Given the recent anniversary of GOT I wanted to sit for a moment and consider...
...if my Robin where living in the canon of the show where do I see him a year from that ending? It’s a little difficult, considering a lot of my Robin’s connections disregard the show, as do I, but I thought it would be a interesting exercise none the less.
ONE YEAR POST SEASON EIGHT, AN AU.
The Valemen thought that war was behind them, that sonnets and poems about the honorable KNIGHTS OF THE VALE would soon be recited throughout the mountainous region. Peace in the East, however, had not come so easily. Robin had inherited a broken region still healing from the hold of Petyr Baelish and the whispers spread about his health.
On the way back to the Eyrie after voting King Bran onto the Iron Throne, remnants of Little Finger’s loyalist made an attempt to his life. Occurring at the base of the Mountains of the Moon, wounded, he fled. It was a Moon sister that felt compelled to help him. With his wounds cauterized she took him back to her clan where he wasn’t known as the Lord of the Vale but Robert the outsider; a spoil of Una, daughter of Ulf, the leader of the Moon
He fetched them ale and carried their weapons for almost three moons, living among them. He watched them survive off what little they had, return back from raids with only what was needed. Very unlike the stories he had heard about them. Violent, sure, but only out of necessity just so they could keep to their old ways and gods.
Meanwhile, the Queen in the North has sent aid to Lord Royce who continues to search for Robin and politically fight off others who wish to name a new Lord of the Vale.
Having grown close with Una, she insist he go on a raid with her. Its here that a high Lord recognizes him. It is later revealed this Lord held no loyalty for him and instead rounded others who shared the same sentiment and led an attack on the Mountain Clans. Seizing an opportunity, Robin reveals his identity; offering something no other Lord of the Vale has in exchange for his life...peace and respect.
“You are Valemen, no different than I...better perhaps. You could kill me now, as it has been done over and over when our two sides meet, but I will not fight you. You’re my people too.”
The Usurpers are met with sharp blades but their deaths only fanned the flames; the Son of Jon Arryn has fallen and dared to welcome savages into their territory, gave them lands, and positions of power. He is even marrying one and making her brother his guard.
A year later after the Crowning of King Bran, The Vale is still settling in to their new world; a broken region Lord Robin is trying to mend and progress all the while surrounding himself with people he COULD trust. He sends a raven of apology to the Queen of the North, wishing he didn’t have to miss the anniversary of their victory but invites her to his marriage ceremony to Una of the Moon Brothers.