CHAPTER 171
"Garon!"
Robb hurried over, his youthful face filled with guilt and pleading.
Garon looked steadily at him without saying a word.
After a long silence, Robb's expression gradually became awkward.
Only then did Garon let out a quiet sigh.
"Your Grace, I heard Riverrun still keeps a godswood."
"Would you accompany me there?"
Hope immediately returned to Robb's eyes.
"It's to the southwest."
"I'll take you there."
With that, he looked at Garon expectantly.
Considering Robb's attitude in the study earlier, Garon knew he had to respond appropriately.
Only by doing so would Robb value his advice even more.
Garon merely nodded before silently following Robb toward Riverrun's peaceful godswood.
Unlike the ancient godswood of Winterfell, Riverrun's was far smaller and gentler.
It was already late in the afternoon, yet the air remained bright and fresh.
Flowers bloomed throughout the gardens while clear streams flowed quietly between them.
Even the weirwood at the heart of the grove was younger and far more slender than Winterfell's ancient heart tree.
It lacked the solemn majesty accumulated over thousands of years.
Its crimson leaves glowed brilliantly beneath the humid sky.
Even the carved face upon its pale trunk seemed less stern and more compassionate.
The two walked quietly along the flower-lined paths.
A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of blossoms through the garden.
Breathing in the refreshing scent, Garon's expression gradually relaxed.
Seeing the opportunity, Robb finally spoke.
"Who was that knight earlier?"
"You seemed to think highly of him."
Without slowing his pace, Garon answered calmly.
"Ser Petyr Frey."
"He served as my guide after Lord Jason Mallister assigned him to escort us from Seagard."
"I originally hoped he might become a bridge between you and House Frey."
"But now..."
"It seems that opportunity has already passed."
Robb lowered his head.
Gratitude and guilt filled his eyes.
"Garon..."
"I'm sorry."
He looked toward Garon with a hoarse voice.
"I disappointed you today."
Garon stopped before the heart tree.
Without immediately answering, he reached out and gently touched the carved face stained with red sap, as though silently communicating with the old gods.
Silence once again settled between them.
Only after several moments did Garon slowly turn around.
There was no anger in his eyes.
Only calm resolve.
"Your Grace."
"I love Sansa."
"Very much."
He spoke quietly.
"Others may disappoint you."
"But I never will."
"Because I am both your sworn bannerman..."
"And Sansa's future husband."
"If we lose this war..."
"I'll simply die beside you."
"But have you truly considered what defeat means?"
Turning back toward the pale trunk of the weirwood, Garon slowly continued.
"Winterfell will fall."
"Bran and Rickon may die."
"And Sansa..."
"Your sister..."
"Will become nothing more than a prize for the victor."
"House Lannister could force her into another marriage."
"Perhaps even to Tyrion Lannister."
"Enough!"
Robb slammed his fist against the white bark.
Pain filled every inch of his face.
"Is there truly no way to save everything?"
"No path where everyone wins?"
"The best of both worlds..."
Garon sneered inwardly.
Outwardly, however, he appeared to think carefully.
After a long pause, he slowly nodded.
"There may be..."
"One final possibility."
"Since you refuse to humble yourself before House Frey..."
"Perhaps only the honor of House Tully can compensate for the dishonor you've caused."
He looked directly into Robb's eyes.
"Have Lord Edmure Tully marry Lady Roslin Frey in your place."
"Allow the marriage of Riverrun's lord to wash away the shame caused by the king's broken betrothal."
"It may be our final chance."
Garon had expected Robb to wrestle painfully with the proposal.
Instead, Robb's face became even more bitter.
"I've already done that."
His voice was almost inaudible.
"The moment word of the Blackwater reached Riverrun, I sent envoys to the Twins proposing Edmure's marriage."
"But Lord Walder hasn't answered."
Garon's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
His thoughts raced.
Fortunately, his expression remained perfectly composed.
"So..."
"House Frey still hasn't committed."
"The Red Wedding hasn't fully taken shape."
"There's still time."
His mind immediately shifted toward another solution.
"I need Petyr Frey back at the Twins."
"The simplest method..."
"Would be making him one of Robb's household guards."
"If Lord Walder truly intends betrayal..."
"Petyr will naturally become someone worth winning over."
"He'll know everything happening around Robb."
"And if Walder recalls him to the Twins..."
"My eyes will follow."
The decision was made almost instantly.
Garon deliberately frowned and began pacing through the godswood as though wrestling with a difficult problem.
Finally, he stopped.
"We can't wait any longer."
He looked at Robb urgently.
"We need to offer Lord Walder something he can neither ignore nor easily refuse."
Robb immediately asked,
"What do you have in mind?"
Garon's gaze drifted beyond the trees.
"Ser Petyr Frey."
He slowly spoke the name.
"He's from a lesser branch of House Frey."
"He has little influence."
"He's neglected both at the Twins and here in the Riverlands."
"But he's dutiful."
"And loyal."
"Right now..."
"Almost everyone in Riverrun looks down upon him."
He turned back toward Robb.
"What you should do..."
"As King in the North..."
"Is publicly honor him."
"Raise him into your personal household guard before every lord in Riverrun."
Robb looked utterly confused.
"What good would that do?"
"Garon..."
"You don't understand."
"There was already another Ser Petyr Frey who once served among my household guards before leaving."
"That's exactly why it matters."
Garon's eyes shone with confidence.
"The appointment itself is the message."
"It tells Lord Walder that although you broke the marriage pact..."
"And although one Frey previously left your service..."
"You still honor loyal men of House Frey."
"It also tells every Riverlord that their king judges men by merit."
"Not by old grudges."
He looked steadily at Robb.
"Even if Lord Walder refuses reconciliation..."
"The rest of the Riverlands will see your sincerity."
"This costs almost nothing."
"But politically..."
"It earns far more than another army."
"Sometimes..."
"A gesture carries greater weight than ten thousand swords."
Robb slowly nodded.
He had been completely persuaded.
"Very well."
"I'll announce it tonight during the welcoming feast."
He glanced toward the darkening sky.
"It's almost time."
"Let's return."
"The feast will begin shortly."
Garon nodded.
The two quietly walked back together.
That evening, the atmosphere inside Riverrun's great hall remained somewhat restrained.
When Robb Stark finally rose from his seat and publicly announced that Ser Petyr Frey would join his personal household guard, the entire hall immediately fell silent.
Moments later, whispers spread throughout the room.
Petyr Frey himself stood frozen in a forgotten corner of the hall as though struck by lightning.
Disbelief completely filled his face.
He looked first toward the young king upon the high table.
Then his eyes instinctively shifted toward Garon, who sat beside Robb.
At that exact moment, Garon calmly nodded toward him.
Petyr's entire body trembled violently.
Everything Garon had told him that afternoon suddenly became clear.
"It was Lord Garon..."
"He spoke on my behalf before the king."
"He recommended me."
"He saw my worth."
Petyr's eyes quickly filled with tears.
Years of neglect, frustration, and humiliation completely collapsed in that single moment.
Only profound gratitude remained.
"If the day ever comes..."
"I'll repay Lord Garon's kindness with my life."