robb began the match striking at him with swift cuts, lunges, and slashes from his sword. Stafford parried most of the blows using the long handle of his longaxe. Robb tried his hardest to hit Stafford from all sorts of different angles, but he couldn't open him up. However, he could tell Stafford seemed to be giving up ground as his flurry managed to make him take a few steps back. Robb remembered Stafford's game aimed to wear him out, but he had accounted for that by making not putting too much power onto his strikes with his sword. They were strong enough to make Stafford feel them when he blocked, but he didn't put too much underneath each swing so he wouldn't get worn out.
Just as Robb thought he could get an opening on Stafford by striking him to what looked like his unguarded side, Stafford surprised him by parrying his strike well away from his target. For some reason, the parry made his sword arm feel the fatigue off all of the carefully planned offensive strikes he had earlier. Stafford, now with enough space and time to execute a windup did so with his two handed longaxe. Robb could only raise his sword up to try to block it. He did, but at a cost. The impact of the axe strike caused Robb to stagger back, losing some his footing from the sheer power. For a boy of sixteen, Stafford's hits really had some power behind them. Relentless, Stafford continued to pressure Robb with clinical power strikes, which Robb could block because of how easy they were to read. However, even though he had the opportunity to block or even parry them, Robb would be the one staggered by the blows.
As time passed, Robb thought he could handle the power behind Stafford's strikes. He even had the time to hit him with his own attacks. Eventually he had snuck in a few stabs making him react to his strikes. They traded offense and defense. It truly seemed like they were not giving up any ground toward each other. He thought he had cornered Stafford when he had successfully evaded one of his blows using a sidestep. When he sprung up to counter, he felt the air leave his lungs. He did not see, Stafford had managed to sneak a strike his axe knob. Still to stunned and devoid of any breath, Robb could not react to a swift axe strike to his side. Any of the remaining air left him after that powerful strike. Robb wasn't about to give up though, and kept his grip on his sword. Stafford winded up a downwards executioner type strike, which Robb tried to meet with his sword. However, when Stafford's axe clashed with his sword, he could no longer keep his sword. The clang of the sword could have been heard throughout the known world. Robb defeated, held one of his arms out to concede the match. Robb was proud he didn't get knocked down like the last match they had in Winterfell.
"Well fought, Stark," Stafford declared adjusting something on his training plate.
"You got lucky on that round," Robb joked picking his sword back up, "I'll show you how it's done this time." Stafford prepared himself with a smile as the two clashed once more.
They spent quite some time in different bouts. Stafford won almost all of them, until in one of them Robb knocked the axe out of his hands with a brilliant parry. Robb gathered momentum from that and in the round after, he managed to disarm him again. In their final bout of the day, the two tired combatants slugged it out, until Stafford's sheer physicality won him the last bout. The two tired from all the exertion eventually took rest underneath the shade of a sycamore tree. Stafford sat underneath it leaning against the trunk, but Robb remained standing just allowing it to give him a little bit of shade. His direwolf Grey Wind was of course by his side. He had followed him after their small battle. The late afternoon sun still hung high in the sky.
"You actually managed to disarm me, Stark. I'm impressed not many people can accomplish that," Stafford admitted. The Baratheon had won a majority of their matches today, but Robb felt he fared well scoring those two victories against him. It wasn't like Winterfell where there was a very clear gap in their skill levels. Robb admitted Stafford was still a much better fighter than him, but he wasn't at all surprised when he scored his victories against him.
"I wasn't going to let you upstage me in front of all the crowd watching us," He smiled. Stafford seemed like a decent person, easy to get along with. He wondered why he of all people would do some of the things he admitted to. "Stafford, answer me honestly."
"What is it?" He asked with a look on his face.
"Why did you do it?"
"Why did I do what?" Stafford replied with a confused look on his face.
"You know what I mean," Robb pressed, as Stafford had finally gotten a clue of what he was asking, "What made you decide to...break the betrothals." Stafford was silent for a little bit. It was kind of scary seeing him like that. Usually he would be anything but silent from what Robb knew about him.
"You know, Robb there are a lot of reasons for why we do things. I just…" He paused for a second, "can't explain it coherently. I know my actions were rash and impulsive. It will truly seem that way. But the moment I realized my feelings for Sansa, I knew what I would do because of it would cause me to break my original promise."
"And what of my other sister? Was she merely nothing to you?" Robb responded rather venomously.
"Don't get me wrong, I cared for her. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her, but-" Robb cut him off.
"But you did anyway. Stafford, when she wrote letters back to Winterfell, and believe me she did, she mentioned you in all of them. You were the first person she ever wrote about like that. And how do you repay her?"
"Robb, I understand. Believe me, I do. I don't take promises nearly as lightly as I did when I hurt her," Stafford stated, "It'll take some time to regain your trust and your families trust. But if that's the price I have to pay to be worthy of becoming your friend again, to become a part of your family once Sansa and I marry. I will pay that price," Stafford seemed sincere. He leaned up against a tree, ever passionate with each word he spoke. Robb didn't agree with Stafford's actions, and he certainly had to speak with his other sister about it too. But Robb was willing to give him another chance. He wasn't about to give all the trust too him, and be the best of friends with the man though.
"We'll have to see, Baratheon. Hopefully, you prove yourself worthy of trust,"
Their conversation continued. Stafford even told him he had made preparations for Sansa to arrive in Riverrun as promised. While the two of them would probably be busy in campaign before they could see her again, Robb was glad he would honor his part of the agreement. Perhaps he could be trusted after all. Eh, we'll still have to see.
Any extra notes and reviews will go down here from now on. I admit this was a particularly hard and boring chapter to write. I just wanted to get back into the groove, and I promise things will be more exciting. Once the Ironborn invade, and the Reach enters the war (hint: these events will happen in the coming chapters), things will get more exciting. And for those wondering, Arya will also get a chapter in the coming updates, so I haven't forgotten about her. Those excited for the marriage between Stafford and Sansa will have to wait a little while, as battles must be fought before that. Please leave a review, and continue to support the story. I will be making edits to the earlier chapters starting even with the first one in some of the days I don't post a new chapter. Thank you all so much for reading and I will see you next week.