Ser Brienne's Vow

"Your grace."

Hearing the parting of his tent, Robb kept his gaze upon the reports on his deck, continuing his reading of the events happening throughout the realm. The war was ending, sooner than expected and yet his workload seemed to see no end in sight as various things required his attention. It seemed there would be no time to rest for him as Robb found with every challenge he overcame, a new one came upon him soon after.

"I wish to speak with you."

"About Lord Stannis Baratheon?" Robb had already expected this with news spreading throughout the camp about the peace talks between him and Stannis. Everyone knew and no doubt soon the entirety of Westeros would know as well and with it, Robb knew he would have many more conversations just like this one.

Stannis had made many enemies, especially in the Stormlands.

Ser Brienne was another in a long line of people vying for the Stag's head.

"...Yes." Why she was shocked by how he knew, Robb would not pretend to understand.

"You wish to know why I am engaging in peace talks with the man?" Robb questioned, his gaze finally lifting.

Ser Brienne seemed to gather herself following this, standing straighter under his watch. "Yes." She was more confident in her response, firmer and almost demanding. "I cannot understand why you would ally yourself with a Kinslayer. He killed King Renly and..."

"And the war has dragged on long enough." Robb replied simply knowing full well that anything said after that last bit was nothing more than repeated words from others who detested the negotiations. Ser Brienne only cared about the fact that Stannis had killed Renly Baratheon, a man even to this day she called King.

Nothing else mattered to her except that one single fact.

"I simply wish to bring this war to an end. Killing Stannis is not needed in order to accomplish that goal." No, Robb Stark had no intention of killing Stannis when he would be far more suited to keeping the balance between his two wives. The third faction he had his eyes on had always been Stannis Baratheon, a man who while believing himself King and wielding the power of the Hand, would work to counter his two wives and the factions that supported them.

All the while allowing him to focus on preparing Westeros for the Long Night.

Each faction would be simultaneously working to keep him alive and kill him, Robb knew that. His life was hanging by a thread the moment he had worn the crown, yet it would be kept intact by the very people seeking to kill him. That was purely because only by removing him in certain ways might they profit and deprive others of any power. As King, Robb knew his death had to be meticulously planned and performed to perfection otherwise no faction would gain anything from it.

The very shield keeping him alive was the daggers aiming for his back.

"I..." Ser Brienne began, seemingly losing her nerve for a moment before taking a deep breath. "I cannot accept this."

There was a pause, Grey Wind raising its head lightly, a low rumble beginning in its chest. "You cannot accept this?" Robb repeated, bemused by that response.

"Yes." Ser Brienne replied firmly. "I cannot accept this decision. Stannis Baratheon is a Kinslayer, as you proclaimed and now you treat with him? The only fate that should await Stannis is death! I beseech you, your grace, do not allow Stannis to live. Please, give me the opportunity to take his head."

"And in doing so, his fanatical followers would resist is to the very end." Robb pointed out. "He would become a martyr and this war would continue."

"Then I shall kill them all as well." Ser Brienne's response made Robb laugh.

It was short and mocking.

"You would kill them all?" Robb wondered, his lips twisting upward. "All thirty thousand of them?"

There was no response to this.

"Ser Brienne." Robb rose to his feet as did Grey Wind. "I will ask you once and once only. Will you let go of your grudge for Stannis Baratheon and continue to serve me as a member of my Kingsguard? Or will you persist on this foolish quest for revenge?"

"I will not abandon my vow." Ser Brienne stated. "I vowed to kill Stannis Baratheon and that is what I shall do."

Robb huffed, sitting down in his chair, yet Grey Wind did not lower itself. "Guards." The tent parted and in stepped the Hound followed closely by Ser Perwyn and Olyvar Frey, followed close behind by Dacey Mormont. "Ser Brienne of Tarth. I will ask you once more. Will you abandon your quest for revenge or persist?"

"I will not forsake my vow."

"I see." Robb rested his cheek upon his fist. "Then you leave me no choice."

He gave no order, simply a wave of his hand and quickly Ser Sandor rested a hand upon Ser Brienne's shoulder yet she reacted quickly. Brushing him, she lowered herself and began a motion to unsheathe her blade yet paused before fully drawing it free. For as she had moved, Dacey, Olyvar and Perwyn had done the same and far quicker. They had already partially drawn their blades upon entering the tent, each having stood guard and listened into the conversation within.

So when Ser Brienne reacted, they did so too.

Realising this, Ser Brienne paused, looking upon the four knights around her, only Ser Sandor yet to draw his blade as he stood before her. "Sheathe your blade, Ser Brienne." Perwyn warned lowly and Ser Brienne's gaze flickered to see him shifting to her right, she knew full well that while bigger and stronger than him, the man was a skilled warrior one who could match her for a time in a duel. With Olyvar, Sandor and Dacey, Ser Brienne knew this would not be a fight she could emerge victorious from, especially if Robb Stark joined the fray.

Yet the King had not moved.

He was still sitting and watching the proceedings calmly as Grey Wind prowled before his desk.

"Remove yer hand from yer blade before I break 'em." Dacey Mormont's hammers were held loosely in her hands, yet from experience, Ser Brienne knew how dangerous the She-Bear was in combat. Her fierce loyalty to the King would only intensify her skill and make her a dangerous warrior who stood as an equal to her.

Frowning, Ser Brienne continued to survey her surroundings and quickly realised that there was no escape for her in this situation. Yet she could not simply allow Stannis Baratheon to live, not after what he had taken from her. If she was taken away, Ser Brienne knew she would be imprisoned and with it would lose any opportunity in order to fulfil the oath she swore when holding the body of the man she loved in her arms.

"Ser Brienne." Robb spoke up. "Remove your hand from your blade and resist no further. If you do not, your punishment will not be light."

Despite those words, Ser Brienne remained torn.