The tent was a giant display of black and red, with banners bearing the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen. It was a not-so-subtle reminder of who Robb and the others were meeting with. The northern king briefly wondered where they had found a tent in such a short notice. Robert Baratheon would have surely put anything like it to the torch years ago.
On either side of the entrance into the tent were northern soldiers bearing swords, shields, and spears. Brienne was right beside them, armed and armored. They all looked ready to receive any threat.
Garlan and Robb helped Margaery out of the carriage, helping her smooth out her dress before she and Robb made their way to the entrance, the others forming up right behind them. Neither of them wore their crowns, unsure of the reaction they would provoke.
Margaery squeezed Robb's hand, showing her silent support. It filled the young man with quite a lot of confidence to face whatever was inside.
Robb nodded to Brienne. The warrior woman pulled back the tent flap, allowing Robb and others to enter. The inside of the tent was illuminated by dozens of candles. In the center was a long table, decorated with a black and red tablecloth and laden with food and wine. The Targaryens and their councilors were already waiting and standing behind their chairs.
Robb and Margaery stood behind two chairs at the center of the table as the others spread out along the rest of the table.
"Lord Stark." The woman across from Robb said, starting the meeting. "I am Daenerys Targaryen. Thank you for agreeing to this meeting. May I introduce my nephew and betrothed, Aegon Targaryen."
Robb took a moment to assess the woman in front of him. She was a girl, really, but still strikingly beautiful with silver-gold hair, violet eyes, and pale skin. She looked like a Targaryen in every way and held herself as such with the confidence that seemed to scream royalty. She wore a silky black dress that looked slightly out of place in Westeros. Coiled around her neck was a silver dragon choker.
The young man next to her looked like a failed attempt of a Targaryen. The edge of his hair was tinged blue, and he had a sort of rugged handsomeness to him. Daenerys looked otherworldly. Aegon just looked….different. It was as if he was trying to pass for something that he wasn't. He wore a black tunic emblazoned with a red three-headed dragon.
"Pleasure," Robb said simply, nodding to them both. "May I introduce my lady wife, Margaery of House Tyrell."
Margaery bowed slightly. Robb watched as Daenerys glanced down at the pregnant belly before a kinder, sweeter smile appeared.
"You are very welcome, my lady." She said.
"Per your request, my other councilors are Ser Brynden Tully of the Riverlands, Lord Yohn Royce of the Vale, Lord Forrester of the North, and Lord Bryce Caron of the Stormlands," Robb said, with each man nodding briefly as their name was said.
"I am accompanied by my own council," Daenerys responded. "The Hand of the King, Lord Jon Connington, Ser Jorah Mormont, the commander of the gold cloaks, Varys, my Master of Whispers, and as you have already met, Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of my Queensguard. Prince Oberyn is here in place of his brother, my Master of Laws, Prince Doran Martell. Please, let us be seated."
There was a brief clatter of wood as the two groups took their seats. Robb took the time to pull out Margaery's chair and put it back in for her. An action that the northern king saw was not mirrored by the Targaryens.
Robb was the last to take his seat.
"Forgive me, but you can not be Aegon, son of Prince Rhaegar and Princess Elia?" Margaery asked curiously.
Aegon gave her a fierce look. "I am." He answered firmly. "I was saved by loyalists after my father was murdered. I was raised in secret by Lord Connington in Essos."
"I am sorry for what happened to your family, my lord," Robb said kindly, nodding to both Aegon and Prince Oberyn. "My father wanted justice for their murders. He and Robert Baratheon fought over it."
"I'm sure that made him sleep better at night," Aegon grumbled.
The tension in the air doubled with the comment. A few on the other side of the table glanced at their king, while the young man kept his gaze firmly on Robb.
"I must commend you on your victories over the Lannisters, my lord." The red-haired man next to Aegon said, trying to break the tension. Robb remembered that Daenerys had referred to him as Lord Connington. "They are quickly becoming legend."
"I can not take all the glory, my lord," Robb said easily. "I am lucky to be surrounded by men such as Ser Brynden and Lord Royce, as well as having good men fight in my name. I must admit, fighting the dornish was not something I anticipated."
Prince Oberyn looked up from his drink when his people were mentioned. "I am sorry about Harrenhal. I'm sure you understand my motives now."
