Following Robert's death and Eddard's arrest, Robb receives a letter from Sansa, reading it he asked himself detailing her wish for Robb to swear fealty to Joffrey, in order to maintain peace between the Starks and the Lannisters. Luwin explains that although Sansa wrote the letter, it is the words of Cersei Lannister expressed on the page. In response Robb instead calls his banners, marching House Stark's vassals to war. When Theon asks whether he is worrisome, he points to the fact that he is shaking, proving himself to be so. Theon assures him that he would be stupid not to be.
Robb holds a feast for several of his newly-arrived bannermen. Greatjon Umber assumes that he will lead the vanguard, and is offended by the suggestion that he would be made to march behind Galbart Glover, threatening to withdraw from the host. In response, Robb promises that, after the conflict with the Lannisters, he will oust Greatjon from his keep and hang him for breaking his oaths to House Stark; when the enraged bannerman goes to draw a weapon, Robb's direwolf Grey Wind sets upon him, biting off two of his fingers. Robb recites that "It is death to bear steel against your liege lord", but then diffuses the situation by excusing Greatjon's aggression, saying that "Doubtless, the Greatjon only meant to cut my meat for me." The Greatjon roars with laughter and accepts Robb's commands, much to the shock of Bran, who witnessed the entire incident. Robb says farewell to Bran and to Rickon, who is convinced he'll see neither Robb nor his parents again.
Catelyn and Ser Rodrik Cassel intercept Robb's army in the Neck as it presses southwards. Robb initially exclaims with excitement upon seeing his mother but stops short of embracing her lest he look weak in front of his bannermen. Catelyn looks at her son with understanding, later embracing once their liege-lords have left their tent. She tells Robb he has no choice but to go to war. However, he cannot lose, for the sake of Ned, Sansa, and Arya, as if he is defeated, Tywin Lannister will show their family no mercy.
Later on, Robb and his lords are debating on the route of their march, and on whether to march directly against Tywin's army or against Jaime's army besieging Riverrun.
"The scouts report Lord Tywin moves North. We need to get him on broken ground, put his Knights at a disadvantage." Ser Rodrick said.
"No, we need to get around him and break Jaime Lannister's siege of Riverrun. Do that and the River Lords will join us." Greatjon said.
"To do either we need to cross the river and the only crossing is at The Twins."
"Lord Frey controls that bridge. Your father's bannerman." Theon said, looking at Catelynn.
"" The late Lord Frey " my father calls him. At the Trident, he didn't appear until the battle was done. Some men take their oaths more seriously than others." Catelyin said.
"Robb's right, we need that bridge." Theon said.
"So what's it gonna be? Do we move against Jaime or Lord Tywin?" Gratjon asked.
As Robb was about to answer, two soldiers came inside the tent dragging a man. So everyone looked at them and the soldier said "Your pardon, My Lord's. We've captured a Lannister scout."
Hearing that, Theon immediately flipped the map, seeing that Greatjon said "Don't worry lad. He won't be leaving this tent with his head."
"Where did you find him?" Robb asked.
The soldier said "In the brush above the encampment. He looked like he was counting."
Hearing that, Robb walked towards the scout and asked "How high did you get?"
"20,000. Maybe more." The scout said.
"You don't have to do this yourself. Your father would understand--"
"My father understands mercy, when there is room for it. And he understands honour," Then looking back at the scout he continued "And courage." Looking at the scout for a couple of seconds he said "Let him go."
"Robb." Catelyin wanted to tell something, but stopped as she saw the look in his eyes.
Then nearing the scout he said "Tell Lord Tywin Winter is coming to know him. 20,000 Northerners marching South to find out if he really does shit gold."
"Yes My Lord. Thank you, My Lord." As he said that, Robb gestured to the guards ro take him outside.
As the scout went outside, a very angry Greatjon asked Robb "Are you touched, boy?! Letting him go?"
"You call me boy again." Then looking intently at the eyes of Greatjon "Go on."
Greatjon didn't want to argue with him more, and as he turned around he heard an unknown voice "Don't leave yet."
Everyone turned towards the voice and saw a man as big as Greatjon coming out of the shadows from the corners of the tent. Almost everyone reached out for their swords, almost everyone unsheathed their swords except Ser Rodrick, Greatjon, Catelyn and Robb. As Theon was going to inquire who the man was he heard Catelyin Stark asking "If you're here then.... "
"Yes, our Liege is in King's Landing."
"Is he going to save Ned?" Catelyin asked again.
"Liege told me to inform you all that, you shouldn't cross The Twins yet." The man said.
"And why is that?" Robb asked.
"Walder Frey is a weasel. He will ask for a Frey to be Knighted by you and have Arya, and you to be married to a Frey. That is what our Liege said." The man said.
Hearing that Catelyin wanted to refute it but she couldn't as she very well knows that Walder Frey is only loyal to himself, so this is possible.
"But we can't leave Riverrun. The Lannister army is besieging it as we speak." Theon said.
Looking at Theon he said "That won't last long. Lord Tywin will be withdrawing his troops from Riverrun by day after tomorrow as he and his army will be needed somewhere else."
Robb just nodded at that and said "Everyone, please go out."
As he asked that, one by one all of them got out of the tent and only Ser Rodrick, Catelyin, Robb and the man remained. Theon wanted to stay at first but, one look from the man, he quickly got out. Before leaving, Greatjon gave a nod to the man and got one in return.
After everyone was outside Robb asked "What about my father and sisters?"
"Arya Stark and Sansa Stark are in the observation of the best two soldiers in the Shadow Army. Half of the army have gone to Winterfell, and the other half have split into two. One has come here, another one is in King's Landing waiting for the orders from my Liege." The man said.
Hearing that, the three of them nodded as they knew very well how formidable each one of those soldiers were. And they are loyal to one man, that is the frightening part for the enemies. But for them, he is family.
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🚫🚫🚫🚫 Chapter 2 End 🚫🚫🚫🚫