Chapter 12 Robb

(Hello everyone! So, this is a fanfic that I've been working on for a while now. I borrowed several elements from Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire. This is my first fanfic on this site, so constructive criticism is welcome. Appreciate!)

The raven came to Riverrun at midday. Robb Stark was in the main castle courtyard, his direwolf Grey Wind not far from his side as Robb watched his men training, encouraging them, walking among them, shaking a hand here, giving a grin and a word of encouragement to a lad here. He was only a lad himself, not yet counting sixteen name days, and here he was leading an army against Tywin Lannister, one of the greatest commanders the Seven Kingdoms had ever known. And so far Robb was beating him.

But Robb didn't let that get to his head. He was surrounded by his father's captains, all men much older than him and with much more experience at war. He had listened and heeded their advice. And even his mother's advice. She had led him to see that sending Roose Bolton to command the force at the Green Fork was a better idea than sending the Greatjon Umber. Bolton had been cautious, had stung Tywin Lannister enough to let him think he was facing the main force, but had not committed himself enough to lose his small force as the Greatjon might have. Meanwhile with the main force they had lured the Kingslayer into a trap in the Whispering Wood, captured him, and then moved on to rout his force surrounding Riverrun. He had his mother's uncle Ser Brynden Tully, the Blackfish, to thank for that more than anyone, him devising the tactics which allowed them to lift the siege of Riverrun.

As Robb stood in the mud of the training yard with the Greatjon Umber and the Blackfish beside him, talking about supplies and the latest scouting reports, the maester of Riverrun came to him with the raven message.

"From Harrenhal," he said as he handed Robb the unopened message. Robb took the small rolled message parchment.

"Harrenhal?" said Ser Brynden. "That can only be from one person."

"Tywin Lannister," Robb answered.

"Maybe he got sick of sitting on his fanny and is suing for peace!" the Greatjon said with a roaring laugh.

"Or maybe it's your father," said Robb's uncle, in a serious tone. They had heard rumors that his father had been taken to Harrenhal. A Lannister scout they had captured two days past swore he saw Ned Stark at Harrenhal, riding in on a wagon behind Tyrion Lannister, the Imp, as he rode in at the head of a small body of cavalry and wild men from the hill tribes of the Vale.

Robb quickly opened the message and read and caught his breath. "It's from father…he's safe…and he has Arya with him!"

"Gods be good!" said the Blackfish.

"What does he say lad?" the Greatjon demanded, looming over his shoulder.

Robb. I am at Harrenhal. It is a long story. Arya is with me, safe and well. Tywin Lannister is in command here. He and I have agreed to terms. I will discuss this with you when I come to Riverrun. I will soon ride out with an escort under a peace banner. Look for us at the gates of Riverrun when the moon turns. Make sure your men know. Give all your best to your men and above all to your mother. I will see you all soon. You are all in our prayers and thoughts always. Your father, Eddard Stark.

"Where is my mother now?" Robb asked them. "She must hear this news at once. And my uncle Edmure as well."

"Edmure is still recuperating from his wound," said Ser Brynden. Edmure had been hurt when the Lannisters had taken Riverrun. "Let him rest for now. Your mother is with your grandfather, as usual. Come, I will take you."

"In a moment, uncle. When does the moon turn?"

"Tomorrow or the next day," he answered and then looked to the Greatjon. "Spread the word to our scouts and outriders. A Lannister peace party will be coming soon."

"Aye, and so will Ned!" said the Greatjon and without another word he hurried off to tell the other commanders and men the news.

"Come, Robb," his uncle Brynden said. "Let us bring this good news to your mother."

Robb told Grey Wind to stay in the courtyard and then he and his uncle entered the main part of the castle. They found his mother Lady Catelyn Stark by her father's bedside, sitting in a soft cushioned chair beside him, dozing, an open book in her hands. It looked like she had been reading to him and he had dozed off, as he often did when the maester gave him milk of the poppy for his affliction. The maester called it the 'wasting sickness', an affliction that was deep inside and spread, causing great pain, weakness, and eventually death. There was naught he could do for Hoster Tully except make him comfortable in his last days. As they entered the room Catelyn Stark gave a start at hearing their footsteps, awoke quickly, and dropped her book.

"Mother, are you well?" Robb asked quietly as he came to her side while she picked up the book and placed it on a small table near the bed.

"Yes," Catelyn Stark told her eldest son. "I was reading to him. I must have fallen asleep for a moment." She looked wan and her eyes were bloodshot, her getting hardly any sleep since they had arrived at Riverrun. She looked at Robb's grandfather to see if he was still sleeping and then turned to her son and uncle. "What is it?" she asked suddenly, sensing something was happening.

Robb handed her the message without another word. She read it quickly and then gasped. "Oh, thank the gods! He is well! He has Arya!"

She stood quickly and hugged Robb and then her uncle as tears fell from her eyes. "Come," said Ser Brynden. "Let us retired to the solar to discuss matters."

Robb's mother told a serving girl to sit with her father and call her if he awoke. Then they entered Hoster Tully's solar and sat at his table and discussed the meaning of the message.

"There is nothing about Sansa," was the first thing Catelyn said, worry on her face, as she re-read the message from her husband.

"Ned is bringing terms, little Cat," her uncle told her. "I am sure those terms include freeing Sansa."

"They must," said Robb with determination. "Or they will not get the Kingslayer."

"How did Arya end up at Harrenhal?" his mother asked next.

"Don't know," Robb said, just as puzzled. "I thought she was with Sansa at King's Landing."

"So the Lannisters wanted us to believe," said Ser Brynden. "We will know the truth when Ned arrives."

"What terms would Tywin Lannister want?" Robb asked them.

"One thing is certain," said his mother. "They will want us to exchange the Kingslayer for the girls and your father."

"Ned has sworn to take the black if the rumors we've heard from King's Landing are true," Ser Brynden said. He said nothing else, but Robb knew what he was implying.

