Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

xxxv. The Twins

I was incredibly nervous as I rode up the bridge into The Twins. I did not know how Lord Walder Frey was going to react today, nor do I know what his plans for Edmure's wedding are. I just know that he is said to be a fickle, rude old man who takes increasingly young wives and discards of them when they get old.

Robb, Mother, Alios and I had just discussed the likeliness of taking Casterly Rock. With Walder Frey's men and a little luck, we could do it. We would have a thin narrow of time, however. If we timed it poorly we would be caught between the main Lannister army and reinforcements coming from the sea.

I was not against it. I just thought it would be useful to look for more allies first. I also think that Mother encouraged Robb's idea because she wants the Lannisters to understand her pain and loss. Though it is a shared feeling, it is not one that should be acted upon. That is how mistakes are made.

Once we were within the keep, we were led inside. Though not all of the army was permitted in, all of the lords, their children, and Alios were. I imagine that the wedding will be of a similar fashion. Only the truly important will be allowed to attend.

I stood between Robb and Mother. Alios was a little further back, Talisa was on Robb's right, and Uncle Edmure and Brynden were standing next to Mother. I am sure we presented a strong family front. At least, I hoped we presented a strong front. It is exactly what we need to be doing right now.

There was a serving boy handing out bread. It was to be dipped in salt and eaten, as a show of acceptance of guest right. Once you and the lord whose castle you have entered eat the bread, you cannot do harm to one another. It is a sacred rite and the Northerners especially take it very seriously.

Lord Frey was given bread and salt too and I unfortunately took the old man in. He was a weak old man who was at least 90. His gray hair was balding and he was rather repulsive to look at. I do not know if it is just because he is ugly or if it is because he is ancient.

"My honored guests, be welcome within my walls and at my table," Lord Walder Frey greeted. "I extend to you my hospitality and protection in the light of the Seven."

Lot of good that light will do when most the men here follow the Old Gods.

"We thank you for your hospitality, my lord," Robb replied, being incredibly polite. It was as if Walder was the king, not Robb. "I have come to make my apologies, my lord, and to beg your forgiveness."

"Do not beg my forgiveness, Your Grace," Lord Walder chided. "It was not me you spurned. It was my girls."

Walder signaled for his female relatives to appear before us, but more specifically Robb. There were enough of them to form like three ranging parties into previously un-entered territory. Seriously, Lord Walder had a lot of daughters and granddaughters. It was a bit much.

"One of them was supposed to be queen," Lord Walder reminded us. "Now none of them are. This is Arwyn, my daughter. My daughter Walda, my daughter Derwa, my daughter Waldra. My eldest granddaughters Ginia and Neila. Serra and Sarra, granddaughters, twins. You could have had either. Could have had both for all I care."

I noticed that Uncle Edmure was as openly disgusted as I was with the way Walder Frey treats his daughters and granddaughters. They are people, not things to give away. They are not his property. They are his family.

"My granddaughter Marriane," Walder continued. "My granddaughter Freya. My granddaughter... W-W-Wertha? Waldra? Waldina?"

"I am Merry," She corrected, as if this was not unusual.

"Fine. And here is my youngest daughter, Shirei. Though she has not bled yet. Clearly you do not have the patience for all that."

Uncle Edmure and I exchanged a look of surprise and disgust at the way Lord Frey was speaking of his family. He did not even know one of their names! And he was willing to offer up a girl who has not even bled yet!

We had to go back to hiding how we really felt, but I wanted nothing more than to talk to those girls and convince them to run with me. A life of exile seems better than a life here. At least in exile they will be shown some respect.

"My ladies," Robb addressed. "All men should keep their word, kings most of all. I was pledged to marry one of you and I broke that vow. The fault is not with you. Any man would be lucky to have one of you. I did what I did not to slight you, but because I loved another. I know these words cannot set right the wrong I have done to you and your house. I beg your forgiveness and pledge to do all I can to make amends so the Freys of the Crossing and the Starks of Winterfell may once again be friends."

"Very good," Lord Frey said, clapping his hands to dismiss the women in his family.

It is as if women are nothing more than pretty things to look at. Then again, he is on his eighth or ninth wife at this point. His actions should not be shocking.

Lord Frey focused on Talisa and I felt sick to my core. The way he was looking at her... She is not a piece of meat, for fucks sake! None of these women are!

"There she is," he stated. "Come closer, let me have a look at you." He moved forward in his seat and squinted after Talisa took a few steps forward. "Still cannot see you. Old eyes."

Talisa looked back at Robb, clearly uncomfortable. I could tell he did not like it, but he still nodded for Talisa to walk forward. I felt both mine and Robb's anger spike even more as all of the Frey men, bar a few, stared at her.

"Love," Walder scoffed. "That is what the Starks of Winterfell call it, eh? Very honorable. I call it a pretty face. Very prettier. Prettier than this lost, that is for sure. Very shapely as well. Oh, you try to hide her under that dress. If you wanted to hide her, you should not have brought her here in the first place." He leaned forward with a disgusting grin on his face. "I can always see what is going on beneath a dress. Been at this a long time. I bet when you take that dress off, everything stays right where it is. Does not drop an inch." He laughed as if this was all just a joke. "Your king says he betrayed me for love. I say he betrayed me for firm tits and a tight fit."

I reached for my arakh, with the full intention of cutting this cunt's head off. Whether it be the big one or the little one. It would not make much of a difference. He would be dead from the shock before I could even get to him at his age.

Mother grabbed mine and Robb's wrists before we could take action. I was not thankful for that. I would rather kill him right here, right now. I want to see him bleed out on the steps to his own chair as his head rolls down it.

"And I can respect that," Walder added. "When I was your age, I would have broken fifty oaths to get into that without a second thought. Well, I have enough room in the hall for you lot. We will set up tents outside with food and ale for the rest of your men."

"Thank you, my lord," Robb muttered, clearly still angry.

Mother dropped our wrists and my hand fell to my side. I still wanted to cut him, but if I kill Walder Frey I break guest right. Perhaps I should convince someone else to do it for me. Or perhaps my dagger should accidentally go flying into his head.

"Do not act like I did not see you there, Stark," Walder Frey spoke, staring at me. "You step forward too."

Before I could say anything snarky, both Mother and Robb nudged me. I just let out a low snarl before taking exactly three steps forward. I was not comfortable, but we need Walder Frey's men. I will not jeopardize the reason and mission we have come here for.

I was wearing a dress with my sword belt still on my waist. Mother insisted I dress nicely so that I would not stick out unless looked for. That, and it is expected of a lady. I just refused to give up my weapons because I rode here and you never know when trouble is going to strike.

"Certainly a Northerner, that's for sure," he quipped. "Pretty enough. Certainly would do better without the weapons and farmer's scythe on your belt."

"It is a Dothraki arakh," I corrected, drawing the blade from its specially made sheath. "I earned it by killing the previous owner. Perhaps you would live a preview of its power, my lord? Should show you that women are more than bodies to be used, aye?"

"You are certainly a lot feistier than your brother,"Walder Frey laughed. "Well, let's get ready. The wine will flow red and the music will play loud and we will put this mess behind us."

I turned on my heel and stalked out. Once I was sure I was out of earshot I grabbed Robb in order to whisper to him.

"I want to kill that old prick."