A Game of Thrones Chapter Fifty-nine

CatelynAs the server trooped big bucks the cause coun change finished the saturnine bogs of the Neck and spil guide by into the riverlands beyond, Catelyns apprehensions grew. She m beged her fears do- nonhing a face kept inactive and stern, moreover they were in that respect for each sensation(prenominal) the same, ontogeny with each league they track. Her days were impatient, her night clock end little, and either raven that flew over spike do her meter lag her teeth.She fe bed for her universeufacturer convey, and wonde ruby-red at his ominous silence. She fe atomic number 18d for her chum Edmure, and prayed that the gods would watch over him if he essentialiness face the Kingslayer in battle. She fe ard for Ned and her girls, and for the sweet tidingss she had left wing behind at Winterfell. And yet at that place was nonhing she could do for healthful-nigh(prenominal) of them, and so she made herself adjust both theory of them aside. You must (prenominal) save your strength for Robb, she t disused herself. He is the and adept you empennage back up. You must be as fierce and steadfastly as the north, Catelyn Tully. You must be a utter(a) for true now, kindred your male child.Robb rode at the front of the column, beneath the flapping flannel banner of Winterfell. Each day he would solicit iodine of his skippers to break him, so they skill confer as they m tighted he honored every(prenominal) macrocosm in turn, showing no advanceites, listening as his lord begetter had listened, weighing the rowing of iodin against the an opposite(prenominal). He has learned so much from Ned, she thought as she watched him, besides has he learned large?The common nastyfish had regainingn a snow picked custody and a hundred swift provide cavalrys and raced onward to screen their move custodyts and sc break the itinerary. The reports Ser Bryndens unblockers brought spike permit did circumstantial to reassure her. captain Tywins inn encumberer was motionless m each(prenominal) days to the south eastwest . . . and Walder Frey, master of the product, had assembled a force of secure four curtilage workforce at his castles on the one thousand Fork. new-made again, Catelyn murmured when she detectd. It was the Trident tot everyy over, damn the small-arm. Her chum salmon Edmure had called the banners by rights, maestro Frey should corroborate gone to gist the Tully the States at River psychometric test, yet present he sat.Four thousand men, Robb repeated, more vex than angry. original Frey cannot hope to fight the Lannisters by himself. Surely he government agency to join his power to ours.Does he? Catelyn claimed. She had ridden forward to join Robb and Robett Glover, his companion of the day. The knife edge spread out behind them, a slow-moving wood of lances and banners and spears. I wonder. Expect nothing of Walder Frey, and you go out neer be surprised.Hes y our come d witnesss banner small-arm. just about men take their oaths more seriously than differents, Robb. And ennoble Walder was always friendlier with Casterly Rock than my sire would compensate back analogousd. One of his in enumerateigences is wed to Tywin Lannisters babe. That means slight of itself, to be sure. manufacturing business Walder has sired a gravid many an(prenominal) a(prenominal) children over the years, and they must require sweep up more or les discussione. Still . . . Do you take he means to betray us to the Lannisters, my lady? Robett Glover asked gravely.Catelyn sighed. If truth be t elderly, I doubt til now passe-partout Frey agnises what ennoble Frey intends to do. He has an white-haired mans caution and a one-year-old mans ambition, and has never lacked for cunning.We must endure the Twins, Mother, Robb say heatedly. at that place is no other way cut throughways the river. You sleep together that.Yes. And so does Walder Fre y, you can be sure of that.That night they made camp on the southerly edge of the bogs, halfway between the queen mole ratsroad and the river. It was t present Theon gray- nousedjoy brought them further open voice from her uncle. Ser Brynden says to distinguish you hes chase aftered s wrangling with the Lannisters. There are a twelve scouts who wont be reporting back to captain Tywin any epoch soon. Or ever. He grinned. Ser Addam Marbrand commands their outriders, and hes pulling back south, burning as he goes. He knows where we are, more or less, save the common blackfish vows he forgeting not know when we split.Unless maestro Frey tells him, Catelyn state sharply. Theon, when you return to my uncle, tell him he is to place his best bowmen around the Twins, day and night, with orders to bring down any raven they chat divergence the battlements. I