Robb read over the treaty, mentally noting down areas that would need to be changed. Varys, with the help of Prince Doran and Adrian Celtigar, had done a good job coming up with terms and compromises that would benefit both parties, but Robb could also see Aegon's and Dany's hand in the writing as well.
After Robb was done reading, he handed the document to Willas. The new Lord of Highgarden was just as intelligent as his sister, and Robb thanked the gods that he was by his side while Margaery was still recovering. He was by far the perfect person to have in this situation.
"Not bad." Robb mused. "There are a few mistakes that I must point out, however."
"Mistakes?" Aegon asked, a slight edge in his voice. It was obvious that he was trying not to insult Robb whenever the two were near each other, but there was something about Robb that seemed to bring out the worst in the Targaryen king.
Robb had no doubt that it was his family name and the crown he wore.
"Indeed." Robb nodded. "First, Maidenpool is not part of the Crownlands, it's part of the Riverlands. House Mooton are bannermen of the Tullys of Riverrun, not the Iron Throne."
"But the city is in the Crownlands!" Aegon protested.
"Antlers and Rook's Rest practically mark where the edge of the Crownlands are." Robb responded calmly. "Maidenpool is north of them."
"This is just a power grab, Stark." Aegon huffed.
Robb shrugged. "If you wish to call facts a power grab, then so be it, but grab any books regarding the houses of Westeros and you'll see that I'm right."
The two kings gazed at each other. Aegon looked like he wanted to say something, but he also was afraid of being proven wrong, so he continued to glare. Robb simply gazed back, not intimidated in the slightest. The boy was wrong, and Robb would make sure he knew.
"What other….amendments would you suggest?" Dany asked, switching the subject.
"I would like a note in there about your dragons." Robb commented. "I saw that there was nothing in the treaty about them."
"What about them?" Aegon snapped.
"I would like them to be kept on a chain." Robb said, holding up a hand before Dany could respond. "Not a literal one. I would like their, let's call it territory, to remain inside the Crownlands."
"They're dragons." Aegon argued. "They fly where they want."
Robb shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't allow that. See, if they attack a village in my lands, then I will ensure that they are put down."
Aegon looked ready to jump to his feet. "You have no right!"
Robb raised an eyebrow. "If my direwolf attacked one of your men, you would call for his death, wouldn't you?"
"It's a wild animal, Stark." Aegon snarled.
Dany shifted uncomfortably next her betrothed. Robb smiled thinly at the other man.
"I wouldn't call your betrothed's 'children' wild animals, my lord." Robb said easily, leaning forward. "But since you did, here is the law of the land. As king, I can hunt any wild animal in my territory."
"They are not wild." Dany said, defending the beasts.
"No, I do not believe they are." Robb said, leaning back. "But even still, I must insist that a leash is kept on them, for the safety of my own people."
"What else?" Aegon snarled.
Robb glanced at Willas, who nodded in return. He set down the treaty carefully and folded his hands in front of him.
"As his grace said, there are many good points in here. The currency remaining the same is good, as is trade throughout Westeros. I believe that keeping Westeros united even with two ruling families is a priority we should all keep in mind." Willas started. "However, it seems that you have demanded that a road be built through the Stormlands and into Dorne."
"What's the problem with that?" Dany asked. "They are our allies."
Willas nodded, conceding the point. "Indeed, but perhaps that is a project that is better done after the two kingdoms are united."
Aegon muttered something under his breath that sounded very close to breaking the treaty, but when he noticed that everyone else was looking at him, he shut his mouth and shook his head, going back to his pouting.
Dany thought for a moment before nodding. "Very well."
"You have also added in there that you wish for House Stark to help with the crown's debt." Willas said. "Why is that?"
"Aside from Petyr Baelish's crimes, Robert Baratheon was still responsible for plunging the realm into debt." Varys explained. "With the money taken from Baelish, we have been able to pay off the Faith, but there is still the Lannisters, Tyrells, and the Iron Bank."
