For Robb—
The pain and uncertainty of these past days seemed endless.
First came the sudden death of King Robert, and then his own father was falsely accused of treason and thrown into prison.
As for his brother and sister in King's Landing, there was no word at all, their fates unknown.
And at such a critical moment, even his mother, the one person who could guide him, was missing as well.
"Winter is coming."
Robb could only repeat the Stark words again and again in his heart, forcing himself to shoulder everything as his father once had, and to exercise the authority of the Warden of the North—
Calling his bannermen to march south and rescue the Lord of the North.
Though the bannermen arrived as summoned, they did not truly trust the still-underage Robb. Their words were often tinged with doubt and condescension.
Over these days, each of them tested Robb in their own way.
Until Galon arrived.
The overwhelming strength of the Glover army made Galon's pledge of loyalty all the more solemn and grand, giving Robb the dignity he so desperately needed.
In an instant, the anxiety and confusion that had plagued him for days were swept away.
A smile rose uncontrollably in Robb's eyes.
Imitating his father, he reached out and helped Galon to his feet.
"Galon, rise."
Galon stood with the motion, just as he had when first meeting Ned, and greeted Robb respectfully.
"My lord."
Their eyes met, and both smiled.
At that moment, Robett dismounted from the cavalry and came forward as well, offering his own salute.
Robb nodded, his gaze passing over the two of them to the orderly ranks of soldiers beyond, and praised them sincerely.
"The Wolfswood host is truly magnificent."
Behind him, the northern lords were still recovering from their shock.
Hearing Robb's words, they nodded in agreement, and when they looked at Galon again, their eyes held new admiration and awe.
One pale-skinned middle-aged lord showed a hint of caution, but soon smiled in praise.
"I once thought that anyone who could win a trial by combat must simply be unmatched in personal strength. I never imagined that Lord Glover would also be so skilled in matters of war."
"Lord Galbart truly has an excellent son."
Galon followed the voice and noted the man's pale complexion, thinking to himself, 'Could this be Roose Bolton?'
He turned the thought over quickly and replied with measured courtesy.
"You flatter me, my lord. And you are…?"
Only then did Robb come fully back to himself and begin introducing Galon to the bannermen of House Stark.
"Galon, this is Lord Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort."
"And this is Lord Rickard Karstark of Karhold…"
With a calm and restrained demeanor, Galon exchanged greetings with the heads of the great northern houses as Robb made the introductions.
Thanks to the overwhelming impression left by Galon's arrival, nearly all the northern lords showed goodwill toward House Glover.
Even the rough and boisterous Greatjon Umber was no exception, going so far as to urge his sons to spend more time with Galon.
Once the introductions were finished, Galon smiled at Robb and said,
"Lord Stark, please wait a moment. I must first see to the encampment of my troops."
Robb, in high spirits, replied, "Go on, then. I'll be waiting for you in the great hall of Winterfell."
Galon nodded, mounted up with Robett, and led the Glover host toward the winter town.
After watching Galon depart with his army, Robb turned and led the bannermen back into Winterfell.
About half an hour later,
Having settled his troops and instructed his officers to strictly restrain the soldiers and avoid any conflict with others, Galon set out for the great hall with Robett and several trusted men.
Winterfell was packed with people, far more crowded than even a royal visit.
The great hall itself could not accommodate everyone, so over the past few days Robb had been meeting the houses in groups.
When Galon reached the hall, he saw Lord Rickard Karstark emerging with his sons.
Rickard's expression was grave, clearly having learned some troubling news from Robb.
The two groups met briefly.
Lord Rickard forced a smile, exchanged a few words, and then hurried away with his sons.
"Did something happen again in King's Landing?"
Galon was puzzled, but he did not slow his steps, leading his companions into the hall.
The moment he entered, he saw Robb seated at the high place, with Bran on his left and Sansa on his right, smiling softly.
Galon did not dare delay. He stepped forward quickly and bowed.
"Lord Stark."
This time, however, Robb showed none of the formality he had at the gate.
He descended from the dais, spread his arms in relief, and Galon stepped into a firm embrace with him.
"Galon, you finally made it."
When they parted, Sansa also came down from the dais, her eyes full of warmth as she looked at Galon.
Galon returned her gaze just as warmly and explained,
"My apologies for keeping you waiting. I was delayed while reorganizing the army."
After Sansa shyly looked away, Galon turned to Bran and said kindly,
"Bran, it's been a long time. If Jon knew you had awakened, he would be overjoyed."
Bran looked at Galon in surprise.
"Jon came too?"
Robb scanned the people Galon had brought and, seeing no sign of Jon, asked in confusion,
"Jon didn't come?"
Galon shook his head and explained,
"I was worried bringing him would anger Lady Catelyn, so I left him to hold Deepwood Motte."
After that, he introduced his close retainers to Robb.
When Galon finished, Robb nodded and said bitterly, "My mother's whereabouts are still unknown. You should have brought him.
After Bran's fall, Jon never got to see him."
Bran's expression dimmed at once. In that moment, he missed his bastard brother deeply.
Galon's eyes flickered as he asked,
"Has Lady Catelyn sent no word?"
Robb shook his head.
"After she sent word from the Eyrie about putting the Imp on trial, there has been nothing else. I fear something may have happened to her in the Vale."
"The Vale?" Galon pondered briefly, then reassured him.
"The Vale is bound to House Stark by marriage. Lady Catelyn will be safe."
Robb sighed heavily.
"I hope so."
He paused, then continued,
"To be honest, I don't know who to trust anymore."
"King's Landing sent word accusing my father of treason. They demand that I go south to swear fealty to Joffrey, or they threaten to lay waste to the North."
Galon shook his head.
"Lord Eddard was a man of honor and justice. How could he commit treason? This must be a false accusation."
"Exactly. You don't believe it, and neither do I," Robb said angrily. "The entire North doesn't believe it."
"If the Lannisters had any courage at all…"
Before he could say more, Winterfell's newly appointed captain of the guard, Harris Mollen, burst into the hall with Maester Luwin.
Harris said urgently,
"Lord Robb, men of House Bolton killed one of Lord Cerwyn's retainers at the Smoking Log tavern."
"The two sides are on the verge of fighting."
Robb's brow furrowed deeply.
"What exactly happened? Didn't I already tell them to keep their men in line?"
Harris replied,
"They'd had some drink, and a small matter escalated into a clash."
His expression was grim.
With the arrival of so many northern hosts at Winterfell, frictions of all kinds had become constant.
It left him, as captain of the guard, exhausted beyond measure.
Even so, some disputes were beyond his authority, forcing Robb himself to intervene.
Robb shook his head helplessly and said apologetically to Galon, "I need to deal with this first. Let's continue our talk this afternoon."
He glanced at Sansa, understanding her thoughts, and added, "Sansa, take Galon and show him around Winterfell."
Sansa immediately agreed, delight shining on her face.
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