"Not what I expected." Ser Brynden grunted, the first to break the stunned silence that had overtaken Robb and his group.
Wanting to get a look at the city, the northern king, along with Garlan, Harrold Arryn, Yohn Royce, Caron, Brienne, and the Blackfish had ridden to a small hill that would overlook the rest of the journey to the city. Expecting to see a city on the brink of ruin with Joffrey's baratheon/lannister banner flying over the Red Keep, they instead found a city on the brink of ruin surrounded by a large host with the banner of House Targaryen flying over the Red Keep.
"Nor I." Robb agreed. "Though this explains why the dornish abandoned Tywin at High Heart."
"But it doesn't explain why they fought for the man in the first place." Harrold Arryn commented.
"It was to prolong the war." Robb said grimly, looking over his shoulder at the sandy-haired youth. "They leveled the field when they joined the lannisters because a longer war means more casualties and both armies would be greatly weakened when the Targaryens made their return."
Robb was slightly surprised that he had figured that out so quickly. Perhaps Margaery and her grandmother were finally having an effect on him.
"But the arrival of the Vale forces stopped that." Garlan added. "A war between the Lannisters in the Starks also meant that all eyes were on the Riverlands and not the city."
"They would have had to sail to the city." Caron said, joining the discussion. "There would have been word if they had marched through the Stormlands or the Reach."
"Hopefully Ser Davos and his men left before they arrived." Robb said. "The last report I received from them was that they were cutting off all ships going in and out of the capitol. Many were bound for Braavos and other free cities."
"Joffrey was probably trying to hire sellswords." Ser Brynden said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed at the host around the city. "It seems he got more than he wanted."
"How do you mean?" Harrold asked.
"Lord Royce, correct me if I'm wrong, but those are the banners belonging to the Golden Company, the Company of the Cat, and the Windblown." Ser Brynden said, pointing out what he was referring to. "Those are three of the four largest sellsword companies in Essos."
"That looks like quite a lot more than three companies." Caron said, glancing at the old knight.
"Aye, it is." The Lord of Runestone rumbled. "From the number of banners, I'd say that the Targaryens have every company in Essos with them."
"It seems the Golden Company has stopped caring which Targaryen they fight for." Robb joked grimly.
"Will we attack?" Harrold asked curiously.
Robb shook his head. "No, I'm curious to see what they do," he answered. "Lord Caron, Lord Royce, please make sure that the guard around the camp is double and that there are no weak points in our defenses."
"Your grace, you said…." Arryn went to say, but Robb silenced him with a hand.
"I know what I said, but I can be curious and cautious at the same time." Robb said. "From the looks of it, they're not preparing their own men. They definitely know we're here. They won't attack us yet."
"What if they do?" Garlan asked.
"We'll fall back to Harrenhal." Robb answered with a shrug. "Let them fight us on our terms on the land of our choosing. Besides, if they've sailed here, I can't see them having much in terms of supplies to feed their army."
The group of nobles watched the city for a few moments longer before Robb turned his mount around. "Let's get back to camp. They're bound to send someone soon to treat with us."
Line Break
Robb, Margaery, and a few others of his councilors stood in the tent, waiting patiently for the Targaryen emissary. Lord Forrester and Lady Olenna stood on either side of the king and queen, two of the most level-headed people that Robb had with him. Garlan, Ser Brynden, Lord Royce, and Harrold stood off to the side of the room.
As always, Brienne prowled nearby, ready for anything. Since High Heart, she had become Robb's principal defender and was the de-facto commander of his guard.
The tent flap opened to reveal an old man in white armor which Robb recognized immediately as kingsguard armor. He did not wear a helm or carry a shield, but instead had a scroll in one hand with another resting lightly on his longsword. The man looked close to seventy or eighty, but his age seemed to have no effect on him as he walked with natural grace and looked just as fit and strong as Robb himself.
He bowed to Robb and Margaery.
"My lord, my lady, I am Ser Barristan, Lord Commander of Queen Daenerys Targaryen." The man said, introducing himself.
Robb raised an eyebrow. "Ser Barristan the Bold, I do not believe we have ever met before, but my father has spoken well of you."