Robb looked at him. "Uncle, if you mean to say why should we accept him as part of their deal when he is of no use to us then say it."

"It is what some of your men will say, Robb," his uncle replied. "That we are trading the Kingslayer for two girls."

"No, we are trading the Kingslayer for my daughters and the Lord of Winterfell, who is these men's liege lord," Catelyn said strongly. "Ned will not take the black. He always told me that any oath a man makes with a sword at his throat is not an oath the gods would hold him to."

"Aye," said Robb, knowing these words, having heard them from his father himself. "There is that. But he is not the Lord of Winterfell any more. That burden is mine. He has been stripped of all his titles."

"By a lying queen and a false king," Ser Brynden quickly added. "If what Stannis Baratheon writes is true."

"I believe it, foul as it is," Robb replied. "If you ever saw Robert's supposed children you'd believe it too. All blond haired and green-eyed like their mother and uncle. I guess I should say their father."

"A monstrous crime, if true," added his mother. "But just hair and eye coloring alone is not proof. Look at Arya. She is the only one of you that looks like your father."

"Jon does as well," Robb told her and instantly knew it was a mistake when his mother stared at him with anger in her eyes.

"He does not count," she said evenly.

"He's my brother," Robb told her strongly. "I know you despise him, but he is still my brother."

"Please speak no more of this," she said in a trembling voice. "Not today. Not when we have such good news."

"Aye," Robb said, eyes downcast, feeling bad he had hurt her. "Sorry, mother."

"Let us put aside what Ned may or may not do for the moment," said Ser Brynden to break the tension. "Tywin Lannister will want us to break camp and for the northern men to go home. He will want Riverrun and the Twins and the rest of the river lords to bend the knee to Joffrey. Then he will make war on Stannis and Renly. Who will win, only the gods know. But I know this. If Tywin Lannister wins, he will come back and look for revenge on the lot of us."

"It's his way," Robb replied. He had heard enough about the wrath of Tywin Lannister from his father. "He is not known for being gentle to those that wrong him."

"How can we trust what he promises?" Catelyn Stark asked in obvious frustration.

"We cannot trust Tywin Lannister," Ser Brynden told them solemnly.

"Then we should not accept his terms," she answered. "We should make an alliance with the Baratheon brothers."

Ser Brynden snorted. "They will not join forces. Not Stannis. He thinks he is the rightful king. He will not bend the knee to anyone. He bent it to Robert all his life. Now he is free to be king and will be king at any cost."

"Then surely Renly will ally with us?" Robb asked. "Father always said he was reasonable."

"Possibly," said his uncle. "With the power of Highgarden behind him, an alliance with Renly is the best move."

"We must wait for Ned to arrive before we decide anything," Catelyn said. "He will know the true situation and the Lannister terms and will give us wise counsel."

"Yes," said Ser Brynden. "But will his counsel be that of a man who leads armies, or a father who fears for his family's safety?"

"Both," answered Catelyn with certainty. "He will balance all and come to the right choice. And if he advises Robb to turn these men back north to their homes, Robb will do so. But I am sure he will also tell them to keep their swords sharp and their eye on the Neck for the first sign of a Lannister army."

Her uncle snorted. "A Lannister army at the Neck will have already defeated us in the Riverlands, little Cat."

She sighed. "Then we must continue the war until the Lannisters are defeated."

"There is no point in discussing this till Father arrives," Robb said strongly. His mother and uncle were discussing possible events far in the future with so much uncertain. He looked to his mother. "The Greatjon is telling the men to expect Father's group under a peace banner. The moon's turn is upon us. Hopefully by tomorrow he will be here."

"Gods be good," his mother said. Then her face clouded. "He will come with some representative of the Lannister family."

"They will expect to see the Kingslayer," Ser Brynden told them. "To make sure he is alive and well."

"We must see he is presentable," Robb's mother said, a worried tone to her voice. "A bath and a change of clothing at least. If they think we have mistreated him it will not go well for Arya and Sansa."

"I will take care of it after we talk," Robb said and it was agreed.

"Who would they send to see him?" his mother asked next.

Ser Brynden spoke. "Tywin Lannister will never come. Maybe his brother Kevan. Or another. Tyrion Lannister perhaps."

"The Imp," his mother said in disgust. She knew that the scout they had captured two days ago said Tyrion Lannister was at Harrenhal, along with Robb's father but until now they hadn't dared believe it.

"He should never have been allowed to leave the Vale," her uncle said with a shake of his head.

"What could we have done?" Catelyn asked. "Lysa would not listen to reason. I tried, oh, I tried. She let that little man play us for fools and all those lords and ladies safe behind their mountains and high walls wanted to see him dead. None thought his sellsword would win. Now he is free."

"I should have taken matters into my own hands" said her uncle. "As soon as Jon Arryn died, I should have. But what would have been the point? You saw how Lysa is now."

Robb was confused. It seems they did not tell him the whole story of what had happened in the Vale. "What is wrong with Aunt Lysa?"

His mother looked at him quickly and cast her eyes away before speaking softly. "She is not well, Robb. She is fearful, and sees plots behind every door. I told her I could take young Robert to Winterfell to be a companion to Bran and Rickon and she screeched that he would never leave the Vale and threatened to throw me out the Moon Door."

Robb had heard stories about the Eyrie's famous Moon Door. "Gods, what is wrong with her to threaten her own blood?"

Ser Brynden sighed heavily. "Long years with no child and now with a sickly one and her husband dead. I fear we can ask for no help from the Vale. She will keep her knights and levies behind her stone mountains and ride out this storm. But she is mistaken to think the war will not touch them. Tywin Lannister will come calling some day. He will not forget Lysa put his son on trial. We should have shut him up, killed his sellsword, and put him back in a sky cell, anything but let him walk away."

"Lysa thought the hill tribesmen of the Mountains of the Moon would kill them," Catelyn said. "They almost killed us on the way there."

Robb gave a short snort. "Hill tribesmen? That Lannister scout said there were wild men with the Imp at Harrenhal."

