Riverunn

Robb was in yet another small council meeting with his trustworthy allies and men. His wife Jeyne and mother were standing beside him.

The young wolf couldn't catch a break; he was being hit with bad news left and right. He didn't know how much more he could take.

Howland Reed stood up front of the room glancing at the young wolf coldly. He heard rumors about the young wolf plotting with the Freys to slaughter Elaena and Daenerys Targaryen children.

He was determined to get to the bottom of this and wanted answers from the king. " Your grace, may I speak freely."

The young wolf glanced at the older Lord and nodded. " Yes, go ahead."

" I've been hearing some rather vile rumors about you, your grace. " Howland said. There has been talks about you plotting with the Freys to slaughter the remaining Targaryen children.

" Surely, this must be a mistake " one of the northern men spoke up. Our king is an honorable man, he is no Tywin Lannister.

Robb glanced around the room at his lords hoping they would understand his actions. " My cousin Elaena has betrayed me, she means to take Winterfell for herself."

Howland glanced at the young wolf in suspicion knowing that it didn't sound like the young ice dragon at all. The girl was nothing but protective and fierce over her family and would never betray them.

" That doesn't sound like Princess Elaena at all, " He said.

" She's a Targaryen, Lord Reed, " Catelyn said. " She is her mother's daughter, after all, nothing but a thief.

Jeyne glanced at her mother-in-law in disbelief wondering how a woman could turn on the daughter she raised since she was a baby.

" Unfortunately, my mother is right, Elaena can't be trusted, " Robb said. She has been plotting against me from the start, she has joined forces with her aunt Daenerys.

" My cousin has recently gained an army of 36,000 Ghiscari legions and 450 ships. And has 6 dragons on side, Karmarka is supporting her as well.

" Her aunt has dragons as well, three of them, " Roose said. And has 16,000 Unsullied soldiers and recently has brought 10,000-second sons to her side.

The young wolf was still in disbelief hearing about the dragons and never imagined dragons would be brought back into the world. " As you can see, the two of them are threats against the north.

" The last time a Targaryen was in the north, they nearly burnt it down. "

" They must stop them before they grow even more powerful!" Catelyn exclaimed, backing her son up.

The Tully woman would be damned if she let another Targaryen take what belongs to her. She had lost Brandon to Shaena and wouldn't let her son's crown be lost to Shaena's daughter.

" Your grace, I understand that you have to protect the North," Howland said. But, I don't understand why you must order the deaths of innocent children.

Catelyn glared at Lord Reed not liking how he was questioning her son. " They are Targaryens, madness runs into their veins.

" I can't take the chance of letting the children live, " Robb mumbled. They will grow up one-day wanting revenge for their mothers and may take control of the North.

" They must die, " Roose said. The sooner the better for you, your grace.

Howland's eyes enlarged at what he was hearing and started at the young wolf in disbelief. " I want no part in it, your grace."

The young wolf's eyes distend in anger, glancing at the lord reed. " You swore loyalty, remember."

" I swore loyalty to a good king, not a usurper " Howland hissed.

" How dare you speak to your king like that " Catelyn snarled, glaring at the lord.

" He is not my king anymore, " Howland said. " I will not support a child murder."

" Then, you are a traitor to the north, " Robb said, sternly.

" He is our king, Lord Reed, " Roose reminded him. " You are speaking of treason.

" He is not the rightful heir of the North, " The Lord said. " He is a usurper.

" I AM NOT URSUPER! " Robb yelled, banging his fists on the table.

" My love, please claim yourself, " Jeyne said, placing a comfortable arm on her husband's shoulder.

" You are " Ashara Mormont spoke up, standing up and agreeing with Lord Reed. You mean to kill your cousin and her children, the rightful heir to the north. May the gods have mercy on your soul.

" Have you forgotten your pledges and oaths to House Stark, Lady Ashara? " Catelyn said, glaring at the beastly woman.

" I remember, " Ashara replied, glaring at Lady Stark. " But, I pledge to only the rightful heir of the north, Queen Elaena ."

" Until we hear news from the queen herself..... " Howland paused. House Reed will no longer be in support of House Stark.

" And House Mormont as well, " The Mormont Lady said.

" She is no Queen! " Catelyn exclaimed. " She is nothing but dragon scum.

" Silence, Mother " Robb yelled, glancing at his mother, tired of hearing her mouth.

The young wolf stared at Lady Mormont and Lord Reed in shock and disbelief that they would do this to him. " If you leave now, our cause is defeated.

" Your cause, my lord, " Lord Reed said. " We will do nothing until we hear from Elaena.

" I have written to her offering my full support of her and will wait for word back. "

" Traitor " Roose hissed out.

Through, secretly Lord Bolton was smirking inside how everything was going according to plan.

" If you two walk out that door you will be considered traitors to the crown of the north. " Robb warned. " I will strip you of your lands and titles.

" With what army, darling, " Ashara said, smirking.

" Do you want the north to fall into the Lannister's hands? "the young wolf asked, rhetorically. " Because that is what will happen if Elaena comes into power, she is married to King Slayer and has given birth to his children. You two will have to answer to the king slayer.

" Unlike you, your grace, " Ashara said. " Elaena puts her family and people first rather than risking their lives for love.

" She is currently trying to get an annulment from her marriage to the king slayer, " Lord Redd said. " The high Septon will likely accept her demands.

" She can't do that, " Catelyn scoffed. " The king has to approve the annulment papers and The kingslayer has to sign it.

