CHAPTER 169
After entering Riverrun, the Northern lords and the principal bannermen of the Riverlands surrounded Robb, Edmure, and Garon as they walked toward the council chambers.
As King in the North and Lord Paramount of the Trident by right of conquest, Robb courteously exchanged a few words with Rodrik Harlaw, expressing his satisfaction with the alliance forged between Queen Asha Greyjoy and the North.
Once the customary diplomatic courtesies had ended, Robb instructed his uncle, Edmure Tully, to arrange suitable quarters for Lord Rodrik.
After Rodrik departed, Robb waved toward his bannermen.
Lady Maege Mormont, Greatjon Umber, Rickard Karstark, Galbart Glover, and the others immediately understood that Robb wished to speak privately with Garon. They quietly excused themselves one after another.
"Come."
"We'll talk somewhere quieter."
Before Garon could respond, Robb had already turned and led him around the grand staircase toward Lord Hoster Tully's study.
With no outsiders nearby, Robb's expression became noticeably more relaxed.
As they walked, he repeatedly asked Garon for every detail concerning the Battle of Oxhorn Hill in the North and the campaign that ended with the fall of Pyke.
Garon answered every question patiently, recounting each battle in careful detail.
Their conversation flowed naturally, almost as though they had returned to the carefree days they once shared at Winterfell.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the two arrived outside Hoster Tully's study.
The door already stood open.
With a single glance, Garon took in everything inside.
A long oak table covered with scattered books, maps, and documents dominated the center of the room.
Tall bookshelves lined both walls.
Three carved wooden chairs stood before the shelves, each decorated with the leaping trout of House Tully.
Standing beside the table was a woman wearing a blue gown.
Lady Catelyn Stark.
Her back faced the doorway as she quietly arranged the documents left behind by her late father.
Although Lord Hoster had passed away, every corner of the room still carried traces of his presence.
Edmure Tully, having finished arranging Rodrik Harlaw's accommodations, now stood beside his sister.
Brynden Tully, the Blackfish, sat calmly in the first chair to the right, silently studying Garon as he entered.
Hearing footsteps, Catelyn turned around.
Her eyes immediately settled upon Garon.
"My lady."
Garon smiled gently before bowing respectfully.
Catelyn suppressed the complicated emotions hidden within her heart.
She gave a slight nod before asking,
"How is Winterfell?"
"Sansa wrote to me that Bran had awakened."
"Has he fully recovered?"
"And..."
Months had passed since she left the North.
During that time she had lost both her husband and her father.
She had been separated from nearly all of her children.
The war had steadily turned against them.
Remembering everything now felt like recalling events from another lifetime.
Her longing for Bran and Sansa momentarily overwhelmed every other feeling.
Questions spilled from her lips one after another.
Garon first nodded politely toward Edmure and Brynden before answering.
"Winterfell remains secure."
"Sansa has managed the castle exceptionally well."
"Bran has recovered remarkably."
"His health and spirits are both excellent."
He carefully recounted everything that had happened in Winterfell before his departure.
After listening quietly, gratitude gradually appeared in Catelyn's eyes.
"I've read Sansa's letter countless times."
"She wrote that Winterfell nearly fell to Euron Crow's Eye."
"It was only because of you that the castle survived."
Garon calmly shook his head.
"Lord Eddard's kindness toward me was as heavy as a mountain."
"Robb has always treated me as a brother."
"Protecting Winterfell is simply my duty."
His words immediately earned several approving nods from Brynden Tully.
The Blackfish's admiration was obvious.
Even Edmure, who had once underestimated Garon, could no longer hide his favorable impression.
At that moment, Robb interrupted with a smile.
"We can speak of that later."
"Let's discuss more pressing matters."
As the acting Lord of Riverrun, Edmure naturally sat in Hoster Tully's former seat behind the table.
Robb took the chair to his left.
Catelyn sat beside her son.
Garon crossed to the opposite side and sat beside Brynden.
After everyone settled, Robb smiled.
"There are no outsiders here."
"You can simply call me Robb, just as you did at Winterfell."
He became serious.
"You've undoubtedly learned much about our situation while traveling here."
"I hope you'll advise me honestly."
"Just as you always have."
Every pair of eyes turned toward Garon.
He remained silent for a long moment.
Finally, beneath the expectant gazes of the four Tullys and Starks before him, he began speaking.
"When the Baratheon brothers turned their swords against one another, Stannis possessed the stronger claim."
"But Blackwater Bay destroyed his hopes."
"Unless some miracle occurs, Stannis Baratheon is no longer capable of threatening King's Landing."
He slowly continued.
"Dorne remains neutral."
"The Vale remains neutral."
"House Lannister has secured the support of House Tyrell."
"With Stannis defeated, many of Renly's former bannermen have now accepted Joffrey's rule."
He looked calmly around the room.
"The Westerlands."
"The Reach."
"And much of the Stormlands."
"Together they command well over twice our strength."
"Even after adding Queen Asha's alliance, we still cannot defeat them head on."
