Treacherous // Podrick Payne

14. Umbrella

'We don't want Baylor Greyjoy as an ally!' Catelyn told robb

'I need his ships he has 200.'

'They say 1 million rats live in the sewers of Kings Landing shall we rally them to fight for us as well?' Cat asked incredulously

'We need Lord Greyjoy.'

'I do not trust Lord Greyjoy! Because he's not trustworthy!' Cat told him 'your father had to go to war to end his rebellion.'

'Yes.' Robb agreed 'and now I'm the one rebelling against the throne, before me was father he married one rebel and she mothered another.' Robb told her.

'I mothered more than just rebels .'she told him 'Something you seem to have forgotten.'

'If I trade the king slayer for two girls my Bannerman will string me up by my feet.' Robb told her.

'You want to leave Sansa in the Queen's hands? And arya? I haven't heard a word about arya? What are we fighting for if not for them!' Catelyn shouted at him.

'It is more complicated than that and you know it is!' he shouted back she stood speechless for a moment before sitting back down, her face in her hands, silent sobs escaped her lips.

"I haven't seen Bran and Rickon in months.' Catelyn informed him. "I need to see them."

'You can't go to Winterfell.' Robb told her

'I beg your pardon?' Cat snapped

'I will send Rodrick to look over the boys because tomorrow you ride south to the storm lands.' Robb told her.

'Why in all of gods names would you-' Cat begin

'Because I need you to negotiate with Renly Baratheon. He has rallied an army of 100,000 men you know his family.' Robb told her.

'I haven't seen Renly Baratheon since he was a boy.' cat reminded him pacing the room 'you have 100 other Lords.'

'None of them do wish I trust more than you.' Robb told her 'If Renly sides with us we will outnumber them two to one, when they feel the jaws beginning to shut they will sue for peace.' Robb told her confidently. 'we will get the girls back and we will all go home. For good.'

'Trust your king.' Theon told her simply. 'I do.'

'I will ride it first light.' catelyn told him

'We will all be together again soon I promise.' he whispered against her kissing her head

'You have done so well.' cat told him 'your father would be... Proud.'

'If Lord Renly-'

'King Renly,' catelyn corrected 'the king in every corner now.'

+

'The Starks have overextended their lines. Now that summer's over, they'll have a hard time keeping their men and horses fed.'

'The Starks understand winter better than we ever will. The cold won't beat them.' Tywin countered.

'Our spies report growing discontent among the northern lords. They want to return home and gather the harvest before the crops turn.'

'And I'm sure if those same spies snuck into our own encampments, they would report growing discontent amongst the southern lords.' Tywin told them. 'This is war; No one's content. We've underestimated the Stark boy for too long. He has a good mind for warfare, his men worship him. And as long as he keeps winning battles, they'll keep believing he is King in the North.' Tywin added. 'You've been waiting for him to fail. He is not going to fail, not without our help'.