The march from Storm's End to Tumbleton had only taken a little less than a week. The army of a hundred thousand marched north on the Kingsroad before turning west on the Roseroad. Being so close to King's Landing, it had been more than tempting for Robb to take the capitol, but he had other plans in mind for Joffrey.
Robb was a good man who didn't hate many people. But Joffrey, the whiny, cowardly prick who sat on a chair of swords was someone he truly hated with his heart and soul. Robb wanted Joffrey to truly fear him before he took the royal prick's head. He wanted to make him watch, powerless, as Robb defeated his grandfather, conquered the Westerlands, and then marched on King's Landing with a mighty army at his back. He wanted to make Joffrey watch as Robb tore every defense from around him and exposed the boy for what he was: a spoiled brat who never had the spine to face Robb on the battlefield.
Tumbleton was an ideal stop for Robb and his army. The town was primarily used for trade, and being so close to the Mander river and King's Landing, it saw its fair share of goods run through the town. It had more than enough food to resupply the army and the area around the city was large enough for Robb's men to camp, so long as they stayed off roads.
Robb currently sat in the solar of Lord Footley, protector of Tumbleton, who had been gracious enough to lend the room to the northern king and his commanders. Many messages had been sent to Bitterbridge and Highgarden from the North and Riverlands, and now Robb had to play catch up. The last news he received was that Ser Brynden had conquered the northern Westerlands.
"The Blackfish has done great work in the Riverlands." Lord Randyll said, looking over a message from the Tully knight. "Almost the entire Westerlands have fallen to him, leaving on Kayce, Lannisport, and Casterly Rock to be taken."
"Not to mention that he's pushed back Tywin's raiders quite a bit." Lord Rowan added. "He's sent nearly a thousand riders south towards Pinkmaiden to cut off the bastards."
"Will he march on Casterly Rock?" Ser Baelor Hightower asked curiously.
Lord Tarly shook his head. "The Rock is one of the most defensible castles I've seen," he answered. "It would take quite a host to siege the castle, let alone take it."
"Which he can't do anyways because of how close Tywin is," Robb commented. "Ser Brynden can only send in small armies to take castles. From the reports, Stafford Lannister stripped a lot of garrisons to put his host at Oxcross together. Lord Tarly is right. Ser Brynden would need nearly the entire host to take the Rock."
"Why not march north and take the bastard from behind while Ser Brynden leads a force south. Pinch him right between us?" Ser Donnel Swann asked.
The heir to Stonehelm, along with his brother Balon, were welcome additions to Robb's retinue. Lord Gulian Swann, the lord of Stonehelm, had decided to remain home, his sword sheathed for good. Now, the men of Stonehelm were commanded by the man's two sons; Donnel and Balon. Both knights were chivalrous, loyal, and honest. All traits that Robb valued.
Donnel was a solid man, dependable with average intelligence. If told what to do, he could be relied upon to see it done completely. But he was not a true strategist like Tarly or Caron. If there was ever a word to describe the man, it was ordinary.
His brother, on the other hand, was a true asset to Robb as the newest member of his guard. Ser Balon was an excellent warrior, skilled with the lance, morningstar, and bow. Even Loras Tyrell, who had faced the man many times in tournaments, could not deny his martial abilities.
"We leave the Crownlanders at our back." Lord Caron explained. "They may not be a lot of them, but even ten thousand men smashing into our rear could cost us double that number. That's all Tywin would need to slip from our grasp while we're reeling from an attack."
Robb nodded. "So we march north," he said. "It's the only logical answer. Besides, then, we simply sweep south towards King's Landing without having to worry about who's at our backs."
"I would agree with you, your grace, but I'm afraid that won't be as easy as you hope." Lord Randyll grumbled angrily, handing Robb the message he had been reading. "This came from Lady Olenna."
Robb raised an eyebrow but took the message. It read:
Your Grace,
My informants have told me that the ironborn have invaded the North along the western coast. They are led by Victarion, Asha, and Theon Greyjoy.
Blackfish has sent a raven from Riverrun. Lord Bolton has been sent north with Dustins, Ryswells, and Freys. Ser Rodrik Cassel is also rallying a host at Winterfell to repel the invaders.
