Prisoner's Dilemma

At the sight of the curtain wall, Gerry paddled toward the reeds. Last night, he traded ten silver stags for a coracle large enough for two. The fisherman had thrown in a hand net and three thick woolen blankets. The round shell-like boat was weaved from willow rods with an outer layer of bullock hide, waterproofed with pitch. It had been a long night, watching for Frey patrols, guiding the coracle down the Blue Fork, and keeping Robb Stark alive.

He had laid Robb down on the flat bottom and covered the lord with all three blankets. Getting in and out of the little boat was the hardest part. So long as the weight was evenly distributed, the coracle was surprisingly stable and could float even in a few inches of water, making it well suited for the rills and brooks before the headwaters turned into the mighty Trident.

He strapped the coracle to his back, and guiding Robb with his right arm, trudged up the hill to the ruins of Oldstone. The overgrown and rocky road wound twice around before reaching the summit. Beneath the castle, the woods were thick, and the bushes heavy with nuts and fruits. Gerry knew which berries to pluck, and how to pound the sedge tubers and nuts into a soup.

Gerry made camp on top of the hill, in the ruins of the old castle. He placed Robb against the stone sepulcher, half hidden in the high grass. He took an axe out, and chopped away several roots, and ripped up fern bushes to make an open piece of ground large enough to sleep on. He smoothed the earth and leaned the coracle at a slant against the tomb, blocking out the mid morning sun. After he placed a folded blanket down, Gerry moved Robb into the shadows cast by the round boat, and then draped the two other blankets over the Lord of Winterfell. He built a fire, and forced Robb to drink from the waterskin.

He could have gone further than Oldstones. The Blue Fork rushed southeast to Fairmarket, Ramsford and then met the Green Fork north of Lord Harroway's Town. Those were Tully lands, with riverlords loyal to the Starks. But nobles of those houses had been captured at the Twins, and Robb Stark was too tempting and valuable a target. A highborn might trade him to the Freys for their lord or heir, a lowborn could simply sell the Lord of Winterfell for hundreds of gold dragons. Gerry would not risk it. He would simply wait.

The boy knew the maester would come north. Gerry had been at the Golden Tooth, the Red Fork and the God's Eye. He had seen Snow's uncanny connection with his dire wolf. The maester would find Ghost again. And with fifty miles between here and Sevenstreams, Ghost would find Robb. The dire wolf could cover that distance in a few hours.

There was a great deal to do before the day ended. Chop wood for the fire. Carry water up the hill. Forage for nuts and berries. Catch trout with the net. And most importantly, build a better shelter. The walls offered some protection from wind, but with branches, leaves and mud, Gerry could shield them from rain and cold. He was still working when he heard the wolves.

Gerry scrambled up the hill, and fed more wood into the fire. He grabbed a burning branch, and as the sun set, waited near the crude wooden lean-to. He heard twigs crack, a heavy panting, and growls. A dozen wolves surrounded him, gnashing their teeth as they circled him. Gerry stepped back carefully, keeping his back to the shelter. A giant grey wolf with a white underbelly approached, and the smaller animals went quiet. Nymeria stared at him with hostile dark golden eyes. Gerry stepped aside, holding the torch high to light the way. The great she-wolf trotted forward and nuzzled Robb, as if willing him to wake.

Gerry tended the fire, and roasted rainbow trout on sticks. Soon after, he heard heavier footsteps and the whinny of horses. The small wolves slinked off, and a white dire wolf appeared, leading men on horses. There was nothing to fear. The man in front wore a white surcoat, encrusted with dried blood.

"Ser Mychel. Good to see you. Care for roast trout?"

The knight gave a tired smile as he sat down. "Gerry, I am glad to see you. This is Ser Robar Royce. Ser Andrew Tollett. Ser Ben Coldwater. The fighting went the whole night and into the morning. The wolves led us a merry chase down the Blue Fork this afternoon."

"How is Lord Robb?" Ser Robar asked anxiously.

Ghost and Nymeria had settled near the Young Wolf. "I have kept him warm and comfortable. He has not woken, but he is no worse than last night." The words gave the knights little comfort.

"My father says the Starks are hard to kill." Ser Robar said hesitantly.

"He is not dead though. Although I suppose if he never wakes, he can't give us any commands. Pity - I want to kill more Freys." Tollett said.

"How was the fighting, Sers?" Gerry asked.

Mychel shook his head somberly. "Half the Valemen who went to Sevenstreams are dead. Ser Roland Waynwood. Ser Elbert Bellmore. Ser Lymon Lynderly. The North fared even worse."

"The Freys planned a clever ambush. We are lucky the dire wolves killed the archers and crossbowmen. Otherwise, we would have all died." Robar said.

"A few men escaped - Smalljon Umber, the Karstark sons. But the Greatjon was captured, Lord Karstark, Patrek Mallister, and many others. And Lothar Frey boasted that Lady Stark was killed and Edmure Tully taken prisoner at the Twins." Mychel said.

"They served us meat and drink, after the victory at Seagard. The gods will curse House Frey for breaking guest right." Robar said.

Gerry found extra twigs and shared the skewers of hot trout. The knights finished quickly and took the horses down to the river to graze and drink. Gerry offered the roast fish to the wolves but Ghost shook his head, and Nymeria had already fallen asleep.

"Where do you think we should head? Raventree Hall is half a day's ride south. Or we can hail a skiff or a barge and head to Fairmarket to send word to the Blackfish. By now, all of the Riverlands will know of House Frey's betrayal." Mychel said.

"If the Freys offer to trade Edmure for Lord Stark, what would the Blackfish do?" Gerry replied.

"Ser Brynden is a good man." Robar protested.

"But he is a Tully. Family is before duty and honor in their words. And Edmure is his liege lord."

"The Blackfish hates the Freys." Mychel said. "But his first loyalty would be to his house. Lord Tytos has fought bravely as well but two of his sons went to the Twins, and are likely prisoners. Can we send a raven to Snow?"

"We have no ravens here. And I do not know where the maester is. But have no doubt, Sers. Jon Snow will come for us. And he will come for House Frey."

He woke at dawn when the clouds turned bronze and gold over the God's Eye. The five cracked and lumped towers of Black Harren's Folly jutted into the sky, but it was still too dark to see Harrentown, the town dwarfed by the great castle. Jon dreamt of Winterfell last night, the courtyard in the shadow of the First Keep, where he and Robb had trained together ever since they were big enough to walk. There, they had laughed and played away from any prying eyes - pretending not to be little boys but great heroes - Aemon the Dragonknight or Cregan Stark. But he had been sent away to the Citadel, while Robb remained to guard the North.

In the dream, his brother was a King of Winter, wearing an open circlet of beaten bronze with nine black iron spikes shaped as swords. But a storm of arrows and quarrels fell, and daggers rose and struck in the dark. In the fighting, Jon was too far away to reach his brother. The darkness took Robb past the broken tower, past the lichyard, and into the ironwood door of the crypts. Jon searched and searched in the dark, under the stern faces of stone Stark kings on stone thrones. He did not care about voices that muttered he was no Stark, but he could not find Robb. The light burnt out, and the tomb faded into black, leaving only a direwolf, grey and ghastly, spotted with blood, golden eyes shining sadly. He knew those eyes.

"Bring me home. Bring me home." the wolf whispered.

Grey Wind deserved to rest in the crypts of Winterfell with the other dire wolves that had served the Kings of Winter. And then Jon woke up.

Jon found Arya on the bow of the Wolf Wind. His sister turned, a trace of tears in her bloodshot eyes. Jon held her tightly, and her sobs were muffled in his chest.

