Robb's Rebellion: Red Wedding Alternative

If the Red Wedding had never happened, the trajectory of Game of Thrones would have changed entirely. Robb Stark, the first King in the North in over three centuries, was a brilliant tactician who never lost a battle. His death at the Red Wedding was one of the most shocking moments in the series. Had he lived, he could have avenged his father's death, secured independence for the North, and changed the future of Westeros.

Robb's survival could have meant the Starks winning the War of the Five Kings. He could have returned to the North to purge the Ironborn presence and fortify Winterfell. He may have even negotiated a truce with Tywin Lannister, or joined the Night's Watch and fought alongside his half-brother/cousin, Jon Snow, against the White Walkers.

Robb's presence could have saved the life of his brother, Rickon, and altered the endgame positions of the other Stark siblings. The Young Wolf's survival could have also inspired Arya to remain in the North with her family. Ultimately, the Red Wedding was a pivotal moment in the series, and its absence would have drastically changed the course of events.

Robb marries a Frey daughter

Assuming Robb Stark had kept his vows and married one of Lord Walder Frey's daughters, the Red Wedding would never have happened. However, this does not mean that Walder Frey could not have still betrayed Robb and killed his own daughter if he thought Tywin Lannister would support him as Lord of the Trident and the Twins.

Robb would have still lost Winterfell, and with all his victories in battle, Walder would have seen a boy who is losing the long war. Walder is a dirty old man, and there is a long history between House Stark and House Bolton, which Roose would try to have swing towards his House. Even without the Red Wedding, time could have delivered something else as equally infamous.

Robb would have returned to Winterfell to purge the Ironborn presence. Winterfell would have remained fortified against the wars to come. Robb would have avenged his father's death and crushed his enemies, all while winning autonomy for the North.

Robb's survival could have also saved the life of his brother, Rickon. Robb could have rallied his forces for the second time to defeat the Boltons and save Rickon.

Robb's story could have trumped Bran's to qualify him as King of Westeros. The Young Wolf might have rejected the crown to return to Winterfell, or assumed power to lead the Seven Kingdoms into a better era.

Robb returns to Winterfell

Robb Stark's tragic death at the Red Wedding was one of the most shocking moments in Game of Thrones. During the first three seasons of the series, the Young Wolf leads a war against House Lannister across the Riverlands, seeking independence for the North and vengeance for his father's death.

If Robb had survived, he could have returned to Winterfell to purge the Ironborn presence. Winterfell would have remained fortified against the wars to come. Robb would have reunited with his half-brother/cousin Jon Snow, the future Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Together, they could have united with Sansa to take back Winterfell from the Boltons.

Robb's survival would have meant the ultimate revenge for House Stark. The Young Wolf would have avenged his father's death and crushed his enemies, all while winning autonomy for the North.

Robb was a renowned battle commander with the fierce direwolf, Grey Wind, by his side. His presence would have been invaluable during Jon's various duels with the army of wights. Robb's survival could have also saved the life of his brother Rickon. The return of Robb could have inspired more loyalty among the Northmen, and he could have rallied his forces for the second time to defeat the Boltons and save his brother.

Robb's absence left Winterfell vulnerable; the castle quickly fell to Theon Greyjoy and his Ironborn soldiers. If Robb's devastating demise at House Frey's hands hadn't happened, he would have no doubt executed Theon Greyjoy and retaken Winterfell.

Starks win the War of the Five Kings

If the Red Wedding had never happened, the War of the Five Kings could have ended very differently. Robb Stark, the eldest son of Ned Stark, was a brilliant tactician who never lost on the battlefield. He was seeking independence for the North and vengeance for his father's death.

Robb's survival of the Red Wedding would have meant ultimate revenge for House Stark. He would have avenged his father's death, crushed his enemies, and won autonomy for the North.

Robb would have returned to Winterfell, purging the Ironborn presence and fortifying Winterfell against future wars. He would have executed Theon Greyjoy, taking back Winterfell from the Greyjoys.

Robb's absence from the North left it vulnerable, and Winterfell fell to Theon Greyjoy and his Ironborn soldiers. If Robb had survived, he could have reunited with his half-brother/cousin Jon Snow, the future Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, and together they could have stood against the Night King.

Robb's survival would have also saved the life of his brother, Rickon Stark. Rickon was captured by Ramsay Bolton, who killed the Stark heir during the Battle of the Bastards. With Robb's return, he could have rallied his forces and defeated the Boltons, saving his brother.

Robb's survival drastically alters the endgame positions of the other Stark siblings. Robb was the eldest child and heir of Ned Stark, and a proven leader of his people. He would have been a worthy claimant to the Iron Throne, and his story could have trumped Bran's to qualify him as King of Westeros.

However, even if Robb had survived the Red Wedding, there is no guarantee he would have triumphed over House Lannister. The Lannisters gained new power through their alliance with the Tyrells, and Robb's chances of victory were looking increasingly bleak.

Robb's survival could have led to a war with the Dragon Queen, Daenerys Targaryen, as his sovereignty and pursuit of Northern independence would have put him at odds with her desire to reclaim all of Westeros. Robb's forces were depleted by the war with the Lannisters, and he may not have fared well against the Targaryen queen's larger numbers.

Robb goes to the Wall

Assuming Robb Stark survives the Red Wedding, he could have ended up at the Wall, joining the Night's Watch. This scenario would have seen Tywin Lannister banishing his rival from the Seven Kingdoms, sparing his life only to quell an uprising from the North.

At the Wall, Robb would have reunited with his half-brother/cousin, Jon Snow, the future Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Together, they could have fought the White Walkers, with Robb's tactical brilliance and renowned battle command adding invaluable support to Jon's efforts. Robb would not have allowed Jon to journey alone in the dangerous lands of the North.

Robb's presence at the Wall could have also saved the life of his brother, Rickon Stark. With Robb's return, the Young Wolf could have rallied his forces once more to defeat the Boltons and save Rickon from Ramsay Bolton.

Robb's survival at the Red Wedding would have drastically altered the endgame for the remaining Starks. Robb, as the eldest child and heir of Ned Stark, would have been a strong contender for the Iron Throne. His survival could have seen him either rejecting the crown to return to Winterfell or assuming power to lead the Seven Kingdoms into a new era.

Robb's path would have eventually crossed with Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons. Robb's fight for Northern independence could have put him at war with Daenerys, who wanted to reclaim all of Westeros. Alternatively, a marriage alliance between the two could have been brokered.

Robb is elected King

If Robb Stark had survived the Red Wedding, he could have been elected King. As the eldest son of Ned Stark, Robb was the heir to the North. Robb was also a brilliant tactician and had never lost a battle.

If he had lived, Robb could have returned to Winterfell to purge it of the Ironborn presence. He could have avenged his father's death, crushed his enemies, and won autonomy for the North. Robb's survival could have inspired more loyalty among the Northmen, and he could have rallied his forces to defeat the Boltons and save his brother, Rickon.

Robb's path may have eventually crossed with Daenerys Targaryen, as she wanted to reclaim all of Westeros, which could have put him at war with the Dragon Queen. Robb's forces were depleted by the war with the Lannisters, so they may not have fared well against Daenerys' army. Alternatively, Robb could have brokered a marriage alliance with Daenerys.

Robb's survival could have drastically altered the endgame positions of the other Stark siblings. Sansa, for example, would not have become Queen in the North while Robb still lived to bear the crown.

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