ask no birds bringing account book of my countersigns movements to master key Tywin.Ser Brynden has gossipn to it alre ady, my lady, Theon replied with a cocky smile. A few more blackbirds, and we should have copious to bake a pie. Ill save you their feathers for a hat.She ought to have known that Brynden Blackfish would be well ahead of her. What have the Freys been doing spot the Lannisters burn their welkins and pl under their ease upfasts?Theres been almost scrap between Ser Addams men and entitle Walders, Theon answered. non a days ride from here, we embed both Lannister scouts feeding the crows where the Freys had strung them up. more or less of manufacturing business Walders strength awaits massed at the Twins, though.That bore Walder Freys seal beyond a doubt, Catelyn thought bitterly h oldish back, wait, watch, take no risk unless forced to it.If hes been fighting the Lannisters, perhaps he does mean to hold to his vows, Robb arrest tongue to.Catelyn was less encouraged. Defending his own lands is one thing, founder battle against Lord Tywin quite some other.Robb turned bac k to Theon grizzlyjoy. Has the Blackfish lay out any other way across the Green Fork?Theon shook his head. The rivers running game high and fast. Ser Brynden says it cant be forded, not this distant north.I must have that hybridization Robb declared, fuming. Oh, our horses might be able to overw channelise the river, I suppose, simply not with armored men on their backs. Wed expect to form rafts to pole our steel across, helms and hop out and lances, and we dont have the trees for that. Or the time. Lord Tywin is walk north . . . He balled his hand into a fist.Lord Frey would be a scatter to try and bar our way, Theon Greyjoy said with his universal easy confidence. We have five times his numbers. You can take the Twins if you need to, Robb. non easily, Catelyn warned them, and not in time. eon you were mounting your siege, Tywin Lannister would bring up his legions and assault you from the rear.Robb gazed from her to Greyjoy, se bandy-legged for an answer and decisi on none. For a moment he looked even younger than his fifteen years, despite his office and sword and the stubble on his cheeks. What would my lord father do? he asked her. convalesce a way across, she told him. Whatever it alsok.The nigh morning it was Ser Brynden Tully himself who rode back to them. He had put aside the heavy plate and helm hed worn as the Knight of the approach for the lighter leather-and-mail of an outrider, nevertheless if his obsidian fish so far fastened his cloak.Her uncles face was grave as he swung down off his horse. There has been a battle under the walls of Riverrun, he said, his mouth grim. We had it from a Lannister outrider we took captive. The Kingslayer has destroyed Edmures host and sent the lords of the Trident reeling in flight.A rimy hand clutched at Catelyns heart. And my comrade? hurt and taken prisoner, Ser Brynden said. Lord Blackwood and the other survivors are under siege inwardly Riverrun, surrounded by Jaimes host.Robb looked fretful. We must labour across this accursed river if were to have any hope of relieving them in time.That willing not be easily done, her uncle cautioned. Lord Frey has pulled his exclusively strength back inside his castles, and his furnish are closed and barred.Damn the man, Robb swore. If the old fool does not relent and let me cross, hell leave me no choice unless to storm his walls. Ill pull the Twins down around his ears if I have to, well call how well he wishs thatYou sound like a sulky boy, Robb, Catelyn said sharply. A child sees an obstacle, and his first thought is to run around it or knock it down. A lord must learn that sometimes words can accomplish what swords cannot.Robbs write out reddened at the rebuke. Tell me what you mean, Mother, he said meekly.The Freys have held the crossing for 6 hundred years, and for six hundred years they have never failed to exact their damage.What toll? What does he hope?She smiled. That is what we must discover.And what if I do not choose to pay this toll?Then you had best retirement back to Moat Cailin, deploy to fiddle Lord Tywin in battle . . . or grow wings. I see no other choices. Catelyn put her heels to her horse and rode off, leaving her son to ponder her words. It would not do to study him feel as if his arrive were usurping his place. Did you larn him wisdom as well as valor, Ned? she wondered. Did you teach him how to kneel? The graveyards of the vii Kingdoms were full of brave men who had never learned that lesson.It was near midday when their vanguard came in sight of the Twins, where the Lords of the Crossing had their stooge.The Green Fork ran swift and deep here, tho the Freys had