"What did you see in your dream?"

"I saw crossbow bolts at a feast. I saw a dire wolf die. What does it mean, Jon?"

He wanted badly to soothe her fears but he would not lie to Arya. "Nothing good. Be strong, little sister. We will deal with whatever comes."

The banner of the white wolf fluttered as they rode to Harrenhal. At the main gate, so wide that fifty men could march abreast, an old lady met them. A few servants attended her - Maester Tothmure, Lucan the Armorer, and a few tired knights. The anxious look that Shella Whent gave them spoke volumes. Lady Whent's eyes widened when she saw Sansa Stark.

"Lady Sansa! You are freed from King's Landing."

Sansa curtsied. "I am, my lady. Thank you for your hospitality."

Jon swung off his horse, and interrupted the greetings. He could see the fear - the blacksmith's burly arms trembled, Ser Waylan Wode stared down on the ground, and the maester's fingers quivered. No one - least of all, Shella Whent - could look him in the eyes. "Bad news does not improve in the waiting. Tell me what you already know."

"Lord Snow. Your brother was betrayed by the Freys." Lady Whent said,

Jon ignored the gasps of shock. He kept his voice flat and emotionless. "How do you know?"

"A raven from Seagard. It came yesterday, my lord." The maester said.

"What else do you know?" Jon said.

"We sent a raven to Riverrun. They confirmed that Lord Edmure was taken prisoner at his own wedding in the Twins. Your mother, Lady Stark, was likely killed." Tothmure said.

Not my mother, Jon knew, but Catelyn Tully married Ned Stark and bore him five children. His siblings had lost both father and mother. He wondered if he had also lost a brother. He could feel his sisters' pain like a knife in the heart. "Take us to the solar. And bring me both letters." Jon walked past Lady Whent, and Arya and Sansa followed.

Wind blew through open cracks, and the slagged stone warped the stairs and walls of Kingspyre Tower. Here, Balerion the Black Dread unleashed his true fury against Black Harren - a cruel fate for a cruel king. Brienne and Sandor stood guard outside while Jon read the first letter.

"Lord Stark defeated Euron Greyjoy in Ironman's Bay and Lothar Frey claimed that Lord Walder wished to share the remains of Edmure's wedding banquet with the North at Sevenstreams. At the feast, Freys attacked with axes and crossbows. Robb Stark was wounded, and is missing. Many others were captured or dead. Very few men returned to Seagard."

"What about Mother?' Arya asked.

"That is the other raven. The Freys ordered Riverrun to bend the knee. They took Lord Edmure prisoner, and killed Lady Catelyn when she tried to escape. The Blackfish believes that the Freys took many hostages at the wedding."

Sansa broke down sobbing. "It is all my fault. Don't you see? Joffrey ordered this as revenge for my escape from King's Landing. I am the reason that Mother is dead."

Jon shook his head. "After the God's Eye, the Freys wanted a marriage with Robb. When that failed, they agreed to a betrothal with Edmure. Either way, a wedding would occur at the Twins. Your rescue was only a faint glimmer, and unknown to Freys or Lannisters. We cannot say when the final orders were given, but the Freys planned this treachery for a long time. Roose Bolton said others would betray the North. He may have known about Lord Walder."

"If that was the case, why didn't the Freys betray us at the God's Eye?" Arya said.

"They did, or at least fifteen hundred Freys left. Some Freys did serve loyally in the battle. Ser Stevron, Perwyn, and Olyvar - and a few of the bastards - Ser Martyn fought well. The Freys may be more cowardly about battle in the open field, or perhaps Lord Walder informed Ryman and Lothar of his treachery but not the others. Or Tywin had already promised Roose Bolton a reward but had yet to satisfy the Frey's price."

"But if I never went South, if I had never wanted to be Queen, this would have not happened. We would all be still in Winterfell. Father would have not been imprisoned and beheaded."

"Sansa, the water has run downstream. We cannot force it back up. You did not order Ned Stark to become Hand of the King. You did not take Tyrion Lannister prisoner. You did not plan Edmure's wedding or the Frey feast. This is not a time to wail or weep. This is a time for judgment. We need to determine our next steps."

Sansa stopped her tears. "Do you think Robb is dead?"

"I do not know. I saw Grey Wind die in a wolf dream. But Robb might have escaped."

"We should kill all the Freys." Arya blurted out.

"We have no time for anger. We need to find Robb first. We need to know who lived, who died, and who was taken prisoner. Our first duty is to the North and our men. We leave in a few hours for Harroway. There is a lot to do - ravens, prisoners, and gathering our remaining forces."

"What happens if Robb is dead?" Arya asked.

"Then I am Lord of Winterfell. And the Twins will burn."

"You have cursed us all. There is no crime so foul as murder at a wedding. And to invite your allies to a feast after a battle, and slay them while they are drunk. The Gods will not forget these crimes." The old woman thundered.

The Tyrells had come out in force to the Small Council. Lady Olenna, the true power behind Highgarden, revealed her thorns, accusing Tywin Lannister of the treachery in the Riverlands. Ravens had flown fast and furious into King's Landing that morning. The Frey wedding had been a gross violation of guest right. But the Traitor's Feast was seen as the greater dishonor. At the Twins, Lord Walder had taken many highborn prisoners. But at Sevenstreams, the Frey hosts butchered the Northern army.

"The Iron Throne had nothing to do with this. This is a dispute between Walder Frey and his liege lord." Tywin replied. That bald lie did not fool anyone.

"Would Walder Frey have done this without your blessing?" Olenna Tyrell replied.

The Queen of Thorns was famous for her sharp tongue. Nor was she wrong, Tyrion thought. Walder Frey was not a brave man. He would have required guarantees from the Iron Throne. And Walder was greedy. What promises had his father made?

"Will the Iron Throne strip House Frey of their lands? How will you punish them for breaking guest right?" Oberyn smiled at Lord Tywin's discomfort.

"Why does this matter? We should be glad that our enemies kill each other." Baelish said.

The Tyrells and their retainers glared at Littlefinger. "He has prisoners, Baelish - from every house in the Reach. Are you too stupid to realize that their lives are at risk?"

Olenna did not need to clarify who he was. Tyrion knew from experience how unpleasant Jon Snow's personal attention could be. And Podrick had seen an entire company of Bloody Mummers crucified at Harrenhal. "What of Robb Stark? Do we know if he is alive or not?"

"There are conflicting reports. The Freys paraded around a body with a dire wolf head and nailed a crown on top. But there are others who say that the Young Wolf was badly injured but escaped when his dire wolf was killed." Tywin said.

"One dire wolf head? But the North had three at the Red Fork. And the White Wolf is alive. Varys said that if Robb Stark died, Snow was heir to Winterfell." Tyrion shuddered.

"What about our lords? We paid gold to ensure their safety. They are still prisoners. The wolves released our soldiers and knights but kept the high lords." Ser Garlan said.

"The Freys have taken prisoners as well - Edmure Tully, and many others from the North and the Riverlands. Lord Karstark, Lord Umber, a Mormont girl, the Mallister heir, Wylis Manderly. The North has lost thousands of men. House Stark has been crippled. The Rivermen will have to bend the knee to the Freys."

"What if Robb Stark and Jon Snow rally their forces and attack House Frey?" Jaime asked.

Tywin gave a scornful shrug. "How? Who will fight for the Starks - the Blackfish? The Karstarks? Walder Frey only needs to threaten to hang their lords."

"The Young Wolves can defeat the Freys in the field. They have been outnumbered before and still won." Garlan said.

