~~~Twins, Riverlands~~~
Artys Arryn POV
"So this is the infamous castle, the Twins. Seat of House Frey," I said as I looked at the castle in front of me. It is built on two river sides, one of a kind if you ask me.
"Lord Frey is a man of peculiar temperament, my lord. When you meet him, I suggest caution," Lord Royce spoke as our party moved towards the castle.
"Oh, don't worry, Lord Royce," I replied with a faint smile. "I know exactly what kind of man he is."
A voice rang out from above.
"Who seeks passage through the Twins?"
I looked up at the walls, irritation flickering.
Can these idiots not see the banners flying? Who else keeps blue falcons and their banners beside House Arryn? Either they truly don't know or it's a formality.
"Artys Arryn of House Arryn, son of Jon Arryn, heir to the seat of the Eyrie and the Vale, and Yohn Royce, the Lord of Runestone, seek passage to the North," Lord Royce shouted.
"Please wait, my lord. I will ask Lord Frey," one of the guards replied from the top before disappearing.
"What is there to ask him? Let us pass through, you dumb shit," Ser Lyn said beside us angrily.
"I never liked any of the Freys," Ser Robar joined in the conversation as we waited for the reply.
"Because there is nothing to like about them," Lyn muttered. "These days, wherever you look, there's a Frey wed into some house."
Maria tilted her head. "Isn't that a good thing? Wouldn't that mean they have many friends?"
She has become quite spoiled, I would say. She is the only one back in the Vale who doesn't listen to me. I don't know why. Even now, because of her continuous nagging, I had to bring her with us.
She was quick with a blade, better than most boys twice her age.
Many back home showed resistance to it. Not that I care much, but she must know how to fight if she were to seek justice for her parents.
Especially her mother.
"No, not even close. Lord Frey has many children married to many houses, but the marriage pact is hardly worth much. Like the Lannisters, Lord Tywin's sister is married to one of the Freys, but if the Freys are in trouble, the Lannisters will do nothing to help them," I explained to her. She still has a lot to learn.
"Besides, Lord Royce, wasn't his first wife a Royce?" I asked, turning slightly to Lord Royce.
I don't remember where I heard it, but I did learn it somewhere.
"Yes. She came from a branch family of our house, though sadly she has passed away. Lord Frey and Lady Perra Royce had four children," Lord Royce explained.
"Then he had six more wives. Fucking bastard," Ser Robar said with hatred.
"Ser Robar, when we are in the castle, please be respectful. And especially you, Ser Lyn. I don't want any trouble here. Don't forget, our trip to Winterfell should be short, and we must do it quickly. We have a war to prepare for back home," I ordered the men around me, who nodded in agreement.
I hope Lord Grafton will be able to convince the lords of the Vale about my plan with the hill tribes. I had already ordered the scouts to scan the Vale for me, their locations and movements.
"And keep two knights with Maria at all times," I added quietly. "I don't trust this place."
The sounds of iron hitting each other were heard as the gates were opened.
Soon, a man along with a few other guards came to the gate. They were poorly equipped; their armor wasn't even complete compared to ours. The difference was almost insulting.
Each of my knights has the finest armor and weapons, and the blue cloaks with the House Arryn banner embroidered on them.
"Ser Stevron Frey," Royce murmured beside me. "Lord Frey's eldest son and heir to the Twins."
The man stepped forward with a thin smile. "My lords, I, Stevron Frey, welcome you to the Twins. Please have bread and salt. Enjoy the hospitality of House Frey."
Hospitality, my ass.
"Ser Stevron, we are honored, but where is your father? Has he gone somewhere?" Ser Royce asked with doubt.
"Father has been unwell recently. He sent me to welcome you. He awaits you in the hall," Ser Stevron smiled and neatly dodged the question.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's meet Lord Frey," I said in a plain voice.
I hope he doesn't offer me the hands of his daughters or granddaughters.
Except the one Edmure got, others are not really that pretty, nor is marriage with Freys of any use.
We had to cross the bridge since it seems the hall was on the other side of the castle.
After a few minutes
I entered the doors, followed by my companions. The hall of the Twins was dark, with no proper dressing.