spanned it many centuries past and grown rich people off the coin men pay them to cross. Their tide over was a massive arch of smooth grey rock, wide enough for cardinal wagons to pass abr easterly the water supply Tower rose from the center of the span, irresponsible both road and river with i ts arrow slits, put to death holes, and portcullises. It had taken the Freys three generations to complete their bridge when they were done theyd thrown up stalwart timber keeps on either cashbox, so no one might cross without their leave.The timber had long since given way to stone. The Twinstwo squat, ugly, formidable castles, equivalent in every respect, with the bridge arching betweenhad guarded the crossing for centuries. exalted curtain walls, deep moats, and heavy oak-and-iron provide protected the approaches, the bridge footings rose from within stout inner keeps, in that respect was a barbican and portcullis on either bank, and the urine Tower defended the span itself.One stare was sufficient to tell Catelyn that the castle would not be taken by storm. The battlements abound with spears and swords and scorpions, there was an archer at every crenel and arrow slit, the drawbridge was up, the portcullis down, the provide closed and barred.The Greatjon began to curse and swear as soon as he byword what awaited them. Lord Rickard Karstark glowered in silence. That cannot be assaulted, my lords, Roose Bolton announced.Nor can we take it by siege, without an army on the far bank to assign the other castle, Helman Tallhart said gloomily. Across the deep-running cat valium waters, the western twin stood like a reflection of its eastern fellow. Even if we had the time. Which, to be sure, we do not.As the northern lords examine the castle, a sally port pass arounded, a plank bridge slid across the moat, and a dozen knights rode forth to confront them, led by four of Lord Walders many sons. Their banner bore twin towers, Acheronian blue on a field of operation of discolor silver-grey. Ser Stevron Frey, Lord Walders heir, spoke for them. The Freys all looked like weasels Ser Stevron, past sixty with grandchildren of his own, looked like an especially old and tired weasel, yet he was polite enough. My lord father has sent me to greet you, and in quire as to who leads this mighty host.I do. Robb spurred his horse forward. He was in his armor, with the direwolf shield of Winterfell strapped to his saddle and Grey Wind padding by his side.The old knight looked at her son with a faint flicker of amusement in his watery grey eyeball, though his castrate whickered uneasily and sidled away from the direwolf. My lord father would be most honored if you would portion heart and mead with him in the castle and ex unmingled your purpose here.His words crashed among the lords bannermen like a large(p) stone from a catapult. Not one of them approved. They cursed, argued, shouted down each other.You must not do this, my lord, Galbart Glover pleaded with Robb. Lord Walder is not to be trusted.Roose Bolton nodded. Go in there alone and youre his. He can sell you to the Lannisters, throw you in a dungeon, or slit your throat, as he likes.If he necessitys to talk to us, let him apply his furnish, and we will all share his meat and me ad, declared Ser Wendel Manderly.Or let him watch over out and treat with Robb here, in plain sight of his men and ours, suggested his brother, Ser Wylis.Catelyn gross(a) overlap all their doubts, simply she had only to glance at Ser Stevron to see that he was not pleased by what he was hearing. A few more words and the view would be alienated. She had to act, and quickly. I will go, she said loudly.You, my lady? The Greatjon furrowed his brow.Mother, are you true(a)? Clearly, Robb was not.Never more, Catelyn lied glibly. Lord Walder is my fathers bannerman. I have known him since I was a girl. He would never cristal me any harm. Unless he saw some moolah in it, she added silently, just some truths did not bear saying, and some lies were necessary.I am certain my lord father would be pleased to express to the wench Catelyn, Ser Stevron said. To vouchsafe for our smashing spiritions, my brother Ser Perwyn will remain here until she is safely returned to you.He shall be our honored knob, said Robb. Ser Perwyn, the youngest of the four Freys in the party, dismount and handed the reins of his horse to a brother. I require my lady frets return by evenfall, Ser Stevron, Robb went on. It is not my intent to linger here long.Ser Stevron Frey gave a polite nod. As you say, my lord. Catelyn spurred her horse forward and did not look back. Lord Walders sons and envoys fell in around her.Her father had in one case said of Walder Frey that he was the only lord in the Seven Kingdoms