"Walder Frey is no fool. He will not seek out battle. He will squat at the Twins, and keep his captives close. Even an army of twenty thousand would need months to besiege the Twins. And Snow has neither the men nor the time. His brother is wounded. Even if he is the heir, a bastard will have trouble controlling the North. He may have to trade his prisoners to free the Northern lords. And if his brother dies, he will need to secure his rule." Tywin said.

So that was his father's plan. Tywin Lannister would trade Northern hostages for his men. And if Snow beheaded a few Tyrell bannermen, all the better. The Freys would weaken the Reach, the Riverlands and the North simultaneously. The cost was honor and reputation, but when had his Lord Father ever cared about that? The Lannisters would slough off as much blame as possible to Walder Frey. It was clever, except - "How many prisoners do the Freys have?"

"Eight Northmen. A dozen heirs of the Riverlords and Edmure Tully." Tywin replied.

"Jon Snow doesn't give a shit about House Tully. He is not his brother." the Red Viper said.

"Snow has fifty squires alone at the Golden Tooth, and hundreds of knights at Riverrun. He captured more at the Red Fork, including many of our most powerful lords. And he has important hostages from almost every house in the Reach. The Freys do not have enough prisoners to trade." Tyrion said.

"The Freys took Lord Umber and Lord Karstark prisoner. Those two houses are the strongest bannermen for the Starks. Snow will need their support to rule the North." Tywin said.

"Will he? Smalljon Umber and the Karstark sons served in Robb Stark's battle guard. They may already be loyal to House Stark." Tyrion said.

"What if Snow doesn't care about Winterfell? What if he only wants revenge?" Jaime said.

"Then you should expect your lords to lose their heads." Oberyn Martell smirked.

The words hung over the Small Council meeting like a black cloud. His father had hatched a clever scheme. But like all conspiracies, it relied on his accomplices. Lord Tywin did not bother to sully his own hands. When Tyrion was young, the septon at Casterly Rock declared "they that lie with dogs, shall rise with fleas." But the Freys were worse than dogs. They were rats - greedy, treacherous and disloyal. It was good that Lord Walder hid in his twin castles. Rats did not fare well against wolves in the wild.

Owen Fossoway waited until Ser William Wythers waved him through the cordon of Tyrell guards. Since the debacle of the Wildfire Wedding, Lady Olenna spent a great deal of time away from the Maidenvault, holding court at the godswood, overlooking the Blackwater Rush. The reason was simple - among the elm, alder and cottonwood trees, there was no place for secret tunnels or spies. The two score guards in green flushed out any listeners.

"Had we been here that night, we might have seen Snow sail away on the river, after burning the Mountain alive!" A young Tyrell cousin exclaimed.

"The harbor is two miles away." Olenna said. "You would have seen a green dot in the distance. And why would anyone want to see a man burn to death?"

"The Mountain was more a monster than a man." Ser Garlan said.

He coughed loudly, and bowed to the noble ladies. The Queen of Thorns waved away Margaery's companions, leaving only the three Tyrells in front of the great oak heart tree, covered with smokeberry vines and dark red flowers.

"Ah, young Owen. You have heard the dreadful news? Of the weasels and how they conspired with the lions?" Olenna said.

"Bits and pieces, my lady. I was at the Great Sept of Baelor today. The High Sparrow declared the Freys apostates and that anyone who aided them would be banished from the worship of the Seven. The Faith are furious about the violation of guest right and the massacre at the feast." Owen said.

The Queen of Thorns shrugged. "The septons enjoy ranting and raving but when has the Faith done anything meaningful? Not since the Dance of the Dragons led to their deaths."

"Ser - what do you think Snow will do?" Lady Margaery asked. "Will he seek revenge?"

"For the betrayal at the feast? Most certainly. You heard Robb Stark's oath at Redgrass Field. Jon Snow is his heir. What heir will not avenge his brother?"

"But will he kill his prisoners? Execute our lords?" Margaery asked.

Owen scratched his head. "Why would he do that? They had nothing to do with the Black Wedding or the Traitor's Feast."

"But the Lannisters did. Walder Frey would not commit these crimes without the protection of the Iron Throne. And the Reach is in league with the lions." Garlan said.

"Perhaps you should question that alliance first. I do not know. Maester Snow is not the most predictable of men." Owen rubbed the large bruise on the back of his neck. "But Jon is not hateful. He is not cruel. We paid him ransom for the squires, men at arms and knights. The lords were kept to assure our good behavior. We have done nothing wrong."

"But does Snow know that? He made many terrible threats after the God's Eye. What if he believes the Reach supported this betrayal?" Olenna said.

"I doubt he is putting the blame on Mace Tyrell."

"Perhaps, you could write your friend a letter - so he will know that for certain." Margaery said.

Owen could do more than write a letter. He could invoke the personal favor but it would be a great mistake to let the Tyrells know about that arrangement. And he doubted that Jon would murder the fathers and uncles of his friends at the Citadel. "How could my raven reach him? I do not know where he is."

"We do. Our spies saw the Wolf Wind sailing to the north shore of the God's Eye. He must be headed to Harrenhal." Garlan said.

Owen shook his head no. "Where is Robb Stark?"

"No one knows, Ser. It is a great mystery." Margaery said.

"Find Robb and you will find Jon. He will not stay at Harrenhal long. He will be on the move. If Robb is dead, I wonder what he will do. But I do not think he will kill our men. I believe in Jon Snow. The North may be hard and cold but he was raised with honor."

Fresh straw had been added to the thatched roof in the stable and a newly painted sign - three roads meeting at a river - hung over the door. The Crossroads Inn was packed with travellers - merchants, craftsmen, and septons but the Heddles offered any rooms and garrets that House Stark required. That wasn't much - the soldiers camped outside, and the Northmen would sail as soon as Captain Manderly found suitable ships.

Young Willow Heddle made certain that the highborn were served ample food and drink, even the ones in chains. And there were many of those - over three dozen captive Reachman trying to make small talk with her sister, the ever gracious Lady Whent, River knights, and little Lyman Darry with his maester and steward. Arya accepted a bowl of steaming beef stew, warm bread, and a crumbled cherry pie. Hot Pie's food was delicious.

"Lady Sansa, I hope your brother will not blame House Darry for these attacks." Lyman said.

"Why would he, my Lord?" a puzzled Sansa said.

"Walder Frey married two of his sons to Raymun Darry's sisters. Lord Lyman has seven Frey cousins." The maester said.

"Don't be frightened, Lyman. The Freys have marriages with almost every house in the Riverlands. Lord Frey took my cousin Sarya as his fifth wife and my niece Wynafrei is married to one of his sons by a Crakehall. I have a Frey good nephew." Shella Whent said.

"Did your nephew or Lyman's cousins take part in the attack on Robb?" Arya demanded.

"I do not know." Little Lyman squeaked.

"If they did, I doubt Jon will show any mercy." She snapped to the embarrassed Rivermen. Arya stomped off before her sister could make any apologies.

Outside the inn, soldiers sparred, checked their armor, and prepared for battles to come. Riders had been sent out from Harrenhal, ordering all Northmen that remained south of the Trident to Harroway. Arya saw Glover men, Karstarks, and Flint men. Ser Alyn, knighted after being wounded at the God's Eye, now served as the new captain of the Stark guards, and took charge mustering the Northern troops. The Lightning Lord did the same for the Rivermen.