Balon Greyjoy had named himself King of the Iron Islands.
Lady Olenna Tyrell
Robb felt his heart drop to his stomach and his veins turned to ice. There was no way Theon would betray him. They were like brothers, they were family. There had to be a misunderstanding, a lie. Robb had been given his word. If Balon said no, Theon would return to Riverrun. There was no way Theon would ever break his word.
He couldn't.
Garlan frowned as Robb's expression changed from one of confusion to black fury. He looked towards Lord Tarly, who looked more grim than usual.
"What's happened?"
"Balon Greyjoy has placed a crown on his head once again." Tarly explained. "He's sent his brother and children to attack the North. Most likely in retaliation for the role Eddard Stark played in the man's failed rebellion."
"Perhaps it's just a raid?" Ser Baelor offered weakly.
Mathis Rowan shook his head sadly. "Lady Olenna's informants are rarely wrong," he said. "Besides, if Balon's put a crown on his head. It's the Iron Fleet."
"I'll take his bloody head," Robb muttered angrily, throwing the letter on the desk in front of him. "Fucking foolish idea."
Garlan shared a confused look with the others. "Your grace?" He asked worriedly. He had seen Robb angry before like when he had arrived at the trial Loras was holding at Bitterbridge, but this was far worse. Robb had the desire to kill in his eyes.
Robb's eyes were like shards of ice. "I sent Theon to his father in the hopes of allying myself to the ironborn. He left the same day I came south to treat with Renly. He had orders to return to Riverrun if his father refused." He growled. "Instead he betrayed me."
"You did what you thought was right," Garlan said, trying to make an excuse for Robb, but the northern king shook his head.
"I was a fool, Garlan. There is no excuse." Robb barked. "I trusted the wrong people and now my home is being attacked."
Tarly nodded. "All is not lost, your grace. The ironborn are not front line fighters, nor are they particularly known for their strategy. Lord Bolton and Ser Rodrik will see them off in due time."
"I'll write a message to Roose. Tell him that Theon is to be captured. I want to kill him myself." Robb said. "Lord Redwyne, how fast can your fleet make it up the coast?"
"A week, maybe more if the winds are fair," Paxter answered.
The Redwyne fleet had been assembled at the Arbor when Renly declared himself king, but it had never been ordered to move just yet. It was one of the four most powerful navies in Westeros, next to the Royal, Iron, and Western fleets.
"Will you be able to join them?" Garlan asked.
Lord Redwyne tilted his head, thinking. "If I ride like seven hells for the coast, I should be able to meet them just north of the Shield Islands."
"Do it," Robb said. "If Balon Greyjoy wants to invade my home, I'll remind him what it feels like."
Lord Tarly nodded. "Retaliation must be swift and harsh," he said, agreeing with Robb.
Robb tapped the desk in front of him thoughtfully. He was trying to push the thoughts of Theon's betrayal to the side so that he could focus on the now. He was going to march north to Riverrun and meet up with his northern army. From there, he could split up his force to attack the Iron Islands, finish the campaign in the Westerlands, and attack the Lannisters.
"Lord Redwyne, bring your fleet up to Lannisport and blockade the port until it is time to invade the islands," Robb ordered. "The rest of us here will march north and meet up with my other host at Riverrun. From there, we will split up. We will have more than enough men to attack the ironborn, Tywin, and the Westerlands."
"Divide and conquer." Bryce Caron said fiercely.
Robb nodded. "Exactly. My enemies have multiplied since I have left the Riverlands, but I have the troops and the commanders to put them all down." Robb growled. "We'll make Balon, Tywin, Joffrey, and Theon all pay."
Line Break
"I didn't know how else to tell you this, but now's a better time than later," Garlan said as Bryce Caron closed the door behind him. After Robb had laid out his plan, he had dismissed the others so that he could be by himself. Only Garlan had remained in his seat, waiting patiently so that he could be alone with Robb.
Robb raised an eyebrow. "What?" he asked, his anger slowly fading.
"Margaery is on her way," Garlan said. "She and our grandmother."
"Why?"
