Robb Stark, The Twins
Gray and ugly, the twin towers of Haus Frey towered before them. They had been on the road for 2 weeks, they had left the Eng almost one ago. The harsh conditions of the Eng did not allow them to set up a larger camp, so they had only stopped for the night. But even when they reached the Riverlands, they did not dare to stop. According to the scouts, Lord Tywin was only a few days south and Walder Frey was still idle in his castle. True, the Freys had already hung up Lannisters' scouting parties, which led Robb to think that Lord Walder would join them with his four thousand men. His lords, as well as his mother, disagreed.
"Does he really want that?" she had answered him. When Robb then said that Lord Walder was an ally of her father, she only said, "Some men take their oath more seriously than others, and Walder Frey has always been closer to Casterly Rock than my father would have liked. One of his sons is married to Tywin Lannister's sister, which in itself doesn't mean much, that may well be. Lord Walder has fathered plenty of children over the years, and they want to be married. Nevertheless..." Robb was surprised by this news, he only knew the loyalty of the North and couldn't imagine that it wasn't always like this. He was aware of the many rebellions of the Boltons, but Lord Roose had answered his call without protest, and he also answered his father, Lord Eddard Stark before.
"Do you think he wants to betray us to the Lannisters, my lady?" asked Robbet Glauer, his companion today. Robb chose a different one of his lords every day to ride with him at the head. In this way, he got to know each of them better and was able to assess them. All except Lord Bolton. The man was a mystery to him, he was silent most of the time, and seemed to have neither emotions nor feelings, none except fear. Fear for his life. But he did not show this through panic, on the contrary, he faces every situation with a clear mind and a calm mind. He showed his fear by showing great caution, he did not like to risk. Exactly what Robb needed from his generals.
"If I am to tell the truth, I doubt that even Lord Frey himself does not know what Lord Frey is up to. He is cautious as an old man and ambitious as a young man, and he has never lacked cunning." The only good news was that Lord Tywin would not know anything about her plan. Ser Brynden was the captain of his scouts until they split the army, and he knew his trade. So their intentions were undiscovered for the time being. "Unless Lord Walder betrayed us." His mother objected sourly. "Theon, when you ride to my uncle, tell him to position his best archers around the twins day and night, with orders to shoot every raven that flies from the battlements. I don't want any bird to pass on news of my son's movements to Lord Tywin."
As it turned out, Ser Brynden was one step ahead of them and had already shot a dozen birds. Ser Brynden himself rode to them personally the next day, bringing the news that Edmure Tully had been defeated under the walls of Riverrun, and Ser Jamie was now besieging the fortress. Robb had then lost his temper, "I have to cross this damn river, otherwise I have no choice but to storm the walls." Robb cursed. His mother knew better, "Words are sometimes mightier than swords." She said before she rode away.
Since they couldn't find an alternative way to cross the river, some of his lords started to get impacient, and also suggested storming the castle, but when they saw the towers at noon on the last day of their march, it became clear to each of them that this plan would be pure suicide. The battlements were manned to the last meter with crossbowmen, four thousand men waited in the fortress, behind closed gates, behind murder holes, ramparts equipped with loopholes and scorpions on the battlements. His lords raged when they saw the fortress. "That can't be defeated, my lords." Lord Bolton announced. So they waited, set up camp and hoped to solve the matter with words.
Lord Tywin will tremble at what awaits him. A bunch of bored Norsemen who, hoping for someone to open the door for them, lie around lazily in the sun. Their luck seemed to have almost left them, when the drawbridge was lowered. The portcullis was raised and a dozen knights approached them, led by four of Lord Walder's sons. Lord Walder's heir Ser Stevron Frey, already over sixty and blessed with grandchildren, was at the head of the small troop. "My High Father has sent me to greet you and ask who may lead this mighty army."