"I am sure he talked them into joining him, after he talked them out of killing him," said his uncle.

Robb's mother nodded. "Now it is too late. The little man trapped us with his tongue and our own laws and has talked his way out of another trap."

"We should have said to hell with our own laws and held him," Ser Brynden said once again. "Then we would have two Lannisters to trade and we could give terms to Tywin instead of him giving terms to us."

"The Lannisters have bent the rules of the land for their own purposes if what we hear happened in King's Landing is true," said Robb. "Cersei tore up father's letter from King Robert in front of the whole court."

"Maybe its time we did the same," began Ser Brynden. "If the Imp comes here we should hold him and the Kingslayer both."

"No," Catelyn said swiftly and strongly before Robb could answer. "Arya will still be at Harrenhal and Sansa will be gods knows where between King's Landing and there by that time. I will not give Tywin Lannister reasons to hold my daughters any longer than necessary."

"Aye," Robb answered. "Mother is right. We cannot hold the Imp. Especially if he comes under a peace banner. The Lannisters may flout the customs of the land, but I will not. Father would not either."

"We will lose this war if we don't," said his uncle strongly.

Robb shifted his eyes from his uncle to his mother and back again. He knew his uncle was right. The Lannisters were flouting the laws and customs for their own purposes. Maybe it was time they did the same. But he wanted to speak to his father first. "I need to know what terms my father is bringing before we make any plans."

Ser Brynden nodded. "Agreed. I think we have said all we can say for now. If I may have leave to go, I need to find out if there is any news of Ned."

Robb stood as his uncle did. "Of course. Thank you for your wise words uncle." Ser Brynden said his goodbyes and was soon gone from the room.

"He's right," Robb said after he sat again.

"Of course he is right," his mother replied. "The Lannisters are in this to win no matter what the cost and don't care about their honor. What honor do they have left? Jaime Lannister killed the king he swore to protect. Many know or at least suspect Tywin Lannister has blood on his hands from Rhaegar Targaryen's murdered wife and children. And if what Stannis says is true about Cersei, she has violated every law of decency in the eyes of the gods and men. I am beginning to think maybe Tyrion Lannister is the only one of them who has any honor at all, horrid little man he is."

Robb looked at her in astonishment. "But…he tried to kill Bran!"

"I am having my doubts about that."

That shocked him. "Why?"

She leaned back in her chair, took a deep breath, and then spoke at length. "I have had plenty of time to think on this in the Vale, on the ship to White Harbor, on the ride to your camp at Moat Callin and then to here. The Imp had no reason to hurt Bran. He wasn't even in Winterfell when the attack happened. And he said something to me. He said that only a fool would arm a footpad with his own dagger. I do not think Tyrion Lannister is much of a fool. Not after the way he escaped us."

Robb listened and wondered. "I told you how he gave Bran that design for the saddle."

"Yes. Why would he do that if he had tried to kill Bran?"

"To cover his crime."

"A strange way to hide his guilt, don't you think? Another thing. When he saw me in that inn he acted as if nothing was amiss. Just a traveler on his way home, stopping for the night. Gods, I was so angry when I saw him I could not think straight and asked the men in the inn to help me arrest him. I did not think on it till long after when it was too late. And now he has had his trial by combat and the gods have judged him innocent."

"The Imp did not fight."

"No, but by all our laws he is innocent. Maybe he truly is."

"If not him, then who paid the footpad who attacked Bran and you?"

"Whoever pushed Bran off that tower. They wanted to finish the job before he awoke and told us who it was."

They had discussed this before and had agreed that someone must have pushed him. But who? Then Robb remembered something else. "Lord Baelish told you that dagger was the Imp's, yes? Won in some bet during Joffrey's name day tournament a year past?"

She nodded. "Petyr. He told your father and me. Now I wonder if it was a lie."

"Why would he lie about that?"

"Only the gods know." They were silent for a long few moments and then she stood. "I need to see my father."

Robb stood quickly. "No. You need to eat something and get some rest."

"Robb, he's dieing…he hasn't much time."

"Father will be here soon," Robb said. "He would be angry with me if you fall ill because you haven't eaten or slept in days."

She started to say something, then silently closed her eyes, opened them again and hugged him tight. "I am so tired, tired of all of this," she said in his ear. "Why did this happen to us? First Bran, now your father and the girls. What have we done to angry the gods?"

He held her tight for a moment and then pulled back from her and looked at her. "I don't know, Mother. But I will not rest until Sansa and Arya and father are back with us and we know who Bran's attacker is."

She kissed him on the cheek. "Gods be good it will be soon. I will go to bed for a few hours. Wake me if there is any news, especially about your father. Or mine."

"I will."

Robb led her to her rooms and posted a guard outside her door and then walked upstairs and down corridors and turned corners till he came to the room where Ser Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer, was kept. It was a room reserved for high born captives. Almost every castle in the land had such a room, as it would not do to put a high born prisoner in a deep dark dungeon. Of course, Robb had heard that is exactly where his father was in the Red Keep. Some of the prisoners they had captured at Riverrun had talked and some knew what had gone on in King's Landing. Not all, not the details, but enough to make Robb angry at how his father and his people had been treated. The rumors were that all the household members were murdered by the Lannisters. That Sansa was held captive and no one knew where Arya was. Sansa's own letter to them made no mention of Arya. Of course, those had been Cersei's words, not Sansa's. Until just a short time ago when his father's message arrived Robb had feared his little sister was dead.

Two large guards were outside the door to the Kingslayer's cell, dressed in dull grey chain mail, holding short pikes and carrying swords and daggers at their waists. The both dipped their heads and said, "Lord Stark."

Robb felt funny being called that. All his life people had called his father Lord Stark. Now he was Lord Stark. Maybe in a few days that would change again.

"How is our most famous prisoner today?' he asked the men. They had other Lannister prisoners, but none as high up as the Kingslayer.

"Gripping about the accommodations and food as usual, my lord," said one man who had a great big bushy mustache colored coal black.

