A Wolf and A Lion || Jaime Lannister Love Story

Chapter 39 . War and Prison

     Catelyn Stark looked upon the grey colored tents surrounding the Neck; the southernmost part of the North that was bordered by the Riverlands. She had ridden from the Eyrie after hearing news of Eddard Stark's capture, and enraged at her sister for not notifying her of it immediately. She had been spending the days at the Vale after Tyrion's capture, and continued to stay even after Tyrion was freed after he won the trial by combat. Though Catelyn knew that it would mean she would lose any hold she has over the Lord who may very well be responsible for Bran's injury, there was nothing she could do that would not go against her values. In the sight of Gods, Tyrion Lannister won the trial fairly after his champion won the combat. He was free to leave, and Catelyn had no more right to keep him as her prisoner.

It was after she heard the terrible news of her husband, did she decide to leave. She was informed of her eldest son, Robb leading an army of the North to the South with the intent of getting his father, Eddard Stark back. Sometimes she wonders if this was the justice the Lannisters are giving the Starks, after Catelyn took one of their own. Now, they took one of the Starks as well as a prisoner.

  "Summer snows, my Lady." Ser Rodrik Cassel said,

   Ser Rodrik has been accompanying Lady Stark ever since they left Winterfell. It was his duty to protect her, and he has.

   "Robb's brought the North with him." Catelyn observed as she continued to look at the thousands of soldiers that came with her son. This was not the outcome she thought would happen after leaving Winterfell. Tyrion was supposed to serve justice for his alleged crimes, and he would pay for what Catelyn believed he did. Now she holds no prisoner of the Lannisters, while they held Ned Stark. There had been no word on her two youngest daughters, and the last she heard of Aurelia was that she has left the capital with Jaime Lannister, and her eldest son is leading an army to war. Nothing could ever warn her about the tragic and unexpected events that has transpired. If Catelyn still had Tyrion, there was a chance that she could trade him for her husband. But now that can never happen.

   Catelyn made her way towards the center of the camp where Robb was currently holding a war council with his bannermen.

   "The River Lords are falling back with Jaime Lannister at their heels, and Lord Tywin is bringing around a second Lannister army from the South. Our scouts confirm it's even larger than the Kingslayer's." Robb Stark announced to his bannermen. They were all entering foreign territory by being in the South, but the position he has placed himself into was more foreign than anything else. He was taught to become Lord of Winterfell, and this past year he has proven to not only himself but the rest of the North that he was worthy of retaining that position. But Robb never thought he would have to become a battle commander, and certainly not this early on in his life.

    Once Robb read Sansa's letter that Maester Luwin corrected to be the work of the Queen, he knew that rallying the North together to fight for his father's release was the only possible way to ensure their freedom. Robb had done nothing when he heard that Jaime Lannister attacked Ned Stark and killed his men. It would have been a foolish act to risk war and march South. He knew that his father would not have approved, nor her mother. Even Maester Luwin supported Robb's decision. Although attacking Ned Stark was an act that should not go unpunished, the important thing was that he lives and none of his sister's lives were at risk.

Imprisonment was different. Robb could overlook his father's attack, but not the fact that he has been kept in the cells under the keep over a false accusation. And after all that, Joffrey still expects him to swear fealty. It was preposterous, and Robb had no desire of changing his decision to raise the North and free his father and sisters along with it.

   "One army or two, the Kings in the North threw back hosts ten times as large." Lord Jon Umber exclaimed. His eyes then turned to a familiar figure approaching the tent. As soon as he realizes that it was Lady Catelyn Stark, Lord Umber immediately stood up and bowed his head out of respect. The other Northern Lords soon followed suit.