Did Walder Frey Act on Orders or Intuition?

The premise that Walder Frey acted on orders from Tywin Lannister before joining the rebellion is often mischaracterized. Upon closer examination of the events leading up to the Battle of the Trident, it becomes apparent that Walder Frey may have already aligned himself with the rebels even before Tywin Lannister made his move.

Early Support for the Rebels

When Ned Stark was advancing south, Walder Frey likely declared his support for the rebels early on. The route that Ned took would have been the most direct path through the Riverlands, which were predominantly loyalist. However, given the urgency with which Ned needed to reach Riverrun, it’s reasonable to assume he would have taken the most direct route.

Additionally, Walder Frey had extensive connections to the Vale, a significant region in the Westerlands. Even though not all the alliances mentioned in the appendix existed at that time, the Freys had a strong enough network to open their gates to Ned Stark, allowing him to proceed west to Riverrun without payment. This action suggests that Walder had already declared his support for the rebels.

Internal Family Conflicts and Delays

Walder Frey’s support was hampered by internal family conflicts and the loyalty of several of his vassals. To join the rebellion effectively, Walder first had to quell these internal disputes. Months of turmoil within his own family and the mobilization of his forces would have delayed his participation in the Battle of the Trident.

When the Battle of the Trident finally commenced, Walder was approaching from the north, separated from the main rebel forces who were advancing from the west. This geographical constraint further delayed his alignment with the rebels.

Chreshiness Over the Late Lord Frey Insult

The delayed arrival and Walder’s reputation as the "Late Lord Frey" led to a confrontation with House Tully and House Stark at the cost of Catelyn Stark. Infuriated by the insult, Walder demanded significant concessions from Catelyn and Robb Stark as a condition for crossing.

Conclusion

While Walder Frey did have his sights on joining the rebellion, his actions were likely driven more by internal family dynamics and the need to align his forces rather than orders from Tywin Lannister. The delay in his arrival at the Battle of the Trident was a result of these complexities, showing that Walder’s involvement was neither purely on orders nor full of intuitive decision-making.