It had been a few weeks since the attack, and Sam had kept the king confined to his quarters, a decision firmly supported by Margaery and his father. Finally, the Young Wolf was allowed out of his tent and could walk freely amongst his men. The young maester's precaution hadn't been for Robb's safety, but his health. The poison Sam had extracted from him was not a usual poison that assassins used. It was a combination of substances that was not usually put together and Sam wasn't sure how much it had affected Robb.
The Targaryens still refused to answer any messengers from the Stark camp. Robb's father continued to send a messenger everyday at noon, and every day they had been met with firm refusal. It was beginning to annoy Robb, who was beginning to believe that Daenerys wouldn't be willing to give up the guilty party, if in fact she had found out who it was.
If the Targaryens continued to refuse him, then he would demand their presence tomorrow. They will face him eventually, and he wanted to give them the chance to fix their mistake before Robb made them pay.
"Your grace," Brienne outside of Robb and Margaery's private chambers. "News from King's Landing."
Robb looked up from his task. "Come in Brienne."
The large woman entered, looking a little uncomfortable with being in the royal couple's quarters. It's not that it was filled with luxuries, but a person's quarters, especially commanders, were a private place.
"You said there was news from the Capitol?" Margaery asked, rocking Torrhen in her arms.
Brienne nodded. "Lady Daenerys would like to meet his grace and two of his commanders on neutral ground." she said. "She requested that you take no more than ten guards."
Robb was already walking over to where his wardrobe was. "Get me Garlan and the Blackfish." he ordered. "Put together a guard for me, include yourself in the ten."
Brienne nodded and strode off to do the king's bidding. Margaery waited till the commander of the elite guard was gone before she spoke up.
"Surely your father can take care of this." she offered.
Robb smiled at her while he put on a new shirt and jerkin, careful of his shoulder and chest that was still wrapped in bandages. Although Sam no longer was by his side every moment of the day, he checked on Robb three times a day. Another thing firmly supported by Margaery.
Robb shook his head. "I am king, I have to take care of this." he said. "Besides, as much as I love spending time with you and Torrhen, I've begun to feel like a caged tiger."
Margaery nodded quietly. "You do not mean to say that you have had your fill of your son and wife."
"I could spend a thousand years with you both and never grow tired." he promised sweetly, kissing his wife and son on their heads. "But someone tried to kill me and I want answers. If it took the Targaryens this long to respond, then they should have the answers we seek."
"You better return." Margaery ordered sternly before pulling Robb in for a deeper kiss. The Young Wolf smiled and returned the kiss with just as much passion.
The couple were interrupted when Olyvar cleared his throat from outside the room. Robb grinned and called out.
"I'll be right there Olyvar."
Margaery let go of her husband and watched as Robb swept out of the room, grabbing his cloak and sword as he left. He had a spring in his step, obviously excited that he could ride and take command again. Robb was never one to sit still, not when there was work to do.
Outside the tent, Robb's faithful squire stood holding the reins to Wesley, the charger that Willas had gifted to Robb. The horse was as pale as bone, looking almost like an albino save for his blonde mane and blue eyes. Robb had ridden him only a few times, but he could say confidently that Wesley was the best horse Robb had ever ridden. Every command was obeyed without hesitation and even in the muddy trailed that snaked through the camp, the beast had no trouble.
"Olyvar." Robb greeted kindly.
Olyvar, along with Ser Perwyn, had stayed by his side while the rest of House Frey had abandoned Robb. With a slight start, the northern king realized that Olyvar was the last remaining Frey male. The rest were either dead or sent to the Wall for the part they played in the Bolton Rebellion.
The Young Wolf knew immediately that Olyvar would be a great lord of the Crossing. He was faithful and honest, and had been nothing but loyal to Robb throughout the entire campaign. Robb promised himself then and there that, when issues with the Targaryens were settled, he would knight the boy and give him his ancestral home.
"Your grace, we're ready." Brienne said, riding up to the pair.
Riding next to Brienne was Garlan and Ser Brynden, both of whom were armed and armored. The same went for the nine men behind them. Robb was the only one who didn't look ready for a fight, but at least he had Claw at his side.
The king hauled himself into the saddle, minding his injured shoulder. He nodded to his goodbrother and uncle.
"Brienne, has my father been told?" Robb asked.
The warrior woman shook her head. "No, my lord."
"Olyvar…." Robb began to say.
