Chapter 5: Troops Of Doom

Catelyn

The Northern host made its way down the bogs of the Neck at a quick pace, they seemed to be constantly marching and Catelyn suspected that it had more to do with nerves on Robb's part than anything else. Each day that they marched Robb would ask one of his lord bannermen to ride beside him and they would converse on a variety of subjects, it was something that Robb had learned from Ned, for as her husband always used to say to Robb and Jon ' if your men do not know you how can you expect them to die for you?' Jon himself it seemed had also taken Ned's words to heart and spent a great deal of time conversing with those lords that Robb had either spoken to already or had yet to speak to, today whilst Robb was speaking with Robett Glover, Jon was speaking with Rickard Karstark and saying something that was obviously making the older man laugh.

Ser Brynden's riders brought back news that did little to ease the nerves and worry that were Catelyn's constant companions these days. Lord Tywin's host was still many days to the south... but Walder Frey, Lord of the Crossing had assembled a force of near four thousand men at his castles on the Green Fork.

"Late again." Catelyn had murmured when she heard. It was the Trident all over, damn the man. Her brother Edmure had called the banners: by rights, Lord Frey should have gone to join the Tully host at Riverrun, yet here he sat.

"Four thousand men," Robb repeated, more perplexed than angry. "Lord Frey cannot hope to fight the Lannisters by himself. Surely he means to join his power to ours."

"Does he?" Robett Glover asked. She had ridden forward to join Robb and Robett Glover, his companion of the day. The vanguard spread out behind them, a slow moving forest of lances and banners and spears. "I wonder. Expect nothing of Walder Frey, and you will never be surprised."

"He's your father's bannermen."

"Some men take their oaths more seriously than others Robb. And Lord Walder was always friendlier with Casterly Rock than my father would have liked. One of his son's is wed to Tywin Lannister's sister. That means little of itself to be sure. Lord Walder has sired a great many children over the years and they must needs marry someone. Still..."

"Do you think he means to betray us to the Lannisters my lady?" Robett Glover asked gravely.

Catelyn sighed "Truth be told, I doubt even Lord Frey knows what Lord Frey intends to do. He was always cautious and with his age that is likely to have grown though he has a young man's ambition and a fox's cunning."

Before Robb could reply, Theon Greyjoy rode up looking slightly the worse for wear "The Blackfish says to tell you that he crossed swords with Lannisters. There a dozen scouts who won't be reporting back to Lord Tywin anytime soon or ever." He grinned "Ser Addam Marbrand commands the outriders and he's retreating south burning as he goes. He knows more or less where we are but won't advance any further the Blackfish promises."

"Unless Lord Frey tells him." Catelyn warned.

"Aye that is true my lady, " Greyjoy replied but then said "Whilst I was riding to tell you the news there was some activity within the Twins it appears Lord Frey wishes to know what we want from him."

Sure enough after Theon spoke those words riders bearing the twin towers of House Frey could be seen approaching them. Ser Stevron Frey the heir to the Twins for as long as Catelyn had lived rode forth with what she assumed to be his siblings or nephews or even children, it was hard to tell with so many Freys running around.

"My lord father has sent me to greet you, and inquire as to whom leads this mighty host." Ser Stevron said.

Robb rode forward "I do."

Ser Stevron looked at Robb with a slightly bemused look on his face when he asked "And if you would be so kind to state your purpose with him in his hall, he would be most grateful."

His words crashed around the lord bannermen each giving reasons as to why Robb should not venture into the Twins and why Lord Frey could not be trusted. Catelyn could tell that their words were not impressing Ser Stevron and for a moment she feared that he would simply retreat back to the Twins and then all would be lost. It was with this in mind that she said loudly "I will go."

"You my lady?" said the Greatjon his brow furrowed.

"Are you sure mother?" Robb asked

"Never more," Catelyn lied glibly "Lord Walder is my father's bannerman. I have known him since I was a girl. He would never offer me any harm."

Ser Stevron was quick to seize on the opening Catelyn had given him "I am certain my Lord father would be pleased to speak to the Lady Catelyn. To vouchsafe for our good intentions, my brother Ser Perwyn will remain here until she is safely returned to you."

"He shall be our honoured guest." Robb said, Ser Perwyn, the youngest of the four Freys in the party, dismounted and handed the reins of his horse to a brother. "I require my lady mother's return by evenfall, Ser Stevron," Robb went on "It is not my intent to linger long."