"Better than the ones my father had in the Red Keep."

"Aye," said the other man. "Is it true my lord? Is your father coming soon?"

Rumors spread fast. "Aye. Soon, I hope. I need to talk to the Kingslayer. Come with me." He would not dare be alone with Jaime Lannister for an instant. The man was vicious and had no honor and would surely try to kill Robb if he were alone with him. Robb was not afraid, but he was not stupid either. The Kingslayer was more than twice his age, taller, and better at killing than Robb would likely ever be. He had already tried to kill Robb in the Whispering Wood. If his men had not placed themselves between himself and the Kingslayer maybe Robb would be dead now. Two Karstark boys had died, and their father swore to kill the Kingslayer. That was a headache Robb was not looking forward to dealing with. He could not let anything happen to the Kingslayer or he would never see Arya and Sansa again.

The guard with the bushy mustache took out a heavy iron key and put it in a lock that was on the stout wooden door. The lock opened and he pushed the door in.

The room had but one window, small and heavily barred, so that little light or air entered the room. It was stuffy and the air was stale and when the door opened it was as if the air itself moved past them. The room had a narrow bed with a thin mattress, a small table with two wooden chairs and a chamber pot in a corner. On the table was the stub of a lit candle and a pewter plate with the remains of an apple and some bread and cheese on it. A clay jug of water and a cup were also on the table, nearby the plate. Sitting in one of the chairs was Ser Jaime Lannister, better known as the Kingslayer.

He was a handsome man, Robb thought, but not so much these days. Ser Jaime's thick blond hair was matted and greasy, his face had a thick growth of tangled blond beard, and his clothes were stained, some of it blood from when he had been wounded in the head when they had captured him in the Whispering Wood. He looked up from a small book he was reading by the light of the stub of candle. His hands were manacled with a short chain between them, but his legs were free.

"My goaler," he said with a slight grin. "How good of you to join me. I'd offer you a drink and something decent to eat but I seem to be lacking both."

"Better than my father got in the black cells at King's Landing I don't doubt."

"I wouldn't know," Jaime replied. "I never had the pleasure to be a prisoner there. Please sit. I grow weary of talking to myself and these books you've left me are boring." He looked at the title of the book he had. "A History of the Lords of the Riverlands by Archmaester…oh, who cares. I certainly don't."

Robb entered and sat opposite the Kingslayer, his two guards close behind, the door left open to allow some air and light to enter the chamber. He saw Jaime look at his two guards and past them at the open door.

"Don't even think about it. There are another twenty thousand men outside, each of whom would cut your heart out without a second thought."

The Kingslayer smiled. "Let's take off these manacles and put steel in my hand see how many of the great northern lords I can kill before someone bests me or I grow too exhausted to lift my arms anymore."

Robb bristled. "I did not come here to listen to your japes, Kingslayer," he said and was about to rise when Jaime spoke.

"A poor jest. My brother is the one who has the sharp wit, not me. I just had a sharp blade. I crave news of the outside world. Please sit."

Robb sat again. "There is news."

"I'm listening."

"We've had a letter from Stannis Baratheon."

"Stannis," Jaime said with a nod. "He never liked me."

"No?"

"Stannis is too honorable, sort of like your father. I wonder if either of them could have killed the Mad King."

"There was no need for them to do it. You had already killed him."

"You sound as if you were there. How old were you when that happened? Or hadn't you been born yet?"

"I was an infant just born," Robb replied, knowing the Kingslayer knew this already.

"Yes, I suppose you were," said Jaime. "Well, no sense in dwelling on things in the past. How is old stern faced Stannis?" He started to pour a cup of water for himself from the jug.

"He's been telling the Seven Kingdoms about you and your sister, the Queen."

Jaime stopped pouring and put down the jug. He took a drink of water and then stared at Robb for a long few seconds. "Telling what?"

"Telling us that Cersei's children are hers all right. But they are not Robert's. They're yours."

The Kingslayer laughed, which Robb had not expected. "Is that all? Stannis is spreading lies to better his claim to the Iron Throne. Even you are not fool enough to fall for that, are you boy?"

Robb ignored the 'boy' jibe. "You say it is a lie?"

"With all my heart. But no one would believe me. I have shit for honor according to most."

"Aye, that much is true."

Jaime ignored the counter jibe. "What other news is there?"

"Might be you'll have a visitor soon."

That interested him. "Who?"

"My father."

Jaime smiled. "Dear old Ned. Has he been set free?"

"He took an oath to take the black and he confessed his crimes before the people of King's Landing," Robb told him. "Even though he is innocent. He has been talking with your father, negotiating an end to this war."

Jaime nodded. "So my father can fight Stannis."

"And Renly."

That truly surprised him. "Renly? He fled King's Landing like a dog with its tail between its legs, and left your father with no support for his attempt to overthrow Joffrey, according to what I've heard. What army does Renly have?"

"I had forgotten," Robb answered. "You have been shut in here for weeks. Renly married Margaery Tyrell and…"

Now the Kingslayer laughed loud and long. "Renly? Married? He would not know what to do with Margaery Tyrell or any other woman in his bed. Now if it was her brother, that is another story."

Robb did not understand his meaning at first and then it dawn on him. "That is a vicious lie!"

Jaime smirked. "Oh, no it isn't. But why should I care if you believe me or not? Many and more know it is true and whisper and laugh behind his back. Well, so Renly is married and has Highgarden behind him, in more ways than one. My father is wise to send your father to negotiate terms. I suppose I am to be traded for him?"

"Yes…yes, just him." Robb was caught off guard, trying to take in all the Kingslayer was saying about Renly.

Jaime's eyes narrowed. "No, not just him, is it? Who else have we got? Oh wait, yes, the two sisters. I had forgotten. They must be in King's Landing still. But isn't Joffrey supposed to marry the older one when she becomes a woman?"

Robb snorted. "Your son will never marry my sister."