Several hundred men had reported to Harroway, and dozens more were coming every hour from Saltpans, and the lands around the God's eye. There were more soldiers further South and West patrolling the gold road and Stony Sept, but it would take days, perhaps weeks to march to the Trident. They didn't have days. The Freys had sent ravens to many castles, boasting of their prisoners and demanding that the Riverlords bend the knee.

In response, Jon had sent his own ravens but not to the Twins. Birds had flown to Riverrun, the Golden Tooth, Raventree Hall, Pinkmaiden, Atranta, Wayfarer's Rest and Stone Hedge. Jon wanted the prisoners held at those castles to be moved north. Lady Mormont would follow orders but Arya was not certain if the other lords would comply. After all, their sons were being held along with Edmure Tully.

Two men grunted, as they carried a heavy iron anvil by the horns. Arya rolled her eyes. Gendry was bull headed enough not to use a wheelbarrow but the older man should have known better. She recognized Lucan, the burly armorer from Harrenhal. Chett rushed over with a flat cart on wooden wheels. The two men dropped the anvil on the dolly, and then bent over gasping to catch their breath.

"Gendry, what are you doing?" Arya asked.

Lucan answered. "Lady Whent asked us to bring an anvil on the boat. She hopes to stay in your brother's favor."

"But why? We have taken the castle for her already." Arya said.

"Lady Whent cannot hold Harrenhal. She does not have enough men." Jon said, before giving instructions on where to place the tools. Chett took Lucan and Gendry away.

"So that's why she came with us North?" Arya said.

"She will come with us on the Trident. Lord Lyman should as well. Robb left half the army to recover from injuries, guard prisoners, and protect the Riverlands. We don't have the manpower to do that. Men died at Seagard and even more at Sevenstreams. All our men will head North."

"But if we retreat, the Lannisters will take back these lands." Arya said.

"Lady Whent is welcome at Winterfell. Here she has less than twenty men, and many too old to fight. All her servants could fit in a single hall of a single tower of Harrenhal. She will lose her castle but keep her life. So will Lord Lyman. If he dies, who would inherit Darry?"

"One of his Frey cousins. I hate the Freys. Do you think that was part of the bargain? That the Lannisters promised the Freys lands and titles?"

"I am sure of it. Tywin Lannister must have been plotting after the Red Fork. He could not defeat Robb in the field so he paid a toll to the Freys. It must have been high - castles, marriages, titles, lands. Lord Walder has 30 children, not including the bastards. And those children have begotten other children who hope to profit off this treachery. That will not happen. Traitors are more dangerous than enemies, and belong in the darkest, deepest circle of Hell."

The Lannisters set a delicious table with succulent meats, saffron rice with fresh vegetables, ripe fruit from the Reach, and the finest wines from the Arbor, Dorne and Lys. The company though was less tolerable. At least, Tyrion sat next to Jaime and far away from his monstrous nephew. Joffrey sat between Cersei and Tywin, who had once again claimed the title of Hand. That meant his Lord Father had the task of educating the brat in how to rule.

"Will the Freys send me Robb Stark's body?" Joffrey asked eagerly.

"I doubt Robb Stark is dead. If the Freys had killed him, they would have more than a dead wolf pelt. But Lord Walder claims hostages from the great houses in the North and the Riverlands." Tywin said.

'Then have him send the hostages to King's Landing so I can put their heads on spikes."

"Sweetling, they must be kept alive so their houses bend the knee." Cersei said.

"They will bend the knee anyway. Otherwise I will destroy their family and take their lands. No one can deny the king." Joffrey crowed.

"Yes, that worked so well with the Starks." Tyrion said.

"I will kill Robb Stark. Tell the Freys to catch him alive. I will chop his head off and serve it to you for dinner." Joffrey sneered.

"Thank you, your grace but I prefer this leg of lamb or a rack of venison." Tyrion said. Even Lord Tywin cracked a faint smile at the jibe.

"Are there new candidates for the Kingsguard?" Cersei said, in an obvious attempt to stop Joffrey from spoiling yet another meal.

"There are few knights worthy of the white cloak in King's Landing. I will not have another Meryn Trant or Boros Blount. And we have another problem. Many septons blame the Iron Throne for the attack on Robb Stark and Edmure Tully's wedding. And plenty of knights agree with the septons. Men with honor claim the Kingsguard has none." Jaime said.

"Bah, they will forget their precious honor. In a few moons, no one in King's Landing will care about the Starks." Tywin said.

"What about a Kettleblack? Osmund has two brothers - Osfryd and Osney." Cersei said.

"And what value are hedge knights with no name to the Iron Throne?" Tywin asked acidly. "If I wished to sully the kingsguard, I would have appointed a Frey."

Jaime banged his goblet hard on the table. Tyrion knew that under the proud sardonic facade, his brother cared a great deal about honor and had found none in the white cloak. "I will not have a Frey as a brother-in-arms. I will kill him in a spar before the ceremony. The Freys are treacherous deceitful cowards. They don't even have the guts to betray a man without breaking the sacred laws of guest right."

Lord Tywin pursed his lips. "Explain why it is more noble to kill ten thousand men in battle than a dozen at dinner. The price of peace was cheap by any measure."

"Except it wasn't a few men, Father. Only a dozen captives were taken at Edmure Tully's wedding - so the guards and other guests, including Catelyn Stark, died. And at Sevenstreams, there were thousands of soldiers. How many were butchered while they were drinking with a Frey as a guest beneath their roof? This was a massacre, not a murder." Tyrion said.

"It was not their roof. It was three tents thrown up in some godforsaken village." Tywin replied.

"A village in Frey lands. A feast where meat and drink was served. This stain will not wash out. What was the price? How much was Walder's toll for blackening his name?" Tyrion said.

"The crown shall grant Riverrun to Ser Emmon Frey once the castle falls. Walder Frey will be Lord Paramount of the Trident, and the Freys will be liege lord of the Riverlands. Lancel and Daven will have to marry Frey girls, Joy is to wed one of Walder's natural sons when she comes of age, and the Freys have asked for Arya Stark as a bride for Elmar, the youngest of Walder's sons." Tywin said.

"I thought Baelish was Lord Paramount of the Trident." Cersei said.

"He was stripped of the title after the loss of Sansa Stark." Tywin said.

Tyrion chuckled as his father eyed him with great distaste. "Lord Walder is as likely to rule the Trident as Moon Boy is. The Freys will not hold the Riverlands. They are hated by everyone, small folk, highborn, septons, and the wolves. The wolves are not dead."

"The Freys have prisoners that will ensure the good behavior of their bannermen. And captives from the North." Tywin said.

"So in their strongholds, guarded by a garrison, they might be safe. The Riverlords still believe in guest right. But when they venture outside, Walder Frey's sons and grandsons will be killed - like the rats they are." Tyrion predicted.

Tywin shrugged. "Lord Frey has many, many sons. Who cares if a few die?

The strong Arbor Gold wine loosened Tyrion's tongue. "He will need all of them. It will be much more than a few."

He sat down on a tied bundle of kindling and canvas as the ship went around the bend. The captain apologized profusely but Jon saw no reason why supplies should not be delivered along the Blue Fork, to the little villages in this burned over stretch. After the destruction wreaked by the Lannisters, these forgotten settlements - Donnelwood, Fieldstone and Lambswold - were slowly beginning to gain life. The riverboat carried wood, hemp and stone - materials that would help the smallfolk rebuild.

A bell rang out at a ravaged wooden sept on top of a hill. The leaded glass windows had been stolen, the carvings of the Seven on the wide doors defaced, and the vegetable garden turned into an empty patch of dirt. Cowled apostles in dun and brown robes tended half a dozen cows and a flock of sheep. Men walked by the riverside, some carrying bows, others scavenged armor and crude weapons. They hailed the ship, and cheered boisterously at the sight of Thoros the Red Priest and the Lightning Lord.