Ser Stevron gave a polite nod, "As you say my lord." Catelyn spurred her horse forward and did not look back. She knew she would need to play it carefully here, her father and uncle had often said that Lord Walder was so old that he remembered insults and slights as if they had happened just the day before, his loyalty was only to himself and he fathered children with no care for the trouble they caused. Yes she thought I will have to be careful not to play on his pride here.

As she entered the Great Hall of the Twins, she found herself trying to hold back her anger. Whilst her brother and most of her father's bannermen were fighting the Lannisters, Lord Frey and his brood were gorging themselves on food, wine and women as if winter was just around the corner. They all stopped however, when Ser Stevron announced her, Lord Frey looked up from his plate of food and cast his beady eyes on her and she could see the disdain written clearly on his face even before he began to speak.

"So the boy sends his mother eh, is he not man enough to come and talk to me himself?" Catelyn had to hold her tongue for she knew what she had been about to say would have deeply angered the old Lord of the Crossing.

Instead all she said was "I have come as a representative from my son and his bannermen my lord. You, yourself are my father's bannerman and I would like to speak to you." She heard the shuffling of benches and knew that Lord Walder's brood were now paying much more rapt attention, she looked at Lord Walder questioningly for a moment before he shouted for everyone else to get lost.

Once the last of his brood had gone Lord Walder fixed his beady eyes on her once more and said "I know what you wish to ask of me, my lady. I am not as old and senile as everyone seems to think. But tell me Lady Stark, why should I allow your boy and his men to cross? Your husband has been named traitor and your boy and his men are no more than rebels. What is in it for me if I allow them to cross?"

Catelyn bristled and said "You swore a vow to my father, you are his bannerman you have called your men and here they are, why then do you not march for Riverrun my Lord? Why wait here? For surely when Tywin Lannister is done with the rest of the Riverlands he will come for you and question why you did not march on Edmure?"

Lord Frey looked at her for a moment before speaking "I also swore a vow to the Iron Throne. Tell me my lady, when your husband rebelled against mad King Aerys, he marched his men down the neck and passed my hall and hearth, for Lord Hoster demanded it and I was in no position then to refuse nor get any benefit from doing so. For Aerys was mad on that all agree, but Joffrey? The boy is but a stripling compared to Aerys, true the stripling looks more Lannister than Baratheon but unless there is proof for what your husband and Lord Stannis have been saying then he is the rightful king of the throne."

Oh if you only knew, Catelyn thought, the rightful king to the throne sits amongst my son's ranks. But of course she could not tell him that for he would wish for one of his daughters to be betrothed to Jon and Catelyn knew that Jon would never hold to it for only one girl held his heart more than his honour did, and she was a captive in King's Landing.

Lord Frey continued "Of course if I were to gain certain benefits from allowing your boy and his men to cross then I suppose I could be amenable to allowing them to cross as well as my men."

And so negotiations went back and forth between Lady Catelyn and Lord Walder for a good few hours, and when they were finally done and she returned to Robb and his men and Ser Perwyn rode off back to the Twins with his brothers the sun was beginning to set .

"Well?" Robb asked "What did he want?"

Catelyn took a deep breath and said "He will give us his men and his bridge if you take his son Olyvar to squire."

Robb was about to speak, so Catelyn ploughed on "When we get Arya back she is to marry his boy Elmar. I will need men to escort two of his boys both of whom called Walder back to Winterfell for I have agreed to foster them. And when the fighting is done you shall marry one of his daughters. Do you accept?"

Robb was silent for a moment before saying "Can I refuse?"

"Not if you wish to cross."

"Then I accept."

Catelyn felt her heart swell with pride for her son, for boys may play at being knights and warriors, but it took a Lord to negotiate a marriage contract.

Jon

After they had been allowed to cross the northern host split in two, with Roose Bolton taking control of the infantry and had been instructed to engage Tywin Lannister's host in combat in order to by Robb who had taken control of the cavalry, time to march on Riverrun and take the Kingslayer unawares. They were bolstered by 2000 men from the Crossing and from a further 1000 men from Seagard. They rode hard and were racing to making to the Whispering Wood by nightfall, for a few moments on the ride Jon was worried that perhaps the horses and the men would both be too tired to engage in serious combat due to their exertions in the day.

