a wolf and a stag // r.stark 1.

3.6 Strategies

A soldier opened the door for her and she walked in. Arabella saw Robb, looking through the window, his uncle behind him, and Brynden Tully drinking something. She stood in the back, listening to what Robb had to say. "Did you want to see me?" she asked.

"If I may, nephew I countered the situation with one of my lieutenants of the Stone Mill, which may have--" Edmure started.

"Why don't you shut your mouth about that damn mill." he was interrupted by Brynden. "And don't call him nephew. He is your King!"

"Robb knows I mean him no dis--"

"You are lucky I am not your king." Brynden walked over to his nephew. "I would let you wave your blunders around like a victory for--"

"My blunder sent Tywin's man dogs going back to Casterly Rock, with his tail between his leg. I think king Robb understands we're not gonna win this war, if he's the only one winning battles. It is glory enough." Edmure explained his situation. Arabella closed her eyes at his stupidity.

"It's not about glory." Robb then spoke while turning around. "Your instructions were to wait for him to come to you."

"I'd seized the opportunity." Edmure raised his hands not understanding what was wrong.

"What value was the mill?" Robb asked getting impatient.

"The Mountain was across the river from us." Edmure answered. Arabella looked at Brynden who had an unimpressed look on his face.

"Is he there now?" Robb sighed.

"Of course no. We took the fight to him. He couldn't stand us." Edmure said angry. Robb clenched his jaw.

"I wanted to draw the Mountain to the west, into our country, where we could surround him and kill him. I wanted him to chase us. He would've done it, because he's a mad dog without a thought in his head. I could've his head on a spike by now." Robb finished. Arabella looked at Edmure. "Instead I have a Mill." Arabella smiled a little and looked down.

"We took hostages." Edmure nodded. "Willem Lannister... Martyn Lannister."

"What?" Arabella said. Robb glanced at her. He understood that she knew them. They were her family.

"Martyn Lannister is fourteen years old." Robb said seeing Arabella getting angry.

"Martyn is 15." Arabella corrected with her eyebrows furrowed. Robb started walking closer to Edmure.

"Tywin has my sisters. Have I sewed peace?" he questioned.

"No." Edmure shook his head. "No..."

"You think he will sew peace if I have his father's brothers great-grandsons?" Robb questioned again.

"No." Edmure answered quiet, ashamed of what he did.

"How many men did you lose?" Robb asked.

"208, but every man we lost, the Lannisters--"

"We need our men more than Tywin needs his!!!" Robb yelled outraged. He then sighed. Edmure looked away.

"I'm sorry." Edmure apologized. "I didn't know."

"You would've." Robb told him calmly. "Right here, today in this gathering, if you'd been patient." Robb then walked away from him.

"He ran short on patience here." Brynden commented.

"You know who isn'? Tywin Lannister." Robb told them with a serious face. "I will hear no more. Leave me with my wife."

The two of them left. Robb turned to Arabella and sat down on a chair. She walked over to him as he buried his head into her stomach. She stroke his hair as he was silent. "Your brother is marrying a woman of house Tyrell." he spoke, pulling away. "He now has superior numbers and wealth."

"I wish I could help you. I'm sorry." she looked away. He stood up and made her look at him.

"You are helping me more than anyone. You give me strength." he smiled kissing her. She placed her hand on his cheek and pulled away after a few minutes.

"What will you do about the Lannister boys?" she asked.

"I will probably set them free." he answered walking to where wine was and poured himself a goblet.

"Can I see them? I want to talk with them." she asked looking at her attractive husband.

"Of course. And as I said you need a new guard." Robb told her.

"Do I really?" she sighed knowing that nothing will change his stubborn mind.

"Even if you are my wife, you are a Baratheon. I don't trust anyone." he answered.

"As you wish." she nodded and left the room.

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