The young monarch still couldn't believe the little bundle wrapped in his wife's arms. As a young man of ten and seven, never in his wildest dreams did he expect to find himself in this position. A king of five of the seven kingdoms, two more slowly coming under his domain, married to a beautiful woman with a son. He was also the leader of a massive army and leading the peace talks with a house that had been exiled more than twenty years ago.
There were even dragons to boot.
The little baby coed in his mother's arms as the two young parents leaned against each other in their private chambers, enjoying the moment of silence and peace. Margaery, even through the pregnancy, had done a magnificent job running the affairs of the realm with her grandmother, allowing Robb to focus solely on the war and the talks with the Targaryens.
Since the birth, Olenna, Ser Brynden, and Lord Yohn have taken over ruling while Margaery recovered. Robb had also taken more of a part in ruling his lands, but the three older nobles insisted that Robb take the proper time to be with his son and wife. The kingdoms could wait.
Torrhen was a Stark through and through. With curly black hair and brownish-grey eyes, Dacey had joked when she first saw the babe that he looked more like Eddard Stark than Robb did.
The child reached out one hand, grabbing at the air. Robb moved his finger forward, enjoying the sensation of the child's weak strength as he gripped his finger. The king smiled softly, chuckling as the babe tried to eat the finger he now had firmly in his grasp.
"I think he's hungry." Robb joked quietly.
Margaery laughed, stroking the few strands of dark hair on the baby's head, her eyes alight with love. The pain that she had gone through to bring the child into the world was a grain of sand in comparison to the mountain of love she had for him.
The Rose of Highgarden removed one strap of her dress, leaving one side of her chest bare for the child to feed. While Torrhen was happily feeding, Robb moved to get himself a chalice of water. Robb knew that his mother had fed his siblings herself, while other noblewomen preferred to use a wet nurse. Margaery, as soon as she fed Torrhen herself, refused to let anyone else do it."
"How have the talks gone with the Targaryens?" she asked curiously. While she had tried to keep up with what was going on outside her chambers, the birth had left her weak and tired. Her grandmother had been her only source of information.
Robb took a drink of water before answering, leaning on the small table. Ever since the army had set up a permanent camp outside the city, Garlan had taken it upon himself to bring in certain items to make Margaery's, and the other women in the camp, stay a little nicer. Now, the young royals had a good bed and a few other luxuries that would normally look out of place in a war camp.
"Daenerys has been very open and kind, and I think she is warming to the customs of Westeros." Robb answered. "As for Aegon, I'm unsure. I rarely speak to the man unless I have to and I still don't know what to make of him."
"He seems almost petulant." Margaery said thoughtfully.
Robb shrugged. "Perhaps. I'm told he's had to hide his identity all his life. He only became Aegon Targaryen when he knew that he was returning to Westeros."
Margaery nodded. "Do you think peace will be achieved soon?"
Robb smiled. "Hopefully. I think when I have you by my side, we can finally be done with all this and we can go home."
"Where is home?" Margaery asked curiously, standing up. Torrhen had fallen asleep in the middle of feeding, and Margaery laid the child in his cradle to sleep, pulling a blanket over him. When Torrhen was down, Margaery grabbed Robb's free hand and stood in front of him, having to look up slightly.
Robb raised an eyebrow. "Winterfell, of course."
"But your father has returned." Margaery pointed out, looping her arms around her husband's neck. "Can you truly rule from there? What about the Reach, the Vale, the Stormlands?"
Robb frowned. "I'm not sure." he admitted. "During this entire war, I always just figured we'd go back to Winterfell."
Margaery smiled softly. Robb had grown both as a man and a politician since his time in the south. But at his core, he was still a northman who was good and pure, unused to the southern ideals.
"I have an idea." she said easily.
Robb chuckled. "I'd be surprised if you didn't."
"Even when Aegon the Conqueror came to Westeros and established King's Landing, it was inherently flawed because of the location of the city. It was too far south for places like the North or the Iron Islands." Margaery explained. "If we are to rule the Stormlands as well as the North, we need to be in the middle."
Robb saw through her words. "Harrenhal." he said.
Margaery nodded. "Lady Whent died in captation. The castle is a barren ruin of itself, but with the right leadership…."
"It could rival King's Landing." Robb said.
Margaery smiled. "Exactly."
Robb kissed her. "You're brilliant." he said happily.
Margaery laughed. "I have also given thought to your council." she said, walking over to a bedside table, picking up a couple sheets of parchment.
Robb chuckled. "You gave birth not a few days ago, and you already have thoughts on our council."
Margaery looked up when he spoke. "Our council?"
Robb nodded. "You're going to be on my council." he promised. "I can think of no one else who I'd rather have by my side."
Margaery blushed before handing the lists over to her husband, who looked over them. "The King's Council?" Robb asked.
Margaery nodded. "If we are truly going to have an alliance with the Targaryens, then I thought it best not to copy them. Your kingsguard will be changed to the Wolfguard." she pointed out.
Robb looked over the list. Many of the members she suggested to the Wolfguard were warriors who had fought with him through the war and had proven their loyalty and mettle. In addition, many were fighters who were not heirs to noble houses, and thus would be able to join the ranks of the special guard. As for the council seats, there was a new seat. Each position had a few names jotted down for who might be most suited for the task.