"Lord Stark was a great man. His death was unfortunate." Ser Barristan replied with what sounded like genuine sympathy. "There were not many men like your father."
"Ser Barristan," Margaery said, "if I remember correctly, you were Lord Commander to Robert Baratheon."
The old knight nodded to the beautiful woman. "I was, my lady, but Joffrey blamed Robert's death on me and dismissed me from his kingsguard. The Hound, Sandor Clegane replaced me and Jaime Lannister was named Lord Commander."
"He's my prisoner at Riverrun." Robb said bluntly. "Why the blazes was he named Lord Commander?"
Ser Barristan shook his head. "I do not know, my lord."
The old knight looked around the tent, nodding to those he recognized. Ser Brynden and Yohn Royce nodded back, the only ones old enough to have had an actual relationship with the man.
"You said that you are here for the Targaryens." Robb said, bringing the conversation back to its original point. "I must admit that myself and my councilors were surprised to find them here."
"Queen Daenerys and King Aegon have returned to reclaim the Iron Throne." Ser Barristan said easily. "Joffrey, Cersei, and all their supporters have been imprisoned. Joffrey and Cersei have also been stripped of their crowns."
"Come to reclaim Westeros, you mean." Lady Olenna said, a serious look on her wizened face. "Please do not give me vinegar and call it honey, ser."
"Their graces would prefer to unite Westeros peacefully." Ser Barristan responded. "They have no wish for war."
"Forgive me if I am skeptical that a house whose words are 'Fire and Blood' want to be peaceful." Robb said, crossing his arms.
"Ser Barristan, you mentioned Aegon Targaryen." Margaery said, a thoughtful look on her face. "He was said to have died in the rebellion."
Ser Barristan nodded. "I am sure you have many questions, my lady, and that is why I am here."
The old knight stepped forward, offering Robb the scroll in his hands. "It's an invitation from the queen to meet tomorrow afternoon to discuss the situation and to hopefully find a peaceful resolution."
"Where will this take place?" Robb asked, taking the scroll. "Starks don't do well in King's Landing."
"There will be a tent set up on land between the two camps." Ser Barristan explained simply. "The queen requests that you bring no more than five advisors and a dozen guards."
Robb glanced at Margaery, who looked back at him and nodded.
"Very well. Tomorrow at noon, we will be there." Robb answered. "Thank you, Ser Barristan."
The knight bowed and went to leave, then stopped himself. "My lord, there were some who wanted to attack you as soon as you entered the region. Were it any other man wearing that crown, I would have accepted the decision. But I had the honor of knowing your father, and I know what kind of son he raised. I look around and see the men you, and women, you surround yourself with. They are honorable and good. I hope that we can find a way for both sides to come together without bloodshed."
Robb wasn't sure how to respond to the knight's honest declaration, but thankfully Margaery did.
"That is very kind of you, Ser Barristan," she said easily. "It has been a long year for all of us and we all wish to go home. Reaching an agreement without bloodshed would be a fine way to end such a bloody conflict. I just hope that your king and queen understand that compromises must be made in the name of peace."
Ser Barristan nodded and left the tent.
"They were smart to send the man." Lady Olenna mused. "The most respected knight in the realm meeting with a member of House Stark."
"Do you think the Targaryens will hold to their promise, your grace?" Harrold asked.
Robb broke the seal on the scroll and unrolled it. The message inside read:
Robb Stark, King in the North
I am Daenerys of House Targaryen, the last child of King Aerys II Targaryen. For almost twenty years, my family has been absent from its rightful place in Westeros, and now my nephew and I have returned to reclaim what is ours.
I will not lie. We did not expect to find you in the position that you now find yourself. While a few on my council believed that war is inevitable, Ser Barristan and others believe that, since it is you who wear the crown, that peace can be achieved. Perhaps they are right, but it is up to you to prove them so.
As Ser Barristan has been instructed to say, a tent shall be placed in the middle of our two camps. A neutral zone, if you will. My Lord Commander will have also instructed you how many advisors and guards to bring. I will do the same. Five advisors and a dozen guards.
I give you my word that, should peace not be found between us, that you and your companions will be allowed back to your camp.
Signed,
Queen Daenerys Targaryen
Robb passed the message to his wife, who looked over it with her grandmother while the king began to pace.