who could field an army out of his breeches. When the Lord of the Crossing welcomed Catelyn in the bang-up hall of the east castle, surrounded by xx living sons (minus Ser Perwyn, who would have made twenty-one), thirty-six grandsons, nineteen capital-grandsons, and numerous daughters, granddaughters, bastards, and grandbastards, she understood just what he had meant.Lord Walder was xc, a wizened strike hard weasel with a bald spotted head, too gouty to stand unassisted. H is newest married woman, a pale frail girl of sixteen years, walked beside his litter when they carried him in. She was the eighth Lady Frey.It is a great pleasure to see you again later so many years, my lord, Catelyn said.The old man squinted at her suspiciously. Is it? I doubt that. well-kept me your sweet words, Lady Catelyn, I am too old. wherefore are you here? Is your boy too proud to come before me himself? What am I to do with you?Catelyn had been a girl the last time she had visited the Twins, but even then Lord Walder had been irascible, sharp of tongue, and blunt of manner. Age had made him worse than ever, it would search. She would need to choose her words with care, and do her best to take no offense from his.Father, Ser Stevron said reproachfully, you forget yourself. Lady Stark is here at your invitation.Did I ask you? You are not Lord Frey yet, not until I die. Do I look unfounded? Ill hear no instructions from you.This is no way to speak in front of our nob le guest, Father, one of his younger sons said.Now my bastards presume to teach me solicitesy, Lord Walder complained. Ill speak any way I like, damn you. Ive had three kings to guest in my life, and queens as well, do you hazard I require lessons from the likes of you, Ryger? Your mother was milking goats the first time I gave her my seed. He dismissed the red-faced youth with a flick of his riffs and gestured to two of his other sons. Danwell, Whalen, help me to my chair.They shifted Lord Walder from his litter and carried him to the high seat of the Freys, a tall chair of black oak whose back was carved in the shape of two towers linked by a bridge. His young wife crept up timidly and covered his legs with a blanket. When he was settled, the old man beckoned Catelyn forward and plant a papery dry pet on her hand. There, he announced. Now that I have observed the courtesies, my lady, perhaps my sons will do me the honor of shutting their mouths. wherefore are you here?To ask you to open your gates, my lord, Catelyn replied politely. My son and his lords bannermen are most anxious to cross the river and be on their way.To Riverrun? He sniggered. Oh, no need to tell me, no need. Im not blind yet. The old man can still read a map.To Riverrun, Catelyn confirmed. She saw no reason to cross it. Where I might have anticipate to find you, my lord. You are still my fathers bannerman, are you not?Heh, said Lord Walder, a noise halfway between a laugh and a grunt. I called my swords, yes I did, here they are, you saw them on the walls. It was my intent to attest as soon as all my strength was assembled. Well, to send my sons. I am well past border district myself, Lady Catelyn. He looked around for belike confirmation and pointed to a tall, stooped man of fifty years. Tell her, Jared. Tell her that was my intent.It was, my lady, said Ser Jared Frey, one of his sons by his second wife. On my honor.Is it my fault that your fool brother lost his battle before w e could march? He leaned back against his cushions and scowled at her, as if challenging her to dispute his version of events. I am told the Kingslayer went through him like an axe through ripe cheese. wherefore should my boys hurry south to die? All those who did go south are running north again.Catelyn would fain have spitted the querulous old man and roasted him over a fire, but she had only till evenfall to open the bridge. Calmly, she said, All the more reason that we must reach Riverrun, and soon. Where can we go to talk, my lord?Were talking now, Lord Frey complained. The spotted intercept head snapped around. What are you all feeling at? he shouted at his kin. Get out of here. Lady Stark wants to speak to me in private. Might be she has designs on my fidelity, heh. Go, all of you, find something expedient to do. Yes, you too, woman. Out, out, out. As his sons and grandsons and daughters and bastards and nieces and nephews streamed from the hall, he leaned close to Catel yn and confessed, Theyre all waiting for me to die. Stevrons been waiting for forty years, but I keep disappointing him. Heh. why should I die just so he can be a lord? I ask you. I wont do it.I have every hope that you will live to be a hundred.That would boil them, to be sure. Oh, to be sure. Now, what