"I do." Robb answered without hesitation, Grey Wind at his side, he drove his horse forward. Except for his helmet, he wore his full armor, made of gray steel, the Starks' direwolf was depicted on his breastplate. His Sallet was also plain except for the white feathers that adorned the back of his head. Togheter with his shield it waswas attached to the side of his horse. A large grey stallion, equipped with heavy barding. "It would be an honour for my High Father if you would eat and drink with him in the castle and explain the reason for your being here." No sooner had Ser Stevron said this than his lords began to shout down among themselves, "You mustn't do that, my lord." Galbart Glover begged him. "Lord Walder is not to be trusted." Even Lord Bolton agreed: "Go in alone, and you are in his hands." he said. "He can sell you to the Lannisters, throw you in the dungeon, or slit your throat as he pleases."
The thought of it made Robb more uncomfortable than he would have liked. I shouldn't have been so hasty, I have to be more patient if I want to lead. "If he wants to talk to us, let him open the gates, and we will all eat and drink with him," explained Ser Wendel Manderly. His brother, Wylis, went even further. "Or let him come out and entertain Robb here, where his men and ours can see what's happening." Robb wanted to say something, but his mother beat him to it. "I'm going to go." She said aloud, her iron determination could not be overheard. "You, my lady?" the greatjon frowned. "Mother, are you sure?" Robb knew she wasnt, she just did it so that he wouldn't have to leave. He was grateful to her for that, but after all he had heard about the Freys, he wasn't sure anymore if that was the wisest decision. But perhaps even the only one that prevents a bloodbath.
"Never more than now," she answered. "Lord Walder is my father's ally. I've known him since I was a little girl. He would never hurt me." She said, so convincingly that even Robb briefly thought she meant it. Ser Stevron then happily spoke up again, "I am sure my high father would be delighted to speak to Lady Catelyn, As proof of our honourable intentions, my brother Ser Perwyn will stay here until she is safely with you again." "It will be an honour for us to host him." Robb said as Ser Perwyn got off his horse, handed over the reins to his brother, and then joined their ranks. "My mother should be back by nightfall, Ser," Robb added. "I don't intend to stay here for long." "As you think, my lord." Ser Stevron said and said goodbye to her with a polite nod.
Robb waited until the portcullis had closed before he walked in the direction of the command tent with his lords. "Take care of our guest, make sure that he lacks nothing." He said to the guard standing in front of the tent before he entered it to step behind the table covered with a large map. Grey Wind sat down next to him as his lords entered one by one. When the last of them came through the entrance, he opened the meeting, it was time to tell his lords what he is going to do.
"If my High Mother manages to persuade Lord Walder to let us cross his bridge, the split will proceed as follows," he pointed to the map. "Since we have already met some scouts in the immediate vicinity, the Lannisters know that we have set up camp here at the twins. They will know that we are trying to negotiate with the Freys, so at daybreak, I will break camp with most of the men and move further south, forcing their remaining scouts to avoid us, blinding them. At the same time, it will appear that the negotiations have failed, and the surprise of our main attack will continue to be maintained." Robb made sure everyone understood, before continuing.
"In my army all foot soldiers, as well as half of the cavalry will march. We hid our true strenght in terms of Cavalry till now, and i plan to continue this. One part of the Cavalry will march in a small group of five hundred in the front row under the banner of the Manderlys, the rest in the last, so that it may appear that we are still complete but have only a few horses, this is nessecary for the battle against Lord Tywin. If Lady Catelyn convinces Walder Frey to support us with his troops as well, the Frey troops will also march in the rearguard, just before the Horses. The remaining troops will stay here with Ser Brynden and will not leave until noon, when my army is already further south. I want men and horses to be rested and well fed when they cross the Green Fork. Once on the other side, they need to get to Riverrun as quickly as possible, and on the way there the Lords Mallister may join them, but even then it will be a tough fight against the Kingslayer."
He looked at his great-uncle with a serious face. "Ser Jaimie is said to be a good commander, and the best fighter of the seven kingdoms, are you sure the plan will work?" The blackfish just smiled. "Maybe I should put my armor on for sure, but the Kingslayer is no problem. As long as he doesn't know we're coming." Robb smiled, the blackfish had already told of the Kingslayer's heated temper, which he thought he could use to his advantage. "Good," he said simply. "With me in the main army march Lords Umber, Bolton, Karstark and his sons, Hornwood and Cerwyn, as well as one of the Manderlys. The rest will go with the horsemen. The smaller houses will serve as Officers under those just mentioned, most of them with me."
