CHAPTER 13 | HONOR AND COURAGE

"THE scouts report that Lord Tywin moves North." Rodrik Cassel thundered. "We need to get him on broken ground, put his knights at a disadvantage."

The amount of battle strategies that Freya was learning almost seemed unimaginable. She was allowed to discuss with other Lords the statistics of winning and foundation for movement within a battle. Lord Umber even said that if they had to send out two armies to defeat Lannister forces, and it came to a vote to lead them, he'd happily vote for Freya as leader. She liked that Greatjon Umber didn't discriminate on gender, but even so, she was terrified of the possibility of leading an army. She was taught the logistics of fighting, not being a leader.

They surrounded Robb's map once again. The pieces were set out, showing the movement of Tywin Lannister's growing armies. Lady Catelyn had placed candles on the map and over the tent, which gave off a comfortable aroma. Freya stood by her brother, holding his shoulder to look closer at the map.

"No, we need to get around him and break Jaime Lannister's siege of Riverrun." Lord Umber instructed. "Do that and the River Lords will join us."

Robb scrutinized his eyes at the map. "To do that, either we need to cross the river, and the only crossing is at The Twins."

"Lord Frey controls that bridge," Freya said. "In order to enter it, you must get through him."

"Your father's banner man," her brother added.

Catelyn clutched her arms around herself. "'The late Lord Frey,' my father calls him. At the Trident, he didn't appear until the battle was done. Some men take their oaths more seriously than others."

"Robb's right." Theon agreed. "We need that bridge."

Greatjon stood up higher, meeting Robb's view. "So what's it going to be? Do we move against Jaime or Lord Tywin?"

"Both," Freya muttered. "We need to go after both."

Suddenly, two Stark guards shuffled into the tent, holding an unknown man in their tight grasps. The man struggled to get away, but the knights held him firmly. His hair was greasy; his face scarred, but his eyes shined with innocence. "Your pardon, my Lords." One of the guards greeted. "We've captured a Lannister scout."

Theon reach his hand out and flipped the map over, causing the house pieces to cascade to the floor.

"Don't worry, lad." Greatjon laughed. "He won't be leaving this tent with his head."

Robb stared at the intruder menacingly. "Where did you find him?"

"In the brush, above the encampment." The other guard answered. "He looked to be counting."

Robb pushed Freya slightly out of the way as he walked around the table. Freya then held onto her brother as she glared at the scout. Robb went nose to nose with him and asked, "How high did you get?"

"Twenty thousand," the scout shrugged. "Maybe more."

"You don't have to do this yourself." Rodrik Cassel assured in a soothing voice. "Your father would understand –"

Robb shook his head. "My father understands mercy, when there is room for it." He turned, meeting the eyes of his mother. "And he understands honor ... and courage."

Robb stared at the intruder more, studying his stature and appearance. He nodded his head off. "Let him go."

"Robb," Catelyn muttered, standing up.

He gave his mother a glance before walking forward, getting as close as he could to the scout's ear. His breath fanned on the man's neck in short breaths, but Robb did not hesitate. "Tell Lord Tywin: winter is coming for him. Twenty thousand Northerners marching South to find out if he really does shit gold."

"Yes, my Lord," the scout muttered bitterly, as if on force. "Thank you, my Lord."

Robb nodded his head, a signal for his guards to escort the scout out. All the lords in the room were staring at Robb in shock, while Freya was releasing a breath of relief. She let go of her brother's arm, and he began to rub the spot where she grasped it.

"Well, Stark," Freya grumbled. "That was a heartfelt sentiment. Now we have an enemy with information walking free."

Lord Umber shut the tent with a rough yank. He turned to Robb, exclaiming, "Are you touched, boy?! Letting him go?"

"You call me 'boy' again ..." Robb snarled, making Freya lift her brows. "Go on."

Greatjon looked on at the rest of the lords for a moment, and after taking a moment to weigh his options, he stomped out of the tent.

Freya didn't know what to think. She didn't necessarily agree on Robb's decision – she thought execution was the way to go – but Freya had come to terms with Robb being a leader, and he had to be her leader. She would never allow him to push her around – truthfully, she'd be dead by the day that happened – although, she had realized that his status now mattered. Especially in the situation that she just witnessed, Freya saw something in him. She saw a hint of loyalty and pride in his eyes, like he was meant to lead their army.

It was in that moment that Freya Greyjoy no longer saw him as just Stark, but perhaps Lord Stark. Gods be good, because she would never tell him that.

•••

Dawn was just peaking out from the sky. Pinks and purples and oranges flooded the tops of their heads, creating a beautiful mural. Robb and his army stood in front of the Frey's castle, ordering Theon to shoot down every crow that flew from the towers. He brought each letter to Robb, who read them thoroughly, but they were all in code.

Freya had told Selene to stay with the other healers in their army, and as much as it killed the handmaiden to leave her lady by herself, she did as she was told. Freya did not wish for any risks to happen to her.

When Theon had brought back yet another dead crow, Freya plucked the letter from his fingertips. She smoothed out the small scroll, reading it to herself before handing it to Robb on her right. She was part of his leading group now, even if she hadn't been given permission to join. She stood with the likes of Greatjon Umber, Lady Catelyn, Rodrik Cassel, her brother, and other famous Northern lords. It was nothing shy of an honor.

"It's a birthday message to his grand-niece, Walda." Robb said after he read the letter over.

Freya stared off at the castle guarding their desired water. "Or so Walder Frey would have you think, Stark."

"Keep shooting them down." Lady Catelyn gestured to Theon. "We can't risk Lord Walder sending word of your movements to the Lannisters."

Robb wrinkled his nose. "He's grandfather's banner man. We can't expect his support?"

"Expect nothing of Walder Frey and you'll never be surprised." Greatjon mumbled.

The sound of horses alerted their attention, and it was followed by Lord Umber saying, "Look!" Two Frey knights rode towards their party on horseback, holding flags for their proud house.

"Father rots in a dungeon. How long before they take his head?" Robb thought aloud as his eyes watched the guards approaching, the sun allowing gold flecks to appear on his vision. "We need to cross the Trident and we need to do it now."

Theon scoffed, "Just march up to his gates and tell him you're crossing. We've got five times his numbers. You can take the Twins if you have to."

Freya put a hand on her brother's shoulder. "I'm always one for conflict, but even I do not think that is wise."

"Not in time," Greatjon replied. "Tywin Lannister marches North as we speak."

Catelyn looked to each and every member of her group as she spoke, "The Freys have held the crossing for six hundred years, and for six hundred years they have never failed to exact their toll."

Robb nodded and looked back at the castle. "Have my horse saddled and ready."

"Enter the Twins alone and he'll sell you to the Lannisters!" Lord Umber persuaded.

"Or throw you in a dungeon," Theon suggested.

Freya lofted a brow. "Or slit your throat."

The Frey banner man were getting closer. Robb watched them with a frown. "My father would do whatever it took to secure our crossing. Whatever it took. If I'm going to lead this army, I can't have other men doing my bargaining for me."

"I agree," Catelyn nodded. "I'll go."

Theon reached out a hand. "Lady Stark, you don't –"

"I have known Lord Walder since I was a girl." Catelyn reassured. "He would never harm me."

The Stark army stared at the banner man that stopped before them. They analyzed their chances carefully, and this caused Lord Umber to mutter, "Unless there was a profit in it."