Robb nodded slightly. "I do. Harrenhal taught me a very important lesson. Always expect the unexpected."
Oberyn smiled slightly and went back to his drink.
"My lady," Robb said, looking at the Targaryen queen. "You called this meeting. You have the floor."
Daenerys nodded. "I understand that you fought against the Lannisters. They wreaked havoc on Westeros, but they are no longer power." The young woman took a breath. "Would you be willing to set aside your crown and swear loyalty to me and my betrothed?"
Robb shook his head.
"I am sorry, but I must refuse."
Aegon's eyes burned like bonfires. "What do you mean you refuse?"
Robb turned his gaze on the young man, his expression still one of slight regret. "I will not kneel to you nor will I set aside my crown."
"You are before your lawful sovereigns!" Aegon growled.
Robb shook his head. "Aegon the Conqueror took Westeros because he had the power to do so. Robert Baratheon defeated your family because he had the power to do so. I do not see you as my 'lawful' anything."
Aegon looked ready to leap across the table at Robb, but the northern king kept his calm composure. He was sure that, if not for the tense environment, Margaery would be grinning at how Robb was handling all of this.
"Your family are traitors!" Aegon managed finally.
Robb shook his head again. "My father's part in Robert Baratheon's rebellion is justified. You would know if you knew your history."
"He rose against his rightful king to support his friend's ambition and greed!" Aegon snapped.
"He rose up against the man who murdered his father and brother!" Robb barked, his calm, but regretful expression finally falling away. "Your father raped my aunt. You best look to the crimes of the Mad King before slandering my family with the title of traitors! When the king murders men in cold blood and his son is a rapist, that family loses all right to wear any crown!"
The air in the tent became thick with tension. Aegon's face was contorted with fury, and Lord Connington looked just as outraged. Curiously enough, Daenerys was simply gazing at Robb with poorly hidden shock.
The other Targaryen councilors simply looked uncomfortable.
"You dare insult my father and grandfather," Aegon said, rising slowly from his seat, his voice deadly quiet.
Robb leaned forward, glaring at the man. "These men around me were there. Even some of your own as well. Ser Barristan, Ser Jorah, Varys. Ask any one of them and they will tell you the same. Rickard Stark, my grandfather, was hung from the rafters and burned in his armor after demanding trial by combat. Your grandfather, the Mad King, declared fire his champion. Brandon Stark, my uncle, strangled himself to death trying to save his father! Furthermore, your father raped Lyanna Stark, my aunt, and left her in Dorne when he finally realized what his foolish mistake had done!"
Aegon looked around at the men around him. None met his gaze. He reminded Robb of Loras when he and the Knight of Flowers had faced off at Bitterbridge after Renly's death. Just like Loras then, Aegon did not know the facts and did not have support from those around him.
"Ser Barristan, none here can doubt your honor," Robb said. "You are a man respected by both parties. Would you say that my father was justified in the actions he took?"
All eyes turned to the old knight, who now looked older than ever. It wasn't only his armor that was weighing on him, but the weight of time as well.
"I was there," Barristan said sadly, unable to look at Robb Stark. "I know well the crimes that were committed against your family."
Robb leaned back in his chair, feeling that his point was made very clear. "Now you see why I will not bend the knee to you."
"There are regions under your rule who might feel differently," Connington said finally, having finally choked down his anger.
"The Reach is loyal to its king. My husband." Margaery responded immediately, taking Robb's hand in hers.
"The Vale stands with House Stark and his grace Robb Stark." Lord Royce said firmly.
"The Stormlands will serve no other." Lord Caron added.
"The Riverlands were in disarray when his grace arrived." Ser Brynden grunted. "He saved us. There is no other we'd rather serve."
"The North already has a king." Lord Forrester said simply. "Robb Stark. The King in the North."
"The Westerlands are not yours." Connington pointed out.
"Westeros didn't belong to the Targaryens before the Conqueror took them," Robb replied. "My armies fought and bled to take them. That makes them mine."
Robb thought he would feel different when he said that, but he didn't. When he had first started south, it was to save his father and return to the North. Now, after marrying Margaery, facing Tywin, and being declared king, he realized in that moment that going back home to Winterfell was an option he gave up when he took on the crown. He had to be a king, and he could not afford to look weak in front of the Targaryens.