Robb, however was insistent that the Blackfish continue to send scouts out before them to ensure that none of the scouts that the Kingslayer may have sent out could spot their advance and warn the Kingslayer before they had had a chance to converge on him and surround his men. They had reached the Whispering Wood just as the sun was setting, and as Jon sat on his black stallion next to Robb who was sat on his grey one, he could feel a sense of nerves and anticipation both emanating from himself and from Robb. They were waiting for Lady Mormont to blow her horn to signal that the trap had been set and the anticipation was beginning to get to Jon, he knew that he would more than likely be engaged in the main body of fighting as he was part of Robb's protective guard, he hadn't really volunteered for the role it was only that when their mother had suggested that if she were to have guards then Robb to should have guards whilst all the other lord's sons and daughter had clamoured for the role of protecting the heir to Winterfell, Jon had merely stood beside Robb and both had known that he would die to protect his brother.

Jon felt Robb move beside him and out of the corner of his eye saw his brother put his helm on so that only his eyes could be visible through his helm, Jon watched with mixed feelings of pride and nerves as he saw his brother ride down the line saying things to the men that would undoubtedly give them courage for the upcoming battle. Something Jon knew that Robb had learned from their father. When Robb rode back and moved his horse beside Jon's, Jon put on his own wolf's head helm and then together they waited for the war to begin.

When they heard Lady Maege's horn sound and Ghost and Greywind's answering howls, Jon felt a shiver run through him, and heard Robb say softly "This is it brother, tonight we become men." Then heard him say much more loudly "FOR WINTERFELL!"

Jon shouted "Winterfell" with the rest of the men before following Robb's charge and soon all else was forgotten as Jon gave himself to the blood rush and the adrenaline of the fight. His sword was put to use when a man dressed in the Lannister crimson came charging at him from out of the dark, Jon slashed at the man's throat and struck true and watched as the man fell to the ground bleeding to his death. Jon rode on slashing and hacking at any man who wore Lannister red till his sword was stained red, fitting he supposed. Next to him Robb was also cutting and slashing away, Jon had made sure to ride close to Robb to make sure no one else tried to sneak an attack in, and Ghost and Greywind were close by as well ripping the throats out of men and horses alike.

The next man Jon attacked was a big brute of a man, nearing seven feet tall who looked as big as an ox, he swung wildly at Jon, and he just about managed to raise his shield up in time to defect the bigger man's blow. It took all of his strength to throw the man's sword of off his shield, as the man continued to swing and Jon found that he could not do much more than block. But then the bigger man began to tire and Jon after throwing the man's sword of his shield once more began slashing at the man's exposed right side, the man weighed down by his armour was slow to respond and by the time he managed to raise his shield up to block one of Jon's swings, he was already bleeding viciously. Though he did not give up his own assault either instead it continued with a renewed sense of purpose, Jon felt the sword make dents in his breastplate and shoulder plate and could even feel the blood begin to trickle out of the wounds that the man's sword had made. Still the bigger man had tired himself out through his earlier exertions and Jon managed with one big thrust to knock the man's sword out of his hand and pierce the man's throat. Jon watched rooted to the spot as the behemoth of a man fell to his knees, blood spouting from his throat as he bled to death.

He was brought back to the sounds of the battle when he heard something that made his heart nearly stop in his chest. The Kingslayer was advancing closer and closer to his brother all the while cutting down Robb's protectors and shouting the name "Stark!" over and over again. Jon turned his horse to see where Robb was, and found to his relief that his brother was still engaged in a battle with another Lannister soldier and that Dacey Mormont and Robin Flint were still near him. He looked back to where the Kingslayer was and watched horrified as he brought down first Eddard Karstark with a jab to the throat and then Daryn Hornwood with a thrust through the stomach, he was advancing toward Torrhen Karstark when Jon snapped out of his stupor and shouted as loud as he could "GHOST!" He watched relieved when Ghost managed to push Torrhen down to the ground and away from the Kingslayer.

This of course drew the kingslayer's attention and he looked up through his lion's helm toward Jon and spurred his horse forward, Jon did the same and when they were close enough to exchange blows Jon could have sworn he heard the man say "Bastard." Jon did not have time to respond for before he knew it the man, the finest sword in Westeros was swinging his sword at Jon like his life depended on it and Jon was raising his sword in the nick of time to defend himself. Jon found himself engaged in a dance of steel with the Kingslayer and found that for every blow he managed to get onto the man, for every cut that drew blood from the Kingslayer, the man managed to get two on Jon. He could feel his body beginning to tire and knew that either he would die soon or the Kingslayer would more than likely take him prisoner. Jon was jolted awake though when he felt the man's sword pierce his horse's throat and Jon fell off his black stallion and just about managed to roll away from it before it fell down to the ground dead. Jon was now fighting the Kingslayer on the ground for the man dismounted from his own horse too.