"So Robert borrowed money from the Tyrells and Lannisters, and now you are asking that those people help pay off the debt?" Robb asked. "You understand how confusing that sounds."
"Perhaps 'pay off' is not the right word." Prince Doran said, coming into the conversation.
"Cancel the debts." Aegon said flatly. "They are the Usurpers problems."
Willas shook his head. "I'm afraid that they are the Iron Throne's problems."
"Robert Baratheon plunged the realm into debt." Dany said. "That is not our fault."
"No, but it is now your problem." Willas said. "I'm sure the Iron Bank sees it as such."
"Unfortunately so." Varys confirmed.
Robb sighed. "We will not cancel the debts owed, but we will allow you to first pay off the debt owed to the Iron Bank before turning to House Lannister and House Tyrell."
"That is kind of you, my lord." Varys said.
"I still don't see why we should owe House Lannister anything." Aegon grumbled.
"Since the Lannisters still have control of Casterly Rock, I'm sure Tyrion Lannister would very much like to see that money returned to his family." Robb said.
Aegon gave Robb a murderous glare. The Imp, his sellsword, and his squire had been handed over to Robb at the beginning of the meeting, and were currently outside under the guard of Brienne, Clegane, Dacey, and Garlan. Four of Robb's best warriors.
Tommen Waters was with them as well, but he was accompanied by his sister, Myrcella, along with her betrothed and two of the Sand Snakes, Oberyn Martell's bastard daughters. That group would accompany Robb until they reached the 'neutral zone' between the two forces, where Myrcella would say goodbye to Tommen.
"Is there anything else you'd like to take, Stark?" Aegon asked.
Robb raised an eyebrow, ignoring the baited question. "Not at the moment. Willas?"
The lord of Highgarden shook his head.
Varys smiled. "Then it seems things are in order. Prince Doran, Lord Celtigar, and I shall work on a revision and will send a rider when it is done."
"Send a copy to my camp." Robb said with a wave of his hand. "My councilors and I shall go over it there and will send back any notes. I believe that will be much faster than these meetings."
"Couldn't agree more." Aegon grunted.
"Lord Stark, I would like to ask a favor." Dany said, stopping Robb from getting up.
"Yes?" Robb asked.
"I would very much like to speak with your father, Lord Eddard, when he arrives." Dany said.
"Eddard Stark is coming south?" Aegon asked. Clearly, this was the first he was hearing of it.
"May I ask why?" Robb asked, addressing Dany.
"I would like to hear from him about the….war." Dany replied calmly.
Robb thought for a moment. "I will speak to him about a possible meeting when he arrives. If he agrees, then I shall have a tent set up on neutral ground. I am not fond of the idea of sending him into King's Landing."
"Why's that?" Aegon snapped.
"Bad memories." Robb said coldly, getting up fully from his chair. He nodded to Dany and Aegon. "Good day, my lady, my lord."
When Robb and Willas left the room, Willas glanced over his shoulder at the room, waiting till they were a good distance before he spoke.
"That went well." he commented.
"Would have gone better if Aegon wasn't a prat." Robb grunted quietly.
"Margaery did say that he was tough to be around." Willas said.
"Tough is giving the boy more credit than he deserves." Robb sighed. "He's my only worry about this whole damn treaty."
"Truly?" Willas asked.
"Once a family burns yours, you tend to be skeptical until proven wrong." Robb said grimly. "Dany has proven to me that she is fine. Aegon has done fuck all."
Robb and Willas finally reached the large group waiting for them. Tyrion and his companions hand their hands bound in front of them, while Tommen held onto his sister's hand, looking a little frightened of Robb. Brienne, Dacey, and Garlan bowed when Robb approached.
Clegane just nodded.
Robb gazed at the dornish party. "My lady." he said, greeting Myrcella. The boy next to her looked a little younger than Robb, with straight black hair and olive skin. He was dressed in exquisite yellow silks with a fine orange cape that bore a gold spear piercing a red sun.
"Trystane Martell, my lord." he said with a boy.
"Pleasure." Robb said before moving onto the two women behind the couple.