"I will, your grace." Olyvar responded before Robb could finish the question.
The northern king smiled at his squire. "Thank you, Olyvar." he said before snapping his reins and riding south.
When the Targaryen party came into view, Robb resisted the urge to grip his sword. He knew that Daenerys would see the act as hostile, and Robb wanted to keep things as civil as possible. He had already mentally prepared himself to throw down the gauntlet if it came to it. Not only had they tried to kill him, but Torrhen as well, and Robb would wade through a river of blood before he allowed his son to be attacked without repercussions.
Daenerys was at the head of the other group, Ser Jorah and Ser Barristan at her side. Behind her, dothraki milled around, glaring at the approaching Starks. The young queen sat easily on her mount, her face a mask of neutrality, not giving away her emotions.
When Robb was close enough, he brought his horse to a stop, nodding to the girl.
"Daenerys." he said briefly, forgoing the politically polite term of 'my lady' that he had usually used. As much as he tried to stay calm, he could barely contain his anger. It was weeks of pent up anger and he tried not to let it control him, but he was having trouble.
Something broke slightly on Daenerys' face when Robb addressed her, but it was quickly covered again. She nodded in return.
"Robb."
Robb gazed over her group, noting how none of Aegon's companions were with her. He looked back at her. "If you have not called me here to tell me who amongst your allies tried to have me killed, then you've wasted my time."
Daenerys shifted slightly in the saddle. "I am truly sorry for what happened to you, but my betrothed and I have taken the last few weeks to look into the attempt on your life. Please believe me when I say we found nothing."
"If you are trying to tell me that the spymaster of the Golden Company went rogue, then you'll understand my disbelief." Robb scoffed. "For a company renowned for its discipline, they have fallen remarkably short of the mark."
"If you have something to say, speak plainly my lord." the Mother of Dragons demanded, not happy that Robb had insulted men under her banner.
Robb leaned forward, crossing his arms over the pommel of his saddle. "Fine, let's speak openly. One of your men tried to kill me. He had the evidence on him. Now I'm not sure about you, my lady, but I want to find the person or people that contrived to see me torn from my family, so that I may acquaint the edge of my blade with their neck." Robb all but growled. "I am not stupid. I know who the Golden Company owes their loyalty to. Aegon or Connington sought to see me dead, and I want to know who."
The look of neutrality that Daenerys had worn cracked in response to Robb's angry words, but the northern king didn't care. He had faced down Tywin Lannister while his own bannermen betrayed him. The girl playing queen didn't scare him, nor did her dragons. He knew the stories of Balerion, Meraxes, and Vhagar and what they were capable of. The dragons Daenerys held in the godswood were no bigger than the horse Robb currently rode.
"You dare sit here in front of me and question the integrity of my family and councilors." she hissed. "We've been nothing but cordial to you and your army of traitors."
Robb raised an eyebrow. "You've been cordial. As have the two knights at your side. The same cannot be said for your betrothed or his Hand. It seems to me that one or both are still bitter about the part my father had in the Rebellion more than twenty years ago."
"I can't imagine why." Danaerys snapped.
Robb laughed mockingly. "Daenerys, even you have admitted that the actions of your father were heinous, and that's putting it lightly." he replied instantly. "But that is off topic. I will give you but two more days, and that is being generous, to turn over the guilty party. If my deadline is not met, then I will have no choice than to treat you and your allies as enemies that must be dealt with."
Danaerys recoiled in her saddle as if she had been struck. "You would throw away everything we've worked towards?"
Robb stood in his stirrups, his hand gripping the pommel of his sword, threatening to draw it. Since he arrived, he had spoken in a dark tone that had gradually grown bitter and angry. Now, when he spoke, it was a bellow that portrayed the rage that had been festering since he had learned of the attempt on his life and his son's.
"SOMEONE TRIED TO KILL ME, DAENERYS! THEY TRIED TO KILL MY SON! A CHILD! I'M SURE YOU'VE NOTICED, MY SON IS NOT A FIRE-BREATHING BEAST LIKE YOURS! I WILL KILL ANYONE WHO TRIES TO TEAR ME FROM HIM AND MY WIFE!"
During Robb's rant, Jorah and Barristan had nudged their horses forward in defensive positions in front of their queen, both with hands on their swords. As the two knights moved forward, as did Garlan and Ser Brynden, but both men were stopped at a gesture from their king, who regained his seat, his face red.
