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

3.9 Beheading

"Look at them." Robb glared at Karstark.

"Tell your mother to look at them." Rickard answered and Arabella glanced at a surprised Catelyn. "She killed them as much as I..."

"My mother had nothing to do with this." Robb shook his head. "This was your treason."

"It's a treason to free your enemies." Rickard said louder. "In war you kill your enemies. Did your father not teach you that, boy!" Karstark yelled and got hit in the face by Brynden.

Arabella was satisfied with that. "Leave him." her husband thought differently.

"Aye." Karstark looked at Brynden. "Leave me for the King. He wants to give me a scowl, before he sets me free. This is how he deals with treasons. Aye, King in the North or should I call him the king, who lost the North marrying the enemy." he spat looking at Arabella, who stood there with cold stone look.

Robb clenched his jaw. "Escort Lord Karstark to the dungeon and the rest of them." Robb said calmly.

"Mercy!" one of the men yelled. "I didn't kill anyone, I only watched for the guard!"

"This one was only watching. Hang him last, so he can watch the others dying." Robb told Brynden. Arabella had never heard Robb so crucial, but she understood that this had to be done.

"They made me do it!" the man yelled, but was still dragged out. Arabella watched Jessabelle being brought out.

Robb sat down. Arabella wanted to speak, but decided to be quiet. Edmure walked over to the map table, where Robb was looking at it. "None of this can leave Riverrun." Edmure said. "They were Tywin Lannister's nephews. The Lannisters pay their debts..."

"Would you make me a liar as well as a murderer?" Robb interrupted him with an angry and tired face.

"It wouldn't be a lie. We will bury them and remain silent till the war is done." Edmure explained and Arabella glanced down at the two dead boys before closing her eyes.

"I'm not fighting for justice." Robb said. "If I don't serve justice to murderer in my ranks. No matter how high-born... He has to die."

Robb looked at Arabella and then at her neck. "Karstark's are Northmen. They won't forgive for killing their Lord." Catelyn walked over to them.

"Your mother's right." Arabella added in a silent voice. As much as she wanted the Lord dead, they had to win the war. "If you do this, the Karstark's will abandon you--"

"He tried to kill you. He murdered your cousins." Robb argued sternly with furrowed eyebrows.

"And more boys will die. More women will die, until this war is over. You need them on your side to end it." she pleaded for her husband with teary eyes.

"Spare his life." Catelyn said. She was thankful for Arabella. "Keep him as a hostage."

"A hostage." Edmure agreed. "Tell the Karstark's as long as they remain loyal, he will not be hung."

Arabella nodded to his direction. He looked at her.

<...>

The day was rainy. Arabella stood next to Catelyn, under a terrace as they watched Rickard Karstark being brought to the King.

Robb started walking towards him. Last night he didn't change his mind. Not even Arabella was able to do that.

"Blood of first men draws through my veins as much as yours boy." Karstark said not looking at him. "I've fought the Mad King for your father. I fought Joffrey for you. We are the kings. Stark and Karstark..."

"That didn't stop you from betraying me." Robb glared at the old man. "And it won't save you now."

"I don't want it to save me." Karstark answered in a silent sneer. "I want this to haunt you till your last days."

"Kneel, m'lord." Robb ordered. Karstark kneeled in front of a metal bench and lowered his head down to expose his neck. "Rickard Karstark. Lord of Karhold. Here in sight of Gods and men I sentence you to die. Would you speak a final word?"

"Kill me and be cursed. You are no king of mine!" he shook his head.

Robb drew his sword out and took the Lord's head off in one hit. Arabella closed her eyes.

Robb threw his sword down and his hands curled into a fist. He started walking away, rage coming from both sides.

Arabella had never seen him so angry. "Leave him alone for a while." Catelyn advised her daughter-in-law. She nodded, thinking the same thing, as she watched Karstark's body being taken away.

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