The first woman was big boned and looked to be around thirty, with rat-brown hair and close set eyes. She wore leathers and handled a spear that looked similar to the one Oberyn Martell wielded and had a shield slung across her back. She handed the spear with practiced ease.
The second woman was slim and slender, with all the beauty that the other woman lacked. She wore a silken robe over a pair of riding breeches. Although Robb could not see any sign of a weapon, he had no doubt that she was just as deadly as the bigger woman.
They were called 'Sand Snakes' for a reason.
"Let's go." Robb ordered, striding ahead of them.
The group followed the northern king into the courtyard, where they all mounted individual mounts. The horses given to Pod, Bronn, and Tyrion were dull, old, and slow that had no chances of running off, and their reigns were held by one of Robb's guards. The three men had to be helped into their saddles, as their hands were still bound and later tied to their pommels.
Strangely, none of them said anything about the cold treatment they were receiving from Robb and his men.
The odd company easily made their way out of the city and rode north until they reached the spot where Robb and Dany had first met. It had become the unofficial neutral zone between the two ruling couples. It had been where Sansa had been given back to her family and also, coincidentally, where Robb and his commanders had first learned that the Targaryens had taken the city.
It was here where Myrcella was forced to part ways with Tommen.
Robb watched patiently as the brother and sister said their goodbyes with the usual promise to see each other again. Robb was in no rush and didn't want to tear apart the already sad moment between brother and sister by forcing their goodbyes.
"I am rather surprised the Tagaryens allowed Tommen out of their grasp so easily." Willas said quietly.
"Margaery believes that it might have to do with the Faith." Robb answered. "They certainly don't support the Targaryens, nor will they support me, a 'tree-worshipping' pagan."
"By that logic, why would they support Tommen or Myrcella?" Willas asked. "Stannis outed the incestous relationship Between the Kingslayer and Cersei."
"The Faith doesn't believe a word Stannis said." Robb answered. "Not since he's a fire worshipper or whatever they bloody called him."
"So they think Tommen and Myrcella are the children of Robert and Cersei?" Willas asked.
Robb considered the question for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't think so. I believe, after meeting the new High Septon, or High Sparrow as he is also known, that he believes that he can manipulate Tommen or Myrcella. He hides his ambition behind his piety."
"In other words, you took the boy out of the city so that way he doesn't get caught up in the power struggle between the Faith and the Targaryens." Willas said.
"Essentially." Robb said.
When Tommen and Myrcella said their goodbyes, the dornish party began to trot back towards the capitol. Robb followed their example and turned his horse around so that it was pointed towards his own camp.
Line Break
Robb sat alone in the main chamber of his tent. There was no table in front of him or a desk. Just three chairs. Greywind sat next to him, one of the few times that the giant direwolf was with him. Most of the time, Greywind stayed close to Margaery and Torrhen, which Robb was more than fine with. There were few others Robb trusted more than Greywind.
Brienne opened up the flap to the tent and ushered the three men in. They were led by a stunted figure with mostly blonde hair and mix-matched eyes of green and black. He had golden stubble covering his jaw. He certainly didn't carry himself like he was a prisoner. Actually, he seemed to have all the confidence in the world, and the innocent, almost carefree smile on his face showed it.
The other two men behind him were as different as could be. One was obviously a sellsword, given his rough-and-ready appearance and hard features. The boy looked like his own shadow could scare him.
All three still had their wrists bound and had been thoroughly checked for weapons. When they took their seats in front of Robb, with the Imp sitting in the middle, Brienne strode in and took up a position at the entrance with one hand ready to draw her sword.
"Lord Tyrion." Robb said, keeping his voice neutral.
Tyrion looked Robb up and down before responding with a tilt of his misshapen head.
"Your grace. I have to thank you for my rescue."
"Don't thank me." Robb grunted. "Wasn't my idea."
"Ah." Tyrion sighed. "So it was Lady Sansa who had me released."
"She vouched for you." Robb said. "She is the main reason why you are not currently in the Black Cells. She said that you protect her from Joffrey."
