𝚁𝙾𝚂𝙴 ° robb stark

New Proposals

The following day, a raven was sent out to Walder Frey. Within mere hours, two of Walder's own sons were presented before the King in the North to discuss the old lord's conditions.

"Thank you for riding here so quickly." Robb said with a slight bow of his head. "I know travel isn't easy in these times."

One of the sons, whose name was learned to be Black Walder, smiled at the Stark boy in a way that made Adaya wary and uncomfortable. "The roads are crawling with cutthroats and bandits. But when the King of the North summons us, we come."

The other son, Lothar, spoke next. "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 your brother of his daughters."

"Of course." Robb said softly. "He deserves as much. Though it wasn't by choice, an oath is an oath."

"As restitution for this betrayal, he demands Harrenhal and all its attendant lands." Black Walder tells the young king.

Edmure was quick to speak after hearing this. "I don't think that's-"

"You will not speak out of turn, my lord." Adaya snapped, upset that Edmure would say something that would risk this alliance. "Am I understood?"

Edmure sighed softly. "Yes, my Queen."

"We are fighting for the North." The king said, speaking to the two Freys as if the interaction between his wife and uncle hadn't happened at all. "Harrenhal is not in the North. It is his once the war is over and we have no further strategic need for it."

"And there's soemthing else..." Black Walder said before anyone could move.

"We will do whatever we can to give Lord Frey what he needs."

"Not what..." Black Walder said as his eyes drifted over to Edmure. "Whom."

"What?" The Tuller asked in shock. Soon, everyone's eyes had turned to Edmure, and he soon caught on to what was being implied. "No."

"Our father requires Lord Edmure to wed one of his daughters; Roslin." Lothar clarified, as if it wasn't already obvious.

"How old is she?"

"Nineteen."

"Could I see her first?"

"You want to count her teeth?" Black Walder said with a chuckle before turning to Robb again. "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."

The Blackfish sighed from his spot on the other side of Robb. "Your father does realize we're in the middle of a war?"

"Father is old." Lothar said as he turned to the oldest Tulley. "It will put his heart at peace if he could see her wed to a good husband."

"And his recent experience has made him wary of long engagements." Black Walder said, his eyes glancing quickly from Robb back to the Blackfish.

"He has every right to be. Please excuse us while we discuss it." Robb said and the two Freys rose, bowing before taking their exit.

Edmure sighed as soon as the doors were closed behind the two Frey men. "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." The man stood up in irritation, walking a little ways from the table.

Adaya spoke up next, keeping her voice gentle despite her growing annoyance at Edmure's antics. "He's a proud man and we've wounded him."

"I didn't wound him. My answer is no."

Brynden didn't like this answer and quickly stood, approaching his nephew. "Listen to me and listen very carefully. You-"

"The laws of gods and men are very clear. No man can compel another man to marry." Edmure said, interrupting the man.

"The laws of my fist are about to compel your teeth."

Robb sighed, not liking the fight between his two family members. "It's all right. You heard him. If you refuse, our alliance with the Freys is dead."

The Blackfish took one more look at Edmure before he returned to his seat next to Robb, just as the younger Tulley spoke up.

"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."

"Oh, don't be so proud." Adaya scoffed, causing everyone to turn to her. "It was a king he wanted, but he didn't get that. He settled for a prince, but he didn't get that either. You are his last pick, so of course you aren't going to get exactly what you want. You're willing to risk our freedom and our lives for a chance at a prettier wife?" The girl said, slightly disgusted by this fact. "There is more to a woman than her looks, you know."

Before Edmure could defend himself, Robb spoke up. "I have a war to fight. We can't win it without them. I have no time to haggle. You said you wanted to make amends for the Stone Mill."

The Blackfish smirked, knowing the king had backed Edmure into a corner. "You recall that heroic engagement?"

Edmure sighed softly. "I had someone less permanent in mind."

Robb shook his head in irritation at his uncle's stubbornness. "I've won every battle, but I'm losing this war. If we don't do this and do it now, we're lost."

The room had then gone silent with Robb's words handing in the air. Finally, after a few minutes of the silent tension, Edmure spoke up. "I'll marry her."

Adaya laughed gently as she stood. As she girl started walking towards the doors to the hall, her heels clacking against the stone floors, she called over her shoulder to her uncle by law. "You act like you had a choice in the matter."