"Who are those idiots?" Sandor Clegane said.

"The Brotherhood without Banners, sworn to protect those in need..." Thoros said.

"Brothers without Banners? More like bandits without masters. I have never seen a sorrier bunch of outlaws." The Hound sneered.

"We are knights of the hollow hill - pledged to the Seven Kingdoms."

"Are you all knights?" Sansa asked Thoros.

"Any knight can make a knight. I have laid my sword on many shoulders. Those who would defend the realms can join our fellowship." Beric said.

"Don't listen to this one. Dying has addled his brains. This bunch would sell you to the queen for some silver, and then sob into their cups when you are tortured and raped. Just like any knight that serves the Iron Throne."

"At least we didn't burn the Riverlands." one of the Dondarrion's men muttered.

"I didn't either, you dumb cunt. I was in King's Landing during the war, while you were hiding in your hollow hill. I don't pretend to protect the weak, and fail like you."

"Clegane. Brienne." The raven descended onto Jon's shoulder. "We will be at Fairmarket soon. There is a large party of warriors waiting for us."

"Are they friends or foes?" Sansa asked.

"They are not Freys. But who knows who we can trust? Secure the prisoners and ready your weapons." Jon said.

The sailors tied the boat to the remaining post of the wooden bridge, washed away by the surging Blue Fork. Fairmarket was a village with a modest tower house. Men wearing sigils of ravens on scarlet surrounding a dead white weirwood tree stood at the west shore, and their leader, in bright yellow armor and a splendid raven feathered cloak, approached. Jon nodded and Lord Blackwood was allowed on the ship.

"Lord Snow, I received your letter. Here are your prisoners - Brax, Banefort and Estren knights."

"My thanks, Lord Tytos. What news do you have from the Twins or Seagard?" Jon said.

"Two of my sons went to the Tully wedding. Lucas was murdered, trying to defend Lady Stark. And Ben, Edmure's squire, was captured. Kinship counts for no more than guest right at the Twins. Lame Lothar was the eldest son of Alyssa Blackwood, Walder Frey's fourth wife, and yet he conspired to kill one of my sons and capture another."

"You are certain Lothar planned these crimes?"

"He wrote to me and demanded that my Bethany be betrothed to one of Lord Walder's grandsons, else they would return Ben in pieces. Ben is only twelve and Bethany is a sweet girl of eight. She is her mother's favorite and brings joy to my home."

"What will you do, Lord Tytos? Why do you have two dozen knights with you?" Jon asked.

"I am not the only Riverman riding North, my Lord. We are all greatly wroth. Lord Piper, the Rygers, Lord Norbert Vance. We lost more than our sons. The knights who went to the Twins were nephews, and cousins. And now, their bodies float down the Green Fork."

"But what will you do? Will you fight the Freys? They hold your son, and your liege lord."

"If my son were freed, I would be happy to lead my swords and spears against the Freys. We all would. But with our sons in the castle…" Lord Tytos' eyes revealed his desperation. "We have heard the tale of the wildfire wedding. You freed your sister from the clutches of the Imp. Can you do the same at the Twins?"

"It is not possible." A hard fierce voice carried over the water. His two sons, Dickon and Samwell, cringed as many eyes on the ship turned to them. "No one can do that."

The other Reachmen groaned. "Lord Tarly spoke out of turn." Baelor Hightower said. "He does not mean to intrude upon your grief."

Jon met the stare of the proud marcher lord. A loss of a hand had not humbled Randyll Tarly. "No, let him continue. Why is it impossible?"

"I know castles, bastard. I have studied their strengths and weaknesses. When I was a knight, I travelled around Westeros to see fortresses. Storm's End. The Eyrie. Casterly Rock. You cannot take the Twins easily." Randyll said.

"The Twins are no great castle." Tytos retorted.

"Each castle is normal - a castle wall, an outer bailey, a barbican and portcullis. But what makes it strong is that there are two castles. An attack on one will alert the other. And unless Walder Frey is an utter dolt, he will divide the prisoners between both castles. He can use the stone bridge to bring supplies and men to any point, or even spirit captives away. And that bridge is protected by a high tower in the middle that controls the river." Tarly said.

Lord Tytos sagged, hope fading from his narrow lean face. "The Twins would be difficult to besiege, but perhaps you can sneak men inside."

"Walder Frey is a coward, a cheat, an oathbreaker and a traitor but he is not a fool. He will not allow strangers or unknown merchants or wandering minstrels into the Twins. His sons and grandsons are cravens, sots and whoremongers but they can guard a castle wall. There are certainly enough of them to do that." Tarly said.

"Lord Tytos, I am sure my brother can find a way. He did so at King's Landing." Sansa said.

"I do not doubt Snow's cunning. I saw his tricks at the God's Eye. But Walder Frey is a different creature. He will take no risks. He will squat at the Twins like a toad. If he sees your banners, Lord Tytos, he will hang your son."

Tarly's blunt comments were not well received. But better to accept the truth than live in dreams. Jon realized that despite the words of anger against Lord Walder, he could not depend on Tytos Blackwood for action.

They heard the howls as darkness fell over the Blue Fork. As the ruins of Oldstones came into sight, so did the eyes - amber and yellow eyes that glowed in the dark. There were dozens of pairs near the bottom of the hill, and more hidden behind the elm and oak trees.

"Wolves!" The fat Tarly boy squeaked in fear, to his father's disgust.

Sandor Clegane chuckled. "If we were going to feed you to wolves, we would have done it at Harrenhal. And not fed you on the trip."

"Jon, I can sense Nymeria." Arya said.

He nodded. He felt the presence of Ghost nearby, and the comfort of his bond with the great white wolf. "Dock the ship. We will go ashore."

"Shouldn't we wait until morning?" Alyn said aghast. "We cannot defend you in the dark."

"We do not need protection from our wolves."

Nymeria met them at the end of the stony road. The dire wolf stared at the guards but led Jon and his sisters into the ruins. They found Robb in the castle yard with Ghost, resting next to the crypt of the ancient river king. His breathing was steady and deep but the Lord of Winterfell did not wake from his slumber, even at Sansa and Arya's touch.

The Vale knights stood quietly to the side, where the small fire cast shadows on crumbled stone. Ser Alyn, Brienne and the Hound waited as well with the other Stark men. Jon motioned for Gerion to approach, and the boy brought Ser Mychel with him.

"How was Robb hurt?" Jon asked.

"Maester, the Freys disguised crossbowmen as musicians at the feast. After they served Lord Robb a dish of a dead wolf, they attacked. I tried to get him to flee the tent. But they shot Talisa in the back, the side and the belly. Grey Wind died killing the crossbowmen." Gerry said.

"Lord Stark collapsed when his wolf died. We dragged his body out of the tent." Mychel added.

"Talisa is dead?" Jon said somberly. He bowed his head when Gerry nodded.

"Who is Talisa?" Sansa asked.

"Talisa Maegyr. A healer. A noble woman from Volantis that Robb met in the Reach. She was a good woman, and Robb's beloved." Jon answered.

"My lord, there was something else. Talisa told me that she carried Robb's child. She expected a babe in six moons." Gerry said to the shock of Jon's sisters.

"And Robb knew?" Jon asked. Gerry nodded again. "So Robb knew that his unborn child had died. No wonder…."

