Wreak Havoc ♛ Robb Stark

TWELVE

"Not in time. Tywin Lannister marches North as we speak."

"The Freys have held the crossing for 600 years, and for 600 years they have never failed to to exact their toll" Lady Catelyn said while looking at the bannermen who were coming closer by each passing second.

"Well, there's a first time for everything" Hera mumbled to herself, her eyes glued to the bannermen.

"Have my horse saddled and ready" Robb told one of his bannermen, who nodded in answer. Hera's eyes widened.

"Enter the Twins alone and he'll sell you to the Lannisters" Lord Glover exclaimed.

"Or throw you in a dungeon. Or slit your throat." Theon added.

Hera softly grabbed Robb's arm, making his blue eyes snap to her green ones. His eyes searched her face, and he frowned as he took in her worried expression. "Robb, you can't!" She exclaimed in a low voice. "He's dangerous, and I can't bear it if anything were to happen to you!" Robb's face seemed to soften at her words, his eyes staring into her own with a new sort of emotion in them.

He seemed to debate his options as he still looked at Hera. He sighed softly as he gave her an apologetic look. He adverted his eyes towards the two bannermen who were almost at their side. "My father would do whatever it took to secure our crossing." he said, his eyes quickly looking at Hera, before he looked away again. "Whatever it took."

Hera sighed and removed her arm from his, her expression turning back into a neuteral one. Robb shot her a look of sadness, which she ignored.

"If I'm going to lead this army, I can't have my men do all the bargaining for me." he said.

"I agree" Lady Catelyn spoke. "I'll go."

As soon as the words left her lips, everyone broke out into discussion. They were saying how she couldn't go and how it was too dangerous. She interrupted them by waving her hands. "I have known Lord Frey since I was a girl, he would never harm me!"

"Unless there was a profit in it" Lord Umber spoke. Hera closed her eyes with a sigh. Gods have mercy.

*

Later that day, they were all sitting in Robb's tent, waiting anxiously for Lady Catelyn's return. She had been gone for many hours, and it had now turned dark outside. Hera bit her thumb as she stared straight forward, onto the table.

Footsteps were heard, and suddenly Lady Catelyn walked inside the tent. Everyone stood up to greet her. Hera felt her stomach drop as she took in Lady Catelyn's troubled expression. That could only mean that she was bearing bad news.

"Well?" Robb asked nervously, his eyes glued to his mother. "What did he say?"

"Lord Walder has granted your crossing" she announced. Everyone sighed in relief, but Hera knew it was not that easy. No, Lady Catelyn's expression said that there was more to it.

"His men are yours as well" she added. "Less the 400 he will keep here to hold the crossing against any who would pursue you."

Robb nodded at her words.
"And what does he want in return?"

"You will be taking on his son Olyvar as your personal squire. He expects a knighthood in good time."

Robb nodded. "Fine, fine." he answered. "And?"

"And Arya will marry his son Waldrom, when they both come of age" she said.

"She won't be happy about that." Robb voiced. Hera could imagine Arya's reaction. Screaming at them in rage and refusing to marry the boy.

"And when the fighting is done..." Lady Catelyn took a deep breath. "...You will marry one of his daughters. Whichever one you prefer. He has a number he thinks will be suitable."

Hera didn't know why, but the announcement made a lump form in her throat and she suddenly felt saddened. Why did she react like this?

Robb didn't react like she thought he would. Instead of refusing like she thought he would, he remained calm. "I see" he muttered. "Did you get a good look at his daughters?" he asked, which caused Theon to snicker. It also caused Hera to elbow him in his stomach.

"I did" Lady Catelyn answered.

"And?"

"One was..." she trailed off, causing Robb to sigh. "Do you consent?" his mother asked.

Robb looked up. "Can I refuse?"

Lady Catelyn frowned. "Not if you want to cross."

"Then I consent" Robb left the tent after he spoke, probably to get some time alone and to think.

Hera shared a look with Theon, both of them thinking the same thing. They both knew that the marriage would make Robb unhappy, which saddened Hera to think about.

She left the tent soon after that.