The Young Wolf's Journey: Chapter 3 choice preview/discussion thread (Patreon)
Content
Robb Stark has wedded and bedded Margaery, and with that bedding the Tyrells and their followers are now his. But with Stannis bolstering his forces with many of those who formerly followed Renly and preparing to assault King's Landing, how does Robb react?
Note that any/all of these options would likely include some level of Robb/Margaery smuttiness.
Wait in Bitterbridge with Margaery and the Tyrell host
There's no sense in being reckless. Robb chooses to wait at Bitterbridge with a considerable Tyrell host, and thousands more waiting in the wings at Highgarden under his new goodfather Lord Mace. Stannis is welcome to assault King's Landing, and with the Blackfish and Robb's Northern army preventing Tywin from offering any relief, the capital is likely Stannis' for the taking. But whether he takes the capital or the Lannisters hold onto it, the victor is sure to suffer losses, and that will improve Robb's future chances.
This does leave it up to the Blackfish to keep Tywin in check, and it's possible some of Robb's men might be impatient to enter the fighting. His mother is also worried about Sansa and Arya being trapped in King's Landing when Stannis makes his assault. Robb is worried for his sisters as well, but they will be in danger no matter which army takes the fighting to King's Landing. Robb will follow Renly's example, exercise patience and allow his enemies to weaken each other.
Ride for King's Landing immediately
Robb set out from Winterfell intending to march on King's Landing, and now he finally has the opportunity to do so. He will waste no more time, not even to wait for the Blackfish and Theon to bring the Northern army to join them; he will take the Tyrell army to King's Landing with haste. It's highly likely that his path will cross with Stannis' before he gets there, but that is of little consequence. If anyone is going to march on King's Landing and see to it that Joffrey pays for his crimes, it's the son of Lord Eddard Stark.
Crush Lord Tywin and the Lannister host
Stannis may have his eye on Joffrey's throne, but it's Tywin Lannister who is the real threat. The Blackfish and the Northmen are harrying the Lannisters, but if Robb brings the might of the Tyrells into the fight as well, they can do much more. If the newly combined might of the North and the Reach can slay the lion, they can then turn their full attention to King's Landing and march on whoever happens to hold it by then.
As before, this is just a look ahead before the poll actually goes up for voting on the 1st of the month, and nothing is final or locked in until then. This is what I've come up with so far, but if you see other potential options regarding what decision Robb could make now, or you see any problems with any of the existing ones/have suggestions on how they could be improved or whatever, I absolutely want to hear any/all of it. If you’ve got anything you want to say, by all means you can comment here or send me a message privately if you would prefer.