Ser Mychel put a knee on the ground. "Lord Snow, I was not aware of the babe. I tried to cover their escape but my shield was only large enough to protect Lord Robb from the quarrels. I should have guarded Lady Talisa with my life."

"Rise, Ser. You did what you could. I suspect there were many archers and crossbowmen."

"They killed our nephew or niece." Arya raged. "The Freys murdered Robb's wife and child while pretending to be our allies."

"They were not married but they would have been. Robb told me he wanted to wed under the heart tree in Winterfell." Jon added.

"They killed many others, Maester. And they captured many Northmen as well."

"I will hear the names later, Gerry. Now, I would speak with my sisters." Jon said.

After Ser Mychel and Gerry left, Jon examined his brother's face and milky white eyes. He touched a finger to the neck and measured the pulse on the wrist. He sighed and stroked Ghost's fur. The dire wolves curled at the feet of the three Starks and Snow, and howled softly - a cold and lonely sound - a song of grief for their packmate. They missed Grey Wind, Jon realized - their fallen brother.

"What does this mean? The wound on his shoulder is not deep. Why is Robb not waking up?" Sansa said.

"Sansa, you must not tell anyone this. Not even your friend Jeyne. We have a bond with our dire wolves. I can slip into Ghost's skin and see through his eyes."

"You are a warg. I heard stories in King's Landing that you summoned wolves and ravens against the Lannisters. They are true then!" Sansa said.

Jon gave a thin smile. "A kernel of truth, perhaps. Ravens are carrion birds. They were already at the Red Fork, and Nymeria led the pack of wolves. I can warg into Ghost. Arya has dreams of Nymeria. I believe this is what happened. Robb was unarmed at the feast. He warged into Grey Wind to fight the Freys. And he was still in Grey Wind when the dire wolf died. Robb would give up his life to save Talisa and his child. And in a way, he did."

"But what happens now, Jon? Is he lost to us?" Arya said.

"I don't know. There are legends of skinchangers from many thousand years ago. They say a Stark of Winterfell killed the Warg King at Sea Dragon Point and took his daughters as a prize. There is warg blood in all of the Starks, even Bran and Rickon. Truly, it may be easier for our younger brothers. But for Robb, he must have suffered greatly when the bond was broken by Grey Wind's death. It may take a long time for that to heal, and for him to return." Jon said.

"But he will return?" Sansa asked.

"I think he will but there are no stories of wargs south of the Wall. They say that Bloodraven was a sorcerer and a bastard who could summon wolves and speak to crows. But then, they say the same about me." Jon said.

"What will we do now?" Sansa said.

"What do you mean? We should be killing any Freys we can find. They broke guest right. They murdered Mother. They hurt Robb. They killed his child. They captured our lords." Arya said.

"And the last is the problem. You heard Lord Tytos at Fairmarket. He might hate the Freys but he won't attack the Twins. Not while they threaten to kill his son. How many other houses will feel the same? The Freys have taken our lords as prisoners." Sansa said.

"What do you suggest?" Jon asked.

"We do not have the strength for a siege. Let us take Robb home to Winterfell so he can heal. We can rebuild the Northern forces over time." Sansa said.

Jon raised a hand to stop Arya's burst of anger. "What about our bannermen? The ones who died and the ones who were captured? What will we say if we run away from the Freys?"

"We have hundreds of prisoners, Jon. We can trade some for our lords. Walder Frey will be eager to return men like Kevan Lannister to the Iron Throne." Sansa said.

"We would be craven and we would be forced to live with this dishonor. Reward the Freys for their treachery? I would rather drink a barrel of piss." Arya said.

"Robb would be alive. We would be safe in the North. And when our armies are stronger, we can siege the Twins then. We will get revenge even if it takes many years." Sansa said

"Rewarding treachery only produces more traitors. And we owe a duty to our men, Stark men. We will not leave our honor or our men to the mercy of Walder Frey. Our bannermen pledged an oath to us, to shield our back and give their life for ours. We made an oath to them - a place by our hearth and meat and mead at our table. And I will keep that oath, no matter what the cost. Robb would have fought. Ned Stark would have fought. And so will I." Jon said.

"But Jon, if you attack the castle, the prisoners will die. We don't have many men. And our banners will not fight if their lords or sons are at risk." Sansa said.

"All that is true. But we are Starks. Starks don't give up. We fight. We fight for the North. We fight for our pack. We fight to protect our people. Our bannermen depend on us. If we don't fight, no one else will." Jon said.

The sky was gray and cloudy over the Twins, the gatehouse towers slick and wet from the rain. The waters swelled over their banks into a torrent, and the twin moats cut from the banks seemed only paltry puddles compared the mighty river. The Green Fork ran straight and swift under the arched bridge. At the center of the bridge, a stone Water Tower rose, the battlements higher than any gatehouses.

The Frey banner hung like a rude taunt over the castle walls - blue towers connected by a blue bridge on a silver grey field. On the western side of the Green Fork, there were thousands of men but the banners were limp, dripping wet outside tents and on sodden horses. Jon thought he could see the Karstark sun and the Mallister eagle but he might have been mistaken. Here at the Twins, the world was a dismal, colorless gray.

A cluster of highborn nobles had gathered before the gates of the castle. Jon pushed forward, the wolves at his side, the guards flanking them and protecting his sisters. A few startled Northmen - Glovers, Flints and Reeds - gasped when they saw him - but he continued, guiding his horse to the disturbance. He passed Eddard Karstark, Smalljon Umber and a hobbling Wendel Manderly, his arm wrapped in bandages.

On the parapet next to the main castle, a dirty disheveled Edmure Tully in ragged clothes was being dragged forward by two cowled men. The lean one held a dagger to Tully's unshaven neck. The fat one carried a noose by both hands and pantomimed sticking the Lord of Riverrun head's through the loop made by the hangman's knot. But that was asinine. On top of a castle wall, there was no way to suspend the body. And a knife made the rope irrelevant.

"How often do they bring Edmure out?" Jon asked loudly.

The startled Riverlords turned just as his sisters arrived. "Lady Sansa, you are free. Praise the Seven, the tales are true - Snow rescued you from the Red Keep." The Blackfish said.

"We can speak of that later, Ser. Your nephew - why and when do they bring him out?"

"They trot Edmure out like a horse in the morning. They have done it each day for the last seven to demand that we bend the knee. Fucking Freys." The Blackfish said to many nods.

Jon squinted up at the wall. "Who are the two with him?"

"The fat one is Ryman Frey. Sometimes he has Black Walder hold the knife. Other times it is Edwyn. Those are Ryman's two older sons. They are treacherous scum, even worse than their father, and grandfather." Tytos said.

Jon doubted that. Their grandfather, Lord Walder, was the original stain. But it was a waste of time to compare shit to other shit. "Just Edmure? Do they bring out anyone else - the other heirs and captives?"

"No, my Lord. I have been at the Twins for the past week. I have not seen anyone else, and definitely not my heir Patrek." Jason Mallister.

"Odd." Jon said. The two Freys, realizing they had lost their audience, dragged Edmure back to the castle. The Tully Lord went meekly, and a flash of disapproval passed over Ser Brynden. Jon realized that the Blackfish wanted Edmure to kick and resist, but some men were born lords and not fighters. Ser Brynden had aged a great deal in the last moon.

"Lord Snow, what of Robb Stark? He saved Seagard from Euron Crow's Eye before the Frey feast." Jason Mallister asked.

"I found him. Our men took him to safety. Robb is alive, but not well. Until he recovers, I am Lord of Winterfell." The remaining commanders of the Northern army had joined the Riverlords. There were many missing. "Tell me - who was captured by the Freys and who was killed."