"Barristan is right. House Targaryen is really back." Robb said, speaking to his councilors without looking at them.
"What do they want?" Lord Forrester asked.
"Westeros it seems." Lady Olenna sighed. "Then again, after three hundred years, I expected nothing less."
"They promised us safe passage back to our camp if we can not reach an agreement." Margaery said. "It gives us leverage if things go wrong."
"Their word means little to me." Robb said, shaking his head. "The Mad King proved that when he burned my grandfather and had my uncle strangled."
"This Daenerys doesn't seem like her grandfather. At least she's willing to find a peaceful solution." Margaery offered.
"But there are those around her who want us dead, my dear." Olenna countered. "A knife in the back would solve many of their problems."
"Your grace, Ser Barristan nor the letter seemed to mention the Mad King." Harrold said. "Do you think perhaps this woman doesn't know of her ancestry?"
Robb looked at the lord of the Eyrie. "Good catch," he said. "That's more leverage, especially if she brings Barristan to the meeting. Ser Bryden, Lord Royce, you both shall accompany me as well."
"That's two." Olenna said. "Who else will go with you?"
"Me." Margaery said immediately.
Robb's head snapped up and looked at his wife, who met his gaze, the two having a silent debate of their own. Margaery wanted to be at Robb's side when he met with Daenerys, but Robb clearly feared for her safety and that of their unborn child. Finally, Margaery's side won over and Robb nodded reluctantly.
"Very well." Robb said. "Lord Forrester and Lord Caron shall round out the group. Brienne, you are in charge of putting together eleven men for a guard. You shall be the twelfth."
The large warrior woman bowed slightly. "Of course, sire."
"That will be all for today, my lords. I will see you all tomorrow." Robb said, dismissing his councilors.
The men all bowed and left, leaving Margaery, Robb, and Olenna alone. Brienne was the last to leave, taking her place just outside the tent as the first line of defense.
"Do you trust them?" Robb asked his wife.
"Do we have a choice?" Margaery asked, sinking into a chair with a slight sigh. Even though the pregnancy had done nothing to diminish her beauty in Robb's eyes, he could see that it still affected her. She tired more quickly, seemed to eat a lot and yet sometimes had no appetite. Nevertheless, she continued to run Robb's kingdom while the Young Wolf focused on the war.
"We could move back into the Riverlands, but that would be counterproductive as Lord Smallwood is currently trying to put out all the fires and deal with the Bloody Mummers and the Brotherhood without Banners." Robb answered, handing his wife a glass of fruit juice.
Before Robb had moved south from Harrenhal, he had placed Theomar Smallwood and a small host of a thousand light cavalry under his command to do his best to clear the land of raiders and help the people of the Riverlands. The last thing Robb wanted to do was bring war back into the region that had been so heavily hit already.
"So no, we don't have much of a choice." Margaery said with a sad smile.
"Your grace, the Targaryens are reaching out for peace. We may not get another chance like this." Lady Olenna said, placing both her hands on her cane.
"This may also be a ploy to get me and Margaery away from our men so that they can kill us." Robb grumbled.
"I remember you being more optimistic." Margaery chuckled. "Where was this caution against Tywin or Stannis?"
"I wasn't married nor was my wife with me when I faced a potential enemy." Robb answered seriously.
"Your grace, killing you at peace talks would work against the Targaryens." Lady Olenna said. "The lords here will spread word to the others and soon the whole realm would know of their transgressions."
"And then Jon and your father would come south and avenge us." Margaery finished.
"If my father was here they'd kill us on sight." Robb grumbled. "They still think he's a traitor."
"That's where we can use men like Ser Barristan against the Targaryens." Lady Olenna said easily. "If asked directly, I highly doubt Ser Barristan Selmy will lie about the atrocities House Targaryen committed against the Starks."
Robb rubbed his jaw. "Perhaps."
The Queen of Thorns patted the northern king on his shoulder as she walked out. "Believe me. The Targaryens have quite a few skeletons in their past and if given the choice, I believe the common folk would rather choose the honorable Wolf king against the newly-returned Dragon queen." Just before the old woman left, she called over her shoulder;
"Besides, the Mad King left many scars, and those won't go away for quite some time."