The rest of the evening was all about supply routes and marches, with Lord Umber warning everyone that it was not a good idea to defy the young wolf as they call him now. Hopefully I won't stay young forever, but if the Freys deny us entry... As it turned out, he would soon be able to answer this question for himself, when a guard came to them in the tent and reported that the drawbridge had been lowered again.
The sun was already low when his mother rode back to the camp, rows of pikemen behind them. Robb mounted his horse and rode to meet her, Grey panting at his side. "It's done." She said when he arrived at her place. "Lord Walder lets you pass, And his fighters are yours too, minus the four hundred men with whom he wants to hold the twins. I propose you leave four hundred of your own people here, archers and swords mixed, he can..." he interrupted her, "I'm grateful of Lord Walder for the crossing and the extra swords, but we can use any of them when we go against the Lannisters... What is more important, what did he want in return?"
"I have agreed to take in two of his grandchildren as wards in Winterfell. They are little boys, eight and seven years old. As far as I know, they are both called Walder. Your brother Bran will certainly be happy to have boys his age, I think." Robb looked at her in surprise, he had expected more, "Is that all? Two wards? That's a small price to pay for..." "Lord Frey's son Olyvar will go with us," she continued. "He will serve as your personal squire. His father would like to see him knighted after a reasonable time." "A squire." Reassured, he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, that's good if he..." "Besides, if your sister Arya should return home to us safely, it is agreed that she will marry Lord Walder's youngest son, Elmar, as soon as they both come of age." This was more the kind of thing Robb had expected, but he was still slightly shocked. "Arya won't like that one bit." "And you will marry one of his daughters as soon as the slaughter is over," she finished. "His lordship has generously agreed to allow you to choose the girl you like best. He has a lot of them that he thinks are suitable." "I see." "Do you agree?" she asked. "Can I refuse?" "Not if you want to cross the river." He knew that it was his duty to consent. And my best chance of winning.
"I agree, but the wedding will take place tonight." Robb answered after a moment's thought. His mother was visibly taken aback by this decision, and the Freys didn't seem to have expected it either. Ser Stevron was the first to speak. "My lord, I am sure my high father will have no objection to marrying as early as possible. I'll take care of it." He said kindly before he turned his horse and rode over the drawbridge again. Robb would make sure that no matter how this war would end for him, the bloodline of the starks will be secured not just by Bran and Rickon, this was his duty.
A few hours later, shortly before midnight, Robb was introduced to Lord Walder's daughters. He knew he didn't have time all night, but Robb wanted to be a little more thorough in choosing his future wife. So he demanded to have each of them described as accurately as possible, and wanted to talk to those he thought fit in private. Almost none of them were particularly handsome, those who were usually had no good habits, others were sickly and many were so young that not even he dared to ask for their hand in marriage. He knew it was childish to wish for a good wife, but Robb couldn't resist at least accommodating that wish. In the end his choice fell on Roslin Frey, despite his mother's protests. The girl was two years older than him, which Robb thought was a good thing, but his mother would have resolutely refused, saying she wouldn't be fertile as long as a younger girl. Roslin wasn't bad to look at either, with her slim body, small breasts, and narrow hips, which his mother of course saw as impractical.
In the hope that she would be the right one, Robb asked Roslin to show him the castle to talk to her, while the wedding with the bride, who had not yet been determined, was being prepared.
"I apologize for the wedding, you certainly didn't have in mind to get married so soon." Said the girl, as the two walked over the battlements. "I really didn't have that, and that's what scares me the most." Robb answered and the girl looked up at him. "What do you mean?" "This helplessness to take such a step without any preparation... this is simply... crushing." "You might think that a wedding would be the least of your worries, after all, you're going to war." Robb stopped and looked over the battlements, where his army was encamped under the walls, torches lighting the tents and huts.
"All my life I have been prepared to govern, and to fight a war if necessary. I have been instructed in the art of war by many good men, but never in the art of love. No matter where I look, everywhere is new territory for me. My army will help me discover the battlefield, and my lords have the knowledge of the south." Probably more my mother, but that doesn't sound very convincing. "But when I look at you now, who will help me?"