Now it was Jaime's turn to bristle. "I have no sons, but of course my word doesn't mean a thing to you. Perhaps we can settle this with steel. Why don't we go outside and put an end to this war, single combat, winner takes all?"

Robb stared at him and then shook his head and even chuckled a bit. "You would like that. You are the better man, no doubt. So I see no advantage in that for me."

"Of course not," the Kingslayer said with a smirk. "Is there any more news of import? If not, I would surely like to get back to the thrilling tales of the Riverlands lords. Did you know that the Brackens and Blackwoods have been fighting each other off and on for hundreds of years?"

"I'm sure I heard that somewhere. There is more news, but not important enough for me to waste any more time with you." He started to rise but the Kingslayer spoke quickly.

"A question, if I may?"

"Aye?"

"Where is my brother Tyrion?'

Robb decided to let him worry about his brother a little longer. "I don't know."

"I last heard he managed to escape from your mother in the Vale and made his way to my father's camp on the Green Fork."

"I have no idea where he is now," Robb lied and then he turned to the two men behind him who had been silent the whole time, although he was sure they had been shocked by many of things he and the Kingslayer had discussed. "Take him," Robb said and he was glad to see the Kingslayer taken off guard for once.

"Where, my lord?" asked one man, the one without the bushy mustache, who had no mustache at all.

"To the baths," Robb commanded. "He smells like a pig. I don't want the Lannisters to think we were too unkind to him."

Jaime stood and smiled. "A wise move, boy. I think whoever comes to see me will also want to know why I am still in chains." He held outs his hands as if expecting the manacles to be removed.

Robb shook his head. "No, they stay on till you are traded. Move."

The guards grabbed the Kingslayer and pushed him toward the door and Robb followed right behind after blowing out the candle on the table. They moved slowly, the Kingslayer's legs not used to walking after being cooped up for so long. They passed by doors and went down stairs and some people saw them and looked at them in astonishment. The baths were in the lower levers of the main Keep and after a time they approached them. As they walked Robb gathered six more guards and they followed along.

The bath house of Riverrun was not overly large but still had six large wooden tubs and usually had wooden screens dividing them for privacy but today the screens were put aside. Three tubs had occupants, all women, about seven or eight, naked and laughing and splashing in the water. As Robb's party entered the room the old woman who ran the baths let out a shout. "It is the girl's time to…oh, Lord Stark. I…sorry my lord, but the serving and kitchen girls are…you see…"

"My apologies," said Robb. "But I have need of the baths."

"Yes, my lord, at once," she said and then she shouted at the girls to get a move on. There was a quick scramble as the girls leaped from the water and gather their clothing in a hurry. Robb couldn't help but stare as some of them were quite comely. There were plenty of shy looks and smiles and the men with Robb were laughing and jesting and giving a few comments as the girls exited through a door on the far wall.

"Don't leave on my account," said the Kingslayer to them with a grin as they hastily departed.

Robb looked at the old woman in charge of the baths. "A bath for Ser Jaime," he said. "Scrub him clean and have the castle barber give him a haircut and shave when he is done."

"Yes, my lord," she said. "But I cannot remove his clothing with those chains on him, my lord."

"The chains stay," Robb ordered. "But we must unshackled one hand to get his clothing on and off." He turned to bushy mustache. "Unshackled his left hand, till his clothing is off, then shackle him again for his bath, and do the same when he dresses. Throw away his old clothes. He'll need fresh ones anyway."

"Something in red and gold if you have it," Jaime quipped. "They've always been my favorite colors."

"You'll get what we have," Robb told him. He looked at the eight guards. They were a mix of men of Winterfell and Riverrun. He wanted no Karstarks here, that was for certain. "Stay here. Watch him. Let no one else enter this room."

"Yes, my lord," they said and then Robb started to leave them.

"Stark!" the Kingslayer shouted and Robb turned.

"What do you want now, Lannister?"

"If it's not too much bother, can someone clean out my shit pail and the rushes from my room? And I need a new candle. And perhaps a better book."

Robb turned without a word. "Thank you!" the Kingslayer shouted after him in a mocking tone as Robb walked away.

Robb's father did not come the next day or the day after that, but three days after the raven arrived Robb was finishing breaking his fast with his mother, uncle Edmure, and uncle Brynden in the great hall of Riverrun when suddenly the Greatjon entered. "Ned is coming!" he shouted.

Robb felt his heart beat faster and he looked to his mother who was smiling broadly and then her face fell. "I…I must look a fright." She did look wan and had not slept much despite his orders.

He grinned though and spoke kindly to her. "You will look more beautiful to him than you did on your wedding day, I am sure."

"Of course, I'm being silly," she said. "Come. Let us greet your father."

They followed the Greatjon and soon all of the Stark captains inside the castle were with them. They came across the lowered drawbridge that crossed the moat that separated Riverrun from the land between the Red Fork and the Tumblestone. Then they heard cheering coming from the Stark encampments on the south bank of the Red Fork. Rob knew his father's party must cross the shallow ford to arrive at the land between the Red Fork and Tumblestone where Riverrun was sited. The cheering seemed to come in waves from across the river and soon they saw a crowd of men moving, following behind a mounted party. A large peace banner was in their midst and nothing else, no Lannister flags at all. Robb struggled to see his father or who came with him, but the waving of spears, pikes and Stark and other northern banners was too much to see clearly. Then they disappeared from sight and Robb knew they were at the ford. A few minutes later the party was up on the northern bank of the Red Fork and was moving toward the moat. His mother clutched his arm and then the flags and spears parted and his father came into view, riding a roan horse. Robb's breath caught in his throat and his mother clutched his arm tighter.

Lord Eddard Stark looked stern as usually and showed no other emotion. He was dressed well, in a long brown leather traveling jacket and breeches with his finely tooled long leather riding boots. He worn no weapons that Robb could see. As his horse came up to them the crowd parted and a Stark man grabbed the horse's bridle. His father got off his horse and immediately Robb saw he was in pain as he winced and almost stumbled. Robb went to help him but his mother held tight to his arm and then his father was standing before him.

