Editing A Clash of Kings-Chapter 7 (section)

==Synopsis==
As they wait in the [[Great Hall of Riverrun|Great Hall]] of [[Riverrun]], [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] watches her son [[Robb Stark|Robb]] restlessly adjust his new-forged crown several times, and remarks to herself that a crown is not easy to wear, especially for a boy of fifteen years. 

[[File:Catelyn Stark.jpg|thumb|180px|left|[[Catelyn Stark]], by Amok ©]]

The ancient crown of the [[King in the North|Kings of Winter]] was lost three centuries ago when [[Torrhen Stark]] submitted to [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]], but the smiths have done well to match the descriptions: an open circlet of hammered [[bronze]] surmounted by nine black [[iron]] spikes in the shape of longswords.

As the guards bring in the captive, Robb lays his sword across his knees in the customary gesture of hostility. As Ser [[Cleos Frey]] is forced to his knees, Catelyn reflects that he does not look like a [[House Lannister|Lannister]]. Although his mother Lady [[Genna Lannister|Genna]] is sister to Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], Cleos has inherited the stringy brown locks, weak chin, and thin face of his father, Ser [[Emmon Frey]].

Robb's sword glimmers faintly as he bids Cleos to rise, but it is [[Grey Wind]] who frightens the knight. As big as any elkhound, Robb's [[direwolf]] sniffs at Cleos, who was captured in the [[Battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]] where Grey Wind killed half a dozen men. Cleos scrambles to his feet and away from the direwolf so quickly that it provokes laughter from the audience. Cleos thanks Robb, calling him "my lord," but [[Jon Umber|Greatjon Umber]] corrects that a king is styled "Your Grace." Ser Cleos accepts the correction, and Catelyn notes that he truly is more [[House Frey|Frey]] than Lannister; they would never have gotten such an honorific out of [[Jaime Lannister]].

Robb wishes Cleos to be his envoy to Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] in [[King's Landing]]. Robb reminds Cleos that he considers him a Lannister, not a Frey, since he sided with the Lannisters in the Whispering Wood. He therefore expects Cleos to return with the queen's reply and resume his captivity. Cleos vows on his [[knighthood]] to do so, and asks what the message is. Robb offers to make peace if his if his terms are met. At the back of the hall, Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] shoves through a rank of guards and out the door, but Robb pays no attention. Exchanging his sword for a parchment, Robb reads his terms, which include an exchange of hostages (save Jaime), the return of [[Eddard Stark]]'s bones, and the return of [[Ice]]. Robb also claims dominion over the [[north]] and the lands of the [[Trident]].

[[File:Robb stark by riavel.jpg|thumb|240px|right|King [[Robb Stark]], by Riavel ©]]

After a cheer from the Greatjon, Robb states he will provide a map of the new borders. He declares that Lord Tywin must cease his raids and withdraw, King Joffrey must rescind all claims to Robb's lands and subjects, and the Lannisters must deliver ten highborn hostages as a pledge of peace. Robb promises to release two hostages every year so long as the pact is honored, but if it is not he will give Queen Cersei another Whispering Wood. To emphasize his point, Robb whistles and Grey Wind comes forward and snarls. The Greatjon raises another cheer and Grey Wind howls. When Cleos agrees, Robb orders him to depart with Ser [[Robin Ryger]] at first light and dismisses the assembly.

Out in the gallery, Catelyn compliments her son's performance, but notes that the theatrics with Grey Wind befit a boy more than a king. Robb only smiles and asks if she saw Cleos's face. Catelyn replies that what she saw was Rickard Karstark storming out. Robb admits he saw it as well. Catelyn's brother [[Edmure Tully]] comments that others may agree with Lord Rickard, and asks how they can talk of peace while the Lannisters are still pillaging the [[riverlands]]. He urges Robb to march on Lord Tywin at [[Harrenhal]], but Robb insists he does not have the strength. Edmure points out that they only grow weaker sitting here.

Catelyn snaps that it was Edmure's idea to permit the river lords to depart for their own lands. Edmure argues that he cannot command his lords to remain idle while their crops are burnt and their people killed, but it would be an ill thing if a northman like Lord Karstark left them. Robb agrees to speak with Rickard, but he cannot blame the man for loathing peace with his sons' killers. Catelyn points out that more bloodshed will not bring back the dead. She suggests a wiser man might have offered sweeter terms, but Robb declares that sweeter terms would have gagged him. Catelyn realizes that her son wants vengeance as much as Lord Rickard.

[[File:Riverrun by Feliche.jpg|thumb|350px|left|[[Riverrun]], by Feliche ©]]

Catelyn points out that Cersei will never trade [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]] for a pair of cousins when what she wants is her brother Jaime. Robb explains that his bannermen will never allow him to release the Kingslayer, even if he wanted to. Catelyn says the lords made Robb their king, but Robb replies that they can unmake him just as easy. Catelyn argues that the safe return of the girls is worth Robb's crown, fearing for her daughters if something bad should befall Jaime in their custody. Robb assures her that no one sees Jaime without his warrant. 

Catelyn asks if Robb is afraid to face Jaime in the field again. Edmure sides with Robb, but accidentally refers to him as "the boy." Robb roars at Edmure not to call him a boy and declares he can defeat Jaime again if he must. He admits he would have traded Jaime for his father, but looks hurt when Catelyn presses him to say whether the girls are important enough. Catelyn realizes that Robb is doing his best, yet she cannot bear the thought of losing her daughters as well as her husband. Robb promises that if Cersei refuses peace he will do all he can for his sisters by making her rue the decision. 