do you want to say?We want to cross, Catelyn told him.Oh, do you? Thats blunt. Why should I let you?For a moment her anger flared. If you were vigorous enough to climb your own battlements, Lord Frey, you would see that my son has twenty thousand men outside your walls.Theyll be twenty thousand fresh corpses when Lord Tywin gets here, the old man shot back. Dont you try and dash me, my lady. Your husbands in some traitors cell under the Red Keep, your fathers sick, might be dying, and Jaime Lannisters got your brother in chains. What do you have that I should fear? That son of yours? Ill fill you son for son, and Ill still have eighteen when yours are all dead.You swore an oath t o my father, Catelyn reminded him.He bobbed his head side to side, smiling. Oh, yes, I said some words, but I swore oaths to the crown too, it seems to me. Joffreys the king now, and that makes you and your boy and all those fools out there no better than rebels. If I had the esthesis the gods gave a fish, Id help the Lannisters boil you all.Why dont you? she challenged him.Lord Walder snorted with disdain. Lord Tywin the proud and splendid, Warden of the West, make pass of the King, oh, what a great man that one is, him and his gold this and gold that and lions here and lions there. Ill count you, he eats too many beans, he breaks wind just like me, but youll never hear him tolerate it, oh, no. Whats he got to be so puffed up about leastwise? Only two sons, and one of thems a twisted little monster. Ill match him son for son, and Ill still have nineteen and a half left when all of his are dead He cackled. If Lord Tywin wants my help, he can bloody well ask for it.That was all Catelyn needed to hear. I am enquire for your help, my lord, she said humbly. And my father and my brother and my lord husband and my sons are asking with my voice.Lord Walder jabbed a bony finger at her face. Save your sweet words, my lady. pleasantness words I get from my wife. Did you see her? Sixteen she is, a little flower, and her honeys only for me. I wager she gives me a son by this time next year. whitethornbe Ill make him heir, wouldnt that boil the rest of them?Im certain she will give you many sons.His head bobbed up and down. Your lord father did not come to the wedding. An insult, as I see it. Even if he is dying. He never came to my last wedding either. He calls me the Late Lord Frey, you know. Does he think Im dead? Im not dead, and I promise you, Ill subsist him as I outlived his father. Your family has always ladened on me, dont deny it, dont lie, you know its true. days ago, I went to your father and suggested a match between his son and my daughter. Why not ? I had a daughter in mind, sweet girl, only a few years older than Edmure, but if your brother didnt warm to her, I had others he might have had, young ones, old ones, virgins, widows, any(prenominal) he wanted. No, Lord Hoster would not hear of it. Sweet words he gave me, excuses, but what I wanted was to get rid of a daughter.And your sister, that one, shes full as bad. It was, oh, a year ago, no more, Jon Arryn was still the Kings Hand, and I went to the city to see my sons ride in the tourney. Stevron and Jared are too old for the lists now, but Danwell and Hosteen rode, Perwyn as well, and a couple of my bastards assay the melee. If Id known how theyd shame me, I would never have troubled myself to make the journey. Why did I need to ride all that way to see Hosteen knocked off his horse by that Tyrell whelp? I ask you. The boys half his age, Ser Daisy they call him, something like that. And Danwell was unhorsed by a hedge knight Some days I wonder if those two are truly mine . My third wife was a Crakehall, all of the Crakehall women are sluts. Well, never mind about that, she died before you were born, what do you care?I was speaking of your sister. I proposed that Lord and Lady Arryn foster two of my grandsons at court, and offered to take their own son to ward here at the Twins. are my grandsons unworthy to be seen at the kings court? They are sweet boys, quiet and mannerly. Walder is Merretts son, noted after me, and the other one . . . heh, I dont sequester . . . he might have been another Walder, theyre always naming them Walder so Ill favor them, but his father . . . which one was his father now? His face wrinkled up. Well, whoever he was, Lord Arryn wouldnt have him, or the other one, and I blame your lady sister for that. She frosted up as if Id suggested selling her boy to a mummers show or making a eunuch out of him, and when Lord Arryn said the child was tone ending to Dragonstone to foster with Stannis Baratheon, she stormed off without a word of regrets and all the Hand could give me was apologies. What good are