"Worse still..."
"I'm afraid some Riverlords have already begun wavering."
"They may turn toward King's Landing at any moment."
His sharp gaze carefully observed everyone present.
Robb remained composed.
Catelyn's eyes filled with concern.
Brynden lowered his head in thought.
Only Edmure's face revealed open displeasure.
Whether his anger was directed toward Garon's assessment or toward disloyal Riverlords was impossible to tell.
"Robb."
Garon's voice became lower.
"During my journey here, I've spent every day considering how we might break this deadlock."
"But before discussing any plan..."
"There are several questions I must ask."
Robb immediately nodded.
"Ask."
Garon's tone became heavy with regret.
"Before you marched south from Winterfell..."
"I once advised you to find one of King Robert's acknowledged bastards and rally the realm beneath his banner."
"That would have provided us with a legitimate cause capable of uniting every enemy of Joffrey."
He sighed softly.
"But later I learned..."
"You had allowed yourself to be crowned King in the North."
His eyes met Robb's.
"Once you claimed a crown..."
"Unless you intended to conquer the Iron Throne itself..."
"Every claimant to that throne immediately became your enemy."
A trace of confusion appeared on Garon's face.
"Didn't you realize such a decision would drive away many who might otherwise have supported you?"
His tone contained neither accusation nor ridicule.
Only honest bewilderment.
Brynden quietly sighed.
He too had never approved of Robb accepting a crown.
Robb remained silent for a long while before finally speaking honestly.
"Garon..."
"At that time..."
"We had no way of finding one of Robert's bastards."
His expression became bitter.
"When news of Father's execution reached us..."
"The entire army demanded vengeance."
"The Greatjon."
"The Northern lords."
"The Riverlords."
"They all insisted upon proclaiming me king."
"If I had refused..."
"The army's morale would have collapsed."
"I truly had no choice."
Garon slowly nodded.
"I understand."
Then his expression became even more serious.
"Then we come to the second matter."
"House Frey."
"Maester Luwin once told me that Lady Catelyn negotiated a marriage pact with House Frey so our army could cross the Green Fork."
"But after arriving in the Riverlands..."
"I learned that you married Lady Jeyne Westerling instead."
He looked directly into Robb's eyes.
"You know Lord Walder Frey far better than I do."
"He has never forgiven even the smallest slight."
Garon's gaze briefly swept across Catelyn, Edmure, and Brynden.
Each wore an uncomfortable expression.
"For the sake of one woman..."
"You endangered our alliance."
"You endangered our line of retreat."
He spoke quietly.
"Tell me why."
Embarrassment appeared across Robb's face.
He instinctively wished to avoid the subject.
Before he could do so, Garon spoke again.
"Robb."
"I need to understand your true thoughts."
"Otherwise I cannot offer any plan worth following."
Unable to avoid the question any longer, Robb finally lowered his head.
"I..."
"I love her, Garon."
His voice trembled with youthful stubbornness.
"I couldn't dishonor her."
"I believed..."
"I believed victory would solve everything."
"Love?"
"Victory?"
Garon stared at him in disbelief.
"But victory grows farther away with every passing day."
He said nothing more.
His silence spoke louder than any accusation.
The study became utterly quiet.
Embarrassed, Robb instinctively looked toward Brynden, Edmure, and Catelyn.
Each of them silently shook their heads.
They expected him to admit his mistake.
Finally, Robb lowered his head.
"Garon..."
"I was wrong."
"Help me."
"What should I do now?"
At that instant, Garon knew he had completely taken control of the discussion.
"Now..."
"I become the man who offers hope."
He thought silently.
Taking a slow breath, Garon stood and walked toward Robb.
"The situation is dire."
"But it isn't hopeless."
He slowly paced toward the center of the room.
"At present..."
"There are three possible roads before us."
Robb immediately asked,
"What three roads?"
"The first."
Garon calmly looked at him.
"Kneel before Joffrey."
"Return Ser Jaime Lannister."
"Swear loyalty to the Iron Throne."
"Your pride would be shattered."
"But the North and Riverlands might survive."
Robb immediately sprang to his feet.
"You want me to kneel before the boy who murdered my father?"
"Never."
Garon nodded as though he had expected exactly that answer.
"Good."
"If you had agreed..."
"I would have been deeply disappointed."
He continued.
"The second road."
"It is humiliating."
"But it is also the most realistic."
"Immediately negotiate with House Westerling."
"Compensate them generously."
"But persuade Lady Jeyne's family to release you from the marriage."
Robb's expression immediately changed.
Before he could interrupt, Garon continued.
"Then personally travel to the Twins."
"Apologize to Lord Walder Frey."
"Honor your original marriage pact."
"And marry Lady Roslin Frey."
"At the same time..."
"Arrange for Lord Edmure to marry another daughter of House Frey."
"A double marriage will repair the alliance."
"Once the Riverlands stand united again..."
"We regain the strength needed to confront House Lannister."