"We have those names, and we have brought our prisoners as you asked. But there is something else you must see. Perhaps you should send your sisters away." The Blackfish said, the pain clear in his hoarse voice.

"I want to stay, Jon." Arya exclaimed.

Jon clenched his hands tightly. Life was not a song. "I will not keep secrets from my trueborn siblings. What do you need to show us?"

Ser Brynden led them to a small tent with the shield of a silver trout hanging on the outside. Maester Vyman, an old tired man, opened the tent flaps, revealing two dozen corpses waiting for burial. In the center, a dead female lay in a place of honor, covered by a white sheet up to her neck. Jon heard Nymeria's howl of anger, and gasps of shock from his sisters. The auburn haired woman had been beautiful once, but the pale flesh was wrinkled and puffed from days in the water. Catelyn Stark's dead eyes looked up out of her face, marred by shredded skin and blackened blood. Her throat had been slit to the bone. Arya sobbed and gently closed those blue eyes while Sansa held her mother's hand.

"The Freys dumped her body naked into the Green Fork. They stole her jewels, her clothes and her dignity. They threw her into the river to mock House Tully. In death, our lords and ladies return to the Trident, buried in their feast clothes and with their treasures. They shamed her."

"Did they … did they defile my mother?" Sansa asked Ser Brynden.

"She died trying to escape, Lady Sansa. Lothar Frey told us so at Sevenstreams. She tried to warn your brother Robb and was killed in the attempt. A brave death." Ser Mychel said. Those words offered no solace to Catelyn Stark's daughters.

Brynden Tully was the first to pay his respects. The Blackfish delivered the prisoners held at Riverrun and then sat at Robb's side. True to his word, Brynden had collected the names of the missing and there were many. The Greatjon, Lord Karstark, Galbart Glover, Dacey Mormont, Wylis Manderly, Medger Cerwyn, Daryn Hornwood, and Helman Tallhart. Even more highborn had been lost at the Twins, although that had been more Rivermen heirs than lords.

The Northmen and Riverlords came to see Robb Stark. They congratulated Sansa on her escape, scrutinized Robb's face and body, and hurled bitter invectives against the Freys. But on what mattered most, they were silent. No one offered to help fight. No one promised swords and spears to take the Twins. No one swore an oath to avenge Robb. Their words were empty.

"They are ashamed." Ser Brynden said when they were alone. "As am I."

"What will you do, Ser? What have the Freys asked for Edmure's head?" Jon asked.

"They said they would free my nephew in exchange for your brother. I have no doubt they have made similar offers to other houses."

"And will you take the offer?"

"Trust the word of a Frey? I would slit my wrists first. Galbart Glover had the right of it when the army first reached the Twins. He said Walder Frey was not to be trusted. And now Glover is a prisoner. Lothar demanded that I yield Riverrun. And if his wife bears a son, I am certain Edmure will have an accident. And then Walder Frey will control the Tully heir." Brynden spat.

"Edmure is a prisoner. Surely he is not bedding the Frey girl."

"My nephew is a good man, but he has a soft heart. If the Frey girl weeps over him and holds his hand, he will forgive her. Or Walder Frey might put a bastard in her belly, and pretend that child is a Tully. Expect the worst from a Frey and you will not be disappointed." Brynden said.

"But you still will not fight against the Freys?" Jon asked.

"I will hold Riverrun against them. But I cannot storm the walls of the Twins. Edmure is my brother's only son. Really his only living child, now that Cat is dead and Lysa has gone mad."

"Without you leading the Tully forces, none of the other Rivermen will fight." Jon said.

"I know. Walder Frey is a treacherous rat but a clever one." Ser Brynden made to leave.

"Wait, Ser. I still have a task for you." Jon said.

"I cannot risk Edmure's life."

"You do not need to. But if you want revenge for your niece and Robb's mother, then there is something I can entrust to you."

"Very well, tell me how I can help." The Blackfish said.

The Stark camp had expanded, but there were still not enough soldiers. A few survivors of Robb's battle guard stood watch over the Young Wolf but they were watched in turn by Ser Alyn, the Vale knights and Winterfell men. The tents were stuffed with highborn prisoners, the Wintertown boys, little birds, and too few fighters. Outside the tents, wolves roamed at night in the nearby hills - a giant pack that had no fear of armed men in mail and boiled leather. They followed Nymeria, their queen, and sang under the waning moon with the great she-wolf. The howls terrified the horses and prisoners.

"How many men do we have?" Jon asked.

"Less than a thousand, my Lord. But Maege Mormont is only a few days away, and perhaps she will add her numbers to ours." Alyn said.

"And how many soldiers are at the Twins?"

"The Freys had nearly two thousand men at Sevenstreams. We killed some in the fighting but not that many. And the Freys may have held more back at the Twins." Ser Mychel said.

"What about the Rivermen? Why are they here if they won't fight?" Arya said.

"They are duty bound to attempt a rescue of their liege lord. They simply have no idea how to do so." Unfortunately, the Rivermen were more quarrelsome than clever.

"You are the lord of Winterfell, Jon. Without Robb, you are the liege lord of the Umbers, the Karstarks, the Manderlys. You could order them to attack the walls." Sansa said.

"Robb is alive, so he is Lord of Winterfell. I am his regent. It is a hard thing to ask a son to risk his father's life, or a brother to watch his brother die. I would rather have fewer men I trust, than a larger force of uncertain loyalties. Will you obey me without question against the Freys?"

Ser Mychel knelt. "My lord, you have my sword. I pledged my faith to your brother and House Stark. I failed to keep Robb Stark safe, and I would avenge his betrayal."

"We are Stark men. I made my vows to Ned Stark. I will keep faith with his sons." Alyn said.

The other Stark guards followed, as did Robar Royce and the Valemen. Lord Lyman, Lady Whent and Lord Beric swore their loyalty, although they had very few men. Even Sandor Clegane knelt for a brief moment. Only Brienne held out.

"Lady Brienne, you swore an oath to Catelyn Stark. She is dead, murdered by the Freys. If you wish to leave service to our house, you may." Jon said.

"I swore to return Lady Sansa to her mother, but now that she is dead, I would make sure that she arrives at Winterfell safely. But I do not see how the Freys can be defeated. They outnumber your forces and they are behind strong castle walls."

"It is not a sign of courage to fight only when you will win. Or to be loyal in good times, but not bad. In this world, victory and defeat are not certain. You must fight for it."

"I will obey your orders, Snow. I swear it by the Seven." Brienne said.

"We might be able to get some other allies, Jon. A raven to Lord Reed in Greywater Watch, or the garrison at Moat Cailin." Sansa said.

He shook his head. "I know how to take the Twins. I only need a few more days, not more men. Obey my orders and do not speak to anyone else."

Jon was north of the castle with Ghost and Balerion when a red headed Piper boy found him surveying the broken bridge with the Winter Town boys. For the most part, the piers still stood, although the planks on top had been swept away. Half the logs that connected the twenty five pairs of pilings remained, as did many of the braces and supports. The Freys were either too stupid or too lazy to do a thorough job.

"Lord Snow, Lord Snow." The young lad huffed and puffed, bent over from the run.

"You are Lord Piper's younger son."

"The Freys want a parley, my Lord. They have come down from the castle, half a dozen of them with their men at arms and knights."

"I have nothing I wish to speak to any Freys about." Jon said bluntly. "And how do you know it is not a trap?"

"They claim they wish to exchange prisoners. Not Lord Tully, but perhaps some knights." Lewys Piper said. The boy plainly hoped that his brother would be traded. Jon doubted that.

