Build-Up to the Final Clash

"Our reports indicate that Tywin Lannister has grown his host to over twenty thousand men. They're currently all stationed outside the gates of Kings Landing." Ser Brynden informed; arms crossed over his chest as he stood on one side of the map in the war room at Harrenhall. All around the room were the gathered lords of the North and Riverlands that had not marched north with Lord Mallister.

Thirty in all.

Robb looked over the map carefully.

After Randyll Tarly had arrived at Sarsfield and followed soon by the arrival of Lord Prester of Feastfires and Lord Farman of Faircastle, both offering their surrender and swearing fealty to Robb, the Stark King had marched east back into the Riverlands. Accompanying him were the nine thousand men that remained from his original army and additional five thousand men from Lord Tarly.

As for the Westerlands and more importantly, Clegane Keep, Lannisport and Casterly Rock which had still not fallen. He left them in the capable hands of Randyll Tarly, the Lord of Horn Hill having proven himself with his recent string of impressive conquests.

Robb felt secure, especially when he joined his army of fourteen thousand up with the ten thousand stationed at Harrenhall under the command of Lord Blackwood. It had been a long journey, taking at least two weeks to finish the journey, but now they were all together. Even so, it seemed that Tywin had also not been idle.

Already his host of ten thousand men after the Siege of Kings Landing had grown to over twenty thousand. Admittedly, most were fresh recruits, but they had the added advantage of being able to use the walls of Kings Landing.

It was why Robb didn't march down south and end the war now.

He wasn't confident in being able to take the city despite having near equal men, but Robb also having the more superior and experienced troops.

"We should march south and take the fight to the Lannisters!" However, some lords were just eager to get the war finished. Many wanting to return to their homes, especially the northern lords. But even as he shared their sentiments, Robb would not risk tens of thousands of lives all for the slim possibility of victory. Especially when it wasn't even a certain victory.

"If we do that the Lannisters will just hide behind the walls. They'll be at the advantage, even with most of their army comprised of recruits." But despite having a number of hot-headed commanders, he also had a number of calmer lords capable of balancing it out nicely.

"We need to make a move soon though, who knows how many more men they could recruit. There additional men are all from the Crownlands, they could recruit thousands more from the Stormlands." Marq Piper spoke grimly as he looked on the map.

Ser Brynden who had been in charge of the scouts and keeping tabs on the Lannister army shook his head. "Can't, Stannis picked the land clean before he up and left. He left ten thousand men in charge of defending the Stormlands when he attacked Kings Landing, when he lost, those lords that decided to switch to Joffrey were all killed. Stannis has since took nearly every able-bodied man he could and left. It will take the Lannisters far more time to actually collect willing men from the Stormlands and train them in time to the point it isn't a profitable venture."

"So that's some good news at least." Lord Forrester muttered; a thought shared by many. "Though it does raise the question of where Stannis has disappeared to."

It was a pointed question one that Brynden shook his head to. He had no clue; Stannis was elusive and had sailed his ships out of sight from him or his men to see them from land. Which in of itself was a worrying thing as it meant they had a dangerous and powerful man now nowhere to be found.

"Where Stannis is doesn't matter right now. The Lannisters are weakened, but if we leave them alone for too long that won't be the case." Lord Karstark pointed out gruffly which caused his war council to erupt into argument once more.

All the while Robb continued to study the map before him in thought.

It was safe to say that they were suffering from a lack of information. Such as why the Dornish were allied with the Lannisters despite hating them? It didn't make sense and ruined Robb's initial plan to march south and meet with additional reinforcements from the Reach and besiege the city with over sixty thousand men.

Now that plan was no longer viable, the Dornish ensuring to put pressure on the Reach soldiers and keeping them firmly in place.

"My lords!" The door opened and a young messenger boy rushed in, face flushed and breathing heavily. He quickly bowed, then briskly walked towards the King and bowed once more.

"What is it?" Robb asked.

"There is a man here to see you, it's the Hound." There was few murmurs, many looking just as confused as Robb felt. The Hound, Sandor Clegane here to see him. Was it to try and murder him? No, that was too stupid and too desperate.