"Lord Stark," he said with a dip of his head and Robb felt like the world had turned upside down. You are Lord Stark, not me, he wanted to shout, but he did not.

"Father, welcome to Riverrun," was all he could say and then his father gave him a small grin and a slight nod of the head and then was looking at his mother.

"My lady," he said and then she let go of Robb's arm, rushed into her husband's arms and hugged him tight. As Catelyn Stark let a few tears fall the crowd of soldiers and commoners and lords all cheered lustily and long. Robb's father then hugged him and clapped him on the back and Robb felt like all was right again. His father started shaking hands with Robb's uncles and captains and all greeted him warmly. It was then as the crowds parted that Robb saw him. The Imp.

Tyrion Lannister was just awkwardly getting off his horse with a dark-haired man in black leather armor standing beside him, holding the bridle of his own horse. He saw behind the Imp a small group of cavalry in Lannister colors, maybe about thirty men with a very tall man in front who looked like their leader. Tyrion looked up at Robb as he stood in the mud by the drawbridge that was across the moat.

"Lord Stark," Tyrion said loudly above the cheers. "I bring greetings from my father and terms to be discussed."

"Aye," said Robb. And he knew what he had to ask next. His uncle Brynden had told him all he must do. "Do you have authority to negotiate?"

"I do." Tyrion held out a small scroll, sealed with gold wax and with the sigil of house Lannister stamped in it. "This is my authority, signed and sealed by my father. The terms I will present formally later. Your father knows the details and he and you and your captains may discuss them before the formal presentation."

"Very well," Robb said as he took the scroll, opened it and read it quickly. It basically said what Tyrion had just said, that he was charged with bringing peace terms and had the power to negotiate but that any changes would have to have final approval of Tywin Lannister. As Robb read, he suddenly realized it was quieter and others were watching how he would act towards the Imp. Then his uncle Edmure was by his side. "Lord Tyrion Lannister, this is Ser Edmure Tully, heir to Riverrun." Robb said as he introduced them

"Greetings, Ser Edmure," Tyrion said. "May I impose on the hospitality of Riverrun for me and my men?"

"You may, Lord Tyrion," said Edmure, formally, and a bit stiffly. Robb knew there was no love between his uncle and the Lannisters. They had invaded his family lands, and had captured him. He had been wounded and was still recovering, looking a bit pale, but standing here representing Riverrun, as his lord father was slowly dieing inside the castle. "Your men can camp here, outside the walls on this side of the moat," Edmure told Tyrion. "We will provide tents and food and fodder. You and any attendants may stay in the castle."

"Thank you, Ser Edmure," Tyrion said, and then turned to the dark haired man in leather. "This is Bronn. He goes where I go. And this… where is he? Podrick? Well, he's back there somewhere. My squire. He and Bronn will accompany me in the castle."

"Not this one, Edmure," suddenly Robb's mother said, standing at his other side. She was looking at Bronn. "I will not suffer him in my father's home."

Tyrion smiled. "Lady Stark, how good to see you again."

"Spare me your false courtesies, Lannister," she said, her face and tone grim. "I must suffer you because your father and sister have my daughters. I do not have to suffer your pets."

Tyrion sighed. "Would you feel better if Bronn left his weapons outside the castle?"

"I wouldn't feel better," said Bronn calmly. "If it's all the same to you, I'll stay out here like she asks."

"Fine," said Tyrion in a huff, and Robb could see he did not like this one bit. Bronn was the sellsword who had championed him in the Vale, his mother had told him. He knew exactly why she disliked him. Bronn had started out helping her bring Tyrion to justice and then had turned his cloak and helped set the Imp free.

Just then a young lad approached, leading a horse. "Ah, here's Podrick now," the Imp said. "Surely my squire will be allowed inside the castle walls. Yes? Good. Pod, please bring my horse as well and follow us."

"Yes, my, my lord," the lad said, stuttering a bit.

Soon the party turned and more cheers came and shouts of "Stark! Stark!" were the loudest. They crossed the drawbridge and entered Riverrun.

"Your mother seems to dislike me, Lord Stark," Tyrion told Robb as they walked side by side, behind his parents and the captains and his uncles, the boy following them with the two horses. Robb had to shorten his stride to match the Imp's waddle.

"You have given my family plenty of reasons to dislike you and yours," Robb told him.

"Your father and I have discussed this endlessly on the road here," Tyrion replied. "Seems we have reached an impasse."

Robb snorted. "I would think a man accused of attacking my brother and once held prisoner by my mother would be afraid to come here."

"It so happens I was quite reluctant to come, for all of the reasons you mentioned," Tyrion replied. "But my lord father can be most persuasive when it comes to getting the things he wants. And he wants Jaime and peace and would trust no one else with this mission but me."

"Then let us hope you are able to please your father and I can see my sisters again and all this will be done with."

"Agreed. Now, I would like to see my brother as soon as possible."

"Aye," Robb said. Up ahead his father had stopped to talk to some of his men from Winterfell and his mother stood beside him beaming. The Blackfish was looking over at Robb and then walked toward him.

"Ser Brynden," Tyrion said. "I am surprised you are still not in the Vale, guarding your niece and her boy from all those that she thinks seek to harm them."

"I care not what surprises you, Imp," Ser Brynden replied curtly as he looked to Robb. "We should meet in the great hall to hear what terms your father has brought."

Robb knew that was necessary, but he also knew his father was tired and his leg still bothered him. "My father rode a long way to us," he told his uncle. "He needs rest and refreshment and I would have words with him and my mother, alone."

Ser Brynden looked like he was about to protest, but then just curtly nodded. "As you wish, Lord Stark."

"Lord Tyrion requested that he see his brother," Robb told the Blackfish. "I would be grateful if you could take him to him."

"I can do that," Ser Brynden said. He looked at Tyrion, the distaste obvious on his face. "There are many stairs, Imp. Can you manage?"