They continued their dance of steel both either getting hits on the other that drew blood or clashing sword on sword. Jon kept fighting past the point of exhaustion as did the Kingslayer, however, Jon could also tell that Ghost was going to pounce on the man unless Jon finished him soon, and so he feinted to his left hoping to draw the kingslayer's shield arm up, and when the man did raise his shield arm Jon swung with all his might and brought his sword down on the man's left arm splicing hand from arm, and as blood began to pour out from the stump that was formerly the Kingslayer's left hand Ghost pounced on the man knocking him to the ground.

Later once the Kingslayer had been brought in chains before Robb and Lady Catelyn and had been thrown into a makeshift cell in their camp, Jon found himself sitting on yet another horse in the dead of the night waiting for another horn to be blown. They were to destroy the remaining Lannister soldiers that were camped near Riverrun. Jon was part of the van being commanded by the Blackfish, and when he heard Ghost's howl, Jon spurred his horse on shouting Winterfell as he moved, and soon he was swept up in yet another battle.

This one though went much quicker than the day's battle and was over in what felt like a matter of minutes. Jon swung his sword and cleaved a bloody path through the Lannister encampment on the West Bank near Riverrun, whilst the men set fire to Lannister tents. Jon continued cleaving a bloody path through the Lannister soldiers leaving room for the others to throw their torches onto the tents, and when Robb and his men came forth and began attacking the east bank the gates of Riverrun opened and Lord Blackwood led a sortie that destroyed the Lannister host camped on the central bank facing Riverrun.

The sound of cheering was heard late into the night as the men and Jon watched the remaining Lannister soldiers flee back across the Tumblestones. Riverrun was now back in Tully hands.

Catelyn

The two victories that had been won today had been celebrated long into the early hours of the morning, with the men proclaiming Robb and Jon the saviours of the Riverlands, Jon had won himself acclaim for disarming the Kingslayer himself and Robb won acclaim for his tactical nous. Both of her boys had celebrated with the men and Catelyn knew that they would both be nursing sore heads today, and so she thought that she was right for feeling guilty for what she was about to do. For it would almost certainly unbalance all they knew and she prayed that they could understand and forgive her for doing this.

She walked into the room that Robb had claimed as his own, and found Jon there the two boys were sharing a joke over something or the other with Theon, and when they noticed her standing in the room Theon made to leave but Catelyn had decided that if Robb were to know then Theon needed to as well. "Please stay Theon, though if you could close the door I would be most grateful." Theon did just that and once she heard the door close, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Robb had a look of concern on his face "What is it mother? Has something bad happened to father or to the girls?"

Catelyn breathed deeply before saying "No nothing has happened to your father or to the girls."

"Then what is wrong mother?" Jon asked, and Catelyn's heart tightened painfully at that would he still call her that when he knew the truth.

"I have come to tell you something that has been kept a secret for many a year now. I have come to tell you the truth of to whom Jon's mother is." Silence greeted her words and all three boys looked confused.

Jon was the first to break the silence by saying "But you are my mother, mother. Maybe I was not born to you but you have always been my mother."

Catelyn could feel the tears building in her eyes at Jon's words and said "That is true Jon, but you must understand that though I see you as my son, you are actually my nephew."

"What do you mean mother?" Robb asked "How can Jon be your nephew if he is father's son?"

Catelyn inhaled deeply before saying "Because Ned is not your father Jon. Rhaegar Targaryen is, and Lyanna Ned's sister is your mother."

Silence once again greeted her words before Jon said "No that can't be true! How can Lyanna be my mother, she died, how can I be the son of a man who raped a girl who was many years his junior!"

Catelyn's heart broke as she saw the hurt and pain on Jon's face and wanted to soothe him but could not find the words to do so, and was surprised when Theon said "It's simple isn't it Jon? We know that Lord Eddard rode to war with Robert Baratheon when his sister was taken, and that Rhaegar only came back to the normal world before the Trident. And when Lord Eddard rode to the Tower of Joy he found three knights of the Kingsguard there protecting his sister, and her child. You."