"Yes, my nephew had a horrible sense of justice." Tyrion mused.
"Your dead nephew." Robb corrected. "Same with your sister."
Tyrion nodded, not looking all that surprised. "I figured that they would meet their ends sooner or later. Did they die well?"
"What do you think?"
Tyrion grunted. "So no then."
"You don't seem all that sad that they're gone." Robb noted.
"And I'm not." Tyrion agreed. "Cersei's always hated me and Joffrey was the Mad King come again."
"I hear you practically saved the city from going up in flames." Robb said. "Joffrey seemed to enjoy driving it into the ground."
"No offense, but it would have been a lot easier without your raiders led by the Onion Knight." Tyrion replied. "Well, it also didn't help that you married the girl whose family rules the region with all the food."
"Alliances and hindering your enemy is the nature of war." Robb countered. "Your father knew that when he turned the Freys and the Boltons against me."
Tyrion nodded. "Quite right. You surprised us all, I should add. I've never seen my father worked up like when he heard about how you captured Jaime. Of course, outsmarting him with that little ploy of drums and banners helped."
"I did what I had to." Robb said.
"Indeed." Tyrion mused. "After spending a few months in your frozen homeland, I find that being direct is usually the best way to talk to people."
"It is." Robb agreed, still keeping his voice neutral.
"It is nice and all that your sister repaid the kindness that I showed her." Tyrion said. "Now that begs the question: What do you plan to do with me now?"
Robb shrugged. "I haven't decided yet."
"I suppose that's better than getting my head taken off." Tyrion grunted. "Your mother tried hard to make that happen."
"I'm aware." Robb said. "She blamed you for attempting to murder my brother. That has been revealed as a lie told to her by Baelish."
Tyrion snorted derisively. "Why am I not surprised. What, if you don't mind me asking, has happened to the man?"
"He had his head chopped off along with Joffrey and Cersei for the part he played in starting the war." Robb answered.
"I suppose he did do that." Tyrion said. "I must say, Varys must be very pleased with that. I'm not sure how the Spider felt about me, but I am quite certain he was not a fan of Littlefinger."
"He's the one who exposed Baelish's lies." Robb replied. "As for you and that part you might have played in Bran's attempted murder, I agreed with my mother up until you returned to Winterfell and gifted my brother a chance to ride and move around again."
Tyrion smiled slightly. "I didn't know if you remembered that little event.
"'I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples and bastards and broken things'" Robb said, quoting the Imp. "As I said, I do not have plans for you at this moment, but I will tell you here and now that I do not trust you."
"I didn't expect you to." Tyrion agreed. "So give me my sentence."
"You and your friends shall be watched and guarded day and night." Robb said. "You will not be allowed weapons and you will be checked after eating for knives. You will have limited freedom of the camp. The northmen who followed me south surround this tent. You will go no further then they're tents."
"So we're not prisoners, but we still have no freedom." Tyrion summarized.
"Would you prefer cells?" Robb asked with a raised eyebrow.
Tyrion shook his head. "Give me books and wine and I shall be a model whatever it is I am."
Robb gazed at Tyrion before nodding slowly. "That can be arranged."
Tyrion gave Robb a brilliant smile. "Perfect!"
Robb nodded towards the exit. "You may go."
Bronn and Pod got up and began to walk towards the exit. Tyrion hopped out of his seat, then seemed to think of something. He lost his smile and replaced it with a thoughtful expression.
"May I speak with Sansa?"
Robb considered the question before nodding. "I will ask her if she would like to meet with you."
"Thank you, my lord." Tyrion said with a bow. "I remember those who show me kindness."
"A Lannister pays his debts." Robb responded, quoting the well-known Lannister words. "Know this, Lord Tyrion, that if you cross me or overstep your place, I will show you that Starks pay theirs as well."
Tyrion stared at Robb as if he was looking at him for the first time. "I always wondered how you managed to stay one step ahead of my father. I always considered it to be luck. Maybe….just maybe…."
Without finishing his sentence, Tyrion waddled out of the tent, giving a respectful nod to Brienne on his way out.