Tyrion feigned shock surprise. "What? No turnip hoist like the Eyrie has? I am sure a few stairs will not cramp my stunted legs too much, Ser Brynden."

"Follow me," the Blackfish commanded and after Tyrion told his squire to mind their horses he waddled after Ser Brynden. As Tyrion walked Robb watched the men of the north and the Riverlands look at the Imp. They all knew who he was, even if they had never met him before. Robb heard more than one curse and more than one man spit in Tyrion Lannister's tracks. Maybe I'd better put a guard with him, Robb thought, and then he knew no man would challenge Tyrion as long as the Blackfish as with him.

Robb caught up with his parents and captains and after some small discussion, with promises to meet in the evening for a feast and discussion of Tywin Lannister's terms, he and his mother and father retired to the great hall alone. They would have gone to the solar but it was high up in the central Keep and there were too many stairs for his father to climb with his bad leg. Edmure wanted to join them but his sister put him off, saying she needed to speak in private with her husband and son. She ordered wine brought to them and then they were finally alone.

Robb's father turned to him and looked at him for a long moment. "I couldn't be prouder of you."

Robb felt a lump in his throat and found it hard to talk. "I…I did my best, Father," he finally managed to say.

"Aye, that you did," his father said. And then he cast his eyes down. "If only the rest of us had." His last words came out heavily, and full of guilt. He limped to a nearby table and sat in a chair next to his wife and she held his left hand in both of hers.

"You are not to blame," she said. "It was I who took the Imp hostage. And I who let Petyr convince us the Imp had anything to do with Bran's assassin."

"No, sweet Cat," his father said soothingly. "I should never have left Winterfell. I fear I put us all in danger the day I agreed to do that. I knew Robert was in trouble. I thought I could protect him from his enemies."

"Now Robert is dead," she said sadly. "It was all for nothing."

Robb sat down and poured wine for them all. "This will not do, us blaming each other for what is done and cannot be undone."

His mother gave a small laugh and Robb and his father looked at her in wonder. "The boy telling his parents how it is," she said.

"He's not a boy anymore," Ned Stark told her. "He is Lord of Winterfell and a proven leader of armed men."

"You are Lord of Winterfell," Robb said immediately.

"Not according to the laws of the land," his father replied as he sipped his wine.

"A law upheld by a false king!" Catelyn almost shouted.

"Aye, there is that," said Ned and then they asked him what had happened in King's Landing and he told them it all. They took it all in and asked many questions and finally they got to hear what had happened to Arya.

"Syrio Forel paid with his life to save her," his father said bitterly. "Then she ran to the stables and saw…she saw Hullen dieing… and the rest dead."

"Seven hells!" Robb said in anger. "For her to see that…"

"She has seen worse," his father said and then looked like he wished he hadn't said that.

"What do you mean?" Catelyn asked in fear. "What can be worse than that?"

Ned sighed. "She came to the Sept of Baelor when I confessed. I saw her and I saw Yoren, a recruiter for the Night's Watch."

"He was at Winterfell with the Imp," Robb said.

"And at the inn," his mother added.

"Aye. He brought me the news of what had happened there. I told him to take Arya," his father continued. "He cut her hair and made out like she was a boy and she joined our group."

"That was wise of him," said Robb.

"Aye," said his father. "But I wished there had been any other way to get her out of the city. I'd hoped he would get her to Winterfell. But the road between King's Landing and Harrenhal was hard. The land is on fire, the small folk are fleeing. A party of gold cloaks followed us from King's Landing and then a larger party of Lannister men came later."

"They knew Arya was with you?" Catelyn asked.

"No," he replied. "The gold cloaks were after a boy named Gendry. He's Robert's bastard son."

"After him?" Robb asked. "Why? What has the boy done?"

"Nothing," his father told him. "He didn't even know he was Robert's son. Joffrey wants him dead."

His mother shook her head. "The Blackfyres." Robb knew what she meant, having been taught about the Blackfyre rebellions by Maester Luwin.

"Aye," said his father. "But we protected the lad and sent the gold cloaks back to King's Landing. So we thought. They joined a party of Lannister men who Cersei had sent out to take me back to King's Landing. I guess by then she knew you had the Kingslayer. We were in a holdfast by Gods Eye and were attacked and people died. Many people died. Yoren died, a boy called Lommy, later, and many others."

"Gods have mercy," his mother said in shock. "And Arya? What did she do when you were attacked?"

His father looked pained and said nothing so Robb said what he knew was true, knew would be true of his sister. "She fought."

"Fought?" his mother exclaimed. "She is a girl of ten! How could she fight?"

"She is a Stark of Winterfell," his father said, strength now in his voice, now that the truth was out. "She did what she had to do to live. We both did."

"Gods, what have we done?" Robb's mother said in a wail. "Bran a cripple, Sansa a prisoner, and Arya…I don't know what to do."

"We do what we have always done," her husband told her. "We protect our own and we stick together. We stand tall and we fight those who would harm us."

They were silent for a few moments, his mother almost in tears as his father drank deeply and poured himself more wine. Now Robb turned to a delicate matter and looked at his father. "You've taken an oath to join the Night's Watch."

"Piss on that oath," his father said quickly and Robb smiled.

"Then what will you do now?"

"I will get your sisters back," he told him. "And they will get the Kingslayer."

"Some of your men will not like that," his wife told him. "Ned, the Karstarks want vengeance. Jaime Lannister killed two of Rickard Karstark's sons."

"Aye?" Ned said in surprise. "Is that why he was not here to meet me?"

"I put his men across the Tumblestone," Robb told him. "As far away from the castle and the Kingslayer as possible."

"A wise move," said his father. "I guess I will have to deal with him. And where is Theon Greyjoy? I thought to see him beside you."

Robb and his mother exchanged a quick look. "I sent him to Pyke to ask for an alliance with his father."

His father looked at him for a long moment. "Balon Greyjoy will never agree."

"Mother said the same," Robb told him. "I thought…Theon is almost like a brother to..."

