The Iron Throne of Ice and Fire

Robb Stark's eyes suddenly became sharp. He straightened his loose robes and said in a deep voice, "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Ser Leonard Westerling strode in. He glanced at his sister who had just pulled the blanket up to her thighs, and saluted Robb: "Your Majesty."

Robb nodded his chin slightly and called, "Loram...bring me my clothes."

A childish boy's voice sounded outside the door: "As you command, Your Majesty."

Not long after, Loram Westerling trotted over with clothes in his arms. He was Jenny's younger brother. He was nine years old and had been appointed as the king's attendant not long ago.

Robb put on his leather coat. The anger was no longer visible on his face and said, "Tell me everything you know, Ser Leonard."

Seeing his brother behind the king, standing on tiptoes adjusting his collar, Sir Leonard walked over to give him a hand.

He said: "Rickard Karstark and his men suddenly broke into the cell where the prisoners were held, and Martin Lannister was killed on the spot. After receiving the news, Lord Amber (Greatjon) took him to Caught."

Robb said solemnly, "Did Rickard and Great Jon have a conflict?"

Just as Sir Leonard was about to speak, he saw his sister, who had put on her long skirt, coming over. He stopped to help, stood in front of Robb again, and respectfully replied: "Before Lord Amber arrived, the guard in the cell died. Two. Later, I heard that several of their men... were injured."

After putting on his coat, Loram trotted and picked up the black boots.

Robb sat down and said: "Sir Leonard, summon all my vassals, I will judge in the main castle hall..."

After a pause, he said coldly: "Rickard Karstark."

"As you command, Your Majesty." Sir Leonard bowed and strode out of the room.

Loram lifted one of Robb's legs and struggled to put on his boots, his forehead beaded with sweat.

Jenny lowered her figure to help, but was rejected by her younger brother. He whispered: "I can do a good job."

"I'm going to get the crown." Jenny reached out and rubbed her stubborn brother's hair, then stood up and walked to another place.

…………

In Riverrun, outside the door of the Duke's dormitory, Brynden Tully's voice was filled with anger: "Edmure, you should report this to King Robb first."

A guilty look flashed across Edmure Tully's face, and he explained: "I need my father's permission before my marriage."

Looking at his uncle's darkened face, he whispered again: "After all, I am Robb's uncle. It is not good for me to discuss my marriage with my nephew."

Ser Brynden said coldly: "My nephew, Robb is your king. Don't forget that you have promised King Robb to marry the Frey lady."

Regarding his uncle's accusation, Edmure looked as usual. He had already thought of a "perfect" solution.

His tone seemed to be asking for credit: "Uncle, if I marry Cersei Lannister, peace will be ushered in immediately. Without war, does Robb still need to be afraid of the small Frey family? I still need to Marry an ugly old Frey woman?"

He murmured to himself: "The Freys all look like weasels."

Ser Brynden stared at his complaining nephew for a while, frowned and corrected: "Edmure, remember, King Robb is never afraid. He had to choose to appease Lord Frey for the sake of our kingdom."

Edmure soon realized that he had said the wrong thing, and he promised: "Uncle, it was just a slip of the tongue. You know, I have always been proud of my sister for giving birth to Robb. We are a family."

He showed a proud look: "Besides, my idea can help Robb, I'm very happy, really."

Brynden's elder brother, Hoster Tully, is the restless Duke of Riverrun, always traveling around the Seven Kingdoms, so he has taken on many of his father's responsibilities on his brother's behalf, and therefore knows Edmure very well.

He was sure that Edmure was attracted by Cersei's beauty first, and the rest... came to him later. But he was also sure that if this matter was not good for the Tully and Stark families, Edmure would never stick to his idea.

Family, responsibility, honor. For the Tully family, family comes first.

But... Brynden sighed secretly. He had to admit that this matter had a seductive appeal to the devastated Riverlands.

Not long after, Brynden suddenly woke up from the "sweet dream" he had unconsciously fallen into.

He stared at his nephew and said, "Edmure, is this an idea given to you by Lannister?"

Edmure nodded. He had no intention of hiding it: "Uncle, it was indeed Tyrion Lannister who suggested it."

He looked left and right, approached Ser Brynden, and lowered his voice: "Lannister promised me that if the marriage succeeds, Robb will still be the King of the North. And..."

He looked around again and lowered his voice: "Lannister even promised to let Tully wear the crown of King of the Trident."

Ser Brynden's pupils shrank suddenly, and Edmure continued: "This is Lannister's conspiracy to drive a wedge between the Tullys and the Starks. I have seen through it a long time ago."