He released two ravens into the air. The black birds soared into the sky, one flying over the castle walls, and the other the field in front of the gate house where Frey knights had gathered under a white flag of parley. There were no signs of an ambush.

"Very well, I will come." And as Jon walked back with Ghost at his side, he thought of Brynden Rivers and the Blackfyres pretenders. Bloodraven had not haggled terms with traitors. He had served them Fire and Blood.

They were waiting for him - the Riverlords, the Northern commanders, his sisters and the Freys. The Blackfish had set up a cordon of crossbowmen and armored knights in a semi-circle around the castle. A formidable defense but the Freys were unlikely to resort to treachery. Jon saw them in their thick cloaks of grey wool - sharp beaked, snot nosed and weak chinned, taking after Lord Walder. Lame Lothar gave an unctuous smile, while Ryman and his three sons glared about hatefully. Other sallow suspicious men followed - rat faced Aenys, stupid Hosteen, Symond the coin counter, and dour Danwell. He made sure to remember all of them.

"Ah, Snow. I am sorry we have to meet again under such circumstances. We would have liked having you as a guest." Lothar said.

"Get to the point. No one wants to spend time talking with lying weasels. And you address Lord Snow, Warden of the North." The Blackfish said.

"Lord Snow? I heard that his brother was still alive. But perhaps that will change." Lothar said.

"Where is Marq? What have you done with my son? He was a guest at your bloody wedding." Clement Piper said with outrage.

"He is safe in our cells. His knights and men at arms feed the fishes of the Trident."

"And so will your Piper heir, if Pinkmaiden doesn't bend the knee." Ryman snapped.

"Will you trade my father? It took a dozen of you to subdue him, even when he was dead drunk and unarmed. Imagine how many Freys he would have killed sober." Smalljon Umber said.

"That is not possible until the Umber soldiers are far away from our castle." Lothar chuckled. "No, we mean to trade some lesser names. Perhaps Ser Robin Ryger for Kevan Lannister and his sons."

"Ser Robin lives?" Lord Tytos asked.

"He does, although wounded. Brenett thinks he may lose his right arm, but so far the maester has only cut off three fingers."

"A crippled old knight for Tywin Lannister's brother? Surely you do not take us for fools." Brynden retorted.

"Ryger for Kevan Lannister, and his sons Willem and Martyn." Lothar said.

"I did not know you were a jester, Lame Lothar. I thought you were only a lying weasel that stabbed men in the back. I would rather hang Ser Kevan than bend the knee to the likes of you." Jonos Bracken yelled to the agreement of many in the room.

The Riverlords did most of the shouting. The Freys sniggered and sneered, certain that they held the whip hand. The Northmen were angry, but they held their tongues. Jon had enough of this mummer's farce.

"The prisoners belong to Winterfell, Lord Bracken. They are not yours to hang or exchange." Jon said. "These are my terms. House Frey will hand over all captives. Walder Frey will surrender the Twins. The Freys will be stripped of their lands for breaking guest right. The men who killed Lady Stark, Lady Talisa and Grey Wind will be given to me to hang."

The Freys gaped in shock until Lothar gave a shrill laugh. "And why would we do any of that, bastard?"

"Bend the knee and I will only kill a few of you. Your sire, of course, and those who directed these crimes. Refuse, and I will destroy House Frey, root and stem." Jon said.

"You do not have enough men. You cannot pass our walls, even with your full army. And we have captured the lords of your army. Even the Father, the Warrior and the Stranger could not take the Twins without the death of the prisoners." Lothar smirked.

"Then pray to the Seven for mercy, for I will give you none. Soon enough, your line will end."

Jon walked away, leaving behind a stunned crowd. He had more important things to do.

Author's Notes

The wolves discover Gerry and Robb scene is based on the Season 7, Episode 2 meeting of Arya and Nymeria. I think the last seasons would be much better with more dire wolves - like imagine a Nymeria/Ghost team up. The dire wolves know that Gerry was heading south, and wolves have great senses of smell and hearing. Plus they are magical.

In Storm of Swords, Jon dreams about a dead dire wolf. He wonders whether Summer was killed by the Thenns, but it is really Grey Wind. I haven't reread the Bran chapters, but the magic in Jon's blood is very strong - as strong as Bran - but wasted. Of course, you can argue Bran's whole three eyed raven acid trip is also a huge waste too.

The Queen of Thorns is a bit of a hypocrite but the Purple Wedding only targeted Joffrey. The Red Wedding, as Tyrion notes, involves thousands of dead guests.

If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. The first reference to this is the John Webster play, The White Devil, in 1612. That said, the general saying may be much older.

All sides underestimate the church after Tywin's death and before Cersei blows up the Great Sept. I wonder if this is a comment on the history of the Roman Catholic Church - powerful in bursts but prone to overreach and setbacks. Think of the medieval crusades.

I know in the books, Margaery and Olenna just cluck to Sansa about the Red Wedding. But here there is a high likelihood of retribution against their own men. After all, if the Red Wedding happened and Jaime was a prisoner, he would likely be dead or crippled.

In the books, Robb allows the Rivermen to go back to their castles. Immediately after, little Lyman (8 or 9 years old) is killed by the Mountain. With the extinction of the line, the Iron Throne awards Darry to Lancel and Gatehouse Ami. Shella Whent gets screwed too.

In Dante's Inferno, the lowest (9th) circle of Hell belongs to traitors. That puts in perspective Jon Snow stabbing Dany in the Iron Throne.

Officially, Walder Frey has 22 trueborn sons, and 7 trueborn daughters. So 30 is rounding up. But the wiki says that Walder has "sired over a hundred descendents!" That's a lot.

"Explain it to me why it is more noble to kill ten thousand in battle than a dozen at dinner." This is Tywin Lannister's justification for the Red Wedding, a deed that he does not admit outside his family. I think in the books, he only tells Tyrion. Of course, it wasn't a dozen. It was thousands. It is like Stalin saying killing millions in the gulags is fine because it keeps the peace.

"Kinship counts for no more than guest right at the Twins." That is a quote from Tytos when he is surrendering to Jaime Lannister in Dance of the Dragons.

Wolf eyes actually do glow in the dark! They have a special light reflecting surface behind their retinas. They are adapted for nocturnal hunting.

Arya's line about drinking piss comes from several of the reactions to the Freys. Lord Piper said I would rather drink a pint of piss than take the word of the Frey. Wyman Manderly says something about how the Freys want them to eat excrement and smile.

Jon's disagreement with Sansa is perhaps a bit too honorable. As a king or lord, you have to make compromises. A good example is Ned Stark ignoring the death of Elia Martell's children. But remember also the treatment of prisoners. In the books, the captured Manderly is fed human flesh (Vargo Hoat) at Harrenhal. When Wylis is freed by Jaime Lannister, he collapses in tears, his spirit totally shattered.

Some of the dialogue in the exchange with the Freys comes from Feast of Crows during the siege of Riverrun. Lord Piper threatens Edwyn Frey in front of Jaime and the war council. Some good lines there. I thought about a bigger role for Brynden Tully but I decided he would be better as quiet and effective versus loud and useless. The Blackfish was tough as nails.

Root and stem comes off a few times in Game of Thrones. Arya Stark uses the phrase in a speech before poisoning the Freys. Daenerys and Cersei both use it as well.

Jon's demands and threats mirror the Burning of Harrenhal. Of course, Aegon's plan was more obvious. The Freys are quite confident. They see no reason to fear Jon, not yet.