150 Time to Think

The offer was tempting, very tempting.

But that was the problem.

Stannis wanted to refuse, knew he should as the possibility of victory was still there, close and within reach. Yet Robb Stark's words made sense and what he spoke of was something he had also considered. Not the ruling from the shadows with a puppet on the throne, but the fact that Westeros would be severly damaged from the aftermath of this war, falling into ruin before the Others even arrived.

He held belief that with R'hllor upon his side that he could emerge victorious all the same, overcoming all trials in his path. But Stannis could not deny that Robb's offer was tempting purely because it would solve many of his problems immediately. Westeros would be able to begin the long road to recovery and better prepare itself for when the Others came.

When that might be he was not certain.

For now, the Others remained trapped in the Lands Beyond the Wall, unable to venture south. However, it had been foretold that the Long Night would come again and Stannis, as the Azor Azhai would be the champion of the Lord of Light to drive them back. It was his destiny to be the hero that saved Westeros and no one elses.

Yet, all things Robb made sense, more than Stannis would like to admit. Having a puppet with many factions holding an interest in keeping them on the throne was better than those very same factions attempting to take him down. Thus, Stannis would be able to control all of Westeros without being their main target, that would be Robb who would volunteer to take the brunt of their hatred and anger. All decisions he made for the good of Westeros to fght against the Others, would be Robb's and therefore, the backlash would be directed towards the Young Wolf and not him.

However, despite holding the power of a King, Stannis did not feel comfort in that fact. Robb had said that he would gladly give up power, said that he held no desire to be King and Stannis believed him. Eddard had never held desire to be King and it was well-known that the North and Riverlands had proclaimed Robb King after his victory over the Lannisters early on in the war, the Reach following suit little over a year later.

It was true that Robb seemed to hold no desire for the title or power that came with it and so, Stannis was considering the offer rather than outright dismissing it. But at the same time, he did not know if he could fully trust the offer, that little part of him whispering that this could be a trap.

So, as Stannis often did in these situations, he turned to the one person he trusted most. "What have you seen?" He asked of the Red Woman, Melisandre who had remained silent. "Can the offer be trusted?"

"The Lord has been silent on this matter." That was not normal and Stannis frowned heavily. "However, many times throughout my life, the Lord has not given me answers, leaving it to me to discover it for myself. He is a sherpard guiding his sheep, but also a teacher giving us a chance to grow on our own."

He would have to decide for himself it seemed.

That made Stannis' face twist even further into a visage of displeasure.

-X-

Sitting comfortably upon his chair, Robb stared upon the various letters he had received from the south. Each detailing what was going on throughout the entirety of Westeros as it moved into a new era. A hard fought accomplishment that was far from complete as now they moved onto a new enemy, one perhaps even greater than the Lannisters or Targaryens.

The fallout.

Westeros had shifted into a state of war, all of its kingdoms mobilised and in doing so, it was slowly being drained of all its worth. Now they had to work on building it back up lest the Seven Kingdoms fall into ruin and see Westeros collapse in on itself. Yet above all else, he had to begin preparing for the fight against the Others.

That would by no means be an easy task, though one made easier having convinced some of the greatest minds in Westeros to the truth. Some were still hesitant, but his use of magic had made them fall in line. Robb had known it was a risk, but it had been one that he knew he had to take, as all risks he took throughout his last few years, it was a calculated one. Above all else, despite what magic could mean, Robb knew that even the most pragmatic of them would focus purely upon what it could mean.

A threat to them.

A threat that they did not know how to fight against.

Perhaps if it was anyone other than him, who had not done what he had, they might have tried to resist still. Yet considering all he had accomplished, the feats he had achieved, they would not step out of line so easily. Especially when they didn't know the truth of what he could do, that mystery would keep them in line for the time being.

Hopefully, long enough for the Others to showcase themselves.

Or for him to find something more effective to keep them in line.

That was how this game was played as he was beginning to learn.

Hearing the entrance to his tent parting, Robb looked up to see Jon and Smalljon entering. "Smalljon, it is good to see you in good health." Robb said, rising to his feet and clasping hands with one of his most trusted vassals. "I had not thought you would be with us for the rest of this campaign considering your injuries."

"Bah!" Smalljon scoffed heavily. "Nothing would keep ma from leading the charge against the mad fool, yer grace."

Having led the charge against Stannis' followers stationed at the Last Hearth, House Umber's ancestral home, Smalljon had sustained many injuries in the fight. He had no desire to wait and had simply stormed his family home without proper siege weapons or anything, hundreds of his men dying in the process. Yet his actions were unconventional and Smalljon's savagery terrifying to behold that even fanatical followers like those that served Stannis were unable to stop him.

Last Hearth had been reclaimed within a matter of hours whereas it had taken the Northern Mountains and Karhold to be retaken only recently, the sieges lasting nearly two weeks. Though costly, Smalljon's tactics could be effective, though Robb knew better than to use Smalljon as anything more than brunt instrument.

He was of little use elsewhere.

"There might not be need for such a thing if all goes well." Robb said, though did not dwell on that further. "But if it is required, I shall make sure the vanguard is yours."

Smalljon smiled visciously at the thought.

Robb then turned to Jon.

"Have you spoken with the Wildlings?" He wondered.

Jon nodded his head. "Many of the chieftans are...hesitant to meet with you without Mance south of the Wall." Both knew that in reality, the Wilding chiefs had refused to come to him, though Robb was fine with that, he would solve that problem after Stannis was dealt with. "However, Val has agreed to come speak with you in their place when she arrives in a few days."

"Val?" Robb murmured. "The one they call the Wildling Princess?"

"Yes."

Robb hummed. "Very well."