The only position that was without a name was Hand of the King. Robb looked up curiously at his wife, who had been watching his facial expression as he had read through the lists.
Hand of the King
Master of Coin
Lady Anya Waynwood
Lord Jonos Bracken
Master of Laws
Lord Yohn Royce
Ser Brynden Tully
Master of Ships
Lord Jason Mallister
Lord Paxton Redwyne
Master of Whispers
Lord Howland Reed
Lady Olenna Tyrell
Master of War
Lord Randyll Tarly
Wolfguard
Brienne of Tarth
Ser Loras Tyrell
Ser Rolland Storm
Ser Balon Swann
Ser Garth Hightower
Ser Robar Royce
Ser Hobber Redwyne
The positions of Grand Maester and Lord Commander, Robb knew, would be decided at a later date.
"You left the position of Hand empty." he pointed out.
Margaery nodded. "I loath to admit it, but I had the most trouble with that position. Many people I thought of were needed elsewhere."
"What about Willas?" Robb asked. He had heard good things about the new Lord of Highgarden, and was eager to meet him when he arrived in a few days to meet his new nephew.
"He will be needed in the Reach." Margaery replied. "If my father were still alive, I would immediately make a suggestion for my brother, but Victarion Greyjoy changed that." she said, wiping her eyes. Although her father died a hero, battling a great warrior, his death was still fresh in Margaery's mind.
"And the other great commanders I have with are already top candidates for seats on the council." Robb said, looking over the council once more. Then he thought of something. "What about Tyrion Lannister?"
Margaery was caught off guard by his suggestion. "We fought a war with his family." she replied. "We still have his brother and many of his relatives as our prisoners. We have a host besieging his home."
Robb nodded. "All true, but I can't help but think about what Sansa said. I spoke with her after we returned, and after all the tears she shed because of her torment at the hands of Joffrey and Cersei, she spoke about how Tyrion had been good to her, and had kept Cersei and her sadistic son in check well enough."
"I was curious why Sansa wanted the Imp free." Margaery said. "But if you appoint him your Hand, it won't go over well with anyone."
Robb nodded. "Perhaps." he mused. "But Jon did speak well enough of him with the short time they spent together."
"And your mother had him captured which forced Tywin Lannister to invade the Riverlands." Margaery argued.
Robb held a hand up to stop the argument that was about to break out. "Varys has proven that it was Joffrey who tried to kill Bran, not Tyrion, but I understand what you're saying."
When Robb had ventured to King's Landing to see Daenerys, he had been stopped by Varys, the Targaryen Spymaster, and asked for a moment of his time. He had pulled the northern king into some empty chambers and explained that it had been Joffrey, not Tyrion, who had tried to have Bran killed to impress his father. It was yet another crime to add to the boy's long list. Varys had proven his statement by saying that the dagger the man used was won by Robert Baratheon from Petyr Baelish. Joffrey had stolen the dagger from his 'father's' things.
Robb put the papers aside so that he could place his hands in his wife's. "I am not naming the man my Hand, I was merely thinking." he said. "Besides, I still have him under guard. He, the sellsword, and the boy."
"What do you plan to do with that lot?" Margaery asked.
Robb shrugged. "I'm not sure. Going off Sansa's word, I was considering giving the Imp Casterly Rock."
Margaery raised an eyebrow. "You would give the Lannisters back the Rock after Tarly spent months taking it?"
Robb shook his head. "No. I simply meant I would use the man to bring the Rock to heel." he explained. "Then he can take it as his seat and Lord Tarly can take Lannisport." Robb stopped before adding. "I guess I am giving the Imp the Rock."
Margaery was about to argue, then saw the value in his logic. With Tarly in Lannisport, he would be in an ideal position for the form of government that the Rose of Highgarden has been quietly discussing with her grandmother. Even the Imp could help with that, if Tarly was given the seat she wanted him at on the King's Council.
"I take it your silence means you agree with me." Robb chuckled.
"What makes you believe that Tyrion will be a good lord?" she asked. "After all, Tywin never formally named him his heir according to my grandmother."
"Sansa has spoken highly of him." Robb pointed out again. "As did Jon. Perhaps when Willas arrives, I can have him speak with the man and get an idea for who he is." he suggested.
"You on the word of your sister about the man?" Margaery asked curiously.
"Would you not trust the word of Garlan or Willas?" Robb replied immediately, though not unkindly.
Margaery was impressed. Robb was using a blend of his northern honesty with the southern tactics that her grandmother and she had subtly taught him. She was further intrigued to see what he said.
"And for an heir?"
"Tommen." Robb said instantly. "Joffrey deserves execution for his role in the war, along with the fact that he tried to kill my brother. But Tommen is a good kid, and if we keep him with us for a few years, we can turn him into a loyal kingsman before turning him over to Tyrion so that he can learn how to rule Casterly Rock."
"You seem to have all this figured out then." Margaery chuckled.
Robb shrugged. "Not thinking about the war has given me time to do such a wild thing." he joked.
Their conversation was interrupted by the soft sounds of Torrhen's cry as he woke from his nap. Robb smiled gently.
"A parent's work is never done." he chuckled, picking up the child. The babe smiled a toothless grin when he looked at his father, gurgling as he kicked his feet.
Robb smiled looking down at his son. Even if the war was finally declared to be at an end tomorrow, he would give up his crown and titles if it meant his son would live a long and happy life.