Garon looked toward everyone present.
"Leave Riverrun under the command of a cautious, experienced lord."
"Hold the passes from the Golden Tooth."
"The remaining armies seize Harrenhal."
"Threaten King's Landing directly."
"The Lannisters and Tyrells are confident after Blackwater."
"They'll eventually divide their forces."
"Strike their smaller armies one by one."
"Meanwhile Queen Asha's fleet can harass the western coast and keep the Reach occupied."
"Concentrate our own strength."
"Destroy theirs piece by piece."
"Only then march on King's Landing."
Brynden's eyes immediately lit up.
"Excellent."
"Lord Glover truly deserves his reputation."
His admiration was obvious.
Militarily and politically, it was unquestionably the strongest plan presented so far.
Garon smiled modestly.
"The key is unity."
"If we collapse from within..."
"We'll lose before King's Landing ever attacks us."
He looked toward Robb.
"What do you think?"
Silence filled the room again.
Robb's face had become pale.
His fingers tightened around the pommel of his sword until his knuckles turned white.
Catelyn immediately understood his struggle.
She wanted him to place the realm before himself.
Yet as a mother, she also pitied the sacrifice being demanded.
Meanwhile Garon calmly calculated.
"Lord Walder prizes pride above all else."
"If Robb truly humbles himself..."
"If Edmure also marries into House Frey..."
"There is still a chance the alliance survives."
"Provided King's Landing hasn't already gained overwhelming advantage."
"But Robb will never abandon Jeyne."
"So this road can only end in tragedy."
His thoughts remained hidden.
Outwardly, he was merely offering sincere advice.
Whether Robb accepted it was entirely his own decision.
Exactly as Garon expected, Robb finally asked in a hoarse voice,
"And the third road?"
His answer already revealed that he had abandoned any thought of reconciling with House Frey.
Garon did not press the matter.
Instead, he calmly introduced another desperate gamble.
"If reconciliation proves impossible..."
"Only one road remains."
"We must destroy the alliance between House Lannister and House Tyrell."
His voice rose.
"I'll personally travel to Highgarden."
"I'll meet Lady Olenna Tyrell."
"I'll offer Queen Margaery a greater crown."
"The King in the North can marry Margaery Tyrell."
"In return..."
"House Tyrell receives the Westerlands after victory."
Everyone inside the study was stunned.
Edmure abruptly stood.
"Impossible."
"Margaery is already promised to Joffrey."
"Why would House Tyrell abandon that match?"
"They haven't married."
Garon calmly answered.
"An engagement isn't a marriage."
"As long as the wedding hasn't taken place..."
"Nothing is irreversible."
"Lady Olenna is one of the cleverest women in Westeros."
"She values advantage above sentiment."
"I don't even need to persuade her completely."
"I only need to make her hesitate."
"While the Reach hesitates..."
"The North."
"The Riverlands."
"And the Iron Islands."
"Will unite every soldier we possess."
"If we win even a single decisive battle against Lord Tywin..."
"Highgarden will naturally choose the stronger ally."
"Then Your Grace will command both northern and southern support."
"The Iron Throne itself may become attainable."
Everyone except Robb became visibly excited.
Garon smiled.
"If you agree..."
"I'll depart for Highgarden tomorrow."
"I believe I have at least a fifty percent chance of persuading Lady Olenna."
"And even if I fail..."
"I'll ensure House Tyrell doesn't fully commit itself to the Lannisters."
Before Robb could answer, Catelyn spoke first.
"Garon is right."
"Lady Jeyne Westerling cannot compare with Margaery Tyrell."
"I met Lady Margaery in Renly's camp."
"She is beautiful."
"Gracious."
"Kind."
"And born to be a queen."
"With her beside you..."
"The Starks could one day rule all Seven Kingdoms."
Brynden also nodded.
"Lady Olenna always pursues her family's interests."
"It's dangerous."
"But this final plan may truly offer our greatest chance."
Edmure laughed heartily.
"Haha."
"Sansa is fortunate indeed to be promised to a man like you."
Garon simply smiled and returned to his seat.
The three plans formed one perfect chain.
Every path toward survival required Robb to sacrifice the same thing.
Jeyne Westerling.
Would Robb do it?
The answer had already been decided.
"No."
Robb slowly raised his head.
Pain and determination filled his blue eyes.
"I won't abandon Jeyne."
"I love her."
"I am a Stark."
"I won't break my vows."
"You already did."
Garon slowly turned around.
For the first time, disappointment openly colored his voice.
"Robb."
"A king's honor lies in protecting his people."
"Not preserving his romance."
Robb met Garon's eyes.
Then slowly shook his head.
"No."
Only that single word.
Garon closed his eyes.
Deep disappointment spread across his face.
It seemed he no longer had anything left to say.
"Your Grace..."
His voice quietly faded away, as though leaving Robb one final measure of dignity.
Without another word, Garon rose from his chair and silently walked out of Hoster Tully's study.
The room immediately became as cold and silent as a winter night.