"I would never try to harm Torrhen…." Danaerys began before Robb cut her off.
"Do not speak his name." Robb snapped savagely. "You have two days. Turn over the guilty party or leave Westeros. If you defy me, I will have you forcibly removed and you will not enjoy how I do it."
"Is there nothing I can do to keep fighting from breaking out?" Danaerys asked sadly.
Robb glared at her. He was sure that she had nothing to do with his attempted murder, but she was still a Targaryen, and Robb had been unable to keep his anger in check any longer.
"Twenty years ago, the Starks purged the land of Dragons." he said coldly. "I will see it done once more if need be. If you had any hope for peace, then you will not force my hand."
And with that, Robb Stark and his companions turned and left the Targaryen party alone, the Young Wolf's deadline starting.
Line Break
Daenerys
Daenerys watched sadly as Robb and his men rode away. She hadn't expected the northern king to unleash on her like he had, but she couldn't find it in herself to blame him. If someone had tried to kill her or one of her children, then she would also do everything in her power to see the culprits brought to justice.
"Will Robb really fight us." she asked quietly.
"The Starks are not known to lie." Jorah answered solemnly. "If Robb Stark says he'll have us removed by force, then that's exactly what he'll do."
"Can we beat them?"
"Maybe." Ser Barristan answered. "Lord Robb is known to be a master strategist."
"But is that true?" Daenerys asked.
"He's here. Tywin is not." Jorah answered bluntly. "As much as I hate to admit it, Stark seems to have made the same connection that we have."
Daenerys could only nod. As soon as Ser Barristan returned with news of an attempted assassination on Robb and his child, she had been sick to her stomach. Then the old knight had revealed that it had been Lysono Maar, a member of the Golden Company, who had been caught in the act. Unfortunately, Daenerys' mind instantly accused Aegon and Connington. The sellsword company owes their allegiance to them, not her.
Of course, Aegon and Connington immediately begin to point the finger at others who could have set up the assassination, always bringing back up the fact that Lysono was a sellsword and followed money. Daenerys wasn't looking at her master of coin, but she was sure that he was biting tongue as his former comrade was disgraced.
Alone in her room after the meeting, Daenerys and Barristan had a very honest conversation.
Flashback
"There's no one else who could have tried to have Robb killed, is there." Daenerys said, gazing at her untouched food.
The old knight rested a hand on the hilt of his blade as he stood across from her. "I'm afraid not, my lady. Stannis is dead, same with Balon I believe. In the War of Five Kings, Lord Robb is the only one to still have his crown."
"Aegon suggested the Lannisters." Daenerys pointed out, looking up at her protector.
Ser Barristan shook his head. "Lord Tyrion is a capable man to be sure, according to Varys, but he has no power or money. The last of his family's strength is holed up in Casterly Rock." he explained. "To a sellsword, that's a bad investment."
"What about the dornish?" Daenerys asked.
"I don't think so, my lady." Barristan answered. "Prince Doran was emphatic when he spoke up. The dornish are very against the killing of children."
"As anyone should be." Daenerys sighed. "Should I be ashamed that my mind keeps going back to Aegon and Connington?"
"It's logical, unfortunately." Barristan replied.
Daenerys tapped the table. In her mind, she tried to come up with some answer, someone else to blame other than the pair who controlled more than half her army, but she just couldn't. Robb Stark was Aegon's direct competition, and he certainly didn't hide his disdain for the northern king.
But Aegon would never order the death of a child, not after what happened to his mother and sister.
All that left was Connington.
Flashback
"It seems we have two days, sers." Daenerys said after leaving her memories behind.
"Khaleesi," Jorah said. "You know as well as I that there's only one man who did this."
Daenerys didn't have to look behind her to know that Barristan was in agreement with the northern knight. Connington was the only logical answer, but she knew that Aegon would never give up the man who had raised him.
"Aegon won't give him up." Daenerys answered sadly, turning to face the two men. "That leaves only one course of action."
"There has to be another way, my lady." Ser Barristan said.
"You heard him." Daenerys all but snapped. "I will not go into exile, not again. If Robb Stark approaches the city with an army at his back, then….then we will defend ourselves."
Ser Barristan gazed at the queen for a long moment before bowing his head, accepting her decision. It was not one that Daenerys enjoyed giving, but she had no choice. Robb and her own advisors had backed her into a corner, and all she could do now was respond to whatever Robb approached with.
She would respond with fire and blood.