He curled his lips and said, "Robb is my nephew. How could I betray my family? Lannis especially wants to provoke us."

Ser Brynden reminded directly: "Edmure, Lannister cannot be trusted, you should not trust their tongue."

Edmure's blue eyes were as clear as lake water. He said in surprise: "A conspiracy is a conspiracy, but how could the Lannister family lie about Cersei Lannister's marriage, uncle? Moreover, Lord Tywin's eldest son is in our In the hands of the Lord, the Lannisters will never dare to break their promise."

Ser Brynden's eyes were deep: "What if... the condition of the marriage is that the Lannister envoy takes away the Kingslayer first? Can you still trust Lannister like you do now?"

Edmure looked at Sir Brynden for a while and said, "You can sign the agreement first under the witness of the gods."

Ser Brynden sighed and said: "My son, if what you say is useful, the Targaryens will not throw away their Iron Throne. Think about the war sixteen years ago."

Edmure couldn't understand Ser Brynden's hint: "Wasn't that war because of the wrong spring? Didn't Prince Rhaegar first violate his honor and insult the Starks and Baratheons? And I Lys II (the Mad King) killed Ned’s father and brother…the Tullys and the Starks were just.”

Ser Brynden stared at his nephew who couldn't grasp the point for a while, and said: "Edmure, my dear nephew, please recall what the Lannister did at that time and how they did it."

After a pause, he added: "I have not forgotten why we raised an army to conquer the Targaryens."

There was a hint of anger in his voice. "This is a Lannister we're talking about."

Edmure's eyes were still full of doubts. Ser Brynden took a deep breath and then said slowly: "Duke Tywin entered the throne of Aerys II in the name of loyalty and in the name of protecting the Iron Throne of Targaryen." City, do you want me to tell you in detail what he did after entering the city?"

Edmure thought that his uncle was talking to him about the legal issues of the Iron Throne... He scratched his head like he did when he was a child, smiled sheepishly, and said: "I understand, thank you. Uncle, I will be vigilant, I won't Will easily trust a Lannister's promise."

"Not just Lannister."

Ser Brynden reached out and patted his nephew on the arm, and continued: "What I really want to tell you is... this is war. In times of war, anyone may do whatever it takes to defeat their opponent. In a chaotic situation, many people will Choose...winning over honor.”

Edmure nodded solemnly.

After a pause, Sir Brynden said again: "Edmure, come with me to see the king. This kind of thing should be done with his permission in advance. You have to ask the king for forgiveness."

The two took steps forward. Edmure shrugged and said, "I will. I was... I would ask for forgiveness."

Ser Brynden's face was weathered, and the years had stolen his reddish-brown hair, leaving only a head of gray. As he walked, he said uneasily: "Edmure, my son, although Robb is yours, Nephew, but you have to remember that he is your king first.”

Edmure promised: "I know, I will definitely support him."

Ser Brynden nodded and spoke again: "A king is different from a lord. Robb has put on a heavy crown at a young age. At this time... he is easily disgusted by things that offend the king's majesty. As a person like him, Uncle, I hope you will not only support him, but also understand his difficulties."

As soon as the uncle and nephew walked out of the gate, there was the sound of rapid horse hooves, and following the sound, they saw Sir Leonard coming on horseback.

Coming closer, Sir Leonard jumped off his horse and saluted: "Lord Brynden, Lord Edmure, your majesty wants to judge the prisoner, Rickard Karstark, and he ordered everyone to go to the main castle. hall."

Ser Brynden frowned, paused, and said, "Sir, you're welcome. We'll be there in a moment."

Edmure looked at Sir Leonard's leaving figure with a rare serious look on his face.

Ser Brynden asked in confusion: "What's the matter, Edmure?"

Edmure hesitated for a moment and looked at Sir Brynden: "Uncle, let me tell you in advance that I am not jealous of the Westerling brothers and sisters."

Seeing Ser Brynden nodding, he said: "You see, Jeyne Westerling is Robb's future queen, Leonard Westerling is Robb's guard captain, and Loram Vis Sterling is Robb's personal squire."

He spread his hands: "Westerling, Westerling, I feel like Robb is about to be surrounded by the Westerling family. I don't know why, when I think of this, I feel a little uneasy."

He shrugged: "I can't explain this feeling clearly."

Ser Brynden seemed pleased: "I'm glad you can consider this, Edmure."

He stood still in front of the horse, reached out and touched the horse's neck, and said: "Our young king needs a certain amount of time to grow up. He can only learn how to be a good king on his own, and during this period... the Tully family He is the king’s most reliable guardian.”