In the center, slightly raised, sat an old man on a chair above the rest, with a few seats around him, mostly occupied by aged men, his sons, I suppose.
The hall was crowded. Sons, daughters, their children, bastards, all packed into one place.
"So," Walder's voice cut through the hall, sharp despite his age, "the young falcon spreads his wings across the realm."
"Lord Frey, it's been a while since we last met. If I remember correctly, it was during King Robert's coronation after the rebellion," Lord Royce said with a polite smile.
"Ah yes, it has been some time, Lord Royce. The days of Robert's Rebellion, it feels as though they were yesterday," Walder said, his gaze turning distant.
"Yes, in fact, I have heard about it too, that you were among the very first to rebel and fought gallantly in the Battle of the Trident," I said with a smile.
I know he didn't. This fool joined with his forces after the battle was over and victory was decided. The old fish gave him the title of 'the late Lord Frey.'
"My lord, father was in the Battle of the Trident. He arrived a little late," Ser Stevron said from his chair next to Walder.
Of course I know that, you idiot. And judging from the anger on Walder's face, he should have realized I was mocking him.
"You have a sharp tongue for one so young," he said.
I don't care much about him. This is not the War of Five Kings. He wouldn't dare act against me.
"I misjudged you," Walder continued. "I thought Jon Arryn mad for giving such responsibility to a boy. Yet I hear about silver mines, trade, rum, vodka, ships… even two Valyrian steel swords."
"I wish I had a son like you instead of these good-for-nothing children. They do nothing but spend my hard-earned wealth," Walder said.
"But we can arrange that. If not a son, then a son-in-law. I have so many daughters and granddaughters to wed… why don't you choose one of your liking?" Walder Frey said with a smirk, and from the side, daughters, from little girls to teens, started walking out.
To be honest, I was expecting he would do something like this.
"Lord Frey," Royce carefully tried to stop Walter's scheme, "such matters are for Lord Arryn to decide—"
This fool really thinks I would marry his daughters. Almost all of them are ugly, except for the hidden gem Roslin.
"No," I said in a loud voice. My voice cut through the hall.
Hearing this, Walder, who was busy eating something, started choking.
"You think my house is not worthy of you, or my daughters are not pretty enough?" Walder Frey said, barely holding his anger.
Everyone in the room became terrified as he got angry, as if he was going to beat them.
"That's not what I meant, Lord Frey. In fact, I think your daughters are among the most beautiful women not just in the Riverlands but in the realm," I lied in broad daylight, to which Walder merely smirked.
So he knows too.
"I believe in love. I will find my beloved as the Seven choose," I declared.
"Haa, I used to think the same, but look at me now. Such a big family. Just find a girl, and love can happen later. So choose, boy," Walder dismissed my excuse.
I have had enough of this uncultured, ill-mannered nonsense.
"Asking again and again won't change the answer, Lord Walder Frey," I said calmly, though my tone was threatening.
He looked into my eyes. I looked back. After some time, he broke the contact with a smile.
"Whatever you wish. Have the kitchen prepare the feast. We shall entertain our guests," Walder instructed one of his sons.
"There will be no need for that. We will not be staying here. There is some business I must attend to in the North, and it is urgent, so I need to reach Winterfell as soon as possible," I said quickly.
I had no intention of having a meal at this place or spending a night here anymore.
"As you wish. Just pay the toll and leave," Lord Frey said while taking his seat again.
"How much?" I asked.
"One gold dragon per person. My son tells me you have a big party. Judging from those fancy armors around your knights, you could pay it," Walder Frey joked while taking another sip.
"Lord Frey, you are asking for too much," Lord Royce protested.
"You can go for free if you accept the hand of one of my daughters or granddaughters," he replied.
Well, the deal-maker award goes to Walder Frey.
What a deal he is offering. He can fuck off, I don't care.
I can pay. Because I have money. Not just any money, fuck you money.
"Done. I have two hundred men with me," I raised my hand. One of my men from behind brought me a sack. It was heavy. There were a lot of gold dragons in it, much more than the 200 he was asking for.
I threw the bag onto the floor. The sound of coins clinking echoed in the hall as the bag opened and gold coins spread across the floor.
"Keep the rest," I said as I turned back to leave.
POV ends