Dragon and Wolf

Robb stared at the silver haired woman across from him, torn hopelessly between feeling that he was betraying his father and amusement over the belief that Arya would love this woman.

Dany observed the red headed man across from her, mind firmly divided between the outrage that she was forced to bargain with the son of the Usurper's greatest ally, and feeling that this man would have made a much better older brother than her own.

"Danearys Stormborn of House Targaryen, First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals, the Rhaegar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, known as the Mother of Dragons. Returned to Westoros from exile to reclaim your rightful throne from the blood descendants of the Usurper, Robert Baratheon of Storm's End. You have an army of eight thousand Unsullied slaves, whom you freed and whom follow you willingly, and twenty Dothraki warriors who look to you as their kahleesi after the death of your husband, the kahl, Drogo. Most importantly, you have three dragons, currently the size of young direwolves and growing quickly." Robb leaned forward, putting his elbows on the table between them and interlocking his fingers. "Have I missed anything?"

The platinum blond smirked slightly, amused. "That just about covers it, my turn. Robb Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King of the North, known as the Young Wolf. Called your bannermen to war when King Joffrey Baratheon imprisoned your father, Eddard Stark, and later had him executed for treason. After the Karstarks committed a treason of their own, you punished them accordingly, and they withdrew from battle. In order to make up for the forces you lost, you made a deal you previously broke with one Walder Frey, a bannerman to your late maternal grandfather, Hoster Tully. Your next move is to march on Casterly Rock, home of the Lannisters. The Lannisters are King Joffrey's largest supporter, reason being his mother Cersei Lannister is the Queen Regent, his uncle Jaime Lannister, twin to Cersei, is captain of the King's Guard pending his return to King's Landing, and the king's grandfather, Tywin Lannister is the Hand of the King. On the other hand, Joffrey's Baratheon uncles spend all their time fighting over the throne, completely convinced that Joffrey is the bastard result of an incestuous relationship between Cersei and Jaime and therefore has no claim to the throne at all." Dany's smile widened. "Have I missed anything?"

Robb smiled as well. "I'm impressed. You've kept very good track of the goings-on of Westoros from across the Narrow Sea. I'm guessing you already know why I asked for an audience then?" The young lord's hand had moved scratch the ever present Grey Wind behind the ears. Similarly, Dany had begun to stroke the black scaly head that placed itself in her lap, just high enough for Robb to notice it.

Dany was beginning to think that this dragon in particular was a bit of a… momma's boy for lack of a better phrase.

"You want to bargain. You help to put me on the Iron Throne, and I give you the North. I must admit though, I'm rather amazed that you don't want the Throne for yourself." The suspicion was clear in Dany's eyes as they met Robb's.

"My father always said that there must always be a Stark at Winterfell. For a while it was my younger brothers, Brandon and Rickon. They were driven out by the Greyjoys and now Winterfell has fallen into ruin. I must return to rebuild it, find my brothers and bring them home. Then there's the matter of rescuing my sister Sansa from her marriage to the Imp, Tyrion Lannister, and finding my other sister Arya who has disappeared from King's Landing and has been rumoured to be seen with the Hound of all people, er, Sandor Clegane, former bodyguard to Joffrey," Robb added at Dany's apparent confusion. "Arya would sooner bash his skull in with a rock than travel anywhere with him. And even if the rumours had an ounce of truth, they could still be anywhere between the Neck and Highgarden." Robb sighed. "The last thing I need at this moment is all the stress that comes with the Seven Kingdoms. No, the North and its people are all I need. In return, I will guarantee peaceful relations from the North to the South until the end of my days, and the end of my children's days."

It struck Dany that of course this man didn't want the throne, he probably wanted nothing to do with the South or its politics, having lost his father to both. Family must be quite important to him.

Family was important to her too.

"There is one thing I want to know, while we are both here. Your family slaughtered mine, before I was born. I want to know why."

Robb sighed again. "Father never liked telling us that story. To be fair, he never actually killed any of the royal family. It was the Kingslayer, Jaime Lannister who killed Aegon the Fifth, and Robert Baratheon dueled and beat Rheagar at the Trident. His wife and children were murdered by Tywin Lannister, and presented as tribute to Robert-"

"I know what happened," Dany snapped. "My question is why."

"Of course, I apologize," Robb acquiesed. "but in order to answer that question, I must ask you one. Do you know why your father was called the Mad King?"

Dany blinked. "I wasn't aware that he was."

Shock blasted across Robb's face before he schooled his features back into polite distance. "I see. Well my lady, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your father was not well-loved. He had millions of weak, innocent people slaughtered for no apparent reason. The lucky ones were stabbed or beheaded, but most of them were burned alive." At the evident horror on Dany's face, Robb felt a surge of pity for this girl. She was good of heart and strong of will, and the heir of an atrocity. "His actions were what sparked the rebellion in the first place. Not just anything could draw a Stark from Winterfell. Rheagar died because he parroted and encouraged such behaviour, and while I'll admit his family didn't need to die, especially the way they did, Robert Baratheon was not known for his kindness toward those he saw as the enemy." Robb's eyes cast downward. "From my understanding, the day Tywin Lannister brought Robert their heads was the first day my father was ever truly cross with Robert. And they had been together since they were boys."

Viserys had never told Dany any of this, but she could believe it almost frighteningly easily just by looking at Viserys himself. He had most definitely mimicked such ideals. "Did my father kill any of your relatives?"

"An aunt and uncle. My father's older brother, whom my mother was originally to wed, and his younger sister, whom was betrothed to Robert Baratheon. I never met either."

Dany nodded. "I see, it all makes sense then. With regards to you proposal," Dany drew herself up, every bit the Queen she was born to be. "I accept. The kingdom of Westoros for the North."

Robb smiled truly for the first time this meeting. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Your Grace. Have you been extended an invitation to my uncle's wedding?"

"The pleasure's been all mine. I have not as of yet, but would gladly attend."

Arrangements made, deals struck, the pair parted and returned to their respective camps with their respective non-human partners.

So, my Lord Walder Frey, who's side are you picking again?