"No," his mother said quickly. "He was our hostage for almost ten years, not your brother. Balon Greyjoy will not forget that. Nor will he forget what happened to his other two sons."

"Aye," said Ned.

"I'm sorry," Robb said, feeling the sting of their disagreement.

"Not to worry lad," said his father. "The Greyjoys are the least of our concerns right now. We must first trade the Kingslayer for the girls."

"This will cause trouble," Catelyn told him. "The other captains may not agree to hand over the Kingslayer for two girls."

"Troubles enough we have without having a war we cannot win quickly," Ned replied. "I will make them see reason. Winter is coming and we all know what that means. We may have time for one more harvest and even with that if the winter lasts too long we will have hunger. This war has taken much of our supplies and has ruined the Riverlands. Renly and Stannis gather forces near King's Landing and maybe soon it will burn as well."

"I hope they all burn in hell," his mother said fiercely.

"Cersei and Joffrey especially," Robb added.

"If the gods are good they will, some day," his father said. "Cersei is not enjoying being a widow. While at Harrenhal I heard more than one rumor that Cersei is sending almost daily ravens to her father asking for his army to come south. But he will dare not move until we are far away from Harrenhal and Casterly Rock."

"Where will we go?" Robb asked him.

"Home," his father said. "Eventually. We will march north. At the Twins we stop and we will wait."

"Wait for what?" his mother asked in puzzlement.

"For Princess Myrcella. She will be coming to Winterfell."

"A hostage?" Catelyn said and then her eyes grew wide. "And who did you have to promise in return?"

"No one," Ned told them. "I told Tywin Lannister those were my terms and he could rot in hell before I'd give him a family member of mine in return."

Robb had to smile at the boldness of that. "I'm sure he took that well."

"I knew he wouldn't. And I also know he would not forget that we took his sons prisoner and raised an army against him. That's why I demanded a hostage. I also wanted to see how desperate he was. He knows that's what I was doing. It took two days but he finally relented."

"Why the Twins?" Robb asked him next.

"That was my choice," Ned told them. "Far enough north to make him feel a bit comfortable but not so far north we can't rush down on him from behind when he marches south if need be."

"Then we are leaving Renly and Stannis alone to face the Lannisters?" Catelyn asked.

Ned sighed. "Not my wish but I see little choice. They will not agree to join forces. We will be three armies separated with Tywin in the middle. He can defeat us one army at a time."

"We can march on Casterly Rock," Robb said quickly. "Then he will…"

His father shook his head. "Casterly Rock is a bastion we cannot take in a day or maybe even in five hundred days. Tywin knows this. No, we must get back the girls, and then we march for the Twins and home. That is my counsel."

They were silent for a moment, and then Robb spoke. "These men of the north will not like it. They have tasted victory and want more."

"That is my responsibility," his father said. "I must convince them to march to the Twins."

"There is other news you must know concerning the Twins and the Freys," Catelyn said and Robb knew what was coming next.

"Aye?" his father asked after he drank some wine.

"We had to promise Robb to one of his daughters or granddaughters to use his bridge."

"Seven hells," Ned Stark said quietly and Robb had to laugh at that.

"That's what I thought," he said.

"Walder Frey," Ned said, grimacing in anger. "Made you promise Robb to one of his own to use his bridge? Is he not a bannerman to Riverrun?"

"Yes," said Catelyn. "But you know what he is like. And...there is more."

"More?" Ned asked. "He is getting enough already."

"We also had to promise Arya to his youngest son," Robb said quickly, hoping the quicker he said it the less painful it would be.

"Arya," his father said in a growl. "She would not have it. She would run away. And if she married a Frey she would likely kill him on her wedding night rather than be bed."

"She will do as she is told!" Catelyn said strongly. "Ned, these promises we made cannot be broken. A quarter of Robb's army is Freys. Without that bridge and their help we would never have taken the Kingslayer or Riverrun. Walder Frey will have his price paid or we will never have use of that bridge again or in many generations to follow."

His father sighed heavily. "Aye. But Arya will not like it."

"No more than I will, I suppose," Robb said with a bitter laugh.

"You will both do your duty," his mother told him sternly.

"Arya is too young to be wed yet," his father said and then he looked at Robb. "But I doubt Walder Frey will allow us to continue to use his men or bridge without some kind of payment now."

Robb sighed. "I guess I have no choice."

"No," said his mother resignedly.

"I suppose he must have at least one comely daughter or granddaughter," Robb said, half in jest.

"With so many one would hope so," his father replied with a grin. "Not to worry lad. We will take our time and you pick the one you like best and if the gods are good she will give you many sons and daughters and keep your bed warm until you are too old to get out of it."

Robb laughed. "I should like that very much."

"Good," said his mother with relief. "As for Arya, well…I suppose she might find the Frey boy likable."

Ned and Robb both laughed this time. "She is a willful child," Ned said. "She is Lyanna reborn. She never liked being told what to do either."

"Arya will do her duty!" Catelyn said strongly.

"That is in the future," her husband replied and Robb knew that was not the end of it and there would be more fights about Arya and her future husband. "Well, we shall have at least one wedding at the Twins soon enough."

"And then?" Robb asked.

"Then we go home to Winterfell with your bride, and bring in the harvest," his father told him. "Winter is coming and we will all be doomed if we are not ready. This war we cannot win in a day or a month, even if we ally with Stannis or Renly. They are too stubborn to set aside their differences. So it is time to set aside our differences with the Lannisters until the snows have passed. And if the gods are good maybe Renly and Stannis will defeat Tywin Lannister."

"What if they lose?" his mother asked.

"That is why I asked for Myrcella," his father replied. "But we will still keep our swords sharp. And if Tywin Lannister thinks he can cross the Neck and root us out of Winterfell he is welcome to try. We have high walls, plenty of food and fodder and firewood. The Lannisters will freeze and be buried in the snows and will starve. Not one Lannister will ever set foot in Winterfell again, I promise you that before all the gods, old and new."