I am dying to see Daenaerys interlude to hear her reaction to Edmure's fielty.
I am sure Barristand and Jora can advise the strategic advantege in this alliance. Edmure right now has the strongest army in the 7 Kingdoms and the position of the Riverland means they can quickly move to subjuvate any of the other rebel kingsoms.
But ofcourse Dany's anger at a former rebel who helped kill her family and topple her dinesty will get in the way if tactical decisions.

Huh, between the Pyromancers being exiled/prosecuted in the capital and the Ironborn sacking Oldtown, Edmure's plan to create a real alternative to the Maester's is looking much more feasible.

This whole expanding the guard is pointless.

The problem with edmure was poor troop allocation.

At the start of the War he sent 4000 men to guard the border that were wiped out, he split up his focuses to protect from the mountain's raids that were then taken out piece-meal, and then after he join up with the North he allowed his lords to send their armies home to deal with the Lannister forces on their own lands some being wiped of like Darry after the Lannisters came back after.

The battle of the ford was Robb's fault for to telling him the plan.

This idiot doesn't need to strengthen the guard. He needs to find out where the fords he needs to hold that are connected to the Westernlands to hold out for when the North arrives. Or go to king's landing when Ned comes and help him uncover the truth then drag the kids out of their with the excuse of visiting their sick grandfather.

The increasing of the guard is going to raise concern among the vassals as they will wonder why the Tully are increasing the size of their retinue. This will cause a cold war/arms race effect to happen in the Riverlands

A very good story so far, I’m looking forward to the next chapters. Great work actually explaining how the main character manages to do what he does and not simply adding some 2 year time skip where Edmure somehow manages to build himself up to his position without really explaining it. I also like that Edmure is not essentially god-status given his SI status unlike many other fanfics. Being absolutely overpowered is okay only if there are good mechanics and good writing supporting it that make this okay and even better. Regardless, great work!

I have just binged this story and I felt a particular need to vent on this chapter. I feel that Catelyn got off easy and truly since Edmure isn’t really Edmure, he should not have agreed so easily to free Sansa after all, Robb made no plans for her rescue and has not even mentioned her so it does seem that he and the North do not care. Also, the suffering of the Riverlands stared due to Catelyn’s actions and they still have a lot to deal with without having the added responsibility of Sansa as well when it is clear from the story that the North could not be bothered to part with some of their forces for at least wait a week to tie up all loose ends.
In other news, I have thoroughly enjoyed this story and I hope you update soon.

A wonderful chapter again. Personally, i really like the realistic take on not going after the Lannisters, and the Starks pulling out from the Crownlands.

Helps that it builds tension to!

I've really liked the way this has developed, and have continually appreciated that while there's been a little of, "helping Westeros," it's just been limited to some better trained troops.

Great story, and I hope you stay safe in this while pandemic!

I find it reasonable to help the West and Lannister. At this point, they should know they fucked up and the fact Tywin's descendants are not the next Lord is enough. Kevan won't forget that the Lannister name and continuation is more important. Cutting off their loss is primordial, as well as securing the West. The Westerlands and Riverlands must now cooperate against Stannis and Ironborn.

Of all SI's I've seen so far you do definitely have the most realistic feel. I understand when other authors mix their SI with the personality of the person they're replacing. Either they don't want to "destroy" the personality of a fan favorite, or they don't want to have to right about, say, perfectly mimicking Ned to his wife and children.

I'm doing a re-read now, cause I've got that SI itch and yours is one of the best. And one thing I can't remember is if you talk much about increasing food supplies or anything? Or trying to uplift anywhere in there. Even something as small as encouraging extra farming.

With the Reach being decimated in the most recent chapters, I'm wondering who will be the main food producer for the Long Night/Post Long night.

I've enjoyed the story so far... but this chapter really pissed me off. It reeks of poor story planning.
*spoilers*
Why the hell would the northerners go home while Sansa is still captured? It makes no sense at all with whats happened. Maybe if it was somebody other than Rob that was abandoning her, like the northern lords independently deciding to leave. Or if Rob had at least lost his battle and desperately needed reinforcements. However, from whats written, he had a resounding victory. And the north has held up better against the Greyjoys than in the books, where they kept fighting despite it all.
It feels like the characters are just doing what the writer wants because they want them to, rather than compelling and logical reasons. Makes them all feel like puppets rather than real people. Normally i wouldn't complain about this. It is a fanficition done for purely the pleasure and joy of the writer, so it makes sense the story follows their narrative. But the story came with the tag of "attempts to be truly realistic," so i thus judge it as if the people should be real rather than one dimensional plot devices.
I just feel like the writer is forcing conflict that wouldn't have really happened, when they could have created an immersive and intelligent reason that would achieve the same result. Arya kidnapped by the Frays for example. Rather than being excited at the turmoil, I roll my eyes in frustration when things go wrong.

He should have pointed out that Theon , after living at Winterfell, probably knows all the ways to sneak into winterfel.
And by now, bringing jon into the picture might have pulled in the targereon supporters to their side.

This is an great self insert wish you luck

KAR-ICE HAHAHAHA FUCK I'M DEAD LMAO!
So the northerners will just leave with their princess in the hands of a stern and ruthless enemy, just like that? Poor girl. What does Robb think about all this? That his Uncle will rescue her and keep cleaning up after him? Cat kidnaps Tyrion, the riverlands had to pay. Robb breaks his promise to the Freys and Edmure had to pay. I get that he's young but this is getting ridiculous lol. I hope some ass whooping is down the line for such behaviour.
Declare for Danny, hell yeah! Will Edmure and her converse via letters or via representatives? Her perspective will be interesting. Get Dorne in on it too. Edmure really is making a name for himself, so less people questioning his authority. He might have foresight for some events but our hero is a decent commander and is learning. Maybe he'll really become a legendary general down the line all on his own who knows.
The Tyrells are looking really weak and with their historically weak claim to highgarden might lose their status. Lannisters are weak too but their relative situation is better than Tyrells in regards to competition. The Vale is a mystery, a possible alliance with Stannis maybe? Who knows what the Karen of Westeros, our dear Lysa, will do.

Brilliant on all fronts.

Nice one

Yeah Marianne is an unpopular choice but I don't think that matters too much. Her character can be built however you see fit, given the marriage actually happens. Our protagonist is wise and is gaining reputation as a competent commander. You've hinted at some plan of Edmure's backfiring. Will it be assassinating Bolton? Maybe Stannis will do something. We'll see.