"I know this feeling, and I can expect even less help." The girl timidly took his arm. "You didn't ask for it, but I think our marriage will be the easier fight. I think i would be worthy of you." Robb laughed. "Worthy of me? I am lucky that your High Father allowed me to cross the bridge at all, let alone choose the bride myself. You probably wouldn't have been given to me, but since the decision is mine, I ask you, will you honor me and become my wife?" Roslin curtsyed. "I accept your offer." "Wow, then we're probably engaged, and we'll be married today." Robb said and Roslin blushed. "Tell me, my lady. Are you afraid of the wedding? Would you have accepted my offer if it were up to you?""I think so, the only thing that worries me is the bedding. Not because of you, but because of the others. My sisters say you would be lifted up and undressed by all the men. That's what horrifies me." Robb offered her his hand. "I'll get through this night with you." Roslin Frey took his hand and followed him back to the castle.
It was a small wedding, with scant food, mostly fish, and little wine, as he had ordered his lords not to drink so much in order to be prepared for the early march. His lords sat at a long wooden table decorated with carvings in the form of towers. Robb waited nervously in front of Lord Walder's throne while his bride was led in by Ser Stevron. It was thanks to the heir of the Crossing, that they were able to convince Lord Walder of such a spontaneous wedding, him, and the promise that House Frey would be entitled to the most spoils of war, after House Stark.
They would also be married, at Lord Walder's behest, in the light of the Seven Gods of the South. So Robb waited while his wife climbed the stairs. He took the veil from her head and they both turned to the Fat Septon, who was to marry them. They both said their previously rehearsed vows, and knelt down so that they could be blessed by the fat one. "It is now time for you to wrap your bride in order to place her under your care and swear to protect her." Robb heard Lady Mormont grunting in the crowd. With a nimble wave of his hand, he took the snow-white from his bride and wrapped her in his gray and white colors of the house of Stark. "With this kiss I pledge my love and take you as my lord and my husband." Said his wife. "With this kiss I pledge my love and take you as my lady and my wife." He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. The Septon clumsily raised its fleshy hands and announced. "Here in the face of gods and men". He said, "I solemnly proclaim that Robb of the house of Stark and Roslin of the house of Frey are husband and wife, one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever, and cursed be he who stands between them."
The small celebration that followed was short and inadequate. But the musicians played well and some found joy in dancing. Finally, when it was time for the bed ceremony. Everywhere they shouted, "To bed, to bed!" The Greatjon was the first to appear, lifted Roslin Frey over her shoulder with a jerk and carried her to the door. Robb was lifted up as well, giggling and joking they were carried into their bedchamber, their clothes had been removed down to the last clasp. The door was closed behind them and they were alone. Robb had imagined it would be worse to be stared at by all the women, but he hadn't felt their dozens of glances as much as the only one of the counts, Roslin Frey's at that moment. "
You were right, the bed ceremony is what you should be afraid of." Robb said and lit a candle. "I imagined it would be worse. This Greatjon may seem wild, but contrary to what it looked like, he was always careful not to crush me." Roslin answered and Robb frowned. "So much for, I'll get through this with you. More the other way around" Robb knew what was coming, but not if he was ready for it. But at the sight of Roslin's naked body, his own assured him that he was. It is my duty to consummate the marriage. Why is it so difficult for me? It didn't help to talk his way out of it now, so Robb lay down on the sheet next to Roslin. "Be warned, my lady, the Greatjon knew what he was doing, but I don't."
"Neither do I. Just do what you think is best." Robb thought it best to get to grips with the situation first and therefore started with a first kiss, which his fiancée returned without hesitation. She said she would accept my application even if no one forced her. It seems like this is true. Still, Robb's touches were limited until Roslin opened her legs and lay on her back, a clear sign that she was wanting more, or atleast he thought so. At last Robb finally dared to take the leap into the unknown, and made the fiancée his wife, an act that convinced Robb in no time not to hold back so much. The convulsive attempts to stay as far away from Roslin's body as possible so as not to be intrusive turned into gentle touches on her upper body and hips, kissing and consummating the marriage. Robb suddenly felt foggy. The worries he had worried about the coming battles, the thoughts about what his future would look like, the fear for his family, everything was simply pushed aside and turned into a moment of joy.