Game Of Thrones... With A Twist

A Game of Thrones - Chapter 16

<That night, Great Hall, Winterfell, The North...>

The Lords of the North had all gathered underneath the hall of the Starks, eating and drinking within the walls of Winterfell as the Starkborn siblings sat amongst the Mountain Clans from the Northern Mountains and Crannogmen from the Neck, Riders from the Rills and Winter Soldiers from Last Hearth, Knights from White Harbor and Fierce Warriors from Bear Island.

Throughout all this, Edwyn sighed for the umpteenth time, wondering how long would it take for a message to sink into GreatJon Umber's empty skull at what Robb was proposing.

"For 30 years I've been making corpses out of men, boy. I'm the man you want leading the vanguard." The GreatJon stated confidently once more.

"Galbart Glover will lead the van." Robb asserted, but it seemed the GreatJon was determined to get his way.

"The bloody Wall will melt before an Umber marches behind a Glover." Lord Umber jested as Lord Glover only shook his head at the large man.

"I will lead the van or I will take my men and march them home." The GreatJon laid out an ultimatum as Edwyn slapped his forehead, knowing that SmallJon Umber was laughing at him silently at his father's antics that threatened Robb's command over the northern lords.

But that statement caused Bran and Theon to watch in shock at the Umber's defiance whilst the elder sons of Ned Stark glared at the man before Robb spoke, "You are welcome to do so, Lord Umber." 

And then Robb stood up, making his point made in front of all the North, "And when I am done with the Lannisters, I will march back north, root you out of your keep and hang you for an oathbreaker." Robb stated as Grey Wind raised his head.

Edwyn felt Fenrir bristling for conflict... but right now, unity was needed in the North, not conflict.

That last word did get on the Umber's nerves though, "Oathbreaker, is it?!" The large man roared as he tossed his chair to the side and rose to his feet.

The other Lords of the North stood as well as GreatJon Umber roared at Robb's face, "I'll not sit here and swallow insults from a boy so green he pisses grass!" The GreatJon roared as he moved to draw his blade, which caused both Theon and Edwyn to stand in defense of the Lord of Winterfell... but it seemed that Grey Wind had it in hand.

The direwolf ran across the table and leapt upon the GreatJon with a savage snarl as it bit into the man's last two fingers on his left hand, causing the man to fall and yell in pain as his fingers were savagely ripped off as the direwolf returned loyally to its master's side.

Although, all the Lords of the North knew then that the word of the Starks of Winterfell was still as strong as ever, despite Ned Stark being a prisoner of the Crown.

As the GreatJon rose amidst the silence that was only broken by Grey Wind's angry growls, Robb spoke coldly, "My lord father taught me it was death to bare steel against your liege lord. But doubtless the GreatJon only meant to cut my meat for me."

Edwyn smirked as the scowling GreatJon kicked another chair away as he spoke, "Your meat..." 

The man took a glance at all the lords, who were looking at him as he noticed the wry smirk on Edwyn Snow's face, before he answered, "... is bloody tough." The GreatJon spoke in a calmer tone as he held his hand with its two severed fingers.

The GreatJon then began to laugh, and so did Robb and all the other Northerners, much to the confusion of one Brandon Stark, one Theon Greyjoy and one Jaune Hardyng.

Edwyn himself laughed loudly amongst the Northerners as the hall was filled with laughter... but the underlying respect for the strength of House Stark as well.