Catelyn nodded and said "Jon the three Kingsguard were there to protect Lyanna and her unborn child and when your father rode there they would not move for they believed they were protecting the last heir to the Targaryen dynasty, after the sack you were King. Afterwards Ned took you for his own after he promised Lyanna to protect you and claimed you as his bastard to protect you from Robert and from those who would use you for your last name."

Jon did not reply but Robb did and he asked "And father told you all of this mother?"

Catelyn nodded again and said "Yes at first he didn't but then he did, and made me promise to never tell anyone else apart from Jon when the time was right."

Finally Jon spoke and his voice shook "And why are you telling me now mother?"

Catelyn could not answer that she could only say "I understand if you are hurt or confused Jon but we only did this because we love you and we wanted to protect you."

Jon merely stood there for a moment before saying "Leave. Robb and Theon leave."

Both looked like they wished to protest but a look from Catelyn sent them scampering away.

Jon stood stock still though his hands were shaking and his eyes were red from repressed tears when he looked at her and said "So if what you say is true then I am a dragon not a wolf and I am the rightful king to the Iron Throne?" Catelyn merely nodded.

Jon looked at her then and said in voice she had last heard when Theon had called him a bastard all those years ago "I'm scared mother, I'm scared and lost."

"Oh Jon, sweetling I'm here for you, you're not lost you'll never be lost." And she threw her arms around him wrapping him in a tight embrace as Jon buried his head into her shoulder and cried like he had once done when he was a child, and Catelyn could only hope he would be able to continue living.

Eddard

The ground surrounding the Great Sept of Baelor was packed full of people, here to watch him confess to a crime he had supposedly committed. Cersei Lannister had promised him that if he "confessed" that he would be able to take the black and that his daughters would be safe. But Varys had told him that was a lie, that Littlefinger had been whispering in the King's ear telling him that it would look much better if the traitor was executed for it would send a signal to the realm that Joffrey did not tolerate traitors.

Varys had told him then that Joffrey was planning on doing as Littlefinger advised and that he would continue to torment Sansa afterwards, there would be no happy ending for his little girl unless Ned did the one thing Varys wanted him to do. Denounce Joffrey and Stannis name them usurpers and name Jon as the rightful king of the seven kingdoms and Varys would make sure that Sansa stayed safe and that Arya made it to Riverrun.

As he stepped forward onto the podium to speak to make his confession, Ned's only thought was of his sister and the promise he had made to her all those years ago Forgive me Lya, I have done my best to protect your boy, but I will not be able to protect him anymore.

He listened as the High Septon stood forward and spoke "We are gathered here today in sight of the Seven to listen to the confession of the traitor Eddard Stark."

Ned stepped forward and listened as the crowd booed and hissed at him and felt something hit his body he would have fallen back had it not been for the gold cloaks holding him up. Speaking in a clear voice he said "I am Eddard Stark, former hand of the king, to the late king his grace Robert Baratheon. I stand before you to confess that I betrayed my friend I did not do right by him as I should have done." This was met by much booing and hissing and Ned was hit by more objects, some of which hit his face causing blood to flow down his cheek, he carried on regardless. "I hid from him secrets that perhaps I should have shared, but I did not try and steal his throne from his son Joffrey Baratheon, for Joffrey is no true Baratheon. Nor is he the true heir to the Iron Throne nor are his uncles Lord Stannis or Lord Renly. No the true heir to the throne is the boy I claimed as my bastard to protect him. The boy known as Jon Snow is the true king of the Seven Kingdoms. He is the sole remaining son and heir of Rhaegar Targaryen who married my sister Lyanna Stark sixteen years ago. His true name is Jon of House Targaryen first of his name, King of the First Men, Andals and Lord Protector of the Realm. I name Joffrey Waters an usurper and a traitor." He finished speaking and could tell that the crowd had been stunned into silence; he could practically hear Varys trying to contain a titter and thought briefly you had best keep to your end of the promise Varys, or I shall haunt you from beyond the grave.

Joffrey was the first to break out of the stunned silence yelling "It appears Lord Stark has taken leave of his sense. Ser Illyn bring me his head!"

Just before Ser Illyn brought Ice down on his neck, Ned saw his life flash before his eyes and thought of Cat, of Robb, of Jon and of Sansa and Arya and Bran and Rickon and prayed to the old gods, keep them safe keep them healthy. Then as he heard his daughter's scream and the roar of the crowd and felt Ice touch his neck, Eddard Stark Lord of Winterfell thought Long Live the King.