"Screw you Stark!" Aegon snapped. "If you want war, then you'll get it!"
The young king stormed out of the tent, followed by Connington, Prince Oberyn, and Ser Jorah. Robb sighed and shook his head.
"I did not come here to start a war." He said, looking at Daenerys.
"No, I supposed you didn't," Daenerys replied quietly.
"Your grace, my lord, perhaps I can be of some assistance," Varys said, speaking for the first time. "House Stark and House Targaryen are some of the greatest and noblest houses in Westeros. There is no need for war when peace can be achieved."
"Do you believe that it can?" Margaery asked. "King Aegon has made his feelings very clear."
"He was unaware of the crimes of his grandfather, my father." Daenerys answered. "I will speak with him."
Margaery regarded the Targaryen queen, waiting for Robb to speak.
"Lord Varys, what did you have in mind?" Robb said finally.
"You and your wife will soon be blessed with a child," Varys explained. "Hopefully, the king and queen will have children of their own. I propose that your first son marries the daughter of Queen Daenerys and King Aegon."
"That would take years, my lord," Margaery answered. "There's no telling when we'll have a son or when Queen Daenerys will have a daughter."
"It is my hope that both couples have many children. And, after all the realm has been through, I'd say that any chance at peace is something worth pursuing." Varys said.
Robb knew that the last comment was aimed at him. He did want this war to end. He wanted to finally stop fighting and find a place where he and Margaery could raise their child. He wanted to see his family again.
"There will be things I need before I agree to this," Robb said finally. "First and foremost is my sister and any other prisoner of war taken by the Lannisters."
"Of course," Daenerys said. "Your sister will be sent over tomorrow at noon. I will escort her myself. The others can be negotiated at the same time."
Robb nodded. "What will be done with Joffrey and his mother?"
"They, along with a few others, will be executed," Daenerys answered. "My council and I are still deciding on who will join them."
"Is Petyr Baelish among them?" Lord Royce asked.
Varys nodded. "He is. I understand he caused quite a stir in the Vale."
"So long as he pays for his crimes. He convinced Lysa Arryn to kill Jon Arryn." Royce grunted.
"VAs long as Joffrey and his mother, along with Baelish, pays for their crimes, then I am content. I'm sure we'll deal with more prisoners tomorrow." Robb said.
Daenerys nodded. "That we shall."
Robb looked at the others around the table before getting up. The others, including Daenerys, copied the action.
"We will have to work out a permanent peace over the coming weeks," Robb said. "I must admit. I am happy to be working on it with you, my lady. You have acted very nobly tonight."
Daenerys smiled slightly. "You did well yourself, my lord. I bid you and your wife a good night."
Line Break
"That didn't go as bad as I thought it would," Robb said, throwing his cloak over the back of a chair and pouring himself a drink as Margaery and Mira disappeared behind a screen so that Margaery could change into something more comfortable.
"You certainly caught them off guard when talking about the Mad King," Margaery responded, grunting slightly as she changed. "Neither Aegon nor Daenerys seemed to know about him. Or the truth about him. You did well to have Ser Barristan back up your claim."
"I'd say your grandmother would be very proud of how I conducted myself." Robb laughed as Margaery emerged from behind the screen. She kissed Robb gently before easing herself into a comfortable chair.
"She wasn't the only one." Margaery commented. "Now we will meet with the woman tomorrow to discuss prisoners."
Robb nodded. "It will be good to have Sansa back. I can't imagine what Joffrey has put her through."
"I'm a little surprised Aegon isn't trying to put every prisoner in the city to the sword simply for supporting the Lannisters or you." Margaery said. "He seems….unsure. Aggressive. Like he's trying to compensate."
Robb sighed. "I much prefer Daenerys. She at least has some control over her emotions."
"Do you think that we can have peace with the Targaryens?" Margaery asked quietly. "They weren't exactly shy about their claim to Westeros."
Robb rubbed his jaw. "I believe that with Daenerys we can. I don't trust her exactly, but she at least seems willing to try. Aegon….he worries me. He already has an army under his command. I worry what he'll do with it the second we turn our back."
"Peace usually comes with its risks." Margaery said. "For both parties."
"Well, we've already decided what route we're taking." Robb said. "Now we just have to see if it leads to actual, lasting peace or more bloodshed.