apologies? I ask you.Catelyn frowned, disquieted. I had understood that Lysas boy was to be fostered with Lord Tywin at Casterly Rock.No, it was Lord Stannis, Walder Frey said irritably. Do you think I cant tell Lord Stannis from Lord Tywin? Theyre both bungholes who think theyre too noble to shit, but never mind about that, I know the difference. Or do you think Im so old I cant remember? Im ninety and I remember very well. I remember what to do with a woman too. That wife of mine will give me a son before this time next year, Ill wager. Or a daughter, that cant be helped. Boy or girl, it will be red, wrinkled, and squalling, and like as not shell want to name it Walder or Walda.Catelyn was not touch with what Lady Frey might choose to name her child. Jon Arryn was going to foster his son with Lord Stannis, you are quite certain of that?Yes, yes, yes, the old man said. Only he died, so what does it matt er? You say you want to cross the river?We do.Well, you cant Lord Walder announced crisply. Not unless I permit it, and why should I? The Tullys and the Starks have never been friends of mine. He pushed himself back in his chair and crossed his arms, smirking, waiting for her answer.The rest was only haggling.A swollen red sun hung low against the western hills when the gates of the castle opened. The drawbridge creaked down, the portcullis winched up, and Lady Catelyn Stark rode forth to rejoin her son and his lords bannermen. can her came Ser Jared Frey, Ser Hosteen Frey, Ser Danwell Frey, and Lord Walders bastard son Ronel Rivers, track a long column of pikemen, absolute on rank of shuffling men in blue steel ringmail and fluent grey cloaks.Robb galloped out to meet her, with Grey Wind racing beside his stallion. Its done, she told him. Lord Walder will grant you your crossing. His swords are yours as well, less four hundred he means to keep back to hold the Twins. I suggest that you leave four hundred of your own, a mixed force of archers and swordsmen. He can scarcely object to an offer to augment his garrison . . . but make certain you give the command to a man you can trust. Lord Walder may need help keeping faith.As you say, Mother, Robb answered, gazing at the ranks of pikemen. Perhaps . . . Ser Helman Tallhart, do you think?A fine choice.What . . . what did he want of us?If you can spare a few of your swords, I need some men to escort two of Lord Freys grandsons north to Winterfell, she told him. I have hold to take them as wards. They are young boys, aged eight years and seven. It would seem they are both named Walder. Your brother Bran will welcome the companionship of lads near his own age, I should think.Is that all? Two fosterlings? Thats a small enough price toLord Freys son Olyvar will be attack with us, she went on. He is to serve as your private squire. His father would like to see him knighted, in good time.A squire. He shrugged. Fi ne, thats fine, if hesAlso, if your sister Arya is returned to us safely, it is agreed that she will marry Lord Walders youngest son, Elmar, when the two of them come of age.Robb looked nonplussed. Arya wont like that one bit.And you are to wed one of his daughters, once the fighting is done, she finished. His lordship has graciously try fored to allow you to choose whichever girl you prefer. He has a number he thinks might be suitable.To his credit, Robb did not flinch. I see.Do you consent?Can I refuse?Not if you wish to cross.I consent, Robb said solemnly. He had never seemed more manly to her than he did in that moment. Boys might play with swords, but it took a lord to make a marriage pact, knowing what it meant.They crossed at evenfall as a horn moon floated upon the river. The double column wounding its way through the gate of the eastern twin like a great steel snake, slithering across the courtyard, into the keep and over the bridge, to issue forth once more from the secon d castle on the west bank.Catelyn rode at the head of the serpent, with her son and her uncle Ser Brynden and Ser Stevron Frey. Behind followed nine tenths of their horse knights, lancers, freeriders, and mounted bowmen. It took hours for them all to cross. Afterward, Catelyn would remember the clatter of immeasurable hooves on the drawbridge, the sight of Lord Walder Frey in his litter watching them pass, the glitter of eyes peering down through the slats of the murder holes in the ceiling as they rode through the wet Tower.The larger part of the northern host, pikes and archers and great masses of men-at-arms on foot, remained upon the east bank under the command of Roose Bolton. Robb had commanded him to continue the march south, to confront the huge Lannister army access north under Lord Tywin.For good or ill, her son had thrown the dice.