Catelyn can sense Robb is tired of the subject. He asks her to go to the [[Twins]] to meet Lord [[Walder Frey]]'s daughters and help choose his future bride. Catelyn sees this as an excuse to send her away for saying things Robb does not want to hear, so she tells Robb he is old enough to choose for himself. Next, Robb urges her to accompany [[Theon Greyjoy]] and the [[House Mallister|Mallisters]] to [[Seagard]], and return by ship to Winterfell to be with [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]]. Catelyn insists that until her father dies her place is at Riverrun. 

Robb mentions that he could command her to go, but Catelyn counters by asking Robb to reconsider sending Theon as his envoy to [[Pyke]]. Robb asks who would be better to negotiate with Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]] than his son. Catelyn insists that ''anyone'' would be better. Robb argues that Theon fought bravely for them and they have need of his father's longships. Catelyn replies that they will get the ships sooner if Theon remains a hostage. She also insists Balon is not trustworthy and may aspire to [[Greyjoy's Rebellion|wear a crown again]] himself. Robb declares he will gladly give Balon a crown if it helps defeat the Lannisters. Before Catelyn can reply, Robb walks off and Catelyn can only watch him go, remembering back at [[Moat Cailin]] when she urged him to command as he does now.

Catelyn asks Edmure to join her in father's [[sickroom]], but he begs off to speak with some new recruits. On her way to the [[keep of Riverrun|central keep]], Catelyn shortcuts through the [[godswood of Riverrun|godswood]], where the leaves still rustle on the trees, ignorant of the [[white raven]] that has proclaimed the arrival of autumn. Catelyn is thankful that the weather is holding, since autumn is a fearful time when even the wisest never know if the next harvest will be the last.

She finds Lord [[Hoster Tully]] sleeping in his solar, made frail by the death growing within him. Beside the bed sits her uncle, Ser [[Brynden Tully]]. When Catelyn asks if Robb knows of his return, Brynden the Blackfish says he did not interrupt the court because Robb will want to hear his news in private first. When her uncle asks about her father, Catelyn confesses that he grows weaker every day, and sometimes his mind is unclear. The Blackfish admits that he always wonders if his brother will be dead upon his return. Catelyn comforts him that at least he made his peace with her father.

[[File:Bryn-winterfell.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ser [[Brynden Tully]], by M.Luisa Giliberti ©]]

They sit silently for a long time before Catelyn asks for Brynden's tidings. To avoid waking her father, they adjourn to the balcony. Her uncle comments that the [[red comet]] is now visible by day, and says his men call it the "Red Messenger," though he wonders what the message is. Catelyn says the Greatjon claims it is a red flag of vengeance for her husband, while Edmure claims it is a victory omen: a fish in [[House Tully|Tully]] colors, red against blue. Catelyn only sees the crimson of House Lannister, but her uncle points out that the comet is neither Lannister crimson nor Tully red, but a smear of blood across the sky. Catelyn asks whose blood, but the Blackfish asks if there was ever a war where only one side bled.

Brynden explains that the war has spread south to the [[Blackwater Rush]] and north nearly to the Twins. [[Marq Piper]] and [[Karyl Vance]] have won small victories, and [[Beric Dondarrion]] is harassing Lord Tywin's raiders and foragers. Ser [[Burton Crakehall]] boasted of killing Beric until Beric killed him in an ambush. Catelyn remembers that some of her husband's household guard rode with Beric from King's Landing and blesses their actions. 

The Blackfish comments that Beric and [[Thoros of Myr]] are clever enough to play hit and run, but Robb should never have permitted the river lords return to their own lands. [[Jonos Bracken]] was wounded and lost his heir [[Hendry Bracken|Hendry]] reclaiming [[Liberation of Stone Hedge|Stone Hedge]], [[Tytos Blackwood]] is left with only [[Liberation of Raventree Hall|Raventree Hall]], and young [[Lyman Darry]] was killed by [[Gregor Clegane]] less than a fortnight after reclaiming [[Recapture of Darry|Castle Darry]]. The Blackfish declares that Gregor's head would make a noble gift for all the people of the realm.

Talk of heads reminds Catelyn that her husband's remains mounted on spike above the [[Red Keep]]. She reminds her uncle that Gregor Clegane is only a servant of Lord Tywin, whom Catelyn believes is the true danger. The Blackfish agrees, noting Tywin's wisdom in sitting safe in Harrenhal and living off their harvests and burning what he does not take. In addition to Gregor, Ser [[Amory Lorch]] and a [[Qohor]]ik sellsword ([[Vargo Hoat]]) are also raiding. Catelyn knows Edmure will rage at the news. She also admits Robb is restless and may listen if Edmure and the Greatjon will urge him to march on Harrenhal. The Blackfish declares that is exactly what Lord Tywin wishes, and the first rule of war is to never give the enemy his wish.

Catelyn recalls the tales of the vast fortress of Harrenhal by the waters of the [[Gods Eye]]. King [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]] beggared the riverlands and the [[Iron Islands]] alike to realize his dream of the highest hall and tallest towers in [[Westeros]], but thick walls and high towers proved small use against Aegon the Conqueror's [[dragon]]s. Harren and [[House Hoare|all his line]] perished in the fires that engulfed the fortress. Strong the castle might be, but also cursed, for every House that has held Harrenhal since has come to misfortune.

Catelyn decides they must dissuade Robb from fighting at Harrenhal. Her uncle then tells her the worst part: Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] is gathering a new host at Casterly Rock, though it will be made of sellswords and new recruits who require training. However, Lord Tywin is in no hurry and will wait patiently for his reinforcements. Then Catelyn gets an idea: if they confront Tywin with a new threat he might be forced leave Harrenhal. Her uncle names Lord Renly, but Catelyn insist that they must call him ''King'' Renly if they are to ask his help. The Blackfish smiles, but points out that Renly will want something in return. Catelyn replies that he will want what kings always want: homage.