"Bring him in." Robb ordered and the young boy, which Robb realised would actually be the same age as himself rushed out.

"Is that wise, your grace?" One lord asked. "He could be here to try and kill you."

"In front of so many people? He'd be foolish and suicidal to try." Another chortled at the thought just as the man in question was escorted into the room by a number of guards, each looking warily at the gnarled figure of the Hound.

"Ser Sandor Clegane, you stand before King Robb Stark-"

"No need for that, Lord Piper." Robb interrupted, he had a long list of titles and he didn't fancy hearing them all once more. It got tiresome and he really didn't have the patience for it at this moment in time. "Sandor Clegane, what brings you here? A Lannister soldier and the loyal dog of Joffrey Hill?"

The man in question looked round the room at all the gathered lords and knights, many standing warily with hands on their blades. There would be no way for him to actually get to the King, not that he wanted to in the first place.

"I got some information for you about the Lannisters. Thought you might appreciate what I have to say."

"And why should we believe a word that comes out of your mouth?" Brienne questioned; her sword already partially drawn from her sheathe.

"Ain't gotta answer to you. 'Sides, if you ain't gonna listen then that's your problem, not mine." Sandor grunted.

"And what do you want in return for such information provided it is valuable?" Robb pushed.

"Think I'd come all this way if it weren't?"

"No, perhaps not." Sitting down in his chair, Robb indicated for Sandor to speak.

"The Lannisters have been recruiting a large number of Sellsword companies from Essos, including the Golden Company. Some twenty-five thousand worth. Thought you ought to know that much." Sandor said shortly, not beating around the bush causing a ripple of shock to fill the room.

'Twenty-five thousand? That would bring his army to near fifty thousand in all.' The thought alone was harrowing, and Robb released a deep breath in frustration. Just when it seemed things couldn't get any worse, the world seemed to hit him with another problem.

"I thank you for this information, Ser Sandor." Robb nodded his head shortly getting a grunt from the Hound. "Ser Robar, Ser Mallister, escort Sandor to get some food and sort out a reward for the man, a generous reward."

"Yes, your grace." The two men bowed and made their way out of the room, Sandor following behind shortly after.

"Ser Brynden, I want eyes watching the coast surrounding Kings Landing for any sign of incoming ships." Robb firmly stated, getting a nod of the head from the Blackfish.

His words though seemed to shock a few present.

"Your grace, you don't really believe him do you?"

"Not entirely. If he is lying then I am confident in our victory, but if he is telling the truth, I want to be warned beforehand." And as he looked at the map, a frown came to his face. "Though this does suit us better. The Stormlands have been stripped of everything of worth, including food and the Crownlands have been suffering from a food shortage for some time now."

Robb's words seemed to spark some understanding from his men. "He will have no choice but to march and meet us in battle."

"Aye, and with it we can use that to our advantage and use this time to choose the battlefield." Robb pointed to the Kingsroad, west of the Antlers. "There will be where we crush the Lannisters once and for all. Ser Garlan, inform your father and tell him I want ten thousand additional men sent to join us in the Riverlands."

"What of the Dornish?" Garlan asked warily. As much as he loved his father, he wasn't blind to his many faults, Mace Tyrell for all his boasting, was not an accomplished or very good commander. Garlan worried that taking men away from that army would only result in his father's defeat.

"They've made no move to attack. I believe they're only intention is to ensure the Reach cannot march on to join us in full force. If they had intention of actually attacking your father or the Reach they would have done so by now. There are many ways to defeat a larger army." Robb pointed out and Garlan bowed.

"I will send a raven at once." With that, he spun on his heel and made his way out of the room.

"In the meantime, Lord Karstark I want you to take ten thousand men and secure the Antlers and the Kingsroad, here." Robb pointed to the position just west of the seat of House Buckwell. "The remainder of our army will march to meet you once you have taken your objectives."

Robb was confident that the Old Lion would come and face him, the Lannisters would have to. If they didn't their army would starve to death or be left vulnerable from the rear and flanks.

No, Tywin would have to face him in open battle and despite being outnumbered, Robb would ensure every other advantage was with him.