When winter comes, her flame will light the way.
Growing up in the North was something people did not take for granted; her family ruled the Icelands and the people that came with it. They trained the girls alongside of the boys, knowing the dangers...
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Nyssa Stark was a warrior, there was no doubt about it, and like every warrior, she also needed time away from wars. She wasn't blessed with that now, but there was a small relief when she was in the tent she shared with her husband.
She and Robb were concentrating on the map, something they shouldn't be doing when it was time for bed.
The truth was that they'd made a mistake and had to fix it.
"The Karstarks are gone. Almost half our forces. Tywin Lannister knows what he needs to do to make us unravel," said Robb in anger. "Nothing. Only wait."
"We can't let him," Nyssa pointed out.
"What can we do? Attack King's Landing? There's nothing he'd like better. He'd crush us in a day."
"We can't wait out the winter so there's no thought in that. We can't let the bannermen get comfortable waiting around," Nyssa paused. "Now we're like a band of bickering children. We need to do something."
"We can't force them to meet us in the field and we can't attack them where they're strongest, but we can attack them where they're not," Robb moved a piece to take another on the map.
"And Casterly Rock can't run away," Nyssa continued. "We need to take their home away from them.
"We need men to replace the Karstarks who marched home. There is only one person in this kingdom with that kind of army who hasn't already sided with the Lannisters," Robb realised.
Nyssa sighed, taking a moment to lean against the time and look towards Robb.
"We're going to have to reason with Walder Frey," Nyssa said. "My father won't give Lorelai to a Fray. He won't give away our home to them but he said we can offer something else and Frey will take it."
When Nyssa had told Robb about her father's decision, he hadn't been as angry as she thought — though he was frustrated. There was nothing he could do and he expected her family to disagree with the decision. It wasn't a simple one to hand away your home.
"We have to try something, don't we?" Nyssa breathed, resting her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Robb breathed, turning his head.
"I should have never agreed to something without my father's permission. The Icelands aren't mine to give away," Nyssa breathed. "You married me when we both knew we could have made alliances elsewhere—"
"I married you because I love you," Robb interrupted sternly. "You are the best alliance I ever made and I will never regret it."
✺ ┅ ⑅ ┅ ✺
Nyssa Stark had a dull expression on her face as she stared down Walder Frey's son — Lothar. Robb sat besides her, accompanied by Catelyn, Brynden, Lord Edmure and Black Walder.
"Thank you for riding here so quickly. I know travel isn't easy in these times," said Robb.
"The roads are crawling with cutthroats and bandits. But when the King and Queen of the North summons us, we come," Black Walder replied.
"Our father has instructed us to tell you that his alliance with the North can continue if his terms are met. Lord Frey requires a formal apology for your violation of your sacred oath to marry one of his sons to your sister," said Lothar to Nyssa.
"Of course. He deserves as much," Nyssa replied bluntly.
"As restitution for this betrayal, he demands Harrenhal and all its attendant lands," Black Walder added.
"I don't think that's—" Edmure began but was cut off.
"We are fighting for the North. Harrenhal is not in the North. It is his once the war is over and we have no further strategic need for it," said Robb wisely.
"And there's something else," Black Walder continued.
"We will do whatever we can to give Lord Frey what he needs," Robb nodded.
"Not what, whom."
Black Walder's gaze turned to Edmure, as did those who glanced at him. Edmure gaped as he realised what was happening.
"What?" Edmure chuckled. "No."
"Our father requires Lord Edmure to wed one of his daughters- Roslin," said Lothar.
"How old is she?" Edmure questioned.
"Nineteen."
"Could I see her first?" Edmure questioned.
"You want to count her teeth?" Black Walder sneered. "We depart for the Twins in the morning. We need an answer before we leave and a wedding not more than a fortnight thereafter or this alliance is at an end."
"Your father does realize we're in the middle of a war?" Bryden questioned.
"Father is old. It will put his heart at peace if he could see her wed to a good husband," Lothar continued. "And his recent experience has made him wary of long engagements."
"He has every right to be," Nyssa pursed her lips. "Please excuse us while we discuss it."
The two left the rest alone. Nyssa was positive this conversation wasn't going to end very well when Edmure chose to have no part in it willingly.
"Why should I let that old ferret choose my bride for me? At the very least, I should be offered the same choice you were. I'm his liege lord," Edmure scoffed.
"He's a proud man and we've wounded him," Nyssa reminded.
"I didn't wound him. My answer is no."
Bryden stood abruptly and directed his voice sternly at Edmure.
"Listen to me and listen very carefully. You—"
"The laws of gods and men are very clear,"Edmure interrupted. "No man can compel another man to marry."
"The laws of my fist are about to compel your teeth."
"It's all right. You heard him. If you refuse, our alliance with the Freys is dead," Robb reminded.
"He's wanted me for one of his daughters since I was 12. He's not gonna stop wanting it now. When I say no, he will come back and offer me a daughter of my choosing," Edmure reasoned.
"You're willing to risk our freedom and our lives for a chance at a prettier wife?" Catelyn questioned in surprise.
"We have a war to fight. We can't win it without them. We have no time to haggle," Nyssa's nostrils flared. "You said you wanted to make amends for the Stone Mill.
"You recall that heroic engagement?" Bryden added.
"I had something less permanent in mind."
"We've won every battle, but we're losing this war. If we don't do this and do it now, we're lost," Robb admitted.
"I'll marry her," Edmure agreed.
"We'll remember this," Nyssa promised. "We always remember those who pay for others sins."
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