Stark Demise: North's Fate Post-Red Wedding

The Red Wedding was a pivotal moment in the War of the Five Kings, resulting in the brutal deaths of Robb Stark, his wife Talisa, and his mother Catelyn, as well as many Northern and Riverlander soldiers. This massacre ended the Northern rebellion and secured victory for the Lannisters.

The event was orchestrated by Lord Walder Frey, as revenge for Robb breaking a marriage pact with House Frey. Lord Frey's conspiracy was aided by Lord Roose Bolton and sanctioned by Tywin Lannister, who offered protection and rewards to the perpetrators.

The Red Wedding was a shocking and traumatic turning point in the story, ending the narrative arcs of several beloved characters and reshaping the political landscape of Westeros. It demonstrated the cunning and brutality of Houses Frey, Bolton, and Lannister, while also highlighting the vulnerability of the Starks due to Robb's political missteps and broken alliances.

Robb Stark's death

Robb's demise came at the Red Wedding, which took place during the War of the Five Kings. The Red Wedding was arranged by Lord Walder Frey as revenge against Robb Stark for breaking a marriage pact between House Stark and House Frey. Robb had reneged on his promise to marry one of Lord Frey's daughters, and instead married Talisa Maegyr, with whom he was deeply in love.

At the Red Wedding, Robb, his pregnant wife Talisa, and Robb's mother Catelyn Stark were all killed, along with many Northern and Riverlander soldiers. Robb was betrayed by his bannermen, the Boltons, and was murdered by Roose Bolton, who drove a dagger through his heart. Robb's death was a blow to House Stark, and it fractured the family. It also allowed the Lannisters to win the War of the Five Kings, as the two most powerful leaders of the war were now dead.

Robb's death was avenged by his sister, Arya Stark, who later poisoned all the surviving male members of House Frey.

Catelyn Stark's death

Catelyn met her demise at the Red Wedding, a massacre that took place during the War of the Five Kings. The Red Wedding was arranged by Lord Walder Frey as revenge against Robb Stark for breaking a marriage pact between House Stark and House Frey. Robb had reneged on his promise to marry one of Walder Frey's daughters, and instead married Talisa Maegyr.

At the wedding of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey, Catelyn, Robb, and Talisa were all enjoying the celebrations before things took a dark turn. Catelyn noticed that Roose Bolton was wearing chainmail under his shirt, and moments later, Talisa was brutally stabbed to death, along with many of Catelyn's men. Robb was also shot with multiple crossbow bolts.

Catelyn begged for Robb's life, offering herself in his place, but Walder Frey declined. Roose Bolton then stabbed Robb, telling him that "the Lannisters send their regards". Catelyn's throat was then slit by Black Walder Rivers.

Catelyn's death had a lasting impact on the plot of Game of Thrones. It paved the way for other shocking wedding deaths, such as Joffrey's in season four, and it motivated Lady Brienne of Tarth in her journey with Jaime Lannister. Catelyn's death also set Arya Stark off on her journey of revenge, which culminated in the murder of Walder Frey and his men in season seven.

Edmure Tully's capture

Edmure Tully, the Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Trident, was captured by Lord Walder Frey after the Red Wedding. Edmure was Robb Stark's uncle and had agreed to marry one of Lord Frey's daughters, Roslin, to make amends for Robb's broken marriage pact with House Frey. Edmure was nervous about the wedding, fearing that Lord Frey would offer him an ugly or unintelligent bride to spite him. However, Roslin turned out to be beautiful, to Edmure's relief. After the wedding ceremony, Edmure and Roslin retired to consummate the marriage, and it was at this point that the Red Wedding began.

Edmure was taken prisoner by the Freys and remained a hostage of Lord Frey, who remarked to Lord Roose Bolton that Edmure had spent his wedding night in a dungeon. Edmure was held captive at the Twins for some time, and was eventually used as leverage against his uncle, Brynden "Blackfish" Tully, who had retaken Riverrun with the remaining Tully army. Edmure was brought out in chains and threatened with hanging if Brynden did not surrender Riverrun. However, Brynden called their bluff, knowing that if Edmure died, the Freys would have no chance of taking the castle.

When Jaime Lannister arrived to take command of the siege, Edmure was bathed, clothed, and brought before him. Jaime offered Edmure a chance to live out his days in comfortable imprisonment at Casterly Rock with his wife and unborn child, in exchange for surrendering Riverrun. Edmure initially refused, but eventually agreed when Jaime threatened to catapult the baby into the castle. Edmure approached Riverrun and requested entry, and though Brynden ordered his men not to let him in, they were sworn to House Tully and had no choice but to obey. Edmure commanded his men to surrender, and the Lannister-Frey army entered Riverrun without any bloodshed. Edmure was then sent west to begin his life as a hostage of House Lannister.

Brynden Blackfish Tully's escape

Ser Brynden Tully, also known as the Blackfish, was a knight and member of House Tully. He was the younger brother of Lord Hoster Tully, and the uncle of Catelyn, Lysa, and Edmure Tully.

During the Red Wedding, Brynden was present at the wedding but had left the keep to relieve himself on a tree outside before the massacre in the main hall began. He fought his way out of the assault on the camps and slipped away from the Twins during the confusion of the night-time ambush.

Roose Bolton ruefully notes to Lord Walder Frey the following day that Brynden had escaped. Lord Walder is dismissive, believing he won't get far, but Bolton is concerned that Brynden will reach the safety of Riverrun before he can be found.

Brynden was able to take back Riverrun, but House Frey, with the aid of House Lannister, took Riverrun back in the second siege. The Blackfish was killed during the siege.

Arya Stark's revenge

The Red Wedding saw the brutal slaughter of Robb Stark, his pregnant wife Talisa, and many Northern and Riverlander soldiers. It was orchestrated by Lord Walder Frey as revenge against Robb Stark for breaking a marriage pact between House Stark and House Frey.

Arya Stark, who witnessed the killing of Robb's direwolf, Grey Wind, avenged her family by poisoning all the surviving male members of House Frey. This included Lord Walder Frey himself, who was responsible for the massacre.

Arya's revenge was not limited to House Frey, however. She also killed Walder Frey's sons Black Walder and Lothar, who were directly involved in the Red Wedding. In addition, she murdered most of the Frey men.

Arya's revenge was not solely driven by a desire for vengeance. By the end of the series, she realised that she was not just fighting for herself anymore but also for her family. This shift in her motivation was evident when she chose to go to Winterfell instead of pursuing her vengeance towards Cersei.

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