The Council's Changes

Looking around the tent, Robb was hard-pressed to remember when his council of close advisors had changed so rapidly. It was hardly something he had taken note of until recently but as he looked around he realised just how vastly different it had become. He knew every individual, had fought by their side and known why they came here yet it was difficult for him to remember when the old faces had been swapped out for the new.

In the beginning, when Robb had first set out for war to avenge his father his council had been composed of purely nobles from the North.

His greatest advisors had been the likes of Greatjon Umber, Maege Mormont, Gregor Forrester, Rickard Karstark and Galbart Glover. Robb supposed he could also consider Roose Bolton amongst those of his council, though he primarily kept him there as a means to assess his loyalty but there had been instances where Roose had provided some valuable insight. It was perhaps a hasty move of his to execute the man, one thing that had become clear to Robb as the war progressed was that the actions of Ramsay Bolton had not been done under the orders of Roose.

It was too unlike the man.

Roose was a careful man, sly and cunning.

To outright rebel when the war was still running its course with no party having an overwhelming advantage was foolish. Something that Roose was not, no Roose was no doubt continuing to play all sides and looking back on it, Robb would have liked to use Roose's mind to his favour. Perhaps that man's political acumen and cunning mind might have enabled him to better control the situation in the North, or come in handy when dealing with the Targaryens.

It was too late to focus on the what-ifs though.

Robb had made his decision to execute Roose and now he must deal with the loss of a valuable mind. He had been young then, still learning and growing, mistakes were a part of that and while he could look back and realise what he should have done differently, Robb would not obsess over it. Instead, he would continue to look forward and continue to move on the path laid out before him.

Especially with his new council of advisors that had continued to grow in size.

First with the addition of Brynden Blackfish, a man who still remained on his council to this day, same with Maege Mormont and Galbert Glover. Then following his conquest of the Riverlands, Robb had seen an influx of capable commanders join his ranks and with it, the capabilities of his army had risen.

With the likes of Jason Mallister, Tytos Blackwood and Jonos Bracken joining his ranks, Robb had been able to expand the avenues in which to fight his war. All three of them had proved themselves time and time again, along with an additional member, Marq Piper who despite being young had proven himself an invaluable commander who had long since made a name for himself.

All of whom have continued to serve in his ranks and remain by his side to this day.

Yet it was as the war progressed that young nobles had proven themselves in the midst of combat and risen to provide valuable insight and earned positions of command. To not include them upon his council would have been the height of foolishness and Robb had always been willing to listen to as many voices as possible. He was not foolish enough to believe he was infallible or unbeatable, Robb was still young and learning as much as he could and so he included the voices of those like himself.

Those being the likes of Rodrick Forrester, Smalljon Umber, Dacey Mormont, Patrek Mallister and Brynden Blackwood.

Then came with it the inclusion of the Tyrells and the Reach, bringing the likes of Garlan Tyrell, Randyll Tarly and his son Dickon.

Robb's council had grown immensely.

Continuing to grow with every passing day thanks to the arrival of his new wife, Daenerys Targaryen and the Vale.

"The choice is simple." Marq Piper stated, looking upon Harold Hardynq, a rising voice along with Gendry Baratheon, each of whom held a position of influence. "We will be giving Stannis Baratheon the position as Hand, but he will no doubt demand the Stormlands as well. Our focus should not be on this any longer. Our focus should instead be upon where we allow the Wildlings to reside."

Harold was not deterred though. "He may be a bastard, but Gendry is still the son of Robert Baratheon, legitimised by King Robb. It is his birthright to claim ownership of the Stormlands, not even Stannis can deny that. As Hand, he will have all the influence he needs, giving him the Stormlands as well will only make him more powerful."

"The Stormlands have been ravaged by Stannis' actions." Rodrick pointed out. "Many of the houses there are still recovering from when they refused to bend the knew following his defeat at the Battle of the Blackwater. Stannis was not kind to them, even by giving him the rights to the Stormlands, it will take many years before they will recover. Nor will that give him any real power to threaten the realm when we have the rest of Westeros ready to bring their might down upon him."

"And the Dragons." Barristan interjected.

Many nodded and Harold frowned deeply. "Then it is precisely why we should not give him the Stormlands. Surely he would be more focused on building his own position of power there than actually making decisions for the betterment of the realm."

Before any more arguments could erupt, Gendry placed his hand upon Harold's shoulder. "It's okay. Even if I am not to become ruler of the Stormlands, it was never a position I wanted in the first place." It was clear to anyone how uncomfortable Gendry was in his newfound position of influence, though he had gained some measure of familiarity with it thanks to his time spent with Eddard and other nobles of the Vales, it was still entirely too strange for him.

"Then let us instead turn our attention elsewhere." Lord Tarly spoke up. "The Wildlings are a wild lot, but there is no denying the changes Stannis has brought to the Wall. The defences they have constructed have made each fort as difficult to overcome as the strongest keeps in Westeros. We are lucky that Stannis was open to negotiating with us. Otherwise, the damage he would have been able to do to our forces would be immense. Short of relying on Dragons a pyrrhic victory would have been the only outcome."

"We will need to tear down those defences once this war comes to an end and we depart south." Lord Mallister agreed. "Then we can allow the Wildlings to inhabit the Wall. Have them work with the Night's Watch to defend the Wall."

"And keep out what?" Smalljon snorted. "The whole point of the Wall was to keep out the Wildling bastards."

"It doesn't matter." Tytos dismissed.

"First we have to gain their oaths of fealty." Here, the council members looked toward their most recent member, Jon Stark following the words of Brynden Blackfish.

"It's slow." Jon admitted with a sigh. "They're stubborn, but Val has managed to convince a few. Most though won't do anything until Mance comes south. They're hoping with him here that things might be different."

A few chuckles and smiles were shared at the foolish hope.

All of them knew that the moment Mance came south of the Wall should he refuse to bend the knee he would be made an example of. There was only one option for the Wildlings and that was it, unlike with Stannis the room for negotiation had been closed.

Hearing the tent parting, many looked to see Olyvar enter, bowing in apology before moving toward Robb. No one said anything, continuing to converse as Robb looked on and listened to how things developed. At this point there was little for him to need to say or input, his council was self-sufficient in this way and as the war entered a new theatre, Robb found himself sorely lacking. It was in times like these that Robb allowed those more experienced to take the lead as he listened and learned as to how this new aspect of war was played.

Yet, turning his attention away from it for the time being, Robb instead took the letter from Olyvar and opened it.

Once he did, Robb had to read through it twice and then a third time just to be sure.

If the contents were true then Robb had far too many questions that needed answering.

Nor could he spare much longer in the North.