" My cousin has no power in the south, " Robb said.

" Though, your cousin has powerful allies, my love, " Jeyne said.

" As for the children, it doesn't matter who fathered them! " Ashara exclaimed. " All that matters is that they have northern blood in them.

" We wish you the best of luck, Lord Stark, " Howland said and walked out of the room, his man following behind him.

Lady Mormont and her man followed in purist after Lord Reed, leaving the young wolf to his thoughts.

" Robb, you must strip their titles immediately" Catelyn advised.

" Your grace, House Bolton still stands with you," Roose said, patting the young wolf on the back.

The young wolf nodded, thankful for Lord Roose's support still, but knew he was at a dead end.

He had lost another quarter of his army in one day, his reign was slipping down quickly.

Robb sat in defeat, his intellect hustling with the weight of the choices he had to form. He knew that stripping House Reed and House Mormont of their titles would as it were assist partition the North and debilitate his cause. But he too couldn't overlook the potential risk that Elaena and Daenerys postured to his kingdom.

Turning to his mother, he talked with an overwhelming heart. "Mother, I get your concerns, but we cannot manage to lose any more partners. We have to discover a way to persuade House Reed and House Mormont to stand with us."

Catelyn looked at her child, her eyes filled with assurance. "Robb, we cannot let our feelings cloud your judgment. We must do what is fundamental to secure the North. On the off chance that means relinquishing a couple of partners, at that point so be it."

Robb sighed, feeling the weight of his responsibilities as king. "I will send a raven to Elaena and Daenerys. Perhaps we can find a peaceful resolution without bloodshed."

Roose nodded in agreement. "A wise decision, Your Grace. It is always better to seek a diplomatic solution before resorting to violence."

Robb nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. "I will try to make amends with them and call off the assassination attempt.

Catelyn's eyes amplify in anger glancing at her son in disbelief at what he was suggesting. " You would treat them with those dragon scums.

" What choice do I have, Mother? " Robb exclaimed. " I don't have the resources or men to fight another war.

" You think they will agree to your peace terms, '' Catelyn said, scoffing at her son. " You tried to have their children killed, Robb. No mother is going to sit back and let those who try to have their children live, they will kill you.

" Elaena isn't like that " Robb defended. " She still has some honor left in her.

" She can't be trusted, Robb! " Catelyn exclaimed. " She betrayed you and is trying to steal your crown from you.

Robb sighed, his shoulders drooping in vanquish. He knew his mother was right, but he couldn't disregard the glint of trust he felt.

"I get your concerns, Mother," he said, his voice filled with acquiescence. "But I need to try. I have to find a way to bring peace to our lands, indeed in case it implies gambling my claim life."

Catelyn's anger mollified somewhat as she looked at her child, her eyes filled with a blend of stress and pride. "You've continuously been as well respected for your possessiveness, Robb," she said, her voice tinged with pity. "I fairly trust you know what you're getting yourself into."

With an overwhelming heart, Robb turned absent from his mother and strolled towards the entryway. "I will do what I must," he said, his voice filled with assurance. "For our individuals, for our future."

And with that, he cleared out the room, leaving his mother behind, her eyes filled with a blend of fear and trust for her son's questionable way ahead.

2 weeks later

The young she-wolf was walking around the castle's ground holding Dreamfyre in her arms. Nymeria was trailing alongside them.

She felt the air tense today sensing that something bad was about to happen. For the last few days, Kyoko and Fuytuski hadn't been around much, remaining behind closed doors.

Arya continued to walk around until she heard something that piqued her interest. She hid behind a pillar and saw Fuytyuski walking with Haycate wondering what those two magicians were up to.

" What's news from the north, my friend "Fuytyuski asked.

" Almost half of the north have turned against the young wolf," Haycate replied. " He is losing more men each passing day."

" Yet, he's still in power which is dangerous for Elaena, Daenerys, and their children " The magician mumbled. " The young wolf could strike at any moment.

" I know, " The old crow said, signing. " Don't worry, they are well protected by their soldiers."

Arya's eyes enlarged at what she was hearing, wondering what was going on with her brother.

" We need to remove the young wolf from power and place Elaena back as the rightful ruler, " Fuytyuski said.

" It won't be long, my friend, " Haycate said. " Some of the northern houses have already turned against Robb and support our young ice dragon fully.

" House Mormont and House Reed have declared their loyalty and pledges to Elaena fully."

The young she-wolf stood there in shock at what she was hearing. " Elaena is plotting against Robb to get Winterfell back, I thought she said she didn't want anymore."

She shook her head refusing to believe what she heard and wondered if her sister had planned this from the beginning to get rid of their brother and gain power for herself.

What the younger Stark girl would hear next would make her mind explode.

" It's sad how families turn against one another for power, " Fuytyuski said.

The old crow nodded agreeing with his friend's words, he had seen and heard it all. " The young wolf would do anything to keep his power, even if that means ordering the deaths of innocent children and using a child as a chess piece in his political troubles.

Tears well up in the young she-wolf eyes at what she was hearing about her brother. " No, this has to be a mistake. Robb would never order the deaths of innocent children. He's an honorable man like Father was, wasn't he?

Arya couldn't believe what was happening, wanting nothing more than to wake up from this nightmare she was in. At last, she couldn't for this was her reality.

Her family was divided and Robb wasn't the person she had thought him to be.

The young she-wolf walked back to her chambers, she
ended up crying herself to sleep for the first time in months.