Garlan shrugged. "Besides the fact that the two of you are going to marry, I suspect she wants to go wherever you go. In this case, it seems she's going north."
Robb frowned. "But we're marching to war, Garlan."
"She stayed in Renly's camp." The Tyrell knight pointed out. "She's been in a war camp before."
Robb shook his head. "Renly never went to battle. We'll be marching against Tywin. She can't stay in the war camp then. Not with the enemy so close at hand."
Garlan nodded, conceding the point. "Fair, but then again she'll agree that she shouldn't be there anyway. She can be left at Riverrun during the battle, and then join you when we win. Just like how she stayed at Bitterbridge when we marched off to face Stannis."
Robb nodded slowly. "Alright." He conceded.
"Robb," Garlan said, "she truly cares for you. She wants to be a good queen, just as we're all sure you'll be a good king. But realize that you are still a stranger to her. Take this moment, before we march off to war and almost certain death, to get to know each other, to become friends before lovers."
"Do you have a wife?" Robb asked curiously.
Garlan smiled gently, his eyes having a little far off look as he looked out a window. "I do. My Leonette is currently at Highgarden with my mother," he said. He looked back at Robb. "There's no one I'd rather be with."
Robb smiled. "You love her, that much is clear."
"Do you love Margaery?"
Robb hesitated. In his heart, he knew he did, but his mind didn't agree. He had only known the girl for a few short weeks. How much could he come up with in that short amount of time?
"I….I care for her very much." Robb said finally. "I don't believe I've known her long enough to say love, but I do care a great deal for her."
Garlan raised an eyebrow. "What does your heart tell you?"
"I love her," Robb answered instantly.
Garlan nodded. "When it comes to war and politics, think with your head," he said, tapping his temple. "But when it comes to love, trust this," he said, tapping his chest where his heart would be.
Robb smiled. "I thought your grandmother was supposed to be the wise one." he chuckled.
Garlan grinned. "Oh, my sister, grandmother, and older brother are smart alright. I got lucky with common sense." He joked. "My talents have always been elsewhere," he said, patting the swords at his side.
Robb laughed. "Aye, fair point," he said, his anger now fully dissipated. "When will Margaery arrive?"
"Tomorrow sometime," Garlan answered, getting up from his chair. "By the way, have you thought about the wedding."
To Garlan's surprise, Robb nodded. "I have. I was thinking Riverrun."
The Tyrell knight raised an eyebrow. "Is that because that's where your parents were wed?"
Robb nodded slightly. "That is a factor, but it's also because that's where a lot of my family is. When I'm married, I want my brother, uncle, and great-uncle by my side. Just as I'm sure Margaery would want her family by her side when she's married."
Garlan smiled gently. "Family is very important to you. A quality that Margaery shares as well."
Robb returned the smile. "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives," Robb said sagely, quoting his father. "Family is everything to the North, Garlan."
The knight nodded. "As it is to my sister. Oh, Loras may be a bit immature and rash, but we were all brought up on the same main principle: protect the family."
Robb's smile fell slightly. "Mine is spread out across the realm," he said gently. "Not since Robert Baratheon came to Winterfell has my entire family been in one place. My youngest brothers are in Winterfell. My sisters are in King's Landing. My mother is in the North and Jon is at Riverrun."
"You will all be together once again, your grace. You just need to have faith." Garlan said.
"Are you a godly man?" Robb asked.
Garlan shrugged. "Not particularly, but I enjoy the idea that something is waiting for me after death. Not just the dark unknown."
Robb nodded. "Fair enough."
"And you?"
Robb scratched his jaw. "I follow the Old Gods, just as most of my family does. I'm not sure what there is after death, but I like what the Old Gods stand for. But death, I assume that when I die, I join the Old Gods and look over my family and descendants."
"Religion is always tricky," Garlan admitted. "That and politics have always turned brother against brother."
Robb chuckled. "Aye, but it makes men act better than they might usually. So it has its uses."
Garlan chuckled as well. "Aye, it does." he bowed to Robb. "I will leave you be, your grace."
"Garlan," Robb said, stopping the knight before he was gone. Garlan turned, an eyebrow raised.
"Thank you."