The Twins

The Twins is the stronghold and seat of House Frey, straddling the Green Fork of the Trident in the northern Riverlands. It consists of two great towers, one on each bank of the river, joined by a fortified bridge wide enough for wagons and riders to cross. The Twins commands the only crossing of the Green Fork for many leagues, and the Freys have grown rich and powerful by charging tolls to all who would pass.

The Twins' strategic value lies entirely in that bridge. Any army marching between the North and the southern riverlands must either cross at the Twins or make a long and costly detour, which gives House Frey influence far beyond what the family's lowly origins would otherwise allow.

Geography

The two castles are mirror images, each a strong stone keep guarding its end of the bridge, with a great gatehouse and a fortified central tower, the Water Tower, rising from the middle of the span. The Freys can close the bridge at will and hold it against far larger forces, since attackers must funnel across the narrow crossing under fire.

History

House Frey raised the Twins some six centuries before the events of the story and has held the crossing ever since, growing into one of the most populous and wealthy houses of the riverlands despite its relatively recent and undistinguished pedigree. Lord Walder Frey, called "the Late Lord Frey" for his tardy arrival at the Trident during Robert's Rebellion, rules the Twins through the time of the story, surrounded by an enormous brood of children and grandchildren.

In the story

The Twins is the site of one of the most infamous events in A Song of Ice and Fire, the Red Wedding. When Robb Stark breaks his promise to wed a daughter of House Frey, Lord Walder pretends reconciliation and offers his castle for the marriage of Robb's uncle Edmure Tully. During the feast, the Freys and their Bolton allies betray and slaughter Robb, his mother Catelyn Stark, and much of the northern host, breaking the cause of the King in the North and earning the Freys lasting infamy for violating guest right.

Rulers

The Twins is held by House Frey, sworn to House Tully of Riverrun but ever ready to put their own advantage first. After the Red Wedding the family is richly rewarded by the Iron Throne but earns the hatred of the riverlands.