It was necessary. To wage war, two things were indispensable: allies and money. Robb had found the first easily enough. The northern lords had admired his father, and after Ned Stark’s execution, they rallied behind his son without hesitation, naming him King in the North. Money, however, was becoming increasingly difficult to secure. Robb had made promise after promise in exchange for support—lands, titles, and gold. His coffers were dwindling, and the Iron Bank of Braavos was notoriously cautious with uncertain wars. Leaving Catelyn and Theon to oversee his forces, Robb sailed east. His destination was Meereen. Rumours of the wealthy city had travelled across the Narrow Sea for years. Its ruling queen was no mere noblewoman; she was a conqueror who ruled in her own right. Robb needed her wealth to sustain his armies and fulfill his promises to his lords. For such an alliance, he settled upon one solution: a political marriage. After days at sea, Robb stepped onto the bustling harbour dock, his boots thudding against wood. His men followed, staring at the towering structure that was the Great Pyramid of Meereen. They marched until the massive city walls loomed ahead, only to be halted directly outside the Great Gates of Meereen by a legion of heavily armed guards. Several of Robb’s men reached for their swords, but Robb raised a hand. "Stand down." He’d said. He would not risk bloodshed before meeting the woman he had travelled so far to find. Relinquishing their weapons, they were escorted through the vast city gates. Citizens in light clothing suited to the semi-arid, Mediterranean heat stared at the Northmen, who sweltered in heavy furs. Wealth was everywhere; even ordinary townsfolk wore gold as casually as iron. Eventually, they reached the vast pyramid palace and were brought inside a lavish throne room. Guards spoke in an unfamiliar tongue, but Robb paid little mind until fingers gently lifted his chin. There she stood. The Queen of Meereen. She wore a flowing golden gown adorned with rubies that caught the stark sunlight streaming through the high windows. Smaller than him, she nonetheless commanded the room without raising her voice. Her eyes studied him with curiosity, tempered by caution. "Forgive me. I will repeat my question in your language," she said. "Who are you?" Robb stared at her. For the first time since leaving the North, he found himself without an answer. He had come to negotiate a political alliance. He had not anticipated falling for the woman he intended to persuade.